PanAmRace.com Newsletter

La Carrera 2011 -- Final Report

2011-12-02T11:52:00.000-08:00

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

2011-11-04T08:32:00.000-07:00

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

2011-10-06T07:22:00.000-07:00

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

2011-07-14T09:15:00.000-07:00

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?

2011-06-09T10:37:00.000-07:00

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

2011-06-07T07:47:00.000-07:00

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.......

2011-03-22T15:04:00.000-07:00

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

2011-01-19T13:08:00.000-08:00

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

CARRERA NEWS -- HOLIDAY EDITION

2010-12-13T11:17:00.000-08:00

CARRERA NEWS

December 2010

HOLIDAY EDITION (updated 12/13)

**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS GEARING UP

**LCP 2011 – FILLING UP QUICKLY

**SELECTING A CAR FOR THE PAN AM

**ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE AT HIGH ALTITUDE

**TIRE AND RIM SELECTION

**CLASSIFIEDS

**CONTACT INFORMATION -- IMPORTANT CHANGE

**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS GEARING UP

Twenty North Americans have committed to the 4th annual Chihuahua Express, April 8-10, 2011. Most of the competitors have experience in La Carrera or have run the Express before. Thirty or more Mexicans and Europeans are also expected to participate.

Some rookies to rallying in Mexico use the Express to learn the ropes south of the border.

The Express is three days of open-road racing—about 325 miles of top-speed stages--across some of the most remarkable landscapes in the world. It’s a stage rally 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 and entry form via email.

Registration and technical inspection are a snap, the cost is low, the time commitment is minimal, just about any car may be enrolled, and the race organization is professional. In only three years, it’s become a world-class event.

The Express Convoy leaves Santa Teresa, New Mexico (near El Paso, Texas) on April 6 for the short drive across the border, around Juarez, and down to Chihuahua City. Detailed instructions for the border crossing are provided, along with other news and information, to those on the CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS NEWS email list.

**LCP 2011 – FILLING UP QUICKLY !!

According to the published rules of La Carrera Panamericana, thirty of the one hundred entries are reserved for North America (Canada and the United States). As of this date, 26 (now 31) entries have been received from these two countries.

Prior to 2010, it was normal to have a North American contingent of forty or more, but that was not the case last year when North American participation was limited to thirty, mainly to accommodate fifty entries from Mexico and a good turn out from Europe.

Bottom line: if you are living in the Canada or the U.S. and want to guarantee a place on the grid for 2011, send in your entry form and a non-refundable deposit of $500 payable to La Carrera USA…ASAP. (See Contact Info for the address.) If for any reason your entry is not accepted by the Organizing Committee, your deposit will be refunded promptly. There has been no announcement about the fee schedule. Deposits may also be transferred.

If you am planning to participate in the race this year, keep wrenching on your car, because we will try to enroll as many North Americans as possible, and it is likely that one or two of those who have made a deposit will ultimately decide not to participate this coming year.

**SELECTING A CAR FOR THE PAN AM

The basic criteria are:

1. Interest – what type of car do you like? English sports cars, German sedans, or GM?

2. Ambition – are you out to win or just want to have some fun?

3. Budget – you need one, of course.

Over the past decade, the nature of LCP has changed significantly. Today, there are more professional racers involved, and the cars are better prepared and faster. There are far fewer drivers who are “tourists,” participating “just for fun.” Instead of rumbling down a mountain road racing against the clock, now novices may find themselves speeding around a Mexican NASCAR track with drivers who will push their cars to the limit. More than ever before, racing experience or driver training on a track is imperative

Want a better chance of climb onto the podium? Build a car for these under-represented classes: Original Pan Am or Sports Mayor (+2000 cc) or Sports Menor (-2000 cc). In these classes, replicas are generally accepted. The Sports class cars—1940-1954—may be highly modified. Even in Original Pan Am a lot of modern parts are permitted.

**ADJUST YOUR ATTITUDE FOR ALTITUDE

For years I have warned rookies about the effect of the high altitudes in Mexico on their engines and drive trains. My refrain has been: we lose up to 1/3 of our compression in the mountains and high plains of Mexico. This notion was based on some research Mike Goble and I did in the mountains of California preparing for the race in 2001.

Contrary to what you may think about Mexico, most of the country, especially the central part where we race for six days, is a plateau over 5000 feet in altitude, with lots of rugged mountains and mostly dormant volcanoes. In some places, like outside of Zacatecas, we race at 8500 feet or higher. Too many people think of Mexico in terms of the seaside resorts like Cancun, Cabo, and Puerto Vallarta. But most of Mexico is at high altitude, and it is much cooler at 8500 feet, even in the summer months.

Even in the Chihuahua Express, we reach some lofty altitudes, especially the day we race into the famous Copper Canyon.

A recent note in Road and Track (November, 2010, p. 108) finally provided me the scientific formula: for each 1000 feet gain in altitude, the air pressure (thus oxygen) is reduced by 3.5%, so in Oaxaca we are down by 18.55%. In Puebla or in Zacatecas, we drop to 31.5%. Thin air and the reduction in oxygen robs our engines of power.

As air pressure drops, so does the ability of the air to carry gasoline. Less petrol vapor = less power. Ask any drag racer who tunes for Denver or even Atlanta.

In addition, engines like cool, dense air, especially when accelerating. Cold-air or ram-air induction is essential to crisp performance, especially “getting off the line.” It is true that air temperature drops three degrees for each 1000 feet in altitude and this helps, but our engines do run hotter up there in the mountains. Why?

Engines do not cool well at high altitude because the thinner air simply does not absorb and dissipate heat as efficiently the thicker air at lower altitudes. Larger radiators, “Water Wetter,” high flow water pumps, and more powerful fans are necessary. (You may use coolant in Carrera race cars.)

Hot engines also tend to vapor lock, especially those with mechanical fuel pumps. Extra insulation around the gas line and carb helps, but the only proven cure is a re-circulating fuel system, where the gas never stops circulating between the tank, carb, and back to the tank.

Some car builders have used two fuel pumps on the gas line, one pushing and one pulling, with success, but the recirculating system is best. Worried about the dependability of an electric pump? Use two of them – in line or separately wired. Electric pumps should not be located in the trunk with the fuel cell.

Good news? Because our engines are down on power at altitude, there is much less stress on the drive train: transmission, clutch, differential, and rear axles. If you want to save a little un-sprung weight, substitute a Ford 8.8” differential for the traditional Ford 9” or a “built” GM ten bolt, rather than the expensive, heavier 12 bolt.

**TIRE AND RIM SELECTION

The rules of the Carrera say that competitors cannot use tires made for competition. The rules also specify a DOT approved tire (or European equivalent), a minimum tread wear rating of 60, and in most classes, an aspect ratio of 50 or higher. The tires should not be “cut” (shaved).

Fortunately, both Yokohama and Toyo make tires that fit these specs. The Yokohama A048 (or the lastest iteration) is an excellent choice, or the Toyo A-888 or RA-1. Some competitors have found success with other, speed-rated (H or higher) summer tires.

You should pay attention to the maximum rim widths specified for each class, such as 6” Historic A and B, and 7” in Historic C. Turismo Mayor may run a 8” rim.

Normally, one set of (unshaved) tires is enough for this race. Maybe having an extra spare tire in your service vehicle is a good idea. All race cars must carry one spare—in the trunk or somewhere in or on the car.

Steel or alloy rims? In the old days, almost everyone ran steel rims. They are stronger and can be repaired by welding at most muffler shops. Now, many more people run alloy rims, again to save weight. If you decide on alloy rims, select strong ones, because few Mexican shops have the equipment to weld aluminum.

** ENTRY PROCEDURE AND HOTELS

North Americans have two ways to sign up for the Pan Am. They may print out the Entry Form from www.panamrace.com, fill it out, and send it to the N.A. Coordinator with a personal or business check. This form solicits information useful to providing competitors, especially rookies, with the best advice and assistance prior to the event.

Competitors may also sign up by going to the main web site: www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx. Unfortunately, this format is not user friendly, and you must have your blood type info, car info, and digital photos ready to upload in order to complete the registration.
The race organizers in Mexico, not the N.A. Coordinator, make all decisions about the eligibility of cars. However, rookies or anyone with a new car should let the Coordinator review their roll cage design before lighting up the welding torch. Again, the final decisions about cages and other safety equipment are made by the tech inspectors at the start of the race.

Please note that the final rules of the race are usually not published until the spring, and even then they are subject to change. Stay loose!

Hotels. Registration for the race includes a double hotel room, two beds for two people, for eight nights (Oct. 20-27, 2011). However, the hotel package for 2011 has not been announced. But traditionally, those who enter the race first get the best hotels. Those signing up early, for example, have the best shot at scoring a room at the fabulous Quinta Real Hotel in Zacatecas, which costs $150 extra.

Hotel reservations should be made directly with the Carrera Office in Mexico (310-860-6959). Additional hotel rooms—for your crew or early arrival in the starting city—cost $150.

All participants should understand that all sales of hotel rooms are final. There are no refunds and the rooms cannot be transferred to another person.

**CLASSIFIEDS

Todd Landon (Minnesota) has a Mustangs and Falcons to rent for La Carrera and the Chihuahua Express. Todd has twelve years of Carrera experience as a racer and car builder. One of his cars finished first in class and fifth overall in the Historic C class in the Express in 2009, and in 2008 the same car won the Historic C class in la Carrera. Todd also offers an “arrive and drive” arrangement, with full mechanical support. Todd also regularly attends the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (June 27, 2010) and provides cars for that event. Contact him at TALandon@landolakes.com or 1-952-250-7948.

Mats Hammarlund Racing, Inc., down in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, has a variety of cars for rent and for sale. Hammarlund’s cars are all booked for the Carrera next year, but he has cars available for the Chihuahua Express. His two successive championships prove that his cars are fast and dependable. Mats will also store and prep cars from Europe and North America for the Carrera and Chihuahua Express. Why ship them back and forth across the ocean? Contact Mats at mats@mhracing.com.mx or 011-52-415-101-0308.

ISO CO-PILOT. Want to ride up Pikes Peak or navigate the Chihuahua Express in a unique style? Call Dean Smith 702-438-3445. Dean has a ’52 Desoto that made it up PP and the Virginia City Hill Climb already, and he needs a funded co-piloto for both events.

**CONTACT INFORMATION

Please note that the change in my postal address is effective December 12, 2010:

Gerie Bledsoe or La Carrera USA

220 N Zapata Hwy Ste 11

Pmb 68B

Laredo, Texas 78043

Phone: 1-650-525-9190

Email: gbledso@aol.com

Web site: www.panamrace.com

Web site: www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx

Carrera Office (Mexico City): 1-310-860-6959

CARRERA NEWS -- Post Race Re-Cap

2010-11-15T19:42:00.000-08:00

2010 Winner Harri Rovanpera (right)and fiend Marc Devis

CARRERA NEWS
November 2010 Veterans’ Day Edition

**ACT FAST, 2011 PAN AM WILL SELL OUT QUICKLY

Based on the past two years’ registration, the thirty slots allocated to Canada and the USA will sell out quickly. If you want to nail down a spot, send in an entry form and non-refundable deposit of $500 by December 14. This will hold your place until the early entry period closes. Fees and discounts have not been announced yet, nor the route. That news is not expected until January. The dates for 2011 are posted on the web site as October 21-27, 2011. The Organizers reserve the right to approve all entries.

**2010 PAN AM RE-CAP

One hundred and fifteen cars started the 2010 Carrera Panamericana in Tuxtla Gutierrez on October 22 for the 335 mile leg to Oaxaca, across roads damaged by hurricanes and tropical storms.

Twenty-seven of these cars did not finish the first day. Early casualties included Brad Kaplan and Derek Dwyer in their beautiful ’54 Lincoln. Doug Mockett and Angelica Fuentes, among the pre-race favorites, suffered a broken differential on the way to the starting line. They would return to the race the following date, only to suffer an “off” on the fifth day, ironically at the same place Mockett lost it last year! Thus Doug now has the dubious distinction of having a corner named after him.

On the third day, the long run around Mexico City from Puebla to Queretaro, four cars were wrecked on the second planned speed stage due to slick pavement. Even a former Pan Am champion did not appreciate the treacherous pavement until it was too late. In an unusual event, an Opel from Germany burned to a crisp in the middle of the tarmac because of an engine fire.

On the fourth day, the beautiful ’53 Corvette of John Schantz and Bill Peter wrecked on Mil Cumbres, when the car’s brakes locked up on one side, spinning it into a guard rail. Both ends impacted and were shattered. After some fiberglass repairs, the ‘Vette should return next year.

Few crashes were as spectacular as the end-over-end crash of Pam Am Champion (2008) Bill Beilharz. Bill lost his brakes on another treacherous stage near Morelia the fourth day and left the road at high speed. The event can be witnessed on YouTube.com. Not a body panel on the Studebaker is straight. This crash was especially unfortunate because the car, suffering prior mechanical problems, was no longer in serious competition.

After Morelia, the event paid a public relations visit to Guadalajara, and then moved on to Aguascalientes. In Aguas, the cars raced on the new NASCAR track south of town, giving many drivers (like me)their first experience on a banked oval. Sadly, no one warned the cars that a gravel pit could be found at the end of the acceleration lane and several cars spun at that point, causing body damage to one.

By the fourth day, the race had turned into a two-pony event, with the Finnish WRC driver, Harri Rovanpera barely edging out Mexican racing champion Michel Jourdain. At the end of the event the drivers finished only 12 seconds apart, and surprisingly, they were 13 minutes ahead of the TP car in third place, driven by Jorge Pedrero, who is no slouch. In fact, Jourdain had the fastest times the last three days, but his margins were not great enough to overcome Harri’s modest lead.

It was reported that Harri and Michel, whose cars were built and supported by Mats Hammarlund Racing, had a great relationship throughout the event.

In Historic C, the largest class by far (31 cars), three pre-race favorites fell behind because of crashes and mechanicals: Thierry de Bosque (transmission), Bill Shanahan (engine), and Jochen Mass (crash). Tomas Lopez Rocha and Carols Martinez Campos, drove Hammarlund Falcons to the top two spots, while John Nielsen (Canada) recovered from some mechanicals to place third. This was the first time in some years that a Historic C car or two did not finish in the top ten overall.

Car #395. a cute little baby blue and white Chevy II Nova, finished 11th in Historic C (of 31) and 46th overall (of 115) because of a wild series of spins and navigation problems. It went from 13th fastest overall on the first speed run of the event to taking a four minute penalty for not being ready to start a speed stage. Both driver and rookie navigator have declined further comment.

For the first time in recent memory the Pan Am ended in Zacatecas, with two runs on the famous mountain road La Bufa. What followed was a great party in the old bull ring at the Quinta Real Hotel. It was windy and chilly but most guests had sufficient antifreeze in their systems to prevent icing.

Special notice should go to the team of Martin Lauber and Conrad Stevenson (CA-USA) who finished first in Historic A+ and eight overall in their Alfa Romero sedan, the Lost Taxi. Taz Harvey and Rudy Vajdak (USA) finished in third in this class, in a Datsun 510, an outstanding accomplishment for their first time south of the border. Both crews have had significant experience in other forms of racing in the US.

An unofficial “Spirit of La Carrera” award must go to John and Chrislana Gregory (Canada), who after a bad “off” on the morning of the third day, returned to win the Original Pan Am class. John reported that the frame was probably bent in the crash, so the car turned left a lot better than right! John and Chrislana also spun and hit the wall in the famous gravel pit on the track at Aguascalientes, but their resolve remained unshaken. Pre-race favorite Carson Scheller (CA-USA) finished second. Tom Overbaugh (NY-USA), aided by guest co-piloto, Michael Emery (CA-USA) of Fortelesa fame, were third.

Honorable mention also goes to Helge Nyland (CA-USA) who not only finished the race but also managed to bring his car, a beautiful TM ’54 Studebaker, home unscathed for the first time in some years! Well done!

A “most outrageous” award must go to Carlos Anaya, our jovial baker and Mexican NASCAR driver, for his so-called LT-Special. Any resemblance between a car made in 1954 and this beast was purely coincidental. What an interpretation of the rules! Too bad he lost it momentarily in a ravine on day three. Even so, he finished in 7th overall. Bravo!

**2010 IMPRESSIONS

1) The Pan Am has become a major media event, largely because of the participation of Televisa, which entered 10-11 cars and has already broadcast a 1.5 hour documentary on the event in Mexico. Unhappily for Televisa, their featured driver, Michel Jourdain, did not win.

2) The event was marred again by timing and scoring problems. Results were not available at the nightly drivers’ meetings, and sometimes they were not even available at the starting arch. Competitors also complained about the accuracy of the printed results, which were not checked for even obvious anomalies .

3) The crowds in most cities, except Guadalajara, were large and enthusiastic.

4) The level of competition continues to increase with faster cars and more professional drivers.

5) Safety and security were not an issue, as police and army protection was more than adequate.

6) The driving meetings were held in beautiful locations, but again they tended to run late, without published results.

7) Lines at registration were too long, and really, someone needs to sweep up the rusty nails in the parc fermé before the race cars and service trucks arrive.

8) The route was a mix of mostly well-known rally roads, with a few new ones that should remain unknown. Thankfully, two speed stages were canceled because of the condition of the roads.

9) Hotel accommodations seemed overall adequate, with only a few crews showing up to find “no room at the inn.”

10) It was great to see the two Mercedes Benz 300 SL “Gull Wings” back in La Carrera (with MB engines this time). They were classic, beautiful, and well driven by Pierre de Thoisy (7 time LCP Champ) and Phillipe Vandromme.

11) Some people are still wondering how Datsun Z cars were allowed to compete, but such is the nature of this event.

12) The weather was beautiful. Sunny, dry, and on the warm side.

13) Wow! Beautiful crop of navigators this year!

**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS ENTRIES BEING ACCEPTED

The first eight North American entries for the Chihuahua Express, April 8-10, 2011 have been received. The discounted entry fee is $2200. That covers the car and the driver and co-driver(s). It does not include rooms at the luxury Soberano Hotel, which are $165 a night.

The Express includes about 325 miles of stage racing over three days, and a total distance traveled of around 1000 miles. Chihuahua City is only 145 miles west of Presidio and 240 miles south of El Paso, Texas.

Cars of any age with a six-point roll cage and the usual safety equipment, including HANS devices, are eligible. The Express operates under the same rules as the Carrera Panamericana, and offers an excellent way to tune and test for the Pan AM.

There is no doubt: the Express is one of the premier motor sports events in the world. It’s a racer’s race! Ask me for an entry form via email gbledso@aol.com.

**PIKES PEAK JUNE 26, 2011

Several Carrera race cars will return to run the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb next June. Turismo Mayor and Turismo Production cars run together in a “modified” vintage class, while Pan Am Historic and Original Pan Am cars will run with the local RMVR vintage cars. This year the entire 12.4 mile course will be paved, so those who are worried about the gravel should relax and enjoy this magnificent event. (The view from the top is good, too!)

**COYOTE CONVOY – UN GRAN EXITO!

For the ninth year, the Coyote Convoy made it across the border in Nuevo Laredo and down to the start of the event without losing anyone—for long. This year, however, Mexican Custom officials checked the temporary tourist stickers and VINs on all the cars and tow vehicles at the border, causing an hour delay. All vehicles were found to be properly imported. After an uneventful 10 hour drive to San Miguel de Allende that Saturday, most of the racecars were displayed in the main square on Sunday, and afterwards everyone gathered for a soiree at the new home of Gerie Bledsoe and Diane Ruszczyk. Funds were raised for local children’s charities.

**MATS HAMMARLUND RACING

Hammarlund Racing is celebrating its second consecutive championship victory in La Carrera Panamericana. In fact, Mats’ cars came in first and second overall. In Historic C, Hammarlund Falcons also finished first and second.

Hammarlund reports that his cars are completely booked for the Carrera nexr year, but he has the two Falcons available for the Chihuahua Express in April. Contact him at mats@mhracing.com.mx.

**TODD LANDON (TAL RACING)

TAL Racing has cars (Mustangs and Falcons) available for the Chihuahua Express, Pikes Peak, or La Carrera 2011. Drop him a line at TALandon@landolakes.com.

**CLASSIFIEDS

Got a car for sale? Advertise it here and on the www.panamrace.com web site for only $35.

In search of a partner, navigator, crew? (Car racing only!) Advertise here for free.

**LEGAL WARNING

Always remember that motor sports, including the Pan Am, Chihuahua and PPIHC, are dangerous, and also addictive.

Thanks again to Gary Faules and his string of reporters for the great coverage of the events. Make sure you check out YouTube.com for Pan Am videos.

Also, I would appreciate receiving copies of your photos and videos on DVD for the Carrera Archives. And thanks to Hauke Fischer, Michel Emery, and the many other photographers for the most excellent collection of Pan Am images this year!

**CONTACT INFO

Gerie Bledsoe
North American Coordinator
La Carrera Panamericana and Chihuahua Express

Postal Address until December 15:

1288 East Hillsdale Blvd. A-204
Foster City, CA 94404

Telephones: 650-525-9190 (home office)
650-867-9488 (mobile)

Email: gbledso@aol.com

Postal Address after Dec 15:

PMB No. 68B
220 N Zapata Hwy, #11
Laredo, TX 78043-4464

Phone Number: TBA

Web sites:
www.panamrace.com
www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx
www.chihuahuaexpress.com
CarreraCoyote (Twitter.com)

Car #395, ’63 Chevy II Nova, 13th Year

CARRERA NEWS

2010-10-08T13:58:00.000-07:00

A True Carrera Romance: Kristin Stewart and Todd Landon

Carrera News
The Infamous Handicapper's Edition
October, 2010

**LA CARRERA BOOKED FOR 2010?

Eduardo "Lalo" Leon, President Emeritus of La Carrera Panamericana, continues to report that the grid is full for 2010. Only 31 entries from North America were accepted and two have withdrawn, dropping US and Canadian entries to new low.
At one time, Mr. Leon was boasting of 118 entries or more, but today only 109 entries are posted on the web site www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx and a few of these are bound to be no shows.
The unofficial tally by country is:
Mexico – 50 (muy bueno!)
USA -- 25
Canada -- 4
Central and South America – 0
Europe – 30 -- The countries represented, in no particular order:
France – 3
Belgium – 5
Netherlands – 1
Finland -- 2
Sweden -- 2
Germany -- 10
Swiss – 3
Austria – 1
Italy – 1
Spain – 1

Please note that the entries on the web site may not be complete or totally accurate. The assignment of countries in some instances is somewhat arbitrary, too.

**THE FAVORITES?

According to one car builder, who has a LCP championship trophy in his garage, any one of eleven drivers could win this year's event. Several former champions are returning in Turismo Mayor, the top class, including Carlos Anaya (MX), Bill Beilharz (USA), Doug Mockett (USA), and Pierre de Thoisy (FR). The sentimental favorites must also include Paco Marquez and Araceli Ramirez Islas in their Hudson. Clearly, these two have the heart if not the machinery to claim victory!

Bill Beilharz will be driving his rebuilt “Batmobile” Studebaker that won the event two years ago. Carlos Anaya, our favorite doughboy (he is a baker by trade), is returning after five years but with two or three years of Mexican NASCAR racing under his belt. He will be driving an LT2, a fiberglass Mexican roadster, looks sorta like a Ferrari, designed for the 1955 Pan Am, which was canceled. Of course, it will be a modern racing machine underneath, with an excellent weight to power ratio.

Pierre de Thoisy, who driven in 400 endurance races and has seven LCP championship trophies, will pilot one of two Mercedes 300 Gullwings in the event, loaded with BMW racing engines, which are (strangely) allowed by rule. Pierre makes driving the Carrera looks easy because he is so smooth and consistent--a lesson others could learn, even former champs.

Other strong contenders include Harri Rovannpera, a Finnish driver with mucho experience in the World Rally Championship, driving a Studebaker. And there is Jochen Mass, a Formula 1 and endurance driver, who will be somewhat handicapped by driving a ’65 Mustang in Historic C. Mass drove in 114 Formula 1 races in his career and achieved dubious fame by being involved in the accident that killed Gilles Villenueve in 1982. After leaving F-1, he had a successful career in sports cars and endurance racing.

We should not forget other contenders, such as Gabriel Perez (Mex.), Marc Devis (Belg.), and Jorge Pedrero, the local hero in Chiapas. Missing this year will be Stig Blomqvist, the old WRC champ, who won the Pan Am last year, but Ralf Christensson will carry the Swedish flag this year in a Volvo, not a Falcon.

Of course, the glamour boy, Lars Stugemo, will not be running his Studebaker this year, much to the disappointment of some co-drivers and hundreds of Mexican “mamacitas.” Relax, ladies, Lars said he is planning a return.
Again, with so many excellent drivers, the race will be won by the car and crew who has the most luck when it comes to “mechanicals” or a misplaced flock of sheep or other impediment on the road.

Sports Menor (sports cars under two liters) – my favorites are Bob Gett and Bob Paltrow in their beautiful little Alfa, but you must be impressed by the trophies collected by the Mexican team of Garcia and Rodriquez. We will miss Andry Prill and Riachard Clark this year--the first in ten years.

Sports Major – Lucky Pierre should dominate.

Historic A (four cylinder, 1955-1965) – Rob Curry (USA) should do well here in his 356 given his experience in the Carrera and the Chihuahua Express.

Historic A+ (four cylinder 1966-1972) -- Nine cars will start in Historic A+ this year, making it a popular class. Taz Harvey (CA) in his little Datsun 510 will probably surprise a lot of people, but Martin Lauber (CA) will be high on the podium again this year, too, along with the Mexican hero, Jo Ramirez, the former coordinator (crew chief?) of the McLaren team in F1 (1984-2001).

Historic B (six cylinders, 1955-1965) -- 911s dominate this class, and there are nine of them registered, but look for the team of Gunter Sundag (GER) and Barbara Hernandez Moreno (MX) to do well in their Mercedes 230SL. Barbara, originally from Queretaro, now living in Texas, is well on her way to becoming another outstanding navigator, in the mold of Angelica Fuentes, and Gunter, with a couple of Pan Am races under this belt, is confident and determined.

Historic C (eight cylinders, 1955-1965) – the “Ford class.” Thierry de Bosque, who posted some awesome times in the Chihuahua Express in March, driving a Mustang prepared by Todd Landon, must be considered a favorite. Of course, Bill Shanahan in his Rally Falcon, will be in the mix as well, but everyone will be watching the aforementioned Jochen Mass in his Mustang. There are 15-16 Mustangs in this class, six Ford Falcons, followed by a couple of Chevy’s, 1 Dodge Dart, and an eight cylinder Opel. How about a separate class for ‘Stangs and Falcons, and another one (C-) for everyone else? 

Original Pan Am -- last but not least is the class for "original" Pan Am cars (1940-1954). While the line between this group and Historic C has been eroded over the years, it's always fun watching the big two-ton Lincolns and Oldsmobiles run. Expect Carson Scheller, a grizzled LCP vet and bull spunk vendor, and John and Chrislana Gregory to dominate this class again. Brad Kaplan will also be pressing hard. We will miss Carson’s lovely co-piloto and daughter, Lauren, this year.
----------
We cannot close this section without mentioning what some say is the “better half” of each cockpit team – the co-pilotos, such as Angelia Fuentes, Barbara Hernandez Moreno, Linda Robertson, Chrislana Gregory, Christine Haas, Veronica Z, Ute Otten, Lois, and one of the most beautiful, elegant women to slip into or out of racing suit, Elke Middledorp. With beautiful and talented co-pilotos like these, who needs a Maserati or two for distraction?

Finally, we will miss many old and dear friends who for whatever reason will not be with us in Mexico this year. Let’s hope they find a way to share our passion vicariously in 2010 via the Internet and return to Mexico in 2011. (Also see "In Memorium" below.)

** IN MEMORIUM

One of the three original founders of the modern La Carrera Panamericana, Loyal George Truesdale III of Los Angeles, died in Los Angeles early this week.
Truesdale will be remembered as one of the great raconteurs of all times, self-styled ladies’ man, and otherwise, one of the funniest guys you would ever meet. He loved to race motorcycles, BMWs in particular, and earned the well-deserved nickname, “Crash.”

In Mexico he had many friends, and was called “Tio Loyal" (Uncle Loyal). Tio loved Mexico!

