La Carrera 2011 -- Final Report

CARRERA NEWS
December 2011 Final Report

**La Carrera 2011 – The “Great War of Attrition”
**The First Day – A Two-Pony Race?
**The Final Results – Still a Two-Pony Race
**Other Honorable Mentions
**Cure PCSD – Sign Up for the Chihuahua Express!
**Plans for LCP 2012 – Speak Up
**Contributions for Lupita
**Classifieds
**Legal
**Contact Information

**La Carrera 2011 – The “Great War of Attrition”

It is truly a romantic notion: a middle-aged male leasing a white ’65 Ford Mustang painted with vivid Mexican colors to participate in La Carrera Panamericana, the Mexican Road Race. Then the rookie convinces his spouse or partner that:

“Heck, the Pan Am is just a rally around the old colonial Mexican towns, with good food and fine tequila at every stop. After all, before the race we can work on our tans, basking on the pristine beaches of Huatulco. What’s not to like? Besides it’s been on my bucket list for several years now.”

By the time our hero manages to roll his rented Mustang over on its roof during the second day of the Pan Am, his partner probably has some notion that this race is not just another wine and cheese rally around the chateau of the Loire Valley.

Truth or fiction? Sadly, this romantic story was mostly true this year, but certain details have been changed to protect the not-so-innocent!

Yes, the revival of Pan Am, like the original in1950-1954, could be considered an automotive war of attrition fought out across the mountains of Mexico, one of the few countries in the world that still allows major highways to be closed so the more fortunate may race vintage hot rods from one end of the country to another.

The “Pana” may not be good for the local bus and truck drivers on tight schedules, but the race is considered an excellent way to promote tourism, a major commitment of the current administration in the nation’s capitol.

Looking down the carnage along the route, the High Command generals on both sides in WW I would have understood. “You get it together, you keep it going regardless, and let the last car running claim victory! “

On the first day of competition, for example, of the 114 cars that should have stated the race, thirty-four had no times posted at the end of the day. This group included (1) those cars that simply did not start the race, several for mechanical reasons, (2) those cars wrecked or disabled that did not finish the day, and (3) those that had malfunctioning timing “chips.” The largest group was clearly #2.

So it was in the 24th revival of LCP, October 21-27, 2011.

¡Viva Mexico! ¡Viva La Carrera!


**The First Day: A Two-Pony Race?

It is difficult to review the results of the race because the complete and final results have not been posted on the official website. What follows is therefore unofficial and incomplete.

The pre-race favorites for the overall championship were two: Michel Jourdain, Jr. (MEX) and Doug Mockett (USA). Jourdain, a recent Indy Car driver, has impressive racing credentials, and was made the pre-race favorite. Mockett won the race in 2002 and has been close a couple of years since, aided by his talented Mexican navigator, Angelica Fuentes.

Other contenders, all from Mexico, were: Gabriel Perez, Carlos Castillo, Ricardo Triviño, and Franco Márquez, soldiering along in his underdog Hudson. Marc Devis (Belg.) was considered an outside threat. But the handicappers thought it was really a two-horse race, between Jourdain and Mockett. After all, Jourdain had defeated Mockett at the Chihuahua Express last spring and was sponsored by the Mexican media giant Televisa. All cameras were focused on Señor Jourdain.

Within the first few speed stages of the morning of Day #1, the number of leading contenders was suddenly reduced when the engine in Jourdain’s Studebaker “let go.” Jourdain would return to the race the next day with a fresh engine, but with no real prospects of winning.

During the morning of the first day, the race headed south along the Pacific to Salina Cruz, a petroleum refining center on the Pacific about 95 miles from Huatulco. As is usual, the winding route along the coast was soon littered with wrecked and disabled vintage autos.

In addition to Jourdain’s Studebaker, a beautiful BMW 2002 and a faux “Grand Sport” Corvette suffered severe body damage in separate one-car accidents, but reportedly, there were no serious injuries. All of the wrecked cars returned to the race in a day or two, even the Corvette, which had rolled over in a ditch.

After an hour of service at a big PEMEX gas station in Salina Cruz, the race continued north on the old Pan Am Highway to the city of Oaxaca, about 155 miles away. Again, the route across the mountains was littered with wrecked and disabled cars. Not only were race cars dropping like flies, but three race officials’ cars were spotted “on the hook,” as well as several service trucks. Trailer and tow truck space was at a premium.

The combination of the heat, fast pace, and the mountain roads was taking its toll. In one small village, a local car clipped the front of a Land Rover carrying press people, forcing it to hitch a ride on a race car’s trailer.

The two-horse race concept was unexpectedly renewed when Ricardo Triviño, a Mexican rally champion, nursing a car with transmission problems, finished the day in first place, 16 seconds ahead of Mockett. From this point on, Triviño, not Jourdain, became Mexico’s best hope to reclaim the overall Pan Am championship. It’s too bad that Televisa’s cameras were not installed in Triviño’s car.

**The Final Results – Still a Two-Pony Race

How did the race end seven days later? As it began, with Triviño squeezing out a controversial win over Mockett by only 4.5 seconds—after seven days and 3000 KM of racing.

Why “controversial”? Mockett’s navigator, Fuentes, filed a protest against Triviño for blocking her car for several miles in one of the last two speed stages during the second day. It is clear from the daily results that Triviño’s car was suffing mechanical problems and was slowing down dramatically at the end of the day. Video shot of the car by a spectator suggests that the carburetor was not adjusted properly (too rich). The transmission linkage was also out of adjustment, according to one source in a position to know.

The protest by Fuentes, virtually unheard of in the annals of the Pan Am, reportedly failed because she had no proof of the violation. Neither car had a video camera, so it was her word against his. If Triviño had been found guilty, under the rules the penalty would have been disqualification. Defenders of Triviño claim that he pulled over to let Mockett pass, but that Mockett did not seize the opportunity.

In addition, on Day #4, entering Queretaro, Triviño received aid from a third party, when a timing official left his post to return the car’s time card, which they left at Control “C” at the end of the last speed stage. Furthermore, Triviño did not follow the prescribed course in the route book. Instead, he missed the Control T at the race track in Queretaro (where the laps had been canceled) and went directly downtown to the finishing arch. For these transgressions, Triviño was penalized one minute, according to unnamed sources not authorized to speak on his behalf.

To underscore the two-pony aspect of this race, the overall third-place finishers at the end of the race, Hilaire Damiron and Horacio Chousal (Mex), lagged more than ten minutes behind Mockett and Triviño! That is a bunch.

The surprise fourth place car overall and 1st in Historic C, a Historic C Mustang, was driven by Ignacio Izaurieta, a Mexican WRC rally driver. Mexicans Carlos Castillo, Francisco Márquez and Gabriel Pérez followed.

Mats Linden, driving what was reported to be a legitimate FIA Mustang with a 289 engine, finished 8th overall and 2d in Historic C. On the first day of the event, Linden had finished an impressive third overall.

Stewart and Linda Robertson notched a highly respectable 9th place finish in their beautiful Turismo Mayor Studebaker. Unlike most of those who finished ahead of them, the Robertson’s normally race only one event each year – LCP.

Jochen Mass, former F1 driver, who was running on only seven cylinders for most of the event, finished 11th, while pre-race favorite Michel Jourdain roared back to finish 13th, even after suffering a serious off-road excursion on Day #6 and problems on Mil Cumbres.

The anticipated re-match in Historic A Plus -- between Martin Lauber and Conrad Stevenson in their Alfa, the “Taxi Perdido,” and Taz Harvey and Rudy Vajdak in a Datsun 510 -- lived up to expectations when Lauder finished only 0.82 seconds ahead of Harvey at the end of the first day.

On Day# 5, Harvey finished fifth overall, the best showing for both drivers. However, pushing the cars so hard resulted in more mechanicals for each, and at least one “off” by the Taxi. Ironically, they finished next to each other, Harvey in 29th by 27 seconds over Lauber in 30th, and fourth and fifth in Historic A Plus. Mechanical problems probably kept both cars from finishing in the top ten.

The top U.S. drivers in Historic C were John and Ben Greenwood -- in one of Todd Landon’s Mustangs -- in 19th place overall.

John Gregory finished 45th and first in OPA despite the fact he was missing his regular navigator and spirited spouse, Chrislana.

Carson Scheller, a prior OPA Champion, and his daughter Lauren struggled with mechanical problems and fell back to 78th yet stayed on the podium in this small class. It was also good to see David Buchanan show up in his beautiful Chrysler in this class, which needs more entries.

**Other Honorable Mentions

Each crew in the Pan Am has a story to tell of their trails and tribulation. Here’s just a few of the participants who deserve special notice.

René Rodriguez and Vance Stewart (II and III) finished third in their car, ”El Jefe,” in Turismo Production while running against cars that some believe exceed the specifications of this class.

Paul Hladky finished his first LCP in 31st place in his green and white ’64 Corvette. Paul lost his father in an aviation accident on October 1, but decided to participate in the race. He was my pre-race candidate for the “Spirit of Carrera” award.

Steve Waldman and Felipe Arguelles not only finished in the top third, but did not suffer a serious mechanical problem the whole way. Felipe thus lost his bet with his mechanics and shaved his head in Zacatecas.

Pedro Vidal, whose Mini rolled on Day #5 while trying to pass another car, pledges like that famous general, “I shall return.” Pedro is nursing four broken ribs. His navigator, Dr. José Abreu, who was not injured, has warned him not to sneeze for six months.

Daniela Wagner and Silvia Linder from Germany, the only all-woman crew in the race, finished 43d in their Porsche 911.

LCP book author Johnny Tipler and his handsome partners Sara Baggs-Bennett and driver-wrench Bill Hemmer carried on in the best English tradition-- stiff upper lip and all--in their Porsche 914.

The only crew to actually drive their car from Texas to the start of the race in the Coyote Convoy and then race it back to Zacatecas, Thomas Ledergerber and Tino Schmidt (GER), even after bouncing off a guardrail, finished 44th in their V8 Mercedes. They too were also deserving candidates for the”Spirit of Carrera” award.

The ”Spirit of Carrera” award, however, was given to Joe Ramirez – the first Mexican F1 crew chief. Ramirez is listed as finishing third in Historic A, but reportedly the officials have upheld a protest by Pedro Vidal, Roger Sullivan, and John Herzler (USA ) that may bump him off the podium. Apparently when Ramirez’s Volvo’s engine pooped out on Day #1, he switched to another car, a similar Volvo, initially registered in Historic A Plus.

