Thanks to the sponsoship of Katch Environmental, Team Pantera Racing fielded one entry at the Sandhills Open Road Challenge (SORC) earlier in the year and three entries at the 2014 running of the Silver State Classic Challenge (SSCC).  Bob Radefeld was the only Pantera racer to make SORC, though the annual drawing included two others who were unable to make it.  Of those at SSCC, two finished and one was DNF due to engine trouble.  The team had a great time this year, especially with Peter Menyhart and Erik Belter coming in to support the SSCC team in their efforts.

Mark Skwarek, Dennis Antenucci and John Bentley brought their Panteras to drive in this year's SSCC event:

Mark trailered his Pantera from the state of Connecticut all the way to Ely Nevada to run a brand new engine on course for the first time.  This was the second time Mark has driven the SSCC course.  Mark finished successfully in the 140 class, though he had to slow down near the end due to fuel delivery problems that cropped up late in the run.

John Bentley was joined by Erik Belter and Asa Jay Laughton in San Jose for the trek to Ely.  Asa would be running as John's navigator while Erik provided team support overall, including mechanical assistance with various minor problems that cropped up.  John and Asa had a good run started when John noticed oil temperatures were elevating beyond safe levels.  Backing off the throttle with an aim to finish well within the class but slightly under speed, the temperature began to go down, but soon John noticed the oil pressure dropping.  As the team tried to back off to just above minimum tech speed the pressure kept falling and the temperature began to elevate again.  The decision was made to terminate the run before major engine damage ensued.  They successfully stopped at the rest area just 30 miiles into the course. 

As luck would have it, rain on the course was causing some problems.  The high speed cars, those doing 160 or above, were given a green light to make their run, but only to the 30 mile mark, the same rest stop where John and Asa were waiting for the road to re-open.  John got a ride back to Ely to pick up his car trailer and all was well.

Dennis (Mad Dog) Antenucci successfully solicited a sponsor this year who helped transport Dennis' Pantera to and from the event, along with a twin motorcycle escort.  Paul Katchadourian along with Conner, both from Katch Environmental and Doug from Heathens MC really looked out for the team, both learning about the event and encouraging everyone in it.  Dennis made a successful run finishing slightly faster than his target with no engine or other issues to report.

A special mention goes out to Peter (The German) Menyhart who travalled to Ely to support the team and help drive Mark's trailer to the finish line.  Peter has been instrumental in helping Team Pantera Racing get things done for the past several years.  The team is always prodding him to get his Pantera finished and ready to race again.  Maybe next year.

Overall the team had a great time, despite John and Asa not being able to finish this year.

Photos of the event can be found in two albums of the Photo Gallery:

2014 SSCC

Peter Menyhart > 2014 SSCC

Team Pantera Racing member Mark Skwarek was unable to bring his Pantera to the 2013 running of the SSCC but has pulled out all the stops to make sure he's there in 2014.  After a prolonged build to some serious race specifications, Mark has the new engine installed and roaring to life:

Wow, now doesn't that sound great?   The rest of the team can't wait to see Mark in Ely Nevada in just over a week.

Meanwhile, John "JB" Bentley is working furiously on fuel delivery in his Yellow Pantera, waiting for next Wednesday when Asa Jay "AJ" Laughton will be flying in to meet the team and assist.  Unfortunately AJ won't be driving this year.  It's also rumored that Team Pantera Racing Veteran Erik Belter may be accompanying the team as well, though he too may not be racing.

Dennis "Mad Dog" Antenucci will be returning again to lead the team, bringing with him the latest sponsors of Team Pantera Racing, "Katch Envoronmental."

Team Pantera Racing would like to welcome Katch Environmental as their premier sponsor for the 2014 Open Road Racing season.  Katch Environmental is a Disabled Veteran Owned business in Fresno specializing in Mold inspection and remediation, Lead inspection and abatement, and Asbestos abatement.  They are also licensed in General Contruction and Engineering.  Their sponsorship in 2014 will help Team Pantera Racing members attend the Sandhills Open Road Challenge in Arnold Nebraska, and the Silver State Classic Challenge in Ely Nevada.

Katch Environmental is owned by Paul Katchadourian, a man who introduced himself to classic fun-to-drive cars at the age of 16 when he purchased a Datsun 240Z with money he saved working on a grape farm.  Later, Paul joined the Army, spending four years in the Special Forces, earning a position as a combat diver, also serving as a Paratrooper and qualifying and serving with the Green Berets.

After his military service, Paul pursued a new plan, attending Fresno State while raising two daughters with his wife.  He went on to own Katch Trucking and over 15 years provided transport services for food grade juice products between locations in Mexico, the U.S.A. and Canada.  Looking for a change of pace, Paul decided to sell the business and do something new.

Prompted by a mold problem in his own house, Paul attended a school for mold inspection and remediation in the state of Washington eventually deciding to turn that knowledge into a business.  While building his new venture, Paul expanded into being a State of California Lead Inspector/Assessor and General Construction, Asbestos abatement.

Paul's company, Katch Environmental, was awarded the hazardous abatement contract on the first 29 mile segment from Madera to Fresno of the California High Speed Rail project; known as Contruction Package 1 (CP-1).  Eventually the High Speed Rail will travel more then 850 miles from San Fransisco to Los Angeles with additional extensions planned to Sacramento and San Diego.

Many of Team Pantera Racing's members have also served in the military; some serving during times of war.  Racing Panteras has become a passion for these men and it was with great pride they accepted the sponsorship from Katch Environmental.  They are even trying to get Paul Katchadourian re-interested in classic cars enough to come out and race with them.

Team Pantera Racing managed to draw four slots at this year's Sandhills Open Road Challenge and is working to field three or four Panteras at the Silver State Classic Challenge.  Sponsorship money helps offset some of the costs for travel and lodging for these various events.

With the Katch Environmental sponsorship Team Pantera Racing is looking forward to another good year.

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.