CARRERAS NEWS -- CHI EXPRESS DEADLINE

Carreras News

Holiday Edition 2013

**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS DEADLINE

Several racers have already taken advantage of the $250 USD discount on the Chihuahua Express entry fee by paying their fee in December.  The deadline is December 31, but if your check for $2500 USD is in the mail by then, it will be warmly received.  On January 1, the fee goes up $250.  The fee for the Express Tour, a regularity rally, is $1250.

Rooms at the four-star Soberano Hotel remain $165 USD (tax and service included) a night for a single (one king bed) or double (two queen beds).  Registration, tech, and all driver’s meeting will all be held at this hotel, located high on a hill in the modern, western suburbs of Chihuahua City.   Most racers will spend five nights at the Soberano, checking in Wednesday, April 2, and checking out on Monday, April 7.  Registration and tech begin Sept. 2 at 10:00 AM.

**SCHEDULE FOR THE EXPRESS

Again this year, on Thursday morning April 3, the cars in full competition will run an optional “pre-qualification” stage of 12 KM to help determine the starting order on Friday.  This stage is run on part of the original Pan Am Highway used in 1950-1954 for that historic race.  It is just about the only piece of the original highway left from Chihuahua City to Ciudad Juarez.  The ceremonial start of the race will be that evening at a plaza near the hotel.  A drivers’ meeting will follow.

On Friday the cars will race northwest over several low mountain ranges to the city of Madera, stop for lunch and service, and then race the same stages back toward Chihuahua City.  The first stage in the morning and last stage in the afternoon, a 22 KM run though the first mountain range, is one of the true challenges of the event for cars and drivers.

On Saturday the event heads southwest to the majestic Copper Canyon, a major tourist attraction in this part of Mexico and the world.  The cars will end the morning’s run at the actual rim of the canyon, where lunch will be served.  The stages back down from the canyon are another test of the cars (brakes) and drivers (patience).

Sunday takes the cars through the desert 145 miles to Ojinaga, across from Presidio, Texas.  It’s a short day, but the stages are very fast.  Several stages will be run up and over mountain ranges.  It is a day that favors big-bore cars.

**TRANSPORT TO CHIHUAHUA CITY

Chihuahua City is only 240 miles south of El Paso, Texas and a mere145 miles from Presidio, Texas.  By comparison, it is around 960 miles from Mexico City.  The roads in the part of Mexico are excellent, primarily because there’s not a lot of rain.  Being sparsely populated, there are also very few villages in the area with the scourge of Mexican rally drivers – speed bumps (topes).

On Tuesday, April 1 a convoy will convene in El Paso and cross the border the next morning April 2 at Santa Teresa, New Mexico, which is next door to El Paso.  This route bypasses the city of Juarez completely.  From Santa Teresa to Chihuahua City there is only one town of any size along the entire route.

Chihuahua City has a modern international airport and excellent, first-class (luxury) express bus service to Juarez-El Paso.

During the race the cars in competition and the Tour will be assisted by a virtual army of state police, local police, and EMT personnel.

Worried about your safety?  Take comfort in the fact that in 26 years of international rallies in Mexico or longer, including the Pan Am, Border Challenge, and Express, there has been not one incident of violence directed at a competitor.  Just keep your eyes on the road and not on the impressive landscapes along the race route!

For an entry form or a detailed FAQ about the Express, just hit your reply button.  More info is also available at www.chihuahuaexpress.com.  The Express is part of the Silver State Challenge Classic.  www.sscc.us

**RESULTS OF LA CARRERA 2013

A report on how los norteamericanos (Canadians and Americans) did in the event has been posted on www.panamrace.com.  Here is a short version.

Defending LCP Champion Gabriel Perez (MX) successively defended his title by beating his countryman Emiliano Velazquez in another Turismo Mayor car by a comfortable 3:34.  American favorite Doug Mockett had tire and mechanical problems on Days 1 and 2, and quickly fell out of contention, ending in 19th overall. 

Congratulations to the class winners from North America:

1.       Paul Hladky (USA), driving a smart race, was the highest American finisher in fifth overall and first in his class, Turismo Production. Adrian Gerrits was his able co-piloto.

2.       Renée Brinkerhoff (USA), driving probably the neatest looking car in the entire race finished first in Sports Menor in her Porsche 356.   Americans swept all three top places in this class. 

3.       Conrad Stevenson and Nelson Chan (USA) emerged as the winners of Historic A Plus. But Martin Lauber (USA) has request a review of the results in this class.