Roger Sullivan and John Herzler’s Volvo finished all the stages and, as noted above, could be soon listed as finishing in third place in Historic A. Not bad for their first trip to Mexico.

Predator Racing (David Hinton) deserves recognition because of its podium finishes in Sports Mayor but also because of the quality and beauty of their classic entries: two beautiful Jaguar 150s and one all-aluminum ‘58 Maserati.

Kevin Kelly and his ’55 Chrysler 300 – one of three identical NASCAR replicas – deserves mention as well. His car looked great and finished well. Too bad one of his partners reneged on driving the second car and another partner’s wife had emergency surgery. Next year perhaps all three of these magnificent automobiles will be in the race.

Walt Sikes and Gordon Walton drove a conservative race in their beautiful teo-liter Porsche 911, finished well, and will be back next year, probably with more engine and brakes.

As ever, Hayden Groendyke thrilled all with his glorious, supercharged ’49 Caddy-Vette racing in Exhibition.

After a few frustrating years, old friend Jake Shuttlesworth and young friend Tony Bogovich finished in their Ford—not a “Stang or “Falcoon”—but a red Fairlane.

Several of these racers have already signed up for the Chihuahua Express in March.

The BIG OOPS! Award must go the crew of the “new” white Mustang fastback that collided head-on with a civilian car going around a corner after a speed stage had been canceled. From the photos, it was clear that the Mustang was going too fast -- in the wrong lane. It was fortunate that the people in the front seat of the civilian car were belted in and had airbags. Some of the injuries in both cars, while not life-threatening, were serious. Both vehicles looked like total losses. This will be a huge hit for the event’s insurance carrier.

For the unofficial, final results go to http://lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx/resultados, and look for the results for Day #7 (bottom right of chart).

**Cure PCSD – Sign Up for the Chihuahua Express!

Pilotos and co-pilotos suffering from PCSD (Post-Carrera Stress Disorder) should take the cure by signing up for the 6th Annual Chihuahua Express, March 23-25, 2012. Why wander around aimlessly, mumbling about Mil Cumbres and La Bufa? Send in your Express entry, get that race car into the shop, and ready for the Express!

The Express is around 330 miles of speed stages in a 1000 mile event. The early entry fee is only $2000 USD. Hotels are extra.

Both modern and classic (Pan Am) cars may race, and the rules are basically the same as LCP. And the best part is returning to the same luxury hotel room each night and having the driver’s meeting downstairs – on time and with the results.

An application will be sent upon request. Just hit reply on your email.


**Plans for LCP 2012 – Speak Up!

The LCP Organizing committee is considering a major change in the route next year: starting the event in Zacatecas and ending in Huatulco -- in effect, reversing the course. Since 1951, the original Pan Am ran from the south of Mexico towards the north, so has the revival since 1988.

Critics of this proposal point out that the south to north route was implemented in 1951 to keep more cars with the event, running or not. For example, a North American crew with engine problems will be more willing stay with the race if it is headed toward Zacatecas, 426 miles from the border, than Huatulco which is four times that far from the border.

Send your comments about the proposed route and the event to: lalo@lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx

**Contributions for Lupita

More than $2700 USD dollars were contributed during LCP 2011 to help support the Mexican nurse, Guadalupe Hernandez, who lost both legs at the hip when pinned against the ambulance by a Carrera race car in 2003. A special thanks to Stewart and Linda Robertson, Dr. Ralph Carungi, and Todd Landon for their generous support. Additional contributions may be sent to:

Doug Mockett and Co., Inc.
1915 Abalone Ave
Torrance, CA 90501

Please make the check out to “Carrera Friends of Lupita Hernandez.”

**Signing Up for LCP 2012

As noted above, the route for the event in 2012 is being developed. The dates, route, and the entry fee also have not been announced. Applications will not be considered by the Organizing Committee until February 1. The Organizing Committee will make the decision about which cars will be allowed to participate.

Given the popularity of the event in Mexico, even with continuing problems with timing and scoring, the event will probably be a sell out for the fifth straight year, especially if the event’s Silver Anniversary is celebrated.

If you are considering running the event next year, be prepared to present your entry early. If you have not run the Pan Am before, you also should be able to provide the Organizers with a technical description of your car, plus a complete set of plans and diagram for the roll cage. Photos of the finished car may be more important than ever.

As reported in CARRERA NEWS before, the Organizers are looking for more diversity among the cars. According to Mr. Leon, as recently as this week, the event seems to have exceeded its quota of Ford Mustangs, faux Shelbys, Falcons, and Porsche 911/912s.

The Organizers are known to be partial to four-cylinder sports cars and sedans made up until 1972 or thereabouts. Classics from the ‘50s, and exotics, specials, and certified replicas are also invited warmly.

The under-subscribed classes are: Turismo Production, Sports Mayor (over 2000 cc), and Sports Menor (under 2000 cc). Also, the Original Pan Am class needs an infusion of entries. Where are all those ’54 “Hot Rod” Lincolns hiding?

Additional information about entering the event in 2012 and the preparation of cars will be provided upon request.

**Classifieds

Advertize your car for sale or lease here for a $50 contribution, which is used to support www.PanAmRace.com . The car will be listed there for the entire year, too.

**Legal

LCP, like other forms of auto racing, is very dangerous, and potentially addictive.

**Contact Information

Gerie Bledsoe, Coordinator
La Carrera Panamericana and Chihuahua Express
USPO address: 220 N. Zapata Hwy Ste 11
PMB 68B
Laredo, TX 78043
1-650-525-9190 (Home office)
1-650-867-9488 (mobile, only in US)
Number in Mexico +52-415-185-8470
Email: gbledso@aol.com
www.panamrace.com
www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx
www.chihuahuaexpress.com

Carrera car number: Chevy II, Nova, #395, Historic C (1999-2011)

Carrera Office, Mexico City 1-310-6959 (U.S. number)
Email info@lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx

© Gerie Bledsoe 2011

Announcing the 6th Annual Chihuahua Express

Racing the Wind during the Chihuahua Express!

On March 23, 2012 fifty or sixty colorful race cars – classic and modern -- will challenge the open roads across the deserts of Northern Mexico. Get ready for the sixth annual Chihuahua Express (March 23-25). It promises three full days of open-road racing at its finest.

Here’s the best deal in open-road racing, rally style:

--a 1000+ mile (1670 KM) stage rally, around 330 miles (540 KM) at top speed
--only 220 miles south, or 145 miles west, of Texas
--return to the same hotel each night
--accurate timing and prompt results each day
--short driver’s meetings….that start on time
--five days, not two+ weeks, of your time
--cars will start the speed runs in one-minute intervals (a huge safety factor)
--the weather is always sunny
--excellent roads, beautiful landscapes, including the famous Copper Canyon
--hundreds of police and emergency personnel standing by

How much? Only $2,000 USD (same as last year) if paid by December. $2200/2400, if paid later.

Hotels are extra. $165 per night, tax and service included, at the four-star Soberano Hotel. Less at the Holiday Inn Express, City Express, Ramada, or Hampton. Registration, tech, and driver’s meetings are held at the Soberano, which has a huge parking lot for service trucks. Most competitors stay five nights in Chihuahua City (Wednesday-Sunday nights).

The Express Convoy will lead trucks and cars from the U.S. and Canada down to Chihuahua City from Santa Teresa, New Mexico on Wednesday, March 21.

Competition Classes

Normally aspirated:
up to 1.6 liter
1.6 to 2.5 liter
2.5 to 4.6 liter
Turbos
same displacement classes as above

Specials (Organizer’s option)

Unlimited

Pan Am – these cars will run in their respective classes.

Normally, it takes three similar cars to make a class. If there are not enough cars to make a class, the cars will move to the next highest class. Normally there are enough Turismo Mayor, Historic C, and OPA cars to make their classes. Double medals will be awarded each night, with double plates (trophies) at the end of the event for each class and overall.

The Express Tour

Not ready to race at top speeds, but want to sample Mexico and the event? Sign up for the Express Tour for only $1200 by December or pay $1400 later.

All competitors, including Tour participants, must hold a rally license from FEMADAC, the Federation of Mexican Auto Sports, for $280 USD, which is valid for the entire year. You may obtain the application from www.femadac.org.mx and apply by express mail or obtain your license at registration in Chihuahua. This license also provides a certain amount of medical and life insurance.

Race cars need not be “street legal” or registered in the U.S. to compete, but they should have headlights, horn, flashers, etc., for driving after sunset and in regular traffic. A title is necessary to import them into Mexico with a tourist sticker.

Safety Equipment

All competition cars must have a six-point roll cage at a minimum. The cage should be properly braced, reinforced, and attached to the car. All cage designs for new cars should be submitted for prior approval and/or suggestions for improvement before the event. Any car that fails tech will be offered the option of participating in the Tour, but there are no refunds for any car that fails tech.

Snell 2005 helmets, two-layer racing suits, five/six point belts, fire bottles, and HANS, Leatt, or SFI/FIA-rated head and neck restraint devices are required.

Please read the rules closely at www.chihuahuaexpress.com. Significant changes in the rules are not expected this year.

Need More Reasons to Sign Up?

--It’s a great way to learn how to run a stage rally Mexican style.
--It’s a superb venue to test a new car and take it through tech in Mexico for the first time.
--It’s a driver’s race: not many distractions, not many towns, nor speed bumps (topes).
--Rental race cars are readily available, just ask.
--You will be provided detailed information about the event, how to enter and exit Mexico, and to make the most of the Express.

Payment Information

Send your check for the entry fee $2000 made payable to Manuel “Chacho” Medina to:

Gerie Bledsoe
PMB 68B
220 N. Zapata Hwy Ste 11
Laredo, TX 78043

Phone: 1-650-525-9190 (USA)
+52-415-185-8470 (Mexico)

If you want to stay at the Soberano (HQ) Hotel add $165 for each night, normally five nights ($825). All payments and hotel reservations will be confirmed. Partial refunds and credit for next year are at the discretion of the Organizer in case of medical or other emergencies.

