CARRERAS NEWS -- July, 2016

**Chihuahua Express, April 26-30, 2017

**Carreras Fiesta, Monterey, August 20, 2016

**Pan-Am Driver’s Jacket at Auction

**Rules and Registration for the Pan-Am

**2d Annual Transpeninsular Rally

**Four Cars and One Pan-Am Engine  -- For Sale

**Pan-Am Entries and Rules

**Contact Info

**Chihuahua Express, April 26-30, 2017

Organizer Chacho Medina, Fernando Garcia, and a government official from the state of Chihuahua have spent three days testing roads to add to the Express next year.  The goal is to add a fourth day to the rally, while returning to the Sheraton Soberano Hotel each night.  Several new highways in the vicinity of the famous Copper Canyon are under consideration.

**Carreras Fiesta, Monterey, August 20, 2016

The 10^th Carreras Fiesta will be held in Monterey, California.  This is an annual fund-raiser for Lupita Hernandez, the Mexican nurse who lost both legs in a Pan-Am accident.  The guest speaker will be Gerie Bledsoe, who served as the North American Coordinator for the Pan-Am from 2002 until this year.  Tickets to the dinner are $50, available from Bill Hemmer bekgroup@gmail.com. Seating is limited, early reservations are encouraged, and contributions are accepted.  There will be a silent auction of Pan-Am and other donated items.

**Pan-Am Driver’s Jacket at Auction

A 2010 Pan-Am driver’s jacket is being offered by email auction.  This is a quilted jacket made by “State of Art,” a European company, and former sponsor of the event.  It is slate grey, with brown leather trim.  Snaps and zippers down the front; zippered pockets; waist adjustment in back.  Inside pocket.  “State of Art” left right sleeve and back; “Spirit of Carrera,” Telmex, and LCP logo on chest.  The size is Large. A reserve price has been set at $200.  Bidding closes on August 16, 10PM.  These jacket are given only to drivers and co-drivers before each race, and are not for sale to the public. 

If the final bid is over $400 USD, an official 2013 driver’s hat will be included.  Shipment to the U.S. is included; shipment out of the U.S. is extra. Send bids to gbledso@aol.com.

All proceeds will go to Lupita Hernández Ruíz, the Mexican nurse who was crippled by a Pan-Am car in 2003.  Checks should be made payable to “Amigos de Lupita Hernandez.”  The trustees of Lupita’s funds are:  Doug Mockett, Oscar Castillo, and Gerie Bledsoe.  Over $2400 USD has been raised by auctions of donated, authentic Pan-Am items.

**2d Annual Historico Transpeninsular Rally

The second annual Baja Transpeninsular Rally is in the books.  This stage (velocity) rally runs on the main highway down the Baja peninsula over 900 miles from Tijuana to Cabo.  The new champion is Chris Eberz from California del norte.  The dates for the rally in 2017 will be May 25-29, 2017.  A fourth day has been added for next year.  It is open to vintage cars in three classes, which include three sub-classes.  This event is destined to be extremely popular, especially with racers from California.  The U.S. rep is Rob Miller.

**Pan-Am Registration and Rules

The rules for the 2016 Pan-Am are available on the official website.  The new rules allow cars in Historic C (V8s made from 1955-1972) to use a Mustang II type front end.  Registration will close in September.

Currently there are 59 entries: 

Mexico, 33

Europe, 10

U.S., 13

Canada, 1

Other, 2

Entries by classification:

Turismo Mayor, 7

Turismo Production, 6

Sports Mayor, 0

Sports Minor, 6

Historic A, 2

Historic A+, 6

Historic B, 9

Historic C, 10

Original Pan Am, 4

Modern BMW Mini, 7 (a separate, exhibition class)

Exhibition, 3 (cars not eligible for a regular class)

