Porsche Club Insider

We got to spend an hour, talking racing and history, with Gunnar Jeanette from AO Racing during Monterey Car Week. Gunnar was one of the youngest drivers to finish the 24 Hours of Le Mans. He was born into a Porsche family since his dad was a mechanic and crew chief for many Porsche teams during the 935 and 962 glory years. After racing, he partnered with a friend to start AO Racing which is more famously known for the team cars, Rexy, Roxy and Spike. Gunnar’s story telling is on point and he’ll keep you glued to hear the end of each one.

We talk about what we saw and did during this year’s Monterey Car Week. Of course, it was with a focus on our favorite brand, Porsche. We cover the major auction houses and the Porsches we saw. Plus, we chat a bit about this year’s Werks Reunion, some other shows we visited and spending a day with the folks from Gunther Werks at Laguna Seca. So much happened, we hope you enjoy us sharing it with you on this week’s episode.

Peter Simpson joins us again to reveal the 996 that Porsche Owings Mills prepared for the Porsche Restoration Challenge this year. The twist with this car was that they had to make it a wide body to accommodate the Gemballa wheels that had purchased. They didn’t use C4S fender flares. Instead, they widened it themselves along with many other mods. It’s a enlightening podcast that sheds light on this popular competition among Porsche dealerships.

Most everyone dreams of owning a Porsche 904, but it’s current value makes that dream nearly impossible.  For guest Chip Reichhart, the solution was to purchase a recreation at a much lower price. Chip joins us in studio to discuss his Beck 904. He goes over why he decided to buy it, what the differences are between the replica and real one, as well as what it’s like to drive it. He also goes over the buying experience and why he decided to spec his the way he did. As an owner of several vintage Porsches, he is well versed in their driving characteristics and it’s interesting to hear his take on his Beck 904.

On this episode we have Rob Sass in studio who helps us navigate the most interesting Porsches coming up for auction in Monterey. We start off by chatting about what we did over the Porsche weekend. This includes tire repair, air conditioning and fan resistor tips as well as why Orlando Bloom is promoting the PCA Porsche Design watch. We then go over cars from RM Sotheby’s, Gooding, Broad Arrow, Bonham’s and Mecum auctions in Monterey. This one is a little longer than usual but as always, it’s filled with great information.

Damon Lowney shares with us his ownership experience with his 2005 Cayenne V6 that he purchased earlier this year.  Damon has racked a good amount of miles on the car and has a list of things that need to be fixed. Vu also shares his ownership experiences he’s had with his 2006 Cayenne he’s owned for almost 20 years.  If you are in the market for an older Cayenne and are tempted by the low prices or even if you’re not going to buy one, it’s still an interesting show to learn more about Porsche’s first SUV.

We had the opportunity to sit down with Alois and Aloisa Ruf during the Porsche Parade to hear their story of how the company started, recent innovations, and their current line up. We hear about how Ruf and Gran Turismo exposed the Ruf brand to gamers who are now buying the real cars. We also hear about the first Ruf built, Alois’s connection to PCA and Oklahoma. Plus Aloisa tells us what its like to grow up a Ruf. There’s a lot covered in less than an hour. If you’ve heard the name Ruf but weren’t sure how it was associated with Porsche, this is the episode for you. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:01:33) - Guest introduction, Alois and Aloisa Ruf(00:02:14) - What is Ruf?(00:05:01) - Early years of Ruf(00:06:31) - The first Porsche in the Ruf family(00:10:09) - What’s it like growing up Ruf(00:11:23) - Fascination video(00:12:53) - What inspired you to modify 911s(00:16:17) - Why did Ruf become a manufacturer?(00:17:41) - Selling the 356 Notchback(00:22:00) - How does Ruf position itself with other tuners?(00:25:14) - What did Ruf change when it received the 911 chassis from the factory?(00:26:16) - Ruf’s employee structure(00:31:10) - How Ruf’s lineup is structured(00:36:11) - Is there a Hybrid or EV future for Ruf?(00:39:29) - How Ruf keeps the new cars feeling like the old ones(00:44:33) - Gran Turismo and the Yellowbird(00:46:41) - Review of the current RUF lineup(00:49:12) - The new RUF 993 lighting system(00:50:12) - Alois’ connection to Oklahoma(00:54:00) - Upcoming PCA events

This episode was recorded in front of a live audience at the 2025 Porsche Parade in Oklahoma City, on the fourth day of Parade. Vu, Manny, and Damon welcome Nathan Merz to the podcast. We talk about all we did at Parade, which includes setting up, concours, RC cars, Tech Tactics, bowling, and more. This was a very memorable Parade and hopefully this episode will convince you to come next year.

