Porsche car communities: coming together over a love of the brand

The rise of independent Porsche car communities

How Porsche fans show off their love for the brand with events and gatherings

November 17, 2025 | 7 min read

Classic Porsche 911 (G-Series) at Heizr independent car community event

All over the world, more and more Porsche fans are coming together in independent communities. A place to make new friends, have fun, drive cars and talk Porsche

Porsche is much more than just a car brand. It’s a huge, engaged and committed community, from the hundreds of official Porsche clubs to an ever-growing number of independent car communities. These independent car communities are growing in number, year by year, catering for Porsche owners and fans alike.

There are communities dedicated to air-cooled classic Porsche cars, those that put on events that lean into culture – think fashion, art and music – as well as lifestyle pursuits such as surfing and much more besides. Here, we talk to the people behind some of them and find out why the ever-growing Porsche community is so special.

Tom Gädtke • Onassis • Germany

Tom Gädtke, founder of the Onassis Porsche community event — Tom Gädtke – from mechanic to community pioneer via a range of must-visit Porsche events Photo: Porsche

When passionate mechanic and Porsche fan, Tom Gädtke, launched an event for like-minded friends called the Tunnel Run, he started out on a journey that has blossomed into one that’s earned him a reputation among independent Porsche communities for pushing the envelope. That earliest event was a meet-up for anyone who was excited by the sound of an air-cooled flat engine. There were just 18 vehicles at first, attended by barely more than a dozen friends. But it was one in which the spirit of Porsche burned brightly.

Its essence was about the emotive sound of a Porsche engine, the connection with the road and the joy of sharing this moment with others. It would be a formula that would subsequently multiply a thousandfold with every subsequent event that Tom dreamed up. He would later found Onassis, a community that grew rapidly, largely through the power of social media. Whether Triangle of Madness, Airtimes or World Expo, Tom’s events have become bigger, more creative and more international.

Tom’s own Porsche journey begins with a years-long restoration of a classic Porsche 356. Today, he’s never happier than when he can retreat to spend time with his 1973 911 F model. ‘For me, Porsche is like a perfectly fitting sneaker,’ he says. ‘Fundamentally confident, never loud in performance, technically excellent. The brand has exactly the charisma I would like to have myself.’

Classic Porsche 911 at Onassis Porsche car community event — Onassis brings Porsche enthusiasts from all over Europe together – fostering creativity, freedom and long-lasting bonds Photo: Porsche

Tom eventually dropped out of his automotive engineering studies to help a friend restore air-cooled Porsche cars. If parts cannot be found, Tom produces them himself and sells them under his Onassis label. While the community is growing under this name, with Tom becoming ever more experienced as an event manager, he also works incredibly hard on the visual aspects, whether on social media or in high-quality print format (Tom is co-founder of the Porsche scene magazine, SIGHT).

One of Tom’s latest concepts is 5 Nights Out – reflecting the time Onassis spends on its north-south journey across Germany. Almost 600 vehicles and almost twice as many people have taken part in this event. No stress, no obligation – a philosophy that epitomises the unique Onassis spirit. Tom has also been working directly with Porsche Germany since 2019. It’s a connection that has grown organically and exemplifies the relationship between brand and scene.

Frank Cassidy • Boxengasse • UK

Frank Cassidy, founder of Britain’s Boxengasse Porsche car community — In the heart of England, Frank Cassidy has created a unique Porsche hub overflowing with memorable cars Photo: Porsche

Frank Cassidy is another example of someone who truly embodies the Porsche spirit. The founder of the Boxengasse community has turned his base near the Silverstone GP circuit, right in the heart of England, into a pilgrimage destination for Porsche enthusiasts. Like Tom – the two have known each other since 2018 – Frank exudes a relaxed mindset when it comes to the community he helps look after. Or, ‘No egos,’ as he succinctly puts it.

At Boxengasse, specially constructed and redesigned buildings offer 4,500 metres² of space for technical service, restorations and events. In addition to a throng of beautiful Porsche sportscars and race cars, it also stocks fashion brands, jewellery labels and other related brands. Frank is full of ideas for Boxengasse, which has room for 10,000 people. Thousands attend its largest annual gathering each year.

During Frank’s childhood, a 911 3.2 Carrera was his constant companion. The pain of his father selling the Porsche was only healed when the two of them bought the car back from a subsequent owner in France ten years later and brought it home to England.

‘It wasn't just my love for the recovered Porsche that grew,’ explains Frank. ‘I also learned that being on the road means future memories.’ Frank’s Porsche collection has now reached double figures. Every car is driven because, for him, signs of wear are stories, not flaws.