4.       Carson Scheller and daughter Lauren (USA) repeated once again as champs of the Original Pan Am class, finishing 25^th overall.  It was Carson´s 4^th win, with three second place finishes, and never a DNF in seven tries.

Honorable mentions

Taz Harvey, driving his new Datsun Z car, finished 8^th overall but a disappointing 2d in Historic B, losing to a Porsche 911 from Mexico. 

Rene Rodriquez (MX) and the Vance Stewart boys (USA), from TBZ Racing, won third place again in Turismo Mayor in their Ford, “El Jefe,” also significantly improving their overall standing from last year, too. 

Christian Reichardt (USA) had to leave the race early, but his partner Dan Roche (Canada), and A. J. Schwitenberg  finished in second in Original Pan Am and 54^th overall in their Lincoln.

Neville Sonner and Dawson Tanner (USA) took second in Sports Menor in their Porsche 356, followed by Rob Curry and Rickey Shaw in third, also in a 356. 

Ray Stevenson and Paul Fruchbom (USA), team driving, put their Porsche 911 in 20^th place overall and 7^th in class, a very creditable outcome for rookies.  Walt Sikes and Gordon Walton (USA), in their beautiful 911, followed in 30^th spot overall, up from 52d last year. 

Other class winners included Mexican Xavier Lamadrid in Historic C (a.k.a., the “Mustang race”) and finished 7^th overall.   Jack Rogers and C.J. Strupp (USA), who suffered nagging mechanical problems, were the highest American finishers in this class. 

The LT Special, a Chevy Chevelle chassis with a Mexican fiberglass sports-car body, was finally hauled out of storage to win Sports Mayor again in the hands of piloto Adrian Stephens (GB) and co-piloto Sam Burg (USA).

Of the 84 cars that actually started the race on Day 1, only 62 were running on the last day, including 21 from the U.S. and Canada out of 28 entries.  There were several off-road “excursions,” but no serious injuries were reported.

With the exception of the misadventures some tardy racers and support crews had in entering  Mexico City, most North American competitors seemed highly pleased with the event this year.  The Organizers got high marks for making improvements in the drivers’ meetings and delivering the timing results. 

**PAN AM CARS AT ROAD AMERICA, 2014

Pan Am cars have been invited to two events at Road America, the famous track in Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, about three hours north of Chicago.  The first event is “The Hawk with Brian Redman,” July 18-20.  Since this is the 50^th anniversary of the Mustang, it will be the featured car, so while all Carrera cars are invited, Carrera Mustangs have a special invitation.  This may be the greatest assembly of racing Mustangs in America.  Usually, nearly 500 cars participate in The Hawk.  Because Road America is over four miles long, so there is room there for a big herd of ‘Stangs.

The second event is the “VSCDA Elkhart Lake Vintage Festival” at Road America September12-14.  VSCDA is a vintage race organization in the Mid-West.

**PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILLCLIMB

Registration for this famous event is open on line until January 31.  www.PPIHC.com  Because the road up the mountain is all paved now, the event is over-subscribed, which means some people who will sign up will receive “regret” notices in February.  Although past vintage champion Doug Mockett does not plan to return to the event this year, we expect several Pan Am cars to be there, including Mustangs from Todd Landon’s shop. Todd’s Mustangs are rentable for The Hawk, Pikes Peak, and even Bonneville in August.  Other rental cars at available from two shops in San Miguel de Allende,  Mexico – Mats Hammarlund Racing and Euro-Latino Racing.   Our Pan Am cars are very popular in this event.

Happy Holidays to all!

Gerie Bledsoe

North American Coordinator

La Carrera Panamericana and Chihuahua Express

www.panamrace.com+1-650-525-9190

USPS address:

220 N Zapata Hwy Ste 11 Pmb68B

Laredo, TX  78043

Chihuahua Express Reminder

Season Greetings from chilly Chicago!  This the season to be jolly and perhaps save a little money, too.

 

The entry fee for the 2014 Chihuahua Express is $2500 USD until the end of this month, when it increases to $2750.  Rooms at the Soberano remain $165 USD per night, double or single.  An entry application is attached to this email. I also attached the usual FAQ.

 

We have already had several North Americans sign up for full competition and for the Express Rally Tour.

 

You may send me a check to my Laredo address (see below) or deposit the funds in Chacho's account at Bank of America.

