2024 History

The year started out in January with a Swap Meet at Eurotire. This was the second Swap Meet since the unset of Covid. This was also a great social event for many folks. This was probably the last time that we have a swap meet at Eutotire since Eurotire has gone out of business. Thanks to Bill Bloomfield for all the years of hosting the swap meet.

In February the club had its usual instructor seminar led by Bill Gilbert and Thom Calabro. In the morning it was for instructors and the afternoon was for all DE drivers. The club also had a New Member event at Paul Miller Porsche and Technical had a new model event at Paul Miller Porsche.

For March the club had a Technical Preparation event at Powertech and the annual Gathering of the Faithful Concours workshop at High Marques.

April was the start of the Driver Education season with a car tech at Paul Miller Porsche followed by our Lightning DE event. We also had our annual Car Control Clinic with many smiling faces. NNJR also had our annual Concours event with the Paterek Brothers.

May started this month with Welcome to the Club which featured both a Concours and a Rally. There was also another Concours event at Englewood Porsche. There were two technical events for MidOhio and Thunderbolt DE events. The MidOhio event was shared with the MidOhio PCA Region.

Led by Grant Lenahan and his volunteers, June had its first of four autocrosses at Pocono Raceway. Lime Rock Park was a DE event. In the past this was in April but is now a more favorable June event without that awful snow.

There were two DE events for July, the first was at Summit Point run in conjunction with Potomac PCA and the second event was at Pitt Race which was jointly run with the Allegheny PCA. July had their Summer Sizzle Rally which started again at High Marques with its great breakfast.

August was the first of two events at Watkins Glen International. This is most drivers favorite race track. We get to drive on the track for three days in one weekend with a great dinner sponsored by Paul Miller Porsche. Rally had its Run to the Stone Walls rally.

September had its two-day upper run group Watkins Glen DE event. There is a lot of track time for this event due to it has only two run groups with no student drivers. September had its second Cruise Night at the Flanders German Swim & Sport Club. This event had a contest for the most original display of Porsche party themes and a beautiful display of Porsche cars.

October had the Fall Concours event at the Wing Spread Farms with another beautiful display of Porsches. October also had its 50^th Annual Wine Tasting at Paul Miller Porsche. This event is always a sell out with different wines and delicious food. October finished with its last two track events for the season, Lightning 2 and Virginia International Raceway.

November started off with a New Member event at Paul Miller Porsche and ended with a Winter Prep event at ID Signs. This final concours event had the most ever door prizes. The rally program had the Dreyfus Rally which was the final rally of the season. The annual Pine Barrens Off-Road excursion was catered for the four wheeled Porsches (and others) by Peter Schneider and his crew.

December was our annual Holiday Party event at the Highlawn Pavilion that ended the season for the club. This party had great food, drinks, club awards, partying and get togethering with our Porsche friends. A first for the club, a lady, Britt Findley was awarded the most improved driver of the year. Thank you Cindy & Tony Cristello for running this great event.

As you can see in the chart below, NNJR had a full year of events to keep the club on its toes.

Passing of Dennis Thovson, who along with spouse Marlys, acted as “inspiration” to NNJR, contributing ceaselessly to any and all club endeavors, along with mentoring club members and leadership.  Special tribute was paid to Dennis at a “Celebration of Life” ceremony hosted at a fitting Paul Miller Porsche dealership memorial

Coincidental was the passing of longtime NNJR member and past-President (’66-‘67) Bill Oldenboom who actually recruited Dennis (and Marlys), Bill & Dennis sharing same age of 88 (1934-2022)

65^th Anniversary of NNJR celebrated in June at a Gala Family Summer Picnic at Fountain Spring Lake in Ringwood, NJ. A very special 65^th P4US hardcopy print publication was designed to commemorate event thru extensive research by Bruce Zabor, Rich Barry & Bill Gilbert, with abundant historic photos included

Remarkably, Charity set another record in 2022- exceeding $63k dedicated to Cheshire Home!  Despite worrisome inflation, serious downturn in financial markets, Hubert King rallied membership in support of a most worthwhile cause, the $63k may be the greatest annual amount ever achieved by any Region within PCA for Community Service