The Chihuahua Express is part of the Silver State
Classic Challenge Championship
www.sscc.us

CARRERA NEWS -- PRE-RACE EDITION

Carrera News
October 2011

**THE ENTRIES FOR 2011
**ISO DIVERSITY: SELECTING A CAR
**REVIVING ORIGINAL PAN AM
**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS, March 23-25, 2012
**COYOTE CONVOY
**SHORT ITEMS
**PAN AM RULES ISSUED
**LEGAL MUMBO
**CONTACT INFORMATION

**THE ENTRIES FOR 2011

At last count, over 100 cars have been accepted into the 24th modern Pan Am event This year. According to Eduardo “Lalo” Leon, the Organizer of the race, 45 cars remain on the wait list.

Why the great influx in participation in recent years? It’s primarily due to a huge increase in Mexican entries, plus a smaller increase from Europe. Entries from the U.S. and Canada (44 applications, 38 accepted) are down from their high of 54 entries in 2005, probably because of the bad press Mexico gets in the U.S. and the overall economy, plus the pressure from Mexican hopefuls.

Mustang-Falcons and Porsche 911s will dominate the event numerically this year. At last count there are 22-24 Mustang-Falcons and 15-17 Porsche 911s registered. Over one-third of all entries will be these models.

Oh, where did all the Chevys go? Fortunately, there are three or four midyear Corvettes enrolled, plus one funky blue Chevy II Nova 400 and perhaps, a Chevelle.

Sadly, one of the three ’55 Chrysler 300s being prepared by Mr. Kevin Kelly in North Carolina had to drop out. But the entry list includes four VWs running in Exhibition and Hayden Groendyke’s beautiful ’49 Cadillac, sporting a “built” Corvette 427 under the bonnet.

Stafford Galen and Kaminc Ko will represent Mopar enthusiasts in a ’65 Dart that made a big impression on the track in Aguascalientes last year. The car will also pay special tribute to Loyal “Tio” Truesdale, reputedly one of the founders of the Pan Am and long-time guru for American racers. Truesdale passed away a year ago, and will be remembered as one of the great raconteurs of all time.

Competitors to watch? Aficionados are eagerly awaiting the rematch between los norteamericanos Taz Harvey and Rudy Vajak in their Datsun 510, against Martin Lauder and his ace co-driver/mechanico Conrad Stevenson in a Alfa sedan, a.k.a. ”Taxi Perdido,” in Historic A+.

Last year the two cars were only seconds apart on most speed stages. After giving up 20 minutes the first day, Harvey was faster three of the following six days and tied Lauber-Stevenson one day. At the end, Harvey finished only 4 minutes behind the Taxi. Lauber was first in class and 8th overall. This year, expect to see two of the Historic A+ cars in the top ten. Not bad for under 2000 c.c.

Overall winner this year? The favorite is Michel Jordain, Jr. (Mexico), the LCP runner up in 2010 and victor in the Chihuahua Express last April. Jordain’s Studebaker will be prepared by Mats Hammarlund Racing, whose cars have won the last two Carreras and the recent Patrio Rally. Doug Mockett and Angelica Fuentes in their ’54 “Oldsmobile” will be strong challengers. There are several other Mexican crews capable of pulling off an upset, including the Pimentel boys.

In the huge Historic C class, The Pony Car Derby, look for former F1 driver Jochen Mass, driving a non-FIA Mustang, to lead the herd of ‘Stangs to victory, if Ralph Christensson falters in his Rally Falcon. Of course, there may be a sleeper among the Corvettes, and Bill Shanahan should return to the top ten in his well-prepared FIA Rally Falcon.

**ISO DIVERSITY: SELECTING A CAR

As noted above, about one-third of this year’s entries are Ford Mustang-Falcons and Porsche 911/912s. Given this situation, the Organizing Committee is encouraging future competitors to select a different brand of automobile to ensure diversity and increase spectator interest.

The new Historic A+ class should be of interest to potential rookies. It includes all four-cylinder sports cars and sedans made from 1965-1972 with engines of up to 2 liters. Cars made after 1972, which offer no mechanical advantage over the ‘72 model may participate. These cars may use a modern engine of up to 1600 cc. Right now, the class enrolls mostly Volvos, Alfas, Datsun 510s, and two Porsche 914s, one driven by Carrera book author Johnny Tipler and his beautiful and skilled co-driver Sarah Bennett-Baggs.

What to earn a trophy by just finishing? Enter Sports Mayor and Sports Menor. Given the fact that there are only three or four cars in each class, there’s a good chance if you just finish the race, you will be on the podium. Some replicas are accepted in each class, too.

The Organizers also like the Datsun Z cars and have amended the rules to allow them to participate in Historic B. Two are entered this year.

**REVIVING ORIGINAL PAN AM

Original Pan Am is another class that is vastly under-subscribed this year. This class enlists cars made from 1940-1954, as did the original race in 1950. By rule, the cars should be prepared like they ran in 1954, that is, “pretty much stock.”

OPA cars may use disc brakes, dual master cylinders, 12 volt electronics, modern ignitions, and aluminum radiators/updated cooling systems. The Organizers want these cars to be dependable, safe, and fast enough to keep up with the pack. The gap between OPA and Historic C is a becoming a little blurry.

In this class a ’54 Ford V8 with manual transmission and overdrive--think six speeds--seems to be the pick of the class. Other popular cars include: ’54 Lincolns, ‘54 Studebakers, ’54 Olds, and ’54 Hudsons.

Because the moving parts of engines in the Pan Am are “free,” some of these older engines produce significantly more power than they did in 1954. Unfortunately, most of these cars were not available in ’54 with manual transmissions, so some drivers have a problem finding an automatic box that will perform well in the mountains of Mexico and survive the heat for seven punishing days.

Personally, I would like to see a Nash with a big straight six run the event, like the car used by NASCAR founder Bill France and Curtis Turner, NASCAR piloto, back in the ‘50s. There’s a rumor that someone is building such a car in Northern California. And where is that “fabulous” Hudson Hornet that was supposed to return to Mexico!?

Like Bobby Johnson once said, “we need more of these original cars to restore the Pan Am as a true vintage event, and not just a race dominated by hot rods that only look old.

In fact some have argued that the rules should be altered to allow more entries from the large number of historic cars racing in vintage leagues in the U.S.

**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS, March 23-25, 2012

The next Express is scheduled for March 23-25, 2012, Chihuahua City, Mexico. It will three days of exciting racing over 1000 miles of paved, excellent roads, with about 300 miles of speed stages. The registration fee is $2400 USD, but there will a discount if paid before December 1. Accommodations at the luxury Soberano Hotel are extra.

The event is open to modern and classic cars. Pan Am cars will race in their respective classes.

Don’t want to put a six-point cage in your C Jag or Maybach? OK, you may also enroll in the regularity (TSD) rally, bracket racing, or the Express Tour for a much lower fee. All things considered, this event is clearly more bang for your buck. Driving these roads, across these impressive landscapes at any decent speed, is just plain fun.

If you are interested, please request the three-page brochure about the Express by hitting the reply button, and go to the official web site, www.chihuahuaexpress.com.

The Express is highly recommended for competitors who want to learn how to stage rally in Mexico before the LCP in October, since both events use the same rules. Also, the Express offers an excellent opportunity to test your car at speed, on a twisty Mexican road. It also will take only a week or less of your time.

After all, we get to return to the same hotel each night and sleep in the same bed. No hunting for the hotel or driver’s meeting each night, or toting suitcases across town. What could be sweeter, the maids?

What are you waiting for?

**COYOTE CONVOY

Competitors towing their cars or having them transported to Huatulco in October and other interested parties are invited to participate in the 10th Annual Coyote Convoy. The Convoy will leave Laredo, Texas on Friday, October 14, a day earlier than usual. It will again stop for two nights in San Miguel de Allende for a little R & R, before going on to Oaxaca on Sunday and Huatulco on Monday, October 17. Registration and inspection do not open until the next day around 10:00 AM.

Most of the competitors will import their race cars and tow vehicles with temporary tourist vehicle permits. The permits cost around $42 USD, plus a deposit of from $200-$400 USD to ensure the vehicles are exported from Mexico after the race. The deposit may be paid in cash or by credit/debit card. When the vehicle is properly exported, the deposit will be refunded.

It is also possible to use the services of a Mexican Customs Agent (broker.)

Following the end of the race in Zacatecas, the convoy, or portions of it, will return to Nuevo Laredo on Friday, October 28, at 08:00. Some of the competitors plan to return to the West coast via El Paso, Texas.

The convoy is open to all competitors and spectators. It is a service provided by the North American Coordinator. According to the rules, however, competitors are solely responsible for getting their cars to the start of the race.

**SHORT ITEMS

Guanajuato Crowds – this city will be crowded not because the Carrera will stop there for the night, but during this period, the city (and San Miguel de Allende) is the site of the famous Cervantino, one of the biggest music and arts festivals in the world. Too bad we won’t have time to take in a concert. Bring your viola and join the fun!

Pan Am Pre-Race Tour – nine racers, including several spouses, attended the first Pan Am Pre-Race Tour in San Miguel de Allende in early September. The tour included training in stage-rally navigation, plus visits to several key speed stages in the area, plus the cities of Morelia and Guanajuato. Some spouses made the best of San Miguel’s cultural attractions and spas. The tour will be offered again next year in late August or early September.

Carrera Panamericana Museum Opens – in Cancun. It may not be in the center of the country or in one of the cities along the usual route, but LCP now has its own museum. Check out the official LCP home page for a nice photo.

Carrera Fiesta in Carmel-- thanks to the hard work of host Bill Hemmer (Historic A+) the annual fiesta in conjunction with the historic races at Laguna Seca was an unqualified success. Around 85 people attended, along with ten Carrera cars on display. Hemmer had souvenir hats specially made for Eduardo Leon and Monica Grossman Leon, the Organizers of the Pan Am. Although they were unable to attend, the hats were presented to them during the Patrio Rally in Morelia on September 17.

**PAN AM RULES ISSUED

Promised way back in February, the rules for the 2011 LCP were finally posted on the official web site in Spanish late last month and were issued in English a week or two later.

The primarily change in the rules, a concept first announced officially in June, is the limit on speed for these classes: Turismo Production, Turismo Mayor, Sports Mayor, and Historic C. The first three classes are from the highly modified Panamericana Group (1940-1954), while the Historic C cars (with V8 engines) belong to the Historic Group (1955-1965).

