Pantera Owners Challenge Car Clubs to Race
3 July 1998
Pantera Owners Challenge Car Clubs to Race"Team Pantera Racing Can Beat Any Other National Car Club at the Silver State" Claims Club HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif., July 1 -- Team Pantera Racing, a group of individual hardcore De Tomaso Pantera owners, has issued a national challenge to performance car clubs to compete in the 10th Anniversary Silver State Challenge on September 20, 1998, in Elko, Nevada. The Silver State Classic Challenge is the fastest open-road race in the world where drivers compete on a 90-mile open-road race on Highway 318 in Northern Nevada. "Team Pantera Racing vanquished all other so-called performance car clubs in the '98 Nevada Open Road Challenge," stated TPR leader Dennis "Mad Dog" Antenucci. "All our drivers finished the race, either winning or placing well in almost every class. We challenge any other organized performance car club to enter at least ten cars, which must be driven to and from the event, and complete the race. The club that finishes and places the most cars wins. It's time to stop bench racing and start driving!" According to Silver State Challenge Race Director Gary Patterson, "Team Pantera Racing did extremely well in the last race and I think any other club will be hard-pressed to beat them. The highway was recently paved, so the speeds should be even higher this year. Preparation is very important in a high-speed event, and Team Pantera Racing has proven that they know how to finish and win!" "Team Pantera Racing does not receive any factory support" noted Antenucci. "We're just a group of enthusiasts who like to drive fast and are willing to put our money where our mouths are." De Tomaso Panteras are mid-engined exotic cars that were produced in Italy and imported to the United States by Ford Motor Company from 1971-75. The stunning car is a combination of elegant Italian styling and powerful American V8. The body's sleek steel profile cloaks a potent Ford 351 Cleveland motor, fully independent suspension and ZF transaxle. Through the years the Pantera has been continuously updated and improved by a dedicated group of owners with the help of vendors like Hall Pantera, Panteras by Wilkinson and Pantera Parts Connection. About Team Pantera Racing D J "Mad Dog" Antenucci conceived Team Pantera Racing in March 1997 to support continuing De Tomaso Pantera vintage sports and racecar participation in open-road racing events like the Sliver State Classic Challenge (SSCC). There are currently 52 Team Pantera Racing members, 10 of whom completed the grueling Nevada Open-Road Challenge on May 3, 1998. A total of 18 members are committed to run in the 1998 Silver State Classic Challenge. Team Pantera Racing members own De Tomaso-manufactured vehicles and live in North America or Europe. The team recently established an Internet site at http://www.geocities.com/motorcity/garage/3632. About the Silver State Challenge Silver State Classic Challenge, Inc., is a non-profit organization that promotes open road racing. The organization provides events to legally drive extended distances at speeds challenging to both driver and vehicle, and provides opportunities to learn how to safely handle a vehicle at speed, both in racing situations and everyday traffic. The Nevada "Highway 318" (Nevada Open Road Challenge and Silver State Challenge) events are sanctioned by the American Indy Car Series (AIS). The Nevada Highway 318 races are identical, differing only in the time of year. The race traverses 90 miles of two-lane highway ranging from reasonably smooth to rough, with long straights, twisty sections, and dips, which for the faster participants, may result in an airborne experience. The road is currently being repaired to smooth the surface and rough spots. The cars are run in 5 speed divisions with 16 speed classes from 95 MPH to 165 MPH, with the class determined by the vehicle's safety equipment, the driver's experience level and the driver/navigator comfort level. Competitors race individually against the clock but may pass slower cars on the course where it is safe to do so. There is also an unlimited class for very experienced drivers with full race-equipped cars. There are no spectator areas for the Highway 318 events, however individuals or groups interested in viewing the race can volunteer as course workers to secure gates along the highway. Event activities include a press luncheon in Las Vegas, caravan from Las Vegas to Ely, Parade of Cars, Welcome Reception, Awards Banquet and any other miscellaneous events leading up to the race on Sunday, September 20, 1998. Entry packets and further SSC information is available at 702-289-6267 or by contacting Gary Patterson, Race Director, at 702-647-9179 after 5:30 PST.