Championship Car for Sale -- see Classifieds
CARRERA NEWS
January 24, 2010 Updated
9TH YEAR OF PUBLICATION
**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS WARMING UP
**LA CARRERA PLANNING ANOTHER BIG YEAR
**PROMOTION BY BLOG
**2010 ROUTE YET UNKNOWN
**CARRERA HOTELS AND ENTRY PROCESS
**HONORING FRANK CURRIE
**CLASSIFIEDS
Championship Studebakers for Sale
**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS WARMING UP
Twenty-six North Americans have committed to the Chihuahua Express, March 19-21. Another ten or so Europeans and twenty-two Mexican racers are expected to join the fun. Virtually all of the competitors have experience in La Carrera or have run the Express before. A few have signed up for the bracket class and the regularity T/S/D rally.
The Express is three days of racing – 325 miles of top speed stages -- across some of the most remarkable landscapes in the world. It’s open-road racing at its finest; only 145 miles from Texas. Go to www.chihuahuaexpress.com and click on English for more info, or click on gbledso@aol.com to receive a three-page FAQ via email.
Registration and technical inspection are a snap, the cost is low, the time commitment is minimal, just about any car may be enrolled, and the race organization is professional. In only three years, it’s become a world-class event.
The Express Convoy leaves El Paso, Texas on March 17 for the short drive across the border and down to Chihuahua City.
**LA CARRERA PLANNING ANOTHER BIG YEAR
Eduardo de Leon, the President of La Carrera Panamericana, is predicting another big year for the event. Last year 107 competitors enrolled, up from an even 100 in 2008. Although North American participation dropped off in 2009 because of the recession, our European cousins made up the difference.
After the race was over, we learned that the brother of the President of Mexico was among the competitors! (No wonder so many Federales were hovering about!)
According to the official rules of the event, North America (Canada and the U.S.) is limited to thirty entries, but we have been granted ten more routinely over the years. However, this may be the first year we are not allowed to exceed our quota.
North Americans may reserve a spot on the grid with a deposit of $500. The deposit is non-refundable, unless the organizers refuse to accept your entry. Let me know if you are interested gbledso@aol.com.
The entry fee schedule for 2010 has also been set, but it cannot be published. The cost is $500 USD more than it was last year. You will get a $500 discount by entering before April 30.
**PROMOTION BY BLOG
Increased use of the Internet, especially YouTube, FaceBook, and bloggers like Gary Faules, has raised the visibility of La Carrera and the Chihuahua Express enormously. Now you can watch Pan Am cars blast through Mexican canyons only hours after the actual event and get nightly updates.
For the first time last October folks back home followed the race courtesy of Gary and his hardy band of amateur “reporters” and photogs in Mexico. Heck, he even covered the Coyote Convoy on its way down to Huatulco. Gary’s blog can be found at http://lacarrera2007.blogspot.com.
Other bloggers provide excellent insights and content, such as the “soul” of LCP Marcia Blas at http://roadrallyrhythms.typepad.com. Another fine example is Kristin Vance's bog at http://funksterwtf.blogspot.com. Web sites abound as well. Michael Emery’s www.LuchaLibreRacing.com provides excellent info about his team, beautiful photographs (he is a pro), and a comprehensive list of links. Even rookie Hayden Groendyke has a new web site--with an unapologetic title--http://www.winpanam.com. Hayden, who is no stranger to Mexico, is now actively promoting the Pan Am.
The expansion of the Internet and cell phone service in Mexico has also greatly improved communications during the event, making expensive satellite phones largely unnecessary. Cell and text service is available in most of Mexico, at least once we survive the first day in the boonies. Regardless, GPS tracking devices in the car would be a good thing to continue. Is there an OnStar system for racecars in Mexico? It would be good to hear a comforting voice say, “Hello. Our system has indicated that, while your airbags have not deployed, you have disappeared into a steep ravine. Are you OK? Should we call for assistance?”
This year a character called “CarreraCoyote” will “tweet” late-breaking news to Carrera competitors and crews before and during the event. To sign up for these messages, go to www.Twitter.com. Detailed info will also be posted more frequently under the “News” tab at www.panamrace.com or www.panamrace.blogspot.com.
**2010 ROUTE YET UNKNOWN
No official announcements have been made about the route of the Carrera for 2010. It is quite likely that the starting city will be Tuxtla Gutierrez. But anything is possible. We also have reason to believe that the “meta” will be Nuevo Laredo. Other overnight stops along the route may be Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, San Luis de Potosi, and Zacatecas. Wouldn’t it be nice to spend two nights in Zac?
Most 2009 competitors who responded to a brief poll in November did not wish to spend another night in Mexico City or Guadalajara. With the new, magnificent toll road around Mexico City, it is much easier to avoid that traffic nightmare, even if a few laps on the historic Dos Hermanos racetrack would be exciting.
The official route is determined by negotiations with the various cities and hotels along the route. The route will not be announced until later. When it is posted on the official web site, “CarreraCoyote” will “tweet” it. Exciting, huh? Perhaps some day these negotiations will involve multi-year arrangements, so the route can be announced earlier, rather than later.
