Our August event was another fun reminder of how fast this year has been. Heading into June this outing seemed far away with plenty of time to connect, research and pre-run a potential new ( aka different ) route for this year. Also, our July event was later in the month from 2024 due to our excellent GGR Anniversary event, hence we were left a shorter planning window than normal for us. Again, thinking of any possible new routing, we touched base with our counterpart at Loma Prieta Region as this is in their back yard.

LPR team confirmed our initial suspicions and discovery from 2024. There just aren’t that many unique, safe and well paved passages south of Los Gatos that we were not already aware of. Therefore, we fell back on our original routing from 2024. You may recall last year our original route was cut short literally the morning of the run after Group 1 & 2 had departed Whole Foods Los Gatos. A grass fire sprang up along the route. Group 3 became aware of it due to Local residence emergency warning network. Yet Group 1 found out ( abruptly ) rounding a tight corner with a CHP car sitting across both lanes of the road, Yikes !! The leads re-grouped, chose an alternate route, and we were

This year we were fortunate to arrange our start point at the new Porsche Service Center Los Gatos. Thank you Porsche Service Center ( Mike Squatritto , Director Service & Parts ) who was very amiable in clearing out the parking area in front of their business to accommodate our event. This with a Starbucks across the parking area rounded out historical baseline requirements: Safe space to hold 40+ cars with clean restrooms and decent coffee options nearby. Although the Service Center is closed Sundays, the space was ready and again, many thanks to Porsche Service Center, we’ll be back.

Lately we’ve been lucky with our start venues with enough space for us to align arriving participants in their assigned run groups. This really helps expedite safe and efficient departures when you are moving groups of 10 ( or more ) cars on to public byways. Thanks again to volunteer parking guides Kurt Kruger and JB Ellis for their experience, patience and attitude in making this happen expeditiously. Not always easy when we are still organizing groups the day of the event due to cancelations missing waivers, but our volunteers are awesome! This day without muss of fuss, all but one car arrived in time for the mandatory drivers safety meeting at 08:15. Shortly thereafter 08:30 Group one is underway. Other groups following in 10 minute increments until all safely departed.

The weather could not have been better, moderate temperature, clear skies and for most of the groups enough clear roads to enjoy why you drive a Porsche in the first place. The route begins with about 9 miles of 2 lane twisties up and down along different reservoirs. Something for everyone’s skill and experience level for their group. We then come back in to south Saratoga before turning south again on McKean Road along Uvas reservoir to Watsonville Road and eventually to CA Hwy 152 Hecker Pass Road over the hill then into Watsonville proper. Some groups mentioned this was the first time they had ever traversed Hecker Pass that far without any slower traffic! This road is totally different when a Porsche can take advantage of the excellent design of this route. And the scenery is not bad either.

Our first stop and mandatory bio break takes place the corner of CA 152 & Carlton Road at Brothers Hecker Pass Market & Valero. The brothers allow us to take up a bunch of their parking space as some time ( this year was the case ) we have groups arrive before the prior group departs. They are known for their fried chicken, parking and hospitality. After purchases of gas, water and food we were back on the road. From Watsonville to Pacific Grove it’s mostly Hwy 1, but everyone had fun and we rolled into Pacific Grove as happy motoring enthusiasts.

Our destination was another lucky find for us from 2024. It’s the beginning of the Annual Monterey Car week, hence you never know what’s available or pre-committed to various car buffs that have invaded the peninsula for all the week’s events. In our case, we discovered the Monarch Pub & Restaurant on Lighthouse Ave Pacific Grove. The team ( owner Paul Whitecross and mgr. Laurie ) could not have been more accommodating. Good food, excellent drink offering, pay as you going ordering all served with the least amount of fuss. We will be back in 2026. Thank you Monarch Pub Team!

Another August for Touring has come and gone, I enjoyed my stay over for car week and all the events it brings, seeing old friends, amazing machinery at every corner, Friday Werks and dinners and socializing. Again loads of thanks and appreciation to our able and competent volunteers who this would not be possible without. Our Leads; Kurt Kruger, JB Ellis & new lead Jayson Gispan. Our Sweeps; Kumar Dasanur, Kenneth Varner, Shai & Hedva Redlich and Hugo Villa, who was also our service car.

Now looking ahead to our September outing and celebration with Redwood Region at CIA in St. Helena!

Never Stop Driving.

Cheryl Spott

GGR Motoring Director