President's Message

It's about the journey.

I had the pleasure of replacing the clutch in my 944 last weekend.  Anyone who has replaced a 944 clutch knows that it involves a great deal of work and an even greater amount of patience.  I would have rather been autocrossing than doing what a good friend from Australia calls "groveling", but my car had other plans - she wanted attention in a big way.

Having the ability to perform your own maintenance is both a blessing and a curse.  On one hand, you get to know your car very well and you can save some money.  On the other hand, it can consume a significant amount of time and have you popping Ibuprofen like candy to ease the pain.  You may find yourself alternating between feelings of frustration and exuberance.  It's all part of the deal.

The clutch job led me to two local shops for parts and advice.  Walking into these shops reminds me of the sitcom Cheers, where everyone knows your name.  I'm quickly greeted with a warm welcome by the shop owners.  We get caught up on news, exchange stories, and I always walk away with some useful tip or an idea for a future modification.  Like Michael Schumacher after an F1 race, I can't help but look at what the other cars in the garage are sporting.  (Sadly, the similarity between Mr. Schumacher and me stops there.)

These shops - whether individually owned or dealerships - are a vital part of the Porsche community.  We are fortunate to have some very good ones in our region.  They are staffed with knowledgeable people who also happen to love Porsches.  They have great stories, they understand the brand, and they can help you in the darkest of times with your beloved car.  They are also the backbone of our Tech program, chaired by John Patterson.  Nearly every month, a local shop hosts one of our low-key tech sessions to the delight of the roughly 40 members who attend.  This month's tech session, on August 22, is at Porsche of Annapolis, where we will learn about basic maintenance of our Porsches.  If you haven't yet attended a tech session, I highly recommend you join us for this one.

With the clutch replacement now in my rearview mirror, it's clear to me that my biggest personal benefit from doing my own work is the journey.  I learn something each time - about the car and about myself.  Even if you don't do your own work, take a trip to your local shop and get to know the people there.  Better still - give them your support.

Andrew