Press release
3MB
may 26, 2017 - Porsche
Porsche - Homeland
“Deep in the West, where the sun sinks in dust …” is how the famous song “Bochum” by Herbert Grönemeyer begins. It pays homage not only to his hometown of Bochum, with its “pulse of steel,” but also to the Ruhr district and its people. Coal, beer, steel—a triad that shaped the region and made cities like Essen, Bochum, and Dortmund great. They’re melting pots whose residents are as proud of their home as they are of their reputation for hard work.
The Hansa coking plant in the western part of Dortmund is a landmark from this era. It used to be the largest of such plants in the area, producing nearly two million tons of coke per year, before it was finally shut down in 1992. And yet it still embodies the spirit of the age. A convoy of lovingly maintained sports cars slowly approaches the deserted furnaces and machine halls— a Targa, a Carrera, and a Spyder, splashes of color against a rusty brown backdrop. What might appear contradictory is actually a good fit. The cars belong here: Dortmund is where the world’s first #porsche Club was founded, in 1952. Karsten Schumann, the president of #porsche Club Westfalen, has brought a small delegation along. They enjoy each other’s company, which might help explain why it was here of all places—a part of Germany particularly damaged by World War II—that #porsche fans first came together. They did so four years after the first #porsche sports car was introduced, with racing legend Baron Huschke von Hanstein in attendance. The original name “Westfälischer #porsche Club Hohensyburg” referred to the old racecourse just outside Dortmund, the “Nürburgring of Westphalia.” Racing was a club priority in the beginning. Its early years were marked by motorsport events and the newfound appeal of speed. In 1969 the #porsche fans made the impossible possible, when the city of Dortmund issued a special permit for a “hill slalom in the form of a hill race” in the middle of Dortmund’s Wellinghofen area. The #event was a success and is one of many highlights in the club’s history.
The club currently has around fifty-five #porsche fansThe largest area of urban sprawl in Europe underwent radical changes after World War II. The mining and steel industries gradually faded in importance. “Coal was the first to go, followed by steel—and then beer,” recalls Reiner Kötter, a wholesale beverage dealer and the club’s president until 2014. He can’t hide the melancholy in his voice and on his face. As Germany’s economic miracle picked up steam after the war, the Westphalian #porsche fans partied in Dortmund’s ballrooms with the stars of the era. Hazy Osterwald and Max Greger played dance music—and Ferry #porsche himself traveled to Dortmund for the tenth anniversary of the club in 1962. That must have been wonderful, but it was a long time ago.
Little by little, however, the “coal shed of the nation” turned into a hub for the service industry, education, and culture. This transformation brought fresh energy into the region and invigorated the club.
“We’re a bunch of nuts,” says Schumann. A physician and father, he recognizes the club’s history but emphasizes its dynamic side. “The club lives from its members. Tradition is all well and good, but what drives this type of organization is people’s commitment.” The club currently has around fifty-five #porsche fans from Dortmund and the surrounding area. More than one hundred #porsche cars are listed on its roster. The president gives special mention to a 924 GTS from 1981, a 911 GT2 (Type 993) from 1996, and a 911 Turbo flat-roof convertible (Type 930) from 1989.
For their upcoming anniversary, the troop will head for Tuscany“Members used to sit around for cake and coffee on the weekends, but that’s changed over the years,” Boris Jankiewicz, the vice president, recalls. Although they do still hold some evening events, these #porsche enthusiasts prefer to get out on the road. They clock a fair amount of mileage on their excursions. For example, to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary, a club convoy headed for Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen—the birthplace of their shared passion. Five years later, they set off for the island of Sylt in the North Sea. “We’re more into tours like that than gala events,” the president notes. For their upcoming anniversary, the troop will head for Tuscany—their first-ever tour to another country. People looking to join the club should ideally share this adventurous outlook. “Everyone is welcome at our club evenings,” says Schumann. “But if you want to become a member, you should be a good fit.”
Christian Wälzholz, an entrepreneur, is a good example: sociable and quick on the uptake, like the Ruhr district itself, with an affinity for individuals who don’t necessarily wear their hearts on their sleeves. Three of the club members are also in #porsche Club Ostfriesland (East Friesland)—a step taken to develop and strengthen the ranks of that northern German group. Its president, Horst Wendelken, is a full-time pastor.
When businessman Joachim Bade, now fifty years old, talks about his enthusiasm for #porsche, he jumps back to when he was twenty and bought his first sports car from Zuffenhausen. The joy he experienced back then has remained with him to this day. Together with Wälzholz and Jörg Stoye, a car dealer, he is restoring an old estate and converting it into a private #porsche Center. Originally conceived as a place for the private car collection, its potential is now expanding. The old barn on the estate used to be just a garage. Today, an elevator lifts cars up to the second floor, where club activities may take place in the future. An illuminated #porsche logo is already mounted on the gable.
1956303 boris jankiewicz vice president porsche club westfalen 911 carrera targa dortmund 2017 porsche ag
1860x3300, 2MB
1951912 christian waelzholz boxster spyder type 981 2015 porsche club westfalen dortmund 2017 porsche ag
1860x3300, 2MB
1906783 porsche club westfalen dortmund 2017 porsche ag
1860x3300, 2MB
1661687 club champion plate from 1953 porsche club westfalen dortmund 2017 porsche ag
1860x3300, 2MB
1541712 joerg stoye 911 carrera 2 porsche club westfalen dortmund 2017 porsche ag
1860x3300, 1MB
1484488 letter signed by ferry porsche porsche club westfalen dortmund 2017 porsche ag
1860x3300, 1MB
1462818 karsten schumann president porsche club westfalen 911 carrera 4 gts dortmund 2017 porsche ag
1860x3300, 1MB
1461280 porsche club westfalen dortmund 2017 porsche ag
1860x3300, 1MB
1348843 porsche club westfalen dortmund 2017 porsche ag
1860x3300, 1MB
Related news |
||
|
|
|
march 28, 2024
|
march 27, 2024
|
march 26, 2024
|
|
The Porsche 99X Electric driven by Pascal Wehrlein (GER) and António Félix da Costa (POR) tackle the Formula E debut in Japan deck... |
Porsche AG and Applied Intuition, a Silicon Valley-based vehicle software supplier, announced a strategic partnership today. The c... |
Porsche will support the European Open in Germany as the Official Automotive Partner.Long-time successful cooperation with the tim... |
Download all 
You might be interested in |
||
|
|
|
march 25, 2024
|
march 22, 2024
|
march 07, 2024
|
|
The Porsche Taycan Turbo GT (right) is the official safety car to the Porsche SIXT Carrera Cup Deutschland 2024, the Porsche 911 G... |
• Quadruple Formula 1 world champ drives Le Mans hypercar for the first time • Porsche Penske Motorsport conducts 36-hour test at ... |
Everrati, the leader in redefining automotive icons with bespoke electric powertrains, delivers first redefined, electric Land Rov... |
Download all 
Share
Share via mail 
Automotive
Sport
Events
Art&Culture
Design
Fashion&Beauty
Food&Hospitality
Technology
Nautica
Racing
Excellence
Corporate
OffBeat
Green
Gift
Pop
Heritage
Entertainment
Health & Wellness