The Palmetto Region: A Rich History since 1969

Palmetto Region, with headquarters in Charleston, SC, began organizational meetings approximately 3 months ago. Principal officers are: Warren Chard, President; David Anderson, Vice President; Babs Anderson, Secretary; Dianne Chard, Treasurer; and Larry Hook, Competition Director. On May 25 a caravan was formed at the home of the Hook's in Summerville, and proceeded to Edisto Island for a day on the beach with picnic lunch. The sight of so many Porsches in convoy attracted a great deal of attention. President Chard announced the arrival of the PCA charter on May 28 at a buffet supper meeting. Arrangements are being made for the formal charter presentation by national officials in July. In the mean-time, another beach party with weiner roast took place on June 7, and an autocross in Charleston on June 15. Highlight event was a 2 day slalom at the Savannah International Raceway on June 28-29.

The Palmetto Region is now officially in business. Dr. Leonard Turner, of Atlanta, and Zone 3 Coordinator, formally presented the PCA charter to President Warren Chard on 19 July. The presentation was made at a banquet at the Colony House Restaurant in Charleston attended by approximately 25. Guests included John Phillips of Atlanta, Peachstate Region, and Ed and Dottie Taylor and Herb and Clara Lombardo of Charlotte, Carolinas Region. The banquet was a first class affair and was arranged by our social committee consisting of Frankie and Parker Stokes. The following day, Sunday, the Charter Presentation Autocross was held, and the out-of-towners took home their share of the loot. Len Turner in the 904 placed first in the modified class. Ed Taylor and John Phillips placed first and second respectively in Class A driving 912's. Earlier in the month members caravaned to "Wings and Wheels" at Santee, SC. This is an antique automobile and airplane museum where rides are available in one of the last remaining Ford Tri-motors. After a picnic lunch and some sightseeing, we headed back to Charleston. Palmetto is the youngest region and the 76th to be chartered. This "Spirit of 76" is quite evident in the membership.

A significant milestone was reached by Palmetto Region when the first newsletter, “Palmetto Palms,” appeared in November. To some it might have appeared homemade or primitive (but quaint) but it's something to be proud of. A feature article this month was about their open autocross to commemorate Columbus Day. It was dominated by Porsche, and the top speed was made by the president of the region, Warren Chard, driving a 1956 Speedster

Dr. Leonard Turner of the Peachstate Region and Zone Three Coordinator teamed up with his 904 GT Carrera to take best time of the day at the SIR Solo One Event presented by Palmetto Region on Nov. 8 and 9, 1969. Dr. Turner turned a very impressive 1:57.5 on the 2.8/10 mile track. Other winners were David Morris of Charleston running in Class A driving a 2000 Datsun. 2nd in class A was John Townsend of the Palmetto Region. Class B winners were: 1st in class, Allan Willis, Palmetto Region driving an S-90 Porsche; 2nd in class, Rick Johnson from Peachstate Region driving an SC Porsche; 3rd in class, our own Parker Stokes driving an S-90; and 4th in class, Palmetto Region’s Nelson Durant driving his C Porsche. All in all the two day event was exciting. We played like the big boys using the entire 2.8/10 mile track, with beautiful weather.

An autocross sponsored jointly by Palmetto Region and the Charleston Corvette Club on January 18 was a rousing success and raised $326 for the March of Dimes. The well publicized event drew 72 entrants and several thousand spectators. Stephen Borek, honorary event chairman, got things underway by navigating the first car through the course. At the conclusion of the event, Palmetto President Waren Chard and Corvette President Dean Holden were rushed to WUSN TV to donate the proceeds on the March of Dimes Telerama. This was the most successful event they ever had, and it couldn’t have been for a better use.

For the second year PALMETTO REGION hosted a Solo 11 event at Savannah International Raceway. The Solo 11 ‘70, held on Oct. 10 and 11, drew entries from Carolina, Gold Coast and Palmetto Regions, Plus non-PCA Porsche drivers. PALMETTO REGION received tremendous help from Brumos Porsche-Audi of Jacksonville, Fla., in staging the event. Brumos contributed silver brandy snifters for class trophies, Revere bowls for the 2 Top Times of the Day, and posters for everyone. 21 cars registered and were allowed to practice on the track until dark when everyone met in the barn for chicken and beer. Timed runs began Sunday morning. FTD went to Stan Pearlman, Gold Coast Region, in his 911S modified. Second FTD went to Mike Vogel of Jacksonville, also driving a 911S modified. The racing car class trophy went to Steve Beizer in a 906 spyder hillclimb car which they say is the only car of this kind remaining today. PALMETTO REGION members managed to capture first place in all the other classes. Winners were Allen Willis, Bob Furnans, Mike Huggins, Chris Stehr and Frankie Stokes. Later in the month, the region sponsored an open autocross, followed by a Porsche only party at the home of Mike Huggins. This autocross drew 28 mixed variety cars. Out of the 10 trophies awarded, the Porsches went home with only 2 second places! But about 50% of the club showed up at Mike's oyster roast, so it ended happily. They're planning another autocross next month and hope to win back some of their prestige among local sports car drivers.

