[DeTomaso] The Beast goes down at Willow Springs

[JDeRyke at aol.com]

In a message dated 11/3/09 7:46:25 PM, dfcex at pacbell.net writes:

> What's worriesome is the second time for Jim it was the upgraded forged 
> axle.
> 
Actually, it wasn't. The shop that fixed Jim Saxton's first stock axle only 
replaced the broken one. 5 years later, the other STOCK axle broke at 
another track. As I remember, Jim was upset that they hadn't changed both 
stockers the first time. 'Course, he was also upset that the first broken axle put 
his Gr-4 replica on its roof right in front of Mad Dog....
Bottom line: for those running a dedicated race Pantera with gumball tires, 
stock axles WILL break under racing stress. All will snap off at the 
flange-to-shaft chamfer- probably from flange flexing, and it can happen in as 
little as a 6-hr enduro on new stock axles. Aftermarket axles are not hollow 
and have much heavier flanges, plus are made of better steel. They will not 
break even under pro racing conditions. For street cars, stock or (better) 
Wilkinson's current upgraded replacement axles are entirely adequate; its the 
constant stress of racing with gumball tires that seems to cause the problem. 
This happened back when the Panteras were new and pro-racing in Europe- 
even on lower-stress Gr-3 club racers- and it continues today. Go-fasters- take 
note! Good luck- J Deryke