We never dreamed we would ever drive a Corvette when we were growing up and sure never thought that we would have the opportunity to be racing Corvettes.  The Pantherbranch Racing Team has begun racing two Corvettes in 2010, a 2008 Z06 and possibly a 2010 ZR1.  High speeds thrill us at a time when most people are starting to slow down.  The Big Bend Open Road Race is now in the history books as our first two open road races.  We're hooked.  The distance was 59 miles and then return 59 miles.  Alice drove the first leg again this year and gave me an opportunity to really exercise the horses on the return.  She went through the trap at 136 MPH.   She had gone through the trap during practice at 138.1 MPH so she likes to drive at the tech limit.  At 7.7 miles into the return leg of this year's race, we along with four other cars were red flagged due to non race vehicle on the course.  A rancher had entered the highway to secure his cows and we were stopped.  We topped the hill at 130 MPH and were at 138 MPH when the red flag ended our day.  We were not permitted to restart and Alice and I had a plan to make up the time we needed on the return.   The five cars stopped had to take a public road home driving almost 100 miles to get back to Ft. Stockton. Jim had gone through the practice trap at 140.1 MPH which was our maximum tech speed.

The Sandhills Open Road Challenge is now in our history books and marks the first race where we placed in the top three.   We achieved third place after beating eleven other cars in our fourteen car speed class.  Alice again drove the first leg averaging 99.884 MPH for the 28.7 miles and Jim did the return leg averaging 100.180 MPH for 26.6 miles giving the team an overage of 100.026 MPH for the 55.3 mile course.  We beat the fourth place car by only .020 MPH.  That's how close the racing and times are in open road racing.

The Z06 was absolutely outstanding during the races and the response was fantastic.  It's a long drive to Arnold, Nebraska but well worth the trip for the networking and we stayed with a family in Arnold named Raoul and Judy Johnson.  They are wonderful people and great hosts.  We shared space with our friends Lee and Mary Joe Crawford from Arkansas. A highlight of the trip was the one mile run where Alice average 156 MPH and Jim average 156.4 MPH.  Alice wants the speeds rounded to the closest MPH so we tie.

We were asked to join Looking Glass Corvette Club's Race Team and will be participating with that group in future road racing events where the team will be involved.  Our friend Forrest Thompson and his wife Jaimie Lou are active in that group.

We want to thank the many volunteers who graciously give of their time to make racing possible.  Without them we couldn't race.  So, THANK YOU VOLUNTEERS and RACE WORKERS.  This is true for every event we attend and everyone works very hard to make these events safe and exciting for the participants.  

The folks at MKM Racing were very understanding of our situation of being unable to attend this years Bonneville 100 and that is one of the many reasons their events have such a good reputation.  More information on MKM events can be found at http://openroadracing.com/

We have be accepted to participate in the Marfa-Presidio Race in Marfa, Texas in October and we have decided red for that event.  Information on this event can be found at http://www.mporr.net/.  This is the first time this race has been scheduled and everyone appears to be very excited to have the racers participate in this event.

More information on the Big Bend Open Road race can be found at http://www.bborr.com/.  Information on the Bonneville 100 can be found at http://openroadracing.com/. The Sandhills event is a totally different course with lower overall speeds.  We thoroughly enjoyed the Sandhills race and information on that event can be found at http://www.sorcrace.com/.

Suggestions and other helpful racing/timing information can be sent to vettez06@tampabay.rr.com.   Thank you to all who have sent suggestions on timing and racing in general.   Racers are a very helpful group.

Our local Corvette Club is Nature Coast Corvette Club and their URL is http://www.ncvette.com/  This is a fun group of folks who really enjoy participating in different types of Corvette activities and fun events.  If you move or live in the Florida Nature Coast area, you would enjoy this Corvette Club and it's members.  There are Corvettes from all generations in this fun club. 

 

   

 

 
This video is the 2010 Sandhills Open Road Challenge.  Alice driving and note at 17:50 there is a sign that says finish.  Alice was expecting someone waving a flag and didn't lift until her navigator told her she had crossed the finish line.