He served as the North American Coordinator of the Pan Am from 1988 until 2002, when he had a falling out with the organizers of the Pan Am. In the last several years, he was trying to promote a similar race in Cuba, or China, Tibet….or……

According to one of his best friends, “his heart just gave out.” Smoking two or three packs of unfiltered Chesterfields, plus drinking prodigious quantities of alcohol might have contributed to his premature demise.

One article on the Pan Am in GQ (1999?) made him an international celebrity, well almost. But Tio Loyal would be displeased with any sadness on our part about his passing. He celebrated life and lived it to its fullest. A memorial celebration of his life in Los Angeles is being planned by his family and friends in early November.

If you have a Loyal story that you would like to share with this gathering, please send it to me.

**THE ROUTE

The route this year starts in Tuxtula Gutierrez, way down in Chiapas, and finishes in Zacatecas. Tuxtla is the traditional starting city, but that could be changed if another tropical storm hits Chiapas. Some parts of Chiapas have already been hit by several storms, but so far, the roads have been repaired. Stay tuned for late-breaking news.

Zacatecas was selected to be the "meta" or finish line primarily because of troubles along the border in and around Nuevo Laredo, where the race usually ends. Zacatecas is a long 426 miles from Nuevo Laredo.

From Tuxtla Gutierrez the cars race to the beautiful colonial city of Oaxaca, the center of Indian crafts in Mexico, and from there on to Puebla, pausing for a big party in Tehuacan along the way.

This year the Pan Am will bypass Mexico City, then detour for some speed stages near Pachuca, before heading to Queretaro for the night, where it will end the day with hot laps on the local race track. This and the next day will likely determine the winners of the event.

This year's event includes a return to Morelia and the famous mountain road nearby known as Mil Cumbres (1000 peaks). This is one of the great rally roads in all of Mexico, with more than 300 curves from top to bottom, mostly hairpins. In 1999, it claimed the only two fatalities suffered by the race in a speed stage. Upon leaving Morelia the next morning, the cars will run some hot laps on the race track nearby before heading toward Guadalajara.

The route also features Guadalajara for the second straight year, after an absence of eight years, beginning in 2000. Guadalajara is the second largest city in Mexico and a huge potential market for the event. Sadly, the residents of the city are not very familiar with the Pan Am. The event will not visit the village of Tequila, outside of Guadalajara, as it did last year.

After Guadalajara the race stops for the night in Aguascalientes, a good Pan Am city, and the crews will eat dust running laps at the local autodromo. From Aguascalientes, it is a short drive up to Zacatecas.

After the race ends in Zacatecas, there will be the traditional parade through the steep, winding streets of the city following the south end of a north bound burro, and then one heck of a party. After all, who needs to stay sober to race the next morning?

The elements in the race involve speed stages in the Pachuca area, northeast of Mexico City, and a few other new stages and others rehabilitated by route master Eng. Gael Rodriquez.

**TROUBLE IN MEXICO

The war between the government and the drug cartels, and among the drug cartels themselves over control of the drug routes into the U.S. continues unabated. In the past couple of months, the government has captured three or four of the top cartel leaders, including an American citizen known as "Barbie", who is originally from Laredo, Texas. However, when one leader is removed, others rush to fill the void, it seems. The result is more killings, as the underling vie for power.
The violence has been visited mostly on the young pistoleros recruited from poor neighborhoods. Other victims have been state and municipal politicians and newspaper reporters. Most local police along the border are unreliable.
Are foreigners in danger? One reporter noted that foreigners in Mexico--not counting those who frequent the "boys towns" along the border--are safer in Mexico than many cities in the USA. On the other hand, the fighting among the cartels have provided lesser criminals some opportunity. One of their favorite tricks to dress up like cops and shake down motorists around some of the troubled cities, like Nuevo Laredo and Monterrey.

The answer? Travel in groups, travel only in daylight, stay out of sketchy 'hoods, and be aware of is lurking up the road. No one in Mexico expects the Pan Am to be bothered by such troubles. After all, it is a traveling circus of 120 racecars, 90 support trucks, 20 official cars and ambulances, plus 20-30 federal police cars strung out along the road, plus lots of local police.

**COYOTE CONVOY IS THE ONLY WAY TO GO!

This year, 24-26 trucks, trailers, and racecars will gather in Laredo Texas on October 15 for the 540 miles drive down to San Miguel de Allende and then on to Tuxtla Gutierrez. For the fifth year, the convoy will stop in San Miguel to raise a little dinero for local children’s charities and display their cars in the town’s main square, El Jardin on October 17.

**CHANGES OVER TEN YEARS

Those who have participated in LCP in Mexico over the past decade have seen many changes in the event and Mexico.

First, the race is somewhat better organized than in earlier years. The final registration process, in particular, is more efficient. Second, there are more serious racers and fewer "tourists" involved in the event. As a consequence, the cars are more race-worthy, powerful, and the speeds greater, especially among the Historic classes, cars made from 1955-1965. The addition of the "A+" class for cars 1966-1972 with four cylinder 2000 cc engines has added speed in this area as well. Some of these small bore cars do very well in the twisty roads of Mexico.

Third, in addition to the more sophisticated racecars, the support services for these cars have increased as well. The paddock of the race looks much more like a major motoring event than it did a decade ago, when most gringos hauled their cars to Mexico on open trailers behind pickups or drove them down.

Fourth, the adoption of electronic timing has generally helped the overall timing and scoring process. However, so far, the computer program used has not been successfully modified to suit the uniqueness of this event. Further refinements are necessary.

Fifth, the biggest change over the years has been in the highway system and related infrastructure. Most places in Mexico can now be reached by four-lane highways and toll roads. Gas stations and restaurants along the roads are far more common. It is even possible to pay for gasoline with a credit card in many of them. It now costs 2-3 pesos to use the bathrooms, but the new level of cleanliness is well worth the price of admission.

**WHAT ABOUT NEXT YEAR?

Expect an early and heavy enrollment in LCP next year, too. Officially, the early registration period did not open until February this year, but it seems that the office was processing European and some "special" registrations in late January. In fact, some of the premium hotels were already filled by February. If you are not early or on the VIP list, forget it!

Want a spot next year? Have your registration ready to go by January 15. We also may know by then the amount of the early registration fee. If you want to be guaranteed one of the 30 spots from Canada and the USA, plan to send in your application on December 1, with a $500 deposit.

**SIGN UP FOR THE CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS

Entries are now being accepted for the Chihuahua Express, April 8-9-10, in and around the city of Chihuahua, Mexico, which is 145 miles west of Texas. In three days, the race covers about 1000 miles of total distance, of which nearly 350 miles are unlimited speed stages. It is probably the best racing experience in North America.

If your application and payment is in the mail by November 1, you will save $200. Please contact me for an application.

The Express, like the Carrera, is a stage rally on paved roads. However, the Express is open to cars of any age. Cars with full roll cages may run in one of eight or more unlimited classes; cars with no roll cage may compete in a T/S/D regularity rally, bracket class, or tour for about half the price of the competition class.

For more information ask for the Q and A sheet, or go to www.chihuahuaexpress.com.

**LEGAL WARNING

La Carrera Panamericana is a serious stage rally and endurance event that involves fast driving over mostly mountainous roads for nearly 2000 miles. As such, it is not only fun but extremely dangerous to life and property, like other forms of motorsports.

**CARRERA NEWS

This is the 9th edition of CARRERA NEWS for the year and the last, at least until the race is over. There have also been 10-12 editions of CARRERA DRIVER and COYOTE CONVOY NEWS, as well. As one of my readers, said, “Gerie, this event is being well documented!”

At this point, I do not know whether I will be asked to return as North American Coordinator by Eduardo “Lalo” Leon and his family, who constitute the event’s Organizing Committee. But, regardless, I will continue to promote the Pan Am and provide as much good, unvarnished information about Mexico and the event as possible. As I am fond of saying, this race is so unique and exciting, it does not need varnish, B.S., or other forms of embellishment.

Viva La Carrera Panamericana and Protect the Competitors this Year!

Gerie Bledsoe
Foster City, California
USA

CARRERA NEWS - AUGUSTO

2010-08-29T09:15:00.000-07:00

Carrera News

August 22, 2010

**PAN AM FOR 2010 OVERBOOKED?

**INSIGHTS INTO PAN AM ROUTE FOR 2010

**COYOTE CONVOY PLANS

**CARRERA FIESTA IN MONTEREY – A SMASHING SUCCESS!

**NEED HELP NAVIGATING IN MEXICO?

**ORGANIZING COMMITTEE MOVES TO PROTECT TRADEMARK

**CLASSIFIEDS

**BUY MEXICAN AUTO INSURANCE

**COMING EDITIONS

**CONTACT INFORMATION

**PAN AM FOR 2010 OVERBOOKED?

Eduardo Leon, the Honorary President of La Carrera Panamericana, announced that the event has 118 paid entries and 27 competitors “on the waiting list.” Normally, the race is limited to 100 competitors because of the time limit on closing the roads for rallies in Mexico.

Entries from North America were cut off, in effect, at 33 this year, despite an earlier allocation of 40. Thus a few norteamericanos, including some veterans, were precluded from signing up. The new entries are mostly from Europe, primarily Western Europe, Sweden, and Finland. By far, the largest class will be Historic C, which comprises American sedans (Mustangs and Falcons mostly) with V8 engines. Historic A+ (four cylinder cars, 1965-1972) is also growing rapidly.

The organizers apparently expect attrition over the first day or two to reduce the number of competitors significantly. Normally 1/3 of the serious mechanical failures (blown engines and transmissions) and accidents occur the first day when testosterone levels are amped up.

**INSIGHTS INTO PAN AM ROUTE FOR 2010

The route book, detailing the exact route for the Carrera this year, has not been posted on the official web site yet, but details of the route are being made available in various forums. Here are some gleanings and persistent rumors:

1. The Pan Am race will NOT venture into Mexico City this year, but will go around the city on the new by-pass, the Arco Norte. Apparently, traffic in the nation's capital of 22 million souls is worst than ever because of long-term construction on the main freeway into and out of town.

2. Reportedly, the Carrera cars will run speed stages to the east of Mexico City, perhaps in the Pachuca area, before going on to Queretaro.

3. The event will also return to the beautiful but potentially lethal mountain road called “Mil Cumbres, which means a thousand peaks, outside of Morelia. One report, cited on the Carrera's official web site, said the road was in the best condition ever. Others report it has been re-surfaced recently.

From of the top of the mountain to the bottom there are approximately 330 corners, with many hairpins lined with boulders, big trees, and ravines. Around each corner can lurk some dangerous obstacle—from slippery pine needles to wrecked cars, from felled trees to water hazards.

4. Reportedly, Carrera 2010 will NOT visit the town of Tequila in Jalisco, like it did last year. Instead, the race will end that day's run in a shopping center in Guadalajara.

5. As announced in CARRERA NEWS, the Pan Am will terminate this year in Zacatecas, not Nuevo Laredo. The final awards ceremony will probably be held in the Quinta Real Hotel, the famous "bullring hotel."

We assume, of course, that the racecars will run one or two speed stages on the road called “La Bufa,” which is on the mountain by the same name high above the city, before they finish in the main square by the cathedral.

Spectators should not miss the end of the race and the ceremonies in Zacatecas, a spectacular city by any measure.

**COYOTE CONVOY PLANS

Troubles among drug gangs along the Mexican border and the Federal government makes most tourists reluctant to drive into Mexico. That's a pity, because Mexico is a lovely country, and peaceful for the most part. The solution is the Coyote Convoy. The convoy, made up of 20 or so tow trucks, trailers, and colorful racecars will cross the border and travel the 540 miles into the peaceful interior of Mexico together. Anyone is invited to ride along with the convoy. There’s no charge. This is the ninth year of the convoy and we haven't lost a soul (or car) yet.

Here's the basic plan for the convoy:

Oct. 15, 8:00 PM. Meeting at Residence Inn del Mar, Laredo, Texas to discuss the route. Afterwards a shuttle will take anyone to the border who needs a visa or temporary vehicle importation permit.

Oct. 16, 6:00 AM. Line up in front of the hotel and head for the border.

6:00 PM. Arrive in San Miguel de Allende -- just picked by Travel and Leisure Magazine as the fourth top city to visit IN THE WORLD! It’s 540 miles away.

Oct. 17, 10:00 AM. Display racecars in the central square of San Miguel until 3 AM

6 PM. Fiesta

Oct. 18, 7:00 AM. Depart for Tuxtla Gutiérrez, going around Mexico City.

10 PM. Arrive Tuxtla Gutiérrez (pending weather and travel reports).

The race starts on Friday, October 22 and ends on Thursday, October 28. A qualification run is schedule for the afternoon of October 21.

Spectators are invited to watch the preparation of the cars at the fairgrounds (La Fería) in Tuxtla Gutiérrez (Chiapas), October 19-21.

**CARRERA FIESTA IN MONTEREY – A SMASHING SUCCESS!

More than 60 Carreraistas attended the Fourth Annual La Carrera Fiesta in Monterey, California in conjunction with the Monterey historic races on August 14. This year the fiesta was held at the Baja Cantina and Café on Carmel Valley Road, next to The Quail Lodge. Our wonderful host again was Bill Hemmer, a local contractor and Porsche guy, who has been a competitor twice in LCP.

The highlight of the evening, in addition to the six or seven Carrera cars on display, was the screening of 52 minutes of 16 mm color film from the original Pan Am race in 1951. It was the first segment of a film collection, recently discovered, that totals 17 hours on the races in 1951-1954.

The film was taken by the crew of Ray Crawford, a war hero and super market chain owner in L.A., who finally won the event in 1954 in a Lincoln. The film was discovered by Crawford’s family in cardboard boxes in a garage in L.A. in excellent condition. The Kellogg Auto Archives in Los Angeles has been restoring the film and kindly allowed the first segment (in DVD format) to be shown at the fiesta.

The owner of the archives, Ron Kellogg, is looking for investors and producers who would like to see the film prepared and edited for TV. This film may be the most important single collection of early Carrera film extant. Visit the archives web site at www.kelloggautoarchives.com.

Something must be done to make this important film available to the racing community.

**NEED HELP NAVIGATING IN MEXICO?

There is an unconfirmed report that Pan Am cars this year will have a German GPS transmitter installed. Last year was the first in several that the cars did not carry GlobalStar transmitters. The problem with these systems is: someone must monitor a web site while the cars are in competition and have a phone number to call in the case of an emergency. Unfortunately, the web site cannot distinguish between a crash and a flat tire.

Some competitors are considering using a “Spot-2” GPS device, which allows a car to be tracked via computer or cell phone. It costs $149.00, plus a $99 annual subscription. This device allows the car’s crew ro send a SOS message to two cell phones.

Cells phones now work along most of the race route, but there are still places that require a Iridium satellite phone to ensure immediate communications.

Most cars and service trucks will also find it important to carry a Garmin GPS unit loaded with the latest maps of Mexican roads and cities. Buy your Garmin from any store and then contact Mark Walker at mwalker@mexicomaps.com in Santa Barbara, CA for the 2011 Mexican map software ($104.00). I’ve used this software for three years now and have seen vast improvements. The software is most useful when trying to find the starting and finishing arch, plus the nightly driver’s meetings, in the cities along the route. The Garmin will also help in the transit sections.

Mark also sells the best book of maps of Mexico, the Guia Roji, which is supposed to be out in a new edition soon. The old edition does not even show the Arco Norte being complete around Mexico City.

You can also call Mark at 805-687-1011.

**ORGANIZING COMMITTEE MOVES TO PROTECT TRADEMARK

The Organizing Committee for the Pan Am, which is essentially the family of Eduardo Leon, has moved aggressively recently to protect the event’s trademark. The attorney representing the Committee, Luís Baron, has sent “cease and desist” letters to individuals in Germany and the United States demanding that they stop using the official trade mark “La Carrera Panamericana” on web sites.

Competitors and others should understand that this trademark is registered and thus protected by international treaty. A violation would normally mean someone is engaging in a business where money is being made using the trademark. Of course, it would be an exceptional race team that actually made any money from competing in the Pan Am, since there are no cash prizes or other financial incentives. Regardless, if your team plans to use the official logo, you should ask for permission from the Organizing Committee. Contact monica.grossmann@yahoo.com.mx.

**CLASSIFIEDS

CREW MEMBERS NEEDED. Some teams need mechanics and tow truck drivers. If you or a friend would like to be a volunteer for a team, please let me know immediately. gbledso@aol.com Normally, the team only provides a hotel room, occasional meals, limited visits to the “hoochimamas,” and unlimited fun in the hotel parking lot at midnight prepping the racecar for the next day’s competition.

DRIVING SUITS FOR SALE. Tired off driving suits that make you look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy? Tired of suits that don’t show off your girlish figure, bodacious tatas, and great legs? There is a solution--have a suit tailored for your supple body at a very reasonable price in the USA. Imagine that, something stitched in the USA!

Ace Driving Gear has designed a suit with the rally driver and navigator in mind, too. It offers nine pockets and even pen-pencil holders in the sleeve for navigators. Most importantly, the suits are Nomex and SFI 3.2A/1 rated. (I’ve got to have one!)

For a photo an more information go to http://www.acedrivinggear.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=4

PAM AM TOUR – do you or a friend want to watch the Pan Am this year? The best bet is to take the Tour operated by Rosa Maria Mondragon. She may be full already but you can email her at racecarmedia@yahoo.com.mx.

**EAST COAST CARRERA GATHERING -- SEPTEMBER 1

East Coast Carreraistas are gathering on September 1 to watch the director's cut of the GT Racer segment on the Carrera 2009. For more information, go to http://www.gpny.com/node/663.

**BUY MEXICAN AUTO INSURANCE

You must buy Mexico auto insurance to drive into Mexico. Canadian and U.S. insurance is no good below the border. The race organizers will require proof of liability insurance on all tow trucks (servicio) at registration in Tuxtla. The organizers provide third-party liability insurance on the racecars while racing, but you might want the racecar covered at other times as well.

To buy insurance on line, especially on older cars, go to “Baja Bound,” an insurance broker in San Diego. Their web site will offer you a variety of insurance companies and optional coverages, and you can pay by credit card. They understand La Carrera.

To shop or buy Mexican insurance through Baja Bound go to http://www.bajabound.com/?r=panamrace

If you do not have insurance and have a wreck in Mexico, you may be “detained” by authorities until the wreck is investigated and damages determined. This is especially true if anyone is hurt or killed, or there is extensive physical damage.

**FAIR WARNING

Please note that La Carrera Panamericana is a long, difficult endurance rally. Like all motor sports events, it is dangerous and can result in serious injury and even death. Prepare your car well and drive it carefully, especially the first two days of the event.

**COMING ISSUES

There will be one issue of CARRERA NEWS—the infamous handicapper’s edition-- before the event, in addition to CARRERA DRIVER and any necessary SPECIAL BULLETINS. Those interested in the Coyote Convoy should be on that mailing list, too.

**CONTACT INFORMATION

Gerie Bledsoe
North American Coordinator

La Carrera Panamericana and Chihuahua Express
1288 East Hillsdale Blvd. A-204
Foster City, CA 94404
650-525-9190 (home office)
650-867-9488 (mobile)

Email: gbledso@aol.com
www.panamrace.com -- check the blog on the “News” page
www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx
www.chihuahuaexpress.com
CarreraCoyote (Twitter.com)
Car #395, ’63 Chevy II Nova, the 12th Year

2010-08-29T09:11:00.000-07:00

Reports and Rumors about the 2010 Pan Am Route

2010-08-18T16:07:00.000-07:00

**THE ROUTE FOR 2010

The route book, detailing the exact route for the Carrera this year, has not been published on the official web site yet, but details of the route are being made available in various forums. Here are some gleanings and persistent rumors:

1. The Pan Am will NOT venture into Mexico City this year, but will go around the city on the new by-pass, the Arco Norte. Apparently, traffic in the nation's capital of 22 million souls is worst than ever because of major construction on the main freeway into and out of town.

2. Reportedly, the Carrera cars will run speed stages to the east of Mexico City, maybe in the Pachuca area. The racecars will go around Mexico City on the Arco Norte; however, they may leave this road to visit the area around Pachuca, to the east of the capital.

3. The event will also return to the beautiful but deadly mountain road called Mil Cumbres ("a thousand peaks"), outside of Morelia, which has been completely re-surfaced. One report, cited on the Carrera's official web site, said the road was in the best conditon ever. From of the top of the mountain to the bottom there are approximately 330 corners, many are hairpins.

4. Reportedly, the Carrera will NOT go to the town of Tequila in Jalisco, but will end that day's run in a shopping center in Guadalajara. Where, I am not sure.

5. The Pan Am for 2010 will terminate in Zacatecas, so the final awards ceremony will probably be in the Quinta Real Hotel, the famous "bullring hotel." We assume, of course, that the racecars will run one or two speed stages on the road called La Bufa, which on the mountain by the same name above the city.

**COYOTE CONVOY PLANS

Troubles among drug gangs along the Mexican border makes most tourists reluctant to drive into Mexico. That's a pity, because it's a lovely country, and peaceful for the most part. The solution is the Coyote Convoy. The convoy, made up of 20 or so tow trucks, trailers, and colorful racecars will cross the border and travel the 540 miles into the safe interior of Mexico together. Anyone is invited to ride along with the convoy. This is the ninth year of the convoy and we haven't lost a soul (or car) yet.

Here's the basic plan for the convoy:

Oct. 15, 8 PM. Meet at Residence Inn del Mar, Laredo, Texas for an orientation, afterwards a shuttle will take anyone to the border who needs a visa or temporary vehicle importation permit.

Oct. 16, 6 AM. Line up and cross the border.
6 PM. Arrive in San Miguel de Allende -- just picked by Travel and Leisure Magazine as the fourth top city to visit IN THE WORLD!

Oct. 17, 10 AM. Display racecars in central square of San Miguel until 3 AM
6 PM. Fiesta

Oct. 18, 7 AM. Depart for Tuxtla Gutierrez, going around Mexico City.
10 PM. Arrive T.G. (pending weather reports)

The race officially starts on Friday, October 22 and ends on October 28.
Spectators are invited to watch the preparation of the cars at the fairgrounds (la feria) in Tuxta Gutierrez (Chiapas).

For information about watching the race, see prior issues of CARRERA NEWS.

Report from Mexico

2010-08-01T10:30:00.000-07:00

Greetings!

We arrived in San Miguel de Allende last Sunday after a five day, 2500 mile trip from San Francisco. The journey, which included pulling a 18 foot trailer across the great desert--was fortunately uneventful.

At the border in Santa Teresa, New Mexico (near El Paso and Juarez), we passed through five checkpoints in this order:

1. US border patrol (checked my truckand its contents leaving the USA for the first time)
2. Mexican customs officials--at border
3. Mexican army--at border
4. Mexican army--ten miles from border
5. Mexican customs officials--30 miles from border

The only ones who actually looked in the back of our truck were the US border patrol. We were stopped and questioned by the Mexican army and customs officials, and at the last checkpoint, they checked the temporary import permit for the truck and trailer. But it never took more than 5 minutes at each checkpoint. So, given all, it went well.

I was worried about someone pulling the 1500 pounds of personal stuff (including engine parts) out of my truck, but none of them did. Having La Carrera Panamericana stickers all over the vehicle helped, I think.

I can only hope that the passage of the Coyote Convoy across the border in Nuevo Laredo in October will go so smoothly.

From Juarez, we pulled into Chihuahua City at 1100 hours and saw nothing unusual on that 230 mile stretch of road, except one army troop convoy. The next day, accompanied by my friend and co-piloto, Fernando Garcia, who lives in Chihuahua City, we drove another 11 hours into Aguascalientes, passing through Zacatecas (near La Bufa), again without seeing anything unusual. (The Carrera will return to Aguascalientes for the night next year.)

For most Mexicans, at least those living away from the border, life goes on pretty much like it did before the Mexican government's war on drugs started two years ago. Overall, the country seems busy and not suffering that much from the economic problems of the US and Europe.

The Mexican people, however, seem to be tired of the drug war and the constant reports of killings. The great bulk of those being killed, however, are drug cartel members' low-level enforcers. The cartels' gunmen have also killed soldiers, Federales, and local politicians in retribution.

Few believe that the current party in power (PAN) will continue in office after the elections in the fall. But PAN, a right-of-center group, is trying to form an alliance with a left-of-center group to stop the return of the old PRD party.

September is also the 200 anniversary year of the independence of Mexico from Spain, so there will be a lot of stuff happening this fall.

Here in central Mexico, a lot of people are largely unaware of the details of the war on drugs. It seems the details are more widely reported in the U.S. media, especially in the states along the border with Mexico.

With each trip into Mexico, I am impressed by the constant improvement of the roads and support services, such as the building of new Pemex gasoline stations. However, it is unfortunate that the surface of some of the new toll roads, mostly with concrete surfaces, are already in need of repairs after only 3-5 years of service. This suggests a certain level of corruption and/or a failure to provide an adequate base for the road surface. Even the roads in some of the smaller towns have been improved, but the bane of the rally car crew--those damn "topes" (speed bumps)--continue to spring up everywhere.

For those of you in California or coming to the Monterey Historics, remember the Carrera Fiesta in Monterey on August 14 at the Baja Cantina in Carmel, 5-8 PM. I hope to see some of you there, on my trip back from Mexico. Reservations should go to Bill Hemmer at bekgroup@gmail.com.

On the way down to San Miguel de Allende, I used a GPS tracking device know as Spot-2. You can report your location along the way, and send pre-programmed messages to up to 50 people. Also, you may send SOS or emergency messages to two people, who are tracking yur progress. I am testing the Spot-2 to see if it will be useful for Carrera cars this year. Remember, the cars had no GPS transmitters last year, for the first time in several years. I will make a full report on our experience with the Spot-2 when I return to San Francisco on August 15. The small, rugged device costs $149 or less, plus $99 for a year of service. The device can be monitored by cell phone and computer. For more info go to www.findmespot.com.

Saludos amigos,

Gerie

Carrera News - 4th of July

2010-07-06T10:11:00.000-07:00

Carrera News
July 4, 2010 Firecracker Edition

**MOCKETT-FUENTES TRIUMPH ON PIKES PEAK

Doug Mockett and Angelica Fuentes regained the title of fastest vintage car on Pike’s Peak, after losing the title last year to a local, Keith Davidson. Mockett and Fuentes’ time of 13:05:7 up the 12.4 mile course is the fastest ever posted by a Vintage Car. Their time was an amazing 1:11 faster than last year. Davidson followed in his Falcon in a highly respectable 13:21.4.

This year the Vintage Class was divided into two groups: modified and unmodified. Mockett’s “Oldsmobile” was assigned to the former and Davidson’s car to the latter group, so each can claim victory. Apparently, the Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing Club concluded that some of our Pan Am cars are a little too modern underneath those aged exteriors.

Mockett was followed in the modified group by Charles Breed in his Chevy Lister (14:47.9) and Guenter Sunday and Barbara Moreno Ramirez (17:01.7). Apparently, Sundag’s new Carrera Studebaker was having problems adjusting to the high altitude.

In the unmodified group, Thierry de Latre du Bosqueau (Belgium), who finished fifth in the Chihuahua Express and first in Historic C, was second behind Davidson in 13:41.7, an excellent showing for his first time. Thierry was driving a Mustang prepared by Todd Landon, and will be strong competitor in Historic C this year. Doug Allen, a Pan Am vet, finished in another Landon Mustang in a time of 15:14.0. Richard Bailey, Apple Farmer Racing, followed closely in 15:15.8. Tom Kreeger, another Pan Am survivor, finished at 15:48 in his Original Pan Am ’54 Lincoln Capri.

**HAMMARLUND RACING SIGNS UP TWO CHAMPIONS

Mats Hammarlund Racing announced that it has signed two famous drivers for his fast Studebakers in the Carrera this year, Michel Jourdain (Mexico) and Harri Rovanperä (Finland).

Jourdain will drive the car used by Stig Blomqvist to win the overall championship last year. Jourdain is probably the most famous Mexican driver at this time, having a long and successful career in the Indy Racing League and CHAMP cars, plus NASCAR. Most recently he moved to rally cars, posting a win in Group N, WRC.

Last year Jourdain drove in several legs of the Pan Am in Exhibition. His times were impressive. He clearly has the talent, experience, and equipment to win this event the first time out. He also intends to use the Studebaker in a Mexican national rally this summer.