Each car in these classes must use an electronic ignition system, like MSD or Mallory, which allows the engine’s RPM to be limited. The maximum RPM depends on the rear-gear ratio (differential) and the diameter of the tires. (The ratio of the top gear in the transmission must be 1:1.)

The limits on speed are: Turismo Production (144.6 MPH), Turismo Mayor (146.6 MPH), Sports Mayor (142.8 MPH), and Historic C (142.8 MPH). 144.6 MPH=232.6 KPH, and 142.8 MPH=229.8 KPH, according to the information provided by the committee.

Given the fact that there are few long straights in the current Pan Am’s route, the limit on top speed is not considered by some vets to be a significant in the outcome of the race, although it does limit the playing field (track?) somewhat, giving Historic C and, perhaps, Historic B cars (like Porsche 911s) a better chance at an overall win.

This race is mostly about the amount of torque the engine produces and how it is applied. In this race, the most successful cars produce a lot of torque in the lower and mid-ranges for climbing the hills and mountains. An engine that produces most of its torque at redline, like a track car, is just about useless in this event.

The new rules go into much greater detail about the modifications allowed, especially In Historic C. A special report on new the Historic C rules will be provided in the next CARRERA NEWS.

**LCP 2012? – APPLY IN NOVEMBER

Proposed North American entries for the 25th Anniversary Carrera Panamericana next year will be accepted by the North American Coordinator (NAC) in November, shortly after the dust settles from this year’s event. Application forms will be provided to this list by the end of the first week in November. Based on last year’s experience and anticipated demand, North Americans should expect between 35 and 40 slots.

Applicants should remember that the Organizers, who will make the final selection, will seek to provide a diverse field. Rookies should choose their car accordingly.

**LEGAL MUMBO

The views expressed in CARRERA NEWS are those of the author and may not (probably don’t) represent the views of the Organizing Committee. The author is a competitor and any advice he offers may constitute a conflict of interest.

All forms of motor sports are inherently dangerous, and La Carrera Panamericana is no exception. It is a long, hard endurance race at high speeds mostly along mountain roads. Mechanical failures are common, accidents not uncommon, and serious injury and even death are possible. Crews will sign a waiver holding the Organizers harmless.

Cars should be carefully prepared, with an emphasis on safety (brakes, seat belts, roll cage, etc.), and driven prudently. Drivers and navigators should remember that the most important goal is to finish. Unless you finish, nothing else counts.

©Gerie Bledsoe 2011

CARRERA NEWS -- JULY

CARRERA NEWS

JULY, 2011 A Midsummer Night’s Edition



**CARRERA CITY: SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE

**JOIN THE PRE-RACE TOUR , SEPT. 8-13

**COYOTE CONVOY

**CARRERA FIESTA, MONTEREY, AUG. 20

**ENTRIES

**LCP RULES – PENDING

**CLASSIFIEDS

**LEGAL

**CONTACT INFORMATION



**CARRERA CITY: SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE



It is official: the 2011 Pan Am race will stop for lunch and service in beautiful San Miguel de Allende on October 25. The city will welcome the 120 race cars with open arms.

Picked by Condé Nast magazine as one of the top ten places to visit in the world, San Miguel de Allende remains a unique city in Mexico and, indeed, the world. It is a mix of quaint Spanish colonial architecture and a hip, artistic culture. A recent article in a influential art magazine picked it as one of the top ten art centers of the world. The only question is: will all this success spoil the nature of this special place?

Founded in 1542, San Miguel de Allende (SMA) was a key stop on the famous silver road from the mines in northern Mexico to the capital in Mexico City and a trading center. Centuries later its citizens also played a key role in the beginning of the Mexican Independence movement in 1810, earning the city enduring fame.

The city was declared a national monument by the Mexican government in the 1920s, but it was facing hard times during this period, evidenced by a serious loss of population. Fortunately, because of its location and topography parts of the historic center city were not demolished to build modern highways through the city. Today its cobblestone streets look (and feel) pretty much as they did in prior centuries.

With the help of some adventuresome Americans the city was slowly revived in the 1940s and 1950s as a center for the arts. These Americans and their Mexican counterparts recognized the unspoiled beauty of the place. Its growth accelerated in the ‘80s and ‘90s as it because not only a major art center, but a retirement community for norteamericanos (Americans and Canadians), a trendy weekend retreat for wealthy citizens from Mexico City, and tourist destination. Recently, the city was named a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

Situated at 6200 feet above sea level, SMA offers a moderate year-round climate --- average temperature in the 70s (F.) sunny, dry, and unpolluted by factories and foundries. Snow has never been seen by most natives, and the rain usually falls only in the summer months.

The Pan Am cars will approach SMA from the south, coming north from Morelia via Celaya. When they reach the city, they will go around the east side of town up the mountain and then enter the city down the Calle San Francisco. They will park for 15 minutes in the main square, directly front of the iconic church “La Parroquia,” to be saluted by city officials and citizens. After a brief ceremony the cars will exit via Aldama Street to the new city parking ramp on Calle Cardo for lunch and service.

After lunch the Pan Am will head north to Dolores Hidalgo to run speed stages on the mountain highway to Santa Rosa and their destination for the night, the university city of Guanajuato. (See last month’s edition.)

**JOIN THE PAN AM PRE-RACE TOUR, SEPT. 8-13

Never raced in Mexico? Concerned about public safety and security, the food, and ambience? Join us for the Pan Am Pre-Race Tour, Sept. 8-13 in San Miguel de Allende. We will spend three or four days talking about the event and its unique protocols, and visiting some of the most famous speed stages. Above all, we will check out at least five of the cities along the route. Want to show your significant other a good time? Bring her/him along. SMA is a great spa and shopping town, too. The registration fee is only $450. A deposit of $300 by August 1 will hold your place. You may also participate Sept. 9-12, if you are pressed for time. A schedule and info regarding hotels are available. gbledso@aol.com or call 1-650-525-9190 .

**COYOTE CONVOY

Competitors towing their cars or having them transported to Huatulco in October and other interested parties are invited to participate in the 10th Annual Coyote Convoy. The Convoy will leave Laredo on Friday, October 14, a day earlier than usual. It will again stop for two nights in San Miguel de Allende, before going on to Oaxaca on Sunday and Huatulco on Monday, October 17.

Each competitor will be asked to fill out papers to have their race car and tow rig brokered across the border, instead of using temporary tourist permits. A procedure and forms for obtaining the necessary permits will be sent to all competitors soon.

Following the end of the race in Zacatecas, the convoy or portions of it will return to Nuevo Laredo to be brokered back across the border to the U.S. The convoy is open to all competitors and spectators.

**CARRERA FIESTA, MONTEREY, AUG. 20

The fifth annual Carrera Fiesta will be held August 20 at the Baja Cantina in Carmel, California, 5:30-8:00 PM in conjunction with the Historic Races and the various car shows and auctions. Tickets are $25 or $30 at the door. Our gracious host again will be Bill Hemmer, who will be driving a Porsche 914 in the event this year. Reserve a place by emailing Bill at bekgroup@gmail.com.

This Fiesta has become a major reunion of Carrera vets and those interested in the event. Normally, there’s a brief, informal program, maybe a short film, and a Q and A session about this year’s event.

**ENTRIES

Around 120 cars are expected to start the Pan Am this year in Huatulco. Of these, about 1/3 will suffer mechanical failure or an accident along the way, but most will eventually cross the finish line (meta) in Zacatecas seven days later.

Mustangs, Falcons, and Porsche 911/912s will again dominate the event. At last count there are 22-24 Mustangs-Falcons and 15-17 Porsche 911/912s registered. So about 1/3 of the entries will be these models. Oh, where did all the Chevys go?! Fortunately, there will be three or four midyear Corvettes in the event.

Of special interest are the three Chrysler 300s being prepared by Mr. Kevin Kelly in North Carolina. These cars are being prepared as a tribute to the 300s that dominate NASCAR , ending the Lincoln’s reign, and were to run in La Carrera. Unfortunately, the Pan Am was cancelled in 1955, depriving the Chryslers a chance to show their stuff in Mexico. The identically-prepared cars will be driven by Mr. Kelley (USA), Mr. Marc Noel (Belgium/USA), and Mr. Roberto Quiroz of Mexico.

The Chryslers are schedule to compete in Historic C, but depending on their engines, they could be allowed to run in the Original Pan Am class, just as the Mexican LT Special, which was built for the 1955 Pan Am and never ran, was allowed to compete in Sports Mayor, which is limited to cars built from 1940-1954.

**LCP RULES – PENDING

The final, complete set of rules (“reglamento”) for the 2011 La Carrera Panamericana has not yet been promulgated. An early version of the rules that apply to the preparation of the cars was released in June, but we yet await the final rules.

As posted last month in CARRERA NEWS, the speed of five classes will be limited by two specified combinations of tire size, rear end gear ratio (differential), and RPM rev limiter chip. The resulting limits on top speed are: Turismo Production (144.6 MPH), Turismo Mayor (146.6 MPH), Sports Mayor (142.8 MPH), and Historic C (142.8 MPH). 144.6 MPH=232.6 KPH, and 142.8 MPH=229.8 KPH, according to the information provided by the committee.

According to the preliminary rules, the cars must use either:

a) a 3.50 rear gear, 26.2” tires, and a 6600 RPM chip = 144.1 MPH/231.9 KPH, OR

b) a 3.70 rear gear, 26.2” tires, and a 7000 RPM chip =144.6 MPH/232.6 KPH

The Organizing Committee has been asked to permit any combination of rear gear, tires, and RPM chip that limits the speed to the maximum set for each class. The Committee is also expected to issue penalties for violations of these new limits.

**CLASSIFIEDS

Bag O Nails, 1966 Mustang GT 350 R

“Bag O Nails” is a 1966 Mustang GT 350 R clone maintained by Mustang guru Todd Landon with the intention of winning the Historic class on La Carrera and other events. The car was built from a bare shell in 2007 utilizing the very best of everything, and with the possibility of reverting to FIA homologation spec after the event. This car is simply the best prepared, fastest (420BHP) and most reliable Historic C Mustang alive, and is now for sale to a serious competitor. A lot of work has been done (weight reduction operation) to bring it to the highest standards.