This is a special episode that was recorded several weeks ago since this car was still a secret. It is split into three sections because we wanted to interview the key people involved with the development of the newly announced PCA70 911 Club Coupe. We start off with PCA President Aaron Ambrosino, who details how the Executive Council conveyed their wishes to the staff the Porsche Exclusive. We then bring on Michael Tam, PCNA's Product Manager for sports cars, who details how special cars like this are planned and executed. Lastly, we bring on Alexander Fabig, VP of Individualization & Classic at Porsche AG, and Grant Larson, renowned designer and Director Special Projects, Style Porsche, Porsche AG. They give us the story of what happened with the car in Germany and how so many of the special details came to life. PCA Club Coupes only come around every ten years, so we are super excited to bring you behind the scenes. Chapters (00:00:00) - Show introduction(00:01:23) - Guest introduction, Aaron Ambrosino, PCA National President(00:04:01) - History of Club Coupes(00:06:35) - When did planning start on the 70th Club Coupe?(00:12:40) - How was the color chosen?(00:16:27) - What’s special about the interior?(00:17:42) - The story behind the No Delay button(00:19:07) - How do you buy a 70th 911 Club Coupe?(00:20:00) - Guest introduction, Michael Tam, Product Manager, Sports Cars at Porsche Cars North America(00:23:16) - What are the first steps when planning a special car?(00:27:38) - Why was the Carrera T the perfect choice for the Club Coupe?(00:29:12) - What can you NOT get on the Club Coupe?(00:30:06) - How much difference is creating a Club Coupe as compared to a regular model?(00:31:02) - What’s the relationship between Porsche AG and PCNA for a model like this?(00:32:04) - How much work was involved in bringing the debut 70th Club Coupe?(00:33:46) - Where is the customization work done?(00:38:39) - Will you be overseeing the delivery of the Club Coupes in North America?(00:38:49) - Guest introductions, Alexander Fabig, Vice President Individualization and Classic and Grant Larson, Special Projects Style Porsche(00:39:36) - Did you look back at previous Club Coupes for inspiration?(00:42:36) - What role did In and Out have with the creation of the Club Coupe?(00:46:07) - Why was the 911 Carrera T chosen as the base for this car?(00:47:52) - Tell us about the color from a designer standpoint(00:50:39) - Explain how you came up with the wheel design?(00:54:36) - Special Easter eggs on the car

On this episode, Mia Walsh, who is PCA’s National Drivers Education Committee Chair, joins us in studio to talk about what a rookie can expect if they come to a PCA DE. Along with hearing about Damon’s recent HPDE with Nord Stern Region at Road America, we chat about what you’ll need to participate, how PCA trains its instructors, and how PCA teaches you how to be safe while having fun. Plus we discuss Porsche news. Chapters (00:00:00) - Show and guest introduction(00:02:25) - Damon’s day at Road America(00:13:45) - What is Driver’s Education?(00:17:00) - Which cars can’t participate in DE?(00:18:00) - What’s required of your car?(00:21:49) - Should you modify your car for DE?(00:24:29) - How PCA trains its instructors to teach students(00:37:00) - Is DE just like racing?(00:40:29) - What you’ll need prepare you come to your first DE(00:45:48) - Do you need a driving suit?(00:50:19) - Are race tires necessary?(00:53:24) - Windows up or down while on track?(00:57:13) - Day of the event, what do I need to bring?(01:01:10) - How fast can you expect to go?(01:03:50) - Is this an activity for both men and women?(01:09:01) - What happens when something goes wrong on the track?(01:11:30) - Is there classroom instruction?(01:13:30) - What if my car breaks down?(01:18:47) - Porsche News: Porsche comes in fourth at 6 Hours of the Glen(01:20:07) - Update on PCA videos(01:23:17) - Upcoming PCA events

PCA member and internationally recognized expert on James Dean, Lee Raskin, joins us in studio for a lesson on everything you didn’t know about James Dean and his love of racing Porsches. Lee explains to us how he got hooked on James Dean, what he’s discovered over the decades of research and investigating James Dean, his cars, and that fateful day. If you want to hear accurate information on this fascinating topic, this is the podcast for you. Chapters (00:00:00) - Intro(00:02:00) - Guest introduction, Lee Raskin(00:03:50) - Why did you get interested in James Dean?(00:08:10) - James Dean books that Lee authored(00:11:49) - How did Lee get into Porsches?(00:15:56) - Why did James Dean drive Porsches?(00:26:20) - How did the 550 Spyder and James Dean come together?(00:40:05) - Why was Dean heading to Salinas?(00:45:45) - What happened on that fateful day?(00:59:05) - Investigation of the accident(01:02:20) - What happened to the wrecked 550 Spyder?(01:14:49) - Porsche News: Porsche 963 finishes third in IMSA Detroit race(01:16:59) - PCA events update(01:17:37) - PCA video update

