[DeTomaso] 2012 POCA Fun Rally - Phoenix Update

John Taphorn jtaphorn at kingwoodcable.com
Sat Jan 21 08:23:18 EST 2012


 

We are closing in on the 31st annual POCA Fun Rally! As you may know by now, the 2012 POCA Fun Rally will be hosted at the Wild Horse Pass Hotel and Casino in Chandler, Arizona. 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. 

 

For over 20 years at a location known as the Pavilions, residents of Phoenix and the adjacent communities have informally met on Saturdays at what is now recognized as one of the longest consistently run car shows. Now sponsored by an adjacent McDonalds, the event is called "Rock 'n' Roll McDonald's" in Scottsdale and is an ideal destination to see classic cars and motorcycles in a free open air event complete with 50's era music provided by "Party Time DJ's.  An average event showcases anywhere from 250 to 500 cars and up to 150 motorcycles. In April, the Car Show starts early afternoon and we have arranged for our De Tomaso Car Show to be included at the event.  This should be a special opportunity to display our machines before an extraordinary audience.

 

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 convenient 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.

 

We will provide secure parking for cars in an outside parking lot.  However, covered parking is available without security should you prefer.

 

The Arizona Chapter continues to refine the agenda as the date approaches. 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 currently on the Fun Rally agenda 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 Globe, an old mining town - Museum visit and lunch 

.           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.  WHP does not impose a resort fee that we have paid in Reno. This discounted room rate is the same for weekdays and weekend evenings.

 

Make your reservations early. This is a smaller complex with only 242 rooms available.  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.  POCA members receive an additional $25 discount.

 

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. 

 

Event information, updates, registration forms and payment through PayPal is available through the  POCA website at www.POCA.com  Please use the form at this site as the version that arrived in your POCA January Newsletter is incorrect.

 

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 this Spring.

 

Cordially

John Taphorn

Fun-Rally Co-Chairperson



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