Results:
2007: La Carrera Panamericana : 6th overall and 2nd in Historic C
2008: La Carrera Panamericana: 6th overall and 1st in Historic C
2010: Chihuahua Express: 5th overall and 1st in Historic C
Pikes peak: 2nd in Historic class (just beyond Doug Mockett)
La Carrera Panamericana: 4 times on the daily podium with at the end the 4th place in Historic C. Despite the very high level of competition this year, most of the time we finished in the top 15 overall

For more detailed info please phone or email.
Phone : +32497495495 or email tdl@panini.be



’53 Studebaker Commander. $120,000. Finished to your specifications: color and FIA seats and racing harness fitment. This car won the La Carrera Panamericana championship in 2008 and qualified first in 2010. Finish will be as good/better than 2010.

The car has been re-bodied and completely rebuilt since the 2010 event. It is now even faster and safer. The price includes a spares package and delivery/service is available. A build sheet is available. Completely Carrera-legal in all respects and guaranteed to pass all tech inspections. Needs nothing but you to win again. A rental arrangement for 2011 is a possibility. Contact Bill Beilharz, bbeilharz@aol.com or 602-320-5173 (Phoenix).





’68 Porsche 911. Guards Red 2.0L. Full Cage, Fire System, Kirkey Seats, 5 Point Belts, 27 gal Fuel Cell, MSD, Fender Mounted Extra Oil Cooler, Smart Racing and Elephant Suspension. Fully sorted – Porsche Racing Ready. Built 2 cars at once, the sister car to this one in 2003 finished 9th overall. Call 512-346-1880 or email alg@texcpa.com
Over $55,000 invested– asking $26,500.



‘66 Sunbeam Tiger. Ford 302 .060 over. High flow head . Roller rockers. Heavy-duty valve springs. Racing pistons, 10.5 to 1 compression. Racing cam. Heavy-duty oil pump . Edelbrock F4B manifold . Single wire chrome alternator. MSD distributor, coil, and ignition. High flow water pump. Fluidyne aluminum radiator. Aluminum oil cooler. Braded stainless steel fuel and oil lines with Aeroquip fittings. Holley 650 cfm Double pumper with regulator. Headers from Sunbeam Specialties. Remote oil filter. Heavy duty racing clutch lightened flywheel. Engine was totally rebuilt and computer balanced with the flywheel and harmonic balancer, approximately 8 hours on the engine. Ford top loader transmission, Rebuilt by "Toploader Heaven". Custom made heavy-duty drive shaft . Welded rear end. Custom made Mark Williams one-piece solid rear axles. Dual Holley Blue fuel pumps with relays. ATL 15 gal. fuel cell. Dual inline filter screens, Summit racing canister type fuel filter. Stainless steel fuel flex lines with Aeroquip fitting. $33,000 or b/o. Contact: Ed (415) 341-4965; ehugo@bhplaw.com



Photos and additional information are available at www.panamrace.com. Click on Classifieds. The advertisers assume all responsibility for their ads.



CARS MAY BE ADVERTIZED HERE AND ON THE WEB SITE WWW.PANAMRACE.COM FOR $35. ISO ADS FOR CO-DRIVERS, CREW, AND STUFF ARE POSTED HERE AT NO COST.



**LEGAL (SMALL PRINT)

The views expressed in CARRERA NEWS are those of the author and may not (probably don’t) represent the views of the Organizing Committee. The author is a competitor and any advice he offers may constitute a conflict of interest.

All forms of motor sports are inherently dangerous, and La Carrera Panamericana is no exception. It is a long, hard endurance race at high speeds mostly along mountain roads. Mechanical failures are common, accidents not uncommon, and serious injury and even death are quite possible.

Cars should be carefully prepared, with an emphasis on safety (brakes, seat belts, roll cage, etc.), and driven prudently. Drivers and navigators should remember that the most important goal of this event is to finish. Unless you finish, nothing else counts.

**CONTACT INFORMATION

Gerie Bledsoe, Coordinator

La Carrera Panamericana and Chihuahua Express

USPO address: 220 N. Zapata Hwy Ste 11

PMB 68B

Laredo, TX 78043

1-650-525-9190 (Home office)

Mexican phone number +52-415-185-8470

Mailing Address in Mexico (FedEx, UPS only):

La Quinta Prolong. 5-A

Centro-Ojo de Agua

San Miguel de Allende

37700 GTO

Mexico

Email: gbledso@aol.com, Skype: gerie.bledsoe

www.panamrace.com

www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx

www.chihuahuaexpress.comCarrera car number 395, Chevy II Nova, Historic C (1999-2011)

Driving in Mexico. Pay Mordida or Not?

Someone asked on a Yahoo group list if Mexican cops ever stopped cars with U.S. license plates to collect a illegal fine, called "mordida" (little bite). This is how I responded.

To Pay Mordida or Not? That is the question!

Yes, there are Mexican police, especially the city Transito and state cops (not Federales) that will stop cars with U.S. plates just because it portends a big pay day. The police in the state of Mexico, for example, are notorious for this way of raising money for their kid's private-school tuition or retirement fund.

In my fourteen years of driving long-distances across Mexico, as a tourist and in a rally car, I have been stopped by the police five times. In four of these cases I did something wrong, or "arguably" wrong, like a U-turn. I was soon faced with a decision: pay the "fine" (mordida) on the spot, or surrender my driver's licence, stand on principle, and spend half a day paying a much smaller fine at the police station.

Here's what I have learned from these experiences:

1. First and foremost: do not give the cops a reason to stop you. Slow down and watch your turns. In most cases in Mexico, mordida is usually collected from a driver, Mexican or gringo, who violates (again, arguably) some traffic law or whose cars are not properly registered.

Here are some preventive measures: make sure your car has a front license tag of some sort, as a few U.S. states do not issue front tags, and they are required in Mexico. Just about any tag works. Also, do not drive a vehicle with temporary U.S, tags, if you can help it. And keep your temporary tourist vehicle permit in your car when traveling. Oh, yes, one, crisp fifty-dollar U.S. bill tucked away in your billfold might come in handy, too.

2. If stopped by a local cop, be slow to hand over your driver's license initially, especially if you think the stop is bogus. When cop has your license, he has you by the short hair. Some people carry more than once license, like an expired license or international license, just for occasions like this. A little drama is OK, too. Just fumble through your purse and say with feigned shock and chagrin, "I must have left it at home." (Speaking Spanish too fluently may actually be a handicap at this point in the transaction.)

3. The amount of mordida is highly negotiable, but do not act like you are in a hurry. If a typical traffic violation costs 200 pesos at the station, why pay the cop $200 USD, when he will probably accept your crisp $50? Be patient. Make him work for it.

The basic question is, how much is your time worth under the circumstances? For example, if you are trying to get across the bridge in Laredo before sundown, you might not want to hang around Saltillo half the afternoon.

4. Believe it or not, cops worry these days that you will report them for demanding or accepting mordida, especially the state police. If you are really in a hurry and want to end the transaction by paying on the spot, do not threaten to report him (or her) as part of the negotiations, just handle it as a business transaction. Just flash the crisp fifty, down in your lap. If the deal goes down, just slip it to him. Of course, you'll get no receipt. :)

I know, some people will see this as capitulation to a corrupt system. If you want to make a stand, especially over a totally bogus charge, demand firmly and politely to see the cop's superior officer, or just hand over your driver's license and head down to the police station. It will be a vivid experience. And, it is always possible that the cop will back off, especially if your Spanish improves. Name dropping helps, too.

5. And yes, an obscure little car like a dusty Tsuru with heavily tinted glass and Mexican tags is less likely to be stopped than a cherry red Ford F-150 pickup or pearl-white Lexus SUV with California plate. But remember, the best defense is not to given the cops ANY excuse to pull you over. (Actually, the cops might be reluctant to stop a shiny black Suburban with 22" chrome wheels, fearing it might contain narco button men. On the other hand, a rival gang may "light up" your vehicle just because.)

Most of the cops in Mexico are helpful and polite to American visitors, but all societies have a few bad apples. Mexico has done a lot to reduce the amount of illegal pay-offs to public officials, but the mordida system, especially for traffic fines, is more deeply entrenched. In too many Mexican cities, it's just a way of handling traffice violations out of court.

Safe driving and suerte!

Gerie Bledsoe

CARRERA NEWS

CARRERA NEWS
JUNE 6, 2011 D-Day Edition

**CARRERA CITY: GUANAJUATO
**JOIN THE PRE-RACE TOUR
**COYOTE CONVOY
**PAN AM CARS AT PIKES PEAK, JUNE 26
**LCP RULES – SLOW DOWN!
**TWO SLOTS OPEN FOR LCP 2011
**CLASSIFIEDS
**LEGAL
**CONTACT INFORMATION


**CARRERA CITY: GUANAJUATO

The new city on the Carrera route for 2011 is Guanajuato (gwah-nah-HWAH-toh). Guanajuato is the capital of the Mexican state of the same name, which means “a place of frogs.” The city’s population is 76,900.

Founded in 1548, the city of Guanajuato was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1988. The wealth of the city was based on extensive silver mines found under and around the city.

In 1732, the Jesuits established a university in Guanjuato, thus establishing the city as a place of learning and culture.

This area is known as the “cradle of Mexican Independence,” because the revolution against Spanish monarchy started here in 1810 in Delores Hidalgo, San Miguel de Allende, and Guanajuato.

Guanajuato will be a challenge to Pan Am drivers because it is located in a steep valley. The streets follow the terrain rather than the normal Spanish grid pattern. In fact, the city features a maze of streets underneath the city that were built in old river beds.

Reportedly, the Pan Am will stop one night in the city, and the race cars will be serviced in the parking lot of the Convention Center. Finding our way around this unique city will be a challenge. Yet, most Pan Am vets were pleased to see Guanajuato replace Guadalajara as a stop on the route. Who can forget last year’s “Day of 1000 Topes?”
 
**JOIN THE PRE-RACE TOUR

Participants in the first “Pan-Am Pre-Race Tour” will tour Guanajuato and nearby speed stages on Sunday, September 11. The Tour will focus on the entrance and exits to the city, and provide participants with an opportunity to check out the service area and learn how to get from the service area to the hotels after two or three margaritas.

The Tour will also visit the famous speed stages on Mil Cumbres, have lunch in the Zocalo in Morelia, and be introduced to Queretaro, another city on the route. In addition to visiting Morelia, Guanajuato, and Queretaro, the Tour will include a relaxed introduction to San Miguel de Allende, and some of its race-car shops.