 

The event will include the "pre-qualification" stage on Thursday morning, April 3 along one of the last remaining stretches of the original Panamerican Highway in Chihuahua, which used by the original Pan Am race in 1950-1954.  It's about 10 minute drive north from the Soberano.

 

Thursday at 18:00 hours, we will have the ceremonial,  but mandatory start at "Plaza El Palomar," 15 minutes from the hotel, which will be followed by the Drivers' Meeting and Dinner at the Soberano at 21:00 hours.

 

Please let Chacho or me know you hotel needs:

 

    number of rooms

    single (one king) or double (two queens)

    check-in date

    check-out date

    smoking or non-smoking

     

Again, a convoy will leave northern El Paso on Wednesday morning, April 2, for the 240 mile drive down to Chihuahua City from Santa Teresa, New Mexico.

 

Next week I should be able to send you a copy of the rules for 2014, which seem to have only a few modest changes.

 

If you have any questions, please let me know.

 

Gerie

Report on 2014 Pan Am

Results of LCP 2013

Defending LCP Champion Gabriel Perez (MX) successively defended his title by beating his countryman Emiliano Velazquez in another Turismo Mayor car by a comfortable 3:34.  The pre-race favorite for many Mexicans, Guillermo ” Memo” Rojas, Jr., a professional driver in American sports car events, finished a disappointing third, more than 13 minutes behind the leader because of a crash on day one that cost him dearly.  After the race, Memo was quoted as saying, “I´ll be baaaaaaaaaaaack!”

American favorite Doug Mockett had tire and mechanical problems on Days 1 and 2, and quickly fell out of contention, ending in 19th overall.    His co-piloto and reigning queen of the LCP, Angelica Fuentes, was all smiles in Zacatecas but remained disappointed.  You can be sure that this team will also return in fine form.

Congratulations to the class winners from North America:

1.       Paul Hladky, driving a smart race, was the highest American finisher in fifth overall and first in his class, Turismo Production. Adrian Gerrits was his able co-piloto.

2.       Renée Brinkerhoff, from Denver, driving probably the neatest looking car in the entire race…made entirely of steel…finished first in Sports Menor in her Porsche 356.   This was her second race behind the wheel, but first one as a full-time driver.  She even experienced an “off” when she hit an oil spill on Day 6, resulting in a few “rally marks” on her neat little car.  Renée was ably assisted by her Mexican co-piloto Roberto Mendoza.  Americans swept all three top places in this class.  Renée may be the first woman driver from any country to mount the podium, and is certainly the first to win her class, according to Eduardo Leon, the race’s organizer.

3.       Conrad Stevenson and Nelson Chan emerged as the winners of Historic A Plus when class leader Martin Lauder´s “Taxi Perdido” pulled up lame early on Day 7.   Many considered Conrad’s red Alfa to be the sexiest car in the event with its Sophia Loren curves.  See more below about recent developments in this class.

4.       Carson Scheller and his daughter Lauren repeated once again as champs of the Original Pan Am class and 25^th overall.  It was Carson´s 4^th win, with three second place finishes, and never a DNF in seven tries.  Awesome!

Honorable mentions.

Taz Harvey, driving his new Datsun Z car, finished 8^th overall but a disappointing 2d in Historic B, losing to a Porsche 911 from Mexico.    Last year in his Datsun 510, he and navigator Rudy Vajdak had finished 8^th overall but 1^st in Historic A Plus.   Reportedly, Taz had the usual problems sorting out a new car during the race.  When this car gets sorted out, it will finish much higher in the rankings.

Rene Rodriquez and the Vance Stewart boys, from TBZ Racing, won third place again in Turismo Mayor in their Ford, “El Jefe,” also significantly improving their overall standing, too.  They enjoyed major support from sibling cheer leader Kristin, who was unable to experience the cockpit this year because of the rule limiting a car to three drivers.  Vance Stewart III, apparently emerged as the hot shoe in the family.

Christian Reichardt had to leave the race early, but his partner Dan Roche, and A. J. Schwitenberg  finished in second in Original Pan Am and 54^th overall in their Lincoln.    After doing so well the first few days, the only other car, a Chrysler Hemi, driven by David Buchanan, in this class was put it on the trailer by bad oil pump.

More cars are needed in Original Pan Am.

Father and son team Douglas Hampson finished third in Historic C Plus and 49^th overall in their Volvo, and reportedly have adventures to remember in the wild, too-fast transit stages.

