Cars Coming to Fun Rally from AZ / CA / NV (and other parts West)?

I'll be driving my Pantera to Houston from Phoenix on Wed also. Count me in! Larry Benson

I am hopefully driving my Pantera to and from the Houston Fun Rally.

1800 miles one way from Fresno.

My preference would be to arrive at the Fun Rally on Thursday, no later than mid-day.

That would provide plenty of time to get the bugs off 2511, get settled into my room and get a good night's sleep before the intensity of the Fun Rally begins.

At this point I have no one else from Northern CA taking the direct journey in their car (one is driving, but has a couple of side-trips on the way), but I suspect there is a trailer or two in the works. I'll chase that down in the coming days.

I only know of one other CA owner driving his car, but have not talked with him directly.

Rocky's tentative schedule has him with a first day journey of 560-700 miles, which for my tastes is a bit on the long side for a Pantera drive. Seems a long day for towing a Pantera, too.

Then there is the issue of a Pantera versus a trailer. One does tend to travel at a bit higher speed.

Texas doesn't offer lodging every 30 miles like CA, so I'm thinking the overnight stays need to be set ahead of time.

I'll be making some posts at the POCA email list to see who else is thinking of making the drive.

I've traveled home from the Vegas Rally with about a dozen other Panteras. It truly does make for a great drive, and looks awesome.

Plus, there is safety in numbers.

Larry

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Rocky's tentative schedule has him with a first day journey of 560-700 miles, which for my tastes is a bit on the long side for a Pantera drive. Seems a long day for towing a Pantera, too.

Well, I did say it was a "notional" plan...

Looking at it a little more reasonably, it might be good to shoot for Tucson to Fort Stockton (540 Mi.), and then Fort Stockton to Katy (480 Mi.).

Again - nothing is set in stone. Circumstances may change, and I might be driving my car... driving in a caravan of Panteras is always awesome......

Rocky

Will drive from Colorado to College Station - probably drive to Ft. Stockton then over.

Pantera - take it out and play with it!

I plan on driving the Pantera 700 plus miles from Willcox to Kerrville, Texas the first day.
Second day to Houston should be an easy one with only a little over 200 miles.

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I plan on driving the Pantera 700 plus miles from Willcox to Kerrville, Texas the first day.

What is your route out of Kerrville? Continue on I-10 through San Antonio, or leave Kerrville on 16 up to Fredericksburg and route 290?

I'm still studying maps, but I don't understand why you would drop down to Kerrville?

The Fun Rally location is about 60 miles north of Houston.

Seems taking 290 off the I-10 with a straight shot through Austin and into La Torretta Lake would be shorter.

Am I missing something?

Larry

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Originally posted by LF - TP 2511:

quote:

I plan on driving the Pantera 700 plus miles from Willcox to Kerrville, Texas the first day.

What is your route out of Kerrville? Continue on I-10 through San Antonio, or leave Kerrville on 16 up to Fredericksburg and route 290?

I'm still studying maps, but I don't understand why you would drop down to Kerrville?

The Fun Rally location is about 60 miles north of Houston.

Seems taking 290 off the I-10 with a straight shot through Austin and into La Torretta Lake would be shorter.

Am I missing something?

Larry

I just felt like staying on I-10 as far as possible. I rather take a divided four lane Interstate Highway for as far as I can rather than deal with two lane roads. I will look at the map and see what would be a better route. Some of the towns on I-10 northwest of Kerrville don't offer much in the way of motels. After a full day in the Pantera, I would like to stay in something decent.

I will say, Kerrville is very pretty, and there are some very nice restaurants overlooking the river there....

You may not be hungry for a big steak dinner though after a 700 mile journey - or maybe you will be!

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Originally posted by Rocky:
I will say, Kerrville is very pretty, and there are some very nice restaurants overlooking the river there....

You may not be hungry for a big steak dinner though after a 700 mile journey - or maybe you will be!

Oh gee, 700 plus miles in a Pantera with an a/c system that works great, no problem. A good steak dinner after a drive like that sounds great!

wish I could drive to the fun rally but my car needs to much work to get it on the road by then , such a shame being that the fun rally is being held in my state.

I just sent out emails to those I understand are headed East to the Fun Rally.

I'm trying to herd cats (get it?) so we can travel together or at least know who is out on the Interstate with us, which could come in handy in case of "problems".

Whether you are going or not, please take a look at the following trip itinerary. Perhaps you know of interesting side trips, good food stops or radar traps.

Would love some feedback from anyone that knows the roads east out of Junction, TX. Seems one can go north or south of Austin. Which route offers what?

Thanks,

Larry

Starting point for this itinerary is the home of John and Kathy Buckman, in Vista, California, a bit north of San Diego.

Monday, May 11 - Leave Vista early a.m.
Rendezvous with Judy McCartney and friend Rochelle in Yuma
continue to overnight stop at Tucson - 240 miles
total mileage - Judy, 400 … Larry, John and Kathy, 450

Tuesday, May 12 Leave Tucson
overnight stop at Van Horn, Texas
mileage - 440

NOTE: Van Horn is in the middle of nowhere and while it only appears in a very close Google view (I-10 at US-90), it seems to be a traveler’s overnight area. Hampton Inn, Red Roof, Quality Inn and several other lodging options.

Wednesday, Leave Van Horn
overnight at Junction TX
mileage - 320

Thursday, Leave Junction
arrive Lake Torretta Resort in early afternoon
mileage - 290

The route is pretty obvious on I-10 all the way to Junction, TX. Leaving Junction, there are two clear routes East around Austin, one on the North and the other to the South. Mileage differences are nil, so research/feedback on the two approaches might show one to be a safer/more scenic/twisty turny route. Perhaps the Panteras take the ‘fun’ route and the rest a simpler route?

Larry -

Thanks for working this public service.

Rocky

Panteras that have traveled west for the Fun Rallies years past have stayed in Van Horn. It is a good choice.

As far as the split at Junction. While I have never driven the northern route, I would consider it should you otherwise be traveling through Houston during rush hour between 4pm and 6:30pm.

I find the vistas along I-10 in West Texas to be beautiful. I hope you are traveling along those roads in daylight.

Looking forward to seeing you guys at the Rally.

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Panteras that have traveled west for the Fun Rallies years past have stayed in Van Horn. It is a good choice.

Thanks for that feedback, John. It looked okay, but glad to know it is 'POCA Tested", so to speak.

Only daylight driving. Taking four days to do what could be done in three, but want to arrive at the Fun Rally not too road-weary.

Larry