The Pre-Race Tour is planned for September 8-12. The registration fee is $450 per person.

Participants are expected to select their own airline flights, hotels, and airport transfers.

Registration is open to anyone with an interest in La Carrera Panamericana or San Miguel de Allende and the surrounding area. Special training in Mexican stage-rally timing and rules will be offered on Friday, September 9.

A detailed schedule and brochure is available upon request. gbledso@aol.com

**COYOTE CONVOY

Competitors towing their cars or having them transported to Huatulco in October and other interested parties are invited to participate in the 10th Annual Coyote Convoy. The Convoy will leave Nuevo Laredo on Friday, October 14. It will stop for two nights in San Miguel de Allende, and will go on to Oaxaca for one night, before arriving in Huatulco on Monday, October 17.

Each competitor will be asked to fill out the papers to have their race car and tow rig brokered across the border, instead of using temporary tourist permits. A procedure and forms for obtaining the necessary permits will be sent to all competitors soon.

Following the end of the race in Zacatecas, the convoy will return to Nuevo Laredo to be brokered back across the border to the U.S.

** PAN-AM CARS AT PIKES PEAK, JUNE 26

Doug Mockett and Angelica Fuentes will return to Pikes Peak outside of Colorado Springs to defend their championship on June 26 in the famous “Race to the Clouds.” They will resume their friendly rivalry with local favorite Keith Davidson in his Falcon. Todd Landon and father-in-law, Vance Stewart, will also challenge the mountain in “Phatt Man,” a new purpose-built GT-350 Mustang. Pan Am/Chihuahua vets Jake Shuttlesworth and Tony Bogovitch will make the 12.4 mile run in their ’65 Ford Fairlane, while Jack Rogers, a Chihuahua and Bonneville vet will also have a run in a Mustang GT-350. Last but not least will be Hayden Groendyke in his fantastic ’49 Caddy sporting a FI 427 engine and modern running gear in the modified vintage class.

Only a short stretch of the course is gravel. Suerte, y’all!

**LCP RULES – SLOW DOWN!

The Organizing Committee issued the rules governing the race cars last week. The rules remain mostly the same as 2010, except that the fast classes will have their top speeds limited by requiring a combination of tires, transmissions, and rear-end (differential) gear.

The limitations apply to these classes: Turismo Production (144.6 MPH), Turismo Mayor (146.6 MPH), Sports Mayor (142.8 MPH), and Historic C (142.8 MPH). 144.6 MPH=232.6 KPH, and 142.8 MPH=229.8 KPH, according to the information provided by the committee.

These restrictions seem to favor classes whose top speed is not limited, such as Historic “B.” However, since the Pan Am is more about using torque to climb the mountains rather than top speed, the new limits are not expect to alter the overall outcome of the event. As few people know, the cars in the Historic classes have not been deemed eligible to win the overall trophy, since that honor has been reserved by convention, if not rule, to the “Grupo Automobiles Panamericanos,” that includes TP, TM, Sports Mayor and Sport Menor. (See Rules 10.2-3.)

**TWO SLOTS OPEN FOR 2011 LCP

Two slots have opened up for the 2011 event. These slots entailed renting a car from a shop in San Miguel de Allende. Full service is also provided. If interested let me know soon. gbledso@aol.com


**CLASSIFIEDS: CARS FOR SALE

Bag O Nails, 1966 Mustang GT 350 R
“Bag O Nails” is a 1966 Mustang GT 350 R clone maintained by Mustang guru Todd Landon with the intention of winning the Historic class on La Carrera and other events.

The car was built from a bare shell in 2007 utilizing the very best of everything, and with the possibility of reverting to FIA homologation spec after the event.

This car is simply the best prepared, fastest (420BHP) and most reliable Historic C Mustang alive, and is now for sale to a serious competitor.

A lot of work has been done (weight reduction operation) to bring it to the highest standards.
Results:
2007: La Carrera Panamericana : 6th overall and 2nd in Historic C
2008: La Carrera Panamericana: 6th overall and 1st in Historic C
2010: Chihuahua Express: 5th overall and 1st in Historic C
Pikes peak: 2nd in Historic class (just beyond Doug Mockett)
La Carrera Panamericana: 4 times on the daily podium with at the end the 4th place in Historic C. Despite the very high level of competition this year, most of the time we finished in the top 15 overall

For more detailed info please phone or email.
Phone : +32497495495 or email tdl@panini.be

’53 Studebaker Commander. $120,000. Finished to your specifications: color and FIA seats and racing harness fitment. This car won the La Carrera Panamericana championship in 2008 and qualified first in 2010. Finish will be as good/better than 2010.
The car has been re-bodied and completely rebuilt since the 2010 event. It is now even faster and safer. The price includes a spares package and delivery/service is available. A build sheet is available. Completely Carrera-legal in all respects and guaranteed to pass all tech inspections. Needs nothing but you to win again. A rental arrangement for 2011 is a possibility. Contact Bill Beilharz, bbeilharz@aol.com or 602-320-5173 (Phoenix).


’68 Porsche 911. Guards Red 2.0L. Full Cage, Fire System, Kirkey Seats, 5 Point Belts, 27 gal Fuel Cell, MSD, Fender Mounted Extra Oil Cooler, Smart Racing and Elephant Suspension. Fully sorted – Porsche Racing Ready. Built 2 cars at once, the sister car to this one in 2003 finished 9th overall. Call 512-346-1880 or email alg@texcpa.com
Over $55,000 invested– asking $26,500.

‘66 Sunbeam Tiger. Ford 302 .060 over. High flow head . Roller rockers. Heavy-duty valve springs. Racing pistons, 10.5 to 1 compression. Racing cam. Heavy-duty oil pump . Edelbrock F4B manifold . Single wire chrome alternator. MSD distributor, coil, and ignition. High flow water pump. Fluidyne aluminum radiator. Aluminum oil cooler. Braded stainless steel fuel and oil lines with Aeroquip fittings. Holley 650 cfm Double pumper with regulator. Headers from Sunbeam Specialties. Remote oil filter. Heavy duty racing clutch lightened flywheel. Engine was totally rebuilt and computer balanced with the flywheel and harmonic balancer, approximately 8 hours on the engine. Ford top loader transmission, Rebuilt by "Toploader Heaven". Custom made heavy-duty drive shaft . Welded rear end. Custom made Mark Williams one-piece solid rear axles. Dual Holley Blue fuel pumps with relays. ATL 15 gal. fuel cell. Dual inline filter screens, Summit racing canister type fuel filter. Stainless steel fuel flex lines with Aeroquip fitting. $33,000 or b/o. Contact: Ed (415) 341-4965; ehugo@bhplaw.com

Photos and additional information are available at www.panamrace.com. Click on Classifieds. The advertisers assume all responsibility for their ads.


 
**LEGAL

The views expressed in CARRERA NEWS are those of the author and may not (probably don’t) represent the views of the Organizing Committee. The author is a competitor and any advice he offers may constitute a conflict of interest.

All forms of motor sports are inherently dangerous, and La Carrera Panamericana is no exception. It is a long, hard endurance race at high speeds along mountain roads. Mechanical failures are common, accidents not uncommon, and serious injury and even death are quite possible.

Cars should be carefully prepared, with an emphasis on safety (brakes, seat belts, roll cage, etc.), and driven prudently. Drivers and navigators should remember that the most important goal of this event is to finish. Unless you finish, nothing else counts.

**CONTACT INFORMATION

Gerie Bledsoe, Coordinator
La Carrera Panamericana and Chihuahua Express
USPO address: 220 N. Zapata Hwy Ste 11
PMB 68B
Laredo, TX 78043
1-650-525-9190 (Home office)
Number in Mexico +52-415-185-8470
Mailing Address in Mexico (FedEx, UPS only):
La Quinta Prolong. 5-A
Centro-Ojo de Agua
San Miguel de Allende
37700 GTO
Mexico
Phone: 415-185-8470
Email: gbledso@aol.com
Skype: gerie.bledsoe
www.panamrace.com
www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx
www.chihuahuaexpress.com

Carrera car number: Chevy II, Nova, #395, Historic C (1999-2011)

Entry Fee Announced -- Sort of.......

CARRERA NEWS
March 2011



**STARTING CITY: HUATULCO?

**STATUS OF ENTRIES

**CARRERA EXPENSES

**THE COYOTE CONVOY

**RULE CHANGES: PENDING

**FUTURE EVENTS

**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS, April 8-10

**SILVER STATE, May 12-15

**PIKES PEAK, June 26

**CARRERA FIESTA, MONTEREY, AUGUST 20

**CLASSIFIED: CARS FOR SALE

**LEGAL

**CONTACT INFORMATION





**STARTING CITY: HUATULCO?

If all goes well, we might know the starting city this week. We've been waiting since late January. Selecting the route involves negotiations with each individual cities and the approval of proposed plans for the route and security. Nothing is final at this time (March 22).



The official route of the Pan Am, October 21-27, 2011 has not been officially announced, but for only the second time the starting city is expected to be Huatulco, a resort area on the Pacific in the state of Oaxaca. Normally, the event starts in Tuxtla Gutierrez, in the state of Chiapas.



Huatulco is six or more long hours southeast of the city of Oaxaca by car and is served by a small airport. There is really no city of Huatulco. It is a area of small towns, nine bays, thirty-six beaches, and numerous lagoons featuring low-rise hotels. The coastline is rocky like Northern California’s, but the vegetation is tropical, like Hawaii’s.



Be prepared! Because there is no big city in this area, it is impossible to find racing supplies. It is also difficult to find a qualified shop to weld up your roll cage or make other repairs. Just make sure that you have what you need and your car is ready before you arrive.



If the starting city is Huatulco, we may assume that the race will spend the first night in the city of Oaxaca. Huatulco is well off the original Pan Am highway, but it is possible that the cars will again run south down the coast to Tehuantepec before racing north toward Oaxaca on the old Pan Am highway.



Expect it to be hot, muggy, and buggy in Huatulco, with the threat of tropical storms. The ending city this year is expected to be Zacatecas again.

Huatulco is quiet and laid-back compared to Cancun or Cabo. In 2009, it was very quiet in late October. The all inclusive hotels are a pretty good deal. The Carrera Office will probably offer that option. The locals say the weather gets much better in November and stays that way until April.



