RIP Pink Panther...

#1

http://www.facebook.com/brandon.pantas?ref=tn_tnmn

If you can not see what is in the link, it is a picture of the pink panther wrecked.
My dad was qualifying in GTS and a car stopped in front of him. He hit the car enough to rupture their fuel tank. Another car drove by and since their brake rotors were so hot it caught the gas on fire. It was a huge blaze and my dad got out with minor burns. The other driver was stuck in his car and my dad heard him yelling. My dad rushed to the mans fire engulfed car with out a helmet and undid his seatbelt so the guy could get out of the burning car. My dad is fine other than a few bruises and some minor burns. He was a true hero and i am glad that i am repairing a car rather than repairing a father.

#2

Holy shit! Damn glad that Jim is ok. Sorry to hear about the Panther tho.

Every kid should learn that their dad is a hero. Awesome.

#3

Brandon/Jim, the Charlotte Auto fair is 9/20-23.

I was thinking about going to the show and then spend a day at the Pantas complex turning wrenches.

Will you have a shell ready to work on by 9/20?

Others wish to go to the Auto Fair and Pantas complex?

RP

#4

Robert,
We already have a shell, it is the car that i built for my dad as a street car. The engine is still good in the panther, so we just have to transfer the motor and a few parts that are still good. I have high hopes for its debut at CMP in two months.

#5

Brandon,

Not many people are put into a position risking injury in the course of saving another person’s life. We all question ourselves that, if put in the same situation your Dad was, would we have the courage to do what your Dad did? Your Dad is a true hero. The NASA Brass were so blown away at what your Dad did. At the official’s farewell dinner at the Road House restaurant Sunday night, Will Faules led a rousing toast to your Dad with all the NASA officials/volunteers raising a glass in his honor. Your Dad did a great thing saving that Porsche racer and I’m sure will get formal acknowledgment of his heroism from NASA.

Cheers,
Scott Neville

#6

[quote=“sneville44” post=68360]Brandon,

Not many people are put into a position risking injury in the course of saving another person’s life. We all question ourselves that, if put in the same situation your Dad was, would we have the courage to do what your Dad did? Your Dad is a true hero. The NASA Brass were so blown away at what your Dad did. At the official’s farewell dinner at the Road House restaurant Sunday night, Will Faules led a rousing toast to your Dad with all the NASA officials/volunteers raising a glass in his honor. Your Dad did a great thing saving that Porsche racer and I’m sure will get formal acknowledgment of his heroism from NASA.

Cheers,
Scott Neville[/quote]

Scott, the news about Jim, now that’s cool. Least we can do is help reinvent the Pink Panther.

Then, again, I better call Mom and make sure she’s ok with yet “another” danged race car.

RP

RP

#7

Jim is a true Hero, Gentleman, Generous, Considerate etc kind of guy. All in all I am humbly proud to say I know Jim Pantas

#8

Pffft. He smelled something burning and thought it was fajitas so he ran toward the smoke.

#9

Sorry to hear about the Panther and glad Jim is ok. Very heroic. I guess now I will have to laugh at all his lame as jokes as a sign of respect from now on.

#10

BRAVO!

#11

[quote=“sneville44” post=68360]Brandon,

Not many people are put into a position risking injury in the course of saving another person’s life. We all question ourselves that, if put in the same situation your Dad was, would we have the courage to do what your Dad did? Your Dad is a true hero. The NASA Brass were so blown away at what your Dad did. At the official’s farewell dinner at the Road House restaurant Sunday night, Will Faules led a rousing toast to your Dad with all the NASA officials/volunteers raising a glass in his honor. Your Dad did a great thing saving that Porsche racer and I’m sure will get formal acknowledgment of his heroism from NASA.

Cheers,
Scott Neville[/quote]

Here are a few photos I took:

#12

I can bring a shell from a '89.The price is right.FREE.

RP

#13

[quote=“Patton” post=68459]I can bring a shell from a '89.The price is right.FREE.

RP[/quote]Robert -

I offered the same. I believe they are using the “street car” that Brandon put together for Jim just before Nationals.

#14

Hero in my book and I am glad I can race with people who are that heads-up! Let us know how we can help.

#15

My hat’s off to Jim. very cool. That was a brave, generous, and selfless act. What would we do if faced with the same dangerous situation??? We know what Jim did. 3 Cheers!
It’s hard to see how the engine in the Panther made it OK. Must have had it’s own roll cage!