New members can belong to any region they request, but in the absence of such a request on the application form, National PCA automatically assigns them to a particular region based purely on the zip code of residence. A change to another region can be made by a request to National PCA at any time should one region be preferred to another. The regions involved in the Bay Area are Diablo Region, Golden Gate Region, Loma Prieta Region and Monterey Bay Region.

The prospective new member of the Porsche Club of America in this area can understandably be perhaps confused on learning this and wonder what region would serve his or her best interests. While Loma Prieta Region cannot speak for the philosophies of other regions, it may help a prospective new member to know our philosophy, and the reason for being of LPR.

Geographically located between Golden Gate Region and Monterey Bay Region, we have been in existence as a region for more than 30 years, receiving our charter from PCA National in March 18th 1970. This occured at a ceremony in the Santa Cruz Mountains, our geographical territory officially being that of the entire Santa Cruz County. We are named Loma Prieta Region after the highest mountain of the Santa Cruz Range, and our badge depicts the mountains, ocean and winding roads of that beautiful area, so well adapted to sports car club pursuits and the legendary handling of the Porsche vehicle in particular.

We were formed out of a desire to be a PCA region that would be smaller than most of the neighboring regions, but composed of a relatively large active-core membership compared with other regions. Participation and activity was foremost in our quest to be a successful region, and it was very strongly emphasized and encouraged. We were not interested in merely swelling our ranks with non-participatory membership. Due to our relatively small size we were able to hold "pot-luck" dinner meetings at members houses, not possible with larger regions. Strong friendships were developed which have lasted until this day.

We worked hard to build our region, and we played hard too. The result of this was nothing short of phenomenal, for we became known as the "Good Times Region", and received National PCA's highest honor, - "Region of the Year" - the finest out of the entire United States, with a mere 40 or so members, and only within 2 years of our formation. We gained the same honor again a decade later without too large an increase in membership. Our monthly newsletter, "The Prieta Post" consistantly, year after year, won the Paul Heinmiller Award as the best PCA newsletter of its regional class. It is still regarded as a fine newsletter for a relatively small region.

Today, our philopsophy is much the same, but our membership has grown to approximately 150 people, many of whom do not reside in Santa Cruz County at all, but who nevertheless wish to be a member of LPR. Virtually all of these are members of LPR by choice, not having been remotely placed in our region by National PCA purely by zip code. Like a volunteer army which is alway preferable to one of conscription, our region is different to most. We still retain a relatively large active-member core when compared with other regions, and we want it to remain this way. We still encourage new members of course, - it is the life-blood of any region, especially young people with their fresh ideas and vitality. But we do expect your participation in our activities so that LPR can remain the special region it is.

Our activities include all of those offered by other regions, but it would be fair to say that our emphasis is placed on social activities, one day or two day tours, and just having a good time with friends and our cars. We have a website in addition to our newsletter, and participate in other regions' activities. We have rallyes, tech. sessions, and our driver education schools and our autocrossing programs are excellent. However, if you are into serious racing and time trials, we would respectfully suggest another region, for this is not our forte. However, dual membership with such other region is also an option if you wish to participate in serious competitive activity, but still wish to be associated with and party with the Good Time Region.

We hope that the foregoing will be helpful to you in making up your mind as to the region you choose. We also hope you are of the same mind as our outlined philosophy, will want to maintain and cherish the same ideals, and are willing to become actively involved.

If you feel this way too, come on in, - LPR welcomes you with open arms.