More Fun for Some than Others

[Karl Bebout]

Yesterday, the Pantera Club of America had a track day at what used to be Firebird Raceway and a couple intrepid Cobra drivers took their cars for fun and games. Mesa Mike, who's tracked several times before, and Wild Will, who was a first timer. Several of us from East Bumscrew went along to harrass and criticize: Dave, Hector, Bill and me, along with Mike's wife Lorraine, Will's wife Donna, Will's daughter, Mike's gonna be son in law, and a few others. The drivers had lots of fun and did no dammage. There were several Panterras as well as other assorted cars running. Two of the Panterras had the 180* headers and just screamed. The fastest car around the course was a Honda, NSX that was not only very powerful, handled great, and had a very good driver, was driven to and from the track! Most interesting car was a sweet Bugatti Veyron ($1.2M) that made many passes, until he kissed a tire baracade. Scuffed up the entire driver's side and tore off the mirror. The guy left very shortly afterwards. ha. Heard that his Daddy was there so at least he didn't have to think how he was going to 'splain the paint rash. Told Mike to look for the mirror. Probably cost $20K! For some reason, I think the owner/driver may not have been born in the USA.

[Danr55]

Ouch.. Must be the same kid that had Bondurant driving his Veyron when we went for coffee at the school. He couldn't drive it then, either.

[Karl Bebout]

Danr, How many could there be in the Valley? At least he realized he should get some instruction. He was doing a pretty good job of driving it until his oops. We talked to him before and he seems like a nice guy. At least he'd talk to the pessants, or is that pissants? I admire that he's willing to push the car's abilities, and his own, rather than just wax it or trailer it around or park it in the garage. For me, and many, cars are meant to be driven and wouldn't I like to be in the financial position where I could not only afford such a car, but afford the consequences if/when I screw up. The driver readily admitted it was his fault and that's admirable.

[Danr55]

Sounds like he is one of the good ones. Rich but that's OK..

[Fitz]

I like rich; somebody give me cash and make me feel rich

[fordracing65]

All those cars sound sweet, a Cobra track day should be next, anyone know what the price was to set up a day like that...

[Karl Bebout]

I'm thinking the entry fee was about $250 for early registration and more for registrating on the day. No idea how much the track rental and other overhead may have been.

Months ago, Mike Brasfield posted the info here about the event but Will was the only one that was interested, or at least willing to spend the money. They both got their money's worth and had at least four different 20-30 minute track flights. The Pantera guys were very well orgainzed, had classes arranged for novice drivers, had several instructors available to either ride along or tail the newbies before they were turned loose on the track, by them selves, did safety equipment inspections, good stuff.

Anyone interested could go on line to the Pantera's web site to get information about any upcoming events., or Mike Brasfield could probably put them in contact wth the right people.

[Mulv]

Originally Posted by Karl Bebout

We talked to him before and he seems like a nice guy.

He should, he has 20 porno websites and makes about $50 million a year... The Veyron is a actually about $1.9 million....
Lucky for him he has a Murcilago, an Aventador and a McLaren Mercedes so he won't be walking while his car is repaired in Europe at the VW/Veyron plant...

Remember the idiot driving 200 mph on the 202? That's him....

[LMH]

Pics... where are the pics?
Larry

[Karl Bebout]

I took a couple pictures of the car before the scrape but it was gone by the time I heard about the oops, so I didn't get a picture.

Mulv, must be very successful porn sites to make $50M/year. Hadn't heard about someone doing 200MPH. Surprised the cops' radar goes that high. Did they catch the guy or did he out run them?

[Danr55]

Karl, That was captured on the freeway cameras when they were first installed. We were both young men back then. It was all over the news for about a week. Driving a rented, green Lambo if I recall correctly.

[Karl Bebout]

Danr, that 'splains it. I've slept since then so memory has lapst.

[Mike Brasfield]

Karl thanks for the post. Some many months ago the AZ Pantera club invited the AZ Cobra club to their "track day" on Firebird Main. I posted several time but only Will replied and joined in. The Pantera guys were really accommodating and we had lots of visitors to our paddock. One even said, "I own a Pantera, but always wanted a Cobra". We were invited back for next year.

Three classes (A,B & C) each with five 20-30 min. sessions. Only about 5-6 cars in each group which made it great for Will but it made me slow down some to wait for some Pantera's to play with. I have some great video (go pro) shot from many angles so I will try to put together a short summary of my Pantera hunt-and-destroy. On shot is me passing a white Pantera then him trying to catch me. I would slow dow and wait a little each time we entered the drag strip then blow him off. His last lap he was trying to catch me in the back turns and he lost it. He went rearend out 90 degrees to the left then 180 degrees to the right and nearly hit two walls. It was a climax to a great day for me. Can't wait until next year.

What did the track cost. I would guess 8-10K.

[Mulv]

Originally Posted by Karl Bebout

I took a couple pictures of the car before the scrape but it was gone by the time I heard about the oops, so I didn't get a picture.

Mulv, must be very successful porn sites to make $50M/year. Hadn't heard about someone doing 200MPH. Surprised the cops' radar goes that high. Did they catch the guy or did he out run them?

He was so smart he made a video and put it on YouTube - the only gold colored Lambo Murcialago on earth and they showed it on the video - there was a bit of trouble over those hijinks... not to mention that they could easily have killed someone...

It is not that difficult to make that money with porn - $4.95 per month and a million Chinese scumbags as members.... 20 sites..

I think the track rental is a lot less than $8K - we used to rent Buttonwillow for less than $5K....

[dallas_]

Originally Posted by Mike Brasfield

Only about 5-6 cars in each group which made it great for Will but it made me slow down some to wait for some Pantera's to play with.

I will try to put together a short summary of my Pantera hunt-and-destroy.

That sounds like a blast. Wish I could have been there, but just too far away this time. Cobra's and Pantera's on the same track, I would love to see that. I know a couple of Dallas guys were there with their Pantera's. Looking forward to talking to them about their experience.

[WillisT]

Here's some pics of us at the track last Thursday and my car on Main St in Huntington Beach on Saturday. enjoy

Special 'THANKS' to Dave from mesa for loaning out his Serpent Express!

Thanks,
Will