[Chopper Dropper]

I have enjoyed this board and still learn everyday on the DIY/mechanical side as well as others threads. I am a Porscheholic, my name is Dirk Dekker, and I am involved in PCA and Potomac region which also brings activities that many on this board enjoy. On the PCA side a lot of people volunteer their time to make various programs work, but being an "official" site liablility rears its ugly head. Sorry to miss some of the events, but I live 100 miles or so from where the epicentre is. As Dave said, when mods or questions are asked on the "track or safety" issues I respond. I am not upset by flaming, I've crashed and burned enough already. I know some of the frequent posters here, hopefully not offended them when I was unaware that they were posting tongue in cheek without the benefit of a smiley.
All boards evolve, members see changes in direction they don't like, move, pressure of work/family etc take their toll. I feel a lot of negativity towards PCA here sometimes.Sure there are some whose interest in brie and wine is greater than beer. Porsche talk usage has declined from a few years ago, and it never had the mechanical forum and posted technical pages that we get here. Its flaming (there is some) is far more sedate than here, its an official club site with broad appeal. We had a shout and scream section at one time a few old timers like Kurt might remember. Got pulled for political correctness issues. Porsche Talk lost a lot of readers!!. Is PCA snooty? Sure some members are just as anywhere.Do they have knowledge of one or other aspect of Porsche ownership/enjoyment, bloody right.Do those interests cross over ? TOO RIGHT as Tony would say.. This board has offered me a huge resource in one place, hi-jacked threads and all. I know most by name/alias if I have not met them in person, and enjoy their posts.
In short, missed the board over the weekend.
Dirk

[Vicegrip]

Charily and Geoff. To answer your question.
Just this weekend Tony "Deer hunter" Kelly and I had a conversation about what a great site this is and how it has matured into an amazing clearing house of information and friendly conversation. Tony’s car is a good example of Dorkiphus. All weekend long Dorki were stopping by to help and or calling about something. The motor came out at Dave R house but went back in at my house after it was rebuilt. There must have been 10 different sets of hands on the car and motor from start to finish, none paid and all happily working and laughing is up from time to time. When the car needed to come off the trailer folks showed up, when it needed to go on the trailer folks showed up. When someone needs a part or a tool or some help a post is all that is needed for folks to come out of the wood work. I like to think that this site is people that know each other live near each other and help each other but it is but it is also reaching out far beyond that. I bet the lurkers far outnumber the frequent posters. I did a Google on the word Dorki and the site name and found many examples of outside reference to Dorkiphus. One example of many I found was from a left coast Porsche turbo site where this site was referenced as a place to go for info on pulling motors. (Hmm why would that be?) Should we tell just the lurkers to pack it, this is our tree fort? I don’t think so. Lurkers are often future posters and become fellow Dorki.

For many this site has changed how we care for and what we use our cars for. Time and again I see posts thanking others for the help in doing something that they would otherwise have not been able to do themselves.
The site has matured from a fun run planning place and chat room to far more. The events and activities have grown from a drive in the woods to a drive to the track and true on track high performance driving. The Dorki went from hanging out after a fun run knocking back beers and burgers to taking up a corner of the paddock and knocking back burgers at lunch and beers after the last flag of the day. The fun runs are/were a blast but who wants to give up the track time and go back?

For “It is not that same anymore” Public by request.
You are absolutely RIGHT! Some feel that what I think is evolution is change and not for the better. Think about it, the Dorki driving has advanced, the Dorki projects have advanced, why would the site and its content not do so as well? I think resistance to change is both futile and stupid. Be a part or don’t but to vilify those that are spending time and effort upholding the Dorki tradition of the diffusion of knowledge, time and tools is infantile. How many 3 DE event or more Dorki can say they never knew how much their car could do and how much about performance driving they could learn? What is the PCA track event to Fun Run thread ratio now? I think the reason that any PCA folks are here is two fold. Most of the Dorki are PCA to start with and many Dorki have advanced from the street to the track. We broke the rules to have some fun on the street but just the opposite is true at the track.
I think it is also matter of perception. You can think that an answer to a question or a reaction to a post is just mommy nagging you. Or you might look at it as advice from someone that wants to see you have as much fun as they do. As an example. I felt very bad when Rick Lee put his car into the wall at Summit Point. I know the time he spent finding that ONE car and the $$$ investment in modding it only to crash it right off the bat. Was it a surprise to his PCA, Eddy Haskel “know it alls”? No, it has been seen time and again at the track. a car flatbedded out once an event is about normal. Do you want to be that car's owner? I sure do not. Could RLs shunt have been avoided via proper materal and mind set? Who knows but it couldn't have hurt his chances. I too have a lot of blood, sweat and $ in my car and know what it feels like when it breaks. Feel free to take offence when someone says you might not be ready for comp slicks. You are not stupid or lacking as a person, you just need what everyone else needed a that time, some track time and learning. Improve both together. We all know what mistakes cost both street and track and not just keeping it shiny. If this site was around when I was getting into Porsches do you think I would be driving a 912? I bet I would have posted something like “Thinking about buying this 912. What do you think?” and some poor bastard like me would have posted to the contrary and saved me from the on track hyper kinetic left arm syndrome. Do I get my shorts in a bunch when Charily or Matt posts something technical about motors? No, I don’t know $hit about 911 motors and they do. Are they a clique? No, they are Dorki that have some information about something and are spending some time to get it out to others. Stick up the ass nag or fellow Dorki advice? It is how you look at it.