**Cars and Engines for Sale

1966 Mustang. Available: An opportunity to own a highly competitive piece of Mexico Road Racing History.  Vehicle featured in the GT Racer Video Series La Carrera Panamericana.  A Mustang fresh off recent Historic “C” top finishes at Chihuahua Express and La Carrera Panamericana, with a history of victories in both events.  A racing package of vehicle purchase, with delivery and support for both Chihuahua Express and La Carrera Panamericana for 2016 by “Mustangs to Go, LLC.”  Upon completion of the two events, delivery of the Mustang - FOB Dallas, TX.  $75,000 USD Mustang only, $115,000 USD Mustang with delivery and support to Chihuahua Express and La Carrera Panamericana 2016. For additional information contact: Todd Landon. talandon@landolakes.com. Mobile: US 952-250-7948

1961 Chrysler.  Competed six times in the Pan-Am beginning in 2001.  Has also competed in many other rally racing venues beginning in 1996.  The drive train is approx. 1972 Chrysler with a 440 engine with a rebuild after the 2007 season. Automatic trans., 3:23 rear gears. Car will need to be brought up to current Pan-Am specs. It does have a cracked windshield.  Price is $15,000. Please call Dean Smith 702-438-3445 or cell 702-539-9863. Car is in Las Vegas.

1952 Desoto - Built specially for the Pan-Am but never entered.  Raced at Pikes Peak (2009) and also Virginia City Hill Climb (2009). Class should be Original Pan-Am.  Engine is a 1957 Chrysler 392 Hemi.   Trans is automatic TorqueFlite. 3:23 Sure-Grip gears. 32 gallon fuel cell.  Car has a 1973 Camaro front sub frame with disc brakes.  Race it or not this car is a ball to drive!  Finished in 2006 the car will need to be brought up to current Pan-Am specs. Price is $35,000.  Please call Dean Smith 702-438-3445 or cell 702-539-9863.  Car is in Las Vegas.

Engine For Sale – Chevy 359 c.i. with 10.5-1 compression, 551 hp and 460 lbs. of torque. 18 degree heads, Crower roller cam, Holley 600 cfm, etc. All the good stuff. Has around 1000 miles on it, ran part of one LCP event.  Full spec sheet available.  Contact Oscar Carillo at oscar@mocket.com.

1953 Studebaker -- Silver Fox

New 302 c.i. DZ Chevy engine. Modern Holley double pumper carb. Tremec transmission. Tilton pedals. Wilwood brakes. Champion quick-change rear end.  Podium finish in Pan-Am Turismo Production. Two sets of rims and tires.  Re-enforced frame and massive cage.  Excellent electrical system. 22 gallon fuel cell with twin pumps.  Kirkey seats. GPS speedometer. Many spare parts.  Ready for 2016 Pan-Am in October.  Full support also available.  $65,000/BO.  Car located in Chicago-Milwaukee area. Contact Gerie Bledsoe 310-703-4476 or gbledso@aol.com

**CONTACT INFO

Gerie Bledsoe, North American Coordinator

Chihuahua Express

Evanston, IL 310-703-4476 (Central Time Zone)

gbledso@aol.com

www.panamrace.com

Carreras News

June 2016

**Chihuahua Express – Tentative Dates, April 27-30. 2017

Event organizer Chacho Medina has set as April 27-30 as the tentative dates for the 2017 Chi-X.  These dates are subject to the approval of various authorities in Mexico.  The date is always set each year so as not to conflict with Easter.

Mr. Medina visited Chihuahua last week to check out possible new routes for the event, perhaps for a fourth day of racing.  Last April several competitors asked him to increase the length of the event.  This can be done by adding another day of competition in place of the pre-qualifying run on Thursday morning, or simply by adding a fourth day on Thursday with qualifying on Wednesday.  Of course, this would increase the entry fee and add at least another night in Chihuahua City.

If it stands, these dates in April will allow Chi-X competitors to warm up in the Big Bend Open Road Race (BBORR) the previous weekend in Ft. Stockton, Texas, and then motor down to Chihuahua for the Xpress.  Chihuahua is about a five hour drive from there via Presidio.