**STATUS OF ENTRIES



For the third straight year the Pan Am will probably be over-subscribed. Of forty-four proposed entries from the U.S. and Canada, only 36 were admitted, and some of those have not received final confirmation. In past years, there have been as many as 54 entries from “North America.” Actually, we may have around 41-2 entries, as it works out. A couple of guys who work in the States, were able to register using their European home address.



The big increase in entries recently has actually been from Mexico. Eduardo “Lalo” Leon, the president of the LCP Organizing Committee, said that he expected 57 entries at least from his home country, which is more than double what it was six years ago, for example. The big group of Porsche 911s sponsored by Televisa is a primary reason the Mexican numbers are way up, and a major reason why the displacement limit for a 911 went from 2.0 to 2.4 liters a couple of years ago.

Televisa broadcast a 90 minute special on the Pan Am last year.


At this time around 60 entries have been posted on the official web site www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx. Some U.S. and Canadians who were promised an entry are not yet listed on the web site, but this should be resolved soon.



**CARRERA EXPENSES



The only mandatory fees are:



1. Entry Fee. The entry fee for 2011 will be $750 more than last year’s. The fee covers the driver, co-driver, and the car. For the first time, there will also be a substantial, additional fee ($500 USD?) to register more drivers or co-drivers.



2. Rally license. All drivers and navigators must purchase a Mexican rally license. Expect it to cost around $280-300 USD (paid at the start of the event). The license includes a modest amount of medical insurance.



Contrary to what the rules clearly stipulate, it seems that one does not need to have a racing license from their home country to acquire the Mexican license. However, racing experience, training, and/or practice are highly recommended. Drivers and co-drivers will also be given a quick, but free, medical exam before the race. Evidence of a stress test or EKG has not be requested.



3. Mexican Car Insurance. Competitors must provide proof of insurance on their service vehicles at registration. The cost usually runs between $12-25 a day. There are several vendors, including my favorite Baja Bound in San Diego, that broker these policies.



Go to www.bajabound.com/?r=panamrace and shop for a company and an appropriate level of coverage. They are also one of the few companies that will issue policies on older cars. You can pay by credit card and download your policy via email. They are also very helpful on the telephone. They understand racing in Mexico—from the Baja 500 to the Chihuahua Express.



Mexican insurance coverage works just like insurance in the USA. Having liability insurance on the race car is also recommended, but not required, if you plan to test it before the race begins or drive it at night. Such insurance coverage would not be valid while the car is in competition, of course. (We are attempting to clarify something in the draft rules about insurance on the race car. When we know for sure, we will post the information.)



During competition the race car and its crew are covered by the event’s insurance third-party liability policy. However, this policy may not cover a driver found guilty of gross negligence or driving under the influence. This policy also may not cover any damage inflicted by the race car on bridges, trees, buildings, guardrails, burros, cattle, or other impediments to racing. Hit a barrier along the highway for example, and the local police will try and collect. It's best to keep moving!



HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS



The Pan Am entry fee covers admission to the race and one double hotel room (two beds) for two people for eight nights, October 20-27. If additional rooms are needed, they cost $160 per night, please send an email with your hotel needs to: info@lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx. The luxury hotel rooms have been filled, so there’s no need to ask about that option.

Most racers will arrive in the starting city by October 18. But the "free" room does not begin until October 20. Thus, you will need to reserve your "free" room for two additional nights. The same is true for your service crew. Their room will also be $160 a night extra.



FOOD AND BEVERAGE



The expense for food and beverage during the Pan Am varies enormously with individual budgets, tastes, and selections of restaurants. One may eat very cheaply in Mexico or pay hotel prices, which are still less expensive than Europe or U.S. Most racers budget about $60 dollars a day for food, but some hotels will charge $25 just for the buffet breakfast. The fall in the value of the peso will help in this category. It is currently around 11.5 peso for one U.S. dollar.



FUEL EXPENSE AND TOLLS



PEMEX gasoline costs $2.80-3.00 USD a gallon. Plan to pay in pesos, but more stations are accepting credit cards. The race covers normally around 2000 miles counting wrong turns and side trips. Diesel fuel (black pump handle) is generally available, but it is the old-fashioned high-sulfur kind. Much of the gasoline sold in Mexico, especially premium, is refined in the U.S. and tends to be OK. Octane levels are 87 (Maga-green handle) or 91 (Premium-red handle). Racing fuel is not allowed, but you may use octane booster.



The race uses a lot of toll roads, and they are relatively expensive. Budget $200 for the racecar and $400 for the tow truck and trailer for the trip down and back to Laredo. (Pesos only.)



IMPORTING VEHICLES INTO MEXICO



Importing a vehicle on a temporary tourist permit costs around $35 USD (at the border or certain Mexican consulates) or around $56 USD on the Internet (credit card only). Importing a car with the services of a Mexican customs broker will cost $300-1200. This fee is highly negotiable. If you use a temporary tourist permit to get you car or truck into Mexico, you will also need a FMM tourist visa, which costs $22 dollars.



A special brokering arrangement in Nuevo Laredo for the Coyote Convoy will be offered, if there is sufficient interest. A customs broker is recommended if (1) all the owners of the vehicles are not present at the border, (2) the truck and race car are in one person’s name, (3) the race car has no title, and/or (4) the team is carrying a lot of pare parts, extra tires, engines, welders, etc. If you are willing to pay the extra money ($300?), it is the stress-free way to enter Mexico.



More information on the importing of vehicles for the Pan Am will be sent to registered competitors.



TRANSPORTING RACE CARS TO MEXICO



Seven’s Only, a race shop in Buttonwillow, California, will transport your race car to Mexico and back to the truck’s headquarters in California for around $5,000 plus document fees, and will provide mechanical support on an hourly basis.



Unfortunately, there is no big truck coming from the Midwest or East Coast.



Most Europeans ship their cars to the Mexican port of Veracruz. Others ship their cars to an American port (Houston or New Orleans) and drive or tow them down to Mexico. Tow trucks and vans may be rented in Texas for the trip into Mexico.



MECHANICAL SUPPORT



Competitors may arrange mechanical support in Mexico for $1500-3000, or they can pay local mechanics by the hour. Some of the U.S. transporters will provide mechanical support for an additional fee. Towing within Mexican can also be arranged. One team of Mexican mechanics and welders usually follow the race. They will repair cars on a retainer basis or by the hour. Car shops are also open all night in most of the cities where we stop for the night.



**THE COYOTE CONVOY: ITS TENTH YEAR



Towing or driving a race car to Mexico? Join the Coyote Convoy, and have more fun! The convoy of twenty or more trucks, trailers, and race cars will leave Laredo, Texas on October 14, 2011 for the trip across the border and down to the start of the race. The convoy will stop for two nights in the Mexican resort city of San Miguel de Allende, before heading on to the start of the race. It will arrive in the starting city on October 17. Registration and inspection starts on October 18.

Because we are together for three or four days, we know each other by the time we get to the starting city. This makes is much easier for the service crews to work together during the race. Bottom line: there is strength in numbers.



**RULE CHANGES



The official rules or “Reglamento” for the Pan Am are being revised for 2011. Some changes were made in an effort to slow the fastest cars down somewhat. These changes should be announced soon.



Please note that a HANS devices or other approved (FIA/SFI) head and neck protection system will be required in all classes this year.



FIA approved racing seats may also be required, along with things like: spec Holly carburetors, spec differential gear ratios, and a limit on maximum RPM.



Owners of cars being built now for the Pan Am should have the design for their roll cages reviewed before the cage is installed. All roll cages and safety equipment are subject to inspection and final approval at the start of the event.



**FUTURE EVENTS



Chihuahua Express, April 8-10 (There is still time to sign up!)



Silver State Classic, May, May 12-15. 702-631-6166, www.sscc.us



Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, June 26 (www.rmvr.org)



Monterey Historics, Carrera Fiesta, August 20 -- 650-726-9890



**CLASSIFIEDS

65 Mustang GT350R. “The Gypsy Wind.” Ready for the world famous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb June 26, 2011. It knows its way to the top. 400+ HP. Prepped for hill climb altitude and suspension. Rally computer and intercom system. Coaching and in-car video available to pre-run the hill in its entirety. Full support offered by experienced car builder and vet of the Hill Climb. Contact Todd Landon at TALandon@landolakes.com. (see photo above)

’72 BMW 2002. Finished 25th overall in 2009 LCP, third in class. Balanced and blue printed engine. 10.5-1 pistons, dual Mikuni carbs. Full Roll Cage, Fire suppression system, Terra-Trip, Intercom, Fuel Cell. Custom Coil over Suspension, Wilwood Brake Master Cylinder and disc brakes front and rear, Limited slip rear end. Ready to race.

Email for more information and specs. Rick Row northbaybavarian@yahoo.com



’68 Porsche 911. Guards Red 2.0L. Full Cage, Fire System, Kirkey Seats, 5 Point Belts, 27 gal Fuel Cell, MSD, Fender Mounted Extra Oil Cooler, Smart Racing and Elephant Suspension. Fully sorted – Porsche Racing Ready. Built 2 cars at once, the sister car to this one in 2003 finished 9th overall. Call 512-346-1880 or email alg@texcpa.com
Over $55,000 invested– asking $26,500.

’65 Falcon. Built and prepared by MHRacing in San Miguel de Allende. Exactly the same as the two cars that came in first and second in Historic C in the Panamericana 2011. 302 Ford Motorsport engine with Dart heads, Air gap intake, 600 Holley and Canton Oil pan. Brand new Top Loader transmission. Ford 9 inch full floater rear end. Wilwood brakes all around. Tig welded roll cage, Fuel Safe fuel cell and Cobra carbon fiber seats. Apart from the body, there is not one single old part in this car, everything is brand new! Very fast, reliable and easy to drive. Email mats@mhracing.com.mx

‘66 Sunbeam Tiger. Ford 302 .060 over. High flow head . Roller rockers. Heavy-duty valve springs. Racing pistons, 10.5 to 1 compression. Racing cam. Heavy-duty oil pump . Edelbrock F4B manifold . Single wire chrome alternator. MSD distributor, coil, and ignition. High flow water pump. Fluidyne aluminum radiator. Aluminum oil cooler. Braded stainless steel fuel and oil lines with Aeroquip fittings. Holley 650 cfm Double pumper with regulator. Headers from Sunbeam Specialties. Remote oil filter. Heavy duty racing clutch lightened flywheel. Engine was totally rebuilt and computer balanced with the flywheel and harmonic balancer, approximately 8 hours on the engine. Ford top loader transmission, Rebuilt by "Toploader Heaven". Custom made heavy-duty drive shaft . Welded rear end. Custom made Mark Williams one-piece solid rear axles. Dual Holley Blue fuel pumps with relays. ATL 15 gal. fuel cell. Dual inline filter screens
Summit racing canister type fuel filter. Stainless steel fuel flex lines with Aeroquip fitting. $33,000 or b/o. Contact: Ed (415) 341-4965; ehugo@bhplaw.com



Photos and additional information are available at www.panamrace.com. Click on Classifieds.





