The 2009 Fun Rally is set to take stage in Reno on Wednesday June 10th through Sunday, June 14th. Clear your calendar, prep your car and prepare to enjoy the best that friends and things De Tomaso have to offer!
As of April 30th, registrations for the event are strong and Judy McCartney, our Co-Chair who handles registration, informs me that we appear to have more couples attending than has been the norm. That is great news and possibly reflects the diverse opportunities presented at this year’s Fun Rally.
More than 90% of the registrations received have included attendance for the Friday night dinner at the National Automobile Museum. Hosted by Reno Tahoe, this event includes a private tour of the Harrah’s Auto Collection. It should make for a remarkable evening. Since most everyone is going to the Museum, the Hospitality Suite will be closed that evening at 5:30pm and reopen at 9:00pm.
Panteras NorthWest has been organizing the Lake Tahoe scenic drive and Paddle Boat excursion. This is a two hour cruise to and back from Emerald Bay. We will have lunch on the Paddleboat. To keep the accounting simple, participants will purchase their boarding passes and meal tickets at the dock.
Reno Tahoe is also spearheading the drive to tour the winery and sample the local hot springs. Nevada has 312 hot springs, more than any other state. Certainly, bathing in a hot spring would be a new experience for many. So, don’t forget to pack your suit; that is unless after a few glasses of wine, you are more immodest than most people. :^)
Space City Panteras has agreed to step up and orchestrate the assembly of De Tomaso automobiles on Virginia Street to create a spectacle. The car display will happen midday on Saturday so that we can include the racers who will be back from the track. The gathering of Panteras is an opportunity to explore beautiful original examples along with the engineering genius that many of our friends incorporate to enhance their cats.
The PCNC Chapter has organized the Track Event. The road course at the Reno Fernley facility is as fast and flowing as possible. The layout favors relatively big, heavy, powerful cars like the Pantera and has broad sweeping corners and long straights that are preferred over tight, technical, twisty go-kart corners. The track is safe with plenty of runoff area and not so technical that it can’t be quickly learned. The facility accommodates spectators with excellent track visibility and shaded paddock areas with picnic tables. It is always important to remind new members that the track event includes run groups for owners to push their cars and improve their driving skills in a non-competitive controlled passing environment. This is a safe way to enjoy your Pantera at higher speeds without being pulled over by flashing lights on a police cruiser.
To encourage making the drive in your Pantera, many Chapters are planning to caravan to Reno. Those driving from southern California are planning to make the trip over the course of two days with an overnight stop in Bishop near Mammoth. Thankfully, fuel prices remain low and do not appear to be headed upward at this time.
We recognize that the drive will be longer for many. To ease maintenance concerns, our plan is also to have a lift and basic tools available to perform a cursory inspection of vehicles arriving in Reno to ensure they are ready for the rest of the destination drives and return trip home. Fortunately, Pantera vendors will be attending the Fun Rally; so, they will have parts available. Otherwise, our volunteers will endeavor to ensure your car is capable. However, this inspection is not for teching cars for the Track Event.
Our ability to bring cars into the Hospitality Suite will be a welcome aspect of this year’s Rally. The Fun Rally Committee is inviting each Chapter to display a De Tomaso of their choice. We realize that some owners displaying their cars in the Hospitality Suite will desire to use them on Thursday/Friday drives and in the Saturday Virginia Street display. We are arranging a method for those who desire to retrieve their cars in the morning and return them in the afternoon. We recognize that our ability to have cars on display in the Hospitality Suite in the evening will be a highlight for many.
Let us know ASAP if you desire to display your De Tomaso in the Suite. You can contact John Taphorn at jtaphorn@kingwoodcable.com or 281.361.7443 to alert us of your interest to display your car in the Suite. The Fun Rally Committee will vote on their favorite car displayed in the Suite during the Rally. The criteria for judging –well, lets say it is flexible and not as formal as a Concours.
Go cart races are back this year sponsored by Pantera International. Last year’s Go-Cart Competition was extremely well attended and everyone had a ball. We’ll see haw fast you really are!
Truly, this is an outstanding Event for DeTomaso owners. It is safe to say that the Event is sensation overload for those attending for the first time. All the cars and all the new friends and faces can be a bit overwhelming. That said, I promise you will not be disappointed.
Now is the time to communicate with your employer, and for those not driving, begin your airfare search. Fares are quite reasonable at this time.
Circus Circus Hotel has set aside a block of rooms for us until May 11th. Our single / double occupancy rates are $69 North Tower or $59 Sky Tower per night Sunday through Thursday, $89 North Tower or $79 Sky Tower per night Friday and Saturday, with a $10 per person per night charge for the third and fourth person in the room. The rates do not include a 13.5% room tax. I have been told that the only difference between the two towers is the length of the walk to the Hospitality Suite. The North Tower is closer.
The room rates expire Thursday May 11th, so make your reservations early. You can always cancel with a full refund up to 48 hours prior to your confirmed arrival time. You must contact the hotel directly at 1-800-648-5010 to make your reservations, be sure to mention group code “Pantera Owners Club of America”.
This year’s event cost is lower than last year. Based on the will of the majority, an open bar in the Hospitality Suite is included in your registration fee. Participation in the Go-Cart races, Track Event, dinner at the Museum and Paddle Wheel excursion require additional fees.
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 2009 Fun Rally. I and the other DeTomaso enthusiasts, look forward to seeing you there. The more the merrier!
John Taphorn & Judy McCartney
Event Co-Chairpersons
Original Post