Update:: I told the my mechanic, to look at the clutch as it might be a bit glazed. Well he called me today and recommended changing it out as the Clutch, Disc and Flywheel, and throw-out bearing all show signs of extreme over heating.

(sorry for poor quality pic= cell phone camera)

Flywheel is fine, but the rest has hots spots and pitting.
I've been driving with manual shifters since I was 15. I dont think I could have done such damage to the clutch and not on other vehicles I've own in the past. I'm thinking that being that I bought the Sportie used maybe the previous owner rode the clutch in its earlier miles.

Any thoughts?

But serously, I'm not driving (and 4x4ing) any harder that I've driven, Jeeps, AMC Eagle, Sentra 4x4 wagon, Dodge Raider and Cherokees!