Exploring the stunning driving roads of North Carolina, Will and Derek share their experiences from a recent rally and the Luftgekühlt 11 car show. They discuss the breathtaking scenery, the camaraderie among Porsche enthusiasts, and the thrill of driving air-cooled Porsches on winding mountain roads. The duo reflects on the unique charm of the rally culture, contrasting it with the more formal car show experience. They also touch on the allure of well-used cars with character, and the excitement of discovering new automotive events to attend.
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
"...let's talk a little bit about at least the nation's greatest air-cooled Porsche car show had in store for us and kind of what we thought."
Air-cooled Porsches are cars that use air to keep their engines cool instead of water. This type of cooling was common in older Porsche models and is loved by many fans for its unique characteristics.
Air-cooled Porsches refer to models, primarily from the 911 series, that utilize air cooling instead of liquid cooling for their engines. This design was prevalent until the late 1990s and is cherished by enthusiasts for its simplicity and distinctive sound.
"...the gentleman who had that Turbo S in my last video, he texted me the other day saying that he's been getting on a outrageous number of people reaching..."
The Porsche Turbo S is a fast sports car that has a turbocharged engine, meaning it uses a special device to increase power. It's part of the 911 family, which is a well-known series of cars from Porsche.
The Porsche 911 Turbo S is a high-performance variant of the iconic 911 sports car, known for its powerful turbocharged engine and advanced technology. It's designed for speed and agility, making it a favorite among car enthusiasts.
"people have owned X50 Turbos in the past and it really kind of lit a fire."
The X50 Turbo is a special upgrade package for some Porsche 911 Turbo cars that makes them faster and better to drive. It includes parts that improve the engine and handling.
The X50 Turbo is a performance package offered by Porsche for the 911 Turbo models, enhancing power and handling. It includes upgrades such as a more powerful turbocharger and improved suspension.
"head to the mountains, rip with my friends, have a great time, Blue Ridge Parkway, curvy, fantastic, fast roads."
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a famous road in the mountains that people love to drive because it has beautiful views and lots of curves. It's a great place for enjoying nature while driving.
The Blue Ridge Parkway is a scenic highway that runs through the Appalachian Highlands, known for its beautiful views and winding roads, making it a popular destination for driving enthusiasts. It offers a unique driving experience with its curves and landscapes.
"...about the driving experience and I must say there's a man by the name of Mike who organized a drive..."
The driving experience is how it feels to drive a car, including how it handles on the road and how comfortable it is. It's about the enjoyment and connection you have with the vehicle.
The driving experience refers to the overall sensations and feedback a driver receives while operating a vehicle. This includes aspects like handling, comfort, and the emotional connection with the car.
"...you know, people will have these like really nice cars, whether it's a, you know, some Ferraris or..."
Ferrari is a famous Italian car brand that makes very fast and expensive sports cars. They are often seen as a symbol of luxury and performance.
Ferrari is an Italian luxury sports car manufacturer known for its high-performance vehicles and rich motorsport heritage, particularly in Formula 1 racing. The brand is synonymous with speed, style, and exclusivity.
"here you had say a guy with a beautiful red 356 speedster and he drives... he was driving that 356."
The Porsche 356 Speedster is an old sports car that many people love for its fun driving experience. It's light and easy to handle, which makes it great for driving around.
The Porsche 356 Speedster is a classic sports car produced by Porsche in the 1950s. It is known for its lightweight design and agile handling, making it a favorite among driving enthusiasts.
"It's a time capsule and it's very special and every mile you put on, you can erase. But for me, I, I like a nice, well-used 9-11 that has been, you know, driven many a mile behind a car throwing stone chips at, or stones at it."
The Porsche 911 is a famous sports car that many people love because it looks great and drives really well. It's been around for a long time, and even older models can still be fun to drive. When someone talks about it being a 'time capsule,' they mean that it can feel like you're driving a piece of history.
The Porsche 911 is an iconic sports car known for its distinctive design and exceptional performance. It has a rich history dating back to the early 1960s and is celebrated for its rear-engine layout and engaging driving experience, making it a favorite among enthusiasts. The mention of it being a 'time capsule' highlights its ability to retain value and character over time, especially when well-maintained and driven.
"I came from a, in terms of really using my cars or a car, a track prepped E36 M3. I mean, I was doing HPDE events..."
The BMW E36 M3 is a sporty car made by BMW, known for being fun to drive and great on the track. It was made in the 1990s and is popular among car lovers.
The BMW E36 M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, produced from 1992 to 1999. It is known for its balanced handling, powerful inline-six engine, and popularity in motorsport and enthusiast circles.
"I mean, I was doing HPDE events and that's where I felt like I was really able to exercise the cars."
HPDE means High-Performance Driving Experience, which is a way for people to drive their cars fast on a racetrack and learn how to handle them better.
HPDE stands for High-Performance Driving Experience. It is an event where drivers can take their cars onto a racetrack to improve their driving skills in a controlled environment.
"So I owned some BMWs plus my 993 and I fell into the rally culture."
Rally culture is about a group of people who enjoy driving fast on different types of roads, often in events where they race against the clock. It's also about having fun and enjoying the scenery along the way.
Rally culture refers to the community and activities surrounding rally racing, which involves driving on public or private roads in a timed competition. It emphasizes skill, navigation, and enjoying scenic routes.
"...I sold my track, built BMW and moved into the driving rally scene and I haven't looked back."