PALMETTO Region is in the heat of planning for the second annual Fruhlingfest the weekend of May 13-14. This year’s event has been expanded to include a history tour along with the concours and autocross. Roger Chaney will speak at the Saturday night banquet, and will be available for questions at the poolside cocktail party. All PCA’ers are invited to come to Charleston and sharpen their skills for the parade events. Sounds like a good week-end. All Porsche Pushers within driving distance, take heed. Let Robert Furnans hear from you. His address is 38 Lampton Rd., Charleston, S.C. 29407

March usually comes in (or is it “goes out”) like a lion, but for Porsche Pushers, sans petrol, it was more like a weak mouse. Not so for PALMETTO Region. Making the most of an already depressing situation, they held their first annual, probably never to be repeated, “Gasolineless Rally’ and cyclecross. Approximately 30 intrepid members met for the event which was followed by an oyster roast and ample amounts of St. Patrick's brew. Eager rallyists were released in pairs, mounted somewhat precariously on their two-wheeled steeds. One navigated whilst the other assisted with pleasant words of encouragement. Incidentally, rally partners were picked out of the hat in order to keep families intact. They considered equipped and unequipped classes, but by then they would have had a mutiny on their hands. Nick Ulmer and Chris Christopher took the honors, and they pressed on to the cyclecross. Now Palmetto, to the best of Bernard Sher's knowledge, has never had an accident or injury at any event. March 17, 1974, by that standard will go down as being the nadir in the region's existence. Not only did the course master fall twice while “testing” the track, but their very own president, Fearless Fred Funke spun twice in the same corner. Won't mention Helen Furnans' excursion off the course, since it's still a sore point! Fred, statesman that he is, when asked how one could best hope to match his feat, was quoted as saying, “&$@¢ # %# %&&$8&" and ‘gimme another beer!” What really had everyone shook up was the requirement for helmets and the LeMans start! Nick Ulmer took honors again as well as tying with Bob and Sue Mason in a surprise concours held later in the day. And, as the sun set on the holy city, another fearless PCA'er was overheard saying, “but parade rules require four people at a checkpoint” Larry Howe, wherever you are, HELP! (I'll tell you where Larry is. He's sitting high atop a mountain in the boondocks of Georgia giggling to himself. Attendance at Peachstate meetings is down since the last rally, since about half the troops haven't found their way home yet. Love you, Larry.)

PALMETTO Region is alive and well, actively planning their 7th annual Solo Il for October 11and 12. As in the past, Solo II will be held at Savannah International Raceway, Savannah, Georgia. Headquarters for the event is the luxurious Quality Inn Oasis Village Motel located only 15 minutes from the track. Activities Include a cocktail party and registration Friday evening for early arrivals; registration, tech and practice all day Saturday; and the traditional cocktail party and door prizes Saturday evening. Sunday morning is again devoted to practice followed by time trials and awards. They have added an interesting wrinkle to this year's Solo Il. Since Frank Harmstad has, for the past six years, won top time of the day, Palmetto offers this challenge to any entrant. Win top time for this event from Frank and Palmetto Region will provide you the weekend free. That includes entry, motel, and dinner Saturday evening. There's someone out there who can beat Frank - Palmetto just hasn't met that person yet! For further details contact: Bernie Sher, Solo II Chairman, 105 Huntington Circle, Summerville, S.C. 29483, (803) 873-2189.

Editors Note from the present:

Frank Harmstad, a past Palmetto Region member, had a notable career in IMSA GT racing, primarily in the early 70s to early 80s, often at the wheel of a Porsche. Below are just a few of the races I was able to dig up.

