A pack of 70 drivers left the 91原创 Porsche Centre Saturday morning, bound for Whistler and some fast driving in a good cause.
The lead driver in the second annual Porsche Rally was Christian Chia, the CEO of OpenRoad Auto Group, the operators of the 91原创 centre, who was driving a rare Porsche GT3 valued at $259,990 and decalled with a custom wrap designed especially for the rally.
Portions of the proceeds from the event go to the Pemberton volunteer fire department
鈥淚t鈥檚 the volunteers that make a difference,鈥� said Drew Kenney, new vehicle sales manager at Porsche Centre 91原创, one of the event organizers.
鈥淲e want to make sure they鈥檙e recognized.鈥�
The turnout was up this year from the 2017 rally, when there were 55 confirmed participants.
鈥淚t鈥檚 only getting bigger,鈥� said Kenney.
There will definitely be (a) year three, year four, year five and on and on.鈥�
Drivers headed up the sea-to-sky highway to Pemberton air strip, where plans called for some faster driving at the local airport, which had rented organizers a runway for the occasion.
鈥淲e鈥檙e going to do some controlled drag racing,鈥� Kenney said.
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Following that, the drivers were to head to Whistler, for a group dinner at the Four Seasons Resort Whistler.
The rally started following a briefing by police that included a warning to obey speed limits.
The message may not have sunk in for one participant, who reportedly had their car impounded for excessive speed by West Vancouver Police later that morning.
Police said the car was going 138 km/h in a posted 90 zone on Hwy. 1 鈥渨ith heavy rain and very wet roads.鈥�
member just impounded a Porsche 911 for excessive speed on Hwy 1. 138km/h in a posted 90 zone with heavy rain and very wet roads. Please check yourself before you wreck yourself and others. Slow down, maintain safe distance. Get home safe!
鈥� West Vancouver PD (@WestVanPolice)
The charity fundraiser for the Pemberton Firefighters Association was put together by Luxury Alliance Group, the same organization that puts on the Diamond Rally and Luxury and Super Car Weekend events.
Invited Porsche models included 911 GTS, 911 Carrera 4S, 911 Carrera S, 911 Carrera, 911 R, 911 Turbo S, 911 Turbo, 918, Porsche Carrera GT, GT2, GT2 RS, GT3 RS, GT3, GT4, Boxster Spyder, Carrera 4, Singer, RWB and RUF.
OpenRoad Auto Group is B.C.鈥檚 largest automotive dealership group with over 1,200 staff representing 19 automotive brands at 23 dealerships.
dan.ferguson@langleytimes.com
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