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)
www.panamrace.com
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