Tucked deep in the Sierra Nevada mountains surrounding Kernville, California, I experienced the best of what our community truly is. We were stripped of noise, ego, and CarPlay. Treffpunks wasn’t just an event; it was a love letter to the analogue era, perfectly orchestrated by Jason Whipple (co-founder of Rotiform) and Brian Scotto (co-founder of Hoonigans) for a ragtag group of pre-2000s VW die-hards. Nothing will ever compare.

A few months before it all began, a manila envelope landed in my mailbox with “TREFFPUNKS” embossed across the front. Inside was an application, beautifully minimal and designed to feel like a time capsule. No online forms, no QR codes to scan, just ink, paper, and a gut feeling I shouldn’t miss this one. I slipped in a photo of my son Jordan’s 1999 Golf Variant, the same one fresh off the road from L’oe Show, sealed it with a stamp, and eagerly waited.

A couple of weeks later, I got my “acceptance letter” in the form of a WhatsApp invite, our digital campfire before the real one. The plan was intentionally vague. Ship your car to Altermann HQ in Long Beach, fly in to meet the others, and be ready to roll. Two groups formed, North and South, with the South crew meeting the North Friday morning in Santa Clarita for the five-hour drive into Kernville.

Thursday evening was your typical washing cars, In-N-Out, and jet-lagged banter at Altermann HQ. Friday morning, twelve of us braved some of America’s worst traffic before the chaos gave way to perfectly sculpted canyon roads, fresh pine-soaked air, and freedom you can only find behind the wheel. Scotto had a chase truck and trailer on standby just in case, wise insurance for a convoy of freshly finished Volkswagens. Naturally, no one needed it. A quick stop for lunch 2 hours late at Keene Cafe gave everyone the perfect opportunity to soak in the scenery on an open back patio, eat, and stretch before hopping back on the road.

Most of these guys grew up reading PVW and still hold the mag in high regard to this day!

By the time we rolled into our Camp Crystal Lake-style mountain cabins, Treffpunks had fully taken over. The camp was ours, just thirty of us and an entire weekend of cars, food, and friendship. That first night at Johnny McNally’s Fairview Lodge set the tone for the weekend: steaks, laughter, and the kind of table banter that feels like you’ve known everyone for years.

Saturday kicked off with a wonderful LA based food truck serving breakfast that could cure religion, or at least a hangover, followed by a “choose your own adventure” style day that quickly turned into a single, glorious line of now vintage Volkswagens carving through canyon passes toward, fittingly, more food. The mountain views were unreal, and lunch was pure bliss: buffet-style carbs, good conversation, and the smell of hot brakes cooling in the afternoon shade.

That night was the finale. The same food truck returned with a full Italian spread, pasta, beer, desserts, and the kind of atmosphere that only happens when every car guy finally unwinds. Deals were struck, cars were bought and sold again, and stories grew taller by the minute.

Details were sparse, locations private, and that mystery made it magical.

Sunday morning seemed to come way too soon. The mountain air felt heavier knowing it was time for us to leave, I was also hungover and somehow ended up owning Scotto’s Audi A1 for four hours. Ryan from H&R and I were set to drive Jordan’s MK4 another 1,200 miles north to H&R HQ in Bellingham, Washington, because why not end a perfect weekend with a road trip through the Pacific Northwest?

Treffpunks was secretive by design. Details were sparse, locations private, and that mystery made it magical. It reminded us all why we fell in love with this community in the first place: the people, the drive, and the shared obsession with old metal and simple joy. I left Kernville reminded that sometimes you have to ditch modern to reconnect with where your passion began.

One thing is for sure, if Im accepted I’ll be bringing something with a bit more horsepower for Treffpunks 2026!