So What is Crab?

Are you wondering what the commotion is all about over this multi-day, multi-region event we call CRAB?  We will help answer that question here!  

Let’s start off with an explanation of the acronym in the word “CRAB”. The letter “C” stand for crab feed, the letter “R” stands for rallye, the letter “A” stands for autocross and the letter “B” stands for the German word “begegnen” which stands for a gathering or meeting. If you don’t get it, let’s just say it’s a weekend to celebrate all things Porsche. It’s a chance to socialize with like minder fans of the Porsche brand. It is also a wonderful way for new members to get immersed in the fun and social aspects of the club…….. all in one weekend. In addition to the events described above, CRAB also includes a Tour ending with a luncheon, concours, and a beer and brat on the final day of the event. The event has attracted well over 300 PCA members at each CRAB which has been held since 1972, when a small group of SVR members, Rich Farlinger, Jim Karver, Ray Johansen, and Phillip Marks and several members of Golden Gate Region conceived the concept which was held at El Macero Country Club in Davis. To date, the club has hosted 37 CRABS and has gained a regional and Zone 7 reputation for being one of the most anticipated multi-region, multi-day events in Northern California.

CRAB starts the weekend with a casual welcome party to be held this year at the California Automobile Museum in Sacramento. On Saturday, the event includes an autocross, a tour of the Foothills, a funkhana, and the grand crab feed featuring all you can eat fresh Dungeness crab. On Sunday, there will be a rally, concours, and the beer and brat barbecue along with awards ceremony.

One of the highlights for all new members would be the opportunity to hang with more than 300 SVR members in a gathering of well over 100 Porsches including classic 356’s, early 911’s, mid-seventies air cooled models and finally to all of the water pumpers produced from 1999 to today. Imagine a tour of over 60 cars heading through the foothills to stop for a leisurely lunch! Over the last 45 years since CRAB’s have been held, the event has not always been held in consecutive years. There have been CRABs every year from 1972 to 1999, with no CRAB in 2000, 2005, 2009, 2010 and between 2012 through 2015, a period of 7 years. After hearing the pleas from membership and club’s in other Zone 7 regions to plan another CRAB, it was not until 2016 that CRAB 36 was held at Eagles Nest Airport in Ione, and what a huge success this event was!

CRAB 38 is being chaired by John Lanting and John Hawk with the assistance of a committee of over 12 dedicated volunteers. It is never too late to get involved in the planning so if you have an interest, send John an email. His email address is published on our website. It is a monumental effort to put on a CRAB so the more help they can get with the planning and staffing of the event over the 3 day weekend, the more successful the event will be. Volunteering is a great way for new members to get a chance to contribute and get to know other members.

The following is a list of CRABs past and members who chaired each event:

