[DeTomaso] RRORR vs. Mangusta 8MA898 Report...

[Gary Bartley]

Hello all,

We finished taking a second place!  It wasn't pretty but we are very 
happy with the result. 

We just got home and are decompressing.  I'll post a more complete 
report in a day or two but I wanted to respond to the many e-mails of 
encouragement and acknowledge the help of a bunch of folks.

A special THANK YOU to Michael Frazier and Jim Cooper who performed some 
starting grid heroics without which we would have had to pack up and 
come home early.  Michael was a great ORR mentor and cheer leader.  Jim 
is an electrical magician par excellence.  Their display of "raw" 
emotion in the finish line shutdown zone was a sight to behold.  I'm 
pretty sure the in-car camera caught it all so you can see it soon.  
That is, unless I get a sizable contribution to my favorite charity 
before I get it up on YouTube.   ;-)

Special THANKS too to the Houston SCPOCA bunch for their support and 
encouragement.  If it wasn't for folks like Steve Hawkins, John Taphorn, 
Gray Gregory, David Bell, Dan Mixon, Will Kooiman and the others I'm too 
exhausted to be able to name, the Mangusta would still be in the 
driveway with a leaking water pump and corroded water pipes.

As ever, Mike Drew was very helpful by sharing his knowledge of all 
things DeTomaso and pointing me towards some valuable resources.  
THANKS, Colonel!

Steve Liebenow and Dana Hansen - Mangusta International also provided 
advice, counsel and resource material in various areas including 
suspension issues.  THANKS Steve and Dana!

And of course, SPECIAL Recognition to Mad Dawg and TPR who provided the 
inspiration and vision for this effort not to mention the financial 
underwriting.  I'll be working on submitting my "reimbursable expenses" 
but might just settle for a TPR decal or two!

I'm sure I failed to mention someone who contributed and for that I 
apologize.  I'm pretty well used up tonight but that's a poor excuse.

Oh, Yeah!  I really should mention Sylvia, my wife, navigator, 
motivator, logistics manager, Team Boss and racing partner.  She put up 
with me and my frustrations without complaint and that's saying a lot.  
Without her determination and tolerance I would have given up several 
times over.  She is a pretty good mechanic too!

More details later...

Best regards,

Gary