Cobra4B

Went down to my parents' place in Greensboro, NC Saturday to pickup the car and drove back to Va Beach today.

Here's the car w/ the waterproof custom cover on it... pretty cool that it came w/ the car and helpful since the car has no side windows. I didn't transport it with the cover on becuase it wouldn't have stayed in place. I'm going to put some grommets in it so I can tie it down.


Here's a shot of my father and I before I hit the road:


Driving with this car in tow got alot of attention... nobody knew what it was. People were slowing next to me on the highway to take pictures, someone snapped a pic at 2 of the gas stops I made, and I lost count of the waves and thumbs up. the attention was odd and something I haven't experinced sinve driving my buddy's SRT-10 Viper for a few hours the summer before last.

The best of the quotes:

Scenario 1: Gas station in Greensboro filling up to hit the road. I'm getting a few drinks and chips and ghetto country black dude rolls up in an old beat up expidition with peeling purple tint and some craptastic 24s. He gets out and I hear him ask a couple of guys, "Yo can I get a phone?" Then he comes inside and asks the clerk, "Yo man I need a phone... you got a phone? Gotta make a call." He turns to me and the conversation ensues.

NCGhettoGuy: "Yo... what dat?" (he then looks outside)
Me: "You mean the car out there?"
NCGhettoGuy: "Dat a Maz-duh?"
Me: "No, it's something called a Panoz, it's a track car."
NCGhettoGuy: "Yeah... my boys got one just like it." (I **** you not he acutually said that.)
Me: "Oh... cool, they're fairly rare." I then walked off and left


Scenario 2: End of the trip driving down Ferrel Parkway a guy in a green Ranger is next to me at a light. The passenger waves at me and motions for me to roll down the window.

Redneck: "Hey... man that is so awesome!"
Me: "Thanks just picking it up."
Redneck: "So what is it a Supra?"
Me: "No, it's something called a Panoz GTRA, it's a track only road race car."
Redneck: "So it's only a track car then?"
Me: "Uh yeah..."
Redneck (has presistent look of confusion on his face): So um a track car... what's it run in the 1/4?"
Me: "It doesn't" The light then turned and I waved and drove away.

I find that the average person has no clue what road racing is... Most conversations with people or co-workers go something like this:

"So you race your car?"

"Yes."

"So you drag race.... like in a straight line?"

"I used to, but no... I road race."

"Isn't that illegal? Like Fast and the Furious? You shouldn't do that."

"No... not on the street... road racing with turns on a track."

"Oh... so lilke NASCAR?"

"No."

xsiveone

Good luck explaining this car in NASCAR country.

Next time someone thinks it's like NASCAR, just tell them yes and no. Tell them that it's exactly like two races out of the year at Sears Point and Watkins Glen. More than likely, it's the only two races out of the year that they probably don't watch.

PS... I was watching Horsepower TV this weekend on Spike TV and they did a short segment on activities at Road Atlanta. During the segment, they showed someone getting strapped into one of the Panoz school cars like yours (white one though) and then showed it exiting turn 12 at full song. That thing sounds very cool!

Miaugi

Are you sure thats not a Mazduh?

97C5inSD

I run into the same thing up here with my vette when i'm heading to the track. i tell them i autocross and they as whats that and where the heck i do it. well with 3 drag strips in this state and no road course i guess i can't blame them granted. No one really watches road racing up here not to mention not that alll broadcast here either.

Glad the trip home was fun can't wait to hear about some track time with that car Rember to let me know when ya get the radiator redy

Oyishdog

When are you taking it to the track? Post more pics too.

btw, I get the same dumba$$ questions/statements from gas stations in gboro too...must be something in the water.

The car looks great

Cobra4B

I agree... the LSX is an odd sounding motor that works amazingly well. But a 5.0 SBF through side pipes w/ race mufflers is really awesome.
I wanted to slap the guy
FWIW I've decided to forgoe the hassle of taking it out of the car. If I ever go w/ a supercharger or a larger cubed motor I'll be kicking myself for getting rid of it
People in general are stupid... esp Gboro Going to auto-x it locally then hit the track in February w/ NASA. I've tossed around the idea of Chin in December, but it's lots of money and I'd like to have a chance to go over the car etc. We'll see.

When's your next event?

AU N EGL

Looks like we need to puts some


ZOOM ZOOM

Stickers on Brians Mazduh

Bman

hahaha BEEP BEEP!!

LTC Z06

MungoZ06

Sweeettttt!
Yeah ... I tell folks it's not competition, and we drive clockwise and turn left AND right
If I was your dad I'd have tried to figure out how to keep it in Gboro over the winter ...

johninar

There is a Panoz that runs regularly at Hallett. The exhaust note is really fine. VERY distinctive.

Cobra4B

He doesn't have the trailer and has no place to put one... plus I have the garage space for the car and he doesn't. Also, I have a more extensive tool collection and more time to futz with the car being as I don't have a family to deal with (just a nagging GF). (My younger brother is in a wheelchair and takes a good bit of time/effort)
I love it... I wish I could take it out and rip around the back roads. It sounds way better than an LSX

Falcon

I agree, I think Ford's have a much better sound than Chevys. I don't know what makes them different, but they are.

wallyman424

cylinder firing order.

Cobra4B

Correct.

z28cp

Actually, most SBF's and pre-LS SBC's have the same firing order....

eogel

A caution before you put grommets in the car cover, if you are intending to tow with it on the car. Be aware of the abrasion the wind blown cover will have on the paint.

Cobra4B

^ Thanks somone else mentioned that.

Independent1

What a cast of characters!!

At least they made the trip interesting.

69mako