Harri Rovanerä was a WRC driver for four teams from 1993 through 2006. He posted 111 starts, 77 stage wins, 15 podiums, and one overall win--in Sweden--in 2001. Rovanerä is considered a gravel expert. He will drive the Hammarlund Studebaker owned by Lars Stugemo (Sweden), a regular contender in recent years.

Jourdain and Rovanerä will lead an impressive field of 120 competitors in the 2010 Pan Am. According to Hammarlund, at least fifteen drivers have a chance to win this event. Check out his web site for more information: www.mhammarlundracing.com.mx.

At press time the Organizing Committee is still listing Pan Am Champ (2008) Bill Beilharz as returning this year. But rumors continue to circulate that his entry is dependent on acquiring a new sponsor. It would be great to see Bill back, since he did not have a chance to defend his title last year.

**PAN AM KICK OFF – JULY 27

Do your travel plans include Mexico City next month? If so, drop by the kick-off press conference and reception for the Pan Am on July 27 at the Hotel Camino Real Polanco /Moon Bar/ China Grill. The address is Mariano Escobedo No. 700 starting at 7:30 pm. Use your Garmin to find it.

**MONTEREY HISTORIC REUNION – AUGUST 14

Plans have been made for the annual Carrera Fiesta at the Monterey Historics Reunion on August 14. this year the fiesta will be at the Baja Cantina and Grill, 7166 Carmel Valley, Rd., Carmel, CA. Unlike previous years, this fiesta will be at night, after most of the racing at Laguna Seca is over. Bill Hemmer and Carson Scheller are working with the proprietor – a great racing aficionado – on the event. Tickets, which include a Mexican meal for only $25, will go on sale soon. At the door they will be $30. We may also have a watering hole at the racetrack during the day, as well.

Please let me know now if you think you might attend. gbledso@aol.com. August will be her before we know it. We need to guarantee forty spots for dinner. We will have six spots for Carrera cars, so buy a ticket and reserve a spot for your racecar. Other parking will be available.

**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS 2011 – SIGN UP NOW

The Chihuahua Express is scheduled for April 8-9-10, 2011. This event is open to all Pan Am cars, other vintage racecars, and modern cars with full roll cages. It is 1000 miles of racing, including nearly as many speed stage miles as the Pan Am, all for $2000 (early registration until Nov. 30; $2200 after that). Registrations are being accepted now.

Planned as a weekend event, Chihuahua is only 145 miles from the U.S. The roads, weather, and landscape are excellent, and importantly, you can sleep in the same hotel bed each night. Check it out at www.chihuahuaexpress.com.

If you want an entry form or want to be on the Express mailing list, please let me know. gbledso@aol.com.

**PAN AM ENTRIES CLOSED? WHY?

As announced last month, no new entries are being accepted for this year’s edition of La Carrera Panamericana. This is the first time since near the inception of the event in 1988 that enrollment has been closed at 120 entries.

The great bulk of the entries are from Europe and Mexico, not the U.S., as has been the case for the past decade. Normally U.S. entries comprise about half of all entries, but this year we have fallen to 30%. Why?

First, there is the economy. Most of the U.S. entries over the past decade have tended to come from the ranks of small businessmen and professionals. Who’s got the extra $50-80K to drop into a single purpose “vintage” racecar these days, plus the $20K or more to compete?

Second, there is the troublesome situation along the border caused by the blood feud among the Mexican drug cartels. Why do American papers print only the bad news from Mexico? Apparently, Mexican news--good or bad--does not make it into European tabloids. Third, young Americans are not really into racing old Detroit-Dearborn iron. Many, especially here on the Left Coast, are happily dropping Accura engines into Civics and wasting good rubber by drifting. The main competition tends to be Evo vs. Mitshu at the local tracks, not Ford vs. Chevy.

This year entries from Mexico were inflated early on when, reportedly, a corporation bought up a bunch of entries. In fact, the Organizers were worried about being able to accommodate some of the members of the La Fraternidad, the backbone of Carreraistas in Mexico.

Much of this is good news, of course, since the event has a renewed level of interest (and income) that should keep it viable for years to come. On the other hand, when some of the regular customers from the U.S. and Mexico are locked out, it’s not so good.

**LUPITA THE MEXICAN NURSE

The Friends of Guadalupe Hernandez Ramirez, “Lupita,” are pleased to announce that the winner of the auction for 2009 Carrera Racing Jacket, Hat, and Official Ball point pen is Thierry de Latre du Bosqueau of Belgium. Thierry is making a very generous contribution to the fund to support Lupita Hernandez, the Mexican nurse who lost both her legs at the hip in a Pan Am accident in 2003. Remember to congratulate and thank him down in Tuxtla Gutierrez in October.

Contributions should be sent to:

Friends of Guadalupe Hernandez Ramirez

c/o Ms. Fanny Davila

South Bay Bank

2200 Sepulveda Blvd.

Torrance, CA 90501 USA

**CLASSIFIEDS

CHAMPIONSHIP ENGINES FOR SALE. Four legal steel block/alloy head, wet sump, Chevy Carrera/Chihuahua/Pikes Peak engines. Three of the four were winners of one event or the other. One is brand new, fresh, dyno time only. 360ci, 540hp.$ 30,000. One has less than 1000 miles, 360ci, 525hp, won Carrera 2002. $ 25,000. One 2000 miles, 360ci, 513hp, won Chihuahua 2008 $ 25,000; one 2000 miles, 360ci, 513hp, won Pikes Peak 2008, $ 25,000. All four -- just $ 90,000. Contact Doug, doug@mockett.com or 310.533.6312 (CA).

ACE DRIVING GEAR. Tired off driving suits that make you look like the Pillsbury Dough Boy? Tired of suits that don’t show off your girlish figure, bodacious tatas, and great legs? There is a solution--have a suit tailered for your supple body at a very reasonable price in the USA. Imagine that, something stitched in the USA!

Ace Driving Gear has designed a suit with the rally driver and navigator in mind, too. It offers nine pockes and even pen-pencil holders in the sleeve for navigators. Most importantly, the suits are Nomex and SFI 3.2A/1 rated. (I’ve got to have one!)

For a photo an more information go to http://www.acedrivinggear.com/SearchResults.asp?Cat=4

BTW, the founder/owner of the company is a high performance driving instructor for NASA, too.

THE PAN AM TOUR. If you or friends want to see the race up close and personal, ride along with Rosa María Mondragón. racecarmedia@yahoo.com.mx.

Because of the nature of the event—racing on public highways all day for hundreds of miles—the event is a challenge for spectators and photographers. The best option is to rent a car and experienced guide-driver, or take the Pan Am Tour with Ms. Mondragón. Rosa Maria, the former PR director for the race, takes 4-6 spectators with her for an exclusive insider’s view of the event. Hang on! She is also an experienced rally car driver and Pan Am navigator. She will get you close to the action and important people.

**LEGALISM

Please note that La Carrera Panamericana is a long, difficult endurance rally. Like all motorsports events, it is dangerous and can result in serious injury and even death. Prepare your car well and drive it carefully.

**NEW CONTACT INFORMATION

Gerie Bledsoe

North American Coordinator

La Carrera Panamericana and Chihuahua Express

1288 E. Hillsdale Blvd. #A-204

Foster City, CA 94404

650-525-9190 (home office) NEW

650-867-9488 (mobile) SAME

gbledso@aol.com SAME

www.panamrace.com

www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx

Racing on Mexican Time

2010-06-08T23:01:00.000-07:00

**RACING ON MEXICAN TIME**

Mexico is a wonderful country. The people are warm, friendly, curious, and generous. They love our racecars, exhaust noise, and the celebration of La Carrera Panamericana.

Their countryside -- mountains and ravines, forest and deserts --- is beautiful. In fact, the first day we will race across some of the most beautiful mountain roads in the world--from Tuxtla Gutierrez to Oaxaca on the old Pan American Highway. It’s the longest original stretch of the highway left -- 326 miles.

Try to relax and enjoy the racing and the celebration. This is not just a serious car race, but a profound cultural experience. We are about to experience the heart and soul of Mexico, as reflected in the faces and eyes of the people, especially the children, who come to see our cars and tug at the sleeves of the brave “pilotos” and “co-pilotos.” Bring your pen, because they will want your autograph.

Never forget that this is their country and their race. We are their guests, and we should consider ourselves honored and lucky to be allowed to race across their country at top speed. Just because we paid a hefty entry fee gives us no other special privilege or expectation.

Never forget that the event operates on Mexican time and without the efficiency of the SCA or most vintage organizations. Meetings start late. Printed material, like the daily results, typically arrives late, and the medical exams during registration may or may not happen at the announced time. Instead of handing out important items like time cards at one pre-designated place, the young official will usually wander through the crowd looking for navigators.

There are values in Mexico that transcend punctuality and efficiency. Frankly, it will do you no good to show up for a meeting on time and sit there frustrated until it starts. Be fashionably late. Relax, and go with the flow!

Carrera veterans know that the race will start sometime shortly after 8 AM on October 22. They know we will race 325 miles through the mountains that day, and they expect to be timed with a fair degree of accuracy, especially now that the organizers use electronic timers. If you catch a mistake, however, it is perfectly OK to point it out -- politely. But do not expect an immediate or timely response.

We will stop for lunch each day, and after an hour later or so, we’ll continue racing in the afternoon. Normally, we arrive in the destination city around 4:30-5:30, depending on where you are in the pack. Later on that evening, at least 30 minutes later than the announced time, the drivers’ meeting will start. One person from each team should attend. Maybe the daily results and starting order will be announced and/or distributed. Maybe not. Let’s just hope that the site of the meeting is announced before we get to that city, and count ourselves doubly lucky if they give us decent directions to the place. It’s all part of the challenge of an endurance rally. In a day or two, you will get into the rhythm of the event. Picking up on the Mexican rhythm is important, while you are driving their roads and will you are dealing with the event organization.

Even on Mexican time, it’s always fun, but it will be more fun when you understand and accept the cultural situation, even before you get there.

Viva La Carrera Panamericana!

CARRERA NEWS -- REGISTRATION CLOSED

2010-05-03T13:58:00.000-07:00

Carrera News
May 1, 2010

May Day! May Day!

**CARRERA 2010 REGISTRATION CLOSED!

**ROUTE

**CARS

**DRIVERS -- RETURN OF PIERRE DE THOISY

**HOTELS

**COYOTE CONVOY

**CLASSIFIEDS

--PAN AM TOUR

-- CARS FOR RENT

-- CO-DRIVERS AND NAVIGATORS

-- CAR HAULERS

**CONTACT INFORMATION

**CARRERA 2010 REGISTRATION CLOSED

Eduardo “Lalo” Leon, President of La Carrera Panamericana, announced yesterday from Mexico City that the event is full, and that no more than 35 North American entrants may be registered. Mr. Leon indicated that he has already signed up 41 Europeans, including a recent WRC champion, and 27 Mexican entries, including 11 cars sponsored by Televisa, the largest media conglomerate in the Spanish-speaking world. Only three slots remained unfilled for North Americans.

Last year, the Organizing Committee signed up 107 entrants. Of those, 100 actually started the event. Sadly, one crashed out the day before the race began, only one block from the parc fermé.

Because the permits issued by the Mexican government to close the highways for a rally are only for a finite period of time, the event is (theoretically) limited to a total of 100 racecars and rescue vehicles.

**THE ROUTE

As announced last month, the start of the event will be Tuxtla Gutíerrez, the capital of the state of Chíapas. Tuxtla has been the traditional starting point of the original race (1951-1954) race and this, the revival event. Popular with the veteran racers, it’s a modern city of over 600,000 friendly folks, mostly of Mayan descent. It is also close to the old colonial capital of San Cristóbol de las Casas, a real gem, and some nice jungle rivers to explore.

Day 1: After the ceremonial start in Tuxtla, at 8:00 AM on Friday, October 22, the cars will race three hundred and twenty-five miles up the last lengthy, original stretch of the original Pan-American Highway to the first overnight stop. Oaxaca is a beautiful colonial city known for its Indian arts and crafts, plus the pre-Columbian ruins of Monte Albán. Hernán Córtez de Monroy y Pizarro founded Oaxaca in 1517. The main square, the Zócalo, and cathedral, is the usual ending and starting point for the event Day 1 and 2. Do not expect, however, to find a statue of Córtez here or elsewhere in Mexico.

Day 2: After Oaxaca, the race will stop for the night in Puebla, one of the largest and most impressive cities in Mexico. The colonial “centro,” Zocálo, and cathedral are monumental. On the way to Puebla, however, the race will pay a brief visit to Tehuacán, where thousands of locals will crowd the main square to welcome the racers. If you have never had your fifteen minutes of fame, this is it!

Day 3: From Puebla, it is expected that the Carrera will circumvent Mexíco City on the new bypass around the capital. After running speed stages outside of San Juan del Rio, it will stop for the night in nearby Querétaro, about 130 miles north of Mexico. Querétaro is another impressive colonial city with a thriving manufacturing base. The Carrera cars will run laps on the sports car track just outside of town, before stopping to “meet and greet” in the handsome main square.

Day 4: The beautiful capital of the Mexican state of Michoacán, Morelia, is the next overnight stop for the event. This the first time in several years the event has visited Morelia. To enter this city, the competitors will likely race down the 330 curves from the top of the mountains on the famous road called Mil Cumbres (one thousand mountain peaks). This must be one of the great tarmac rally roads in the world.

The president of Mexico hails from this neck of the woods, and his brother may be running the event again this year. Everyone, regardless of religious inclination, should check out the interior of the cathedral in Morelia. It’s a true masterpiece.

Day 5: The famous village of Tequila and the second city of Mexico, Guadalajara, will are this day’s destinations. Apparently, the race organizers have a multi-year deal with the distillers and purveyors of the agave version of white lightning.

Day 6: From Guadalajara it’s on to Aguascalientes, the railroad capital of Mexico, for the night. Maybe the racers will be treated to another visit to the railroad museum and the impressive locomotive factory and some regional folk dancing.

Day 7: The seventh and last night will be spent only a few more miles up the road in Zacatecas, one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Zacatecas, which boasted the largest silver mine in the Americans for many decades, is a fitting place to end the event.

Did you know that there are more people from the state of Zacatecas living in the United States than live in the city of Zacatecas, population around 120,000? Thanks for that factoid, Wiki.

Missing from this year’s route is Mexico City and the traditional finish line (“meta”) in Nuevo Laredo. Running a speed stage on the main freeway in the capital city of twenty-two million was pretty cool, but it’s just about impossible to find suitable hotels, plus parking and paddock space for 100 racecars and an equal number of service trucks, car haulers, and official vehicles in the nation’s capital.

Nuevo Laredo, across the Rio Bravo river from Texas, may have been dropped from the route for concerns about public safety. It’s a border town in an area suffering a serious surge in conflict among the drug cartels. Veteran racers will miss, however, the warm welcome and hospitality they always receive in Nuevo Laredo. From Zacatecas, the band of norteamericanos must drive another 426 miles across the arid plateaus to return to the border and Uncle Sugar.

Returning racers may also miss the spectacular route to Jalpan and the warm welcome in San Luís de Potosí. Maybe next year?

**CARS OF LA CARRERA

The list of competitors, with photos of their cars, is available on the official web site www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx.

The most popular class is Historic “C” – American V8s manufactured from 1955 through 1965. Even our European cousins recognize there is no substitute for the low-end torque of a V8 engine in the mountains of Mexico.

Within the Historic C class, the hot car is a ’63/’64 Falcon. “A lowly Falcon,” you ask incredulously? Yes, but a special Falcon. Ford Motor Company made a few “Rally” or “Monte Carlo” Falcons back in the mid-‘60s to compete in Europe. The ‘64 version featured the new 289 c.i. high performance V8 generating 305 HP, aided by two small four-barrel carburetors. In rally trim this Falcon Sprint weighed only 2156 pounds because it was clad mostly in fiberglass body panels. The car was homolgated by the FIA, so it may compete in the modern Pan Am.

However, the version of the Falcon seen in the Pan Am these days sports not only fiberglass body panels, but a modern 302+ engine, a large four-barrel carb, and updated suspension and drive train parts that would never pass FIA inspection. But, hey, that’s the Pan Am, where we can have our cake and eat it, too! At the same time the Rally Falcons appeared, the race Organizers inexplicably lowered the minimum weight for Historic C cars to carry a four-barrel from 3100 to 2800 pounds. Humm, was this just a coincidence? In 2006, one of these cars, but FIA compliant and carrying a two barrel, driven by a Swedish team, finished first in class and second overall, missing the overall championship by a few seconds. And the rush to Dearborn was on!

Where is Chevrolet in all of this? Except maybe for the Corvette, GM did not make a good candidate for road racing in the ‘60s until the Camaro came along. It is always possible that a ’65 Chevelle (or Corvette) with a 396 engine or a 2820 pound Trans-Am Camaro will pull up the starting line to race against the plethora of Mustangs and Falcons. Heck, this year it seems we have a (faux?) Cobra racing in Historic C. (Wonder how long it will last?)

Another class growing in popularity is Historic A+. (Apparently, these cars did very well in school, and were awarded the “+”!) This class was created three or four years ago for four-cylinder cars, with 2000 cc engines or less, made from 1966 through 1972. Owners may also run modern replacement engines of up to 1600 cc’s. Volvos seemed to be a popular choice, along with BMW 2002s, Datsun 510s, and Alfas. A Porsche 914 even showed up last year.

Readers should also note that the same model car made after 1965, or in the case of A+ after 1972, that is basically the same as the 1965, or 1972, model may participate in this event. Examples are: ‘66 Mustang, ‘66-67 Corvette, and ‘66-68 Porsche 911/912, or ’73 BMW 2002.

Under-enrolled classes are Sports Mayor and Sports Menor, large and small sports cars made before 1955 or a rough “replicant” of one. Just about any reliable car in these two classes, assuming a mildly competent driver, that finishes the event, will be on or near the podium. Any resemblance between these highly modified classes and the cars that ran in the original Pan Am is purely coincidental. In fact, a Mercedes from this era may use a modern BMW racing engine, as long as it is an inline six. Since few people are willing to risk a original car from this period, so LCP has cars may look old but run more modern components.

The Original Pan Am class enjoyed a welcome rebirth a few years ago. It’s great to see the big ’54 Lincolns and Oldsmobiles run the Pan Am Highway looking much like they did in 1954. However, much to the chagrin of the purists, they too are evolving into highly modified racecars. But the Organizers want all cars to be safe, dependable, and fast enough to keep up with the pace. As a result, these cars get a wink and a nod in tech. After all, this is not a vintage race, and who can keep a Hyrdramatic transmission in those old Lincolns and Olds running for 2000 tough miles through the mountains?

Historic B – six cylinders cars, 1955-1965 – is dominated by Porsche 911s, of course even if E-type Jags and their co-pilotos are sexier. In Historic A, several Porsche 365s normally join the fray, and surprisingly, 912s are not to be seen.

The fastest classes, Turismo Mayor and Turismo Production, especially the latter, are being pressed to stay ahead of some Historic C and B cars, especially the Rally Falcons, and occasionally a 911. The Mayor cars, like the popular ’53-’54 Studebaker Commanders use 355 c.i. 500 HP Chevy engines, while the Production cars are limited to 305 c.i.. engines. To keep this class competitive with Historic C, these cars were allowed additional modifications a few years ago.

Why are ’63-‘64 Studebakers so popular? Low wind resistance, compared to the flying bricks of this era, is the primary reason, plus now, it’s the aura of winning. But because the Organizers have reduced the wide-open straight stages to a few miles on the freeway, a low drag coefficient is less important now than it was in the early years.

Actually, the original Studebaker V8 232 engine (1952-54) was a heavy, low compression unit, and the car’s frame had a reputation for being weak. Thus the car was vastly underpowered compared to the Lincolns, Olds, and Cadillacs of that era. Now, however, with Chevy power and modern race suspensions, steering, and chassis, the Lowery-designed Studes are the marque to beat.

The Studes and the other cars in Turismo Mayor are 100% racecars, not unlike NASCAR, with modern front clips and truck trailing arms or better in the back. Some have trouble making the 3300 pound minimum weight limit and end up carrying ballast.

Should future competitors anticipate changes in the classification system? Probably not. With the advent of the A+ class for cars made between 1966-1972, we may see the other historic classes expanded to include cars like the “first gen” Camaro, but steps will be taken, one presumes, to limit engine size.

Some observers have suggested creating classes for real, authentic vintage racecars, which are so popular in the States and Europe. But for the time being, hot-rod Lincolns, Fiberglass Falcons, faux Shelbys, dependable Porsches, and Lowery Studes and the like will continue to be the most popular choices and the rolling stock of the event.

Ed. Note: this review, which surely left some classes out, causing the proud owners to be agitated and perhaps even despondent, was written by a frustrated Chevy guy, with a filed sense of humor, who is not willing to concede the field to the “Fal’coons” and “Mules.” The Bow-Ties will return! Never make the mistake, however, of assuming that the author has any privileged insight into the rationale and machinations, past and future, of the Organizing Committee. :)

**THE DRIVERS -- PIERRE DE THOISY RETURNS

Rumors about the retirement of Pierre de Thoisy, like Mark Twain’s demise, were greatly exaggerated. Pierre will return to the Carrera this year in a Mercedes 300SL, aiming to win yet another Pan Am championship. The last time he tried this particular car was 2002, when he suffered an off-road excursion in his BMW (!) powered 300SL Gullwing the very first day and narrowly failed to make up all the lost time before the race ended. With over 400 endurance races under his belt, Pierre is probably the most experienced racer to tackle the Carrera – winning the championship six or seven times since 1996 in a Studebaker Commander.

Pierre will be challenged by everyone’s favorites, Doug Mockett and the queen of the prom, Angélica Fuentes, in their ’54 Olds. Mr. Leon has indicated that the WRC champion from three years or four years ago may be driving one of Mats Hammarlund’s cars. Apparently, “the Stig” may not be returning to defend his championship this year. Mexican challengers may include a Mexican NASCAR driver or two. Rumor also has it that Bill Beilharz, who won the championship in 2008, is also planning a return.

**HOTELS

Racers and spectators who need rooms for La Carrera should contact Monica Grossmann at monica.grossmann@yahoo.com.mx or her daughter Karen at info@lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx. Rooms are $150 per night. Each entry receives one double room for the eight nights of the race: 22-28 October. If a competitor arrives earlier in Tuxtla Gutierrez, like with the Coyote Convoy; needs an extra room for the service crew, or even decides to stay longer in Zacatecas, the extra rooms should be booked with Ms. Grossmann. The office in Mexico City also has a U.S. phone number: +1-310-360-6959.

**THE COYOTE CONVOY

Each year many of the competitors driving and towing down to the race from the U.S. and Canada gather in Laredo, Texas, to cross the border together as the Coyote Convoy. For the past four years, the convoy has stopped for two nights in the pristine colonial city of San Miguel de Allende to relax and raise money for local children’s charities, before heading down to Tuxtla Gutierrez.

San Miguel 2009, featuring a Nova, Mini, and a beautiful Rally Falcon, and an old gringo.

This year the convoy will gather in Laredo, Texas on the evening of Friday, October 15. However, if a rig must be brokered across the border using the services of a Mexican Customs Agent, then the crew should arrive early on October 14 to complete the necessary paperwork. The importation process starts by the filing of a form with the Mexican Federation of Auto Sports (F.M.A.D. or a.k.a. FEMADAC). Go to www.femadac.org.mx and click on “tramites,” temporary import rally permits. Or try: http://www.femadac.org.mx/pdf/FORMA_IMPORTACION_RALLIES_ingles.pdf

Participation in the convoy is also open to Europeans, Pan Am spectators, and even tourists who want to drive down to San Miguel, Tuxtla Gutierrez, or other locations along the route. There is no charge to tag along, but participants are expected to stay in the same hotels in Laredo and along the route to keep the caravan organized. Hotel reservations from Laredo to Tuxtla will be made during the summer.

Interested? Please let me know: gbledso@aol.com.

**CLASSIFIEDS

THE PAN AM TOUR

Because of the nature of the event—racing on public highways all day for hundreds of miles—the event is difficult for spectators. The best option is to rent a car and experienced driver, or take the Pan Am Tour, with Rosa Mondragón. Rosa, the former PR director for the race, takes 4-6 spectators with her for an exclusive insider view of the event. Hang on, because she is also an experienced rally car driver and Pan Am navigator. She will get you close to the action and to important people. Contact her at racecarmedia@yahoo.com.mx.

CARS FOR RENT

Todd Landon (Minnesota) has a Mustang, Falcon, or two to rent for La Carrera and the Chihuahua Express. Todd has twelve years of Carrera experience as a racer and car builder. One of his cars finished first in class and fifth overall in the Historic C class in the Express last month, and in 2008 the same car won the Historic C class in la Carrera. Todd also offers an “arrive and drive” arrangement, with full mechanical support. Ask about the “Gypsy Wind.” He also regularly attends the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (June 27, 2010) and provides cars for that event. Contact him at TALandon@landolakes.com or 1-952-250-7948.

Mats Hammarlund Racing, Inc., down in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, has a variety of cars for rent and for sale. In fact, the recent, aforementioned WRC champion, may be driving one of Mat’s magnificent Studebakers. Mats will also store and prep cars from Europe and North America for the Carrera and Chihuahua Express. Contact Mats at mats@mhracing.com.mx or 011-52-415-101-0308.

CO-DRIVERS AND NAVIGATORS

Got some dough and want an experience of a lifetime? Rent the co-pilotos seat in a Carrera car. The normal arrangement is for the co-driver to pay the entry fee, and the driver/owner to supply the car and support it, but everyone is free to negotiate their own deal. Much depends on the aspirations of the driver and co-driver, plus the category of the car.

Interested? Please write: gbledso@aol.com.

CAR HAULERS

Want someone to tow your racecar to Mexico? Let me know and I will hook you up with a hauler, like Mike Mefford from Auburn, California, or Duane Wilcoxon from Washington State. It is far more challenging to arrange this service from the East Coast, however.

**CONTACT INFO

Gerie Bledsoe, Chevy II Nova, Car #395

North American Coordinator

La Carrera Panamericana and Chihuahua Express

677 Highland Ave., Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

650-726-9890 (home office)

650-726-9599 (fax)

650-867-9488 (mobile)

www.panamrace.com

www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx

www.chihuahuaexpress.com

Public Safety in Mexico

2010-04-16T11:42:00.000-07:00

Almost every day our newspapers carry stories about the drug-inspired violence in Mexico, especially along the border with the U.S. A friend just told me that her husband refuses to visit their time-share in Mazatlan this summer because of these reports. Surely, the Mexican tourist industry must be suffering.

Most recently it was reported that two of the established drug cartels have formed an alliance against the infamous "Zetas" in the state of Tamaulipas. This state lies along the Rio Grande river--stretching from Nuevo Laredo to Reynosa and Matamoros (across the river from Brownsville). Is this good or bad news?

Initially, the "Zetas" were a group of Mexican Air Force commandos who defected to the local drug runners, along with their heavy weapons and sophisticated surveillance equipment, and quickly earned a reputation for being the most vicious pistoleros in Mexico. Because of the ensuring violence, the Mexican middle-class in most of these cities moved across the border into Texas. However, observers of the drug wars in Mexico may actually think that the alliance against the Zetas will help to stablize matters along the border.

For twenty-three years or longer, Americans have crossed this border at Laredo without incident to go racing in Mexico. Except for one or two years, the race ended into Nuevo Laredo, again, without incident. (This year the event will end in Zacatecas, which is 426 miles southwest of Nuevo Laredo.)

Last month we traveled from El Paso, Texas, 235 miles down to Chihuahua City to participate in Chihuahua Express, and then raced around the state for neary 800 miles. There was no sign of violence. We did avoid going through the city of Ciudad Juarez, perhaps the most troubled place in Mexico, on the way down, but during four days in Chihuahua City, we saw no trouble. The race route, moreover, was lined by over 240 federal, state, local, and auxilary police.

It is safe to go to Mexico? Everyone should read the most recent advisories from the U.S. State Department. These reports repeat what I have been advising for years: most of Mexico is safe for tourists and especially racers, but certain rules should be followed: like, do not drive at night. Travel in groups. Avoid the red-light districts, dark streets in sketchy neighborhoods, and places where drugs are sold.