DE Chair Thom Calabro continued to deliver a full DE schedule, complete with NNJR-sponsored Safety Techs & HPDE seminar, augmented by an extensively researched and well-presented article published in P4US titled ”Off-Track Excursions”- a multiple page description of available activities proximate to driving tracks which offer family members alternatives to explore while DE driver stays on-track

Nearby in Poconos, PCA hosted its 66^th annual Parade, drawing the greatest Parade attendance ever!  With abundant NNJR members attending, no surprise that NNJR contestants reaped the lion’s share (Kalahari is an African-inspired theme park) of PCA Awards, especially in Concours competition

Rally Meister John Vogt fabled Rally Program continued to delight with full 5-event season supported by a Rally Cadre comprised of specialists schooled in fine-art of rallying, including Peter & Joanne Schneider, Erik & Pat Sjogren and Duncan & Britt Findlay… one of most popular in PCA!   Cruise/outdoor Movie Night a big hit at Flanders German Swin & Sport Club, along with 9^th annual Off-Road Excursion thru NJ Pinelands, hosted by Peter Schneider!

Concours chair Kevin Fitz successfully shepherded Concours events thru Covid with a wide-array of “How-To” You-Tube instructional videos, transitioning Program over to veteran Concours-emeritus Hank Menkes (Hank Parade Group Winner-Preparation/Kevin 1^st Full Preservation)

Capping off 2022 with a Holiday Party return to Highlawn Pavilion following three Covid years, Cindy & Tony Cristello pleased all with a Sunday afternoon extravaganza, complete with special 65^th Anniversary memento

2020, the Endless Covid Bummer…a near Virtual Performance

Our two Thovson award winners allowed NNJR to “go digital and go virtual” without missing a beat.  P4US Editor Petra Swift & Program Chair Shannon Muller brought prior hardcopy newsletter and live monthly meetings online attaining record viewer-ship. Incredible virtual speakers, like Hurley Haywood at Brumo’s new Museum, Petersen Automotive Museum on Wilshire in LA, were most happy to sign on to present live streaming to our NNJR YouTube Channel.

Our NNJR website YouTube channel and Facebook sites achieved high levels of social readership/participation with thousands of hours logged online.

One of NNJR’s long-time favorite meetings is Slide Night, co-hosted by Dom Miliano & John Vogt, the annual “slide night” broke all records for entrants.  In past years, 20 to 25 participants was a big night. This time, because of the virtual nature and focus on Porsche only, we had 45 participants, with high-quality images submitted in the “everyone with cell/camera” era

Thru sheer determination and a high level of organization typically seen at professional IMSA events, DE Chair Thom Calabro literally willed a portion of NNJR’s DE season to happen! Grant Lenahan aptly managed to drive AutoX events

While John Vogt award-winning people-intensive rally season and summer BBQ were not to be, John invented new venues to keep NNJR membership in play, e.g. an outdoor Drive-In movie & Vineyard Trek

An astounding record-setting $24k to NNJR Charity Cheshire Home as a result of hard-work by Charity Chairs

Presentation by Ken Miller & Bob Knapik of History of Watkins Glen & Lime Rock Park at monthly meeting

DE Seminar Guest Speaker Gunnar Jeannette, IMSA racer who won 2011 American LeMans Series Drivers’ Championship; Old Mill Inn

NNJR Lake Underwood Jr (1957 Speedster) & Dan Curry (962) invited to display historic race cars at 23rd Amelia Concours; all NNJR attendees to Werks/Amelia featured in P4US  (Honoree: Emerson Fittipaldi)

NNJR Spring Shore Trek beginning at Bahr’s, historic shore restaurant

6th Cruise Night continues to overwhelms AGAIN

Judy Stropus, Timer & Scorer extraordinaire during Racing’s GoldenAge, guest speaker at NNJR, hosted by Dom Miliano at Paul Miller

NNJR members attend Zone1 2nd annual Get-a-Way to Chautauqua/Jamestown, NY, birthplace of Lucille Ball, featuring tours of Lucy & Desi Museum and world-class National Comedy Center

P4US Chronicler Bob Knapik Slide Night presentation of his Porsche competing against clock on Bonneville Salt Flats, including round-trip drive to Utah

Dreyfus Rally closes tremendous Rally season organized by John Vogt, NNJR Rally-Meister

Noted Speakers: Philippe Defechereux spoke about early racing in America at our January Monthly Meeting. Kyle Tilley, a racer with lots of experience, spoke at our annual Drivers Ed Seminar.

