DeTomaso Mailing List: April 2000, Message #225

I agree with Mr. Dawg about that PI editorial. Wallace took that
information and put his own personal spin on it. Those two incidents didn't
seem to happen because of driver error, crazy driving, or bad judgement.
Dennis's fire was an apparent mechanical accident and that Mangusta's tire
blew at speed. How do those incidents denote irresponsibility and throw a
bad light on DeTomaso owners in general? (Assuming facts that we don't know
come into play). That's a weak argument in my opinion. I was surprised that
a DeTomaso enthusiast like him would use an angle like that in his
editorial. 

I have seen the Pantera and other DeTomaso car owners come together in the
last year to rally around Dennis after his fire. And POCA in general and
the local clubs are enjoying great camaraderie at the moment. Even in
extending the hand of friendship to PI which I wholeheartedly agree with.
We have to promote ourselves because no one else will. Dennis is right in
that we have recieved better press recently. Good things ARE happening. The
Qvale's are producing a new Mangusta (love it or hate it, I know) and
Huffaker/Qvale Motorsports Team with Brian Simo driving is winning races
(safely) in Trans-AM. Team Pantera Racing will have a bunch of Panteras
with an old (I mean vintage!) Mangusta and probably a new one along side it
at the Nevada Open Road Challenge in May. That's neat stuff.

Only Wallace knows why he chose to portray us in that negative light. I
thinks it was over the top and not very accurate as a portrayal of DeTomaso
owners in general. I know I value my DeTomaso automobile very highly and
only drive very fast when it is safe to do so and would bet that is the
general rule of thumb with you folks too. Maybe he was also writing a piece
on teenage hot rodders and got them mixed up. That's my opinion as a member
of both POCA and PI. 


--- Mel Verhein
--- colours2000@earthlink.net