I certainly plan to return to Mexico in October for the Carrera for the 13th time. In fact, my wife and I are building a home in San Miguel de Allende--down in central Mexico, something we would not do if we did not feel safe down there.

Please do not let the constant reports of bad news from Mexico prevent you from enjoying the racing, people, cities, landscape, and culture of this beautiful country. Sadly, our newspapers hardly ever report the good news.....but there is plenty.

La Carrera Panamericana is schedule for Oct. 22-28. The Coyote Convoy will gather in Laredo, Texas on Oct. 15 for the trip across the border the next day and then down to the start of the race in Tuxtla Gutierrez. Join us.

Carrera Route for 2010 Announced

2010-04-03T11:12:00.000-07:00

Old Acqueduct in Zacatecas

The route of the 2010 La Carrera Panamericana has been announced. Here are the cities where the event will start, finish, and stop for the night:

Tuxtla Gutierrez (start), Oct. 22
Oaxaca
Puebla
Queretaro
Morelia
Guadalajara
Aguascalientes
Zacatecas (finish), Oct. 28

This will be first time, at least in 13 years, the race has ended in Zacatecas, which is 426 miles from Nuevo Laredo, the traditional end of the event.

By returning to Morelia, the comeptitors will be treated to a run down the famous mountain road, Mil Cumbres ("one thousand peaks").

Unfortunately, the race returns to Guadalajara and maybe the village of Tequila, which is a long drive just for a fancy dinner. 99% of the people in Guadalajara, Mexico's second city, do not know La Carrera.

Puebla and Aguascalientes are old Pan Am stops. Both are big, industrial cities, but with interesting old colonial downtown areas. Aguascalientes ("hot waters") was also the railroad center of Mexico--with a magnificant museum in a locomotive factory devoted to this history.

The race will finish and spend the last night in the beautiful old silver city of Zacatecas, one of the undiscovered wonders of Mexico. At 8000 feet in elevation, it tends to be cool and windy, but it's a magnificant city. All competitors are encouraged to spend at least on exta night in Zac to explore and enjoy the city before heading home. There is parking for trailers at the Don Miguel Hotel, on the main highway through town.

All of the cities on the route have airports which have direct flights to the U.S. or connecting flights through Mexico City. Another good option is the airport in Leon-Guanajuato (BJX) that serves the Queretaro and Aguascalientes area as well. The race will go by the Leon airport on its way to Aguascalientes.

European interest in the event is high again this year, and the organizer expects another sellout. Entries from the U.S. are coming in more slowly. The entry fee goes up $500 on May 1, so it's time to fish or cut bait for "los norteamericanos."

Chihuahua Express -- There is still time!

2010-02-18T15:43:00.000-08:00

On the rim of the Copper Canyon, a major tourist attraction
Chihuahua, Mexico

The fourth annual Chihuahua Express is scheduled for March 19-21, 2010.

There is still time to sign up.

The Express is open to cars of all ages -- with or without roll cages. You may sign up for one of three types of competition, or simply come down to run the course at moderate speeds in your daily driver, pickup, or rental car. It's a great way to learn about Mexico and how to participate in a stage rally.

You do NOT need a competition license from the U.S. or Canada to participate. A special orientation on stage rallying will be provided to all participants, plus follow-up sessions each night. You may also participate on a daily basis (one, two, or thee days). The fun will be over on Sunday afternoon, so you can head back home. Trophies or medals are awarded on a daily basis and at the end of the event.

The event entails 1000 miles of beautiful scenery and nearly 325 miles of wide open, timed speed runs in the countryside on excellent paved roads around the city of Chihuahua, which is only 145 miles from Texas. We will visit the famous Copper Canyon and at one point come within a mile of the Texas border.

On March 16 participants from the U.S. and Canada with gather in El Paso and go across the border the next day at 9 AM as part of the Express Convoy. The convoy will actually cross the border at Santa Teresa, New Mexico, and will avoid Mexican border towns completely.

If you are interested, please request a copy of the latest Express FAQ, entry form, or email me. Go to www.chihuahuaexpress.com for additional information/

The Express is fun, exciting, safe, and relatively inexpensive. Please join us this year as a participant or as a spectator. It is beautiful country!

Security and Safety in Mexico

2010-02-08T11:44:00.000-08:00

Racing into the famous Copper Canyon

SECURITY FOR RALLY MEXICO

The constant reports of violent crime in Mexico are a concern for anyone traveling across the border. However, competitors in the Chihuahua Express and Carrera Panamericana should be assured that every precaution is being taken to protect them from this violence.

The purpose of this post is to discuss this situation and to outline what steps are being taken to protect the competitors and spectators in the Chihuahua Express in March. The plans for the Carrera in October are comparable.

1. Understanding the nature of the violence in Mexico.

Almost all the violence reported in the U.S. media is a result of conflict among Mexican drug gangs who are battling for control of the drug traffic across the border and for distribution rights in border towns.

Apart from this violence, which is spawned by the demand in the U.S. for illegal drugs, the Mexican people are among the most law-abiding people in the world.

In the past seven years of the Chihuahua Express and its precursor, the Border Challenge, we have witnessed not one act of violence, even a minor incident. In fact, in the past twenty-two years of its companion race, La Carrera Panamericana, we have not had one incident of violence against a competitor or spectator.

2. The Federal and State Governments of Mexico and Chihuahua are dedicated to protecting those who travel to Mexico.

As in past years, thirty-six Federal Highway Patrol Officers will be assigned to protect the Chihuahua Express. In addition, there will be sixty-eight police from the State of Chihuahua, along with seventy-seven municipal police officers. A total of 163 police officers will be assigned to this event.

Furthermore, in the countryside another fifty-two auxiliary police will be assigned to monitor minor intersections and even the access roads to larger ranch and farms communities. These figures do not include the paramiltary police who regularly patrol this area.

3. Our route into Mexico avoids the major trouble area, Ciudad Juarez.

Each year the Express Convoy gathers in El Paso, Texas for the trip across the border and the 220 miles down to Chihuahua City.

Instead of crossing the border in Ciudad Juarez, the Express Convoy enters through Santa Teresa, New Mexico, (Jerónimo, Mexico), which is twenty-two miles west of Juarez. The convoy will also exit Mexico by the same route on Monday, March 22.

Mexican friends of the Chihuahua Express and police officers will escort the convoy to Chihuahua City, which is 220 miles or three hours and a half from the border.

4. The Express Convoy affords support and protection.

The North American competitors will gather Tuesday, March 16 at the Sunland Park Holiday Inn, west of El Paso, to enjoy a welcome cocktail and meeting to discuss the trip to Chihuahua City. The convoy will cross the border the next day (Wednesday) at 8:00 AM through Santa Teresa , NM (into San Jerónimo, Mexico), and arrive at the luxurious Soberano Hotel around 13:00 hours the same day.

The highway to Chihuahua is an excellent four-lane highway, with only one small town along the way. The route is patrolled by the Mexican army, which has checkpoints along the way. The convoy will not leave anyone behind.

Other competitors, from Texas and Oklahoma may enter Mexico through Ojinga (across from Presidio, TX), only 145 miles (two and a half hours) from Chihuahua City. There are no cities along this stretch of desert.

5. Medical services, support, and secure accommodations provided while racing.

In addition to the police officers assigned to the event, intensive-care ambulances, rescue teams, and doctors, for each twelve cars, will accompany the competitors during the three days of the race. In the event of a serious accident, the hospitals in Chihuahua City are considered first-rate, and evacuation to the U.S. is relatively quick and easy.

The competitors will return to the Soberano Hotel each night, which is located on a secure hill overlooking the city. The hotel provides security to its grounds, including the parking lot at night.

Conclusion

The violence in Mexico is drug related. It is largely confined to border towns, or to certain areas of towns along the drug routes. There is no reason--economic or political-- for drug gangs to target competitors in the Chihuahua Express or any other sporting event. By staying out of Juarez and the marginal areas of town, we reduce the chances of random or accidental violence.

The actual route of the Express -- across the vast, open expanses of northern Mexico -- also greatly reduces the changes of accidental contact with those who are responsible for violence in places like Juarez and other border towns. (Check out the videos and photos of the route on YouTube. It's sparsely populated country.)

In twenty-two years or more of rallying and road racing in Mexico, the Mexican people have treated the competitors only with warm and kindness.

By taking all prudent and necessary precautions, the organizers are confident that the personal security of the competitors will be protected.

La Carrera Featured at Auto-Vino Event, Feb. 17

2010-02-05T06:11:00.000-08:00

Auto-Vino in Menlo Park, a storage facility for exotic cars and wines -- what a combo! -- is having a luncheon on February 17, 11-30-2:00 devoted to La Carrera. The guest speakers will be Martin Lauber and Conrad Stevenson, who did exceptionally well their first time in the Pan Am last year driving an Alfa sedan.

Here the official announcement from the Auto-Vino web site. Hope to see you there!

Gerie

Wed, February 17, 11:30am – 2:00pm

Description. The great Pan American Road Race, The Mexican Road Race, was perhaps the greatest of all the open road races of the early 1950s. From 1950 thru 1954 the event raced in five days from the southern tip of Mexico to the Texas border. All the great American and international auto makers participated, as did the top SCCA, USAC, FIA, NASCAR, Indy racing drivers plus amateurs. The event celebrated the opening of the Pan-American Highway. For the past several decades the event has been recreated as a seven-day stage rally – race called the La Carrera Panamericana. Top pro, amateur and vintage racers compete each fall in this rally – race that run the length of Mexico. For 2010 the event date is October 22-28. The speakers at the AutoVino Racers lunch February 17 are 2009 La Carrera PanAmericana participants Martin Lauber and Conrad Stevenson. They will present a multimedia program about competing in their Alfa. Lunch is $20. RSVP to AutoVino 650-533-3809. The location is 205 Constitution Avenue in Menlo Park California. 94025, about 25 miles south of San Francisco.

http://www.auto-vino.org/events.html

CARRERA NEWS -- 9th Year of Publication

2010-01-26T15:48:00.000-08:00

Championship Car for Sale -- see Classifieds

CARRERA NEWS
January 24, 2010 Updated
9TH YEAR OF PUBLICATION

**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS WARMING UP
**LA CARRERA PLANNING ANOTHER BIG YEAR
**PROMOTION BY BLOG
**2010 ROUTE YET UNKNOWN
**CARRERA HOTELS AND ENTRY PROCESS
**HONORING FRANK CURRIE
**CLASSIFIEDS
Championship Studebakers for Sale

**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS WARMING UP

Twenty-six North Americans have committed to the Chihuahua Express, March 19-21. Another ten or so Europeans and twenty-two Mexican racers are expected to join the fun. Virtually all of the competitors have experience in La Carrera or have run the Express before. A few have signed up for the bracket class and the regularity T/S/D rally.

The Express is three days of racing – 325 miles of top speed stages -- across some of the most remarkable landscapes in the world. It’s open-road racing at its finest; only 145 miles from Texas. Go to www.chihuahuaexpress.com and click on English for more info, or click on gbledso@aol.com to receive a three-page FAQ via email.

Registration and technical inspection are a snap, the cost is low, the time commitment is minimal, just about any car may be enrolled, and the race organization is professional. In only three years, it’s become a world-class event.

The Express Convoy leaves El Paso, Texas on March 17 for the short drive across the border and down to Chihuahua City.

**LA CARRERA PLANNING ANOTHER BIG YEAR

Eduardo de Leon, the President of La Carrera Panamericana, is predicting another big year for the event. Last year 107 competitors enrolled, up from an even 100 in 2008. Although North American participation dropped off in 2009 because of the recession, our European cousins made up the difference.

After the race was over, we learned that the brother of the President of Mexico was among the competitors! (No wonder so many Federales were hovering about!)

According to the official rules of the event, North America (Canada and the U.S.) is limited to thirty entries, but we have been granted ten more routinely over the years. However, this may be the first year we are not allowed to exceed our quota.

North Americans may reserve a spot on the grid with a deposit of $500. The deposit is non-refundable, unless the organizers refuse to accept your entry. Let me know if you are interested gbledso@aol.com.

The entry fee schedule for 2010 has also been set, but it cannot be published. The cost is $500 USD more than it was last year. You will get a $500 discount by entering before April 30.

**PROMOTION BY BLOG

Increased use of the Internet, especially YouTube, FaceBook, and bloggers like Gary Faules, has raised the visibility of La Carrera and the Chihuahua Express enormously. Now you can watch Pan Am cars blast through Mexican canyons only hours after the actual event and get nightly updates.

For the first time last October folks back home followed the race courtesy of Gary and his hardy band of amateur “reporters” and photogs in Mexico. Heck, he even covered the Coyote Convoy on its way down to Huatulco. Gary’s blog can be found at http://lacarrera2007.blogspot.com.

Other bloggers provide excellent insights and content, such as the “soul” of LCP Marcia Blas at http://roadrallyrhythms.typepad.com. Another fine example is Kristin Vance's bog at http://funksterwtf.blogspot.com. Web sites abound as well. Michael Emery’s www.LuchaLibreRacing.com provides excellent info about his team, beautiful photographs (he is a pro), and a comprehensive list of links. Even rookie Hayden Groendyke has a new web site--with an unapologetic title--http://www.winpanam.com. Hayden, who is no stranger to Mexico, is now actively promoting the Pan Am.

The expansion of the Internet and cell phone service in Mexico has also greatly improved communications during the event, making expensive satellite phones largely unnecessary. Cell and text service is available in most of Mexico, at least once we survive the first day in the boonies. Regardless, GPS tracking devices in the car would be a good thing to continue. Is there an OnStar system for racecars in Mexico? It would be good to hear a comforting voice say, “Hello. Our system has indicated that, while your airbags have not deployed, you have disappeared into a steep ravine. Are you OK? Should we call for assistance?”

This year a character called “CarreraCoyote” will “tweet” late-breaking news to Carrera competitors and crews before and during the event. To sign up for these messages, go to www.Twitter.com. Detailed info will also be posted more frequently under the “News” tab at www.panamrace.com or www.panamrace.blogspot.com.

**2010 ROUTE YET UNKNOWN

No official announcements have been made about the route of the Carrera for 2010. It is quite likely that the starting city will be Tuxtla Gutierrez. But anything is possible. We also have reason to believe that the “meta” will be Nuevo Laredo. Other overnight stops along the route may be Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, San Luis de Potosi, and Zacatecas. Wouldn’t it be nice to spend two nights in Zac?

Most 2009 competitors who responded to a brief poll in November did not wish to spend another night in Mexico City or Guadalajara. With the new, magnificent toll road around Mexico City, it is much easier to avoid that traffic nightmare, even if a few laps on the historic Dos Hermanos racetrack would be exciting.

The official route is determined by negotiations with the various cities and hotels along the route. The route will not be announced until later. When it is posted on the official web site, “CarreraCoyote” will “tweet” it. Exciting, huh? Perhaps some day these negotiations will involve multi-year arrangements, so the route can be announced earlier, rather than later.

**CARRERA HOTELS AND ENTRY PROCEDURE

The hotel package for Pan Am 2010 also have not been announced. (The publication of this newsletter has been delayed awaiting the news about the entry fee and hotels.)

Regardless, competitors may sign up by going to the main web site: www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx. The format is not user friendly, so you must have your blood type info, car info, and digital photos ready to upload in order to complete the registration.

Alternatively, North Americans may use the ’09 entry form provided at www.panamrace.com. For new people, in particular, this form solicits information useful to providing them with the best advice and assistance prior to the event. The race organizers in Mexico make all decisions about the eligibility of cars.

Hotels? Traditionally, those who enter the race first get the best hotels. Those signing up early have the best shot at scoring a room at the fabulous Quinta Real Hotel in Zacatecas.

However, more competitors are reserving rooms along the route via the Internet, rather than pay $150-300 per night to the race organizers for extra rooms for their crew or luxury accommodations. This was apparently the case last year in Huatulco, an under-utilized Pacific resort, where some competitors and their support crews stayed in less expensive hotels during the days before the race began.

**HONORING FRANK CURRIE

Frank Currie will be honored by his friends at the Grand National Roadster Show at the L.A. County fairgrounds in Pomona next weekend, January 29-31. Several of his friends will drive one of his extensive collection of roadsters to display at the show, which expects to display 500 of these cars, plus custom motorcycles and other creations. Frank and his beautiful wife Evelyn are expected to make an appearance around 1 PM on Saturday to greet everyone. As most gearheads and racers know, Frank gained fame by making bullet proof Ford 9” differentials and other car parts for hot rods, plus street and racecars. Frank, who will turn 80 this year, participated in many motorsports events, including La Carrera Panamericana, and above everything else, he’s a great guy.

**CLASSIFIEDS: CARS AND ASSISTANCE

CARRERA MUSTANG. Lease the classic ‘65 Mustang “Gypsy Wind” with 400+ HP built and specially prepared for La Carrera by Todd Landon. Arrive and drive packages, including full mechanical support and fitting the car to the crew, are available at reasonable cost. Landon’s cars have finished in the top five, including a first in the highly competitive Historic C class in 2008. Proven cars in this class cost normally cost over $75,000 and may not be ready to race. Contact Todd in Minnesota at +1-952-250-7948 or TALandon@landolakes.com.

CARRERA FALCON. Lease a lightweight ’65 Falcon built and prepared for the Carrera by Hammarlund Racing in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. Last year, cars from Hammarlund’s shop dominated the Pan Am by winning the overall championship (Stig Blumquist), two firsts in class, and four of the top six spots. This new creation boasts Ford Motorsport 302 engine with a fresh four-speed Super T10 transmission driving a nine-inch differential with limited slip. Wilwood discs brakes on all four corners stop the car. Contact Mats Hammarlund at +011-52-415-1010308 or mhracing1960@gmail.com.

CARRERA CHRYSLER. 1955 Chrysler 300 Kiekhafer clone/replica built for the Mexican road race in 1997. Features: 2" dom cage, disc brakes, 32 gal.fuel cell, racing seats belts. Pontiac trans am front clip. Fun driver, registered for street. Great car for the “tourist class.” Contact Ron Davis in Ft. Collins, CO at c300r@yahoo.com.

NAVIGATOR. Jim Roxbury is available this year to navigate a Carrera car around the treacherous corners of La Bufa. Jim was Jerry Churchill’s co-piloto for eight years, including the year the duo won Historic C. He has navigated the Chihuahua Express, Targa Newfoundland, Silver State Classic, and other events with Churchill. Jim is a professional mechanic, so he adds this dimension to your cockpit team. Contact Jim at +1-763-389-1150 or RoxburyRacing@hughes.net.

NAVIGATOR. Dyana Marlett is available to navigate in the Chihuahua Express. She has served as co-piloto for Sam Burg in the LT Special for several years, both in the Express and the Carrera. Last year, her new piloto and car finished sixth place overall in the Carrera, even after a minor off-road excursion. Contact her at dwm@dyanamarlett.com.

DRIVER/NAVIGATOR. Michael Emery, Lucha Libre Racing, is looking for a partner for the 20120 Pan Am, either a funded driver or navigator in his Datsun 1600 “Fairlady.” Michael and his previous partners have probably had more fun than anyone else in this event. After all, they have a tequila company as a sponsor. Contact Michael at michael@luchalibreracing.com.

For other cars for sale and lease, see the Classifieds at www.PanAmRace.com. Also see the official Mexican web site: www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx.

CHAMPION STUDEBAKERS FOR SALE

BILL BEILHARZ IS SELLING HIS ’53 STUDEBAKER THAT WON THE CARRERA CHAMPIONSHIP IN 2008(BBeilharz@aol.com). LARS STUGEMO IS SELLING HIS ’53 AS WELL. BOTH CARS HAVE PROVEN CAPABLE OF WINNING THE BIG TROPHY. (Lars.Stugemo@hiq.se) NOT CHEAP. FOR DETAILS GO TO www.myvrl.com.

This newsletter (blog posting) may be copied, reprinted, and distributed with proper attribution. The views expressed here are the author’s and sometimes do not reflect the views of the Organizing Committee.

© Copyright Gerie Bledsoe 2010

Pan Am Entry Fee Announced

2010-01-26T11:15:00.000-08:00

The Organizing Committee of La Carrera Panamericana has announced that the "early" entry fee for 2010 will increase $500 USD over the 2009 level. The (early) entry fee is good until April 30, when it will increase another $500.

For details about the fee structure and how to pay it, plus the cancellation policy, email me at gbledso@aol.com.

You may sign up on this web site for CARRERA NEWS. Those who enter the race will also be sent CARRERA DRIVER, which contains more technical information about how to prepare for this event.

EVENTS FOR CARRERAISTAS DURING 2010

2010-01-11T16:12:00.000-08:00

CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS – MARCH 19-21
Soberano Hotel, Chihuahua, Mexico
325 miles of speed stages (top speed stage rally) in three days!
Vintage, classic, and modern cars eligible
http://www.chihuahuaexpress.com/

gbledso@aol.com for FAQ

DREAM MACHINES – APRIL 25
Half Moon Bay Airport, CA (10 AM-4 PM)
Carrera Corral/Fiesta-- Car, M/C, and Plane Show

SONOMA HISTORIC MOTORSPORTS FESTIVAL – May 30-31*
Infineon Raceway, Sears Point, CA

PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB – JUNE 27
Registration-Tech -- June 22
Practice -- June 23-24-25
R & R -- June 26

http://www.rmvr.org/

gbledso@aol.com

MONTEREY HISTORIC RACES – AUGUST 13-15*
Laguna Seca, Monterey, CA
Carrera Corral and Fiesta – August 14

TARGA NEWFOUNDLAND – SEPTEMBER 11-18
http://www.targanewfoundland.com/

LA CARRERA PANAMERICANA – OCTOBER 22-28
Tuxtla Gutierrez—Nuevo Laredo (tent.)

2000 miles, 350 miles of top speed stages

http://www.panamrace.com/ Canada and USA

http://www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx/ 310-860-6959
gbledso@aol.com 650-726-9890

Open to 30-40 cars from Canada and the USA. The event has

been sold out for the past three years. Discount given for early entry.

*By invitation only. Please advise of other events open to Carrera cars.

2009-12-09T18:40:00.000-08:00

RALLY MEXICO BULLETIN
HOLIDAY EDITION 2009

***CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS DEADLINE – JANUARY 1
***LA CARRERA NEWS AND SPECULATION
***PIKES PEAK 2010—LIMITED TO 20 VINTAGE CARS
***CLASSIFIEDS
CARS FOR THE EXPRESS – READY TO RACE
***CONTACT INFO

***CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS DEADLINE

The entry fee for the fourth annual Chihuahua Express is $2000 until January 1, when it goes up another $500.

In addition to the twenty competitors who have signed up thus far, another fifteen from the U.S. and Canada have made the commitment. And 15-20 more from Mexico and Europe as expected to sign up as well.

As I stated at the race of the event last year, this is truly a world-class event. The roads, scenery, race organization, civil and popular support, timing and scoring, and other aspects of the race were just excellent. It is nearly 325 miles of top-speed stages in only three days with no complicated handicapping system or navigation problems.

It’s a racer’s race. So tell your friends to come on down and check it out.

New to the fine art of a “stage rally?" We’ll teach you in the Rally Master Program, a combination of classroom instruction, audio-visual aids, and driving the actual course under supervision. Any (safe) car will do, and you do not need a roll cage, only a helmet. The fee is only $900 until January 1.

Worried by the reports of violence in Mexico? Do not let these reports keep you away. I just finished my 12th year and 17th race in Mexico, and I have never seen an act of violence against one of our racers down there. Besides, the Mexican Federal, Para-military, and State police watch over us along the whole route.

***CARRERA NEWS

The Carrera Office in Mexico City has been mostly closed since the event, and the Leon family has been on a much-deserved vacation, recovering from the Pan Am. Now it is the Christmas season; announcements about the 2010 event are not expected soon.

However, here are several unofficial speculations:

1) the dates of the race will probably be October 22-28, with qualifying on October 21.
2) the race will start, more than likely, in Tuxtla Gutierrez
3) the race will not stop for the night in Mexico City, rain or shine
4) the race will probably end in Nuevo Laredo
5) there will probably be a modest increase in the entry fee
6) it is unlikely that there will be a change in the North American Coordinator
7) there will be likely be a change in the chief timer and score keeper
8) the Coyote Convoy will roll from Laredo, Texas on October 16, 2010

Determining the exact route of the Pan Am normally takes weeks of planning, discussions, and even neogotiations with the cities and authorities along the way. Anything speculated above is subject to change.

***PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB -- JUNE 27, 2010

Just twenty vintage and Pan Am cars are being invited back to Pikes Peak this year. The date has been moved up to June 27 to accommodate the paving plan on the mountain. This will be the last year to race the upper mountain’s dirt course.

In 2009 six Vintage Division drivers added their names to the record books as hill climb rookies. Ten vintage autos ran including three Mustangs, three Falcons, a Corvette, a Oldsmobile Super 88, a Desoto Firedome 8 and a '71 'Cuda. A Falcon set a new course record of 13:56 for the Vintage Division, narrowly edging out defending vintage champions Doug Mockett and Angelica Fuentes in their ’54 Pan Am Oldsmobile.

In addition to the hill climb, the Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing club sponsors a car show in Manitou Springs featuring vehicles from vintage car and motorcycle groups, as well as local residents' private vehicles. Manitou is a resort city nestled in the foothills just west of Colorado Springs. The setting for the show is in a park with plenty of shade, grass, music and food vendors. The '52 Desoto Hemi of Dean Smith and Frank McKinnon was the show favorite in 2009, taking home a trophy for Best Racecar. The car show will again take place in 2010, on June 26, the day before the race up the mountain.

The early entry fee until January 31 is $900. After that, it goes up $100-200. If more than 10 cars sign up, a rebate from $100 to $400 will be to each entrant.

For more information, go to http://www.rmvr.com/ or call race chairman Keith Davidson at 303-526-2807 or Gerie Bledsoe at 650-726-9890 or email gbledso@aol.com.

***CLASSIFIEDS

’93 Camaro Z-28 -- ready for the Chihuahua Express. This track car finished first in class and sixth overall in the 2008 Express. $5,900 (firm). Stock fuel injected 350 engine, six speed, big brakes, sub-frame connectors, new adjustable Panhard rod, 800# front springs, upgraded shocks, PS/PB, P/S cooler, newer set of Toyo tires, full roll cage, Kirkey racing seats, current seat belts, interior stripped, fire extinguisher, window nets, no glass in front doors, windshield and rear window excellent shape, tow hooks, slate gray, etc. Rear bumper has scuffing. Car is set up for NASA’s Camaro-Mustang Challenge series. Easy to drive and dependable. Prep for the Express, repainting, and delivery possible. Contact Gerie Bledsoe @ gbledso@aol.com

Transport to La Carrera. Duane Wilcoxon has room on his truck for one more car next October. Contact him at cri59@msn.com or 425-418-3680.

Chihuahua Express. Dean Smith needs a funded co-driver for the Chihuahua Express.
Dean offers an unforgettable ride in his ’52 DeSoto hemi that won the prize for best racecar at Pikes Peak last year. Contact Dean in Las Vegas at mexicoracerdean@embarqmail.com or 702-438- 3445. Dean has mucho experience in Mexican racing.

Mustang Support. Todd Landon, who fabricates Mustangs and Falcon’s for the Chihuahua Express, La Carrera, Pikes Peak, and other events, has cars ready for these adventures now, at different price points. He also provides race support. Contact him at TALandon@landolakes.com or 952-250-7948.

Studebakers Unlimited. Mats Hammarlund, MHRacing, is looking for partners/drivers to build a Falcon or Studebaker for the Chihuahua Express or La Carrera. Last October cars from his shop took four of the top six spots in La Carrera, including first and second overall and in Turismo Mayor, plus first in Sports Mayor. Contact Mats in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, at 213-291-1840 (U.S. number) or mhracing1960@gmail.com.

Coyote Convoy T Shirts. I have the XXXL Convoy T 2009 shirts for sale. $13.00 plus $3.00 postage. Proceeds go to Lupita Hernandez. gbledso@aol.com. Also 2008 Convoy shirts (same design), 3 small, 3 med, 1 XL, and 3 XXXL. The shirts are all $10.00 except XXXL, which is $13, plus postage.

