Own a Porsche and live in the Eastern or Central Virginia areas? Or are you looking to purchase a Porsche? Why not join our club. 800+ of your fellow Porsche owners already have. The Porsche Club of America is dedicated to enhancing the Porsche ownership experience. For over 60 years, the First Settlers Region has hosted a variety of driving, social, and charity events. No matter your interest, the Porsche Club of America and First Settlers Region has something to offer every Porsche owner. While our cars are very exclusive, our club is not. Membership is open to all Porsche owners, co-owners or lessees, who are 18 years of age or older. At the time of joining, the member of record is permitted to name either a member of his or her family to become a family member or other interested person to become an affiliate member, at no additional cost. The family or affiliate member must also be 18 years of age or older.

To join PCA follow the link below or call 410-381-0911.

Porsche Club of America is the largest single independent marque car club in the world. And membership has its privileges. While it’s the cars that bring us together it’s the people, camaraderie and friendships that bring membership alive.
When you join PCA, you become a member of First Settlers Region at no additional cost for the duration of your PCA membership. Annual membership dues are just $46 and you can join for up to 3 years at a discounted rate.
First Settlers Region offers a full calendar of events each year including Drivers Education, concours, social and charity events. Our most popular events may be our four monthly breakfasts which are located throughout our geographic area. Our regular monthly breakfasts are a great opportunity to interact with other members on topics of repair, restoration, driving and all things Porsche. First Settlers members also receive Horizontally Opposed, our bi-monthly newsletter.
To see a full listing of member benefits, click the link below.

Where do you live? Virginia Beach Oceanfront Area

What do you do for a living? 10 years with Porsche Sales at Checkered Flag Porsche, Virginia Beach.

Tell us about your family. My parents grew up in Boston, eventually relocating to Virginia Beach while stationed at NAS Oceana, my dad was a Navy Fighter Pilot.   I was born in Virginia Beach. After bouncing up and down the East Coast, they landed in Raleigh, NC., having 5 kids, 3 boys and 2 girls. They all still reside in Raleigh except my brother who lives in Orlando. He shares my “Porsche Passion”.

Hobbies. Very big into motorcycles, mostly Motocross and Cross Country riding but some street biking as well as mountain biking and other outdoor activities. I am also a big live music fan.

PCA/First Settlers Region member since about 2009. Currently own, 2008 911S, 2006 911, 1987 911, and two projects, a 1986 911 CAB & a 1979 911 Coupe. I recently sold my 1999 911 to my brother in Florida. (I miss that car!!)

First Memory As a teen the ‘cool’ counselor at the local teen center drove a green 912. But the bigger impact was my buddy’s dad who had a brand new 911 Targa. At 16 years old, he would let us take it out on Friday/Saturday night! My buddy was not very good with manual so I drove mostly. If that car could talk!!

Favorite Car Story   Porsche is a great company to ‘Be Involved’ with – So it is driving a 918 Spyder at Road Atlanta, driving a 911 4S through the Alps, driving Turbo S on the Circuit Paul Richard in France and Boxsters in the Canary Isands!!!

Favorite Porsche It’s hard not to love the Carrara GT!!!

Bucket List #1 would have to be running Pike’s Peak Hill Climb. #2 Baja – I’ve always wanted to do it on a bike but will settle for a buggy or truck at this point. #3 Drive Laguna Seca, hoping to go to the Rennsport Reunion this Fall, maybe I’ll get a chance!

What keeps you in PCA? PCA is such a great resource for any Porsche enthusiast! Locally we have a great group of friendly, generous & fun members that really add to the enjoyment of the Club and the ownership experience. I just wish I didn’t work weekends so I could enjoy more events.

I think it was President John F. Kennedy who said “Ask not what your country can do for you; ask what you can do for your country.” That same inspirational question is also applicable to First Settlers Region. What can you do for your club? There are many benefits that come via a membership in PCA and the First Settlers Region, but we can enhance the value of a membership by giving back to the club Individuals and committees work hard to plan driving, social and charity events; and to recruit sponsors and items for raffles and door prizes to make these events fun, raise money for our charities and to financially breakeven.

All of this is to increase the value of your membership and to enhance your personal club experience, but it’s a tough job at times.

So how can you help? Here is a list of ways:
• Recruit a new member
• Consider serving on the board or as an officer
• Volunteer for a event committee
• Sign up and attend some events
• Advertise your business with an event sponsorship
• Donate an item from your business for an event raffle
• Secure a sponsorship or raffle item from a friend, vendor or wherever you have relationships

First Settlers Region is growing rapidly. While it’s the marque that brings us to the club, it’s the people we meet and the relationships we build that make membership a
great experience. And to come full circle, it’s the club events that bring us together. Reach out to a board member or officer to see how you can give back.

Remember to renew your membership. You’ll be glad you did!

How long have you been a PCA member?

Since August of 1987, becoming active just before purchasing my first Porsche, a ’72 914. Ruth became a member after our marriage, the divestiture of three 914s and purchase of a Rothmans Challenge 944. We recently relocated and transferred out of Connecticut Valley Region.

So, have Porsche’s always been part of your family life?

I was first exposed to the cars in high school after my uncle purchased a Euro 356C. Ruth worked in Pit lane while pregnant with Ellen. A good friend and I were co-driving an ex-Trans Am 911ST 2.5 FIA Coupe in a 3-hour enduro. Ellen was 3 months old when she went to her first race – same 911, at Mid-Ohio. Judy’s first ride, not in a car seat, was in the back of our 3.2 Carrera.

Most memorable car related moment?

I’d say it would be a toss-up between competing at the Double 50 at Watkins Glen (the first Rennsport event) and being at the drivers meeting in awe of the 40+ legendary drivers in attendance, who I was alongside. Teaching my dad to drive 5-speed in the Rothmans car. Running a 911ST at 7,000 RPM in 4th gear on the streets of Sebring Florida while chasing a Penske Camaro and under police escort. Being given run of the private collection at Gunnar Racing and opening the door to find a 917, and Kevin’s cat sleeping in the back of “Baby”, the Carrera RSR Turbo 2.1 litre. Darned lucky cat! Or, almost any drive we take in the 356 because it pays homage to my uncle who started this multi-generational love affair.

How about you ladies?

Ruth: I love the multi-day PCA tours we have taken. There is just something about the combination of the engine sound and watching the silhouettes of the other cars in the distance, that I find relaxing. Ellen: probably taking the 356 to an air-cooled show and meeting Igor Sikorsky the grandson of the helicopter inventor. He had some great stories and was so interested in our car. Judy: I really enjoyed the last PCA Father’s Day Concourse, especially the 1929 Bentley my dad’s friend brought.

Erik, what is your favorite Porsche?

I love the 934/5 and 906, all 356s and low bumper 911s. Currently, I am partial to the new 911 Carrera T. Do I have to pick one? It’s kind of like picking a favorite child.

Why PCA?

The cars. The people. How the cars and the characters weave a beautiful tapestry.

So, what’s next for the Apotheker family?

We all look forward to becoming active with FSR and to the next Porsche chapter of our story. It’s sure been a blast so far.