After a one-year hiatus of Panteras attending the Silver State Classic Challenge (SSCC), they were once again storming the course in September 2024.  Along with the Panteras, Team Pantera Racing (TPR) fielded one Z06 Corvette and one C7 Corvette.  So what happened?

In 2023, Dennis (Mad Dog) Antenucci sold his 1972 DeTomaso Pantera to try his hand with the newer C8 Corvette.  Chevy had finally beat Ford to the punch of offering a mid-engine sport car that was (critically) -affordable- to the common buyer.  Rumor has it that Chevy is selling the Corvette C8 at a loss but do they care?  They are more than likely making up for it in sales of other models, and they have been selling a -lot- of C8s.  Note to Ford... a $400,000 mid-engine GT (40) is, frankly... BraunSchweiger.

The C8 is a new height in creature comfort, engineering and electronic wizardry all about the cabin.  The car will accelerate at break-neck speed, corner like it was on rails (to a point), and thrill many modern car enthusiasts.  Racing it in 2023, Mad Dog did fine but in the end, it came down to one critical thing; the car did not fell like it had any soul.  Having driven and raced his Pantera for more than 40 years, he felt a disconnect that couldn't be overcome with all the fancy whistles and bells of thie modern C8.  It was a great car, but Mad Dog needed to get back into a car wish Soul.

Fast forward into 2024, Mad Dog made some bold new moves.  He first sold the C8 to a friend and sponsor of Team Pantera Racing.  Then he negotiated the purchase of his Pantera back from the friend who bought it in 2023.  Everyone came out a winner.

In the interim, Chris Terp had delivered his Army green with black stripes 1974 Pantera to the TPR Master Mechanic Asa Jay Laughton in Spokane, WA for some much needed and urgent work.  Mark Skwarek from the East Coast had taken delivery of his new Z06 Corvette and was preparing it for a run in the 2024 SSCC.  Mark had been bitten by the same bug as Mad Dog, and who could blame him.  Having a brand new, affordable, mid-engine US made supercar would conceivably reduce maintenance downtimes, and increase enjoyment time.

Mark queired the master mechanic for information the harness bar and attachments done for Mad Dog's C8 and prepared everything else for the race.  He would again be joined by Jim Wallace for the eventful run.  Chris' Pantera was finished close the race at which point he offered the race duties to the master mechanic and his recently turned 21 year-old son Sam.  After some negotiation, a deal was struck and Chris' Pantera was entered into the SSCC as well.

TPR fielded two Panteras and two Corvettes.

• Dennis Antenuci in his original Pantera
• Asa Jay and Sam Laughton in Chris Terp's Pantera
• Russ Russell in his C7 Corvette
• Mark Swarek and Jim Wallace in Mark's Z06 Corvette

All cars finished.  Yes, another year when -all- Panteras entered -finished- the race.  Here are the results:

Mad Dog's returning Pantera in Tech Inspetion line

Sam Laughton in Tech Inspetion line

From left to right around table:
Peter Menyhart, Gerry Romack, Jim Wallace, Asa Jay Laughton, Sam Laughton, Mark Skwarek, Dennis Antenucci, Russ Russel, Chris Terp

Mark's new Z06 prior to new wheels

Mark's Z06 with new wheels

Russ Russel and his C7

Dennis Antenucci at pre-grid in Lund

Sam and Asa at pre-Grid in Lund

Dennis Antenucci, Russ Russell - Sam Laughton, Asa Jay Laughton