2009-12-08T10:50:00.000-08:00

***‘TIS THE SEASON TO BE GENEROUS – HELP LUPITA

Your personal contribution is needed to build a trust fund for Lupita Hernandez, the Mexican nurse who lost both of her legs at the hip in 2003 in a Carrera accident.

Lupita was standing by an ambulance when a Carrera car hit a pool of oil and slid off the road during a speed stage. Lupita was pinned against the ambulance. Given the massive trauma and loss of blood, no one expected her to survive. But after three weeks in intensive care, she pulled through. Today she remains confined to a wheel chair in a small town outside of Tuxtla Gutierrez.

Since the accident Lupita has been supported by her parents and siblings, and her friends from La Carrera. This support paid for her physical therapy, rehabilitation, continuing education, and opening of a “micro-business.” A generous benefactor also purchased and refurbished a small house for her.

Today we need to build a trust fund for Lupita that will generate enough interest income to support her in poor economic times, as well as good times.

Please help us this Holiday Season. Checks may be sent to:

Friends of Guadalupe Hernandez Ramirez
c/o Ms. Fanny Davila
South Bay Bank
2200 Sepulveda Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501

The Friends of Lupita would like to thanks Ralph Carungi, Stewart and Linda Robertson, and Kim Watkins, plus others for their recent contributions.

The trustees of Lupita’s account are: Doug Mockett, Oscar Carillo, and Gerie Bledsoe.

The photo above is of Lupita in front of her house. Ocozocoautla, Chiapas, Mexico. 2008.

Thanks for the consideration, and many Happy Holidays!

Gerie

P.S. The accident that crippled Guadalupe Hernandez Ramirez happened in the second speed stage of the very first day of the Pan Am in 2003, just outside of the starting city, Tuxtla Gutierrez. I remember the morning clearly.

My '64 Chevy Nova had blown its engine during the first speed stage, so my navigator, Mike Goble, and I were standing on the side of the road waiting for our support guy, Logan, to come by and pick us up. After an hour or so, we noticed a medivac helicopter flying low, following the road. In twenty minutes it returned at full speed.

We assumed, of course, that a Carrera car had crashed and someone was badly injured. Later that evening it was reported that a 22 year old Mexican nurse had been killed when a Mustang hit a puddle of oil dropped by another Carrera car. The Mustang, driven by Frank Currie, spun off the road and into a parked ambulance. Two or three people were standing by the ambulance, but only Lupita was struck. A doctor sitting in the driver's seat of the ambulance suffered a broken leg.

Later during the race we learned that the nurse was still alive but not expected to live. But three weeks or so after the event was over, I found out that Lupita had miraculously survived, and our efforts to help her soon began.

Months later we also discovered that, while the emergency workers were tending to Lupita, another Carrera car lost control and almost hit the ambulance again -- a scene caught on video.

I will always remember that sick feeling in my stomach when I watched the helicopter return to Tuxta that morning in October 2003, knowing that someone was seriously injured. It could have been any of the racers, instead it was a young Mexican nurse who had volunteered to help any of us who might be injured. Now, I knew, it was our turn to help her.

First Entry for 2010 Race Received

2009-12-02T18:54:00.000-08:00

Yesterday I received the first entry for next year's edition of La Carrera Panamericana. I had to explain to the guy that I was missing some important details about the race in 2010, like the exact dates, the route, the starting city, and the amount of the entry fee. But he was insistent that he was going to be in the event, so he took the first of the 40 entries available to Canada and the U.S.

At this point, my best guess is that the official dates will be October 22-28. These dates would be consistent with past practice.

I am also predicting that the route will be about the same as last year. Some people will be very happy, however, if we do not stop in Mexico City or make the trek to Guadalajara.

Most of us will be pleased if the event ends in Nuevo Laredo.

Next year the start may well be in Tuxtla Gutierrez, the traditional starting city, down in Chiapas. Reportedly, the major highway construction outside the city has been completed.

The vets, like me, like Tuxtla because it has the Carrera tradition and the fairgrounds are just right to prepare for the event. The people are very friendly and supportive, too.

With the economy improving, I expect a major turn out for the 2010 Pan Am. Last year we had 107 entries, with 99 starting the race. And in 2008, we had 105 entries, with 100 starting.

Next year I suspect many old friends to return to the event. They have been out knocking off other adventures from their bucket list, like Paris-to-Peking or the Targa, but they will be coming back to the Pan Am because there is nothing really like it in the world.

Why is it so special? It's really about the people, like our many friends in the Carrera Fraternity. And where else can you drive as fast as you want every day for seven days, through beautiful county, surrounded by adoring fans and friendly cops?

It's an adventure, with tradition!

Ready for the Chihuahua Express?

2009-11-20T09:18:00.000-08:00

The Chihuahua Express--now in it fourth year--is a condensed version of La Carrera Panamericana, with a few advantages:

1. modern, classic, vintage, and Panamericana cars are featured

2. cars without roll cages are welcome

3. there's a Rally Master school to teach rookies how to rally properly

The Chihuahua Express was designed to be:

1. a weekend event

2. close to the USA

3. in the same hotel each night

4. relatively inexpensive

5. staged on good paved roads

6. surrounded by beautiful scenery

7. remembered for large amounts of challenging speed stages

The Express comprises nearly 1000 miles of driving, including about 325 miles of speed stages, mostly in the mountains around Chihuahua, which is only 145 miles from Texas. By contrast the Panamericana offers around 350 miles of speed stages over seven days and 2000 miles or more.

Until January 1, the Express entry fee is $2000, when it goes up to $2200. This does not include the hotel rooms. Rooms at the luxury HQ hotel are $165 per night (tax included), while rooms in nearby "racer" hotels go for as little as $55.

Where else in the civilized world can you race on closed public roads for three days under the protection of the Federal Police?

To race at full speed, you will need a car with a six-point roll cage and all the usual racing gear. All cars are subject to a safety and technical inspection.

If you do not have a roll cage, you may participate in bracket competition (limited speed), or a time/distance rally. You may also select the Express Tour and optional Rally Master program. Only helmets are required. The entry fee for the Tour and the Rally Master program is only $900. The cars in the Tour will run the same course as the racecars.

The Express visits the famous Copper Canyon of Northwest Mexico, a canyon that rivals the Grand Canyon in Arizona for beauty. You will have lunch on the northern rim of the canyon, so you'll have a good view.

Race or drive it as part of the Express Tour, it is beautiful country. Join us in El Paso, Texas on March 16 for the trip down to Chihuahua City in the Express Convoy. If you are interested, please let me know and I will send you a detailed FAQ. gbledso@aol.com 650-726-9890.

Check out http://www.chihuahuaexpress.com/ for a detailed map and additional information.

EVENTS IN 2010

2009-11-10T08:16:00.000-08:00

RALLY MEXICO BULLETIN
EVENTS DURING 2010

CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS – MARCH 19-21
Soberano Hotel, Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico
325 miles of speed stages in three days!
Vintage, classic, and modern cars eligible.
www.chihuahuaexpress.com

DREAM MACHINES – APRIL 25
Half Moon Bay Airport, CA (10 AM-4 PM)
Carrera Corral/Fiesta, Car and Plane Show

TARGA CANADA WEST -- MAY 24**
53d Knox Mountain Hill Climb, May 22-23
British Columbia
www.taracanadawest.com

SONOMA HISTORIC MOTORSPORTS FESTIVAL – JUNE 5-6*
Infineon Raceway, Sears Point, CA

PIKES PEAK INTERNATIONAL HILL CLIMB – JUNE 27
Registration-Tech -- June 22
Practice -- June 23-24-25
R & R -- June 26
Carrera cars race with Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing Club

MONTEREY HISTORIC RACES – AUGUST 13-15*
Lagunda Seca, Monterey, CA
Carrera Corral and Fiesta – August 14

TARGA NEWFOUNDLAND – SEPTEMBER 11-18
www.targanewfoundland.com

LA CARRERA PANAMERICANA – OCTOBER 22-28 (TENT.)
Huatulco—Nuevo Laredo (tent.)
www.panamrace.com
www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx

*By invitation only.
**One day rally in 2010; five days in 2011. The hill climb is a different
event, but close by. It's a climb of 800 feet in 2.2 miles.

ANOTHER POST-CARRERA COMING HOME

2009-11-04T12:26:00.000-08:00

It was good to return home to the rocky coast of Northern California after three weeks on the road. It was also good that the locks had not been changed and the pool boy's rusty truck was not in my spot in the garage. Seriously, it is great to have a supportive spouse, who understands, if not fully appreciates, my other great passion in life.

It usually takes me two weeks of moping around the house to recover from the Carrera. I have called it both “accelerator deprivation” and “post-Carrera stress syndrome.” Why do I wake up at 6 AM with an urge to drive 80 MPH to the local gas station?

I do miss the open roads, the kids, colors, and even the smells of Mexico. Of course, I do not miss our leaky exhaust, stinky driver's suit, or those who wanted to natter on about their personal problems while I was urgently trying to find the WC in Jalpan.

As ever, it was great to see everyone down in Mexico. Well, at least everyone from this hemisphere. Ours is truly a unique club, blessed by only one annual (seven-day) meeting each year. The dues are a bit steep but the memories are priceless.

We were all pleased by our new class of rookies. They seemed to be good sports and having fun. We hope they felt welcome and will return in the future. Some, like Martin Lauber and Ed Hugo, did exceptionally well, too.

My apologies for leaving out the results in Sports Mayor and Original Pan Am from my "initial" press release. I was under pressure from magazines in Europe to get them something yesterday and my short-term memory was not improved by ten straight days of driving. Apparently, the Carrera Office is closed.

Congratulations to John and Chrislana Gregory for their victory in OPA. Clearly, they also should get a prize for "most improved" and most wonderful attitude. It was also good to see Ed Hugo wring more of the potential out of the LT-Chevelle Special as he won the Sports Mayor class. Too bad there is not more cars in that class, but Ed did well against the Turismo Production and Turismo Mayor cars, finishing right behind former SCCA rally champ Karl Scheible and his new co-piloto, Lady Di Marlett.

My "final" report on the race will be more inclusive. And yes, Mats Hammarlund builds ’54 Studebakers (not ’64 Larks) for his Swedish clients and others. Winning LCP with one of his cars has been Mats’ ambition for many years. Congratulations to all at MH Racing! http://www.mhracing.com.mx/

THE COYOTE CONVOY

Again the Coyote Convoy seemed successful, even after a few ominous warnings before we crossed the border. For the eighth year, we got everyone to the start of the race and had some fun along the way.

But the story started with bad news. Two Carrera trucks had tried to penetrate the border at the Columbia Bridge on Friday (the day before the Convoy was due at the border) but were forced to turn back to the U.S. They were towing two race cars with tourist stickers, but the car owners were not present.

The news caused me to have a major bout of indigestion, especially since the Carrera Office had warned me a week earlier of potential problems with the Mexican Customs authorities, too.

But we came up with a plan for the Convoy that was ultimately well executed, and everyone eventually got across the border.

The two trucks that failed to cross the border at the Columbia Bridge slipped across at Nuevo Laredo in the early morning hours just before the Convoy.

Before next year's border crossing we will develop a new procedure for crossing the border with our trucks, racecars, spares, chattels, and assigns. To do so will require the participation of all those hauling cars into Mexico—big trucks and little trucks.

SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE, THE CAR SHOW, AND MEXICAN CHARITIES

I would like to thank those who unloaded their cars to display them in the Jardin, the central square, in San Miguel de Allende. The participation of the Predator group was especially appreciated. We had about 20 cars and lots of kids and local citizens, both Mexican and gringo. It was a fun day in a lovely city.

I also must thank all of those who contributed to our favorite Mexican charity, C.A.S.A. It is a magnificant organization that does so much good for the children and families in San Miguel and the surrounding areas. http://www.casa.org.mx/

We also raised $1095 from Coyote Convoy T shirt sales for our Mexican nurse Lupita Hernandez, who lost both her legs at the hip in 2003 in a Carrera racing accident.

I still have lots of Coyote Convoy T shirts from last year and this year. The suggested contribution is only $10, plus $3 in postage. Add another $3 for 2XL and 3XL.

A special thanks to Kim Watkins and Ralph Carguni for their generous donations to our causes, and to the other donors who remain anonymous.

It's good to give back a little to a country that has so little, but is so rich in spirit!

THE ROUTE INTO MEXICO

The big news this year was the opening of the Arco Norte, the new toll road completely around Mexico City. Our prayers have been answered. The road is 104.5 miles long and we averaged around 70 MPH. It cut about 3 hours off the drive from San Juan del Rio to Puebla and Oaxaca. How cool is that? The cost was 484 pesos ($38) -- cheap at any price.

I thought a lot about Jerry Churchill as we rumbled down that fine super highway and the many years he and I struggled to lead our convoy cross Mexico City or to go around it on the old truck route. He would have been more than pleased.

PLANS FOR NEXT YEAR – EXPRESS YOUR OPINION ON THREE ISSUES

On these items you should make your personal views known to Eduardo Leon at lalo@lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx. Feel free to give him your brief, unvarnished opinion on each.

NUMERO UNO. Right now the Carrera Office (Eduardo Leon) is inclined to start the race again in Huatulco. Do you want to start the race there next year?

The other option is Tuxtla Gutierrez.

Personally, I favor Tuxtla, since it is part of the original race and it is a real Mexican town, mostly populated with Mayan descendents. But I can understand the allure of the beach in Huatulco, and can certainly endure the heat and humidity a second time.

NUMERO DOS. How about the drive to Guadalajara to visit the village of Tequila?

Personally, I thought it was a very long day in the saddle, just for a nice dinner and fiesta. It was great to have a Mexican band sing “Under the Board Walk” a capella. (Only the bride and groom were missing!)

NUMERO TRES. Do you want to return to Mexico City next year?

GOOD MEMORIES, TRIALS, AND TRAVAILS

Many times this year we witnessed examples of the Carrera Spirit – helping and supporting our friends and competitors with spare parts, labor, PBJs, fix-a-flat, and even short-term financial assistance. Heck, my spare motor mounts helped the Leningrad Cowboys get their ’58 Corvette back on the road, and I even forgot to get an autograph.

We will long remember the gigantic traffic jam at the first speed stage the afternoon of the first day, as well as the big, friendly crowd in Tehuacan. My co-piloto had to climb out the window, since he could not open the door, given the human crush.

How about the deluge in Mexico City when we arrived from Oaxaca? (Our wiper motor failed, along with the Rain X, and directions in the route book.) Do we really need to venture into Mexico City next year? And then there was the long wait the next morning to find out our marching orders for the day, after our laps on the track were canceled. Does anyone have a Plan B, I asked? Then there were the persistent rumors about how to calculate the next time for the first Control Z that day. (Sadly, we got our Z time wrong and got max times for the rest of the day!)

We shouldn’t forget the magnificant canyons on the way to Jalpan, or the beautiful descent into that city from the mountain top. It rivals the Swiss Alps. The well-organized entrance to San Luis de Potosi should be remembered, too. It was a gem. Friendly crowds, too, in the main square. It was too wet to appreciate SLP last year.

Of course there was the big wedding tent in Tequila, and more vividly, the drive back to our hotels in Guadalajara – some did not have enough (any?) headlights or wipers, but most had enough tequila to help us relax for the trip. And wasn’t the departure from Guadalajara special, too?

We were impressed by the large number of police, Federales, and guys cald in black kevlar, helmets, ski masks, and M16s. Wow! You might think someone important was racing with us. BTW, did you detect the squad of private bodyguards in their “ambulance” hot on the tail of the team of Mexican Porsches?

Zacatecas was cold and windy, but the locals were out in force. The parade following the little band and burro was fun as ever, and after a few cups of agave brew, who cared about the cold? Oh, how we should return to the days when we spent two nights in this wonderful city.

We may soon forget the long drive (426 miles) from Zac to Nuevo Laredo, but we won’t soon forget the crowds that welcomed us. For me the entry into N.L. was extremely special this year because it was the first time since 2002 that I finished the race in my own car. I also had a lump in my throat when I raced down that hill in La Bufa that wrecked our car and a friendship back in 2005.

Thanks to my special crew (Todd, Kristin, and Fernando) and many friends, like Roger, Rick, Ernie and the guys at North Bay Bavarian in Santa Rosa, CA, who helped and encouraged me. It was a good year, even if we finished way down the list. Most importantly, we finished……. unscathed.

To be sure, the passion and spirit of the Carrera lives.

CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS AND RALLY MASTER PROGRAM

My body is not responding well to random thoughts about driving back down to Mexico in March for the Chihuahua Express. But I plan to be there.

There was a lot of good talk about the Express during the Carrera, so we hope that many of you and others will join us in El Paso on March 17 for the short trip down to Chihuahua.

In the “news” category, I am considering hosting a special “Rally Master” program in Chihuahua to teach gringos about stage rallying in Mexico – from learning the rules, including timing and scoring, as well as the art of dodging burros on the open road.

There would be some classroom time, as well as “lead-follow” instruction on the open road, while following the race cars, at increasing speeds over the course of the three days.

If you know of anyone who might benefit from such a program, please let me know. Please do not nominate your spouse anonymously. Participants will only need a (safe) car (a rental would do), a modest tuition fee, and a helmet to participate.

Onward!

Gerie

Last Minute Information

2009-10-06T08:25:00.000-07:00

Photo-Fiesta in Tehuacan 2003

Carrera Driver
September 29, 2009

**Day 1 -- Running the Old Pan Am Highway
**Report from Mexico
**Obtaining Your Car Permits
**Tourist Visa
**Coyote Convoy
**Maps
**Calibrate Your Rally Computer
**Mexican Car Insurance
**Hotels in Huatulco
**Communications
**Service Crews
**Cars and Slots Available

**DAY 1 -- RUNNING THE OLD PAN AM HIGHWAY

On the first day of competition, in the afternoon, we will run the old Pan Am highway from Tehuantepec to Oaxaca. This is one of the last original stretches of the original Pan Am Highway that exists, on which we will race. It's around 250 KM long.

This highway cuts through the mountains, starting near sea level and steadily climbs to over 6000 feet in places, before we get to Oaxaca at a little over 5,000 feet. We'll pass through some great river valleys and small towns. Finding premium gas has been a problem in the past. Make sure you fill up -- completely at the service stop at lunch, and if you must have gas, buy a little regular.

This route means that in the morning of the first day, we will run speed stages on the coastal highway going eastnortheast out of Huatulco.

**REPORT FROM MEXICO

I spent five days down in Mexico last week and saw little evidence of swine flu. In fact, on the way back to the airport, I learned from a doctor's wife that a higher percentage of people in Texas (the Houston area) had the flu than in central Mexico. She said that some of the hospitals there were not even testing for it.

I did note that travelers were being checked with thermal sensors when arriving in Mexico City for fever. And traveler's were required to fill out a health questionnaire.

About the violence: so far, all episodes of violence have been drug related, except for one American family that got kidnapped AT NIGHT in northern Mexico pulling a racing trailer with a fancy SUV. Lesson? Do not travel at night. The biggest threat are cows on the road, however. If you must travel at night, drive slower or equip your vehicle with powerful lights, and do not stop for anyone, even if they have a blinking red light on their car. Head to the next PEMEX station.

**OBTAINING CAR PERMITS

I am getting mixed reports about obtaining permits over the Internet from http://www.banjercito.com/. I just went through the process for my racecar and got the permit and sticker for my car in four days.

In most parts of the country they should be able to get the documents to you within 10 days.

Please let me know if you are having problems. We will get them at the border, if necessary.

**TOURIST VISA

Everyone must have a tourist visa (FM-T) to go more than 30 KM into Mexico, whether you are importing a car, truck, m/c, or not. You must also pay $22 at any bank for the visa, because you will stay in the country for more than one week. You can pay this in Huatulco or anywhere along the race route.

If you want to come back to Mexico later, stop at the border (the Migracion desk) and surrender your visa before you leave. This is a major pain in the butt, but try to do it on Friday, Oct. 30, before you leave.

You should turn in your car permit and sticker, too, before you leave Mexico, unless you plan to come back for the Chihuahua Express. You may keep it until March (it is good for 180 days), but if you replace your windshield, make sure you bring back the glass with the old sticker on it! (Not kidding.)

**COYOTE CONVOY

We have around 20 cars and 40 people signed up for the convoy. Some more Carrera people will meet us in San Miguel for the pool party.

If you have not paid for your room in SMA and Oaxaca, please send me a check or PayPal to my email address: gbledso@aol.com. You may also charge it on a credit card via PayPal, if I send you an invoice.

**MAPS

I will send out a set of my chart-maps for the trip down to Huatulco. The big news is the new toll road completely around Mexico City known as the Arco Norte. The entrance to the Arco is at the KM 90 marker on highway #57 between San Juan del Rio and the last toll booth before Mexico City. The exit is poorly marked, I have been told.

If you are driving down alone--not in the convoy--do NOT drive into Mexico City, except maye between 11 PM and 5 AM, and then be careful where you go. Do NOT go on the Viaducto -- an elevated highway -- at anytime.

We also may have a new toll road around Monterrey towards Saltillo that will eliminate a short, but dangerous, stretch of road with heavy truck traffic.

Mexico Maps software for your Garmin GPS is recommended only for entering and exiting the larger cities, not for use while racing. Mexican software for a GPS does not have anywhere near the precision of North American software, but they are making progress.

**CALIBRATE YOUR RALLY COMPUTER

If you have a rally computer in your car, calibrate it before you leave for mexico or learn how to do it. Find a measured mile or KM and get it set right.

A rally computer is primarily useful for the navigator to find her/his place in the route book during a speed stage. (Yes, we all lose our place at high speed.) The timer on the computer will also track the amount of time left for a section in the route book. The route for the day is divided into sections, and each section, which starts with a speed stage, is allocated a certain amount of time. At the end of that allocated time, you are supposed to report to the next speed stage (Control Z). Got it?

**MEXICAN CAR INSURANCE

Did you get your service truck and race car insurance from Baja Bound at www.bajabound.com/?r=panamrace. It is easy with a VIN and credit card. It is required for your service truck, and only recommended (by me) for your racecar. Rememeber, regular car insurance is not valid while you are engaged in racing or a competition event, but before the race or at night, it might be useful.

**HOTELS IN HUATULCO

Apparently, some competitors have not yet made arrangements for hotel rooms in Huatulco before the race begins. If you need a room call Monica or Karen at 1-310-860-6959 or email monica.grossmann@yahoo.com.mx.

**COMMUNICATION

CB radios are recommended in service vehicles. They are cheap. The smaller, hand-held CBs have a shorter range, but are better than nothing. If the two trucks are close together, you can be heard. They can also be used the paddock and some hotels. Cell phones work pretty good in most of Mexico. Don't know about Huatulco. The sure-fire telcom instrument is an Irridium sat phone. If you want one, contact All Roads Communication in San Diego and mention the Pan Am for a discount. I am getting mixed reviews about the pre-paid Mexican sim cards, but I will try one in my tri-band phones. Walgreen's is supposed to have some cheap sim cards for LD around the world, too.

I do not know if the racecars will be tracked by the much flawed GlobalStar system. It only works in real time when their "birds" are in the right position. Someone told me that the race will be reported daily on FaceBook and/or YouTube.

**SERVICE CREWS

Does anyone need a extra service crew person or have a extra seat in their truck? The ideal is two people in each truck -- driver and navigator, just like the racecar. A route book will be given to each registered truck. It is not nearly as detailed as the book for the racecar, however.

Service crews should find another crew, maybe supporting a similar class of racecar, to work with. I will push this concept in Huatulco. We should be helping each other.

The first day will be the day we will lose the most cars. Some of the route is pretty remote, so make sure you have a recovery plan for your car.

There will be mechanics and welders following the race, too.

**CARS AND SLOTS AVAILABLE

There are still fully prepared racecars out there for purchase or rent. I was told that I have one entry for North America left, too. My theory continues to be that the organizers will not turn down a properly prepared car and mucho greenbacks en la mesa in Huatulco.

Viva La Carrera!

TWO WEEKS TO GO!

2009-10-06T07:57:00.000-07:00

CARRERA NEWS
HANDICAPPER’S EDITION
October 1, 2009

**MY LIST OF FAVORITES
**THE SWEDES
**WHAT’S LUCK GOT TO DO WITH IT?
**GET READY FOR NEXT YEAR
**RACING ON THE OLD PAN AM HIGHWAY
**REMEMBERING BOBBY JOHNSON
**DISCOVERY CHANNEL DVD AVIALABLE
**CARS FOR SALE

**MY LIST OF FAVORITES

A few weeks ago I sent out the first paragraph of my Handicapper’s Edition of CARRERA NEWS as juicy bait. In that snippet, I opined that Gabriel Pérez Torres had to be considered the early favorite. Several competitors rose to the occasion to disagree politely with my initial assessment.

The purpose herein is to survey the field more comprehensively.

In addition to Mr. Perez, contenders to the title this year include everyone’s favorites Doug Mockett and Angelica Fuentes. They will return in their wind-tunnel tested ’54 Oldsmobile (“in name only”). But not even testing in a wind tunnel can do much to mitigate A '54 Studebaker’s drag coeficeint advantage. However, Doug has assured me that Phil Denny has changed the oil and spark plugs in his car for this year’s attempt to repeat his prior triumphs.

At one point it was rumored that Mockett was buying a yellow Studebaker from coffee king Juan Valdez to replace his Olds, but Doug denied the rumor emphatically, denouncing it as “vicious hearsay.”

Looking down the list, Jorge Roberto Pedrero must also be considered a viable contender for the title. Of course, with the race starting in Huatulco this year, Jorge – who hails from from Tuxtla Gutiérrez – loses his advantage the first day in the mountains of Chiapas. Look to Jorge to squeeze as much power as possible form his Ford’s Boss 302 cubic inch Turismo Production engine.

**THE SWEDISH CONTINGENT

Another pre-race favorite is the venerable leader of the Swedish contingent -- “the Stig.” Mr. Stig Blomquist is a former WRC champion, Swedish champion many times over, and now a veteran of Mexican road racing, with one Carrera and one Chihuahua Express under his belt. Mr Blomquist and his generous co-pilota must be considered heavy favorites, too.

Reportedly, MH Racing in San Miguel de Allende, the Stig’s shop, has changed engine builders in an effort to avoid the gremlins that have fustrated this team over the past couple of years. In the Chihuahua, Stig’s car suffered from serious overheating problems, but his car builder, Mats Hammarlund, has done everything humanly possible to ensure that Stig has a dependable car this year.

Following Stig closely will be the dashing Lars Stugemo in another Studebaker built by MH Racing. Lars is another Carrera vet, who has the requisite skill and experience skill to win this event. But does he have the patience? He certainly has the looks and charm to send the ladies into a swoon.

Last, but certainly not least, on my list of contenders is another car from the MH Racing stable--a Volvo Amazon driven by Karl Schieble. Karl lives in Texas, not Sweden, and he has placed as high as fourth overall in this Hammarlund Volvo in two prior years. While the Volvo runs in Turismo Mayor, the top class, it has 100 horsepower less horepower than TM Studebakers and Mockett’s Olds.

On the other hand, Karl was the U.S. and Canadian SCCA rally champion for several years and knows his way around a mountain corner or racetrack. Rumor has it that the Amazon sports a new engine fresh from Sweden with a little extra horsepower. Carl has teamed up with co-piloto Dyana Marlett, a seasoned navigator, who certainly has enough experience and competitiveness to make the trip a success, regardless of the ultimate prize.

**WHO WILL WIN?

Who among this group of highly talented drivers and their trusty companions will win the event overall this year? That answer is easy. The crew and car with the least mechanical misfortune and the most luck will win. All of the leading cars, like the rest of us, are destined have at least one non-trival mechanical problem. That’s the nature of endurance racing.

This race will be decided by exactly when those mechanical failures occur: during a speed stage, a transit stage, or driving into the hotel’s parking lot at night. If one of the leaders misses a speed stage or loses significant power during a speed stage, it is pretty much out of the running for the top prize. After all, this is a long, arduous race, and the top drivers push their cars at 10/10s much of the time. Even a certain percentage of new, expensive racing parts will fail under these conditions. The question is – when and where the failure will occur? Being lucky, thus, will probably decide the outcome.

