Members of a local group of car enthusiasts are revving up their engines in anticipation of an event that takes place every year on or around Cinco de Mayo.
The Porsche Club of America's Southern Arizona Region plans three days of activities. The public is invited to view classic and current cars at the Zone 8 Concours d'Elegance Saturday at St. Philip's Plaza, 4280 N. Campbell Ave.
The event is free for the public to attend. Judging begins at 9:30 a.m. but the cars will be available for viewing from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
"Though there is a display division, this is more than just a car show," said club member Barb Crowley. "It's an actual competition."
Crowley, who has been with the Southern Arizona Region Porsche Club for more than 30 years, said cars will be judged on their cleanliness as well as on their physical condition and appearance.
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Porsche owners will enter their cars to be judged in different divisions, from the relatively basic "wash and shine division" to the more advanced "full concours division."
"There are people who take their engines apart and clean every bolt in their engine," Crowley said. "They clean their cars with Q-tips. Their cars are probably cleaner than any hospital you would ever find. It's incredible."
The Concours d'Elegance has been going on for 30 years and usually features between 40 and 60 Porsche owners vying to win the top prize, Crowley said. Cars range from vintage models such as the Porsche 356 to the new Porsche 911.
Other weekend festivities include a welcome party, silent auction, awards banquet, golf tournament and driving tour for members of the nearly 200-person Porsche club. For the last 15 years the events have helped raise money for Tucson charities.
"For many years, we didn't have a charity, and we thought we really needed to help the community," Crowley said. "Many of them have to do with doing community service in the foothills."
Since 2003, the club also has helped the community through its Adopt-A-Roadway program to help clean up litter along Orange Grove Road. And since 2009 the club has worked to remove buffelgrass along the same road.
This year's event proceeds will go to the Fine Arts Youth Academy and the Tucson Arthritis Support League. The charities were chosen because they're local and because they're focused on education.
Club member Ron Sable, who has been involved with the club for 28 years, said he likes supporting local groups so he can see a direct impact from charity efforts.
"The money doesn't go through some national fund to get diluted," he said. "There's nothing wrong with that, but we'd rather keep the money here."
Sable, who refers to the club as his "second family," thinks Tucsonans will enjoy Concours d'Elegance if for no other reason than to admire classic and pristine Porsches.
"This gives people the chance to truly see some of the most beautiful cars in the country," he said. "They look just like they came off the showroom floor."
If you go
• What: The Porsche Club of America's Southern Arizona Region Concours d'Elegance show and competition
• When: Saturday; cars will be judged from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and the public can view them from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
• Where: St. Philip's Plaza, 4280 N. Campbell Ave.
• Info: For more information about the local chapter, go to pcasar.com
John Kuells is a University of Arizona student who is an apprentice at the Star. Contact him at 573-4117 or at starapprentice@azstarnet.com