Neville Sonner and Dawson Tanner took second in Sports Menor in their Porsche 356, followed by Rob Curry and Rickey Shaw also in a 356.  They, too, experience an “off¨ on Day 6 in the oil spill, and had the dubious distinction of being pulled out of the ditch by the same fellow who helped them out the last time they had an “ooops.”

Ray Stevenson and Paul Fruchbom, team drivers, put their Porsche 911 in 20^th place overall and 7^th in class, a very creditable outcome for rookies.  Ray says, I was just getting started! 

 Walt Sikes and Gordon Walton, in their beautiful 911, followed in 30^th spot overall, up from 52 last year.  Walt looked good on YouTube managing to avoid a spin on Day 6 on that oil slick stage that collected the two 356s and totaled an Alfa.

Other class winners included Mexican Xavier Lamadrid in Historic C (the “Mustang race”) and finished 7^th overall.   The other two top spots in that class went to Europeans, leaving people thinking, what´s wrong with our North American pony cars?   Jack Rogers and C.J. Strupp, who suffered nagging mechanical problems, were the highest American finishers in this class. 

The only Chevy in the Historic C class, a ’65 Nova SS, driven by Canadians John and Chrislana Gregory, finished 35^th and 9^th in class, after suffering steering problems much of the way.  Fortunately they found a part in a “yonke” (junkyard) in San Miguel de Allende that helped somewhat.

Ian Swan and his wife Val from Australia finished 4^th in Historic C and 18^th overall in a Todd Landon-prepared Mustang.  Landon prepared four Mustangs, his personal best, for the folks from Down Under.  Results for the team of four cars, as you might expect, were mixed.

The LT Special, a Chevy Chevelle chassis with a Mexican fiberglass sports-car body, was finally hauled out of storage to win Sports Mayor again in the hands of Adrian Stephens (GB) and Sam Burg (USA).  They finished 55^th overall, the only car to finish in their class.  But they looked sporty!  Sam also has driven that car to the podium in the past.

Miles Jones and Bob Gehlen, who had their share of mechanical adversity, always looked dapper, and rolled across the finish line in their daily-driver Mustang, finishing in 57^th position overall.  Really, Miles drives this same car to work each day…..sans roll cage.

Jake Shuttlesworth, who led the Coyote Convoy across the Columbia Bridge this year, and navigator Gil Stuart finished in 42d overall, up eleven places from last year.  Jake plans a comeback in Original Pan Am.

In the final unreported class, Historic A, first place went to Roger Furrer and Julian Pitts (Swiss lads) in their baby blue Triumph TR4.  Furrer should be given a Spirit of Carrera award for driving his car most of the way from Houston, Texas to Veracruz with the Coyote Convoy and back to Houston after the race.

Of the twenty-six entries from the U.S. and Canada, seven did not finish because of crashes or mechanical failures:  Martin Lauber (his DNF is under review), Richard Bailey, Kaming Ko, John Daniels, Chip Fudge, David Buchanan, and Chris Ebertz.  The Alberto Bazan father and son team had to withdraw their quick BWM 2002 in Morelia because of a family emergency.

Martin Lauber informs me that he actually finished the final day way down on power, but for some reason, his results were not included in the final tally.  Stay tuned.  Martin ran a great race and it was disappointing to see his car having problems at the end of the race.  Sometimes corrections are made in the final results published on the official web site.

Northern American LCP coordinator, Gerie Bledsoe and his co-piloto, Fernando Garcia, “El Zorro the Younger,” finished 41st in a “new” silver ’53 Studebaker fabricated by Frank Oliveto in Richmond, California.   Dubbed “The Silver Fox,” it was sidelined for two days after tarry gravel ate its power steering hose on Day 1, ultimately ruining the p/s pump, and increasing the steering ratio from 16:1 to 3:1.  After one day of trying to be a 600 pound gorilla behind the wheel, Bledsoe tossed in the towel until a small pump off a Jeep was modified to work two days later. As it stands now, the Silver Fox is slated go to vintage events in the Midwest next season to promote rallying in Mexico.

Of the 84 cars that actually started the race on Day 1, only 62 were running on the last day.  There were several off-road excursions, but no serious injury was reported.  Reportedly, four or five cars failed to start, for whatever reason. Last year race had over 100 entries.  Some believe that the significant increase over the past few years in the entry fee has caused diminishing returns.

