Pat Scanlan joined PCA in 1968 and “Concoursing” became his passion. He restored and competed in Zone 8 and Parade Concours with no less than 7 different cars winning award after award, many overall. However, what made Pat different was that he would spend his time at a Concours helping others, even competitors that were in his class (prior to judging!). In addition to being a Board member, he was the Concours Chair for San Diego Region numerous times. He also hosted numerous Concours schools over the years to teach people about the sport. There is no denying that he was one of the region’s most enthusiastic Concours Participants. Over the years Pat owned a 356 (which he picked up new in Europe), a 1968 911L, a 914, a 356 Speedster, a 964, a 911 Speedster and lastly a 996.
Long time member John Straub recalls that some of the best times he had with Pat where when the two of them spent two years on the Alan Johnson Racing Team, traveling to races up and down the west coast and to Atlanta for the finals. “Pat was always there with his creativity and ingenious way of fabricating what they needed to win. Without Pat I’m sure our team would not have been the family that it was.” Alan Johnson states that “he was never late, he worked non-stop, had some good ideas for reconfiguring the front end of the 944 for better cooling of the front brakes and the car always looked like it was ready for a car show. And everybody loved having him on the team.”
His love for PCA and the San Diego Region carried through his life. When he passed away in 2007 he left $5,000 from his estate to PCASDR to be used for promoting events such as Concours. The Region dedicated the perpetual “Pat Scanlan Award” to be given to the San Diego Region member with the highest overall score in the Full Concours division at the annual region Concours to help promote and encourage Concours activities.
Pat’s note to the Club that was included with his will:
Dear Club members:
PCASDR has been a source of fond memories and experiences for many years. As a token of my appreciation I wish to present PCASDR with this check to be used for the Club’s activities. For my good friends still belonging to the group may I bid them a fond farewell and to the newer members may I wish you the good times and the lovely purr of those Porsche Engines.
Pat Scanlan Award
2012 Skip and Leslie Shirley, 1963 356 Coupe
2011 Dale and Lorena Sommerfeld, 2007 911 Twin Turbo
2010 George and Sibet Alspugh, 1956 356 Speedster
2009 Skip and Leslie Shirley, 1962 356 Coupe
