Founding of PCA
The Porsche Club of America (PCA) was founded in 1955 by Bill Sholar, whose first Porsche was a 1953 356 Coupe. "PCA has experienced an unparalleled growth, not only in members, but in the quality of its events and services…Today, activities range from auto crossing, rallying, concours, and socializing, to growing interest in touring, restoration, and PCA Club Racing." - RJ Wilmoth, PCA National Historian, September 2021.
Evolution of INWR
The Inland Northwest Region (INWR) is located within Zone 6 of the PCA. The boundaries and the charter that now define the INWR represent the changes and evolution of the Inland Northwest since 1959.
The Pacific Northwest Region (PNWR) of PCA received their charter on November 15, 1959, and represented the entire state of Washington. This new region established their headquarters in Seattle, a distance of nearly 280 miles from Spokane and connected by a highway passing through the formidable Cascade Mountains.
As interest in owning and driving the "years ahead in engineering, miles ahead on the road" Porsche grew, in 1962 a small group of 15 Porsche owners gathered at Bright Motors, the local dealership in Spokane, to start an informal club. This new club marks the beginning of the INWR we support and enjoy today.
For three years the group organized races, group drives, and picnics. As members moved from the area, for a period of five years from 1966 until late 1971 interest in group activities declined. On December 5, 1971, roughly 60 owners of Porsche cars met at the Valley Porsche/Audi dealership in Spokane to draft and adopt bylaws and formally request a charter to form a new region east of the Cascades.
The Can Am Region Era
The officers at that time were:
- Mark S. Smith, President
- William C. Kelly, Vice President
- Richard Bennett, Secretary
- Sue Dooley, Treasurer
The Can Am Region headquartered in Spokane, received its charter from PCA on March 30, 1972; 27 members transferred from the PNWR. Almost immediately, members planned a charter banquet and organized an event called Can Am Day. With participants from the "30,000+ square-mile" Can Am Region, the day of activities included a concours, rally, and autocross.
By 1975, interests changed, officer terms expired, and members interested in leading the organization resided in southeastern Washington. Two members from Kennewick and one from Walla Walla agreed to take leadership roles – Ben Staples, Spence Mitchell, and Bruce Klos volunteered to run the organization.
The Can Am Region office moved from Spokane to the Tri-Cities in 1978. The first meeting of the newly incorporated board of directors was held in Richland, Washington, on June 7, 1978; the meeting minutes note Harold C. Copeland was elected president, Thomas N. Zirbel became the vice president, David S. Ullman was elected secretary, and Spencer L. Mitchell became the treasurer.
Transition to INWR
On March 20, 1982, the Can Am Region celebrated its 10th Anniversary. At that time, the region included areas in Alberta, British Columbia, Idaho, and Montana. By 1983 there were approximately 80 members enjoying a full schedule of activities.
As adjacent regions incorporated and began to receive their charters from PCA, the Can Am boundaries began to change. Members in southeastern British Columbia joined the Canada West Region (4/26/1975), Alberta members joined Calgary's Wild Rose Region (10/16/1982), and those living in western Montana joined the Big Sky Region (1/25/1975).
Once the membership of the Canadian Provinces shifted to their respective regions, the Can Am Region membership voted to rename the region through a "Name Game" contest. Based on the top 3 names selected by the board, the membership chose Inland Northwest Region. The board of directors submitted a request to PCA to change the region's name, and PCA mailed the charter on May 11, 1984. The Washington counties east of the Cascades and several counties in the Idaho Panhandle now define the Inland Northwest Region.
Reorganization
In March 2025, the Porsche Club of America approved the formation of the Greater Columbia Region (GRC) from the southern portion of the original Inland Northwest Region. This split addressed long-standing geographic challenges within the expansive territory.
Geographic Division:
- Inland Northwest Region: Spokane/CDA, the Palouse, and Lewiston/Clarkston
- Greater Columbia Region: Tri-Cities, Yakima, Moses Lake, Walla Walla, and Wenatchee
The division occurred at the request of southern members and with the support of INWR leadership, who recognized that separate regions would better serve the membership's needs. Both regions committed to maintaining strong relationships and conducting joint activities, with the expectation that this change would ultimately strengthen the Porsche Club community throughout the area.