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Blue
Ridge Boxster Summit Q & A:
Q: Where and when will this year's event be held?
A: The 21st Annual Blue Ridge Boxster Summit will be
held at the
The Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuge, Hiawassee, Georgia
from Thursday, May 30th - June 2nd, 2019.
Q: What is
the appropriate dress for BRBS?
A: The style of dress is best described as casual to
resort casual. A few participants may step up a
little more at the final evening's reception and dinner by
wearing a khaki and blazer for men and a skirt or dress for
women, although that is definitely optional. You'll see participants wearing jeans and
t-shirts, khakis, and shorts throughout most of the event.
Comfort is the rule.
Don't forget to bring a light jacket
or sweater, for the evenings can get rather chilly. Be sure to check the
weather before you leave for a
better idea of what to expect.
Q: Why
are there no timed events?
A: Liability issues and our event insurance do not
allow us to have any timed or speed driving events. The Friday
Fun Run requires all participants to obey all Georgia traffic laws and all participants are strongly
encouraged to obey all traffic laws during the event.
Q: Why do I
see non-Boxster cars in the
Roster? A:
Although the BRBS is a 'Boxster' event, our general policy is
that once you attend a BRBS event with a Boxster, you are always
welcome. The BRBS is not just about the cars, its about
the people. We have many attendees that have moved on from
their Boxster but still appreciate the cars and fellowship of
the event.
Q:
What's the BRBS Fun Run like?
A:
For 2015-2019, the BRBS Fun Run will change format. For years, the Fun Run involved teams competing against each other on extended drives throughout the regional. In 2019, participants will choose between several Fun Runs and sign up for the one which suits their interests.
Q:
I've never been on the Fun Run
before. What if I don't know anyone?
A:
Don't worry. You'll make
friends FAST on the Fun Run! Just sign up for a group and
go for it!
Q:
Do I need anything special to participate in
the Fun Run?
A:
Just you and your car. A GPS and a
couple sets of two-way radios per team come in handy, so if you
have them, bring them if you have any room left :)
Q:
What's the speed limit for the Fun
Run?
A:
Whatever the posted speed limit is, but we send a 'post removal'
team out the night before.. kidding :)
Q:
What is the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation, and how are you involved with that organization?
A:
$10 from each registration fee is given to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation in memory of Chuck "Porsche Pete" Hammersmith who died in July 2006. BRPF uses these funds to enhance the Parkway experience for all.
Q:
May I make an additional contribution to the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation?
A:
Yes. Give the contribution to Ron or Scott, and they will forward it with the other funds. For persons making an additional contribution, a separate tax-deductible contribution acknowledgment will be sent from the Parkway Foundation.
Q: What is "The Hunger Coalition?"
A:
The Hunger Coalition, now known as The Hunger and Health Coalition, is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to offering food and low cost pharmacy assistance to low income residents of Watauga (Blowing Rock/Boone), Ashe and Avery Counties. From 2001-2006, this was our designated charity. Our contributions were specifically designated to providing baby food and formula. It was our way of saying "thank you" to the community which so graciously welcomed us each year. BRBS contributed over $10,000.00. to that charity.
Q: May I reserve my same room at The Ridges Resort for the next year?
A:
After the event, participants have the right until July 5th to reserve their same room at the Resort for the next year's event. If not timely reserved, the room will be available to others to reserve. A wait list is maintained by the planners who, in conjunction with the The Ridges Resort staff, try to accommodate all requests for rooms.
Q: I called, and there's no room at The Ridges Resort? What now?
A:
Contact the planners who will put you on the wait list. For the past three years, everyone on the wait list by April 1st has been able to get into the event Resort.
Q: Are you associated with Porsche AG or Porsche Cars North America, Inc. (PCNA)?
A:
Although we've had a good relationship with them over the past 17 years, we are not affiliated, associated, authorized, endorsed by, or in any way officially connected with Porsche AG or Porsche Cars North America, Inc.
Q: I see photos of "Kings & Queens" in the Gallery? What's that all about?
A:
Beginning in 2004, people were recognized at the closing banquet for having captured the essence of the BRBS spirit during the event. Royal scepters, sashes and other regalia have evolved over the years, with each king and queen adding their own personal touches to the items before passing them on to the next at the annual "coronation ceremony."