The driving rally scene is a type of motorsport where drivers race on different types of roads, often in teams. It's a fun way to enjoy driving with others and test your skills.
The driving rally scene involves organized events where drivers navigate through various terrains, often on public roads, while competing against the clock. It emphasizes skill and teamwork, making it a social and engaging experience for participants.
"...I don't know if you've actually, I think you've done track work and you might have a greater affinity for that than I do."
Track work means driving cars on a racetrack where you can go fast and practice your driving skills safely. It's a fun way to enjoy cars and see how they perform.
Track work refers to driving a car on a racetrack, where drivers can push their vehicles to the limit in a controlled environment. It often involves performance driving techniques and is popular among car enthusiasts.
A boxer engine is a special type of engine where the cylinders move in and out like a boxer's fists. This design helps make cars more stable and better balanced when driving.
A boxer engine is a type of internal combustion engine where the cylinders are arranged horizontally in two opposing rows. This design lowers the center of gravity and enhances stability in vehicles like the Porsche 911.
"...it's called Ruclos Rally. And I have not yet done it, but I'm going to certainly do it..."
The Ruclos Rally is a car event where people come together to enjoy their vehicles. It's a friendly gathering where everyone is welcome, no matter what kind of car they have.
The Ruclos Rally is an automotive event that emphasizes a fun and inclusive atmosphere for car enthusiasts, regardless of the type or model of their vehicle. It showcases a variety of cars and promotes camaraderie among participants.
"Patrick Long, famous Porsche race car driver, very connected with the Porsche factory, retired from racing and started this car show called Luftical, which is an air-cooled Porsche show. And he started it, gosh, I want to say maybe like around 2012, something like that."
Luft is a special car show that features older Porsche cars that are powered by air-cooled engines. It was started by a famous race car driver named Patrick Long and has been happening for over ten years.
Luft is a car show focused on air-cooled Porsche vehicles, founded by Patrick Long, a well-known Porsche race car driver. The event showcases a variety of classic and modified Porsches, celebrating the culture and community surrounding these iconic cars.
"Oh, there's a 917, like literally under stairs. And so they light them appropriately."
The Porsche 917 is a famous race car that won many races in the 1970s. It's known for being very fast and is considered one of the best racing cars ever made.
The Porsche 917 is a legendary race car known for its dominance in endurance racing, particularly at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. It features a lightweight design and powerful flat-12 engine, making it one of the most iconic cars in motorsport history.
"...it is really nice because it just adds to the community and it shows that people like the stupid stuff..."
The car community is made up of people who love cars and enjoy talking about them. They often meet up at events or shows to share their passion and make friends with others who like cars too.
The car community refers to groups of car enthusiasts who share a passion for vehicles, often participating in events, shows, and gatherings to celebrate their love for cars. This community fosters friendships and knowledge sharing among members.
"...the guy in the front, he just hit 80,000 kilometers on his car and he wanted to pull over and take a picture. It's like, Oh, it's like, Oh, I get it..."
Kilometers are a way to measure how far something has gone, similar to miles. Many countries use kilometers instead of miles to show distance.
Kilometers are a unit of measurement for distance, commonly used in countries that follow the metric system. In automotive contexts, it's often used to indicate the distance a vehicle has traveled.
"...I don't really have this archival, if that's a word, knowledge of Porsche Motorsport history. And so I see some of these cars..."
Porsche Motorsport history is about the company's participation in car racing and the achievements they've made over the years. This history makes their cars more interesting to fans.
Porsche Motorsport history refers to the brand's extensive involvement in competitive racing, including notable victories in events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans and various championships. This history contributes to the brand's reputation and the desirability of its cars among enthusiasts.
"...the cars that caught my attention the most, they're what I'll call patina monsters, man. Yes. So I, yes..."
'Patina monsters' are old cars that look worn out but have a charm because of their age. People often like them for their history and unique look, even if they have rust or scratches.
'Patina monsters' refers to classic cars that have aged gracefully, showing signs of wear and tear that enthusiasts appreciate. This term often describes vehicles that have not been restored to perfection but instead retain their original character and history.
"...I liked the, there was a 912 that like, honestly, it had rust on the rockers or right in front of the rockers was on the fender. And the dude there..."
The Porsche 912 is an older sports car that was made in the 1960s. It's known for being lighter and less powerful than the 911, but still very fun to drive and collect.
The Porsche 912 is a classic sports car produced by Porsche from 1965 to 1969, known for its lightweight design and balance, making it a popular choice among enthusiasts. It features a four-cylinder engine, which differentiates it from the more powerful six-cylinder Porsche 911.
"I think the hunt is on for a G body, well used patina monster."
The G body is a type of Porsche 911 that was made in the late 1970s and 1980s. Many people like these cars for their vintage look and feel.
The G body refers to a generation of the Porsche 911 produced from 1974 to 1989. It is known for its classic styling and is often sought after by collectors, especially models with patina.
"I don't know if FOMO is the right answer, but I am the king of conflict..."
FOMO means feeling worried that you might miss out on something exciting. In cars, it can mean wanting a car because others have it or because it's popular.
FOMO stands for 'Fear of Missing Out.' In the automotive context, it often refers to the anxiety of not being part of a trend or missing an opportunity to own a desirable car.
The Porsche 968 is another model of sports car made by Porsche in the early 1990s. It's recognized for its good handling and sporty feel.
The Porsche 968 is a sports car produced by Porsche from 1992 to 1995. It is known for its refined handling and performance, and it was the last of the Porsche front-engine sports cars.
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