Ken Hake • Petro-Surf • Germany

Ken Hake, founder of Petro-Surf, German car community event focusing on Porsche cars — Porsche making waves: Ken Hake combines surfing, style and air-cooled passion with his immersive Petro-Surf events held on the German island of Sylt Photo: Porsche

Ken Hake brings together his two passions – Porsche and surfing – in one unique event. He shares these passions with his community every summer at a three-day event, Petro-Surf (the name is a portmanteau of petrol, retro and surfing) held on the island of Sylt, just off the north coast of Germany.

‘The sixth festival was sold out within 90 seconds in 2024,’ says Ken. There are only 84 places – because that’s how many Porsche cars fit on the ferry from the mainland. Spectators are also welcome, and admission is free on Saturdays.

The concept for the community came from his time as a student in San Diego, California. The initiative is made possible with local backing – including support from Porsche Germany. The vibe? Like so many of like-minded independent Porsche communities, it’s relaxed, stylish and open. At Petro-Surf, the very best way to enjoy it is to just hang loose.

Felix Bauermeister • Heizr • Germany

Felix Bauermeister, founder of Heizr, a car community event in Germany — Felix Bauermeister, the founder of the Heizr community, is rethinking classic car meets – young, urban, loud and yet relaxed Photo: Heizr

Founded in 2021 by Felix Bauermeister, the Heizr community is helping rethink what Porsche events can be. Rising meteorically to become one of Europe’s largest classic car communities, Heizr follows its own design, often hosting three events every year. Instead of traditional locations, Bauermeister focuses on quarries, gravel pits and industrial areas – perfect backdrops for Instagram content but, above all, offering new perspectives on classic cars.

Classic Porsche 911 on back of a classic flat-bed truck at Heizr car community event — Heizr is more than just an event – it stands for experiences, friendships and new perspectives on classic cars Photo: Heizr

‘We've created a new style,’ says Felix. ‘Above all, friendships were formed and a young, welcoming, open community was formed.’ Heizr events regularly attract over 500 cars – the majority of them Porsche. But the focus is not just on the cars, but an all-encompassing experience and a chance for visitors to embrace a community that throbs with energy.

Tenn Xoomsai • Das Treffen • Thailand

Tenn Xoomsai, founder of the Das Treffen Porsche community event — Tenn Xoomsai, founder of Thailand’s Das Treffen Porsche community, has seen its annual event grow from small beginnings to one of the biggest in all of Asia Photo: Porsche

And on, to Asia. Tenn Xoomsai founded the Porsche event Das Treffen in Bangkok, Thailand in 2015. Initially small in scale, it has since grown to an annual event of around 500 cars and thousands of visitors, becoming a fixture in the Porsche calendar.

For Tenn, it all began with a 911 at the age of 20 when a friend of his father’s tossed him the keys to his 1991 911 Carrera and sent him off to fetch some beers.

Birds-eye view of the Das Treffen Porsche community event in Bangkok, Thailand — Hundreds of Porsche cars, from classic to current, gather at the Das Treffen event in downtown Bangkok every year Photo: Porsche

‘Crazy!’ he says today. ‘What stuck with me back then was that the Porsche spirit is not something exclusionary. As a true fan, you want to share the enthusiasm. Porsche is for everyone.' And, just like the others we’ve met here, Tenn shows it through an undying commitment to serving his community.

The Porsche community: where everyone is equal

While Porsche often lends its know-how, venues and, on occasion, sponsorship to many of these communities, each is able to develop organically on its own. If there’s a common denominator it’s a combination of passion, openness and a desire to create special moments.

Whether in Germany, the UK, Thailand or anywhere else in the world, Porsche community days are characterised by diversity and a relaxed spirit. And all delivered to the ever-seductive soundtrack of a Porsche engine.

Porsche Macan Electric art installation by PRSMC at Porsche SCOPES, Marseille, France

Porsche SCOPES: a unique festival dedicated to art, tech and innovation

Porsche SCOPES is a multi-disciplinary, global platform that brings together the fields of design, art, music, technology and social engagement. Here’s what happened when it met Marseille’s vibrant creative scene

Porsche Cup Brasil driver, Jeff Giassi, with team-mate Enzo Elias in 2021

How an Esports sim racer became a Porsche race driver

The Porsche Track Experience stands for passion, precision and perfection – both on the racetrack and in everyday life. Find out how one of its instructors, Jeff Giassi, went from racing cars in the virtual world to real-life competitor in the Porsche Cup Brasil

Porsche 911 Carrera against backdrop of mountains in Shangri-La, China

Porsche Travel Experience Shangri-La: roadtrip to the top of the world

The legend of Shangri-La in the Himalayas has captivated people for nearly a century. Now, you too get closer to this mythical venue at the wheel of a 911