In what is shaping up to be a spectacular return to the Silver State Classic Challenge, Team Pantera Racing has an unconfirmed field of six drivers -and- "Cafe' Finito" for the finish line. Not wishing to disappoint their adoring fans, the 25th running of SSCC will feature the likes of TPR not seen in 10 years. Veterans and fans alike do not want to miss this year's running.
Team Pantera Racing is the first, and still the only vintage race team to field 10 examples of production cars from the era. TPR President Dennis (Mad Dawg) Antenucci is working hard to repeat that success this year. So much so in fact he has offered a $10,000 award to -any- other race team that can field 10 cars from the period prior to 1974. No team has done it since Team Pantera Racing, and Mad Dawg feels confident no team ever will. During that record breaking attendance of Panteras, TPR also sponsored "Cafe' Finito," an Italian diner on wheels.
The 2012 running of the SSCC will see the return of Cafe' Finito with a newer and larger rig. All TPR members will have access to complimentary beverages and food at the finish line. All others must pay for entry, and then submit to Mad Dawg's will before being allowed entry. We're being told this season may also see the return of the Brazilian Girls who have been absent on occasion at these events.
This is the year you don't want to miss. If you are a Veteran of TPR or a groupie, you had better make plans now to attend this 25th running of the Silver State Classic Challenge. Go all the way, or go home.
No one gets out alive.
To read more about the record setting Team Challenge, read a first hand account from Curt Toumanian here:
http://www.digitalthunder.com/.../SilverState/ss1.htm
And here is a trip down memory lane:
23 May 1998
"Ten Panteras finish the Silver State challenge.
Compare this to the 29 Corvettes that finished.
The next closest was 10 Mustangs then 5 Cameros!
That's about .0017 of all Panteras made (give or take).
If that same percent of all the Vettes manufactured showed
up, over 5,100 would have to be there.
So even when 1 Pantera shows up, 510 vettes would have to
show to rival the enthusiasm of the Pantera owners!
That really says a lot about the Pantera and it's owners!"
Curt T-Man
1TO9 MPG, It takes 510 Vettes to equal 1 Pantera!
From the De Tomaso Archives
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