At the February 9th
meeting Dave Rudderow covered upcoming events as well as recapped past
ones. Jim Saxton introduced the Willow
Springs event outlined below. Remember
the next meeting is Wednesday March 9th, 2005 at Mimi’s 7:00PM
Brookhurst & Ellis in Fountain Valley.
Volunteer to direct/host a monthly event by contacting Dave at 714
969-1301.
Speed Zone was the site for
family fun. Foremost were the drags. Here, the banter was a constant throughout
the day. I’m proud to announce that I
beat the formidable Rick Flores. His
reaction time
insured 5 wins until my last
run against him (he fouled). This, of
course, was the result of superior planning.
(Ha, more like luck.) I noted that
Dave Rudderow is so fast that he seemed to go from staged, yellow then red ---
quickly bypassing green entirely. Now
that’s fast. I never saw a green. He set this goal so effectively that the
last TPOC run was red for all four racers. Identifying the other racers is for
you to do. Karting is to be avoided at
all costs when Bill Harris is about.
His come from behind win was a direct result of beginning the run by
hitting my car repeatedly until I was pushed aside. This was followed by bumping everyone on the track. TPOC hosted the lunch and we caravanned
home.
Al Chelini, Phyllis and I
watched Dan Pederson’s Z race at SCCA California Speedway on Saturday. He qualified first in class and began the
race 14th. He quickly moved
to 11th when he had a racing incident that spun him 360 off the
track. The entire front end was damaged
and he was incapable of completing the race.
Paul Westberg reported that
the San Juan Capistrano show had a great turnout. He had his 66 Shelby clone on display.
Dave Rudderow delivered
handsomely on his promise of fun at the SuperBowl Party. Some of us could not believe what he has
done to his home, but the Willys proves that he is truly a rodder at
heart. Tell me actually what you saw on
his wall. Bob Estrada demonstrated his
bright yellow F355 and graciously allowed Dave to drive it on PCH at
speed. Wow. Also shown was Paul Westberg’s beautiful red 66 Shelby Mustang
clone. TPOC provided the pizza and
drinks for all with contributions for pupus.
On Saturday March 12th Bill Harris and Cindy Parsons will host the TPOC Temecula Wine Tour. Meet at Donut Derelicts located on the corner of Magnolia & Adams in HB (optional breakfast at Zubie's), depart at 9AM for the 405 Fwy and 5 southbound take Hwy 74 "Ortega Highway" through the mountains to Lake Elsinore. Head southbound 15 to Temecula. At the end of the day, we’ll enjoy the hospitality of the Adlers. Call Bill at 714 903-4471 wlhpantera@aol.com for a head count.
The annual POCA Las Vegas Fun
Rally and/or Track event in April is nearly upon us. So if you do plan to attend, please make your reservations now at
http://www.panteraclub.com/ and call
the Orleans1-800-675-3267. Mention
"POCA" when you contact The Orleans for accommodations. Special rates expire on SUNDAY, MARCH 27,
2005. www.orleanscasino.com will give you
descriptions of its rooms and suites. PCNC
has booked a 2.2 mile road course track at Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch in
Pahrump, Nevada. Located about 51 miles from the Orleans Casino
Hotel. Visit www.springmountainmotorsports.com
to learn more about the course. Many like this road course better than
the one at LVMS. The PCNC web site - http://www.panteraclubnorcal.com/track.htm
has online information, registration and payment ready for you.
Will you help by working on
our TPOC concours Aug/Sep. This is a fresh undertaking in hopes of
building our treasury to fund more events.
It is one that demands both man and woman power. Let any board member or me know your
thoughts at rkunishige@hotmail.com
714 374-8177.
CARB of California voted on
9/24/04 to require all cars sold in 2016
& onward to meet increased CO2 emissions to combat Global Warming. Remember 11,000 years ago at the end of the
last ice age, earth was warmer than today.
Invitation from
TPOC’s Saxtons.
Willow Springs International Raceway is not for the faint-of-heart. That said, it is the place for you to learn about your driving skills, or lack of, and the handling ability of your Pantera. Twice a year we feature a weekend of fun, skill and comradery at Willow Springs in Rosamond, California.
2 full days of speeding without worrying about red lights blinking in your rear view mirror is a big plus. Then, Instructors are available, at no charge, to make sure that you get the most out of your driving time. I know you all think that you are Mario Andretti when you get behind the wheel of your 310 plus horsepower cat, but even the most professional drivers are always honing their skills in driving schools or practice sessions. I have been surprised in the 10 plus years that Cherie and I have been promoting these events that more members of our own club don't participate. I don't mean going crazy on a race car like myself, Dennis Antennucci or Colin Haney, but just bringing your street car out to have 2 days of genuine fun learning more about yourself and your car.
Some of the folks that run with us stay in the entry level group every time because that is where they are comfortable. Others will step up over time to a higher experienced level group that is a bit more challenging. The point is, it is not a competitive environment, but more an environment of fun. The instructors come from all backgrounds and have donated ideas that have evolved into excellent performance by their students. They genuinely want you to feel better about your skills and abilities. Most everyone comes away feeling they are better drivers with the ability to handle their cars safer, even in tight situations.
As a member of POCA and especially TPOC you owe it to yourself to support these track events and learn more about your cars capabilities to translate to better overall driving.
Jim & Cherie Saxton
Please volunteer to help with
registration on the 5th. You
can help whether or not you are running your car. -Ed.
Reminders:
March 5-6 Willow Springs Open Track put your
car at speed safely. Call Jim Saxton
626 285-2024.
March 9 TPOC Meeting 7PM Mimi’s 18225 Brookhurst
& Ellis FV. Bring your badge.
March 12 Temecula Winery Run meet at Donut Derelicts Magnolia & Adams HB. Bill Harris 714 903-4471.
April 8-10 LB Grand Prix fun for those who
enjoy more than left turns and open wheel motoring.
April 27 LasVegas Fun Rally & Pahrump Track Days. A must thru May day.
May 5-8 OPRR-Bonneville100 at Wendover
NV. Dennis Antenucci 714 965-2424.
May 11 TPOC
Meeting 7PM Mimi’s 18225 Brookhurst &
Ellis FV. Bring your/your significant other’s badge.
June 8 TPOC
Meeting 7PM Mimi’s 18225 Brookhurst &
Ellis FV. Bring your/your significant other’s car.
June 8-12 Reno-Tahoe Pantera Fun Rally
everything in one run. Cruise, BBQ, Road course, Concours& Dinner
June 16-18? La Carrerra
in Ensenada, Mexico.
Dennis Antenucci 714 965-2424.
TPOC members sign into your club site at
www.ocpanteras.com. You’ll find everything there as we transition from
Yahoo group to our new home. Contact
Roydon Hughes at GR8KAT@OCPanteras.com.
We only need TPOC events for May, June, July, August,
September, October, November, December, January 2006, February 2006, and
March 2006. Will you signup to host
or direct one event in the coming year?
All you do is select the event, date, organize it and be willing to
call for any help. How about an overnighter with a tour and shopping? Call Dave Rudderow at 714 969-1301.
