White BMW at Buttonwillow www.ocpanteras.com

July 2007

Buttonwillow June 16-17, 2007 by West Coast Racing.

This track is a new one to me. It has a newer style facility with a variety of support warehouses and businesses related to racing within its perimeter. The main building houses a large meeting area with an adjacent store for those into shopping. A huge covered patio provides ample shade from the 90+ degree sunlight.

Three miles of track offers tremendous opportunities to exercise your car and skills. But the only opportunity for me was the track introduction ride by instructors. I simply grabbed an unwarranted seat to be shown the race line. The pit lane exits after the first turn (90 degree) into the hairpin called off-ramp. A short straight takes us to a right, left, right taken largely as a straight line then up to an off camber hard right called grapevine. Another right leads to a zigzag called the bus stop that links the west loop through the truck stop at full throttle leading up a hill. This climb is spooky in that you can’t see past the crest. It is very much like the entrance to the corkscrew at Laguna Seca. But, this turn requires a quick tap on the brake to settle the car, straighten the wheel because the car will unload, once fully on the road be prepared for a sharp right on the wheel for the unseen right hander A right hand sweeper then opens to the esses and to another straight. A super dangerous 90 degree left introduces the start/finish line.

Clouds of dust marked the off track excursions. Few occurred at the hairpin and a few more at the grapevine. The truck stop had its share but the most critical was the last turn onto the front straight. A flat 90 degree lefty after a short straight tempts drivers to enter with too much speed. Too much brake during entry or an attempt to correct a spin causes an out of control ride very close to the pit wall. If you have too hot an entry into this turn, it’s best to drive straight ahead into the gravel. A 427 Cobra made three attempts to save this turn. The last one spun within inches of the wall, across the pit road, and ended in the cold pit area. Fortunately, no one was hurt.

This track demands the driver’s full attention. The jargon is “very technical”. With 250 feet of elevation change and the many off camber turns, your car is always being disturbed. Anticipating the next turn often means ignoring the “normal” turn in point even intentionally missing the apex. It’s a great track to learn control in that a misstep just means a bumpy ride into the vast expanse of run off --- except for the infamous last turn just beyond the pit entrance.

Even that outstanding BMW 1600 driver noted in the Las Vegas race was slower than expected. He seemed to be operating at the 60% level as I watched him from the second floor-viewing balcony. Gone were the hot passes I so enjoyed in April. Perhaps Sunday’s performance was better.

The only ride I got this time was from an SVO Mustang. It’s turbo 2.3L with 5 speed is like the one slated for Phyllis’ MG and the owner agreed to give me a ride on the access road, not the track. (I think he feared a lawsuit should a mishap occur.) It rev’d nicely but the weight of the Mustang at launch was troublesome. Second and third gears felt like the familiar V8 once we topped first. More sorting is needed for his modified Porsche blowout valve that is designed to bypass some of the gases to the intake to keep the turbo spooled up during gear changes. Keeping the revs up is essential for this 4 banger to be competitive.

BBQ for Aug 4^th is cancelled. Cary’s home will not be ready in time.

Go kart racing will take its place on Aug 4^th under the direction of Rick Flores 714 953-5948. Meet 9:30 at K1 Speed 17221 Karman, Irvine 949 250-0242 www.k1speed.com for indoor racing using high-speed electric motivation. Some will display their Pantera at the Ford Dealer in Irvine prior to the outing. Bring about $40 and your guts. Who will be this year’s fastest on the track?

Tech Inspector is needed for TPOC cars in support of next year’s Fun Rally. Contact Rod for more info.

Newsletters are posted on the web site in its own section for those who would like to see the color photos contained herein. Mailed newsletters are typically in b/w to reduce costs. Please let Judy know if you’d like to get your newsletter via email, by post or both.

Just ask Phyllis if you would like a free TPOC badge. We urge each of the 90 members to wear them proudly.

Reminders: from rkunishige@hotmail.com. Please email needed corrections/additions to me.

Aug 4 Go Kart Racing 9:30 at K1 Speed 17221 Karman, Irvine under the direction of Rick Flores 714 953-5948.

Aug 8 TPOC Mtg 7PM Mimi’s 18461 Brookhurst & Ellis FV.

Aug 17 MontereyConcorso Itialiano Black Horse Golf check Concorso.com or PI.

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 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. Where 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 as yet undisclosed restaurant.

Smog Legislation Alert
Once again this State leads the nation in reneging on prior agreements with the car hobbyists. Please write or call the listed Senators and sign up on Sema Action Network at www.semasan.com in order to get the latest news on legislation throughout the country. I know that this does not effect our Panteras but, if left untouched, they will not stop here. Rod Kunishige
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Legislation (A.B. 616) demanding annual Smog check inspections for vehicles 15-years and older has been approved by the California Assembly and has been sent to the Senate for consideration. The bill requires that funds generated by additional inspection fees be used to scrap older cars. You may recall that in 2004 a new law was enacted in California to require the lifetime testing of all 1976 and newer model-year vehicles rescinding the agreement to have a 30 year rolling cut-off. Pre-1976 motor vehicles would remain exempt until they change their minds. 
 
A.B. 616 ignores the minimal impact vintage cars have on air quality. 
A.B. 616 could entice vintage car owners into allowing these vehicles to be scrapped.
A.B. 616 ignores the fact that vehicles 15-years old and older still constitute a small portion of the overall vehicle population and are a poor source from which to look for emissions reduction.
A.B. 616 ignores the fact that classic vehicles are overwhelmingly well-maintained and infrequently driven.
A.B. 616 would increase costs by creating an annual inspection fee for owners of these vehicles.
A.B. 616 represents another attempt by California legislators and regulators to scapegoat older cars. 
 
Please contact members of the California Senate Transportation Committee immediately by phone, fax or e-mail to request their opposition to A.B. 616 also e-mail a copy of your letter to stevem@sema.org. 
Senator Alan Lowenthal (Chair) Senator.Lowenthal@senate.ca.gov (916) 651-4027
Senator Tom McClintock (Vice Chair) Senator.McClintock@senate.ca.gov (916) 651-4019
Senator Roy Ashburn Senator.Ashburn@senate.ca.gov (916) 651-4018
Senator Gilbert Cedillo Senator.Cedillo@senate.ca.gov (916) 651-4022
Senator Ellen Corbett Senator.Corbett@senate.ca.gov (916) 651-4010
Senator Robert Dutton Senator.Dutton@senate.ca.gov (916) 651-4031
Senator Tom Harman Senator.Harman@senate.ca.gov (916) 651-4035
Senator Christine Kehoe Senator.Kehoe@senate.ca.gov (916) 651-4039
Senator Joe Simitian Senator.Simitian@senate.ca.gov (916) 651-4011
Senator Tom Torlakson Senator.Torlakson@senate.ca.gov (916) 651-4007
Senator Leland Yee Senator.Yee@senate.ca.gov (916) 651-4008