Something for everyone, says Stephen Mummery...

In 1961 a small group of motoring enthusiasts placed an advertisement in Autosport magazine to announce a first meeting for Porsche owners in Birmingham. The result was the formation of a club for owners of Porsche cars, then a rare and exotic sight in this country. Half a century later Porsche Club Great Britain is celebrating its Golden Jubilee over the weekend of September 2 to 4.

Porsche Club Great Britain, officially approved by Porsche, is one of the country’s largest motoring clubs. With 31 Regions and 32 model type Registers, it provides members with a wide mix of activities ranging from Regional and Register gatherings to national events. The Club also organises a full motorsport programme.

The base for the Jubilee weekend will be the Royal Agricultural College at Cirencester, but the festivities will also incorporate a Porsche Club Track Day at Castle Combe on Friday and a day at the Porsche Experience Centre, Silverstone, on Saturday.

Numbers on Porsche Club Track Days are limited to ensure everyone enjoys the experience in a relaxed atmosphere. The Castle Combe Track Day on Friday, September 2 costs �240, and if you are interested in participating with your Porsche, call 01608 652917 without delay. The public are welcome as spectators at no charge.

If you have never been to the Porsche Experience Centre Silverstone, you really have missed something special. It is a unique facility in this country, where Porsche offers passenger and driving activities on its purpose-built tracks. Early weekend ticket holders have had the exclusive option to book one of these, which include the Ice Hill, the Kick Plate, the Low Friction Circuit demonstration in a Panamera and the Porsche Cayenne Off-Road Experience, as well as Parade Laps in their own Porsches on the Stowe Circuit, plus passenger rides with Porsche Driving Consultants.

Other ingredients for Saturday at the Porsche Experience Centre comprise static displays of Porsches, activities for children and catering for all tastes and budgets (you can even bring a picnic). Lunch will be offered in the exclusive Porsche Restaurant for �30. Visitors are welcome to attend the day at a cost of �15 (cash only) ‘on the gate’, which will also allow entry to the Royal Agricultural College on the Saturday where activities will be well under way.

The main part of the 50th Anniversary Festival will be transformed into a Porsche-lovers’ paradise offering a wide variety of Porsche displays and activities throughout the weekend. Porsche Cars will be on hand displaying the latest Porsche models, and on Sunday will be offering Dynamic Cayenne Passenger Rides. Anyone who has been to the Goodwood Festival of Speed will know what fun and how popular these are.

Key figures and celebrities from Porsche and the Club will attend. The Club will present displays demonstrating the evolution of the marque over time as well as highlighting some of the key examples that have made the name synonymous with performance and quality. Naturally, motorsport will not be forgotten, with classic race cars and current competition models present.

Those fascinated by the finer points of car presentation will be able to watch the Concours d’Elegance competitors pamper their Porsches to perfection in search of the elusive Champion trophy.

Technical advice, seminars, driving skill tests, a Trade Village offering motor-related and lifestyle stands, and an area dedicated to children’s amusements will all feature. Food and refreshments to suit all tastes will be available, or you can bring a picnic. On Saturday night the Royal Agricultural College will play host to a black-tie Gala Dinner preceded by a Champagne Reception, after which you can dance the night away to Mike d’Abo and his Mighty Quintet. Tickets, which cost �75 per person, may still be available if you hurry. Phone the Club’s office on 01608 652911 to book your places. If you are not attending the Gala Dinner, then stay and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of the bar, catering village and dancing in the Tythe Barn in the company of other Porsche enthusiasts.

On Sunday, Coys will host the ‘Excellence of Porsche’ auction. In recognition of the company’s famous strapline of ‘Historic Porsche Sports Cars and other Fine Sporting Marques’, motoring memorabilia and other distinguished marques will be available. Catalogues can be obtained from Coys (Tel: 0208 614 7888), and will be available on site at the Royal Agricultural College, with viewing available from 12 noon on Saturday and from 10am on Sunday.

Also on Sunday, it will pay to keep an eye on the sky. Ultimate High, based just down the road at Kemble, will be putting on a thrilling air display with its Extra 300, the plane used in the Red Bull Air Race and pretty much the Formula One car of the skies.

The message from the Club is clear: “Come and join us for the Porsche Club 50th Anniversary Festival. You will be made very welcome and we look forward to sharing our enthusiasm for Porsche with you!”

Ticket Prices on the gate

Adults �15 per person

Children 12 years and under admitted free

(Parking is free)

Annual Subscription RatesUK Members

(new, including joining fee) �66

Renewals �56

UK Family membership

(new, including joining fee) �69

Renewals �59

There is a reduction of �5 for payment

by Direct Debit

OVERSEAS Members

(new, including joining fee) �74

Renewals �64

If you join at the Festival, the initial joining fee will be waived, saving you �10FOR MEMBERSHIP ENQUIRIES PLEASE CONTACT: www.porscheclubgb.com, telephone: 01608 652911

Porsche Club GB, Cornbury House, Cotswold Business Village, London Road, Moreton-in-Marsh GL56 0JQ