There was a recent thread about historical 914 events. I did a search, but can't find it. If an admin wants to move this to the correct thread, thanks! Here's the link from webarchive: http://web.archive.org/web/20001102084205/...b/festival.html

1995
1st Mid-West Renegade Festival at Lake Ozark Missouri
by Rusty Payne

The Porsche 914 Club had its first Mid-West Renegade Festival at Lake Ozark, Missouri the weekend of September 15th. There were a total of 16 cars, and 34 people, not too bad for a first time! 914ers came from nine different states to attend. Club President Alex Buller and Barbara LaFargue even drove their "sixer" all the way from California for this first ever event.

Somebody upstairs must like us 914ers, as there was only a very light rain on Friday night, and the conditions for the remainder of the event and drive home was perfect 914 weather (tops off - mid 70's). Pre-event activities consisted of clean, polish, and "Advanced Porschemechanics". Event organizer Perry Kiehl got his "6" conversion completed only hours prior to departure, and was resigned to trailer the car to the event in a poor running condition. Thursday morning found Perry tinkering with rear brakes. Rich Johnson and Perry (mostly Rich) spent the better part of Thursday afternoon tweaking the mechanical injection system to a much better running state. Charles and Linda Kate Burks drove two 914's, and Linda Kate's car didn't run too well the last couple hundred miles, and was trouble shot by Alex and Charles. Working on the cars in one form or another was a sub plot of this event.


David Wegeng was up until 4:00 am Friday morning reassembling his car. David's car, a major resto/rusto project, was painted Thursday morning prior to the event, and back in David's garage at 4:00 that afternoon. David got a 2nd in the concours, showing that hard work and determination does pay off! Brad Mayeur also helped David trouble shoot his injection system.

Saturday afternoon during the parade, the shift rod (in the tunnel) on Alex's "6" broke. Harry Price and Jim Blakewell took to the car like a LeMans pit crew, and removed the shift rod (which broke from 25 jahren of wear). Local 914er Cody Corbett drove Alex to a welding shop that repaired the rod. All of this happened late in the afternoon, and the welding shop stayed open past 5:00 to help us out. The Price/Blakewell pit crew had the car shifting again in no time. It was a miracle that the thing it broke when it did, and didn't wait till Alex and Barbara were halfway to California.

Friday night there was an informal reception which allowed everyone to get acquainted and talk 914. Saturday was early morning wash, shine and polish for many. The first scheduled event was a Poker Run to a local State Park where the concours and picnic lunch would take place. Arrival at the park saw very judicious parking instructions by our club President. Everyone had time to snap photos and judge the cars, although it was difficult to get everyone clear of those nice shiny 914's. Rich Johnson played videographer for the event and interviewed every car owner, which required the owners to vocally reproduce their favorite 914 sound. A picnic lunch of subs, chips, and popular beverages was enjoyed by all. The participants then cruised back to the motel, for the tech session and some free time.



Brad Mayeur, Rich Johnson, Glenn Stazak and Charles Burks headed up the "round table" tech session. This was an informal format, and allowed all participants an opportunity to exchange information on the nuts, bolts, and skinned knuckle aspect of 914 repairs, restoration and preservation. The parade through town took place later that afternoon, only after all the cars went topless. For many it was the greatest concentration of 914's they'd ever seen.

The parade went smoothly (except for Alex's shifter), and we observed one of our mid-engined cousins, a Fiero Countach replica on the parade route. The parade route took the group through the tourist section of Lake Ozark, over the very narrow Bagnell Dam, and back to the motel via a scenic section of Hwy 54. A few hours of free time was scheduled before the Banquet.

The Banquet was yet another chance to socialize, and the food was exceptional. The staff at the Lamplighter Howard Johnson really did a fine job, and helped make the event a success. After the meal President Alex gave a speech, as did Perry, then the concours awards were presented, followed by the door prizes, which were donated by GPR and High Performance House. David Wegeng made an impromptu appreciation speech thanking Perry for organizing the event. GPR also gave each owner a $25 coupon good for purchases of $100 or more. Thanks again to Dave at GPR, and Rich at High Performance House.

Lets all trade with those that support our Club! The last order of business was an open discussion of the event, and what everyone would like to change or do differently for next year.



A few observations from the event were: Jim Blakewell's orange 2.8 "6" conversion was without a doubt the fastest 914 present. David Wegeng had the most difficult restoration, as well as having got the car together with least time to spare. Malaga red and shades of red or maroon was the most popular color (6 out of 15 cars). Andy McFarland's "6" may have been the most coveted car present. At 16 Cody Corbett was the youngest 914er present.

David Tomasix from Grand Rapids, MI had the longest drive to the event (besides Alex and Barbara). There were several stock 914's that were wonderfully preserved, a miracle in this land of snow and salt. Several were optimistic that Perry's slick wide body will someday run as good as it looks.

Alex and Barbara were shocked to see so many people handing out their keys for test drives. It seems the mid-westerners are proud of the way their cars drive, and like to show off that aspect to other enthusiasts. The most important observation of all was that EVERYONE HAD A GREAT TIME!

This first time event was a major success for the Club, the cars, and the people that came. The Club got a good boost in membership. The cars got detailed, tuned, tweaked, repaired, or reassembled in some cases. The people however, got the best bonus of all, a chance to meet other 914 enthusiasts, see other cars, make new friends, and some of the people got to meet their "914 phone friends" face to face for the first time. Alex, Barbara, and Perry spent a great deal of time and effort preparing, and the end result was a memorable 914 event for all who came. Before everyone left the hot topic of discussion was next year's event.



MID-WEST RENEGADE FESTIVAL CONCOURS RESULTS
Stock "4" - Dennis Carter's red '75 2.0
2nd - David Wegeng's red '75 2.0.
(Judging was so close in the stock category a 2nd place was awarded)
Stock "6" - Andy McFarland's silver '70 2.0
Modified "4" - Rich Johnson's yellow '71 2.0
Modified "6" - Perry Kiehl's blue '73 2.2.

Here are some pictures
1st Mid West Renegade Festival

I remember reading that many moons ago... what a wonderful article.

-Rusty