GRID ICONS: PIT+PADDOCK'S CAR SHOW SPOTLIGHTS PERFORMANCE THEMED CARS AT PORSCHE WARRINGTON

Upon receiving the invitation to the Grid Icons event, expertly curated by Pit + Paddock and hosted at Porsche Warrington, I didn't hesitate for a second. I promptly ordered a 10x10 tent, eager to immerse myself and BBS in the celebration of automotive excellence.

For decades, the Porsche brand and BBS have shared a symbiotic relationship at the OEM level. BBS, the esteemed manufacturer of many Porsche factory wheels, also crafts most of the GT Cup car wheels. This enduring partnership has solidified Porsche as the go-to brand for those seeking a blend of performance, fun, and everyday driving pleasure in a sports car.

Porsche Warrington provided the perfect backdrop for this spectacular event. The venue showcased an impressive array of cars, curated by Pit + Paddock, staged in various locations—from the parking lot and main showroom to the shop garages and the grassy meadows, where the dealership demonstrates the offroad capabilities of Porsche SUVs.

The selection of cars on display was nothing short of breathtaking. From the iconic Singer to the illustrious Carrera GT, the event featured a diverse array of Porsche masterpieces. The only notable absence was the beloved and rare 959, a testament to the extraordinary collection that graced the event.

DEALER DONE DIFFERENTLY

According to Pit+Paddock, Porsche’s corporate architecture is on the verge of a massive pivot to make dealerships a “central gathering place” for the Porsche community. Until that happens, most consumers will view dealerships as transactional experiences rather than experiential ones. David Sloane and Marc Brenner, Porsche Warrington’s Principal Owner and General Manager respectively, sought to establish their dealer as a haven for enthusiasts well before the corporate mandate.

That long-standing commitment was something Pit+Paddock recognized during their venue hunt. When the P+P team explained the Grid Icons concept, you could tell they “got it”; they were a natural fit for P+P ambitions and the die-hard Porsche crowd they intended to bring together.

The creative freedom to do what they thought best within the dealership footprint was exactly what was needed. They took their signature VIP section up a notch (literally) and served cocktails, refreshments, and snacks on Warrington’s second-floor landing before they made their way back downstairs to enjoy the show spread.

VIP patrons were also able to take unique advantage of a Taycan test drive experience during show hours. By the middle of the show, there were lines of people queuing around the Taycan staging area eager to sample one of the world’s most acclaimed all-electric models.

KEEP IT 100

The Grid Icons: Modified Porsche show was never intended to be as big as it became. But there's an undeniable electricity behind this brand that made it hard to temper. As a recent transplant to the state, Mike Maravilla, Grid Icons event organizer and curator, took it as a personal challenge to find and meet as many Porschephiles as possible—be it at other events, on social media, or through connections.

Initially, Mike was concerned about the daunting task ahead. However, he quickly discovered that the East Coast Porsche crowd is one of the most supportive, genuine, and enthusiastic groups he has ever encountered. The more he reached out, the more people expressed their eagerness to attend.

In the end, his efforts yielded an overwhelming response. By the conclusion of his search, the roster was brimming with a diverse collection of Porsche enthusiasts—rich and poor, nerds and jocks, freaks and overachievers—all united by their unwavering devotion to the Porsche brand. The Grid Icons event became a testament to the vibrant and inclusive community that surrounds these iconic cars.

UNOBTAINIUM

Porsche’s "normal" car values have risen meteorically over the last decade, driven largely by FOMO and an ever-dwindling supply. But suppose you swung a right inside Warrington’s showroom. In that case, you'd find rarified examples that’d make a 997 GT3 feel commonplace. 

The experience began with a Basalt Black Carrera GT and a 918 Weissach parked nose-to-nose, setting the stage with sheer automotive elegance. However, the true showstopper was a purportedly one-of-one 918 Weissach in hand-painted "Hippie" livery, safely encased in Warrington’s glass delivery bay.

Porsche’s unfiltered and uninterrupted design language makes these cars seem "relatable" even if their price tags indicate otherwise. This lineup of unobtainable treasures highlighted the brand's timeless appeal and enduring craftsmanship, turning the showroom into a shrine of automotive excellence.