  • CRAB 1 – March 4-5, 1972 (Rich Farlinger, Jim Karver, & Ray Johansen, chairs)
  • CRAB 2 – March 3-4, 1973 (Larry Wilson & Bob Becker, chairs)
  • CRAB 3 – March 29-31, 1974 (Ray Seamans, chair)
  • CRAB 4 – April 4-6, 1975 (Dave & Chrissie Neukom, chairs)
  • CRAB 5 – April 23-25, 1976 (Dave & Chrissie Neukom, chairs)
  • CRAB 6 – April 15-17, 1977 (John & Candy Wong, chairs)
  • CRAB 7 – April 7-9, 1978 (Ted & Diane Colbert, chairs)
  • CRAB 8 – April 19-22, 1979 (Mike & Vicki Willis, chairs)
  • CRAB 9 – April 11-13, 1980 (Pat & Larry Wilson, chairs)
  • CRAB 10 – April 24-26, 1981 (Ray & Sara Clements, chairs)
  • CRAB 11 – April 16-18, 1982 (Kirk Bradford, chair)
  • CRAB 12 – April 22-24, 1983 (Trische Robertson, chair)
  • CRAB 13 – April 27-29, 1984 (Steve & Lori Campbell, chairs)
  • CRAB 14 – April 26-28, 1985 (Mike & Vicki Willis, chairs)
  • CRAB 15 – April 25-27, 1986 (Dwight & Linda Mitchell, chairs)
  • CRAB 16 – May 1-3, 1987 (Dwight & Linda Mitchell, chairs)
  • CRAB 17 – April 29-May 1, 1988 (Kern & Cindi Breaux, chairs)
  • CRAB 18 – April 21-23, 1989 (Stan Breyfogle, chair)
  • CRAB 19 – April 27-29, 1990 (Kern & Cindi Breaux, chairs)
  • CRAB 20 – April 12-14, 1991 (Greg & Cyndee Peart, chairs)
  • CRAB 21 – April 24-26, 1992 (Sally & Ron Boeck, chairs)
  • CRAB 22 – April 8-10, 1994 (Shelagh Mackay, chair)
  • CRAB 23 – April 21-23, 1995 (Susan & Tim Fleming, chairs)
  • CRAB 24 – April 12-14, 1996 (Susan & Tim Fleming, chairs)
  • CRAB 25 – April 25-27, 1997 (Mike, Vicki & Michelle Willis, chairs)
  • CRAB 26 – April 24-26, 1998 (Dan & Deb Catherwood, chairs)
  • CRAB 27 – April 30-May 2, 1999 (Mike & Sue Ambrozewicz, chairs)
  • No CRAB in 2000
  • CRAB 29 – April 26-28, 2002 (Mike & Emily Willis, chairs)
  • CRAB 30 – April 25-27, 2003 (Dwight & Linda Mitchell, chairs)
  • CRAB 31 – April 23-25, 2004 (Kern & Cindi Breaux, chairs)
  • No CRAB in 2005
  • CRAB 32 – April 7-9, 2006 (Kim Kinder & Kim Nelson, chairs)
  • CRAB 33 – April 20-22, 2007 (Buzz & Julia Lynn, chairs)
  • CRAB 34 – April 18-20, 2008 (Mark Judish, chair)
  • No CRAB in 2009 and 2010
  • CRAB 35 – April 29-May 1, 2011 (Jim & Linda McMahen, chairs)
  • No CRAB in 2012 thru 2015
  • CRAB 36 – May 13-15, 2016 (Steve & Rita Barker and Kim & Rachel Nelson, chairs)
  • CRAB 37 –  May 18-20, 2018, (Bob Lozito and Colin Fat, chairs)

 

Preliminary CRAB 38 Schedule of Events

Friday, April 21, 2023 Registration and Reception at California Automobile Museum

  • 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm- Registration opens
  • 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm – Walking Tour self guided
  • 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm- Sign up for Rally time out
  • 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm- Concours, tour, and autocross personnel available for questions

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Late Registration is currently being reviewed. In the past if people are registered (paid) then they can pick up their goodie bags at their first event on Saturday. More information to come.

Autocross

  • 7:30 am to 3:00 pm – Thunderhill Raceway, Willows, CA.  Late check-in packages available.

Driving Tour – TBA

  • 8:30 am to 2:00 pm – Late check-in packages available

CRAB 38 Crabfeed

  • 5:30 pm to 6:30 pm Social
  • 6:30 pm CRAB Dinner
  • 7:15 pm to 8:00 pm – Program (VIP introductions, door prizes)
  • 8:00 pm to 11:00 pm Dance the night away! 

Sunday, April 23, 2023

  • 8:00 am to 1:00 pm- Vendor Row
  • 7:30 am to 11 am Rallye TBD
  • 10:00 am to 12:00 pm- Concours de CRAB (8:00 am – 10:00 am positioning of cars)
  • 10:00 am Judging begins
  • 11:00 am to 1:00 pm- Beer & Brat
  • 1:00 pm- CRAB awards presentation
  • 3:00 pm Farewell until CRAB 39