Michael Maurer was a salesperson at Porsche dealerships for four decades starting in 1982.  He tells us what it was like to sell during lean years, what the 944 and Boxster did for salespeople, the coming of the SUV and luxury four door sedans and the threat of a Porsche bankruptcy.  We talk about how people used to buy Porsches, discounts, selling during the pandemic and much more.  It’s an interesting peek into the dealer sales side of the Porsche world.

Michael Levitas, owner of TPC Racing, joins us to discuss whether Porsche has lost its way with the new cars. Michael owns a variety of Porsches that range from a 1971 911S to a 2024 911 Carrera S. He also owns several examples of Porsche’s competitors that he uses to develop aftermarket suspension and tuning products. We chat about whether newer cars are still visceral, do driving aids make bad drivers seem great, and whether or not it is still possible to modify and improve what the factory produced. It’s always interesting when Michael joins us and this episode doesn’t disappoint.

On this episode we chat about our turn at the 911 GTS T-Hybrid as well as what we thought about the Macan Turbo EV.  Damon fills us in on his first ever SCCA Pro Solo event.  Manny gives a report on doing the Porsche Driving Experience at New Jersey Motorsports Park as well as taking his sub-100 horsepower 914 on a PCA rally.  We also touch upon people behaving badly in Porsches on public roads as well news, event and PCA video updates.  We cover a lot of Porsche content in 70 minutes, don’t miss it.

Calvin Kim, Porsche Cars North America’s Product Spokesperson for Four-Door Porsches, joins us at Porsche Headquarters in Atlanta. Calvin doesn’t only work for Porsche, he wrenches on his own 996, does crazy road trips, and is a dyed-in-the-wool enthusiast. He gives us some insider perspective into all four lines of the four-door Porsches, why they built certain models, which ones are most popular, and much more. It’s an interesting 75-minute peek into Porsche’s best-selling vehicles.

Casey Parkin, owner of Group C Curation, visits us again in studio to discuss what he does everyday. Casey maintains several collections which feature Porsche predominantly. We delve into how he keeps track of maintenance, how often they are driven, what it’s like to work with the owners and much more. It’s an interesting peek into the collectors mind and how they expect their collections to be taken care of. Plus, we chat about what to do with fuel when storing your Porsche, the Porsche-only swap meet in Carlisle, PA, will Porsche build a street 963 as well as Porsche news, upcoming PCA events and current PCA videos.

On this episode we have Linda Goodman, PCA’s National Historian, on to discuss the history of how PCA became the world's largest car club with over 103K primary members.  We start from the humble beginnings when it was just owners looking for technical support to the Porsche Parades, Panorama Magazine, factory Treffens, partnering with Porsche to build special cars and so much more.

Peter Simpson, Service Manager for Porsche Owings Mills in Maryland, visits the podcast studio for a 60 minute discussion on a variety of topics.  We cover the car they are going to enter in this year’s Porsche Classic Restoration Challenge (hint: it’s a 996), what a Service Manager does all day, are Porsche customers are different than Hyundai’s and how he landed in this busy role.  If you wondered what goes on once you drop off your car at the dealer, this is the episode for you.

Bob Miller of At Speed Motors joins us for this week’s episode.  We discuss every Porsche cup car from the 944 to the 997.  We cover what they’re like to live with, how easy they are to drive and whether or not you need a crew to run them at the track.  If you’ve ever wondered what’s the story behind these Weissach built specials, this episode will answer a lot of your questions.

Jay Gillotti, PCA member and noted author, joins us in studio to discuss his two Porsche books, Gulf 917 and Porsche Decades.  We learn about the 917 and its origin, how the Gulf sponsorship and Steve McQueen came together to do a movie and what he though about Seinfeld’s 917 that went to auction.  We also chat about his latest book, Porsche Decades and why it’s the perfect book for those new to the Porsche world or anyone who is looking for one book that will cover a lot of history.  It’s a fascinating podcast where you’ll definitely learn something new like we did.