**WHAT’S LUCK GOT TO DO WITH IT?

Last year, Bill Beilharz, who won the 21st La Carrera in his black “Batmobile” Studebaker, missed a corner, went off the road, and skidded down into a shallow ravine. Instead of stopping to assess the damage and find a safe way out, Bill just kept on going. He spotted a footpath going up the other side of the gully and followed it full bore to get back on the road.

Others would have never been able to exit the gully because of a tire or suspension problem, or having their belly pan ripped off, but Bill was lucky. He knew that to remain in contention he could not stop in that gully.

Sadly, Bill is not able to return to defend his title this year, but he promises that he will be close by in Huatulco, basking on his sailboat, sporting a bevy of bikini-clad hotties on the bow.

**RACING ON THE OLD PAN AM HIGHWAY

As most of you know, the Carrera was started by the Mexican government in 1950 to promote the use of the Pan-American Highway, a paved (mostly) two-laned highway that went from Ciudad Juarez, MX (El Paso, TX) down through the middle of the country to the border with Guatemala.

After 59 years there is not much of the original highway left. Much of the original road has been replaced by four-lane super highways and toll roads. But one lengthy stretch of the two-lane road remains suitable for racing down in the state of Oaxaca, and it very special to those with the Carrera spirit. For a while, we though we might miss it this year.

On the first afternoon of competition, we will run the old Pan Am highway from Tehuantepec to Oaxaca. This is one of the last stretches of the original Pan Am highway that to be completed. They raced on it in 1950 and we have returned many times since them. It's around 250 KM long and it’s exciting, especially when the afternoon sun makes it hot and slick.

This highway cuts through the mountains, starting near sea level and climbing to over 6000 feet in places, before it gets to Oaxaca -- at a little over 5,000 feet. We'll pass through some spectacular river valleys and quaint villages. It’s a poor, sparely populated area, but the people are friendly and wave when we pass through their lives annually.

This road is being replaced by a new toll road to the east, so we expect the old Pan Am highway to stay pretty much the same, even with its Hotel California (!), for racing in future years. Amen!

**REMEMBERING BOBBY JOHNSON

Yesterday I was talking about the Pan Am with a good friend who has been a little under the weather. He looked at me with a glint in his eyes, and said, “Gerie, I enjoy the racing but I really want to go back to Mexico to see all my friends.” He went on to explain that they are (mostly) guys and “rachetheads” like him, who love the old cars and the adventure.

For me, too, our circle of Pan Am friends is the most important thing now. If I did not go, I would really miss seeing them. Many I will see only this one week out of the year, when we are together, catching up on our lives, suffering together, while we share our passion for this great event.

Sadly, we won’t be able to share this passion this year or ever again with a special Carrera friend, Bobby Johnson. Like many of my Pan Am buddies, I did not much about Bobby, but I knew he was a good guy. We spent a lot of time back in 2002-2004 discussing how to revive the Original Pan Am class. In those years, only two or three OPA cars started the event, and about none finished it. In particular, we agreed that OPA should be a featured, competitive class, and not just a bunch of rusty relics. So I starting promoting it, and Bobby rebuilt his Hudson.

Bobby would compete in his Hudson several times and would remain a true purist. He did not like the fact that the organizers were allowing disc brakes and many other concessions to the modern world, like electronic ignition. Now, he said, there is not much difference between OPA and Historic C, but the OPA cars look good!

Sadly, Bobby, a young man, died last month of a head injury sustained I was told --believe it or not—in a bicycle race. His beautiful wife, Zoya, is devestated, of course. We wish her well.

I last saw Bobby at the Chihuahua Express in 2007. He was quietly there, with a smile on his face, helping Todd Landon’s crew work on Mustangs. I regret only never having a chance to say goodbye after than race. I miss his smiling face and his purist passion for La Carrera! But I look forward to seeing those who will keep the passion alive this year. (His photo is above.)

**DISCOVERY CHANNEL DVD AVAILABLE

The Discovery Channel has been showing a series called “GT Racer” that is focused on some of the great historic auto races. The fourth in the series this year was the Panamericana, which aired last weekend (Sept. 25-27).

The four-DVD Box Set—the first two seasons--is available on Amazon.com:
www.amazon.com/GT-Racer-Gregoire-Audi/dp/B002O0QPVW
and through the Discovery Channel Store:
http://store.discovery.com/detail.php?p=109167&v=discovery

At the Discovery Channel Store the DVD Box Set can also be phone ordered by calling 1.800.627.9399
Trailers: www.GTRacerTV.com
LeMans: www.youtube.com/watch?v=NeBqcwldxxY
Nordschleife: www.youtube.com/watch?v=CGGyekPdjaQ
Magny Cours: www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4swAYX_Edw
Carerra Panamericana: www.youtube.com/watch?v=vuEH9f7XdLM

John Galt Films, Inc. is the New York City based boutique production company behind the program. Owner Alexander Davidis writes, directs and produces the GT RACER TV-series. He can be reached at info@johngaltfilms.com or by phone: +1 (212) 744.7441.

The Pan Am show focused on the two Mustangs and a Falcon fabricated and prepped by Todd Landon up in Minnesota. Contact him to rent a 'Stang or Falcon at aoldb://mail/write/TALandon@landolakes.com.

**GET READY FOR NEXT YEAR

Next year – 2010 – is the “reunion” year for La Carrera. It is time to get that old Carrera car out of the garage, update the rollcage and engine, and get it ready for the race. And if you are thinking about entering a new car, get it ready and tested early in the year.

Do not hesitate. The time available to complete your buckwet list is not increasing.

With the economy improving, now is the time for all good men (and women) to rekindle the passion of the Pan Am before it is too late.

Let’s fill the grid from North American next year and revive old friendships. Who knows, we may never have another chance.

**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS

Can’t get it together for the Pan Am this year? Need to sample a little of Mexico before taking the Carrera plunge? Try the Chihuahua Express.

As the name suggests, this is the quick and easy way to test your car and learn how to stage rally without devoting three weeks of your life and mucho dinero to an expediton into the Mexican jungle and hopefully back.

The Express packs 1000 miles of racing and around 325 miles of top speed stages into three days—only 145 miles west of Texas. On top of that, the racers return to the same bunk each night. How cool is that!

Contact organizer Chacho Medina if interested at chachomedina@sporcar.com or gbledso@aol.com. The Express is also affiliated with the Silver State Classic. The entry fee is only $2000, which does not include hotels.

**FOR SALE

Todd Landon, up in Minnesota, has a couple of really nice Mustangs for sale or lease for the race. Todd’s cars have finished in the top five overall on a regular basis.

Mats Hammarlund, down in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, is opening a huge shop, and plans to build more Studebakers for the Pan Am and the Chihuahua Express. Mats is looking for qualified driver-partners for these cars.

Will Kendall, in L.A., has a great ’64 Ford Falcon with Carrera history for sale. Will says it is ready to race this year. Ring him at 310.740.2100 or email him at info@paix.com. Will’s summary follows:

• Professionally built, RACE-READY Ford Falcon -- one of the most beautiful, best prepared, and seriously fast (475+ bhp) Historic C-class Falcons in existence.
• 20th Anniversary La Carrera Panamericana competitor. Passed tech that year. Ready to take the podium this year!
• Historic U.S. open-track racer (home track: Laguna Seca).
• Recently completed extensive professional rebuild by MAECO Motorsport -- the premier U.S. specialist in performance modifications and vintage race preparation for V8 powered American Pony Cars.
• Less than 100 miles on NEW Ford Racing, Maeco built 302 c.i. engine and mechanicals.
• Street legal: set-up for high-test pump OR race gas to enable multiple race/rally event entries.
• Full spec sheet, documentation, professional build records, and race history available to serious buyers.
• Over $75K invested. Selling for close to half of car's replacement cost, not including significant build-time and multiple Carrera experts' knowledge and input guiding build.
• Privately for sale and viewable in Los Angeles area @ $45K/BO. (For the 2009 Pan Am only, Will is offering a one-time 10% discount to Carrera race veterans.)

**OUR FAVORITE CHARITY GIRL

Guadalupe “Lupita” Hernandez Ramirez, a Mexican Red Cross nurse, lost both legs at the hip in 2003 when a Pan Am car hit a puddle of oil and spun off the road, pinning Lupita to an ambulance. Since then North American and Canadian competitors have vowed to support her. Right now, her trust fund, monitored by Doug Mockett and Oscar Carillo, only produces about $50 in interest every eight weeks. We need to increase the balance. Please send your contributions to:

Friends of Guadalupe Hernandez Ramirez
c/o Ms. Fanny Davila
South Bay Bank
2200 Sepulveda Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501

Be generous!

**LEGAL STUFF

Auto racing in any form is dangerous, the Pan Am is no exception. Make sure your car and your body are well prepared, and use them carefully.

Anyone who enters the race is obligated to read and agree to abide by the official rules of the race. Go to http://www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx/ and click on English and Rules.

Also, all competitors are solely responsible for getting their cars into the county and down the starting line.

**CONTACT INFORMATION

If you change email addresses, please let CARRERA NEWS know. Once you register for the race, you will also receive CARRERA DRIVER, which contain much more detailed information about the race and how to prepare your car.

Feel free to send CARRERA NEWS to your friends and racing buddies. This newsletter is posted on the web site http://www.panamrace.com/.

At this point, I have no firm information about the event in 2009, but I will start accepting applications and deposits of $500 on January 1. No, I do not know what the entry fee will be next year.

Saludos,

Gerie Bledsoe

North American Coordinator

There is still time to enter!

2009-09-02T12:41:00.000-07:00

Carrera News

SEPTEMBER 2, 2009 Labor Day Special

**THERE IS STILL TIME TO ENTER

**PRE-RACE FAVORITE

**TRAVELING WITH THE COYOTE CONVOY

**SAFETY AND SECURITY IN MEXICO

**CARRERA FIESTA IN SEATTLE, SEPT. 27

**CARRERA CARS ON TV

**SILVER STATE CLASSIC

**NEW DVD FOR SALE

**MUSTANG AVAILABLE FOR THE RACE

**CAMARO FOR SALE

**CONTACT INFO

**THERE IS STILL TIME TO ENTER

President Eduardo “Lalo” de Leon continues to project a starting grid of nearly one hundred cars for the 22d running of La Carrera Panamericana, despite the worldwide recession. However, he is still accepting selected entries.

North America (the USA and Canada) will contribute 40-42 cars to the starting grid. Two or three more guys say they are going to make it if their cars are ready. In most years, the North American contingent makes up about 50% of the grid. If this trend persists, the starting grid in 2009 could be less than ninety.

Bottom line? Entries are still being accepted at a slightly discounted rate. Now that the market has recovered, there is still time to check the Pan Am off your bucket list!

Need a car? Check below for Mustangs for rent or lease.

**LOOKING OVER THE FIELD

Bill Beilharz, the 2008 Carrera Champion, has been unable to find a sponsor for this year and will not be returning to defend his title. Pierre d’Thoisy will also not be returning, and rumors of his retirement from racing are circulating widely. Pierre competed in over 400 endurance races, including vintage Le Mans, and won the Pan Am several times, both as a piloto and co-piloto.

The pre-race favorite this year must be Gabriel Pérez Torres in his new Turismo Mayor Studebaker. Not only does he have the advantage of a new car and a recent victory in Chihuahua, but his co-piloto, Horacio Chousal, also compiles the route book for the Pan Am.

It’s difficult to bet against this combination of power, skill, experience, and inside knowledge. Yet there are several others capable of winning. My annual handicapper’s edition of CARRERA NEWS will be out soon.

**TRAVELING WITH THE COYOTE CONVOY

By October 14 the forty or so Carrera cars from the U.S. and Canada will be heading towards Mexico. About half of these cars will convene in Laredo, Texas, on October 16 to form the Coyote Convoy for the trip down to Huatulco, the start of the Pan Am. The other half will be bumping along on large car haulers.

The Coyote Convoy is open to anyone with an interest in traveling down for the race, whether competitor, support crew, or spectator. A few seats in service vehicles are available, too, if you want to leave your Galardo at home.

The convoy will cross the border on October 17 and stop 540 miles down the road in San Miguel de Allende for two nights of R and R. The Carrera cars will be displayed in the main square in the main square of this beautiful colonial city to help raise funds for children’s charities on the 18th.

The caravan will then drive around Mexico City on a new toll road to stop for the night in the city of Oaxaca, October 19, in time to explore the city a little. It will arrive in Huatulco, our Pacific resort destination, on October 20.

If you are interested in traveling with the convoy, email me at gbledso@aol.com for more information. It’s a great way to see Mexico and meet the guys (and a few neat gals) who make this race happen.

**SAFETY AND SECURITY IN MEXICO

The Coyote Convoy is one of the ways that risk can be managed before and during La Carrera Panamericana. In addition to traveling together during the day and avoiding rough 'hoods at night, most of the rest is exercising common sense or “street smarts,” like staying out of “Boys Town” and dark cul de sacs.

Public security in Tuxtla Gutierrez last year was very high, as paramilitary forces with automatic weapons guarded the paddock area. Mexican state troopers, the Federales, along with local cops were stationed all along the race route. We expect the same level of protection this year.

The violence in Mexico is almost exclusively the result of the government’s attempt, at the behest of the U.S., to suppress the drug traffic across the border. This has sparked pitched battles between the Mexican police, army, and cartel gunman, but also to fighting among cartel lieutenants over control, after their bosses are killed and captured. In a few rare cases, the gunfire has killed innocent bystanders.

While there are no guarantees, the Carrera has been able to avoid any problems like these, simply because of its nature. It’s a quasi-organized horde of 300 racecars, support vehicles, police cars, and hangers-on moving quickly from one town to another, usually with a certain amount of fanfare. This is not a conducive situation for the criminal element, except perhaps a few pickpockets who might work the crowds when this colorful horde arrives in the next city.

Of concern this year is the return of swine flu. So far this form of the flu does not seem to pose a danger to healthy people, but certain precautions should be taken – like surgical masks and hand sanitizing jell in each racecar and support vehicle. If the flu returns with a vengeance in Mexico, we can also expect the government again to ban large crowds and public festivities, other than a race like LCP. Thus the competitors won’t be “wet” kissing many babes – of any age – this year.

**PAN AM TOUR

Another way to travel smart in Mexico is to ride someone who knows her way around. Señora Rosa María Mondragón has seats in her car open for the Pan Am Tour.Rosa María was the P.R. director for the event for years and has been a competitor, too. She charges $1350 for the Tour—the 1900 miles and seven days of the race. Her services are especially recommended for photographers and others who want to get close to the action. Contact her at racecarmedia@yahoo.com.mx. She will also meet you in San Miguel de Allende if you are traveling with the Coyote Convoy.

The alternative is leaving your wife home for two weeks with the club’s pro and all your credit cards.

**CARRERA FIESTA IN SEATTLE, SEPTEMBER 27

Carreraistas in the Northwest will gather on Sunday, September 27 at 3:00 PM to celebrate the race. The site is an Irish pub (!) near SEATAC, which specializes in green tacos. The organizer of the event is Carrera veteran and blogger Marcia Blas. For more info, email her at mjb@roadrallyrhythms.com. The group will also watch GT Race at 5:00 PM that evening (see below).

**CARRERA CARS ON TV

The Discovery Channel has a new series called “GT Racer.” The series will start on September 4 and features historic racing venues, like Le Mans. On September 25, at 8 PM, the series will focus on La Carrera Panamericana and one of the cars and crew in the 2008 race.

If you live in or near the Rockies, you may also watch the awesome run by Carrera cars up Pikes Peak back on July 19 on Altitude TV this month. Altitude TV – as the name suggests – is seen primarily in the Rockies, plus Kansas, Nebraska and parts of Nevada. It's available on Comcast cable and Dish TV in this region. Good vids are also available on YouTube.

Sept 6 at 1:00pmMTSept 6 at 8:00pmMTSept 7 at 5:00pmMTSept 11 at 12:00pmMTSept 13 at 6:00pmMT

**CARRERA VIDEO AVAILABLE

A professional quality DVD on the 2007 Pan Am is available in “Rebirth of a Legend: The Story of La Carrera Panamericana.” The disc has some great historical footage of the original race, but primarily tells the story of Gary Faule’s adventures in the race in 2007 in his Mustang “Lucky.” To view a teaser and order a copy for $29.95 go to:

http://www.strangemedia.com/Strange_Media/Shop_-_Rebirth_LCP.html

Unlike so many videos of this race, this one has a happy, Hollywood ending when Gary finishes in the top ten overall and on the podium in Historic C—no mean feat for a “rookie.” It also explains how the race really works and the importance of the relationship between the driver and navigator.

Perhaps because the producer-writer-editor was the navigator and a racecar driver, you are made to understand and fully appreciate the fundamental role of the navigator in a rally car.

The DVD offers extensive footage of the Mustang and other cars racing down the mountains, and a lengthy tribute to Will Faules, Gary’s son and Carrera crew of one.

A few pithy comments by the somewhat garrulous but always officious North American Coordinator managed to avoid ending up on the cutting rooms floor, too. (Thanks for the soft light and fuzzy resolution, Mr. Director.)

**MUSTANG AVAILABLE FOR THE RACE

Todd Landon has a hot Mustang GT fastback available to rent or lease for the race. Last year, one of Todd’s cars, driven by Richard Tyzack, finished 1st in class and 6th overall. In 2007 that car was 2d in class and 4th overall.

Todd can deliver the car in Ft. Worth, Texas, or even at the start of the race for someone who wants to “arrive and drive” -- at a very reasonable cost.

Email Todd at TALandon@landolakes.com or call him at 952-250-7948.

**OUR FAVORITE CHARITY

Guadalupe “Lupita” Hernandez Ramirez, a Mexican Red Cross nurse, lost both legs at the hip in 2003 when a Pan Am car hit a puddle of oil, spun off the road, and pinned Lupita to a Red Cross ambulance.

Since then North American and Canadian competitors, with the support a Mexican racing club, have vowed to support her. Currently, her trust fund, monitored by Doug Mockett and Oscar Carillo, produces less than $50 in interest every eight weeks. We need to increase the balance. Please send your contributions to:

Friends of Guadalupe Hernandez Ramirezc/o Ms. Fanny DavilaSouth Bay Bank2200 Sepulveda Blvd.Torrance, CA 90501

**SILVER STATE CLASSIC SET TO GO

The next Silver State Classic from Ely to Las Vegas is scheduled for September 17-20, 2009. For more information go to http://www.sscc.us/. The organizers of the Silver State are Carrera competitor Steve Waldman and his bride, Gail. The Silver State is also linked to the Chihuahua Express.

**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS

Can’t get it together for the Pan Am this year? Need to sample a little of Mexico before taking the Carrera plunge? Try the Chihuahua Express, March 19-21, 2010.

As the name suggests, this is the quick and easy way to test your car and learn how to stage rally without devoting three weeks of your life and mucho dinero to an expediton into the Mexican jungle.

The Express packs 1000 miles of driving, including around 325 miles of top speed racing, into three days. And we are only 145 miles west of Texas. Importantly, the racers return to the same bunk each night. How cool is that!

Contact organizer Chacho Medina if interested at chachomedina@sporcar.com or gbledso@aol.com. The Express is also part of the Silver State Classic’s International Series.

**CAMARO FOR SALE

’93 Camaro Z-28 for sale. $4900. Slate gray. This is a road course track car--built for NASA’s Camaro-Mustang Challenge. It has a stock LT1 injected engine (de-smogged), upgraded suspension, and brakes. Full roll cage and two competition seats, with current belts.

In 2007 this car finished 6th overall in the Chihuahua Express. It’s a great car for a beginner. Recently serviced. Contact gbledso@aol.com.

**CONTACT INFORMATION

Gerie Bledsoe

North American Coordinator

La Carrera Panamericana

677 Highland Ave.

Half Moon Bay, CA 94019

650-726-9890 (home office)

650-726-9599 (fax)

650-867-9488 (mobile)gbledso@aol.com

http://www.panamrace.com/

http://www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx/

Car #395, 11th Year

To call the Carrera Office in Mexico City dial 1-310-860-6959. That is a Vonage number via Santa Monica, California.

To make hotel reservations for the Carrera, Oct. 20-29, contact Monica Grossman at monica.grossman@yahoo.com.mx.

2009-08-31T11:19:00.000-07:00

Monterey Historics
Carrera Corral 2009

For the third consecutive year Bill Hemmer and Adriana Robles hosted the Carrera Panamericana Corral at the Historic Races in Monterey, CA. For the second time we gathered at Tarpy’s Road House, an excellent venue. Except for a little early morning smoke from the forest fires to the north, the weather was again perfect.

This year Bill worked out a creative arrangement with the Ventana winery shop next to Tarpy’s that including a wine tasting and additional parking for our Carrera cars. He also arranged a super audio-video set up independent of the restaurant’s system so we could both see and hear the videos.

This was a special year for Bill and Adriana because the featured marque of the Historics was Porsche. Bill and Adriana have competed in two Carreras in Porsches, including their last Pan Am in 2007 in a Porsche 550 carrying the livery of a Mexican car in 1953. Adriana, as co-piloto, is always quite the hit with young Mexican girls.

Bill was also working hard to arrange a tour and corral of Porsches in the city of Monterey on Saturday evening.

The Carrera corral also took on a special purpose this year when we decided to include a $5 contribution to Lupita Hernandez, the Mexican nurse who lost both her legs in a Carrera accident in 2003. This bumped the price of a ticket from $35 to $40, which still reasonable for the setting, three drinks, lots of good food, a neat set of souvenirs, and the a-v set up.

Lupita appreciates your generosity and Bill and Adriana’s hard work.

For a variety of reasons, ticket sales and attendance at the corral were somewhat less than we had planned. The races at Laguna Seca were running way behind schedule, so some participants, including an original Pan Am Porsche, were tied up all day at the track. Others simply dropped by to say hello and bought a drink at the bar, rather than buying a corral ticket and making a contribution. All told we probably had about the same number of people attend as last year, but cash receipts were down a bit.

Regardless, the event was a success for the true Carreraistas who attended. It was great being able to see old friends and view some nice video and photos, including the teaser—with sound—of Gary Faules’ Pan Am expedition in 2007. Contact Gary at faules44@ aol.com, to buy a copy of his first-rate DVD.

All of this would not have been possible without the hard work of Bill, Adriana, and their friends like Don. We salute them today for demonstrating the true “Spirit of La Carrera.”

Bill is already making plans for the Carrera Corral next year – get this – at Laguna Seca racetrack. With the change in management, maybe we will be able to arrange a tent and corral at the track, plus a few exhibition laps on track for our Carrera cars. Perhaps the Carrera organizers in Mexico will even participate. Wouldn’t that be special!

Thanks again Bill and Adriana!

Carrera Driver -- End of Summer Edition

2009-08-27T11:25:00.000-07:00

CARRERA DRIVER

August 27, 2009

**COYOTE CONVOY PLANS
**AVOIDING MEXICO CITY
**NOTES ON THE PAN AM ROUTE
**RACING IN MEXICO CITY
**H.A.N.S REQUIRED
**MEXICAN CAR INSURANCE
**ZACATECAS—JEWEL OF THE ROUTE
**COOP POSTS PHOTOS OF 2008

**COYOTE CONVOY PLANS

The Coyote Convoy will gather at the Residence Inn del Mar in Laredo, Texas, at 9:00 PM, Friday, October 16. After an orientation, a group will wander across the border to obtain visas and car importation permits.

Walking across the border at night is always an adventure. Last year heavily armed Mexican army troops were guarding the Mexican Customs house in their armored personnel carriers, .50 cals at the ready, while young men—stripped to their shorts and carrying their clothes (?) in black plastic bags—jumped in the Rio Bravo to swim to the U.S. side.

On Saturday, October 17 the convoy will line up in the parking lot of the Residence Inn to drive across the border at 6:00 AM and around downtown Nuevo Laredo. The convoy will pause to re-group before going through the final Mexican Customs checkpoint about 18 miles outside of town.

From that checkpoint it should be smooth sailing down to San Miguel de Allende. Participants in the convoy may run ahead of the lead truck and set their own pace. There are now plenty of PEMEX gas stations and rest stops along this highway (#57).

The city of San Miguel de Allende--named a top-ten location to visit by Condé Nast magazine--is located only 20 miles off the main highway to Mexico City.

Those signing up from the convoy will receive a complete set of maps and instructions about the trip and what to expect. Anyone may join the convoy with prior approval, but the convoy is not responsible for anyone’s safety while traveling in Mexico.

**AVOIDING MEXICO CITY

As those who have towed their race cars to the start of the Pan Am know, the categorical imperative has been – STAY OUT OF MEXICO CITY!

There were several good reasons to find a way around this sprawling megapolis:
--22 million people, plus that many cars, trucks, motos, and wagons
--restrictions on when one may drive into the city (never in the AM)
--a highway system from the 18th century
--voracious, underpaid traffic police (who devour their young)

For several years the Coyote Convoy has followed the old truck route around Mexico City, a long tedious road. This route, a combination of two-lane highways and small cities, was literally a pain in the butt.

But our prayers and virtuous living have been rewarded: the Mexican government has just opened a new toll road (cuota) around Mexico City called the “Archo Norte.”

The new toll road starts near Tula (just north of Mexico City) and curves around Mexico City to the east and southeast to join the toll road to Puebla. Instead of four hours on the old truck route, it should take the Convoy about 1.5 hours to cover this distance.

Thus the convoy should arrive in Oaxaca City in time to see the famous sites in this beautiful colonial city, including the glorious Indian ruins of Monte Albán, just five miles outside of town.

**NOTES ON THE PAN AM ROUTE

Detailed information about the 2009 Pan Am route--hotels and such--remains difficult to obtain. If we are lucky the Carrera Office will send out a list of our hotel assignments before we leave home for the border. A little more information was recently posted in the official rules. Here are a few gleanings:

1. Huatulco – the navigators’ meeting is in the Hotel Barcelo. The parc fermé or paddock will be at the “Kiosko Parque Hundido Chahué,” which we believe is the old municipal parking lot near the marina and where the cruise ships dock at Hautulco-Chahué-Santa Cruz.

2. Oaxaca City – on the first night of the race, the driver’s meeting will be at the famous Hotel Camino Real in the old part of town. It’s a spectacular old convent, restored as a luxury hotel.

3. Mexico City – the race will end Saturday at the Santa Fe shopping center away from downtown in the chic ‘burbs. The driver’s meeting will be at the nearby Camino Real Santa Fe Hotel.

4. Queretaro – the usual hotels will probably be used, such as the two downtown Holiday and Fiesta Inns.

5. San Luís de Potosí – the driver’s meeting is at the Westin Hotel. Most of the hotels will be outside of the Centro Historico.

6. Guadalajara – the driver’s meeting will be at the Tequila Center (Cool! Bring your glass.)

7. Zacatecas – the drivers’ meeting will be back at the fabulous Quinta Real or bull ring hotel. (See story below. Keep your tequila cup handy.) Some of us will stay at the classic Emperio, as well.

8. Nuevo Laredo – the driver’s meeting will be at the Civic/Cultural Center outside of town. Last year we had a small SWAT team in the parking lot.

The route book should be posted on the official web site soon. Some sharp navigators print it out, and then divide it by days into separate binders that are easier to handle at high speed. (Thanks, Dy.)

**RACING IN MEXICO CITY

For the past two years the Pan Am cars have been invited by the mayor of Mexico City to race on the main freeway in his city, the Períferíco. Although they only closed 3.5 miles of this major highway for us, some Carrera cars reached speeds over 170 MPH. It was scary, but sorta cool. It also gave the race significant exposure on Mexican television.

Closing down this road at 9:00 AM on a Sunday morning was the moral equivalent of closing down I-10 in Los Angeles during Friday rush hour. Sunday morning is when half of the folks in Mexico City leave town to find clean air, picnic, or visit their little mama in “el campo.”

This year the Pan Am will not race on the Periferico. But do not despair; you will be provided an adequate substitute. The Carrera cars have been invited back to race on the famous track – “Dos Hermanos Rodriquez” – the same track used by the NASCAR Nationwide series and NASCAR Mexico. In fact, the Carrera cars will be an early morning warm up for a Mexican NASCAR race that Sunday.

Bring your Garmin GPS armed with up the most up-to-date Mexican maps from Mark Walker, Mexico Maps at http://www.mexicomaps.com/. Navigating through both Mexico City and Guadalajara are two big reasons to put a Garmin in your racecar this year. Finding the right entrance to the track will be a special challenge.

