DeTomaso Mailing List: September 99, Message #138

It is better to go into a corner slow and come out fast than
to go into the corner fast and come out dead.

I don't remember the author or where I read that statement
but it's so true.

Jack Farr and his band of very nice course workers put on a
great party Saturday.  Robin and I had last seen the
facility when the basic course was in place but not paved.
The road in was not even paved at that time.

What a difference now.  The track is basically finished.  In
the hot sun, the covered staging grid is truly a gift from
above.  Actually the staging grid is on the top of a hill
and with the shade and the breeze, it's the most pleasant
place to hang out.  The paddock area is still under
construction with two rows of garages almost finished and
another started.  Registration and tech inspection were in
the first garage row.  The hamburger / hotdog picnic lunch
with many excellent Frito-Lay products was served in the
second garage row.

The Pantera Club members in attendance were Keith & Laurie
Verges(member), Gene Rice & Deana Thompson, Frank & Susan
Jerome, Jack Tunnell & Robin Price, Mike Smoller, Mark &
Kathryn LeCroix, and Andy Tymkew & Nicole (sorry, don't
remember your last name).

Just as Frank, Gene, and I arrived a parade lap tour was
starting to form up.  Robin and I ripped the Pantera off of
the trailer and made it to the staging grid in time to join.
The parade laps are led by a pace car and passengers are
allowed.  The purpose is to get a feel for the track at a
gently brisk pace.

Frank and I had the good fortune of going through tech
inspection with our cars and getting checked out for hot
laps by Keith, I'm an instructor now, Verges.  I went out
for some solo hot laps and Frank went out with Keith.  You
may want to ask Frank why he is considering changing his
license plate from A RUSH to 8 WEEDS.  Gene and Mike got out
for parade laps but I don't know if they ever got in any hot
laps.

The course is very technical to me.  Much more so than the
track at Parump.  There are changing radius turns with
elevation changes that keep you from seeing all the way
through the turns.  It's very interesting and a track that
will take some time to learn.  It's comforting that there
are BIG over-run areas.  The Shelby Cobra event on October
22 & 23 will be very fun.  Everyone should get their entries
in soon!

All in all, a very fun day!!!

More later,
Jack Tunnell  #3583
Dallas  972-248-3992  xt 21