PCA Gulfstream - Going To The Sun Rally 2024
Story by Karl Eisleben, Photos Submitted by Joan McCabe
PCA Gulfstream Region was well represented on "The 2024 Going to the Sun Rally (GTTSR)" with Tom and Angie Blash driving their fantastic 1968 Porsche 911 L; Phil and Diane Bagley in their beautiful 1969 Porsche 911 S and Joan and Karl Eisleben in our 1987 Porsche 930 Cabriolet.
"Going to the Sun Rally" was a fantastic journey of over 1000 miles, over six days on the scenic roads of Montana, Oregon, Idaho, and Washington State.
Angie and Tom Blash With Their 1968 Porsche 911-
Diane and Phil Bagley With Their 1969 911 Porsche-S
Joan and Karl Eisleben With Our 1987 Porsche 930 Cabriolet
The 2024 Going To The Sun Rally is a 50-car adventure which started in Whitefish Montana at the Grouse Mountain Lodge. We drove through four states and returned back to Whitefish Montana for the closing dinner.
Day-1: Saturday, began with a quick check-in where each team received their car numbers, route book, and other important information. Then it was off for some great food in Whitefish, and back for an afternoon “parking lot get together.” The opening celebration dinner was held that evening at the host hotel.
The following morning, under bright sunny Montana skies, the engines were started, and cars were prepped. Beginning at 8:30 cars began leaving, headed for the beauty of the Rocky Mountains with breathtaking streams and valleys along the way.
The three vintage Porsches had been hauled from Florida to Montana just for this rally, and so we were eager to go. It was great fun navigating narrow two-lane roads past the edge of Glacier National Park and onto rolling hills of Idaho, until our evening stop in Coeur d’ Alene Idaho. We stayed at a wonderful hotel overlooking the lake, with dinner on an excursion boat.
We set out about 8:30 each day, drove until about 10:30 for a stop at a local coffee shop, then back on the road until 12:30 for lunch at a curated cool local restaurant. Then “on the road again” as Willie Nelson would say, until we would take a short afternoon break, and again back on the gas until we would arrive at the next night’s hotel. Each evening there would be a get-together with all rally participants at a fun place such as a winery or even a party boat.
Each evening, after arriving on our host hotel parking lot, Tom, Phil and I would compare notes on how our 911’s were performing, top off oil if needed, clean windshields and “ready” our machines for next day’s workout.
On the second day of the rally, we headed off to Walla Walla Washington, past miles and miles of wheat fields, hay fields and sprawling ranches. This is a beautiful part of America and a rally such as “Going To The Sun Rally” is one of the best ways to enjoy fantastic wide open scenery across the midwest.
Will and Surrey, who run GTTSR, and their entire crew of Going To The Sun Rally are outstanding. They take great care of all participants. All logistics are handled to Porsche precision, from lunch stops, hotels, and dinners, to handling of luggage. They have a team of mechanics traveling with the rally that are constantly working on any issues with cars and keeping all of us moving without delay.
All three of the Gulfstream Porsches ran flawlessly, covering each day with no issues. Phil was a “hero” to one of our competitors as they had a relay fail on their 911 and Phil had a replacement in his spare parts bag that he graciously replaced their failed unit with his spare. The car fired up immediately, and they completed the rally. Phil received the “Good Samaritan” award for his kindness and work keeping their 911 off the “sweep” trailer and running to down the road to the end.
As we opened our throttles on the 911’s leaving Oregon, heading toward Missoula MT, the vistas were breath taking. On the last day we ran into some rain showers that dropped temperatures, letting us know fall was around the corner, but it gave us a chance to see if the heaters worked on our 911’s that never see cold weather in Florida. Rain also washed some dust off as we flew down two-lane black tops through small towns, around Flathead Lake, and pushed on past the golden hills that were recently harvested.
GTTSR’s six days passed very quickly! The final closing banquet was a robust affair that afforded us a final chance to spend time with both our new acquaintances and old friends. We were able to thank the Going To The Sun Rally team for their efforts to deliver a most memorable week.
Gulfstream’s three 911 are dirty, show 1000 miles of use, and their crews agreed they are happy because they got to do what they were made for; carving canyon roads and running in top gear for hours at a time, while all the time putting big smiles on all our faces.
Friday was a grey Montana morning as the parking lot was emptying out. The rally over, and everyone heading back home. As everyone was saying their “goodbye’s,” our three 911’s were loaded on the trailer for their trip back to Palm Beach County.
Even though all three cars looked cool with Montana/Oregon/Idaho/Washington dirt on them, it will be time to get out our car washing gear and start prepping for the next adventure…
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