[TPR] Sad news....

[Asa Jay Laughton]

It's with a slightly heavy heart that I must inform the members of Team 
Pantera Racing, that Pantera THPNNP05533 has been officially put up For 
Sale.  I realize this will come as a serious blow to many of you who 
have been following the escapades of this particular Pantera and who 
have known it for the same 16 years as it has been owned.

There are many factors that go into a decision such as this.  In my 
case, I have done so much with such a great car over the last 16 years 
that I feel like I've pretty much done it all.  The win at SSCC last 
year was like icing on the cake and after much deliberation with family 
and friends, the decision was made to part company with the Racing 
Against Autism Pantera.

...  and time to restore the 1971 Mach I Mustang.... YEEEEHAAAWWW!!!

Seriously, Shelley and I will be doing some specific things with the 
sale.  Paying off some debt that has spiraled out of control, help 
Shelley complete her CPA degree and get the Mach I back in the garage 
and on the road to recovery.

That means I may be down, but I'm not out!  Oh nooo.... having the heart 
of a 351C, 4V, means I share the same passion for bench racing and 
go-fast automotive visceral thrills.  I'm just moving that passion from 
the Pantera (which honestly never quite turned my crank like the Mach I 
did) to the Mustang.  My support and participation in Team Pantera 
Racing will continue.

I still plan to attend SSCC this year, perhaps without a car, but 
certainly with the same enthusiasm, prepared to take the flaming, 
roasting and flogging I so richly deserve for selling what has been such 
a fine car.  And eventually in the next couple of years I plan to 
challenge the 120 class in the Mach I.  Yes, I'm going to do my best to 
push that brick of a car through the 120 MPH barrier, and hopefully not 
drop a header in the process.  ;)  (that's probably an inside joke)

That means a -new- 351C rebuild, with even better go-fast parts.  I'm 
hopeful I can even get fuel injection on this time.  We need a few 
suspension upgrades, a little body straightening and a new coat of paint.

Watch out!

I sincerely appreciate the support I have been given by everyone and I 
pledge to continue my support of the team.

Now, stop crying in your beer and suck it up!
I'm still President.  ;)

Asa  Jay

-- 
Asa Jay Laughton - W7TSC, MSgt, USAFR, Retired
&  Shelley Marie
Spokane, WA
******************************
http://w7tsc.org
http://www.teampanteraracing.com