[DeTomaso] 2012 POCA Fun Rally Update

Thu Dec 15 00:45:43 EST 2011

When will registration forms be available?
Thanks,
Forest

________________________________
From: John Taphorn <jtaphorn at kingwoodcable.com>
To: detomaso at realbig.com
Sent: Wed, December 14, 2011 8:43:33 PM
Subject: [DeTomaso] 2012 POCA Fun Rally Update

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

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