Our 4^th Cruise Night attracted 150 cars. Lots of visiting with old friends, good food and music!After Many years, our Monthly Meetings moved to the Mountain Lakes Club after the Villa changed owners.

Noted Speakers: Brian Sellers, a factory driver for Falken Tire, races a 911 GT3 RSR spoke at our annual Advanced Driver Seminar. David Donohue and Skip Barber spoke at our May monthly meeting

40^th Annual Concours and Preservation Workshop at Paterek Brothers in Chatham. John’s son Andrew Paterek has joined John and Ray.

Second “Cruise Night” held with great attendance and lots of food and fun!

1^st Pinewood Derby event held at NNJR’s Monthly Meeting. Kids and grownups participated with lots of cheering!

Skip Barber, owner of Lime Rock, spoke at our October Monthly Meeting about the track and its history.

Our 55th Anniversary Year!

Noted speakers in 2012: Brian Till spoke at our Advanced Driving Seminar; Andrew Davis, Brumos Porsche driver, spoke about driving for Brumos.

Record participation for the Ladies Day DE at Pocono.

Gala 55th Anniversary Celebration and Car Show at the Harbor Hills Picnic Grove in Mendham.

Marlys Thovson awarded Honorary Life Membership in NNJR for her distinguished service and contributions, including serving as NNJR’s Secretary for 40 years.

Noted speakers in 2010: Ross Bentley spoke at our Advanced Driving Seminar; Bryce Miller entertained us with his racing experiences.

Driver Ed at the new Monticello race track.

Trek to visit the Simeone Auto Museum in Philadelphia.

Red Mill Museum Concours d’Elegance.

Annual Charity Auction raises $17,000 for the Somerset Hills Learning Institute for autistic children.

Noted speakers during 2008: Darren Law spoke at the Advanced Driving Seminar; Jeff Mahl presented a program on the 1908 “Great Race;” Leonard Turner, spoke about photography for Panorama.

First DE at the new NJ Motorsport Park Thunderbolt track.

Fifth Porscherama at Pocono.

Annual Charity Auction raises $15,850 for Employment Horizons.

NNJR awarded the Ferry Porsche Trophy for Region of the Year for the sixth time at the 2006 Parade!

3rd annual Advanced Performance Driving Seminar conducted by Ross Bentley.

David E. Davis well known automotive writer and editor speaks at monthly membership meeting to an audience of over 200.

Third annual “New” Porscherama held at Pocono to a sell-out crowd.

Annual Charity Auction raises $16,300 for the School-to-Career Transition Services of Employment Horizons.

Total primary membership 12/31/2006 reaches 2,264; plus 1754 Family/Affiliate members for a total of 4018 members.

Porscherama Weekend returns to the calendar. First event held at Pocono Raceway and Split Rock Lodge. Hurricane Ivan submerges the first day!

First annual Advanced Driver’s Seminar developed and conducted by Bill Gilbert.

30th Annual Concours Preservation Workshop conducted by John and Ray Paterek.

Porsche Race and Rally driver Vic Elford speaks at monthly membership meeting to an audience of over 300.

45th Rene Dreyfus Memorial Rally held.

NNJR website completely revised and updated by John Flynn.

David Novack appointed to the National PCA Legal Committee.

Stu Zeh appointed National PCA Sponsorship and Public Relations Chairman

NNJR celebrates its 45th Anniversary. 540 Members attend the celebration at the Springdale House (formerly the Schwaebische Alb) in Warren, NJ.

NNJR sponsors Zone 1 Concours and Rally. Proceeds totaled more than $10,000, which were donated to the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Charter Member Lake Underwood was Honored Guest and Speaker.

