[DeTomaso] 2011 Fun Rally Update

Wed Apr 13 08:20:39 EDT 2011

POCA Fun Rally Announcement - Reno 2011

What to do with that tax refund?  Aha, head to Reno for the POCA Fun Rally scheduled for June 8th through 12th! 

Registrations are well ahead of previous years'.  With the return of the Track Event, there is something for everyone.

This year is the 40th birthday celebration of the Pantera and the 30th anniversary of the Fun Rally.  

Last year, Santiago De Tomaso, Alejandro's son paid us a surprise visit at the Rally.  He enjoyed the experience so much that he will be returning this year.

In addition, Kirk Evans will be our keynote speaker at the Saturday Evening Banquet.  As many know, Kirk was responsible for bringing the GT5S into the United States during the late 80s.  He will share with us how he accomplished that feat despite the EPA and DOT.  His anecdotes of experiences with the Factory and Mr. De Tomaso are a fascinating part of De Tomaso history.

Join us for a terrific week.  Review the Event's preliminary agenda to gain a sense of opportunities available

To help you get the most out of your fun rally experience, the organizers will be e-mailing the Event's Itinerary to you in May.  If you have not attended the event recently, the Itinerary provides almost all the information you need to organize your Fun Rally stay.  It includes a description of each activity, the organizer, when and where to meet the group for the activity's departure and the anticipated return time to the hotel.  The itinerary allows you and your significant other to plan ahead so as that you can extract the most from your stay in Reno.  Of course, you are not limited to the activities that have been planned by the Chapters and Event Committee.  However, advance knowledge allows you to appreciate the opportunities available for both the De Tomaso enthusiast and your guest who may prefer more balance.

The Fun Rally Committee will be updating planned activities regularly on the POCA Website.  Please visit at www.POCA.com for the latest info and to register.

Circus Circus Hotel has set aside a block of rooms for us until May 11th.  Our single / double occupancy rates are $57/per night in the North Tower Thursday, $87 North Tower per night Friday and Saturday, with a $10 per person per night charge for the third and fourth person in the room. The rates do not include a 13.5% room tax and a Resort Fee of 4.99 per night. The Resort Fee is new and includes wireless internet in your room, unlimited local calls, Valet Parking, in-room coffee, access to fitness center, $55 in Circuc Circus Reno Funbucks Coupons and more.

These room rates expire Saturday, May 11th, so make your reservations early. You can always cancel with a full refund up to 48 hours prior to your confirmed arrival time. You must contact the hotel directly at 1-800-648-5010 to make your reservations.  Be sure to mention group code "Pantera Owners Club of America".  Do not say "POCA" as that has been misconstrued (i.e. Polka) in the past and we have not gotten full credit.  The cost of our Hospitality Suite rental is a function of how many rooms our group reserves.  Please be certain that the hotel registrar knows you are with the "Pantera Owners Club of America". 

This year's event registration will remain $200 per person.  

Event information, updates, registration forms and payment through Credit Card or PayPal is available through the new POCA website at www.POCA.com  

Please plan early for an enjoyable week.  Your early commitment makes it easier for the organizers and helps us plan a superior event. I recognize many do not have the flexibility at work to know whether they can escape until the last moment.  I appreciate that as well and will have my fingers crossed that you will be able to join us at the 2011 POCA Fun Rally. I and the other enthusiasts, look forward to seeing you there.  

John Taphorn

Fun Rally Co-Chair

2011 POCA Fun Rally Agenda (Preliminary)

June 8th - June 12th, 2011

DAY - ONE  Wednesday, June 8th, 2011

3:00pm - Midnight   Event Registration / Hospitality Suite: Mandalay Ballroom 

3:00 pm - Evening  De Tomaso Post Drive Tech - De Tomaso Parking lot - Reno Tahoe Panteras

DAY - TWO Thursday June 9th, 2011

7:30am - 5:00pm     PCNC Reno Fernley Track Event - Hosted by PCNC

7:30am - 5:00pm     Fernley Track Visit & Virginia City Drive &, Shopping & Lunch

8:45am - 4:30pm     Catamaran Experience - NW Panteras (Morning w/Late Lunch)

9:00am - 3:00pm     Truckee River Rafting - Bill & Montse Hohnhorst

4:00pm - Midnight   Hospitality Suite: Mandalay Ballroom

5:30pm - Open       Comedy Club, Dinner & Dancing - "Catch a Rising Star", Silver Legacy Hotel

7:00pm - Open       Go-Cart Races and Dinner - Hosted by Pantera International

DAY - THREE          Friday, June 10th, 2011

7:30am - 5:00pm     PCNC Reno Fernley Track Event - Hosted by PCNC

9:45am - 4:00pm     Sierra Butte Drive/ Lunch in Bassetts - Reno Tahoe Panteras

8:45am - 4:30pm     Lake Tahoe Tour Drive: Historic Homes - Bill & Montse Hohnhorst

4:00pm - Midnight   Hospitality Suite: Mandalay Ballroom

5:15pm - Open       Summit Racing's Cruise-In: Summit's Superstore, Sparks NV 

5:30pm - 9:00pm     National Automobile Museum Dinner: The Harrah Collection - Reno Tahoe 

DAY - FOUR            Saturday, June 11th, 2011

8:00am - 10:00am   President's Breakfast Meeting: Mandalay 1 & 2 (Participation limited to Chapter Presidents and the POCA Board)

10:15am - 2:00pm   Reno's Plaza De Tomaso Car Show - Hosted by Space City Panteras

Noon - 5:00pm       Hospitality Suite: Mandalay Ballroom

3:00pm - 4:30pm    Pantera Technical Session: Mandalay 2 & 3, Hosted by PCNC's Jack DeRyke

2:50pm - 4:00pm    Women's Poker Machine Tournament - Judy DeRyke, Circus Circus

6:30pm - 10:00pm   POCA Awards Banquet and Raffle: Mandalay Ballroom 

10:00pm - 1:00am   Hospitality Suite: Mandalay Ballroom

DAY - FIVE Sunday, June 12th, 2011

8:00am - Noon        Hospitality Suite: Mandalay Ballroom