Lonely Larry at Willow photo by Cherie Saxton www.ocpanteras.com
April 2008
Willow Springs I am so proud of Larry
Stock for racing his red Pantera this year.
He was the only Pantera on the track and made a worthy effort. His competition was truly a bevy of
professionals. I’ll let him speak to
the make up of the field in that regard.
A blue 70 Mustang seemed to have lost a C clamp on its rear since it
rode into the pits on its axle with the right rear tire about two feet outside
the fender on a practice run. Can you
say, full floaters?
Jim Saxton
advises driver about wide track Pontiacs Oooops,
Blown Truck marks the turns
The morning was absolutely beautiful. Fully booked track was gently warmed by the
sunny day without a breeze. Early
sessions were cool but as noon approached a stiff wind began to buffet
everyone. It continued into the race
1:00 hour slowing the drivers while sand dusted the track. The leading NASCAR truck blew his engine when
it ingested something that was off its diet.
His half lap lead disappeared as a full race Viper took over to lap
slower cars taking the win. The lineup
included the little Miatas, a 91 Ferrari, Cobra, BMWs, Vipers, Porsches, 2 S10
trucks, both early and late model Mustangs.
The low tone of the 427 Cobra dominated the race sounds. The other cars seemed overly muffled
compared to prior years. Mike Greenberg
in his 04 Viper took first, followed by Brent Holden’s red 07 Porsche, and
Maury Gentile was third in a 87 red BMW.
Group 2 winner was the 70 Mustang of Oz Marlen. The wind at race’s end sent spectators
scurrying to shelter or into their cars for the ride home.
I am also proud of the showing of Pantera owners who
did bring their cars to the track to watch Larry make both left and right
turns. So many appeared that I simply
lost track of everyone. My camera is
loaded with pictures of the cars in the paddock. Gary Wyatt and Cherie added to the collection as seen above. Captured among the photos are a couple of
ORR cars. Glen Chancellor’s #95 was
photographed but I don’t recall meeting him.
Pantera car numbers 76 and 78 were there as well. TPOC’s Dan Courtney brought his yellow #69
push button car but was plagued with mechanical troubles all morning. He entered the track late in the
afternoon.
Spotted at the track (from memory); Bob Culpepper, Bill Wright, Bob Singer,
Bobby Bishop, Gary Wyatt, Colin Haney, Chris Haney, Tom Todak, John Schirmer,
Doug Schirmer, Tom Gorny, Shawn Gorny, Dan Courtney, Larry Stock, Paige
Adler, & Tommy Hodges.
I’m told that there were 5 or 6 Panteras from
Northern California as well. Next time
don’t be shy, step up and introduce yourself.
Las Vegas Fun Rally needs your support. So, look at your POCA newsletter for further details and plan to
participate. Bring your car to show at
the Fremont Display or track it at the Speed Trials.
Meeting Site a Hit Mel’s Drive-In in Seal Beach attracted the
most interest in the form of attendance and P cars.
Reminders: from rkunishige@hotmail.com. Please email needed corrections/additions to
me.
Apr 9 TPOC
Mtg 7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal
Beach.
Apr 12 Tech
Session yearly fluid
change at Rod’s 1107 Main HB all day.
Other minor fixes too. Lunch
served.
Apr 13 LB
Swap Meet at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.
Apr 18-20 Long
Beach Grand Prix. Talk
about street racing.
Apr 19 Go
Karts in electric form is close to the power to
weight ratio you want. Call Rick Flores
714 953-5948 for run details. I want
separate classes for men & women ‘cause I couldn’t catch up to … We’ll meet
at Donut Derelicts 8am then off to breakfast at Magnolia Café before the races
– eXtreme Costa Mesa.
Apr 30-5/3 Las
Vegas Fun Rally & Track Event Register early. See your POCA
Newsletter.
May 4 LB
Swap Meet at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.
May 10 Villa
Park High School pre-74
show 9-3pm 18042 Taft Ave. Villa Park open 8:00 $30 b4 4/1 else $35 714
771-8543 www.vphscarshow.com
spectators free.
May 14 TPOC
Mtg 7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal
Beach.
Jun Reno-Tahoe
Fun Rally is not likely
to be scheduled this year. Let’s wait
for further info.
Jun 1 HB
Concours support the children’s library and show your
car for everyone. We usually have 6-9
Panteras on display. See www.hbconcors.org. Hot Rods are shown on Sat. May 31 for pre 75
cars.
Jun 8 Panteras
in the Park
Jun 8 LB
Swap Meet at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.
Jun 11 TPOC
Mtg 7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal
Beach.
Jun 14 TPOC
Swap Meet at Bud Williams’ garage 9am-2pm 2950 E.
Coronado St. Anaheim. Bring your stuff
to sell or bring cash to purchase goodies.
Sandwiches and sodas provided.
See Bud’s complete collection.
It goes well beyond that shown in POCA’s article.
Jul 4-13 Le
Mans Tour How’s your
French?
Jul 6 LB
Swap Meet at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.
Jul 9 TPOC
Mtg 7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal
Beach.
Aug 10 LB
Swap Meet at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.
Aug 13 TPOC
Mtg 7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal
Beach.
Aug 15-17 Monterey
Concorso Itialiano at
Black Horse Golf…check with PI. Sign up
now. Rooms are limited.
Sep 7 Belmont
Shore is an ample
opportunity to show our cars to a wider audience and do some of that shopping
vital to our wellbeing per my room mate.
Sep 10 TPOC
Mtg 7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal
Beach.
Sep 14 LB
Swap Meet at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.
Oct 08 TPOC
Mtg 7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal
Beach.
Oct 12 LB
Swap Meet at Long Beach Veterans’ Stadium 6am-1pm.
Nov 12 TPOC
Mtg 7pm Mel’s Drive-in 12241 Seal Bch Blvd, Seal
Beach.
Nov Willow
Springs Open Track sponsored by Jim Saxton 626 285-2024.
Dec 7 or 14 Christmas Party
Dec 27 Gondola Ride
Willow Springs hosted by Jim & Cherie Saxton’s West Coast Racing in conjunction
with both Pantera and Ferrari clubs give you the chance to take your car on the
world famous high speed track. Street
cars abound as the Novice group makes full use of the free instructors to show
the best line to take on each corner.
They also advise you on the techniques to gain full control of your car
while extracting the most from its features.
Remember that there are four run groups based on your experience and two
days packed with lessons to help understand your car’s limits and at the same
time improve your driving skills. Come
out to participate or watch the excitement.
(Cherie prepares a free lunch for TPOC members.)
You are a Pantera owner per Capital Panteras if …as paraphrased or directly copied from,
"You Might Be A Redneck If This Is The Biggest Book You've Ever
Read" by Jeff Foxworthy.
-People
driving directly behind you become faint and dizzy.
-Your car makes noises mechanics have never heard before.
-You can identify your friends by the sounds of their mufflers.
-Starting your car involves popping the rear deck lid.
-You can tell your car is low on oil by looking at the garage
floor.
-You work on your car when there's nothing wrong with it.