Wright GT40 www.ocpanteras.com
August 2007
Go Kart Racing began with a gathering at the Ford building in Irvine. There we viewed the many high valued cars not normally found at Donut Derelicts in quantity. Ford GT introduced in 2004 and its predecessor, the late 60s Ford GT40, were the featured cars today. The newer cars numbered in the twenties by my rough estimate while about a half dozen GT40 “kit” cars complemented the fleet.
Among the GT40s was a dark silver rendition of the famous MK II. This Superformance product exudes a bit of class by foregoing the normal big twin stripes over the top. Instead, it quietly uses the rocker stripe often found on the early Mustangs. Its black interior is dressed with the expected unique original style seats facing a full length dash with long levered toggle switches and round gauges found in all the late 60s era race cars. Beside this beauty stand its proud owners, our own Bill and Diana Wright.
The gang then traveled the short distant to K1 Speed track. Dave Rudderow, Gary Hirschberg, Bob Culpepper, Bob Singer, Gary Mitchem, Rick Flores and Jana signed the proper release papers for the track. The motif of the building interior is most appropriate with many Boris Said pieces. He is a winner of new era Trans Am, Le Mans, Daytona and NASCAR road courses. His TA Mustang inspires us all to think of winning this event for ourselves. Jana won the women’s class with Mitchem taking first in the men’s division followed by drivers Flores and Singer. Believe me, these folks know that the right pedal means winning. Let me just say that the top four have already been named. You will have to ask one of the participants for both the placement of these and the remaining drivers.
Electric karts on an asphalt track are far superior to the Speed Zone’s slick track we experienced in 2005. Here the torque when you throttle on is the same as your Pantera --- immediate. Full on is the best way to go through the angled esses just before the front straight. The braking is similar and you can and do speed your turns by using trail braking. Seat of the pants is the best input for controlling reverse steer as the tires slide sideways. This is especially true for the hairpin turns at the end of the front straight and just before the esess. There is no back straight so passes are confined to the turns only. I used both inside and outside passes during our event. Watch out for the long sweeper at midcourse. It opens an opportunity for those behind you to pass.
Will you come out to play with us next time?
Foothill Panteras’s April Pantera Night at Irwindale Speedway was a big success. Speedway invited us back for another for Saturday September 8th, is soon approaching. We are asked to arrive at 3:30 and directed to a display location for the enjoyment of the incoming crowd. Somewhere around 6:00 we will be escorted to a staging area on the track back stretch for some "Parade Laps" for the crowd, wowing them with the sights and sounds of 20 or 30 Panteras performing a piece from the Cleveland Symphony Orchestra on the track at the same time. We receive free admission for the driver and passenger to the evening's events (a $30.00 value). So, call Rob D'Orazio at (626)795-0915 or at robpantera@sbcglobal.net.
Just ask Phyllis if you would like a free TPOC badge. We urge each of the 91 members to wear them proudly.
Reminders:
from rkunishige@hotmail.com. Please email needed corrections/additions to
me.
Aug 17 MontereyConcorso
Itialiano Black Horse
Golf check Concorso.com or PI.
Sep 8 Foothill
Panteras’s at Irwindale Speedway call Rob D'Orazio (626)795-0915 robpantera@sbcglobal.net.
Sep 9 Belmont
Shore is always a hit
with those who like to shop. Contact Dave Rudderow for the 6:30am rendez-vous.
8/31 application deadline.
Sep 12 TPOC
Mtg 7PM Mimi’s 18461
Brookhurst & Ellis FV. I’ll be on
Maui!
Oct 10 TPOC
Mtg 7PM Mimi’s 18461 Brookhurst
& Ellis FV.
Oct Santa
Maria Run Signup for a weekend of fun with Rick Flores
714 953-5948.
Nov 3-4 Willow
Springs Open Track sponsored by
Jim Saxton 626 285-2024. West Coast
Racing invites you to run all makes & models at speed on the Willow Springs
road course in Rosamond, just north of Lancaster. Jim and Cherie Saxton host both Pantera and Ferrari clubs for
this two day event twice a year. TPOC
helps registration Saturday as a fundraiser.
So, bring your car and experience the fastest track in the west (often
the site of new car testing as seen on Speed TV). The cars are divided into 4 classes based on your skill level
from pro to novice (instructors provided) and car preparation. Or, come and make the TPOC treasury grow by
helping with the registration and enjoy watching some very fast, expensive cars
race. Be sure to offer a ride to the
guy holding a helmet labeled with “ROD”.
Nov 14 TPOC
Mtg 7PM Mimi’s 18461
Brookhurst & Ellis FV.
Dec 9 Xmas
Party $40pp for a sure
winner. Santa is expected in the same
place as last year. Were you nice?
Dec 29 Gondola
Evening in Naples Bring
your loved one or more for a ride in the canals and then to a dinner at an as
yet undisclosed restaurant.
ALERT: Yearly smog check inspections for vehicles 15-years old and older
has been approved by Senate Transportation Committee. The bill now
moves to the Senate Appropriations Committee for consideration on August
20th. Funds generated through fees can be used to scrap older cars.
Pre-1976 motor vehicles would remain exempt for now. Please
contact California Senate Appropriations Committee now to request their
opposition to A.B. 616.