DeTomaso Mailing List: February 99, Message #195

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02/05/99                  PCNC Las Vegas Speed Trials              #8

Intro:
There are only 4 weeks left to register for the Track Event and 
still get all the "on-time registration" freebies.
There are only 7 weeks left to register for the Fun Rally itself.
Race Day is Friday 4/23, Saturday is the Concours and Banquet.

Visit the track at http://www.bragg-smith.com

Visit Asa Jay's website for photos from last year!  
http://www.concentric.net/~Asajay/raceday.htm

Link to information and photos from the previous POCA Rally: 
http://www.panteraclub.com/conventi.htm

The POCA site has now been updated with the 1999 Track Event 
Information that appeared in the Jan '99 POCA issue. 
Visit http://www.panteraclub.com/vegasrac.htm

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Tech Issues:
(This is the detailed Tech information now on the POCA site.)
			 
Brakes 
Brakes will be tested for pedal height and fade when the car is 
stationary.  Brake fluid level will be checked. Fluid should be 
fresh (less than 6 months old). Pads must be in good shape and be 
free of worn spots, warped backing plates, or cracking in the 
friction material. Brake lights will be checked and must be working 
properly on all cars. 

Driver Safety 
Loose objects in the passenger compartment and trunk must be removed 
or secured.  No hand-held cameras will be allowed. Sun roofs and T-tops 
must be closed. All convertibles must run with the tops down. Window 
nets or arm restraints are recommended.  Arms must be kept in the 
passenger compartment and cannot be rested on the window frame. Windows 
must be open at all times while the car is on course. 

Roll Bars 
Roll bars must be made of materials sufficiently strong to support the 
weight of the car in a rollover. Decorative "dress bars" made of thinwall 
exhaust tubing or conduit do not provide adequate rollover protection. 

Seat Belts and Harnesses 
Seat belts are required for the driver and any passengers.  "A" group 
requires minimum 4 point harnesses, for both driver and passengers, 
except on cars with factory-equipped airbags.  All belts must be in good 
shape with no signs of fraying or wear, and must be firmly mounted with 
a solid metallic connection to the rollbar or chassis. Obviously 
sun-damaged, old webbing will not be allowed. Racing harnesses have been
date stamped for some time now.  Webbing must be relatively fresh. 
Any stretch marks will render harnesses unsafe. 

Clothing 
Full coverage single-layer fire-retardant driving suits and gloves 
(Nomex or equivalent) are required for drivers and passengers in the 
"A" group. Driver's suits must be presented with the car at the Tech 
inspection.  Full coverage 100% cotton shirts and pants are required for 
"B" and "C" groups.  No tank tops or shorts are allowed for either drivers 
or passengers.  Full coverage footwear is required for all drivers and 
passengers in all run groups.

Helmets 
Helmets must meet one of the following Snell ratings:  SA85, M85, SA90, 
M90, SA95, or M95.  "A" group requires SA90 or better.  Helmets showing 
external damage, chin strap fraying or wear, or missing the Snell 
sticker in the lining will not be allowed.  Inspection stickers will be 
issued for all helmets. 

Fire Extinguisher 
A fire extinguisher (2.5lb minimum) must be firmly mounted to solid 
metallic structure in a metal bracket, and be within easy reach of the 
driver for all Group A cars.  Both dry chemical and Halon types are 
acceptable.  Integral fire systems may be substituted.  It is STRONGLY
suggested every car have a fire extinguisher.

Engine Compartment 
No car will be permitted on the course with fluid leaks.  This check will 
be made with the engine running.  Radiators and oil recovery systems 
much have a catch tank to retain overflow.  Fuel lines will be checked 
for proper mounting and excessive play.  Factory PCV systems and coolant
recovery systems are considered adequate substitutes for catch tanks 
for these systems.  Two throttle return springs are required. 