I always felt it good form not to publicly air dirty laundry and that is what PM is for. Discussing something with someone that might not be flattering to one or both parties or interesting to the body public is just good manners. If you get a lot of PMs saying you are acting like a jackass by all means question the sender rather than the message.

Charily and Geoff. Standing ovation. You guys will never buy a drink if I am around.

[Alan Herod]

Turns out from reviewing the list of members, I am one of the earlier list joiners; but one who does not post often. My reasons are two-fold, in some respects I feel like a geographic outsider to the group, and in others I have resisted adding comments which may come across as policy statements. As you can tell, I do not believe in anonymous posts. (As a side note, I was somewhat perplexed when I saw the policy statement concerning tech and the use of slicks at DE.) I found this board to be a refreshing blend of the technical advice and good natured banter between friends. I have really enjoyed the banter and have refrained from participating for obvious reasons.

One thing that separates this BBS from many others is the willingness of those helpful posters to tell you how to do something; but, to actually help you do the work yourself, and they may travel some distance, loan tools, and take time out of there lives to help a fellow Dorki. Impressive!! As a somewhat casual observer you can always learn something from a visit to the Dorki side, including who is the goat of the week. :P

[BillJ]

Since I joined Dorkiphus on July 15, 2003, this board has been a veritable fountain of knowledge, laughter, excitement, and wonder. The repeated sharing of experience and actual assistance never ceases to amaze me. I dabble at the small stuff and typically leave the really technical work to those who actually know what they are doing. Posts like Parri recently made about suspension rebuilds and the myriad of other excellent how-to's makes working on our cars approachable to the 10 thumb guys like me (just ask Kurt he will second that).

Now that many on this board are participating in DE's for the first time, I have been excited to share my life-lessons much like many others offer technical advice. While by no means having the longest resume at track events for those collected here, this is an area that I can offer 15 or so years experience teching, driving, instructing, historic racing, flagging, registering, and listening at PCA, HSR, and other driving club events like BMW club. I volunteer freely of my time even when I do not have a running car. Why? Because I am a Porsche Addict just like the rest of you. I get passionate about the cars, and even more so for the people that share that passion.

Ok so what? Well up till recently the only real avenue for sharing that addiction was PCA. Kind of a bummer because of all the politics and intrigue around rules and regulations and who does what and all that crap. This site was a welcome and refreshing alternative with true enthusiasts who are not averse to getting dirty and really learn the car from the inside out, then share that knowledge freely.

I like wine and cheese. I like burning out old rubber bushings from my front a-arms and adding monoblock brakes to my car. Love running the car 9/10s and higher around a closed circuit. Truly enjoy teaching the smooth quick way around a track (maybe someday will learn that myself). Like bench racing and over-estimating HP. We all bring something different to the table and thats the beauty of this forum.

When i posted after Dirk the other day, was just trying to deliver the facts of what an organization that offers driving events and other member activities says about a certain kind of tire at DE's. Like it or lump it, PCA is gonna have events that Dorki could never deliver. Shame on me for helping keep clear the rules and make sure people do not miscalculate what equipment should be on the car? Bigger shame for not knowing someone's personal style of humor or intended manner on a written post?

The response about hierarchy and scaring away people from posting based on affiliation with PCA implies the same notion of developing pre-concieved notions about a person based on their posts. Is the assumption that because someone volunteers their time to PCA and also participates in this board, they are keeping some sort of list of offenders? Now THAT is silly. One can no more assume that because people are smacking about how fast they are or what equipment they have on their car means they will be reckless on the track or try to squeek a sub-standard install or part past tech. We are all adults here and realize that the on-track mindset may very well be different that what someone says. I withhold judgement based on actions, not words.