With the exception of the misadventures some racers and support crews had in entering and exiting Mexico City later in the evening, most North American competitors seemed highly pleased with the event this year.  Apart from some problems with missing hotel reservations, the Organizers got high marks for improvement in the drivers’ meetings and timing results.  The lower number of cars probably made the event run smoother, as well, one competitor noted.  On the other hand, most of us would vote not to run speed stages on fresh tarmac and have a little more time in the transit stages.

Finally, we missed a lot of old friends, like Stewart and Linda Robertson, Bill Shanahan, Tom Overbaugh, Steve Waldman, Kevin Kelley, Tony and Lee-Ann Streslzow (rumored to have survived the Peking to Paris), and Marcia Duncan Blas one of the event´s greatest supporters, to name just a few.  We hope to see them all back next year.

Gerie Bledsoe

Evanston, Illinois

December 2013

ENTERING MEXICO VIA NUEVO LAREDO:

OBTAINING A TEMPORARY VEHICLE PERMIT

There are basically two ways to drive into Mexico through Laredo, Texas.    First, there are the two parallel bridges from downtown Laredo going across the river directly into old town Nuevo Laredo.  Second, there is the Columbia Bridge, which is about 20 miles northwest of Laredo.   If you cross this bridge, you can avoid going into Nuevo Laredo completely.

This article will give you specific information about crossing into downtown Nuevo Laredo on Bridge #2 and stopping to obtain a tourist visa and a Temporary Import Permit (TTP), if you have a car, truck, RV, or motorcycle.  If you already have your vehicle permit, just follow the directions for bypassing N. Laredo on Blvd. Colosio.

From downtown Laredo you should cross into Mexico on International Bridge II, which is at the end of U.S. Interstate I-35.   This bridge carries most of the vehicular traffic in and out of Nuevo Laredo.  You may also use International Bridge I, which is a little more difficult to find.

If you are driving to San Miguel de Allende (SMA), you should cross the bridge early in the morning, since it's a full day’s drive of 550 miles to SMA.   Avoid driving in Mexico at night.

You will pay a $3 toll for two-axles and $6 for four-axles on the American side before you cross the Bridge #2.  Sometimes you might be questioned by local Laredo police or a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer just before you get onto the bridge.

Once you get across the bridge, closely follow these directions.  Most importantly, take your time and make sure you are turning in the correct direction at all intersections, especially if you are towing a trailer.

If you plan to walk across the bridge to obtain your visa or vehicle permit, you must use Bridge #1.  Read the last page for directions.

SUMMARY INSTRUCTIONS

1.      Half way across International Bridge II, you are in Mexico.   Stay in the left lane, the “Nothing to Declare” lane.  You will be shunted off to the left and given a red or green light.  If you get the red light, you must stop or pull over for inspection.

2.      Once you clear customs (or get a green light), turn right just past the inspection area and then turn left on the first street, Calle Nicholas Bravo.  It is one way.  

3.      Go approximately five blocks on Calle Bravo, following the signs for "car permits" and Banjercito.  Do not turn until you reach the end of this street.  (Toward the end of the street, there’s a money exchange office on the left, if you need pesos.)

4.       Calle Bravo ends at a wide boulevard (Blvd. Colosio).  Turn right and drive about ½ mile.  At the traffic light turn left onto the lateral street , which is signed “Cesar L. de Lara”) heading back in the direction of the bridge. 

If you already have your vehicle permit turn right on Colosio and drive south around old town Nuevo Laredo to the intersection with Highway 85 to Monterrey.

5.      On the lateral street, drive down and under the bridge.   Turn left into the second parking lot, in front of the entrance to the big Mexican Aduanas (customs) building.  

6.      Enter the building’s main door, turn right, and stop at the Migración desk to obtain your FMM tourist visa.  (Take a pen.)  Fill out the form and return it to the official, who will stamp it.

7.      After you get your visa stamped, if you need a car permit, have it copied along with your other documents at the next counter. (Passport, FMM visa, driver’s license, vehicle’s title or registration.)

8.      Walk further down the hall to the Banjercito office and hand the clerk your documents and a credit card.  There is usually a line.

9.      When you obtain your car permit, go outside and make sure that the VIN on the permit matches the vehicle’s VIN.   Remove the sticker from the back of the permit and affix it to the inside of your windshield in front of the rear view mirror.

10.  With your sticker in place, exit the parking lot, and turn hard right, back the way you came. Keep the car permit with your passport and visa, as all will be checked down the road.