Battery 
The battery must be securely mounted, and must have the positive terminal
covered, either with a factory boot or with tape. The original factory 
bracket is acceptable.  Cars with batteries in the interior must use a 
marine-style battery box or its equivalent with a closeable lid, and a 
metal-to-metal mounting bracket. 

Steering and Front Suspension 
The steering and front suspension must not have excessive looseness in 
any of the wheel bearings, ball joints, tie rods, or control arm bushings. 
These will be checked with the front end supported on a jack. 

Tires 
Tread and sidewalls will be checked for wear past safe limits, cuts, 
bruises, and deterioration. Street tires much have an H or better speed 
rating and a minimum of 3/32" tread. Shaved race tires must have discernible

tread. 

Wheels 
All wheels must be on tight and have no visible cracks or structural 
damage.  Wire wheels must have no missing or loose spokes.  Lug nuts 
and studs must be in good condition and have a minimum of 3/8" thread
engagement, 3/4" or full engagement strongly suggested.
Locking lug nuts are prohibited.  Owners may be requested to remove a 
lug nut from each wheel to check the thread engagement and studs.  
All removable wheel trim (trim rings, hubcaps) must be removed. 

Mirrors 
Cars must be equipped with functional and properly adjusted center and
driver's side rear view mirrors. 

Numbers 
Each car shall have an assigned number. This number must be displayed 
on the car at all times while on the track. It must be displayed on both 
sides at a minimum, and an additional location on the hood is recommended. 
The digits must be at least 10" high with a 1" wide stroke, and be in a 
strongly contrasting color to the color of the car. Shoe polish on the 
windows will not be permitted. 

Taping of Headlights 
All glass headlights must be taped to retain the glass in case of an 
incident. Plastic aero-style headlights, and plastic taillights, need not 
be taped. 

Tech Sheet 
Each car presented at the Pre-Tech sessions will be given a Tech Sheet.  
Any deficiencies in the car's preparation will be noted, and will be 
rechecked at the track.  This Tech Sheet must be presented at the track 
to obtain the tech sticker that allows your car on course. 

The whole idea of the Open Track event is to have fun, safely. The safe 
part has to come before the fun part. So please check all these items 
carefully before you head out to tech your car. It will make the 
inspector's job much easier, and both he and your fellow participants 
will appreciate it greatly.

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Cut-Off Dates:

The last day to register for the Las Vegas Fun Rally is 3/22.

The last day to register for the Track Event and get a FREE limited 
edition event T-shirt and the "Early-Bird" discount of $175 is 3/1.

Register by 4/1 for $195, delivered by 4/22 for $210, and on race day
for $220.  Non-POCA members add $10.  Instruction is $20 per session
and slots are filling fast.  The Triathlon is only $15, and extra run 
groups cost only $25.

Don't wait !  Act NOW !  Be in Pantera Heaven, Las Vegas April 22nd -> 25th.

Contact Info:
To register for the Las Vegas Fun Rally package, contact Gary Roys (home) at

(248) 879-0835 6955 Vernmoor, Troy, MI 48098, or e-mail at GRR456@aol.com.

To register for the PCNC Las Vegas Track Event, contact Ed Kornegay, 
ed_kornegay@hp.com or myself, Chuck Melton, charles.p.melton@lmco.com, 
(408) 739-4174.

Event Sponsor:
The PCNC Track Event is sponsored by:
  Qvale Automotive Group  (415) 776-7700 on the web at www.detomaso.com 

Sustaining Sponsors are:
  Pantera Parts Connection (800) 338-6627, on the web at
www.panteraparts.com
  Pantera Performance of Colorado (303) 660-9897
		
Associate Sponsors are:
  Pantera East (727) 381-1151, e-mail at PanteraEast@hotmail.com 
  Pantera International Motorsports (714) 744-1398, www.pim.net and
    www.panteracars.com
  Panteras by Wilkinson (562) 804-4321, on the web at www.DETOMASOUSA.com

Please contact these vendors for all your Pantera needs.  They are 
supporting us, we should support them too !

Links: 	POCA  http://www.panteraclub.com/