Car Crazies

By Donna L. Hull, Photography By Jennifer Polixenni Brankin

With a turn of a key, the Porsche’s powerful, fine-tuned engine roars to life. Its aural symphony is unlike any other, and one that is completely recognizable to any Porschephile. After setting out on Catalina Highway you tear through your favorite twisties before returning your baby safely to the garage. The adrenaline rush is intoxicating but something is missing — someone to share it with. The solution, join the Southern Arizona Porsche Club.

Since 1967, the Southern Arizona Porsche Club has been educating Porsche owners about their vehicle, offering driver instruction programs, autocrosses and time trials. On the less serious side, members enjoy club sponsored road trips and socializing events, too.

The club is part of the national organization, Porsche Club of America, where the theme is, “It’s not the car, it’s the people.” Hal Tretbar, former president of Southern Arizona Porsche Club agrees, “The purpose is to promote enthusiasm and fellowship among Porsche owners.”

The club offers an array of activities, ranging from monthly meetings with speakers to autocross events where owners put their cars to the test. “If you own a good sports car, then you want the opportunity to take it out on the road,” Tretbar insists.

The autocross events are held at a track on Pinal Air Park property as well as the track at Central Arizona College. The events, which are open to other car makes as well, pits racers against the clock while following stringent rules for helmet use, car inspections and safe track driving. Participants pay an entry fee, which funds club-sponsored charities including Tucson Arthritis Support League, Arts Express and the Arizona Division of Developmental Disabilities. 

Although some members own Porsche’s dedicated strictly to driving on the track, complete with roll bar and driving harness, most members race Porsches that are their daily drivers. Tretbar says, “They take their daily driver to go out and learn how to handle their car safely at speed.” And, according to Tretbar, the most enthusiastic drivers are women.

The Southern Arizona Porsche Club is well represented with models representing the entire history of Porsche from one of the first models, a 1953 Pre-A, to the latest coupe just off the showroom floor. Car prices run the gamut too, with one member owning a new Carerra GT, the most expensive Porsche ever made at around $440,000. But, most of the 200 plus members favor older makes. Tretbar says, “Most of the members have mid-range cars in good condition that we can drive.”

Every May the Tucson Country Club hosts the annual Concours d’Elegance where club members can show off their beloved Porsches. The competition, which is open to public viewing, could be billed as a “clean car contest.” Members enter one of three competition levels, from “wash and shine,” to a “full concours” where cars are given a white glove inspection from top to bottom including the engine, trunk and undercarriage. You can also find Southern Arizona Porsche club represented at local care events like The Tucson Classic Car show and the Tubac Car Show.

For drivers who just want to have fun, the club sponsors three to five weekend trips plus several day trips throughout the year. Seeing the Porsche convoy headed down the highway towards Flagstaff or Sedona is quite a site. Being a part of the caravan is even better. 

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