EACH STEP: IN MORE DETAIL

Crossing the Bridge into Mexico

1.   In Laredo, drive south to the end of I-35.  The U.S. Customs station will be on your left.  You may be questioned before you cross the bridge by local Laredo police or by a U.S. Customs and Border protection officer.  You will pay a $3/$6 toll to cross the bridge.    Half way across the bridge, you are in Mexico.   Stay in the left lane, the “Nothing to Declare” lane.   Ignore the line of buses in the right lane, and the back-up in the “Something to Declare” middle lane.     Sometimes you may be questioned by a Mexican Army soldier and/or a Mexican Custom Official (Aduanas) at the foot of the bridge.  Normally, after a cursory look at your vehicle, you will be waved through.  You will be shunted off to the left, where you will be given a red or green light. If red, you must stop for inspection.  If green, turn to the right and exit the customs area.

WARNING:  The entry gates to the Mexican customs area across the bridge were never designed with trailers in mind.  They go off at an angle to the left and are difficult to negotiate with a long trailer.  As you approach the gates, you need to swing as far right, into the right lane, as possible to get your rig through the gates.

 2.  Once you clear Mexican customs at the foot of the bridge, exit right on the first street and then turn LEFT immediately on the next street, Calle Nicholas Bravo.  It’s one way.  Ignore the guys along the street who want to "help you" or clean your windshield. Keep moving slowly but steadily onto Calle Bravo.  Be careful at the intersections. Look right.

Finding the Place to Get Your Visa and Temporary Tourist Vehicle Permit

3.  Go approximately five blocks on Calle Bravo, following the signs for "car permits" and “Banjercito.”   Do not turn until you reach the end of this street.  However, toward the end of Bravo there is a money-changing office on the left, with a big parking lot, which reportedly offers excellent rates.

4.  When Calle Bravo runs into (and ends) at a big boulevard (Blvd. Colosio), turn right.   Drive ½ mile to the first traffic light.  Turn left onto the lateral street (marked Cesar L. de Lara) heading back in the direction of the bridge you just crossed.  Beware, it's a tricky intersection.

If you have your visa and vehicle permits, keep going south on Blvd. Colosio.

 Do not turn left on the main boulevard and go back across the bridge!   Stay to the right on the lateral street.   Beware!  There is two-way traffic on this lateral street, which goes downhill alongside the river.

5.  On this lateral street, you will go down and under International Bridge II.   Turn left into the second parking lot, in front of the entrance to the big Mexican customs building, There’s a big “ENTRADA” sign over the main entrance.  The other doors cannot be opened from the outside.  There's a guard station at the gate to the parking lot.   Park close to the building’s front door, lock your car, and ignore anyone who offers "to help."  Normally, there are plenty of security guards and army troops around this building.

Obtaining Your Tourist Visa and Temporary Tourist Vehicle Permit

6.  Go into the Aduanas building’s main entrance, turn right, and go down the hall thirty feet, though a double door, and you’ll find the “Migración” counter on the left.  Show the uniformed official your passport.  He will give you a blank visa form (FMM), fill it out (both front sides), and get it stamped at the desk.  They will give you back one half of it.  Did you remember to take a pen with you?

Of course, everyone in your travel party needs a FMM visa.

7.  After you get your FMM stamped, have it copied along with your other documents if you need a vehicle permit.  You will need the original and a copy of:

--your passport (the main page with your photo only)
--FMM visa (or FM2/3 or Temporary Resident card, both sides)
- car title or registration slip
--driver's permit

You may also bring one unlicensed ATV or off-road motorcycle into the country for everyone in your travel party.  RVs may enter the country and may be towing a car.

8.  With your copies in hand, walk down the hall past the Aduanas Office on the left to the Banjercito office. Yes, it's a bank.  Stand in line, and in turn, hand the clerk your original docs, your copies, and a major credit card.  No need to say anything but "buenas dias/noches." They know what to do.

When the clerk is finished punching your info into the computer, he/she will print out and give you a form (the car permit) which you will sign in two places on the back and give back.  You will also be asked to sign other form that states that, if you do not return your vehicle to be border before the permit expires, you will forfeit your deposit.

You will also sign a credit card voucher for up to $450 USD.  $400 will be your deposit on a vehicle newer than a 2007.  $200 or $300 for older vehicles. $48-50 is for the permit and windshield sticker, depending on the exchange rate.  This deposit will be credited to your card when return the car (and any other vehicles) to the U.S. before your visa and the permit expires.  You also may pay the deposit in cash.

The clerk will show you how to lift the windshield sticker off the back.  But do not take it off until you are outside.

