FRIENDS REUNITED
From here to there, Porsche cars were everywhere. Red cars, blue cars, old cars, new cars. This oneʼs a superstar and this one carries scars. Classic Porsche drops in on the 2017 Werks Reunion
Classic Porsche visits the amazing Werks Reunion concours
Come one, come all… and they did, as over 1000 cars rolled onto the fairways of the Corral de Tierra Country Club, near Laguna Seca Raceway, for the fourth annual Porsche Werks Reunion during Monterey Car Week. As a national event put on by the Porsche Club of America, this popular gathering is free to spectators and welcomes all Porsche clubs, owners and enthusiasts to join in this celebration of the marque, as well as the enthusiasm and camaraderie (for Porsche automotive engineering).
Shortly after sunrise, at around 7.00am, the event kicked off. Over 775 cars eventually filled the display field, with 150 of these in judged classes, while hundreds more poured into the spectator parking lot. By mid-morning, as attendees strolled the grounds of this pristine golf course, owners polished their Porsches, vendors showcased their products and the judging was well under way.
This yearʼs featured model was the Porsche Boxster as 2017 marked the 20th Anniversary of the first generation 986. A diverse group of Porsches made it to the lawn for this yearʼs event and thousands of spectators ogled some of the rarest cars made, including a 1951 Sauter-porsche Roadster, and a 1953 356 America Coupé, as well as a modern Carrera GT, along with many tribute cars, hot-rods and the one millionth 911. Also on display were exhibits from the Sierra Madre Collection and the Porsche Museum.
The Michelin Tyre Company, the eventʼs sponsor,
“ALSO ON DISPLAY WERE EXHIBITS FROM THE PORSCHE MUSEUM…”
displayed three cars raced by Jeff Zwart: a 1992 Porsche 964 Carrera 4 SCCA Pro Rally Car, a 2002 Porsche 996 GT2 Pikes Peak Hillclimb Champion, and a 2010 Porsche 997.2 GT3 Cup Pikes Peak Hillclimb Special. Incidentally, the latter made an appearance in 2016 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed finishing in the Top 10 overall. For show registrants, sponsors also raffled away sets of tyres, an all-inclusive trip for two to the 2018 Le Mans 24 Hours and a day at the newest Porsche Experience Center in Los Angeles.
Many notables were also in attendance, such as multiple Le Mans- and Daytona-winning driver Hurley Haywood, European rally champion and Formula One driver Vic Elford, Porsche factory driver Patrick Long, photographer, commercial director and racer Jeff Zwart, Porsche Motorsports North America President and CEO Daniel Armbruster, Urban Outlaw celebrity Magnus Walker, artist Nicolas Hunziker, and many more.
By mid-afternoon judging had concluded and the awards were presented to the joyous owners as they paraded their cars in front of an enthusiastic audience, while being streamed live via the Porsche Club of America Facebook page for the world to see. Werks Reunion 2017 was an astounding success and is sure to be a highlight for anyone attending Monterey Car Week in the future. CP As an aside, photographer/writer Kristina Cilia and her husband Dominic have owned a 1973 Silver Metallic Porsche 914 2.0 for the last 21 years. This year they drove it down to Monterey Car Week where it was registered for the Concours at the Werks Reunion on Friday. It took First Place in the 914 category! Congratulations both – Keith Seume