The BBORR is a high speed “T/S/D” or “bracket” race that runs on a closed highway 59 miles from Ft. Stockton to Sanderson, TX.  After a break, the cars race back to Ft. Stockton.  There is an unlimited-speed class, but most of the cars attempt to finish on their “target time,” like the Silver State Classic Challenge in Nevada. Their speed “bracket” (one of 17 classes) is based on the car’s safety equipment and the driver’s aspirations.  That is, the faster you go, the more roll cage and safety equipment is required.  To run in the unlimited class, the requirements for a roll cage are slightly more than for the Chi-X and Pan-Am, and the car must sustain a speed of at least 135 MPH.

**La Carrera Panamericana 2016 – Oct. 13-20

The Pan-Am is scheduled for October 13-20, starting in Huatulco, a resort town on the Pacific, in the state of Oaxaca, and ending in Durango.  Overnights along the way include:  Oaxaca, Mexico City, Toluca, Morelia, Guanajuato, and Zacatecas.

The organizers have decided to allow modern BMW Mini Coopers in the event.  Of the 48 entries listed on the official web site six are Mini’s.  

Of the 48 entries, 27 are from Mexico, 11 from the U.S., 8 from Europe, and 2 from other countries. 

Registrations by Pan-Am classifications:

Turismo Mayor 7

Turismo Production  4

Sports Mayor 0

Sports Menor 4

Historic A+   4   

Historic A  2    

Historic B  7

Historic C  10

Original Pan Am 1

Exhibition 3

Not yet ready to spend two weeks and major bucks on a long race, deep in Mexico?  Then come on down to the Chihuahua Express next April. It’s only 145 miles from Texas. Bring a race car to test or your fun car to drive in the Chi-X Tour.  Check out the roads and rallying Mexican style.  You will be pleased.

**Rally Histórico Transpeninsula (Baja)

This new rally, in its second year, is scheduled for next week, June 23-26.  For more information go to www.rallyhistoricotranspeninsular.mx. Also check it out on Facebook. The rally will begin in Tijuana and end three days later, after 925 miles of paved highway, down in Cabo.  This event will also include a touring class for those who want to make the trip at a more leisurely pace.

**Cars for Sale

1940 Cadillac LaSalle Turismo Production

This Rare LaSalle Type 40 two-door business coupe was the coolest ride in the 2015 Carrera Panamericana.  Third-place finish in class.  No serious mechanical problems.  Sorted and ready to race the Pan-Am or Chihuahua Express.  Easily converted into a Turismo Mayor car.

All steel body.  Hood and fenders can be easily removed for service.  Front suspension -- modified Mustang with coil-over's and tubular upper- and lower-control arms.  Rear suspension -- adjustable coil spring with a tubular, triangulated four-link.  Big Wilwood disc brakes. Ford 9 inch full floater with 3.50 gear and posi-traction. Tremec five speed--because of the Carrera rules 5th gear (over-drive) is locked out.  The engine is a GM 302 c.i. with cast iron heads and a Holly 600 CFM double pumper carburetor.  Dynoed at 360 HP. Ignition -- a dual MSD boxes with rev. limiter, dual coils. Bridgestone racing tires with spare.  Aluminum racing seats and five-point belts.  Massive, safe roll cage. Fuel cell.  Passed Pan-Am tech with flying colors.

This is the fifth Pan-Am car Frank Oliveto has built, and like the rest, it’s solid.  It’s ready to run the Chihuahua Express, Pan-Am, Transpeninsular (Baja), or other rally in Mexico. 

If you buy it and race it in Mexico this or next year, I will be happy to be your guide and coach down there for either or both events.

Price: $49,000.00/B.O.    Call:  Frank Oliveto, Richmond, California 415-720-1482 or email foliveto@icloud.com.

**LEGAL DEPT

As most of you know, auto racing is inherently dangerous and unless you drive prudently, like a reasonable person (who races), it can be seriously injurious to your health.  Rallying through the mountains of Mexico can also be addictive and ruin your desire to compete on the round-and-round tracks.  Also note that the opinions expressed herein are the editor’s and do not represent the views of any race organizer on either side of the border.

**CONTACT INFO

Gerie Bledsoe, North American Coordinator

Chihuahua Express

Evanston, IL 310-703-4476 (Central Time Zone)

gbledso@aol.com

www.panamrace.com