Be patient as all of this is sorted out.  Think DMV back home.   It will do you no good at all to be rude or obnoxious.  (Some decisions by the Banjercito staff may be appealed to the Aduana (Customs) Office next door.)

More Obscure Details

Tourists and Coyote Convoy drivers must return to the States at the end of 180 days or before their visa expires.  They must stop at the Banjercito booth at the border to cancel their vehicle permit, and obtain a receipt for doing so, even if the permit has expired.  If they do not, the Banjercito will not refund the $200-300-400 USD bond and the individual will be blocked from returning to Mexico with a vehicle.  If you make the deposit in cash, it will be refunded in cash when you cancel your permit. You must go inside to collect the refund.  If your permit has expired, you lose your deposit.

There are limits on what vehicles maybe brought into Mexico, and there are strict requirements about the documentation for vehicles.  Here is additional information to help you avoid problems at the Banjercito window.

1.      If the vehicle has a lien (loan) on it, you will need a letter from the finance company authorizing you to bring it into Mexico.  If the vehicle is owned by a corporation, you will need a notarized letter from the Treasurer of the corporation authorizing you to bring it into the county, even if you own the company.  (HINT:  if you use the vehicle’s registration card, if the lien is not noted, so you do not need the letter.)

2.       One foreigner can import only one vehicle for up to 180 days or the duration of her/his visa.   The vehicle may be towing a trailer, and/or an off-road ATV or an off-road, unlicensed motorcycle.  All of these vehicles may be included on one permit.    Trucks may be no heavier than a 3500 model and no goose-neck trailers are allowed.  RV’s also need a permit, and they may tow a car or trailer loaded with an ATV or off-road dirt bike.

3.      The title for the trailer and the other vehicles being towed should be in the name of the person who obtains the permit.  However, a second or third person in the tow vehicle may also include their ATVs or off-road m/c on the main vehicle’s permit.

4.      A husband may import one vehicle; his spouse may import a second on a separate permit.  A husband and wife my import a vehicle on each other’s name or a child’s name.

5.      Anyone with a valid FMM or Temporary Resident visa may drive the permit holder’s vehicle in Mexico. However, only a FM2 (Rentista), not a FM2 non-rentista or Permanent Resident may own or may drive a car with a tourist permit.  A Mexican national may drive the vehicle only if the permit holder is in the vehicle.  Close relatives of the permit holder may drive the vehicle.

6.      Each Mexican border station tends to interpret and enforce these requirements a little differently or somewhat subjectively.  These regulations are constantly changing, it seems.  Again, be patient.  Getting angry will not help.

7.      Some states are no longer issuing titles, and the registration card for some states may seem flimsy or other not look original.  Make sure that whatever documents you bring are the originals, not a copies.  They must appear original and official.  Please remember, too, that this system was devised to help prevent vehicles stolen in the U.S. from entering Mexico.

Walking Across the Bridge tp Obtain a Visa or Vehicle Permit

1.       The hotel shuttle or a taxi will take you to the Posada Hotel and behind it, to the foot of International Bridge #1.  It is the old bridge across the river.  It is the only pedestrian bridge, but it is used by vehicles, too.  It costs 50 cents to cross on foot.

2.      When you get to the Mexican side, there is an Immigration (Migación) office in the building to the right, where you can obtain a tourist visa.

3.      If you are walking across to get a Temporary Import Permit (TIP) for a vehicle, you must turn right immediately after you cross the bridge and walk a long block down the street and fence to the next right, the street that goes down by the river.  Turn right and follow this street for another long block until you come to the vehicle exit for the main Aduana Building on the right.  You may enter the parking lot and walk to the main entrance in the middle of the building.  The other doors are locked.

4.      When you enter the building, turn right.  The Migración Office and Banjercito Office are through the doors to the right.  See the directions above on how to proceed.

5.      When you obtain your documents, return the same way you came.  You will pay the bridge toll in pesos when you cross.

 

Before You Leave the Parking Lot

9.  When you are finished at the Banjercito window, go outside and make sure that the VIN on the permit matches the VIN on your vehicle. Then get into the driver's seat, and carefully pull off the sticker from the back of the permit, and stick it on the inside of your windscreen, right behind the rear view mirror.  The sticker is VERY sticky, so make sure you have it in the right spot before getting it close to the glass.  It should be easily seen from the front of the car, since some cars have black-dot sensors or heavy tinting in the upper windshield area.

