The CALIFORNIA CHALLENGE was an idea born of Alyce Thorp, Executive Director of the Arthritis Foundation, San Luis Obispo and Kern Counties Branch. It is a weekend of fun and competition between Porsche Club of America's Zone 7 and Zone 8 encompassing 3 states (California, Nevada and Arizona). All proceeds from this event benefit the Arthritis Foundation.
Here are pictures of the CALIFORNIA CHALLENGE 1999.
"-- and what a weekend!

"Great Concours"

50 entries for the Concours.

All types were entered.


THE RALLY WAS NEW FOR 1999

"People traveled a bit to get here. Since they couldn't drive their racecar on the street, they could drive anything as long as they had "something Porsche" with them. And there was 30 cars entered."

"Life was a bit casual at the checkpoints!"

"Check points DID get busier, though!."

"Geez!. Where did we mess up?"


"Sunday, was the Autocross at Shafter's Minter Field. Minter Field helped promote our event by towing a banner with a bright yellow biplane."

"Young Evan Trask rode the track with Cart Driver Alex Barron in a 993 loaned him by a PCA member. He also rode with Bob Garretson."

"We had a field of 70 cars race in the autocross event.

"Spinouts were frequent and fun and competition was heavy duty on the 1.2 mile autocross course.".


"Sooo.... What does an Executive Director of the Arthritis Foundation do while the racers are racing? She (Alyce) goes for a ride in a vintage Airplane! She loved it. Darlene Swain had just returned from this ride and told Alyce who didn't waste time thinking about doing it.

"ready to fly"


"What's the prize? "Owning" the Perpetual Trophy for the next year. About 2 feet tall. Sponsored by San Luis Obispo's: Guy's Independant Porsche Repair, VPA, GPR (German Parts and Restoration), and West Coast Garage in Santa Maria"


AND FINALLY, THE RESULTS OF THE 1999 CALIFORNIA CHALLENGE (below). All three events' scores were tallied and the competition was extremely close. Zone 7 used to greater advantage, a rule that said 10% extra points were awarded to anyone entering all three events. Zone 7 beat Zone 8 overall in the Autocross. Zone 8 won over Zone 7 in the Concours and the Rally. Overall, Zone 8 won the Perpetual Trophy with only about a 5% margin. Great weekend, great weather, great competition, and wonderful people.
See you at the 2000 Challenge, in San Luis Obispo! The autocross is set for the Oceano Airport located within a stone's throw of the beach. Thanks to all who participated, including event participants and workers. Thanks also, to all the sponsors. Thank you to Bill Brooksby and Bill Thorp of Zone 7 for assisting in the design of the autocross.



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