Text and photos by Derek Meluzio –
In the past I have heard other car enthusiasts tell me that as much as they love these beasts with four wheels that we enjoy, in the end it is more about the people than it is the cars. I always believed that to be true, but after this weekend I know it is true.
My “Raise the RUF” Porsche group and the Central, Pennsylvania chapter of the Porsche Club of America joined together to host a gathering of RUF and Porsche vehicles at the 2021 Carlisle Import & Performance Nationals. On the RUF side of the house we had a very special guest come in the RUF BTR Slantnose Cabrio that was featured on the cover of Road & Track magazine in 1987 owned by my buddy Tom from New York. He recently acquired the car and had it detailed and prepared by AMMO NYC to begin sharing this amazing car with RUF and car enthusiasts everywhere. This event was the first public appearance of the car since he acquired it.
The 1987 RUF BTR Slantnose
Tom trailered his car to my father Don Meluzio’s garage where he met up with me and another RUF enthusiast named Steve. I have a special love for Steve’s car because my car is a RUF modified Porsche 996 Turbo but his is the real deal. The original owner bought the car new as a Porsche but drove it directly to RUF in Pfaffenhausen for a full RUF RTurbo 550 factory conversion. It is a sinister looking black matte body with black wheels and yellowbird colored accents.
2003 RUF RTurbo 550 factory conversion
Don gave the guys the quick tour of his garage including Barbarossa the Porsche 901 Prototype but we were all quick to get on the road for our driving tour to the event. We completed our driving group with my dad Don in his 1973 911T, and a great personal friend of mine Cory and his son Creed who drove his sleek Grand Tourismo Panamera 4S. We even added my son Justin with his Mitsubishi Lancer. Yes, three generations of Meluzio car guys at the same event.
Cory’s Panamera (front) and Don’s 911T (rear)
We drove the 40 minutes to the event nose to tail only stopping for gas, entered the gates, and quickly set up our display. Our tent was right next to our friends from the Central, PA chapter of the PCA headed by Tim March. The weather could not have been better and our display looked great with a wonderful variety of RUF and Porsche examples. We had multiple versions of the 911 (both air cooled and water cooled), we had mid engine Porsches like 914s, Caymans, Boxsters, and even some front engine ones like a 924, 944s, 968s, and Panameras.
The first day ended with me presenting each RUF owner with thank you gifts and goodie bags supplied by Estonia Ruf herself. Each owner also received a bottle of Kevin Buckler’s Racing Series Adobe Road Wine. We returned for day two much the same meeting up at the garage and driving together to the event.
The Racing Series Adobe Road Wine gifts for the RUF owners along with the RUF goodie bags supplied by the RUF family.
Day two also had beautiful weather and featured even more cars. Our RUF group grew that day by one as Peter from New York joined us in his green Porsche 968 that featured black RUF wheels and a gorgeous beige interior with matching GT3 seats. Many of our group members participated in events. Myself and Don ran the autocross along with PCA hot shoe Eric in his Cayman.
Porsche 968 with RUF wheels
Rick drove his new Boxster S “low and slow” all the way deep into the limbo competition finishing just outside the top 3. Mike in his 991 GT3 impressed the crowd getting loud cheers from everyone on his way to winning the rolling exhaust competition outright. Make sure to watch the video at the end of this article and listen to his run. It sounded amazing.
Rick and his Boxster S
991 and 997 group
We had a special “Porsche” guest on display with our group. Translog Porsche, the restoration shop and Porsche repair facility in York, PA brought out the Ghia Monster. It is a Porsche Boxster with custom coachwork body panels and interior of a Karmann Ghia.
The Boxster based Karmann Ghia
As for the judging and awards, the big winner was Tom and his RUF BTR Slantnose Cabrio. He received the coveted Carlisle Elite award. Out of the over 2,000 cars at the show that weekend only 10 Carlisle Elite Awards are handed out. He also took the 1st place trophy in the judged Exotic/Supercar class. I was very happy as my RUF modified 996 Turbo won 3rd place in the Exotic/Supercar class. Our Raise the RUF Porsche group also received the Carlisle Special Recognition Award.
RUF owners viewing the engine of the BTR Slantnose
Eric going through tech for the autocross
Getting to spend time with my family, friends, and fellow RUF and Porsche owners was a real treat. A great time was had by all and friendships were made. The best part is that we all left feeling equally excited about the time we shared together and each of us is already thinking about and planning next year’s event.
Let us know what you think in the Comments.
Derek Meluzio grew up in a car loving family in Central, PA. He still lives there with his wife, daughter, and car loving sons. Derek is an amateur autocrosser who attends track events, Concours/shows, and Cars and Coffee events all over. He has an appreciation for all cars but especially anything Porsche.
Derek Meluzio and his 2002 RUF modified Porsche 996 Turbo
RUF owners with our author on the right
Thank you once again to both Mike and the readers of “My Car Quest” for allowing me to share my experience with you.
Porsche people know how to have fun!