[DeTomaso] 2015 Fun Rally

[Richard Greenblum]

All,


HUGE thanks to John Taphorn, Kirby Schrader, Gray Gregory, Bill Vasser, Fred
Foreman, Space City Panteras, Upton Racing, and everyone else that worked
their butts off to put the 2015 Fun Rally on for the rest of us.  It was
frig¹n incredible.  Despite the constant threat of weather on Saturday and
Monday, and the deluge of rain on Sunday, they pulled it off in grand style.
The hotel was very nice and well suited to the needs of the event, great
choice by the organizers.  The events were fun and informative.  The drives
on Sunday to the Gullo Museum, the restaurant, and Gray¹s ranch would have
been more enjoyable in the sunshine, especially for those of us with no
defroster and wimpy wipers, isn¹t that right Bill Vasser?  But, you¹ve been
in that situation before‹an awful time you just want to end turns out being
a wonderful experience.  In this case, arms tired of constantly wiping the
windshield to see the tail lights in front of you while water drips on you
through the window you must leave partially open for air.  Then the rain
breaks, the sun comes out and you, and all of the others, make it to your
destination with big smiles.  What was one of the worst drives I ever made
in my Pantera became one of the greatest. Very special thanks to John
Taphorn who convinced me at lunch (with rain dripping through the roof) to
complete the drive to Gray¹s instead of retreating to the hotel to dry out.
 
Gray¹s ranch was another indescribable experience‹the Gregorys are wonderful
hosts.  Many of us brought our cars into his shop and got some bugs worked
out by the unlimited knowledge base hanging around and visiting with each
other.  The food was really good, the picture taking session fun, and
spending time with Tom Tjaarda indescribable.  But as usual, putting faces
with all those email exchanges over the last few years was unforgettable.
The camaraderie of helping work on someone¹s car (including mine) was
priceless.  We can¹t let Mike Drew have all the fun!
 
My wife has always enjoyed short cruises around town, but otherwise not all
that into my Pantera. Well, that all changed with her first Fun Rally
participation.  When we were packing up the car to return home she said,
³We¹re going to the Fun Rally next year, wherever it is‹BUT you¹re putting
the air conditioner back in it! I don¹t want to be the defroster again.²
 
Finally, I have to say this Fun Rally was a game-changer for me.  The
Pantera was my only car for a couple of years back in the mid 70s.  It
gradually became something I played with on occasion, when I had the time.
I recently had it painted and that resulted in me only taking it out in
perfect conditions for some specific reason, like Cars & Coffee, with panic
at the thought of rock chips.  This Fun Rally brought me back to my senses.
I again know it¹s a car.  One that was created (thank you Tom Tjaarda) to be
a perpetual E-Ticket ride.  I¹m going to drive and enjoy it more than I have
in a very long time.  My daughter will inherit whatever¹s left of it when I
die.  In the mean time, I¹m going to have fun with itŠand of course, put the
a/c system back in!
 
THANK YOU SPACE CITY PANTERAS FOR AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME.
 
Richard (& now Tammy too) Greenblum
Austin, TX
Silver US GTS 




-------------- next part --------------
   All,

   HUGE thanks to John Taphorn, Kirby Schrader, Gray Gregory, Bill Vasser,
   Fred Foreman, Space City Panteras, Upton Racing, and everyone else that
   worked their butts off to put the 2015 Fun Rally on for the rest of
   us.  It was frig'n incredible.  Despite the constant threat of weather
   on Saturday and Monday, and the deluge of rain on Sunday, they pulled
   it off in grand style.  The hotel was very nice and well suited to the
   needs of the event, great choice by the organizers.  The events were
   fun and informative.  The drives on Sunday to the Gullo Museum, the
   restaurant, and Gray's ranch would have been more enjoyable in the
   sunshine, especially for those of us with no defroster and wimpy
   wipers, isn't that right Bill Vasser?  But, you've been in that
   situation before--an awful time you just want to end turns out being a
   wonderful experience.  In this case, arms tired of constantly wiping
   the windshield to see the tail lights in front of you while water drips
   on you through the window you must leave partially open for air.  Then
   the rain breaks, the sun comes out and you, and all of the others, make
   it to your destination with big smiles.  What was one of the worst
   drives I ever made in my Pantera became one of the greatest.  Very
   special thanks to John Taphorn who convinced me at lunch (with rain
   dripping through the roof) to complete the drive to Gray's instead of
   retreating to the hotel to dry out.


   Gray's ranch was another indescribable experience--the Gregorys are
   wonderful hosts.  Many of us brought our cars into his shop and got
   some bugs worked out by the unlimited knowledge base hanging around and
   visiting with each other.  The food was really good, the picture taking
   session fun, and spending time with Tom Tjaarda indescribable.  But as
   usual, putting faces with all those email exchanges over the last few
   years was unforgettable.  The camaraderie of helping work on someone's
   car (including mine) was priceless.  We can't let Mike Drew have all
   the fun!


   My wife has always enjoyed short cruises around town, but otherwise not
   all that into my Pantera.  Well, that all changed with her first Fun
   Rally participation.  When we were packing up the car to return home
   she said, "We're going to the Fun Rally next year, wherever it is--BUT
   you're putting the air conditioner back in it!  I don't want to be the
   defroster again."


   Finally, I have to say this Fun Rally was a game-changer for me.  The
   Pantera was my only car for a couple of years back in the mid 70s.  It
   gradually became something I played with on occasion, when I had the
   time.  I recently had it painted and that resulted in me only taking it
   out in perfect conditions for some specific reason, like Cars & Coffee,
   with panic at the thought of rock chips.  This Fun Rally brought me
   back to my senses.  I again know it's a car.  One that was created
   (thank you Tom Tjaarda) to be a perpetual E-Ticket ride.  I'm going to
   drive and enjoy it more than I have in a very long time.  My daughter
   will inherit whatever's left of it when I die.  In the mean time, I'm
   going to have fun with it...and of course, put the a/c system back in!


   THANK YOU SPACE CITY PANTERAS FOR AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME.


   Richard (& now Tammy too) Greenblum

   Austin, TX
   Silver US GTS