The show’s layout of "zones" made digesting the experience easier and proved informative to attendees. A smattering of 996 and 997 Mezger-powered cars beckoned visitors onto Warrington’s service floor, where Concours-worthy examples of every flavor awaited their attention. A local's pristine 993 Carrera looked stunning on Warrington’s alignment rack, offering enthusiasts a unique vantage point of Porsche’s last air-cooled 911.

Up front, a trio of 000 718 Spyders huddled together in an impressive array. The fourth in the bunch was a "standard" Spyder that previously belonged to Jerry Seinfeld, allowing attendees to compare and contrast the models in close proximity. 

000’s appearance at the event was an immense achievement. There’s a real synergy between what 000 strives towards as a steward of the print medium and the Porsche marque, just as much as Pit+Paddock is a driver for the future of experiential marketing and modern media.

BEST OF THE BEST

Grid Icons is known for its discerning selection of partners, ensuring sponsors align perfectly with their target audience. The Porsche event was no exception, with presenting sponsor AST/MOTON leading the charge, accompanied by Akrapovi? and BBS. 

Josh Cagg's 997 Turbo, showcased at the BBS tent, featured stunning BBS LM wheels in a Diamond Silver finish. Alongside this eye-catching display, BBS presented a variety of their other iconic designs, crafted for Porsche models dating back to the Porsche 964 chassis. The exhibit highlighted BBS's enduring legacy and commitment to enhancing Porsche vehicles with precision-engineered wheels, capturing the attention and admiration of enthusiasts and attendees alike.

Front and center, Waldo’s PTS 992 Turbo S showcased the suspension brand’s latest innovation—the Adjustable Lowering Spring (ALS) kit. This setup proved to be the best plug-and-play solution for the 992 model range, seamlessly enhancing both performance and aesthetics. Waldo's car also featured Akrapovi?'s titanium exhaust, perfectly splitting the spotlight between the AST/MOTON and Akrapovi? spaces. This dual feature highlighted the harmonious integration of top-tier performance components, demonstrating why Grid Icons remains the gold standard in automotive events. Two birds, one stone, as they say.

Pit+Paddock made excellent use of Porsche Warrington's grassy expanse with a rock pit, by showcasing a selection of offroad Porsche SUVs and rally cars. Among the impressive lineup were Warrington's Porsche Restoration Challenge 993 Safari and a beautiful Ivory 992 Dakar.

Eurowise Performance made a significant impact by hauling four off-road-ready Cayennes, including its third-generation SEMA build for Mobil 1. This North Carolina-based company has been diligently taking its expertise "beyond the pavement" over the past few years, establishing itself as an undisputed front-runner in manufacturing high-end, adventure-ready components for each Cayenne generation. 

Spectators also had the opportunity to check out the FCP Euro Rallye Cayman, adding to the excitement and diversity of the off-road showcase. 

This unique display highlighted Porsche's versatility and prowess in offroad performance, providing attendees with a fascinating glimpse into the brand's rugged capabilities.

BEYOND EXPECTATIONS

To say that the effort was well received would be an understatement. There was an undeniable buzz among the crowd, with many people expressing their heartfelt gratitude for what Pit+Paddock put together and eagerly inquiring whether this event would become an annual tradition.

This is exactly what we hoped for said Mike Maravilla, "the public sentiment reaffirmed the goals we’d set from the very beginning". Pit+Paddock sought to create the definitive Porsche event for the East Coast and did exactly that. Three lucky winners went home with memorable prizes: a 000 1:18 scale Pikes Peak art car, a year’s subscription to 000 Magazine, and a generous bag of goodies from Porsche Warrington, including a motorsport rucksack, tumbler, hat, and a Michelin man plush figure.

As the energy of the event eventually wound down, Grid Icons: Modified Porsche cemented itself as the first of its kind on the East Coast for the marque, creating ripples within the industry. This achievement pushes all of us to aim higher, strive for more, and help people—even those outside of the car industry—understand just how special the automotive aftermarket is.