[DeTomaso] 2008 SS Update, Day.... Last

[asajay at asajay.com]

Well, you all pretty much know what happened at this point, but here  
is a recap and some extra stuff at the end.

Race day (Sunday) started early.  I was at the tow rig at 0500 with  
the Brazilian girls to help load other drivers luggage.  This way,  
others didn't have to drive all the way back to Ely to pick up their  
stuff; we'd have it waiting for them at the finish line.

By 0600, Mad Dog had emerged, he ran the line of kisses, we had a  
quick prayer and he climbed in the Pantera and rumbled away.  We took  
the truck for some gas, some breakfast and then made the longer route  
to the finish line via Highway 93.  It wasn't about 15 minutes after  
we arrived at the finish line that Mad Dog was coming in fast.

It was a beautiful sight to see that shiny blue front end of the  
Pantera roaring through the huge sweeper between the Finish line and  
the pits.  First one on grid, first one to cross the finish line.  I  
figured he went fast, he figured he went slow.  We wouldn't find out  
until later that night.

Dan though, didn't come in second, or third, or fourth.  We didn't get  
really worried about him, but we checked and found he had shut down  
and was okay.  Poor guy had a long wait though.  We later found out he  
shut it down on purpose due to low oil pressure.  Good job Dan.

While the Brazilian girls offloaded luggage for other drivers, Mad Dog  
and I loaded the Pantera.  It sounded sooooo good, it was like a  
purring lion.  Dog said it ran excellent.  We then loaded the girls  
and head out to Sam's Town in Las Vegas.

A quick nap, a quick shower and it was off to the banquet.

Bjorn Fresland (if I spelled that right), took first place in his  
class, driving the Mercedes he keeps stored here in the States.  He  
received an honorary Team Pantera Racing hat.  It was great to see  
him.  The Dog's time was off target by .3<something> at  
150.<something> mph.  That close time got him a spot in 16th place.

Yea...  16th.  The top 10 finishers in the 150 class all came in under  
.2 seconds, with the top 6 or so finishing with under .1 second off  
target.  It's a highly competitive class and most drivers use a  
navigator.  I'll try to get results posted on the TPR website later in  
the week.

For his efforts, Mad Dog awarded Dan Courtney the Five Million  
dollars.  However, during the award ceremony, we discovered we failed  
to print the back side of the bills, so we figure it's only worth  
about 2.5 mil now.

Top speed in Unlimited was 198.<something>.  Second place Unlimited  
was 187 if I remember correctly.

Lot's of rookies, many of which placed for trophies.

We ended the night and settled in for another early rise to drive back  
to TPR headquarters somewhere deep in the Earth.  Which brings us to  
today.

The Pantera is back in the vault and everyone is partying down after  
another successful run at the Silver State Classic Challenge.

More photos to come.

Asa Jay