PCA Ocmulgee Region

History

On January 3, 1975, Macon resident, Joe Cogbill, sent letters of invitation, written on the new Macon dealership letterhead-Central Porsche-Audi's. The letters were addressed to interested Porsche owners asking them to attend a meeting held on January 15, 1975, at the Macon Elks Club. The purpose, was to discuss the formation of a separate new region in the area between Peachstate and Palmetto Regions.

Eighteen people attended, indicating some membership interest but this did not meet the necessary minimum of 25 applicants to petition for a separate region. A subsequent meeting was held on February 6, 1975. This time there were 40 members in attendance, a club was formed, with the following officers elected:

  • President: Edward Merry

  • Vice-President: Tom Sebastian

  • Secretary: Debbie Kitchens

  • Treasurer: Debra Melton

The first official recorded meeting according to the "Porsche Pushers" newsletter, was on March, 6, 1975, with approximately 40 members in attendance. The petition, with the signature of 25 members, was finalized during that meeting. Also at that meeting, names for the region and newsletter were nominated and voted on. The region was named Ocmulgee, after the river that flows through Macon. Debbie Kitchens was given a Porsche-Audi jacket by Tom Sebastian, for submitting the winning name. An award for "Enthusiast of the Year", was established, with a plaque that would be presented & passed on to each winner, every year.

The first competitive event sponsored by the club was a beginner's rally held on March 6, 1975, after the monthly meeting. Eventmaster and President, Ed Merry, explained the object of rallying and gave a few tips, before the 7 registered cars left the Central Porsche-Audi dealership in Macon. Winners Tom Sebastian & Martha McKenzie disqualified themselves because of previous rally experience. First prize, a Porsche watch donated by Central Porsche-Audi was awarded to surprised driver Pete and navigator Harriett Wrigley.

The petition for charter was sent to National PCA on March 11, 1975. The present area under petition, was in the Peachstate Palmetto Region, and approval had to be obtained from them also. Members in those regions were given the choice of remaining with their original regions or join the new Ocmulgee Region.

On April 26, 1975, Ocmulgee Region was granted their charter. It was presented by Zone 3 rep, Dr. Leonard Turner and his wife Betty Jo at the Macon Hilton on June 6, 1975. (Wow, those names sound familiar.)

The Ocmulgee Region was incorporated on June 23, 1975.

A set of by-laws prepared by Tom Sebastian, Vice-President, were presented to the club. The club voted to accept them as presented for a period of six months. At that time they were to be put before the club for review. The first financial statement for the club showed $65 in the club treasury but not for long. A bill was outstanding for $65 for the first newsletter in April 1975, the Porsche Pushers with an "s". The title of the newsletter since the 2nd edition has always been officially called: "Porsche Pusher".

The first region tour was to Callaway Gardens was sponsored by the Middle Georgia SCCA on March 23, 1975. 8 Porsches out of 13 cars made the trip. The cars were dispatched into 3 groups at 10 minute intervals. Joe Ward & Roy Bohannon of Porsche-Audi Central, led the 1st group in a rare Carrera 2. Group 1 was ready for a new navigator when 5 Porsches ended up on a DIRT road to nowhere. Since the Ocmulgee region had no equipment, they participate mostly in Middle Georgia SCCA autocrosses.

There were 43 charter members (not including spouses). Charter member Joe Cogbill (of PAP and racing fame) was one of the original 25 signers of the petition.

 

Ocmulgee Region – Porsche Club of America • 112 Cordell Court, Macon, GA 31220 • p 478.719.0828 • email
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