DeTomaso Mailing List: January 98, Message #151
     



From: 	Asa Jay Laughton <asajay@concentric.net>

Subject: Profiles

Date: 	Tue, 6 Jan 1998 01:25:48 +0000



For a guy that calls me up in the middle of the night becuase he's

buggin out to overseas locations and wants to spend some time with a

fellow Panteralite while flying through town.....



Mike Drew can be pretty amazing.



I wasn't able to oblige due to the fact Seattle and Spokane are about

400 miles apart and nobody (not just you Mike) can't seem to rememeber

that.  However, I just today received the latest POCA Profiles magazine.



Now let me tell you the most singular reason this is the best

publication on the planet!!!  You don't get those silly little cards

falling out all over the place asking you to subscribe.  Duh, I'm

already subcribed.  : )



Okay enough humor.  Or was it....



Dennis, aka Mad Dog,  I don't know if I should idolize you or just live

vicariously through you.  Man what a story.  Your's is the best I've

read in Profiles all year long.  You very intelligently (did I really

say that about Mad Dog?) explained everything ANYONE should know about

getting into this.  The preparation you went through was admirable and

should be the definitive example of how to prepare for a race of this

magnitude.



I remember posts from you all last year asking all those good questions,

and getting a lot of good answers, taking some to heart and using a lot

of mutual resources through the club.  You persevered (help GONANCY, I'm

drowning!) and showed everyone the Pantera isn't just an everday driver,

isn't just a broken-down Ford has-been pan-o-trouble.



Now I know that many other folks race Kitty's and they do very well.  I

however have not been exposed to any others as closely as Mad Dog, via

the monthy, the quarterly and the net.  This is the kind of exposure

that counts.  GREAT JOB Mad Dog, lead the pack!!!  Pass those kudos

along to your team as well, please.



And may I also say I have to stronly agree with what Dennis had to say

about navigators and passengers.  It's just not a good idea.  I've had

folks ask to ride when I quarter-miled the Mach I, and I've always said

no.  I don't think I could live with myself if I got sideways due to an

unforseen event, like broken axle, and plowed into a wall, killing or

seriously injuring a friend.  it's one thing to do it to yourself, but

others are another thing.



The incident mentioned by Dennis also goes to prove the value of making

damn sure your car is set up properly.  Had the other team took the same

time and care to prepare, they may not have had the problem.



Once again.  Good job Dennis, and a big thanks to Mike Drew too.



Asa Jay



PS, hey Mike, is it still Summer 1997?    : )