2013 Year in Review Print
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Saturday, 30 November 2013 13:55

Mark (The Professor) Skwarek took home the 2013 Iron Man Award for beginning the Open Road Race season with a trip to Ely for the running of the Nevada Open Road Challenge.  He then attended the Silver State Classic Challenge later in the year along with Dennis (Mad Dawg) Antenucci, and Asa Jay (AJ) Laughton.  To round out the year, Bob (Rowdy) Radefeld took on the Sandhills Open Road Challenge and Bob Benson took on the 2013 Optima Challenge.

The Gary Hall Memorial Award for 2013 went to Asa Laughton for his second Silver State race, similar to Gary, having driving the Pantera to and from the event as well as racing in it.  the SOBill award went to John Bentley, who supplied TPR headquarters in Ely even though his Pantera wasn't ready.  Both he and Peter (the German) Menyhart, attended as a support group in the September race.

Proving once again that a 40 year old vintage sports car is capable of dishing it out, each Pantera entered this year finished their race. 

The 2014 season is already heating up, with word from Bob Radefeld that three Panteras have made it through the selection process for the SORC.  This is the harderst race to get into since there are a limited number of entries allowed.  It's nearly a crap shoot every year when TPR members try to enter.  Next year should be a banner year for TPR at SORC.  The lineups for NORC and SSCC are still in flux.

The surprise this year was an invitation from Optima Batteries to Bob Benson and his killer Black Pantera.  Bob held his own against much newer cars that certainly outperformed the older Pantera, but Bob's driving skills showed it takes more than just hardware to make it all happen.  You can read more about his adventure on the Lateral-g Network.

Last Updated on Monday, 30 June 2014 14:01