**CARRERA HOTELS AND ENTRY PROCEDURE
The hotel package for Pan Am 2010 also have not been announced. (The publication of this newsletter has been delayed awaiting the news about the entry fee and hotels.)
Regardless, competitors may sign up by going to the main web site: www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx. The format is not user friendly, so you must have your blood type info, car info, and digital photos ready to upload in order to complete the registration.
Alternatively, North Americans may use the ’09 entry form provided at www.panamrace.com. For new people, in particular, this form solicits information useful to providing them with the best advice and assistance prior to the event. The race organizers in Mexico make all decisions about the eligibility of cars.
Hotels? Traditionally, those who enter the race first get the best hotels. Those signing up early have the best shot at scoring a room at the fabulous Quinta Real Hotel in Zacatecas.
However, more competitors are reserving rooms along the route via the Internet, rather than pay $150-300 per night to the race organizers for extra rooms for their crew or luxury accommodations. This was apparently the case last year in Huatulco, an under-utilized Pacific resort, where some competitors and their support crews stayed in less expensive hotels during the days before the race began.
**HONORING FRANK CURRIE
Frank Currie will be honored by his friends at the Grand National Roadster Show at the L.A. County fairgrounds in Pomona next weekend, January 29-31. Several of his friends will drive one of his extensive collection of roadsters to display at the show, which expects to display 500 of these cars, plus custom motorcycles and other creations. Frank and his beautiful wife Evelyn are expected to make an appearance around 1 PM on Saturday to greet everyone. As most gearheads and racers know, Frank gained fame by making bullet proof Ford 9” differentials and other car parts for hot rods, plus street and racecars. Frank, who will turn 80 this year, participated in many motorsports events, including La Carrera Panamericana, and above everything else, he’s a great guy.
**CLASSIFIEDS: CARS AND ASSISTANCE
CARRERA MUSTANG. Lease the classic ‘65 Mustang “Gypsy Wind” with 400+ HP built and specially prepared for La Carrera by Todd Landon. Arrive and drive packages, including full mechanical support and fitting the car to the crew, are available at reasonable cost. Landon’s cars have finished in the top five, including a first in the highly competitive Historic C class in 2008. Proven cars in this class cost normally cost over $75,000 and may not be ready to race. Contact Todd in Minnesota at +1-952-250-7948 or TALandon@landolakes.com.
CARRERA FALCON. Lease a lightweight ’65 Falcon built and prepared for the Carrera by Hammarlund Racing in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Last year, cars from Hammarlund’s shop dominated the Pan Am by winning the overall championship (Stig Blumquist), two firsts in class, and four of the top six spots. This new creation boasts Ford Motorsport 302 engine with a fresh four-speed Super T10 transmission driving a nine-inch differential with limited slip. Wilwood discs brakes on all four corners stop the car. Contact Mats Hammarlund at +011-52-415-1010308 or mhracing1960@gmail.com.
CARRERA CHRYSLER. 1955 Chrysler 300 Kiekhafer clone/replica built for the Mexican road race in 1997. Features: 2" dom cage, disc brakes, 32 gal.fuel cell, racing seats belts. Pontiac trans am front clip. Fun driver, registered for street. Great car for the “tourist class.” Contact Ron Davis in Ft. Collins, CO at c300r@yahoo.com.
NAVIGATOR. Jim Roxbury is available this year to navigate a Carrera car around the treacherous corners of La Bufa. Jim was Jerry Churchill’s co-piloto for eight years, including the year the duo won Historic C. He has navigated the Chihuahua Express, Targa Newfoundland, Silver State Classic, and other events with Churchill. Jim is a professional mechanic, so he adds this dimension to your cockpit team. Contact Jim at +1-763-389-1150 or RoxburyRacing@hughes.net.
NAVIGATOR. Dyana Marlett is available to navigate in the Chihuahua Express. She has served as co-piloto for Sam Burg in the LT Special for several years, both in the Express and the Carrera. Last year, her new piloto and car finished sixth place overall in the Carrera, even after a minor off-road excursion. Contact her at dwm@dyanamarlett.com.
DRIVER/NAVIGATOR. Michael Emery, Lucha Libre Racing, is looking for a partner for the 20120 Pan Am, either a funded driver or navigator in his Datsun 1600 “Fairlady.” Michael and his previous partners have probably had more fun than anyone else in this event. After all, they have a tequila company as a sponsor. Contact Michael at michael@luchalibreracing.com.
For other cars for sale and lease, see the Classifieds at www.PanAmRace.com. Also see the official Mexican web site: www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx.
CHAMPION STUDEBAKERS FOR SALE
BILL BEILHARZ IS SELLING HIS ’53 STUDEBAKER THAT WON THE CARRERA CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2008(BBeilharz@aol.com). LARS STUGEMO IS SELLING HIS ’53 AS WELL. BOTH CARS HAVE PROVEN CAPABLE OF WINNING THE BIG TROPHY. (Lars.Stugemo@hiq.se) NOT CHEAP. FOR DETAILS GO TO www.myvrl.com.
This newsletter (blog posting) may be copied, reprinted, and distributed with proper attribution. The views expressed here are the author’s and sometimes do not reflect the views of the Organizing Committee.
© Copyright Gerie Bledsoe 2010
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