Even in the winter months we are hitting all the gears and firing on all 6 cylinders. December ended with a bang as loud as an IMS failure. We had our first ever Phil-a-Frunk for Philabundance which was a literal food drive to help stock the food banks of the Delaware Valley. Riesentöter members have done me proud. We had a 2 mile caravan from King of Prussia to Xfinity Live at the Sports Complex containing 131 Porsches that brought over 3.7 tons of food or over 8,000 meals to the people who needed it most. So everyone who participated please stand up and take a bow. Shortly thereafter we ended the year with our holiday awards banquet at the Chester Valley Golf Club. Christopher Karras took home the famed Riesentöter silver bowl for his performances in Street Survival, helping to establish a new charitable organization (still in progress), leading the way for the club race at Monticello, and a boatload of past activities too numerous to mention. The night ended with fantastic door prizes (the winner of the 911 C4 wanted their name withheld for tax reasons), dancing, and stories that will lead us into the New Year.

Speaking of the New Year, our executive board is doing an excellent job at filling any and all available slots on our calendar. I think we need more days because as you read this, we have over 60 events to choose. So there is no excuse not to participate in something. We have it all my friends, from rallies to drive and dines, AX to DE’s, and full blown socials events like our annual picnic and awards banquet (July 18th and December 5th respectively – book those dates now).

While on the subject of the board, please welcome Corey McFadden as the new membership chair as Paula Gavin has stepped down. Thank you Paula for everything you did, certainly appreciate it. Corey will also help Dave Hathaway with Der Gasser by putting his own creative spin on things. Keep an eye on our website for the next edition of our highly informative Der Gasser.

The DE has made a few changes in their schedule as once again we lost The Glen; this due to a total resurfacing which was out of our control. That’s twice in three years. Ugh. And since this was usually a money maker for the club it was easy to offset any losses that we incurred for other DE events. The DE team looked closely at our past events and decided to cut our losses where needed so we could break even. This is why the RTR DE schedule looks a little light but not to worry as there will be a few adjustments and we may piggy-back on another region’s event or two to help round out our schedule. Anyway Marty and team are doing an excellent job at keeping everyone safe and having fun.

The AX crew under the guidance of Dave Nettleton will definitely get a workout this year as well. Still in the planning stages but they’ll have 10 events to pick and choose. The guys are always a fun hang, so if you get the chance, keep an eye out on the forum for their meeting spots because they usually caravan as a group to the events, then have a bite to eat afterwards at a local watering hole. Newbies are always welcomed with open arms and knocked down cones.

Rallies are making a comeback into our region thanks to Rich Bitner. We should have a spring, a summer rally leading to the picnic, and one in the fall. These are mildly competitive events and highly enjoyable, that is until someone gets lost and starts to blame others for their misfortune. The quickest way from point a to point b is not always a straight line….it’s listening to your navigator.

Now, if that isn’t enough to entice you to come to an event, our social aspects of the club are in full bloom and it’s not even spring. Come and join for this is going to be a jammed packed year so look at our calendar and plan accordingly. We will be doing our crazy winter drive again this year and I would like to stress that membership in our club has its privileges as we will be heading to Wyebrook Farm which would normally be closed to the public on this day. We have other drives planned for the spring and the summer drive is our social chair’s specialty. Wendy Walton tells us this year’s annual road trip will be a driver’s delight making our way on some country roads to Vermont. So stayed tuned for more details.

So even if your Porsche is still tucked in bed under the covers in the garage, you take a look at our calendar and start planning ahead and even come to a happy hour or membership meeting and socialize with your family of fellow Riesentöter’s

Keep your tailpipes clean,
Jeffrey Walton, President