This is only the second time in my eleven years that the Carrera has been to Dos Hermanos. In 2006 we got onto the track right just after it rained and the results were “entertaining.” Beware: you will not get even one warm up lap.

In 2006 the Pan Am cars were sliding all over the wet track, as few drivers had any idea about how many laps they were to run or how to enter and exit the track. Pierre de Thoisy, the great Pan Am champion, won a big trophy for the fastest time at the track. Of course, “Lucky” Pierre had been at the track the weekend before getting in several dozen practice laps. Most of us amateurs had no idea what to expect or where to turn, especially when we were unable to see anything but water spray. Let’s hope it does not rain this year, so we can enjoy this impressive track in the heart of Mexico City.

**H.A.N.S REQUIRED

Eduardo Leon, the President of La Carrera Panamericana, has reminded all competitors that head and neck restraints will be required in all classes this year. The two approved devices are the HANS and Leatt brace. Mr. Leon also mentioned that any device approved by the FIA would be acceptable. He also mentioned a HANS-clone, the “DefNder,” that might be acceptable since it is SFI rated, but he did not know about others sold in the U.S., including the Safety Solutions R-3.

The Leatt brace will be for sale in Huatulco.

**MEXICAN CAR INSURANCE

If you are driving a car or tow truck into Mexico, you need to purchase Mexican auto insurance. It’s easy:

All you need is a VIN and credit card. Go to http://www.bajabound.com/?r=panamrace.

Bajabound.com, an insurance broker in San Diego, will offer you several insurance companies and various levels of coverage from which to choose. In some cases, you will decide how much your car and tow rig are worth for coverage purposes, if you buy comprehensive and collision.

Your Mexican coverage should start the day you cross the border, like October 16 or 17, and end on October 30, when most of us will cross the border back into the U.S.

In Huatulco, during registration, you must show proof of Mexican liability insurance in order to obtain the official decals for your service vehicle. This rule was firmly enforced for the past couple of years.

Although liability insurance is not required on your race car, if you plan on testing your car in Huatulco before the race starts, you might obtain Mexican insurance for it for those days. (I purchase liability insurance on my race car for the whole period, just in case.)
Mexican car insurance, like U.S. insurance, does not cover the car or driver when engaged in racing.

**ZACATECAS—JEWEL OF THE ROUTE

Of all the beautiful colonial cities along the route, Zacatecas remains the favorite of the great majority of Carrera drivers and their crew members. It is a pristine, world-class city in ever respect.

Underneath Zacatecas is the largest silver mine in the Western Hemisphere. It pumped tons of the precious metal into the coffers of the kings of Spain and the government in Mexico City. Today the mine is closed, except for tours and maybe a disco, but the city remains a beautiful monument to the accumulation of capital, not unlike Salamanca and Pienza.

Located on the side of a mountain at 8,000+ feet, Zacatecas can make you heart pump more rapidly after the slightest exertion. On the night of Oct. 28, the Carreraistas will follow a burro and small band through the city’s narrow streets, drinking cheap tequila until they crawl into the bullring patio of the famous Quinta Real Hotel, one of the top ten romantic places in the world, where dinner and trophies will be served. Bring your fur-lined banana hammocks boys, ‘cause it will be chilly. It is always a night to remember, regardless how the evening ends.

During the Pan Am races of 1999-2005, the Carrera stopped for two nights in Zacatecas, but under current management, our stay has been reduced, alas, to only one night.

**COOP’S 2008 PHOTOS POSTED

Chris Cooper, Los Angeles hot rod artist, illustrator, and photographer—navigator in car #395—has recently posted several hundred more photos of the 2008 race, including the Carrera Car Show in San Miguel de Allende. To check out Coop’s pics go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/coop666/3859370933/. Coop will be back in car #395 this year in Hautulco, with his cameras. One of his photos of the car show in the main square in San Miguel is above.

This email has been sent to those registered as competitors in the 2009 Pan Am race, crew members, and support services. Please do not post it on blogs or web sites, as it will be posted on http://www.panamrace.com/.

Only 57 days before the race starts! Are you ready?

© Gerie Bledsoe 2009

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Rally Mexico Bulletin

2009-08-20T12:36:00.000-07:00

**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS -- DISCOUNT ENDS SOON

You have until the end of this month (August) to take advantage of the discounted $1800 registration fee for the Chihuahua Express, March 19-21, 2010. Just hit the reply button to obtain an entry form and FAQ about this great event.

Express organizer Chacho Medina invites all his friends north of the border to return for the fourth year of this classic event.

The Express offers three days of racing over 1,000 miles, with about 325 miles of top speed stages. Just about any car -- year or model -- is eligible. Carrera cars run in their own classes, while modern cars are placed in appropriate classes based on engine size.

The event was just about as perfect as it could be last spring. The weather was spectacular. The roads were in great shape. The event organization was strong, and the electronic timing system worked well. Mr. Medina is open to suggestions to make the event even better, and he pledges to refund the entry of any competitor whose car is seriously damaged in the Pan Am race this October. Contact him at chachomedina@sporcar.com.

Chihuahua City is only 145 miles from Presidio, Texas, and 220 from Santa Teresa, New Mexico. And the route also includes racing into the famous Copper Canyon.

**CARRERA FIESTA -- MONTEREY HISTORICS, AUG. 15

More than forty-five tickets have been sold for the La Carrera Fiesta and Corral at Tarpy's Road House Restaurant in Monterey on Saturday, August 15, 2:30-6:30. Tickets will be sold at the door for $45, plus a $5 donation to our favorite worthy cause, Lupita.

A wide range of Carrera cars will be on display in the corral, including a 356 Porsche that participated in the original Carrera in 1953.

Tarpy's is located at 2999 Salinas-Monterey Highway #68 -- the road from Monterey to Laguna Seca.

All proceeds go to support Lupita Hernandez, the Mexican nurse who lost both legs as the result of a crash in 2004. If you cannot attend the Fiesta, you may make a contribution via http://www.paypal.com/. Just send your contribution ($10-100+) to gbledso@aol.com. All contributions will be proudly acknowledged.

**CELL PHONE SERVICE IN MEXICO

Making plans to attend La Carrera Panamericana in October and worried about staying in touch with your family back home? Here's a link to a handy guide to the use of a cell phone in Mexico. It's provided by our preferred insurance company Bajabound.

http://www.bajabound.com/before/aboutmex/phoneguide/cellphonebaja.php

**CAR INSURANCE IN MEXICO

All vehicles crossing into Mexico from the U.S. and Canada should be covered by Mexican car insurance. U.S. insurance is not valid in Mexico.

Mexican car insurance works just like U.S. insurance. You may choose among levels of liability coverage, as well as collision and comprehensive coverage. The insurance is sold by the day, week, month, or six-month period.

The easiest way to buy insurance on your tow vehicle and racecar is to go to http://www.bajabound.com/?r=panamrace, and select from one of four or five insurance companies and level of coverage. All you need is the VIN and credit card. You may also call them for help at 1.888.552.2252.

Actually, most of these Mexican companies are owned by U.S. enterprises. Bajabound, located in San Diego, is one of the only companies that sells car insurance online for cars made before 1981.

Insurance on your tow or service vehicle is required by La Carrera Panamericana. Coverage on your racecar is not required, but recommended. The Mexican car insurance policy does NOT cover anyone while racing, but only when the car is being driven before or after the event, or by someone other than the registered driver and co-driver. When racing the car is covered by the event's liability insurance.

**GPS SOFTWARE FOR MEXICO

The latest software for Garmin GPS units is available from Mexico Maps of Santa Barbara, CA. Contact Mark Walker at 805-687-1011 or email mwalker@mexicomaps.com. Mark will guarantee that you will receive the latest update of this software. Other retailers cannot make this guarantee because the software is updated several times a year, and the GPS units offered by the larger companies are likely to have an older version installed.

Garmin GPS software is not particularly useful when you are racing in the speed stages, but it can be extremely useful when trying to find your way through Mexico City or Guadalajara. Each racecar and service truck should be so equipped. Garmin GPS units -- the more basic models -- cost around $200, and you can obtain the maps for Mexico on a SD memory card, which you simply slip into the Garmin.

**PAN AM TOUR

If you or a friend want to observe the Pan Am this year, especially if you want to take action photos of the racing, you should contact Rosa Maria Mondragon at racecarmedia@yahoo.com.mx. Rosa Maria, a rally driver and former PR director of the event, is offering a private tour of the route. The cost is $1350 for the week of the race -- in a car. Hotel accommodations are extra. This too will be an adventure!

**2009 EVENT MAY CLOSE SOON

At this point there are about ninety paid entries for the Carrera, according to President Eduardo "Lalo" Leon. But another fifteen or more potential competitors have made a deposit or otherwise made a commitment to participate. If you are in either of these categories, you should finish the application process, or you may find the event closed.

There are only 72 days to go before the race starts on Oct. 23 in Huatulco, Mexico. Ready yet?

Gerie Bledsoe
650-726-9890
http://www.panamrace.com/

2009-07-29T17:00:00.001-07:00

CARRERA NEWS
July 28, 2009

**MONTEREY CARRERA FIESTA DEADLINE
**PAN AM ENTRIES APPROACH 100
**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS – MARCH 19-20, 2010
**COYOTE CONVOY PLANS
**PIKES PEAK RESULTS
**WATCHING THE PAN AM
**CLASSIFIEDS
**CONTACT INFO

**MONTEREY CARRERA FIESTA DEADLINE

The third annual Carrera Fiesta and Corral at the Monterey Historic races is schedule for Saturday, August 15. The deadline for purchasing a ticket for the event is August 10. The tickets are $40, which includes a contribution of $5 for Lupita Hernandez, the Mexican nurse who lost her legs in a Pan Am racing accident in 2003. At the door, the tickets will be $50, including the $5 contribution.

The fiesta will be at Tarpy’s Road House Restaurant on the highway (#68) from Monterey to the racetrack at Laguna Seca and Salinas. Tarpy's is set back a little from the highway in an oak grove at 2999 Monterey Salinas Highway. It is just west of the junction of #68 with Canyon del Rey. Telephone 831-647-1444.

Our hosts again are Bill Hemmer and Adriana Robles, residents of Monterey, who have participated in two Pan Am races. Bill may be reached at bekgroup@gmail.com.

Pan Am cars, including a Porsche that competed in the original race in 1953, will be on display. Attractions include a wine tasting and video presentations.

You may purchase your tickets by PayPal.com or credit card. gbledso@aol.com

**PAN AM ENTRIES APPROACH 100

Eduardo Leon, president of the organizing committee of the Pan Am, announced that ninety-eight competitors have signed up for the event and that it is virtually closed to new entries. These results are something of a pleasant surprise in this period of economic depression, but welcome news for Mr. Leon, his family, and Mexico.

At this point, there are only two open slots in the event, which will start at the Pacific resort area of Huatulco on October 23 and end in Nuevo Laredo on October 29.

**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS – MARCH 19-20, 2010

Chacho Medina, the organizer of the Chihuahua Express, has announced that the dates for the race next year will be March 19-21, 2010.

The entry fee, if paid by August 30, will be $1800. After that it goes to $2000. This fee covers around 1000 miles of racing, including about 325 miles of top speed stages, during the three days. Hotel accommodations are extra. http://www.chihuahuaexpress.com/.

For more information contact gbledso@aol.com or chachomedina@sporcar.com.

The Express is open to cars of all ages. A roll cage is required for competition, but a Tour and T/D rally are also offered for the less adventuresome, at a much lower subscription fee.

The Express is also a part of the International Series of the Silver State Classic Challenge.

**COYOTE CONVOY PLANS

The Coyote Convoy is the safe, fun way to travel into Mexico and down to the start of the race in Huatulco, on the shores of the Pacific.

The convoy will gather in Laredo, Texas on Friday, October 16 at the Residence Inn Del Mar and cross into Mexico early Saturday, October 17.

After the 540 mile drive to San Miguel de Allende, the pristine colonial city made famous by Condé Nast magazine, the convoy will rest for two nights, while enjoying this famous site. Our Carrera cars will be on display in the main square of town on Sunday 10-3.

On Monday, October 19, the convoy will head down to the city of Oaxaca, where it will stop for the night. It will arrive in Huatulco the following day, Tuesday, October 20. The race begins on Friday, October 23.

The convoy is open to competitors, friends, and spectators. There is no charge to accompany the caravan. Hotel arrangements are available through the North American Coordinator.

**PIKES PEAK RESULTS

Satisfaction eluded Doug Mockett on Pikes Peak this year when he was unable to defend his title as the fastest vintage car up this famous mountain. Doug and his accomplished co-piloto Angélica Fuentes were leading 2.1 seconds in their ’54 “Olds” at the first split, but lost time in the middle of the course. They made up some time in the final stage to end only 1.60 seconds (14:16) behind a Ford Falcon Sprint driven by Keith Davidson, a local. Doug noted that his car was losing grip in the hard granite gravel at the higher elevations.

Jon Lecarner and Michael Sharp finished in fourth in their red Falcon with a respectable time of 15:26. Chris Salyer and Wiley Carlile in their ’53 Corvette posted a 15:29 for fifth. Frank McKinnon and Dean Smith cruised his Dean’s DeSoto at 18:32, while Doug Allen and Chip Johns had some hard luck in their cars and were both listed as DNF. Spectators trying to cross the road forced Doug off the road into the trees, causing only minor damage to his Mustang, while Chip reportedly bent his suspension on some curbing.

Other Carrera vets included Charles Breed and Ed Gaven in the Exhibition Class. Charles went up the mountain in his winged Lucra-Lister powered by a Corvette 427 in only 14:53, while Ed coaxed his Factory Five Cobra up the hill in 15:49.

The fastest trip was again recorded by Nobuhiro Tajima in 10:15 in a double winged Suzuki with 1100 HP, while Marcos Gronholom was clocked in 11:28 is his 800 HP Ford Festiva rally car.

Click on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K8nptFx1jug to see a great video of Gronholom’s run. (Just another day in the office for these guys!)

For an excellent collection of Pikes Peak photos, go to http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike_rogers/sets/72157621576300548/

**WATCHING THE PAN AM –THE PANA TOUR

Being a spectator at the Pan Am is difficult because, after the racecars go by you one time, you become trapped behind the race. This is especially true in the more remote areas of the country, where there is only one highway, which is closed for the race. In the more populated areas, it is often possible to get ahead of the race again using the toll roads, if you have an experienced driver.

Sign up for the Pan Am Tour with Rosa María Mondragón, the former P.R. director for the event. She will get you close to the action. Rosa Maria will be greeting the Coyote Convoy in San Miguel de Allende and will follow the race back from Huatulco.

Her service is highly recommended for photographers and others who want to be able to capture the action close-up. The cost for the entire week of the event will be $1350 USD. You will also need to make hotel reservations at monica.grossmann@yahoo.com.mx.

Contact Rosa Maria directly at racecarmedia@yahoo.com.mx. She will provide something of an adventure! BTW, she is a licensed rally driver and has competed in two Pan Am races as a navigator.

**CLASSIFIEDS

Check the U.S. web site www.panamrace.com for cars for sale. Also the official site in Mexico. http://www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx/

I have experienced co-drivers ready to go, and one opportunity to share the driving.

Mustang-Falcon builder Todd Landon in Minnesota also has cars that are ready to be leased for this year’s event or the Chihuahua Express – for full competition or for Exhibition. TALandon@landolakes.com

Viva la Carrera Panamericana, the Mexican Road Race.

Carrera Driver -- Special Edition for Rookies

2009-06-19T16:35:00.000-07:00

CARRERA DRIVER
Special Edition for Rookies
Updated for 2009

**RACING ON MEXICAN TIME

Mexico is a wonderful country. The people are warm, friendly, curious, and generous. They love our cars, exhaust noise, and the celebration of La Carrera Panamericana.

Their countryside -- mountains and ravines, forests, and deserts --- is beautiful. Huatulco, our start city this year, must be a beautiful, Pacific resort area.

So try to relax and enjoy the racing and the celebration. This is not just a serious car race. It is a true, profound cultural experience. We are about to experience the heart and soul of Mexico, as reflected in the faces and eyes of the people, especially the children, who come to see our cars and tug at the sleeves of the brave pilotos and co-pilotos. Bring your pen, because they will want your autograph.

Never forget that this is their country and their race. We are there as guests, and we should consider ourselves honored and lucky to be allowed to race across their country at top speed. Just because we paid a hefty entry fee gives us no other special privileges or expectations.

Also do not forget that the event operates on Mexican time. Meetings tend to start late. Printed material often arrives late, and the medical exams may or may not happen at the announced time. Instead of handing out important items like time cards at one pre-designated place, the young official will wander through the crowds looking for navigators. Obviously, some of them will be wandering around looking for him, too.

There are other values in Mexico that transcend punctuality and efficiency. Frankly, it will do you no good at all to show up for a meeting on time and sit there frustrated until it starts. Be fashionably late, be relaxed. Go with the flow!

Carrera veterans know that the race will start sometime after 8 AM on October 24. We know we will race through the mountains that day, and we know we will be timed with a fair degree of accuracy. Electronic timing will be used for the first time, so they may need to work out a few kinks. If you catch a mistake, it is perfectly OK to point it out—but be polite.

We will stop for lunch around mid-day, and an hour later or so, we’ll continue racing in the afternoon. Later on that evening, probably 30 minutes later than the announced time, some of us will attend the driver’s meeting and awards ceremony. Either the driver or co-driver should attend to get the timing results of the day and warnings about the road the next day.

Even on Mexican time, it’s always fun, but it will be more fun when you understand and accept the cultural situation, even before you get there.

Viva la Carrera!

**PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Nomex undies, socks, and head socks are great but not required by the Carrera rules. Much depends on how competitive you intend to be. Last year they were checking for racing shoes, but did not seem to be requiring them. Drivers should wear Nomex gloves, but most navigators ride barehanded, so they can turn the pages. (If you "dog ear" the pages before you start, they are easier to turn.)

Helmets. Open face helmets are OK for rallies. They start at $150 and go up to $700. Closed-face helmets are safer. They also make a hybrid helmet--open with a chin bar.
Any helmet you buy should have the posts already installed for a HANS or other head restraint system, which are required this year. Some helmets, like Peltors, have the intercom system installed. You should use a closed-face helmet in an open car.

Neck Restraint. A HANS or similar device is required this year. Most fatalities in racing come when a collision tears your skull away from your spine. A HANS helps to hold it in place. You can also buy racing seats with lateral head restraints, and/or nets that will help keep your head on your shoulders. Some seats are not compatible with a HANS. Your helmet should not be touching the back of the seat when you are driving, says the HANS brochure.

It you have a fast car and really intend to drive it to the limit, you cannot spend too much on safety equipment.

**FIRE DRILLS

Get suited up, helmet in hand. Practice getting into your racecar, buckling up, and getting ready to launch into a speed run. Work out a strict routine for everything, including closing the car door, raising the window nets, putting on your harness, helmet, glasses, and gloves. (Did you remember to turn the main power switch on before you got strapped in?) Can you reach the dash switches OK? One year, I had to turn the car on with my toes.

Is your seat adjustable? Sometimes you can put your belts on and them slide the seat forward to tighten them. Always loosen your belts when you get out of the car and move them out of the way. It will make it a lot easier to get strapped back in the next time.

Being able to get in and belted up smoothly will reduce your frustration and anxiety level enormously down in Mexico. Practice before you start racing!

Now prepare for the worse. Fire drill! Practice quick exits from your car, with the door open and closed. Can you get both your helmet and arse out the window in 15 seconds? Practice it with your window nets up.

What will you do if your car turns over and you are hanging upside down like a bat in a belfry? Can you release your seat belts? Or do you need a knife to cut them? Can you turn off the power switch? Tricky to practice this stuff.

Know how to operate your fire suppression system. Make sure its charged, unlocked, and ready to use when you start the race. It’s OK to tape the pin in it, if you are worried about an accidental discharge.

Fire bottles should only be attached with metal straps. No bungee cords or racer's tape.

Check the cabin. Is there anything that will crack open your helmet if you hit it in a collision? The navigator should not use a hard clip board--just the route book on his lap. They do make foam board that will work. Do not install the rally computer near your face, as you may eat it.

Do you have a handy place to store change (coins) for the toll booths? And, yes, you need a couple of “official rally cup holders” for your water bottles. Some guys use a hiker’s hydration pack strapped to the back of their seats.

You might consider a neck pouch for your money (bills), car document, driver’s license, etc. You are expected to wear your FMAD racing license at all times, and there is usually some ID for La Carrera to decorate your neck. If you have special medical needs, wear an ID bracelet or stencil it on the bottom of your right foot.

You will not use your helmets in long transit stages, so you need a place to store or hang them. If possible, install a hook on the back of the seats for this purpose. The same is true if you use a two-piece driving suit. It’s nice to be able to hang the coat on a hook in the back. Some crews will suspend a net in the backseat area to hold their helmets, Jameson bottles, etc.

**INTERCOMS AND RALLY COMPUTERS

Intercoms and computers are nice but not essential. A cheap digital watch that can also display military time (24 hours) works fine for timing. And you should learn how to set your watch and to sync it with the official time quickly. (Don’t wait until the first morning of the race to learn how to sync it!) Some racers only use the rally computer to find their place in the speed stages when they get lost. It happens to everyone. The rally computer is not normally used to calculate how much time we have to get to the next checkpoint. You should drive as fast as your safely can.

Subé Sports in Long Beach, California sells a variety of intercoms and rally computers. Terraptrip and Terraphone are the big names.

Even if you do have a collapsible steering column, you might want to install a pad that straps to the center of the steering wheel to protect your chest. Wooden wheels are classy but not as safe as those covered with hard foam and plastic.

Have a place to store pencils, pens, and markers, like Sharpies, for the navigator.

Glue the ball on your shifter, make sure the gas and brake pedals are on tight, and that nothing, like a water bottle, is rolling around on the floor.

It is OK to bolt a small cooler to the floor behind the crew for water and cold drinks. Also, as noted, some guys install a net in the back seat area to hold stuff.

GPS does not help much, but many people buy a Garmin and get the Mexican map software from http://www.mexicomaps.com/. I recommend that you take a AAA map of Mexico in your race car, at least.

**TRAILERS -- THE WEAK LINK

Many of you have towed your car to the race track or a car show. How many of you have towed it 3000+ miles one-way? Be prepared.

Make sure you have good tires, properly inflated. Two spares are a good idea. Lube the axles or bearings. Bring a spare set of wheel bearings. (Make sure the spare set will fit.) Be able to change a trailer tire quickly. Check the wiring and lights. Put a tag on it and have a title or registration in the truck owner’s name. Make sure the trailer brakes are working. A winch is a good thing.

When towing, check the trailer’s tires for excessive heat build up. Balance the load properly. (The trailer’s tires should be equally warm.) Too much weight on the tongue will make your truck’s steering sloppy. Mark the right spot on the deck for future reference. You may want to tie your car down by frame to limit suspension travel. Some people think it is more stable bounching around. Bring an extra set of tie downs. Check them regularly. Make sure you used hardened steel attachment clamps. “If it can shake lose, it will” on this long tow. Get a hitch lock. Use hood locks on your racecar even when on the trailer. Be able to lock your racecar’s doors. And do not leave the removable steering wheel on the seat, or it will become a souvenir.

What about your car's external power switch? If the key is removable, remove it when you stop, especially when crowds are around. Also bring a spare key for driver and co-driver. Do you have a regular ignition key? Both driver and co-driver should carry a spare.

Lock your hood at night. Pull your hood pins and use small padlocks. That’s right--have two sets of keys.

Bring an extra set of valve stems and chrome valve covers, with a key to change valves. Metal valve stems are recommended, but not required.

**RESCUE AND SWEEPING

The race has two medical crews, both with doctors, who accompany the race, and a crash truck. In most crash situations, where someone can see you, help comes quickly. Injured crew members will be transported by the doctors to the nearest suitable medical facility. In some areas, medical evac choppers are available. Most larger cities in Mexico have excellent doctors and medical facilities.

If there are serious injuries, the race will probably be stopped so the medical crews can attend to the injured.

If you have a “no-injury” wreck or if your car is disabled, it is your responsibility to recover your car and have it towed. Assistance will not be provided by the race organization. About the most they will do is to notify the police or a wrecker where they last saw you.

It is imperative that you have a plan to recover your car, especially on the first day in the remote parts of the state of Oaxaca. If you have no support crew, make a deal with another crew that is following the race to pick you up, or help you get a tow truck.

Be able to communicate with your service crew. If you wreck, call them immediately, so they can come back for you. Use cells phones or sat phones.

Normally, several service or support trucks with trailers drive though the speed stages immediately after racing has concluded. Some may stop to help or pick up a disabled vehicle, others will keep going. There may also be local Mexican tow trucks parked on the course. In remote areas, however, it may take a while to obtain the proper type of wrecker to recover your car from a ravine.

Someone must stay with your car if wrecked, as roadside wrecks are fair game in Mexico. Put up your emergency markers on the side of the road where you went off.

Most service crews will team up with other crews during the race. Two-ways radios help. One or more trucks in the “team” will go ahead to meet the racecars at the mid-day service area, while another truck and trailer in the cooperative group will ”sweep” (follows the race) to pick up disabled cars. Make plans the night before for which trucks go ahead and which sweeps.

Decide your team’s policy about picking up disabled cars. Will your trailer pick up a disabled car or a wreck? Under what conditions?

If you break down, get your car to the next town on the Carrera's route. In most of these cities, local shops will stay open all night to help straighten out damaged cars. Cars that miss a day because of serious body/suspension repairs may rejoin the race later, but they are subject to technical inspection. No, your AAA+ card does not work. Expect to pay a Mexican tow truck a buck or two a mile for a tow. Recovery from a shallow ravine runs around $200; I know. (You are not in a strong bargaining position, dude.)

Warning. If your car breaks down during a transit stage immediately prior to a speed stage, the official race crews, including the medical crews, will NOT stop and provide assistance. They have responsibilities up the road for the next speed stages and must be on time. In effect, they cannot stop and keep to their tight schedule.

If your car becomes disabled at any point or you wreck, you should QUICKLY deploy your warning triangles or wave flags energetically. This is especially important around blind corners. Remember, in a speed stage, the next car will reach you at full speed in about 30 seconds! There’s no time to discuss your actions. (A red T-shirt makes a good flag you can wear.)

If you simply lose power, get the car off the road. Push it or use the starter. If you cannot get the car off the pavement, the navigator should jump out and run back around the corner to warn approaching cars. Make a quick decision.

When you are stopped on the side of the road, a thumbs up signal or OK sign (provided) means that you and the driver are OK. Hood up if you have a mechanical problem.

Be aware that the crew of the next approaching car may be so focused on the road surface that they may not see you standing by the side of the road waving a red rag. Standing in a safe place, wave your flag, arms, or helmet to get their attention. Try to indicate to them clearly to stop or just slow down, depending on the location of your disabled car. If you can, indicate the side of the road they should pass on, if they can get by it.

Expect the worse if you surprise them. Your warning may cause them to lose control. (Yes, it has happened. )

Whatever you do, you must act quickly--to protect your car and their lives.

**RESPONDING TO A BAD WRECK

This is a topic that is much discussed, and there is no official Carrera rule on the topic.

If you see a bad wreck in front of you, what should you do? It is situational, and at 80 MPH, you must decide quickly. The navigator should call it, assuming he/she has a more time to consider the options.

Assuming the wreck is off the road, normally it is better to continue your speed run so you can notify the officials at the next timing station where you are allowed to stop (Control C). (Never stop at the Control B -- the checkered flag.)

If there is fire or it is a serious crash and the crew is still in the car, normally you should stop--off the road--and try to help. Deploy your red flags or emergency signs. Take your fire extinguisher and first aid kit. You are not expected to place your life at risk, and you should always be extremely careful when touching someone who has been injured badly. You are under no legal obligation to render assistance, however.

If the car in front of you goes off into a steep ravine or dense brush, you should pull over in a safe place and go back to mark the spot with a flag and render necessary assistance.

**COMMUNICATIONS AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Radios. You may use any CBs, two-way, or hand-held two-way radios in Mexico. Most do not work well, however, in the mountains. The Carrera race organization uses VHF radio 144-148 Mhz for emergency transmissions only. I have been told this is similar to ship-to-shore radio in the U.S.