**LEGAL



The views expressed herein are those of the author and may not (probably not) represent the views of the Organizing Committee. The author is a competitor and any advice he offers may constitute a conflict of interest.



All forms of motor sports are inherently dangerous, and La Carrera Panamericana is no exception. It is a long, hard endurance race at high speeds along mountain roads. Mechanical failures are common, accidents not uncommon, and injury, even death, are possible. Cars should be carefully prepared, with an emphasis on safety (brakes, roll cage, etc.), and driven prudently. Drivers and navigators should remember that the most important goal is simply to finish this race.



**CONTACT INFORMATION



Gerie Bledsoe, Coordinator

La Carrera Panamericana and Chihuahua Express

USPO address: 220 N. Zapata Hwy Ste 11

PMB 68B

Laredo, TX 78043

1-650-525-9190 (Home office)

1-650-867-9488 (mobile, only in US)

Number in Mexico +52-415-185-8470

Email: gbledso@aol.com

www.panamrace.com

www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx

www.chihuahuaexpress.com



Carrera car number: Chevy II, Nova, #395, Historic C (1999-2011)



Carrera Office, Mexico City 1-310-6959

Email info@lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx

CARRERA NEWS -- THE TENTH YEAR

CARRERA NEWS
JANUARY 2011 – TENTH YEAR OF PUBLICATION

**INTEREST HIGH IN 2011 CARRERA
**ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO REVIEW RULES
**UNOFFICAL ADVICE ABOUT CAR SELECTION
**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS: FIFTH YEAR
**THE CARRERA ROUTE (La Ruta)
**PIKES PEAK
**CLASSIFIEDS
**CONTACT INFORMATION

**INTEREST HIGH IN 2011 CARRERA

Forty-four North Americans (Canada and the USA) have applied to participate in La Carrera Panamericana October 21-22, 2011. Each has made a non-refundable deposit of $500. The names of these competitors and their cars have been provided to the Organizing Committee.

At this point in time, the route, the entry fee, and the number of entries allocated to North America have not been announced.

The Pan Am, the Mexican Road Race, has been over-subscribed for the past two years. In fact, last year the number of entries from North America was limited to only thirty-one. In some years, it had been as high as 54.

I will continue to accept deposits until we learn: the amount of the entry fee, the period for early payment, and the number of entries allocated to North American.

**ADVISORY COMMITTEE TO REVIEW RULES

An advisory committee will review the rules and policy of the Carrera at a two-day meeting this week in Queretaro. For the first time, this committee will meet with car builders. The speed and safety of the cars will be discussed. The council will then make recommendations to the Mr. Eduardo Leon and the Organizing Committee.

The top class of Carrera cars—Turismo Mayor—often reach speeds of over 185 MPH. Even Turismo Production and Historic C cars regularly reach speeds of over 170 MPH. The Organizing Committee is concerned about the safety of the competitors and spectators, and apparently wants the advisory group to discuss ways to slow the cars down. Many, if not most, race organizations have ways to limit top speeds, including NASCAR on certain tracks and the WRC.

I will be meeting with this committee on Friday night.

**UNOFFICAL ADVICE ABOUT CAR SELECTION

Because the event has been over-subscribed for the past two years, it is possible that for the first time the Organizing Committee may begin to select cars on the basis of interest, rather than “first come, first serve.” Please note the word “possible.” I have no special insight into this process.

Therefore, if you are trying to decide what type of car to enter in the event, here are some ideas that might facilitate your entry this year or next.

First, try to select a car that could run in one of the under-subscribed classes, like Sports Mayor or Sports Menor. These two classes—for highly modified sports cars made 1940-1954—with engines of more than 2000 c.c. or less than 2000 c.c., respectively, tend to have only three or four entries each years. These are also classes in which certified replicas may be entered.

The class “Original Pan Am” – mostly stock sedans and sports cars from 1940-1954 – has also be under-subscribed of late. Cars in this class are allowed four-wheel disc brakes, modern ignition systems, and cooling systems to make them safer and more dependable.

Historic A and Historic A+ are two other classes for four-cylinder sedans and sports cars with under two liter engines that are likely to be favored by the Organizing Committee. These are colorful, small bore cars that do not attain the speeds of the big American V8s. Volvos and Alfas are popular here. Historic A+ cars (1965-1972) may also use modern engines up to 1600 cc.

It is logical, therefore, to think twice about trying to enter another Mustang or Falcon in Historic C, for example. Last year there were 17 Mustangs and Falcons among the 31 cars in Historic C. The same may be true of Porsche 911s in Historic B, which has seen a large influx of 911s recently from the Hispanic TV channel Televisa over the past two years.

Please do not read this to mean that another Mustang or another 911 will not be accepted. Heck, if you are a former F1 piloto, you can drive almost anything you want!

Second, try to have your car ready to photograph by January or February, so the Organizing Committee can actually see its livery and check out its roll cage and safety features.

Third, get yourcomplete entry in early.

**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS: YEAR FIVE

Twenty North Americans have committed to the fifth year of the Chihuahua Express, March 19-21. Another ten or so Europeans and twenty-four 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, tour, or the regularity T/S/D rally.

The Chihuahua Express is open to modern and vintage race cars with six-point roll cages. A roll cage is not required for the tour or T/S/D “regularity” rally classes.

The Express comprises three days of racing – around 325 miles of top speed stages -- across some of the most remarkable landscapes in the world. It is 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 four years, it’s become a world-class event. It may not have the history of the Carrera, but it packs just about as much racing into three days, much closer to Uncle Sugar.

The Express Convoy will leave Santa Teresa, New Mexico (El Paso, Texas) on April 6 for the short drive across the border and down to Chihuahua City.

The Express is an excellent way to learn how to stage rally Mexican style, because it uses the same rules as La Carrera Panamericana. It is also open to most cars that may not be eligible for the Carrera.

The Express is a "driver's race." There's not a lot of fanfare, we return to the same hotel each night, the driver's meetings start on time and are over quickly, and the luxury hotel sits high on a hill overlooking the city. It's all so easy and very safe!

**THE CARRERA ROUTE (La Ruta)

Last year the Pan Am started in Tuxtla Gutierrez and ended in Zacatecas. Over-night stops along the way included the cities of: Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, Morelia, Guadalajara, and Aguascalientes.

The route for 2011 has not been announced, but it should be about the same. However, there has been a persistent rumor that the event may start again in the Pacific resort town of Huatulco. Last year was the first time, at least in 12 years, that the race ended in Zacatecas. In previous years, such as 2000-2006, the race had stopped for two nights in this lovely city, before ending in Nuevo Laredo. However, last year the Organizers decided to end it in Zacatecas because of the troubles along the border in and around Nuevo Laredo.

Included in the entry fee—not decided at this time--is one double room for the eight nights of the event--from the starting city to the end.

**PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB

Carrera cars and other vintage cars up to 1981 models with roll cages are welcome to participate in the 89th running of this great event on June 26, 2011. Carrera cars will participate in a Vintage Division administered by the Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing organization (www.rmvr.org). The entry fee is $900 by February 1. It then goes to $1000 through March 31, and then to $1000 from April 1 to June 1.
If enough entries are received, a rebate of up to $100 will be made prior to the event. A complete application, including photos is needed to meet the deadlines. Co-drivers or navigators cost a little extra. If you would like an entry form, please email gbledso@aol.com. Only a few miles of the 12.4 mile "Race to the Clouds" remain unpaved.

**CLASSIFIEDS

Need a race car for the Chihuahua Express, Pike’s Peak, or the Pan Am, and don’t want to build your own? Check with the following two good friends of mine who build great cars and provide exceptional “arrive and drive” service:

Todd Landon. Contact Todd in Minnesota at +1-952-250-7948 or TALandon@landolakes.com. Todd’s Mustangs have won the Historic C class and finished in the top ten overall. He has also supplied cars for the past the Pikes Peak event.

Mats Hammarlund. Contact Mats at +011-52-415-1010308 or mats@mhracing.com.mx. Mats’ cars have won the overall championship for the past two years, and last year two of his Falcons won first and second place in Historic C. MHammarlund Racing is located in San Miguel de Allende, which is 179 miles north of Mexico City, near Leon and Queretaro.

Have a car for sale? You may advertise on www.panamrace.com for $35 for the year, or $45 with a photo. Contact the webmaster, lauracox@austin.rr.com, to make the arrangements. I will also feature your ad three times in CARRERA NEWS. You may also advertise on the official web site www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx at no cost.

There is no charge to post an ad here for those ISO a co-driver, crew members, or a ride.

**LEGALISMS

The views expressed in CARRERA NEWS are the views of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of the Organizing Committee of La Carrera Panamericana. Furthermore, the author of CARRERA NEWS has been a competitor in this event for thirteen years, normally in Historic C (car #395), and therefore his opinions may constitute a blatant conflict of interest.

Finally, motor sports, including La Carrera Panamericana, are dangerous, and can lead to serious injury or even death. Competitors are urged to prepare their cars carefully and to drive them prudently. Competitors will sign a waiver holding the Organizers and their agents harmless.

**CONTACT INFORMATION

Gerie Bledsoe, North American Coordinator
La Carrera Panamericana and The Chihuahua Express
gbledso@aol.com
1-650-525-9190 (dial as a U.S. number)
www.panamrace.com

U.S.P.O. address:

PMB 68 B
220 N Zapata Hwy Ste 11
Laredo, TX 78043

Mexican address:

La Quinta Prolong. 5-A
Centro
San Miguel de Allende
37700 GTO
Mexico

CARRERA OFFICE IN MEXICO CITY
www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx
1-310-860-6959

Chihuahua Express
www.chihuahuaexpress.com

Copyright Gerie Bledsoe 2011