• • 1972 IMSA GT:

    • • IMSA Talladega 200 Miles - 911 S
    • • IMSA Mid-Ohio 6 Hours - 911 S
    • • 12 Hours of Sebring in a 914/6 GT

• • 1973 

    • • Daytona 24 Hours: He competed in a Porsche 914/6 GT with co-drivers Dave McClain and Dave White.
    • • IMSA Mid-Ohio 6 Hours - 911 S
    • • Another 1973 IMSA race result lists a "Frank Harmstad / USA Porsche 911 James Lynch" with 190 laps, placing 2nd in the GTU class.

• • 1974

    • • IMSA Daytona 250 Miles - 911 S
    • • IMSA Lime Rock - 911 S
    • • IMSA III Annual Mid-Ohio Twin 6s - 911 S
    • • 4 Hours Ontario - 911 S
    • • IMSA Laguna Seca - 911 S
    • • IMSA 6 Hours Road Atlanta - 911 S

• • 1975

    • • Formula Super Vee in a Lola
    • • Daytona 24 Hours in a Porsche 911 RSR

• • 1976

    • • Daytona 24 Hours in a 914/6 GT
    • • SCCA Trans-American Pocono in a 914/6 GT

• • 1977

    • • IMSA 250 Mile Daytona Finale – 914/6 GT

• • 1980

    • • World Challenge for Endurance Drivers in a 911 SC Targa
    • • 6 Hours of Watkins Glen - World Sports Car Championship in a 911 SC Targa
    • • CRC Chemicals Trans-Am Championship in a 911 SC Targa

• • 1981

    • • World Championship of Makes - 914/4
    • • Daytona 24 Hour in a 914/4

Good Navy wife Bev Hebbard of PALMETTO Region tells us it is Navy custom to write the Ship's Logs in verse on New Year's Eve, so she sent us the following:

I'm being Lee Hebbard's dutiful wife,
Not wishing to cause any marital strife.
Our New Year's note will rhyme each line.
Which our Navy tradition says is just fine.
In November we held an Open Charity Rallye.
It was Porsches first and third in the final tally.
In weather so cold the prize turkeys stayed frozen,
To receive our donation the SPCA was chosen.
Our annual Christmas party was great,
To see Burley Smith's new mansion top rate.
The Furman's and Bob Baines came up from Jax
And Ralph Stroman showed us that Northerners aren't lax.
Marilyn Sher was Chief Cooker with the plan,
Getting help from Bev, Sharon, Debbie and Diane.
Would you believe six kinds of meat?
We put away enough food for an army to eat.
The Coffee Barbados that followed the meal
Was Debbie Bryson's special - any show it would steal.
Marilyn and Bev led the singing - one sweet, one off track,
We won't say who or give your money back.
Our new officers were announced at this gala event,
We all were pleased how the voting went.
Bernie Sher as our Pres. Can we keep him awake?
Charles Callaway as Treas. - our million’s at stake.
James Mims as V.P. - great events he is planning.
His wife Judy as Sect. - her minutes we're banning.
And Sally O'Kelly writes our newsletter for fun,
This year's Model Member Trophy she won.
The ladies have triumphed two years in a row.
Sharon Callaway as “Competitor of the Year’ stole the show.
We'll keep you informed of our future plans
PALMETTO won't be known as the “Also-rans’".

PALMETTO Region held their annual Gasolineless Alley Rally on Feb. 22 with Mike and Mary Huggins hosting the Pot Luck dinner. This event was such a hit during the fuel crisis a year ago that it was repeated with much success. The winners, Sharon and Charles Callaway, were lost for 15 minutes but with lung-splitting, leg-numbing speed made near perfect time and found all the things on the scavenger hunt type bike rally. Slides from Daytona (20 of their members went and enjoyed all but the last 3 hours) were shown after dinner. Lee and Bev Hebbard mapped out an Open Rally in March followed by a Mexican dinner at their house following. Ever been to a party where no-one spoke to the hosts? Several of the novice “other car” drivers have never been heard from again! A convert resulted from the rally. The winner, Rich O'Sullivan, who took second in the last open rally with his Fiat has sold it and bought a '66 Porsche! Some people go to any length to share PCA’s car joy! Dr. Burley Smith took delivery of his new Turbo in February and a bride on April 10th. His Turbo is black on black and his bride the beautiful Debbie Bryson. They were married at Magnolia Gardens in a lovely late afternoon wedding. Members were phoned to come out at 11 pm when the car arrived to see it and take turns sitting in it which they did. Ever seen a group of grown men at midnight in 45 degree weather washing bugs off a car?