The Kings and Queens have been:
2004 Lee and Joanne Bowden
2005 DouglasFlint and Lien Jelf
2006 Pedro and Mary Bonilla
2007 Jim and Teresa Covington
2008 Jeff Bankston and Meredith Everett
2009 Harvey Cummings and Deanna Schinsky
2010 Neal and Sue Tompkins
2011 Carlos and Maria Vasallo
2012 Claro Gonzales and Kathleen Marotta
2013 Bryson and Kathy Kiser
2014 Bill and Karen Hall
2015 Rey Fortney and Juliette Tai
2016 Guenter and Michelle Gamauf
2017 Keith and Tina Felts
Q:
Who are you guys, with whom are
you affiliated, and just how did this event get started?
A:
Way back in 1998, Bob Chapman of Atlanta, Georgia, Bob Stoll of
Sevierville, Tennessee, and Karl Folkens of Timmonsville, South
Carolina, were hanging out with other Boxster owners and
Boxsters-on-order folks at Porsche Pete's Boxster Board. After
months of comments all over the Board about how we should all
get together somewhere along the east coast, and after seeing
the success of a group that had already met in April earlier
that year in Washington, D.C. at a gathering called the "Boxster
Rebellion," Chuck "Porsche Pete" Hammersmith threw down the
challenge: "Quit talking about it and start planning it!" Thus
began the Blue Ridge Boxster Summit.
After months of trying to find the right location, the planners
discovered Freedom Escape Lodge in Weaverville, North Carolina,
just north of Asheville. The Lodge is now the Education Center
for the Center for Massage & Natural Health. The planners hoped
for 16 cars and 30 participants, and had booked the entire Lodge
on a wing and prayer that folks would show up. The first year
saw 43 Boxsters, one 1988 Plymouth Horizon (veteran Douglas
Flint's pre-Boxster ride!), and 84 folks from 13 states and the
District of Columbia come together the end of April for the
three days of fun and fellowship. Because we quickly outgrew the
16 rooms at the Lodge, every bed and breakfast in and around
northern Asheville was filled by us. After realizing that it
snows in the Appalachians in early May, the planners moved the
event to later in May the following year, again at Freedom
Escape Lodge. The Ride to Chimney Rock remains a fond memory for
the early participants and was reprised during the 10th Year
Celebration in 2008.
In 2001, the planners looked for a place along the Blue Ridge
Parkway which could accommodate a larger group (and because the
Ashville constabularies became less friendly to car events!).
Green Park Inn in Blowing Rock became the new location, and the
following year, the event was moved to Meadowbrook Inn. The call
of professional motorsports photography took Bob Chapman into
Planner Emeritus status in 2005, and Ron Kucynski of Mainville,
Ohio, stepped in to help out Bob S. and Karl. In 2006, Bob Stoll
answered the call to spend more time in the Spring traveling
than planning, and became Planner Emeritus II.In 2011 the
planners decided to keep things fresh and moved then event to
the Little Switzerland Inn. It was an amazing location that went above and beyond in hosting the BRBS for 8 years.
For 2019, after 20 years of BRBS planning, Karl answered the call of relaxation and spending time with family and became Planner Emeritus III, or what we now refer to as the BRBS Grandfather.
Karl still provides helpful guidance and advice to Ron and Scott Ishler of Mooresville, NC, who has stepped in as the new co-planner. Scott has been one of the core BRBS attendees for over 10 years and has always gone above and beyond in helping Karl & Ron with planning.
Also for 2019, the
planners decided to once again keep things fresh and are moving event to
The Ridges Resort on Lake Chatuge in northern Georgia. It's shaping up to be a great new event headquarters with lots of new and exciting roads and activities in the surroundng areas.
Ron and Scott maintain the planners' original rule to
intentionally not affiliate with any particular Porsche club or
organization. BRBS is "just a rag-tag group of folks who used to
loosely hang out at PPBB, and now hang out at PedrosBoard, and come together once a year along the
beautiful Blue Ridge to have fun, eat some good food, learn more
about the Boxster, and ride the roads for a few days." We strive
to do no more.
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