I have enjoyed the tech sessions, wrenched on some of your cars to certain degree, loved the xmas dinner, and know what many of you look like and have been to some of your homes. I also particpate as a tech inspector to keep people safe from themselves and others at DE. Have sent people to the end of the line for not having numbers on their windows and saved a car from burning to the ground from a leaking fuel rail. I take what I do seriously becuase it is serious stuff going fast on the track. I have listened to green students talk about how good a driver they are then roll their cars several times that very same day (and others do just fine).

Ok I have rambled long enough. I like this board, its evolving, and will continue to evolve. If you want only super-knowledgeable wrenches posting, will relegate myself to lurker I guess...

Bill Jay
73 914 roller

[vove]

Ditto on everyone's responses.

All of the Porsche forum on the internet together cant compare to Dorkiphus forum. You guys are the best Porsche people that I have ever had the pleasure to meet and run with. All of the old timers here are great people and the best part is that everyone seem to be down to earth. This is my headquarter as far as Porsche forum goes and Im very grateful for everyones help/advice. Please keep this place as it is and dont let your ego get in the way of our passion for these cars.

With that said, Can't wait to see everyone on the next fun run.

[Rick Lee]

Bill, let's grab some Mad Dog 20/20 and Velveeta sometime.

[BlackTalon]

This is the ONLY forum I read while at work. It is like a black hole; it is slowly pulling me closer and closer to actually learning how to fix my car, no matter how much I want to resist. There is so much activity on the weekends, I'm afraid I'll miss out on something good if I don't read the threads every day (and night!). Like when Dave Riley posted on Friday night that he was dropping his engine on Saturday. And the next day, I was able to personally drop his engine onto his garage floor!

And one of the best features is the fact that many of the "old-timers" are only in their 20s. Yet they already know waaaay more about wrenching on these cars than I will ever know.

And it's interesting that there are a lot more Dorki social events (usually centered around an engine drop, etc.) than PCA Potomac events. I think that's because it's easier to mobilize a small group than a giant one.

I agree with many of the previous posts that say the Dorki group is evolving. DEs, and prep for DEs, are now a major focus -- whereas fun runs were the focal point earlier on. And now that many Dorkis have joined PCA, it's amazing how much support for the DEs and Club Race have come from the group. It seems like most of the tech inspection corps are Dorkis, as well as many of the Club Race flaggers. And in a couple more years, there will likely be a bunch of Dorki club racers!

I'll wrap this up by thanking Charlie and Geoff for creating and hosting this BB, and by thanking all of you Dorkis out there who have generously donated your time, tools and knowledge to helping those of us who are short on those items.

[BillJ]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Bill, let's grab some Mad Dog 20/20 and Velveeta sometime.

Can we at least have some cracked pepper crackers and (dog) liver pate?

[targa911man]

Originally Posted by Rick Lee

Bill, let's grab some Mad Dog 20/20 and Velveeta sometime.

Charlie & Geoff--

Looks like we need to add a "Dating" forum.

[Mike W]

If I can throw in my Newbie $0.02.

I am unaware of any of the problems that have been referred to, and certainly hope I have not contributed in any way to changing this board for the worse.

I purchased my 911 in July ‘04 and am still very new to Porsche ownership. I instantly fell in love with the car. It does everything right. A feeling that I am sure most of us can agree on. Even though I am still not confident enough in my driving abilities (or lack thereof) and knowledge of the cars abilities, so that I still drive it slower around some turns than I do in my Accord, it just feels right.

Now, lord knows I have asked my share of stupid-a-he!! questions and as I discovered, I am really bad at BBS sarcasm (I am just bad at BBS protocol in general) but have always gotten a cordial response with an excellent answer.

So within 3.5 months of being a member one of you (Mackpipes) sat there in Kurt’s garage and explained how if I had asked for help I could have saved $1,400 on my shock/brake work and to let everyone know next time I need work done and I would get help. Two of you (VsSteve and Charlie) have driven my car, one because his engine was separated from his car and wanted to have some fun, and one to tell me that I had been driving my car like a wus (my word, not his). I have seen a few of you on the road (Kurt and Ted on different occasions driving on Haycock). OldTee didn’t laugh too hard when I showed up a day early for his engine drop. And finally, I have been motivated to overcome the intimidation and work on my own car.

My point is that this is a great site and a great group of people. The more of you I meet, the better it is (if you don’t remember me, don’t worry I won’t be offended). Although I use both, Porsche Talk is not very active and Pelican seems highly impersonal. I will end my novella now (thank you for reading this far, signed copies available later). Although some may think there are problems (and there might be, I'm new and can't compare) it is still a very good site. Reminds me of the way I talk to my fraternity friends about the way my chapter is now.

PS. I like Bre and Fois Gras but I also like hot dogs. In college Thursday was Nighttrain night and weekends were Beast Light nights but I also like wine, and scotch, and gin, and bourbon,….. well I said I would end last paragraph.