LEAVING NUEVO LAREDO FOR SMA

10.  With your sticker in place, exit the Aduanba parking lot, and turn hard right, back the way you came. Keep the car permit with your passport and FMM visa as they will be checked down the road.  (If you exit left, you will go around the eastern part of old town, which is much busier.)

11.  At the traffic light up the hill (where you stopped before on Blvd. Colosio) merge right onto the boulevard and head straight (south) on the green arrow.   Blvd. Colosio will carry you south along the river and after a couple of miles around west to Highway #85 to Monterrey.

You will pass a Holiday Inn Express on your right, the big Nuevo Laredo Cultural Center on your left, and a Ford dealer, plus a couple of large business buildings as you approach federal Highway #85.  (The Holiday Inn Express is a good place to stay if you cross the bridge late and want to stay in N. Laredo for the night.)

Three minutes after the Holiday Inn, you will come to a traffic light and overpass, with signs pointing left to Monterrey.  To get up to the main highway, go through the underpass in the left lane, and turn immediately up the ramp to #85.  Be careful at this intersection.

If you pass the airport on the left, you missed the turn. Go back.

On Highway #85, there are two large PEMEX gas stations on the right about 6-7 miles out of town, should you need gas or a potty break.

                     

THE ADUANA KM 21 CHECKPOINT

About 15 miles south of Nuevo Laredo (KM 21), you will go through a big Migración and Aduana checkpoint. They will (sometimes) check your FMM visa at the first booth, and (usually) your car permit at the second.  Get into the "Nothing to Declare" lane.  You will be given a red light or a green light again.

If the light flashes red, pull over to the right under the covered “revision" area, get out of your car, and give the Aduanas official your passport and car permit. They will compare the VIN number on the permit to the # on your vehicle, and give your documents back to you.  Normally, it only takes 10 minutes.  Sometimes they will ask to see in the back of your vehicle.

The red light/green light system is employed at most post-of-entry in Mexico, especially at the international airports.

Note:  If a truck in the Coyote Convoy gets a red light, stay in line until directed by an official to go to an inspection area.  Note that the exit from the inspection area is a tight left turn, so stay as far right as possible.

Importation Allowances and Dealing with Mexican Custom Officials (Aduanas)

The Mexican Aduanas inspectators at the border or in airports are looking primarily for items that can be used in an occupation or sold in Mexico.  You are only entitled to bring only $75 dollars of items not on the “allowed” list when you drive into the country, but $300 at an airport!  However, in 14 years I have never had the inside of my truck or suitcases thoroughly searched at either checkpoint in Nuevo Laredo.  I am not, however, encouraging anyone to smuggle anything across the border.   (The amount goes up to $300 during certain holiday seasons, like Christmas and Easter.)

You should should cover any electronic gizmos or "fancy" items in your vehicle, like photographic equipment, for security purposes before you crossed the bridge.  One digital camera, video camera, GPS, or lap-top computer is OK.  Two cells phones are OK, plus a long list of other items, such as personal medicine.  However, three 35 MM digital cameras, tripod, and other “professional” photographic equipment might be a problem.  Desk top computers, especially new ones, should be declared.

If you have something to declare, you may pay taxes (normally 16%) on those items at the Aduanas window, on goods up to $3000 per person in market value, quickly and without using a Mexican customs broker.  Bring receipts or invoices for what you plan to declare, so you can substantiate their cost or value.  The Aduanas officials will normally depreciate used items, and to a degree, it's all negotiable.   There’s a limit of $1000 on auto parts.  Above that limit, you must use a Mexican customs agent, and that’s a big pain in the rear.

The Mexican Aduanas officials tend to cut foreign visitors a lot of slack, since the Federal Government wants tourists to visit Mexico and have a good, safe time. Of course, there is always the chance you will run into a new guy or gal on the job who is trying to impress their bosses.  Just be polite and patient.

FEDERALE AND ARMY INSPECTION POSTS

At any point along the highway to SMA you may be stopped by a Federale (federal police in black or brown uniforms) or a Mexican Army or Marines checkpoint. They are looking for guns and drug money going south.  Roll down your windows, take off your sunglasses, offer your passport, and smile. They will usually ask: “where do you live?” and “where are you going?” in Spanish   To the former, answer what is in your passport, while to the latter, just say Guanajuato.  They may want to open the trunk (boot), but they rarely search the vehicle.  Usually, they will just wave you through.   Sometimes, they will ask to see your temporary vehicle permit.

Good luck! Suerte!

Gerie Bledsoe

San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

September 2013