[DeTomaso] 2012 POCA Fun Rally Update

[John Taphorn]

It is time to start arranging your schedule for the 31 Annual POCA Fun Rally! The 2012 POCA Fun Rally will be hosted at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino in Chandler, Arizona. www.wingilariver.com Chandler is just south of Phoenix; perhaps, 20 minutes from the Phoenix airport. 

 

The Fun Rally is scheduled six weeks earlier this year to beat the heat and remove a few conflicts that the later dates caused. Our 2012 dates are Wednesday, April 25th through noon on Sunday the 29th. 

 

We are excited about the feedback from members regarding the new location.  It appears as though the change is encouraging new participants to attend and will also expose seasoned attendees to Panteras and other DeTomasos that have not previously been in attendance at a Fun Rally.



The Arizona Chapter is pulling all the stops to make this a standout event.  Led by Arizona Chapter President, Gil Mares, a group of volunteers are working diligently to arrange an agenda that will optimize the fun factor. Jim Cozzolino has also been a champion for the Chandler location and is organizing the track events at Firebird Raceway.  This track event may appeal to a wider audience as it not only includes a day on Firebird Raceway's Main Road Course that includes a half-mile front straight; but, it also has scheduled an evening of drag racing at the Firebird strip located at the same facility. The track event will be in conjunction with NASA using experienced corner workers and the requisite safety equipment. While we generally see a relatively small portion of our owners take to the track, I suspect many more will feel comfortable taking a pass or two on the drag strip.  Whether or not you choose to participate in either event, spectating will be compelling as Firebird Raceway is literally just across the street from WHP.

 

The new Wild Horse Pass (WHP) facility offers a different Fun Rally dynamic than we have experienced in the past.  First, the facility is new - only 2 years old.  The Hospitality Suite opens to an outside patio that is adjacent to the Pool area.  Guests can take their drinks out poolside.  We will have tables in the patio area and De Tomasos will be displayed and made available for public viewing.  WHP also has a Casino, and is both close to the airport and local shopping.

 

Working with the Arizona Chapter, activities for the Phoenix based Fun Rally have been considered.  A preliminary Agenda that outlines the timing of the proposed activities is available through this link at the POCA website.  We will update this agenda as items come into focus:

 

            http://www.poca.com/media/2012POCAFunRallyAgenda.pdf                                          

 

New experiences in Phoenix include:

 

.           Drive to the Franklin Museum, Tucson, www.franklinmuseum.org

.           Drive to Tortilla Flats, Goldfield Ghost Town, www.tortillaflataz.com

.           Rustler's Rooste, Dinner & Line Dancing, www.rustlersrooste.com 

.           Drive to Payson - Italian Bistro & Auto Museum, www.paysonrimcountry.com 

.           Drive to Penske Racing Museum, Scottsdale,  www.penskeracingmuseum.                    

.           Shopping in Old Town Scottsdale and Fashion Square, www.insider-scottsdale.com/old_town.htm 

.           De Tomaso Car Show at Wild Horse Pass or Other Venue

.           Track Day Event on the road course - A Firebird Raceway       

.           Pantera Drag Race Event - Firebird Raceway  firebirdraceway.com/web/streetdrags.html

 

Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino has set aside a block of rooms for us until April 2nd.  Our single / double occupancy rate is 99 per night plus 12% occupancy tax.  No resort fee that we have paid previously. 

 

Make your reservations early. This is a smaller complex than we are accustomed to and there are only 242 rooms available.  This facility is popular and WHP sells out most weekends. You can always cancel with a full refund up to 48 hours before your confirmed arrival time. 

 

You must contact the hotel directly at 1-800-946-4452 ext 4900 to make your reservations.  Be sure to mention group code "POCA Fun Rally" for the group discount. Please be certain that the hotel registrar knows you are with the group as POCA is entitled to discounts based on the number of rooms filled and these discounts have been factored into our registration pricing.

 

This year's event registration with arrival on Wednesday is $225 per adult.  If your registration is postmarked on or prior to February 10th, 2012, the fee is discounted to $210 per adult.  For registrations postmarked after April 2nd, a late fee of $15 will apply for a $240 total per adult.

 

If you are arriving at the Event on Thursday, the registration fee is $190 per adult and for Friday it is $155 per adult.  If there are minors in your party, please contact a coordinator for pricing. Discounts also apply for early registrations submitted for Thursday or Friday arrival.  The $15 late fee per registrant will apply for all registrations postmarked after April 2nd.

 

Event information, updates, registration forms and payment through 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 2012 POCA Fun Rally. I and the other De Tomaso enthusiasts, look forward to seeing you there.  The more the merrier!

 

The Fun Rally is always a work in progress.  If you have an opinion or suggestion, please let Judy McCartney or I know.  

 

I look forward to seeing you in Chandler this Spring.

 

Cordially

John Taphorn

Fun-Rally Co-Chairperson