A Bonding Experience

Father and son team up to restore a 1989 Porsche
Story & Photography by Charlie Self

                Father and son relationships have often been ruined by cars. But not for Eddie and Evan Fort. Their relationship has been enhanced by a 1989 Porsche 944 S2.

                Son Evan, now 18 and a freshman at George Mason University, was a safe street driver, Eddie said. But as his interest in cars deepened, Eddie wanted to be able to direct that energy in a positive manner.

                ”I ended up taking him to local SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) Autocross events,” Eddie said. Participating using his Mazda 6, Evan quickly discovered that driving fast was not simply a matter of mashing the gas and then stomping on the brake pedal. It also allowed him to channel a desire for speed into events that help improve a young driver’s limited skills by understanding the physics of car control.

                Eddie, a residential building contractor at Smith Mountain Lake, later took Evan to Birmingham, Alabama, to attend The Porsche Driving Experience at Barber Motorsports Park. Evan didn’t get to drive that time, but he learned a great deal about control, listening closely to the explanations given by the professional race instructors.

                “I’m not sure if he didn’t get more out of it than I did,” Eddie said.

                Along with his wife Terri, Eddie decided to pick up a used Porsche 944 S2, with father and son laboring to get it ready for Autocross events. Expert help came from mechanic Bill Driskel of Precision Motorsports in Floyd, as both Eddie and Evan learned how hard it can be to get a glued-down carpet off the floor of an old car. They completely transformed the Porsche, stripping out other street components. The strip was followed by installation of race gear.

                 “We were able to install a full race cage, race seats and five point harnesses, plus some other goodies,” Eddie said. “It was a project that we both loved doing and something that we didn’t mind putting the sweat equity into. It was a great bonding experience. We became closer because of it.”

                The resulting car is still a 1989 Porsche 944 S2, but it’s now a track car. Steering is still standard, but the Sparco Evo seats are lightweight. The interior, including the stereo and A/C systems was gutted to reduce weight. A Momo quick disconnect steering wheel was added and windows in the doors were removed. The car still appears very much a stock Porsche, five-speed manual and all. But with 16-by-8 front wheels and 16-by-9 forged club sport wheels in back, the car has a firmer bite on the track now. A lower lip spoiler was added to the front of the car.

                Eddie tested the Porsche and found it was the ideal car for a learning driver, handling neutrally and driving easily. The driver has to learn smoothness to make up for the lack of brute power. Now, Eddie had to show Evan how to drive a manual.

                 “With the patience of our neighbors, we started driving the 944 back and forth in the neighborhood,” Eddie said. Soon, shifting the manual transmission became nearly second nature for Evan.

                A Potomac Region Porsche Club of America member later mentioned they were holding a driving clinic for first-time track drivers before their next event, and Eddie signed Evan up. They drove to the track, trailering the Porsche.

                 “The weather gods decided not to cooperate as there was a torrential downpour most of the day,” Eddie said. “After each track session, I asked Evan how it went. Even though he was soaked, he still had a huge grin on his face. At day’s end, Evan was tired, soaked – and ecstatic.”

                With Evan at college, the garage-work pace has slowed, but both father and son continue to enjoy working together as a team to keep an older car ready for driving events. Eddie said he hopes Evan will get his first opportunity to run at the famous Virginia International Raceway in Danville, Va., this spring.