Porsche Club of America

The Porsche Club of America (PCA) is a non profit organization of Porsche enthusiasts in the United States and Canada. It is organized into 145 regions,[1] which are grouped into 14 zones. PCA has more than 130,000 members and is the largest single-brand club in the world.[2]

Porsche Club of America
AbbreviationPCA
Formation1955
TypeNonprofit 501(c)(7)
PurposeSocial & Recreational Car Club
HeadquartersColumbia, Maryland
Region served
USA & Canada
Membership
130,000+
Executive Director
Vu Nguyen
Websitewww.pca.org

The PCA conducts Porsche-related events including driving tours, car shows, club racing, rallying, driver's education, autocrosses, social events, and similar activities.

History

The club was founded in 1955 in Washington, D.C.[1]

Bill Sholar, who was a commercial artist in the Washington, D.C. area in the early 1950s bought a new 1953 356 Coupe, and, as time passed, he met other Porsches on the road and flashed his lights at them in silent greeting. By late 1954, Sholar was convinced that a more personal meeting would be appropriate with other Porsche owners to discuss the positive and the not-so-positive aspects of driving the infrequently encountered marque. The first unofficial PCA meeting was held at the Sholar house on February 8, 1955. Following that meeting, several Porsche owners occasionally got together that spring and summer to share knowledge about Porsches. Eventually, they decided to start a club. A brief paragraph in the August 1955 issue of Sports Car Illustrated informed readers that a Porsche club was being formed in the United States; all inquiries were directed to Bill Sholar's attention. As part of the effort, Porsche was petitioned to recognize the proposed club.

Today, activities range from competitive events, such as autocrossing, club racing, rallying, and Concours, to social events, such as Touring, vehicle restoration, and Porsche history. A revised “Treffen®” now allows PCA members to visit the factory, the new Porsche Museum, the area around Stuttgart, Germany, and the research-and-development unit at Weissach. A professional staff, headed by Executive Director Vu Nguyen, operates the National Office in Columbia, Maryland, where a growing historical section is also housed. One of the objectives stated in PCA's Bylaws is to promote the enjoyment and sharing of goodwill and fellowship engendered by owning a Porsche.

Events

PCA is best known for its events. With over 3,500 annual events and activities, the club has something for every Porsche enthusiast. The club's largest event is the annual Porsche Parade, which is a week-long event where members from around the country gather to participate[3] in various events,[4] such as autocross and Concours d'Elegance.[5] Treffen North America are weekend events held twice a year and focus on driving tours, great locations and fine dining. PCA also hosts two national tech sessions each year called Tech Tactics, with one in California and one in Pennsylvania, as well as two national Concours-style car shows named Werks Reunion, that are held in California and Florida.

PCA Regions across North America host thousands of events each year including driving tours, car shows, club racing, rallying, driver's education, autocrosses, social events, and similar activities.

Each spring and fall, Porsche Club of America opens a member only raffle, in which members may purchase entries for a chance to win a brand-new Porsche. A number of Porsches have also been made specifically for the club, such as the Porsche 991 GTS Club Coupe, which was to celebrate the club's 60th anniversary.[6]

Regions

PCA is arranged into 145 local Regions in 14 zones across the United States and Canada. Each operates as their own motor club. As of 2018, Upper Canada is the largest region with 2,700 members.[7]

Further reading

References
  1. Sorokanich, Bob. "Porsche 911 GTS Club Coupe Is a 60th Anniversary Present to the Porsche Club of America". Car and Driver. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  2. Doerr, Elizabeth (Oct 17, 2014). "Chopard Celebrates the Porsche Club of America with an Ultra-Limited Mille Miglia Edition". Forbes. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  3. "Jay Peak tram allowed to reopen, closes out Porsche Parade". Dispatch media. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  4. "Vermont Convention Bureau and Jay Peak welcome Porsche Club of America". Retrieved 22 July 2016.
  5. "Jay Peak hosts annual Porsche parade". The Chronicle.
  6. "Spotlight: Porsche 991 GTS Club Coupe". Motorward.
  7. Collison, Robert (Apr 22, 2016). "Inside the largest Porsche Club of America chapter - the Upper Canada Region". The Globe and Mail. Retrieved 22 July 2016.
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