[Hal Copple]

i have always thought that i was so extraordinarily to have a race car that i drive every day. My SPF has been dead reliable, with countless 1/4 mile runs, many hundreds of race course laps, and now over 45,000 miles. I have learned much from leaning over my engine compartment, or squinting up under the car. My car has never overheated, never failed to start at a touch of the tiny key, given good MPG, nor failed to allow me to merge in front of whatever car is bearing down on my on the Interstate. I, however, have been soaking wet, frozen to the bone, sunburnt, dehydrated, had eyes so watery i couldn't see, ears so blasted i could scarcely hear, and so forth.

It has provided me with friends i would not have otherwise met, been the vehicle for my son to learn racing (and defensive driving) skills, and given me countless hours of time in my garage, with one upgrade after another. I am now putting on an oiling system out of a Ray Evernham NASCAR Dodge.

I have driven 1100 miles away, to race, blasted for two days around a road course, packed up, and driven back home, with the only problem a wire falling off the alternator. I have driven about 1.4 millions miles since '63, and have been left in the lurch by every other car i ever owned.

But never by my #672 SPF.

My car has been bullet proof. I would not hesitate to gas it, and head to to the West Coast.

If i had been a youth in 1848, i would have ridden for the Pony Express.

If the rest of my life were as trouble free as my car, life would be easier.