We went to North Carolina for a few days of rallying, then rolled into Durham for Luftgekühlt 11—and it completely changed our perspectives.
Derek opens with a public apology to Will: the Blue Ridge and Blowing Rock backroads aren’t just good…they might be the best he’s ever driven. We unpack what makes rally culture so addictive (trust, pace, and driving), the difference between “owners” and “drivers,” and the moment a patina-rich 356 and a scruffy 912 stole the show from million-dollar icons.
Then we get honest about Luft 11 at the historic American Tobacco campus: artfully staged cars, jaw-dropping curation, and yes—“beauty fatigue.” Why the parking garage (daily-driven cars with scars and stories) was our favorite “exhibit,” and how the event lit a fire for the next hunt (hello, G-body).
If you’re into real driving, community over clout, and Porsches with character, this one’s for you.
Chapters
00:00 Cold open & why we’re buzzing
01:10 Derek’s public apology: Blue Ridge > New England?
03:20 The rally: trust, pace, & Mike/Bob’s routes
06:00 Owners vs drivers (and why patina rules)
10:20 Flow state on mountain roads (spiritual, not spooky)
14:45 Why NC roads hit different vs NE & CA
17:45 Car barns, kindness, and community
21:25 What is Luft—quick primer
23:55 Luft 11 impressions: art, curation, and perfect weather
27:40 Beauty fatigue is real (still the best Porsche show)
29:35 The cars that grabbed us: 912s, 356s, scars & stories
31:00 The hunt begins: G-body fever, Targa debate, garage math
33:30 What’s next & sign-off
Listen on the go: “Rennthusiast Radio Podcast” (Apple/Spotify).
Watch Will’s 993 mountain drive and Derek’s Turbo S/X50 video on ElevenAfterNine.
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Keywords: Luft 11, Luftgekühlt, Porsche 993, Porsche 356, Porsche 912, G-body, Blue Ridge Parkway, Blowing Rock NC, air-cooled Porsche, rally driving, patina Porsche, Porsche community
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