Racing Against Autism

Sam and I made it to the small Hot Rod show at Spokane County Raceway on July 10.  There were a handful of other Autosports Northwest race cars and several classic hot rod muscle car types as well.  Sam and I watched the racing action and took some photos.  Some of Sam's photos are posted on our Facebook page.  here are a couple I took.

Sam and the Racing Against Autism Pantera

The Formula series race cars take to the track

The Grand Prix ran three days, starting on Friday July 9.  Friday I worked my regular job, Saturday Sam and I attended the car show and Sunday I worked one of the corner stations as a flagger and spotter.  This gave me more experience with the different flags as well as up close observation of the various cars and driver techniques.  I found two classes of cars to be the most exciting, the Formula classes and the big V8 cars.

The Formulas were broken into several classes, but all of them were simply impressive cars with equally impressive drivers.  These are the open wheel cars as pictured above, usually found in series like the F1 or Indy 500.  These cars go very fast.  From our position in the turn 2 station they sounded like jet planes coming down the straight, then slowing to enter turn 1.  In contrast, the big V8 cars absolutely "thundered."

A few classes have these larger cars with the V8 engines.  Some are retired ASA racing series cars that were purchased when that race body disbanded (or so I'm told).  These are about as close to NASCAR as one can get.  When one of these race cars passed our station you could feel the rumble in your bones.  They were fast, impressive and sounded great.  This is probably why I like the Pantera so much, it's got a big V8 in the back.

Following that weekend, last Thursday was the annual Inland Northwest Car Club Council's (INCCC) Downtown Car Show in Spokane.  This is the primary benefit show raising money for the INCCC Scholorship fund.  They gave away seven scholorships that night.  I attended in the Racing Against Autism Pantera with the Spokane Italian Car Club parked among Alfa's, Fiat's and a Ferrari.  I believe the Pantera got the most attention of them all.  Several folks wanted to talk about the car and some asked about the puzzle pieces on the bonnet which always led me to discussing Autism.  Perfect.  Sam didn't attend this one with me as it was a mad dash right from work to get staged for entry.

But Sam got to go with me the following Saturday.  Haircuts for me and Sam found us at Hair Etc. in Spokane.  I've been going there for over 10 years.  Now I take Sam and Shelley on alternate months.  The last two times Sam and I have been, we've taken the Racing Against Autism Pantera.  This last time it nearly emptied the salon as people wanted to take a look.  On the way we even had people in other cars asking about it, yes the Pantera still turns heads nearly 40 years later.

Next weekend, July 24, Sam and I will be taking the Racing Against Autism Pantera to the Hot Wheels in Millwood show.  This is the 10th anniversary of that show put on by the Inland Empire Mustang Club.  I was around when the club first started that show, having worked on the committee that got it all started.  It's nice to see it's still doing well.  We'll Be there most of the day from just before noon until they give all the trophies away later in the day around 5 PM.

Then on July 31, I'm torn between the Ford Show or a day at the Autocross.  It's been a while since I've been to Autocross, and Sam has attended a few shows with me the last month, it may be best for me to get the car on the course again.  Stay tuned to us on Facebook to see how it comes out.

Asa Jay

Well, we've had a change of plans.  This weekend, Saturday July 10, Sam and I will be attending (but not participating in) the Northwest Motorsports ICSCC races at Spokane County Raceway.  We'll have the Pantera entered in a car show there along with others from Autosports Northwest (ASNW).  No racing for me that day.  It will be a Father/Son day with Sam.  I understand the media will be there as well, so we might get some good exposure.  Come on out, we'll be there from noon to about five or six.

We had planned on the Early Ford V-8 club's Open Show & Shine at the Spokane Fairgrounds but were recently invited to show the Pantera with Autosports Northwest, at the races this Saturday.  Since I'm not racing with Northwest Motorsports yet (need more race practice), this seemed like a good opportunity to support ASNW and get more exposure to the race crowd.  This might also prevent me from spending money I don't otherwise have, at the Swap Meet, also being held at the fairgrounds.  That part makes mommy happy.

The parade in Sandpoint, ID last weekend was a blast.  ASNW had 11 cars total, one on a trailer being towed by a truck with the club's banner, and 10 of us lined up in two columns behind.  We got a lot of feedback from the crowd.  A lot of folks recognized the Pantera, which was pretty cool  Afterward, most of the other ASNW drivers mentioned how they heard "Pantera" during the parade route more than anything else.  Yes, it's nice to know we are still turning heads.

As for Sam, he waved and talked to the crowd.   He was so tired after getting up early, driving to Sandpoint with Dad, being in the parade and then attending a barbecue afterward, he couldn't stay awake for the ride home.  Still, I do think he had a good time and it's great to see him interact with others so well now, even if his communication skills are lacking.

Alright then, if you're reading this, we hope to see you on Saturday.

Asa Jay

It's been a whirlwind month.  A new job (same employer), three trips and hardly any work done at home.  Sam turned seven on June 26th and we had a small party for him and a few friends.  One of the things he got for his birthday was a V-Tech kids camera.  He's been using it quite a bit.  Over 500 photos so far and still going.  View a sample on our Facebook page.

The Racing Against Autism Pantera has been sitting lonely in the garage.  Today after work Sam and I moved it to the front so I can drive it to work tomorrow.  Sam helped me check the air in the tires by removing the valve stem caps.  He tried to put them back on but hasn't quite got the coordination yet for small fine threaded objects.  Nonetheless he had fun, and that's what counts.

Tomorrow I will be driving the Racing Against Autism Pantera to work.  I'll need to fill up with gas on the way in.  Then this Saturday, Sam and I will take the car to the 4th of July Parade (being held on the 3rd of July) in Sandpoint, Idaho.  We'll be participating with others from Autosports Northwest.  We plan to leave the house just after 0600 for an arrival in Sandpoint just after 0800.  The parade starts around 1000.

If you will be in or near Sandpoint, Idaho, you should come out to the parade, seek us out, get your photo taken, get a ride or have your child sit in the car for a while.  Sam likes to show folks "Daddy's" car and he's got used to the idea of other kids sitting in his seat.  Hopefully it doesn't rain a lot, or at all so we can have more fun.

Look for us on I-90 between Spokane Airport and Coeur d'Alene between 0600 and 0700, then on I-95 heading North after that.  We'll update everyone with photos late Saturday.

Asa Jay

We got some vinyl cut decals to advertise the Racing Against Autism web site.  They are a simple block letter URL listing and we have them in Red or White.  You can see them from the home page, in the left column.  I'll probably rig up a store page at some point when we get more items people can make donations for.

The cool thing about this decal is that we just sold a couple to a Pantera racing friend of mine who lives in Belgium and who will be running the Le Mans Classic next month.  His name is Patrick Hals and he drives a race prepared Pantera, in fact he has more than one.  Pat has done very well in the historics series of races and the Pantera seems to be a crowd pleaser every time.  If you get a chance to watch any Le Mans Classic racing, watch out for Pat and his Candy Pantera.

And Thank You to Pat for his donations to Racing Against Autism.

Asa Jay