| -- End Ad Box ---> | | | | Lilly Motor Club, a similar more broadly based |
| Rotary, Kiwanis, Bridge, Golfing--There are many kinds | | | | organization, invited CIRPCA members to participate in |
| of clubs a person could join in Indianapolis. Porsche | | | | a rally to support the Indiana School for the Blind. For |
| club? That doesn't necessarily make my short list, but | | | | over 40 years, CIRPCA has participated in this event, |
| the Central Indiana Region Porsche Club of America | | | | off and on, as needed by the Motor Club. In the rally, |
| (CIRPCA) is alive, well, and rich with history. | | | | blind students rode with CIRPCA members and acted |
| The CIRPCA did not simply start out of thin air. | | | | as navigators. As Indianapolis has been known for |
| Enthusiastic sportscar owners have enjoyed Porsches | | | | racing, the impact of the CIRPCA has been notable. |
| throughout central Indiana for decades. Beginning in the | | | | When Porsche entered the Indianapolis 500 in the 80s, |
| mid-1950s, several Porsches could be found on the | | | | the CIRPCA was there to host an event and increase |
| streets of Indianapolis. In fact, the closest dealership | | | | the community's awareness about the group and their |
| was over a hundred miles away in Illinois. Following the | | | | passion for the make of the automobile. Many of the |
| inception of the national organization, the | | | | Porsche owners had been racing their own for three |
| Chicago-Milwaukee region was split in two, which | | | | decades before the first Porsche entered the 500. |
| encouraged central Hoosier owners to travel to | | | | Both in multiple manufacturers races and in |
| Chicago for events. In 1961, following two meetings to | | | | Porsche-only races, members of the CIRPCA held |
| establish interest among owners and meet the various | | | | winning streaks, which is why they are considered the |
| criteria for membership, the charter was granted for | | | | "winningest" motor club in all of Central Indiana. |
| the CIRPCA. These criteria included the election of | | | | Five of the original charter members maintained their |
| officers, writing of the by-laws, setting of boundaries, | | | | membership throughout the group's nearly fifty years |
| and the choice of a name for the region. | | | | of establishment. Some passed on, some moved on, |
| By 1973, the membership had grown phenomenally. | | | | but nearly all remained loyal to the vehicle that made |
| The time had come to establish an award to | | | | them such passionate driver-owners. However, as the |
| recognize the participation of those members. CIRPCA | | | | climate for automobiles constantly changes, as |
| instituted the Alton Dice Award, named for a Peru | | | | manufacturers close their doors with or without a |
| (less than two hours from Indianapolis) Porsche owner | | | | bailout, the presence of such a motor club may be |
| and member of CIRPCA. Alton Dice had suffered a | | | | hard to find. But, as long as there are passionate |
| fatal heart attack moments before a club event had | | | | Indianapolis Porsche owners, the club will carry on. |
| begun. The award is a sort of "Member of the Year" | | | | Legislation may limit older cars from driving on the |
| travelling trophy. | | | | roads, but the Porsche will always ride on in the hearts |
| The group has been very active and | | | | of its biggest, Midwestern fans. |
| community-minded since it's charter was established. | | | | |