Keep your cool.
Max, our Berne-doodle guard-dog, used to get mad when I’d head out of the house for a walk without him. He’d chastise me with frustrated barks as I walked out the door. Now he just lays on the cool stone foyer floor and picks up his head to acknowledge my departure. Too hot, he says. In fact, he’s probably sick of me as well, hoping I’ll spend less time in the house.
Given that Salt Lake City is in the northwestern corner of the zone probably means that, except for those of you who are living above 7000 feet, it’s even cooler here than where you are. But despite the heat, as regions begin to “open up” to normal activities, there seems to be a pent up demand among members to get out and DO SOMETHING. Tours, autocross and HPDE events are re-emerging. These are events that allow for regions to manage your health and safety to the greatest extent possible. Activities like indoor socials, cars and coffee events and other face to face activities still remain a challenge in most regions. Hopefully the situation will improve in the next months. But for those of us who are venturing out for the limited number of moving car activities, we are doing so right in the middle of the summer heat. The attached photo shows the top of an Intermountain Region member’s helmet reading 140 degrees. The tarmac where we stood as cone wranglers was even hotter. So let’s make sure we stay well hydrated.
Speaking of health, safety and helmets. For those of you who do participate in either autocross, HPDE events, or Club Racing, it is never too early to plant the seed with your loved ones for that perfect holiday gift. Just as a reminder, your 2005 Snell-rated helmet that you use for autocross, and/or your 2010 similarly rated helmet that you use for HPDE or Club Racing activities, will turn into a pumpkin in 2021. I’ve learned that the 2020 specification helmets will become available from the manufacturers beginning around October of this year. A nice gift idea if you are that person who is impossible to buy for.
And for those of you who enjoy “televised” racing, you are hopefully enjoying the fact that F1 racing (and for some, maybe NASCAR too??) is back in full force, at least for a limited season. IMSA is back as well with a limited schedule, and affords that only real US based opportunity to enjoy sanctioned Porsche racing from the confines of home.
But if you want to see some serious racing excitement, with professional commentary, and ONLY Porsches on the track, YOU MUST check out PCA’s rapidly growing SIM racing competition. You can watch “Live” or “On Demand” races by PCA members throughout North America broadcast on YouTube (either on your computer screen or through your Smart TV) in your home. There have been multiple “Series” so far this year. Series 4, at popular race venues throughout the U.S. is now complete and can be viewed FREE, and on demand. The fastest way to navigate to it as you read this, is to simply Google it, using the words “PCA Sim Racing YouTube”. Up will pop a selection of the past races. Series 5 will take place in September and October. At that time you will be able to watch the races “Live” as well. Keep in mind that ALL of the racers are PCA members. So if you find the idea intriguing, you too may join the fray. A decent in-home set up is probably in the $1000-$1500. (Use some of that money you are not spending due to our current situation.) At PCA.org, you can search SIM RACING in the search bar, and it will take you to all the information that you need, including a list of recommended items needed to get started. PCA has also established an eDE training program for those of you who will be new to the I-Racing program. And just as in the physical PCA DE program, virtual racing groups are segmented by experience level. So don’t be intimidated by the videos that you see on YouTube. When you do get onto that “virtual” racetrack, you’ll be with similarly skilled drivers! Next year we are expecting also that there will be competitions between zones. I know of only a few members in the zone who are in the program today. So check it out. Hope to see your name on the drivers list!
Rich Sanders