30th Annual Wine Tasting (accompanied by elegant food!) hosted by Paul Steck and Dennis Thovson.

First Ladies Day Driver Ed at Pocono.

Stu Zeh appointed to PCA National Parade Committee and Director of Competitive Events.

Porscheforus (Greg Apicella, Editor) judged first in Class 5 (the largest PCA regions) in the Parade Newsletter Contest.

NNJR held its seventh Club Race at Pocono.

First Rally School held in March prior to the Rally Season.

NNJR is the first PCA Region to reach 2,000 members.

PCA Family of the Year awarded to the Novack family at the Steamboat Springs, CO Porsche Parade

NNJR Web site was developed by Bob Michaelson.

Zone 1 Autocross hosted by NNJR at the Meadowlands and Fairleigh Dickenson University – Teaneck.

NNJR purchased new GMC 2500 heavy-duty cargo van.

NNJR held its fifth Club Race at Pocono.

First “Old Rascals Night” held recognizing NNJR members with 10 or more years in PCA. 11 Past Presidents were in attendance.

Car Care Specialties takes over management of Goodie Store.

Over $17,000 raised for charity. NNJR wins First Prize in the 1996 Pirelli Public Service contest awarded at the 1997 San Antonio Porsche Parade.

Autocross participation reaches 152 at the Meadowlands and 542 members participate in the Autocross series for the year.

NNJR celebrates its 35th anniversary at the King’s Road Vineyard in Pattenburg, NJ

The first Tryautothon is held, replacing Rookie Weekend, and the first New Member News was printed and distributed.

A new 1992 GMC Van is purchased. The 1984 Ford Van retained for use by the expanded PX.

First Mid-winter Track Seminar for novices held at Tracey’s Nine Mile House.

NNJR made its first contribution to Paul Newman’s Hole In The Wall Gang Camp for children with cancer and serious blood disorders.

NNJR wins Region of the Year for the fifth time!

Dennis Thovson awarded Honorary Life Membership in NNJR.

Charity (Chinese) Auction Fund Raising Event held for the benefit of the Seeing Eye of Morristown.

Fifties Party at the Old Mill Inn.

NNJR attends East Coast debut of Porsche Indy Car at the Meadowlands.

A car control clinic was introduced as part of the Autocross Program.

A new 1984 Ford Van was purchased.

John Paterek honored as PCA Enthusiast of the Year (for 1983) at the Appleton, WI Porsche Parade.

NNJR celebrates its 25th Anniversary.

NNJR purchased its first FM Band Portable Radios for Track Communication.

An eight page booklet on Autocrossing was published by the Region.

NNJR won Region of the Year again — the first Region to be awarded this honor two years in a row.

Ralph & Tylee Stoesser family awarded PCA Family of the Year at the Porsche Parade in Aspen, CO.

First Octoberfest event took place.

The “Kid’s Rally” was instituted for the benefit of Children’s Specialized Hospital in Mountainside, New Jersey.

Membership grew to 468.

First two-day Drivers Education Event took place at Lime Rock Park.

Membership reached 324.

First club van, a 1964 VW Bus, was purchased and restored to running condition by NNJR members.

NNJR hosts 1974 Porsche Parade at Pocono Manor, PA.

Dick & Harriet Carlson Family awarded PCA Family of the Year at the Porsche Parade in Pocono Manor, PA.

First Gourmet Dinner Tour was held. Membership reached 250.

Last NNJR Hillclimb at Hobo Hill.

Open membership policy was instituted. Previous program required sponsorship of the prospective member and attendance at three consecutive events before the Board of Governors could approve the application.

The first general Monthly Meeting was held on January 13 at Norel’s in Denville during a blizzard. Five people attended.

Treasury reached a balance of $746.87 and membership climbed to 120.

First major article on NNJR appeared in the March issue of Porsche Panorama and membership grew to exceed 100.

NNJR relinquished members in Monmouth, Atlantic, Cape May and Ocean Counties due to the formation of the Jersey Shore Region. Total loss was 15 persons leaving 85 members at the end of the year.

First Technical Session was conducted and a Gymkhana Program was started.