March 2009

Mardi Gras Region Members:

So far, 2009 has been a great success for Mardi Gras Region. From February 12-15, 2009, we were privileged to host the National Porsche Club of America's annual winter meeting. Our guests, who included outgoing PCA President Prescott Kelly and incoming President Kurt Gibson, were treated to some old-fashioned fun at our Friday night "Beads on the Balcony" party on Bourbon Street and our Saturday night dinner and parade party at Michaul's Cajun Restaurant. Our new Zone 5 Representative, James Shoffit, was in attendance and agrees that our region's name should be changed to "Legendary Mardi Gras Region."

On February 21, 2009, we were back on our home track at No Problem Raceway. In addition to providing basic track driving instruction to novice and beginner driver groups, MGR's Chief Driving Instructor Ken Laborde coordinated class room and track training for four prospective driving instructors. I am very pleased to announce that Dave Cannon, John Goddard, Brent Mosing and I passed the course and we've have had our names added to the PCA national list of driving instructors.

On February 28, 2009, I flew to Dallas for the annual Zone 5 President's meeting with our new Zone Representative, James Shoffit. Our Zone Rep and the presidents from our sister regions expressed unanimous support for MGR to host the 2010 Porsche Escape - a long weekend adult event held somewhere geographically distant from that year's Parade site. As a warm-up, MGR is organizing a fall 2009 "Zone 5 Escape" to New Orleans. The Porsche Birthday Party event at Galatoire's will be the centerpiece of the weekend.

On March 15, 2009, MGR's regular monthly meeting convened at Zeke's Restaurant in Metairie. I am pleased to report that the members attending decided that several new (hopefully annual events) should be scheduled. On the social side of the house, a steak dinner event at Charlie's Steak House is planned for mid to late April. Then, in June, we will have a barbeque shrimp event at Pascal's Manale Restaurant. Final details on the precise date, time and cost will be e-mailed to MGR members shortly.

From a personal point of view, progressing from a "green group" novice driver through "blue group" beginner to "yellow group" intermediate solo driver and instructor has been lots of fun and very rewarding. All of our instructors are great drivers who enjoy teaching others what they have learned from years on the track. Most are "red group" advanced drivers and club racers. The practical benefits of MGR's drivers' education are twofold: becoming a much better driver and discovering what a Porsche can do on the track. So, now is the time to put MGR's Sunday, April 26, 2009 drivers' education event on your calendar.

Our annual blessing of MGR drivers at St. Louis Cathedral and the Porsche Birthday Party at Galatoire's is moving from September to October 17, 2009, to prevent the hurricane delay caused in 2008 by Hurricane Gustav. The traditional silver café brulot bowl will again be awarded to MGR's most valuable member(s). Now is the time to nominate someone for this honor by confidentially e-mailing his and/or her name to rmmjr@cox.net or lois@buckeyecontractors.com. Club officers and past winners are not eligible.

Scheduled on September 26-27, 2009 is a two-day drivers education event. There was a suggestion that one of the two track days be scheduled as a half-day "Ladies' DE Day" followed by a group drive to a nearby plantation for lunch. This will be a great opportunity for the ladies to get their Porsches on the track without the distraction of those pesky Cup Cars. This event might also be scheduled at part of the "Zone 5 Escape" weekend.

Finally, there is consideration being given to moving the "Blastin' the Bayou" club race to April to coincide with the charity race that No-Problem Raceway hosts each year to benefit Unlocking Autism. There is a drivers' education event scheduled for November 20-22, 2009 at No Problem Raceway with or without the club race.

Richard Martin
Captain, Mardi Gras Region