GPS. You may purchase GPS software for most of Mexico for a Garmin unit. The Garmin is pretty good for getting around the cities. Good news: the cars will probably be outfitted with GPS transponders through Globalstar. Bad news is--your wife can track you from her computer at home. Try http://www.mexicomaps.com/.

Cell phones. Work pretty well in much of Mexico. You need a tri- or quad-mode phone. You can also rent cell phones or SIM cards in Mexico. Sat phones are the more expensive option, of course, but the Irridium systems seems to work well down there, even in the mountains.

Computers. Internet hookup is available in most hotels. Most also have a business center where you can rent a PC by the minute.

Water. Each car should carry at least two liters of drinking water at all times. You should have a hat in the trunk or some way to cover your head should you have to stand out in the sun for long. At high altitudes, the air temperature should be moderate during the day, but the sun is very hot at 8000 feet up in the thin air.

Please remember the “Spirit of La Carrera.” True, we are down in Mexico as competitors. Some of us want to win. Most of us want to do the best we can. But more importantly, we want everyone to finish the race and be safe. Thus we should help each other when necessary, even people in our class.

Does this mean you loan your only spare tire to your nearest competitor before the last speed run when you are 10 seconds behind? It’s up to you. But this question too may be a decided by the actual situation.

**MONEY

Many small teams will find that $2500 USD in cash is enough for out of pocket expenses while in Mexico and during the race. Some teams need twice this much. You need cash primarily for gasoline and tolls for the racecar and the tow truck. You will also need cash for food and drink, as well as lap dances. (Ha! Just checking to see if you are paying attention!) Cash works best in repair and parts shops, too.

Change your money in Mexico for the best rate: at the border, hotel, or bank. The hotels sometimes run short of pesos for exchange, and banks have a limit. The exchange rate is currently around 13 pesos to one dollar.

Gas stations in the north of Mexico will usually take dollars and more are accepting credit cards.

You can charge meals at the hotels and better restaurants on your credit card.

If you want to charge meals to your room, however, you must give your credit card to the hotel’s front desk when you check in. They will run an open voucher for such charges.

Normally it is not necessary to check out at the front desk in the morning if you have no charges to your room. Just leave the key in the room or at the desk.

**LA POLICIA y LA MORDIDA

La Mordida is the Mexican word for “bite.” If a local cop stops you for an infraction, real or imagined, you often have a choice: pay him mordida, or get a ticket and go to the police station and pay the fine. He will take your driver's to guarantee that you will show up.

Do you have time to visit the police station during the race?

The mordida is always negotiable, especially for us, because they charge gringos more than the locals. Usually you can get a half-price sale if you are polite but persistent. Drag the negotiations out. A $400 asking price can be reduced to $200. Usually, the sight of a crisp $100 bill will bring the negotiations to an end. But do not offer the bill until you are certain that the cop is going to accept it. Yes, they will accept mordida in pesos or US dollars.

If you surrender your driver’s license, they will keep it until you pay mordida or the fine at the police station. Consider getting a duplicate license to carry for such occasions.

Most norteamericanos do not like the mordida system because the money goes into the pockets of the cops. Mexico is making a major effort to stop the system, too. But, like most things, is not all bad. It does offer a way to settle things outside of court. And you don’t get points on your license. Ha!

Local cops are not authorized to enforce the regulations about the importation of your vehicles into Mexico.

Is there a way to prevent the “bite?” The best way is to obey the traffic laws. Most of the police are supportive and helpful, but others see us as a big payday.

**SHOPPING

Just about anything you can buy in the USA is found in Mexico. Wal-Mart, Costco, Sears, etc. are all there, at least in the larger towns, along with McD.’s, Subway, KFC, etc. Bring your Costco or Sam’s Club card, too.

Many medical drugs are available without prescriptions. However, you should carry your personal medications with you and the prescriptions.

Car dealers for GM, Ford, and Chrysler are also found in most cities, and they pretty much operate like former dealers in the US.

As I am fond of saying, the Carrera is an adventure. It's a long, tough race, but if you are able to relax a little and enjoy the event, it is more likely that you will have fond memories and want to return.

My job as North American coordinator is to explain what you are about to experience and to a degree, de-mystify it, plus give you the tools to endure it. But even 10,000 words of the most descriptive prose cannot capture the true significance of this event, or the depth of your feelings when you roll across the start line, and, hopefully, seven days later, the finish line.

2009-06-19T11:12:00.000-07:00

CARRERA NEWS
JUNE 2009

**MONTEREY HISTORICS – CARRERA FIESTA
**PIKES PEAK
**CARRERA MUSTANGS AVAILABLE
**VACATION IN HUATULCO
**COYOTE CONVOY & TOUR
**OUR MEXICAN GIRL FRIEND
**RULE CHANGES
**CLASSIFIEDS
**WARNING

**MONTEREY HISTORICS – CARRERA FIESTA

The Monterey Historics is the biggest and best vintage race car event in the world. It comprises two magnificent weeks of racing, tire kicking, auctions, concourses d’ elegance, and paddock drooling. This year the featured marque is Porsche.

The culmination of the Historics comes during the weekend of August 14-16. Thus the third annual “La Carrera Fiesta at the Historics” will convened on Saturday, August 15 at 2:00—6:00 PM in the beautiful courtyard of Tarpy’s Roadhouse. Prior to August 1 tickets will be $40.00. At the door, they will be $50.00. The tickets cover the cost of set up, food and drink, souvenir, plus a $5 contribution to our Mexican girlfriend, Lupita Hernandez (see story below). Because space is limited, only fifty tickets will be printed.

There will be space to display ten Carrera cars in front of Tarpy’s during the Fiesta. Five of these slots are reserved for Carrera Porsches. The spaces will be assigned on a first-come basis. At least one ’53 Original Pan Am Porsche is expected to be there.

For those that do not know the history, the Porsche company actually made its racing debut in Americas during the ’52 Carrera. However, after winning its class in Le Mans and the Mille that year, it returned in force to the Pan Am in ’53 to sweep its new class, Sports Menor. Thereafter the race’s name has adorned the rear lid of many of their cars, a tradition that continues today, even with the new “Panamera” model.

On Saturday morning, all Carrera cars are also invited to join Porsches for a tour of sites on the Monterey peninsula, traveling on some entertaining back roads. And after the Fiesta, on Saturday night, ten Carrera cars will be invited to join a big Porsche display under the lights in downtown Monterey. Bill Hemmer and Adriana Robles are our local hosts for the fiesta.

Please contact the North American Coordinator if you want to purchase a fiesta ticket, reserve a spot for your Carrera car, or need more information about these events.

**PIKE’S PEAK – YOUR LAST CHANCE!

Is the Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb July 14-19 on your bucket list? Do not wait. Join us this year. The deadline is July 1. The entry fee is only $800, if paid to the Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing Club (RMVR). That’s about half of the regular entry fee. Just about any Carrera car or vintage racecar with a full roll cage is eligible. Vintage entries are filling up and may be gone soon. Most of the 12.5 mile course, including the top section, has been paved.

Doug Mockett and Angelic Fuentes will be back to defend their championship on July 19. Kevin Jones plans to return, too. We will practice on the mountain three mornings, before the main event on Sunday, July 19.

To register, contact Tony Martins of RMVR cycleworksusa@msn.com. The entry form is available at http://www.rmvr.com/. Send it and a check for $800 to:
RMVR
c/o Tony Martins
6387 South Hill Street
Littleton, CO
80120

Rooms are available at the Silver Saddle Motel in Manitou Springs for $79 a night. RMVR is also planning a vintage car show in Manitou Springs on July 18.

**CARRERA MUSTANGS AVAILABLE

Want to participate in this year’s Carrera Panamerica or Pike’s Peak but do not have a car?

No problem, just contact Todd Landon at TALandon@landolakes.com or call him at 952-250-7948. Todd, a food scientist for Land O’Lakes in Minnesota, has twelve years’ experience racing and building Mustangs and Falcons for the Pan Am, Chihuahua Express, and Pike’s Peak. It’s his hobby and passion.

As a former competitor, Todd understands that a successful Carrera car must be dependable, safe, and quick. His cars have finished consistently in the top ten, including a first in class and a sixth place overall finish last year. That particular Mustang is currently for sale in Britain for only $95,000. Todd can provide a tested, turn-key car at a much more reasonable price, however. Don’t really want to compete in Mexico, but just drive fast? Todd has a Mustang for lease that can run in the Exhibition class, as well.

Todd has two or three cars for purchase or lease for the race this year. He also provides full mechanical support during the race. His services are highly recommended.

If you are looking for a Turismo Mayor Studebaker, try Mats Hammarlund at mhracing1960@gmail.com. His shop also supports them.

**VACATION IN HUATULCO

Numerous Carrera competitors, friends, and support crews plan to arrive in Huatulco (wha-tool-koh) a few days early in October to relax and check out the beautiful beaches of this tropical paradise. Rates should be reasonable that time of the year. Try to pick a hotel around Santa Cruz, if you want to be close to the action.

The Carrera Office in Mexico City is offering special all-inclusive rates at the “regular” and “premium” hotels. Contact Monica Grossmann directly, if you are interested, at monica.grossmann@yahoo.com.mx. (They also have added a premium hotel in Guadalajara.)

Spouses, friends, and family might want to come down the weekend before the race, October 16-19 for a little R & R, and then head back to the States when the competition begins. The days leading up to the race are a period of intense preparation, so if your girlfriend demands constant attention, it may not be the best place for her. Sadly, there is no Nordstrom’s or Tiffany’s within five hundred miles for diversion. However, the “alfresco” hot tubs may offer some distraction.

**COYOTE CONVOY & TOUR

Want a little adventure? Join the Coyote Convoy for the trip down to Huatulco. Drive down in your own car – racecar, m/c, or street machine. It’s easy! There is no fee for joining the parade.

The convoy will gather in Laredo, Texas on Friday, October 16, and across the border on Saturday, October 17. It will spend two nights in San Miguel de Allende (selected by Condé Nast magazine as one of the top ten tourist destinations last year), before leaving on Monday, October 19 for the city of Oaxaca. After a night in Oaxaca, it will continue on to Huatulco, arriving on Tuesday, October 20. Short walking tours of San Miguel and the city of Oaxaca will be provided.

Don’t want to drive your Lambo down to Mexico? Fly into Laredo and hop a ride in a service vehicle down to San Miguel. In SMA Rosa Maria Mondragón Fiesco will pack you in her Ford Expedition for the trip on down to Oaxaca and Hautulco with the convoy, and if you want, you can follow the race back to Laredo with her. Rosa Maria is the former P.R. director for the race and two-time co-piloto in the actual event. She is also a licensed rally driver, so she knows how to get you close to the action. Sadly, she can only fit six people in her vehicle--with a modest amount of luggage. Sign up early!

If you want the whole Tour package: fly into Laredo, Texas on Friday, October 16 and schedule your return from there on Friday, October 30. If you go with the tour, the charge will be based on the actual number of days you travel with Rosa. It will be two exciting weeks. You must, of course, bring your passport, but that is the only document you will need, other than a Mexican tourist visa.

We also do not expect swine flu to be a problem in October, either.

**OUR MEXICAN GIRL FRIEND

As some of you know from first-hand experience, supporting a girl friend can be an expensive proposition (no pun intended). Many of the Carrera drivers and co-drivers have been supporting our favorite Mexican hottie for several years now.

She is a sweetie and gives us much pleasure. Of course, we are talking about Guadalupe “Lupita” Hernandez Ramirez, who lives down in Chiapas.

Lupita lost both of her legs at the hip when a Carrera car hit an oil spill, spun off the road, and pinned her up against an ambulance outside of Tuxtla Gutierrez in 2003. None of us expected her to survive as she was being airlifted to a local hospital. But survive she did and now, thanks to her family and the “Friends of Lupita,” she is doing well. The “Friends” supplied her with a cute little house, computer, furniture, training, and support -- all in coordination with the International and Mexican Red Cross.

Famous pilotos like Jerry Churchill, Doug Mockett, Bill Shanahan, Ralph Carungi, Matt Hamilton, and James Gublemann--to name a few-- have been solid supporters of Lupita. None of us wanted to see her begging on the streets, and we have succeeded. However, since Churchill’s passing and the retirement of groups like the Tropical Gangsters, the ranks of “Friends” has been thinned. Doug Mockett administers her trust account.

We need some new recruits to help out. Any level of donation will be appreciated. Carrera patches and other items are also available a http://www.panamrace.com/. All proceeds go to Lupita. Our goal is to raise enough to create a trust fund that will send her at least $300 dollars or so every month.

Send your donations to:

Friends of Guadalupe Hernandez Ramirez
c/o Ms. Fanny Davila
South Bay Bank
2200 Sepulveda Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501
Acct. #: 009400710

**RULES CHANGES

One of the reasons that La Carrera Panamericana is such a cultural adventure is the process for developing the rules – both official and unofficial versions. Typically, the rules for the year’s event are not promulgated until most of the cars have been constructed -- on the basis of last year’s rules!

Everyone should remember the axiom -- “no rule is final; any may be changed” -- before or during the event, depending on whose ox is being gored, and the amount of black lash from the Mexican racing community and assorted VIPs. Sponsors of the event seem to have an inordinate amount of influence.

Officially, the Pan Am is sanctioned by the Federation Mexican Auto Sports (FMAD), the FIA’s affiliate in Mexico, but the event is not sanctioned by the FIA. Thus it has it own set of very unique, “organic” rules. FMAD inspectors do check the safety features of the cars.

This year, for example, a rule was added within the last month or two that forbids the use of Boss 302 four-bolt main engines in a Mustang or Falcon in Historic C.

Also, the rules now say that no “straight cut gear transmissions” may be used in Historic. Aimed at Jerico and sequential transmissions, if strictly enforced, this rule could also outlaw a vintage Muncie M-22. The Historic C rules are also inconsistent about carburetion limits.

There is nothing in the rules that says that alloy heads are not allowed in Historic C, but you may be forced to run in Exhibition if the inspector’s magnet doesn’t stick to ‘um. On the other hand, sometimes they forget to check. Tubular control arms seem to get only a wink and nod these days, too, but rack and pinion steering is a no-no.

Also, the rules are usually not strictly enforced on new cars until they start bumping veterans off the podium. The cars of new hot shoes will be subject to peer review, for sure. Cars have been bumped into Exhibition during the middle of the event because of complaints from other competitors.

In Historic B the rules were changed this year to allow 2.4 liter engines in a Porsche 911. Please, like they needed more displacement to maintain their domination of this class?!

The big development this year will be the use (or so we are told in a press release) of electronic timing. Will this eliminate the obvious anomalies in the nightly results? Not completely, but it is certainly a step in the right direction.

Again, the Pan Am should be seen as much as a cultural adventure as a vintage race. It is unique in the world, and part of the charm is that it is not a rigid SCCA or FIA event. Loosey-goosey? Yes. But fun, hell yes!

**CLASSIFIEDS

ISO Co-Piloto -- David Cooper. Dave drives a ’51 Chrysler Saratoga NASCAR replica. Email dave@alpinesky.com This car won Original Pan AM a couple of years ago, and David is a serious competitor, with top flight equipment.

Several other guys, like Lucha Libre Racing’s Michael Emery, in a Datsun 1600 “Fair Lady,” are looking for co-drivers, as well. Phone 415-728-6960 or email michael@luchalibreracing.com. It’s always a fun ride with Michael, who has been to Mexico many times.

HANS/Leatt Braces. Wine Country Motor Sports is offering a premium on HANS devices. Wine Country Motor Sports is located in Sonoma, CA at Infineon Raceway and Juniper, Florida, near the Moroso Motorsports Park. Call (800) 708-7223 to order or go to http://www.winecountrymotorsports.com.

Antonio Maceda down in Mexico is offering Leatt Braces for $499, which are approved for the Pan Am. You can contact him at morforacing@yahoo.com. This price is good until August 31st.

Ron Davis out in Colorado has three ’55 Chryslers for sale – red, white, and blue. You can have the whole lot for $45,000. The hemi engines alone are worth that much. Email him at c300r@yahoo.com.

Ford Falcon available. $32,000. Crate 302. Well tested car. Won class in Chihuahua Express in 2007. Ready for Carrera 2009. From the estate of Tom Silver. Contact David Fuss at dave.fuss@medtronic.com.

Need service in Mexico (on your car)? Try Enrique Cortes. enrocortes@hotmail.com
Enrique lived in the US for several years, speaks English, and aims to please. He will work on a retainer basis or by the hour – 24/7 along the entire route. Welding and fabrication seems to be his forte, but his jolly band of elves also wrench. Check him out at http://www.ecf.com.mx/index_archivos/Page711.html

**WARNING

Like all forms of motor sports, the Pan Am is extremely dangerous. Obviously, it is less dangerous at moderate speeds. It can also lead to a lifetime of addiction to road racing in Mexico. CARRERA NEWS is not an official publication of the event. All opinions herein are those of the author, who is also a competitor in car #395.

Ciao,

Gerie Bledsoe

Carrera Driver Newsletter

2009-05-15T15:29:00.000-07:00

CARRERA DRIVER
May 2009 It’s the-time-to-get-serious edition!

**PAY ENTRY FEE BEFORE DEADLINE
**SEND PHOTOS
**OBTAIN MEXICAN CAR INSURANCE
**APPLY FOR FMAD LICENSE
**THE PAN AM TOUR
**MAKE HOTEL RESERVATIONS
**REVIEW THE RULES AND REGULATIONS
**MAKE SURE YOUR ROLL CAGE IS OK
**INSTALL FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM
**ACQUIRE HEAD AND NECK RESTRAINTS
**WARNING

In only 152 days we will be leaving the Bay Area for Mexico. Are you ready?

**PAY ENTRY FEE BEFORE DEADLINE

On June 1 the entry fee jumps another $500. We now have thirty-five paid entries from North America. I expect five or six more to enter by the next deadline. Last year at this point, we had fifty-one paid entries from our part of the world.

Instead of last year’s total of 105 entries worldwide, I expect the number will be around seventy-five. On the bright side, this will make registration and tech a lot quicker, while reducing congestion at the timing controls during competition. On the down side, we will miss some good friends who are sitting it out this year because of the economy.

**SEND PHOTOS

Your entry is not complete until I have your personal photos and at least one photo of your racecar. Please send digital photos, if possible, to gbledso@aol.com. Just about any digital shot is OK.

Your blood type and Rh factor are also critical, if you have not sent this info to me, please do ASAP.

**OBTAIN MEXICAN CAR INSURANCE

Go to http://www.bajabound.com/?r=panamrace to cover your tow vehicle and racecar while not racing. Using Baja Bound is easy as 1-2-3. It is one of the few companies that will cover old cars.

You must buy liability coverage on your tow vehicle and have proof of this in Huatulco.

I also recommend collision coverage on your tow vehicle as well. But just buy liability on your racecar from Baja Bound’s list of insurance companies, although it is not required. They are all solid, reliable companies. Most are subsidiaries of U.S. companies.

The liability coverage on your racecar is only needed before the event starts and at night. It does not cover you when you are racing, of course. While racing you are covered by the organizer’s insurance arranged through FMAD.

**APPLY FOR FMAD LICENSE

All competitors – drivers and navigators/co-drivers – must have a FMAD rally license. It costs only $195 USD this year, considerably less than last year. The license comes with a small amount of medical insurance. You may pay extra to increase the amount of coverage. There is a special license (optional) for support-crew members, too. Most American medical insurance programs do not cover you in Mexico. Be prepared.

The license application can be found at www.femadac@femadac.org.mx. Send it or email it, with two small photos of your handsome face, to the FMAD Office in Mexico City. The address is at the bottom of the form. If you do that, your license will be ready to pick up in Huatulco. You can pay then. Make the check out to “FEMADAC.”

If you are importing your racecar into Mexico with the help of a Mexican customs broker, you must apply for your FMAD license and apply for the importation permit. That form is also on their web site.

**THE PAN AM TOUR

Spectators, photojournalists, spouses, and friends who want to observe the race or take photographs should sign up for the Pan Am Tour, offered by Rosa María Mondragón. Rosa María was the PR director for the race for many years and knows everything about the event. She knows the route and how to get you in position to enjoy it up close. You can pay by the week for the whole event, or by the day, if you do not intend to be there the entire week. Rosa Maria provides transportation in a Ford Expedition for six passengers with a modest amount of luggage.

Contact her at racecarmedia@yahoo.com.mx

**MAKE HOTEL RESERVATIONS

Have you reserved your rooms in Huatulco and elsewhere along the route? You should deal directly with Monica Grossmann in the Carrera Office in Mexico City about hotels. Best to e-mail her at monica.grossmann@yahoo.com.mx.

If you plan to arrive with the Coyote Convoy in Huatulco on Tuesday, Oct. 20, you will need an extra room(s) for two nights (October 20-21). On Oct. 22 the double room that comes with your entry begins. Of course, if you need an extra room for your crew, spouse, or mother-in-law, please let Monica know.

**REVIEW THE RULES AND REGULATIONS

Please note that when you register through the web site or through the North American Coordinator you are agreeing to abide by the rules of the event, which are posted on the Mexican web site www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx. You should review these rules. If you have any questions, please let me know.

During registration in Huatulco, you will also sign a classic racing waiver.

**MAKE SURE YOUR ROLL CAGE IS OK

The Carrera’s rules regarding roll cages remain somewhat uncertain. The written rules still do not match up with the diagram that is provided separately on the web site. Apparently, the inspectors will again determine the value and integrity of the cage somewhat subjectively.

The minimum requirements seem to be:

--a full six (or more) point roll cage
--13 gauge steel tubing (0.089”)
--one door bar (two is better)
--sufficient bracing—laterally and diagonally--with gussets in the “halo”
--an “X’ brace across the top of the cage (a single bar diagonally or laterally sometimes will suffice)

If your car door is a wide one and you have an unsupported lateral expanse (along the top of the doors) of more than 23-24” or so, they may want you to install a additional vertical bar to brace the top, like a “Toyota bar” running down the A pillar, or from the main hoop up to the rear end of the halo.

**INSTALL FIRE SUPPRESSION SYSTEM

After eight years of losing no cars to fire because of crashes during speed stages, we have lost three in the past year or two: one in the Carrera 2007 and two in the Chihuahua Express 2008. In 2006 a car burned during a transit stage in the Carrera because of fuel system problems. Are there lessons to learn, other than slowing down?

Two fires started after solo crashes when the fuel cells or tank ruptured, while the other fire probably was the result of hot exhaust pipes landing on dry grass. Apparently, in none of these cases did or could a fire suppression system save the car. When properly installed and used, however, the systems should at least knock down a fire and allow the crew time to exit the vehicle.

**ACQUIRE HEAD AND NECK RESTRAINTS

The official rules for the Carrera say that a HANS or Leatt brace will be required this year for all competitors. I assume, however, that any SFI-rated or FIA-approved head and neck brace will be accepted. Please note the word "assume."

The company that makes HANS devices is now making a Sport Series for $695. It’s a bit heavier than the original version, which still sells for $895. You must have posts installed in your helmet to hook up them up. Some helmets are pre-drilled, too.

Simpson sells a restraint system for $399 (#856-50000), and Safety Solutions has one for $325.99 (#872-SAFHR101). There’s another one called an R-3. G-Force has one for only $249, which fits on their helmets, but it is not SFI-rated and was not accepted last year in Mexico. The Leatt-Brace, used on primarily on motorcycles, is available and will be sold in Mexico. It was developed for m/c racing and cost $395 in the States.

I use the light-weight HANS device but cannot recommend any of them. You may use a 2” harness belt with the HANS, although the company says they will work fine with the traditional 3” belt, too. I find it somewhat difficult to keep the 3” shoulder belt positioned properly on my HANS device.

Also make sure that your neck and head restraint system is compatible with your seat. You head should not be touching the back of your seat, and you should be able to sit up straight and be comfortable—especially after driving six hours a day.

Wine County Auto Sports is offering incentives on buying a HANS from them.
If you buy your HANS from Wine Country Motor Sports, they will give you a free OMP helmet-HANS bag worth $89, free installation of the posts for the HANS in your helmet, and free shipping. They will also install posts in old your helmet for free, if you send it to them.

Wine Country Motor Sports is located in Sonoma, CA (Infineon Raceway) and Juniper, Florida, near the Moroso Motorsports Park. Call (800) 708-7223 to order or go to http://www.winecountrymotorsports.com.

It is my understanding that SA2005 helmets are required, and seat belts should not be more than five years old.

**COYOTE CONVOY

If you plan to drive down with the Coyote Convoy or even think you might want to do that, please let me know ASAP. I will have a separate mailing list for the convoy. Right now the itinerary for our expedition looks like this:

Friday, Oct. 16 – rendezvous in Laredo, Texas, 9 PM meeting
(Please make your own reservation at the Residence Inn del Mar by Marriott)
Saturday, Oct. 17 – drive to San Miguel de Allende, 6 AM (540 miles)
Tour and group dinner in San Miguel, 7 PM
Sunday, Oct. 18 – Carrera car show in the main square (10 AM-3 PM)
Monday, Oct. 19 – drive around Mexico City to Oaxaca, 8 AM
Tuesday, Oct. 20 – drive into Huatulco, 8 AM (180 miles)

When making your reservation in Laredo use the code “carr” or "Carrera" for the discounted rate.

I will offer a package deal on the convoy’s hotels in Mexico in a couple of weeks. Anyone—friends and family--may join the convoy.

Note that the convoy hotels are separate from the hotels offered by Monica Grossmann.

**WARNING

Auto racing in any form is dangerous, and that includes the Pan Am. Each year in the Pan Am there are several wrecks the first day because the drivers are nervous and trying too hard. Be careful, especially the first day.

Fortunately, we have not had any serious injuries of late, but there have been some horrific wrecks. Never forget that this is a long endurance race. For most of us a victory in this race is simply crossing the finish line in Nuevo Laredo in one piece, under our own power. If you drive this race at 70-80%, have no mechanical failures, and make every special stage, you will finish high in the standings. But most importantly, you have succeeded where many others have failed.

Viva la Carrera Panamericana!

Note: Normally, Carrera Driver goes only to those signed up for the event and a few others who transport or support cars while in Mexico. The special, edited of Carrera Driver is provided as an example of the information and support provided to those who participate in this unique event.

Gerie Bledsoe

Carrera News -- Cinco de Mayo Edition

2009-05-10T11:34:00.000-07:00

CARRERA NEWS
MAY 2005

CINCO DE MAYO EDITION
(DELAYED BY FLU SCARE)

**PIKES PEAK – LAST CHANCE!
**CARRERA ENTRIES HOLDING UP
**DEADLINE FOR REDUCED FEE—May 31
**RESORT OF HUATULCO
**NEW ROUTE ADDS GUADALAJARA
**FUND RAISER FOR “LUPITA” HERNANDEZ
**CLASSIFIEDS – CARS FOR SALE
**RALLY AMERICA 2009
**TWO NEW BOOKS ON CARRERA 2008
**WARNING
**CONTACT INFO

**PIKE’S PEAK – LAST CHANCE!

Is the Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb on your bucket list? Do not wait. Join us this year. Only $800. That’s cheap--about half of the regular (pro) entry fee. Just about any Carrera car or vintage racecar with a full cage is eligible. Vintage entries are filling up and may be gone soon. Doug Mockett and Angelic Fuentes will be back to defend their championship on July 19. We will practice on the mountain three mornings, before the main event. Contact Tony Martins cycleworksusa@msn.com if you are interested.

**CARRERA ENTRIES HOLDING UP

Entries in La Carrera Panamericana XXII seem to be holding up against the swine flu and other problems, like the friction along the border between the U.S. and Mexico. The flu scare seems to be fading fast, and should be only a faint memory by October. We should have around 40 entries from Canada and the U.S. this year.

The problems along the border continue to be bothersome, however, but the presence of several thousand Mexican soldiers and federal police in the border towns has reduced the violence dramatically. Last month, participants in the Chihuahua Express saw no signs of violence along the border or in the city of Chihuahua. Life seemed pretty normal.

The U.S. has also agreed to do more to stop the flow of guns and drug money into Mexico. The effort to legalize marijuana, which is picking up steam in California, would put a big dent in the cartels’ income and produce big bucks for the state treasury, says one state legislator.

A diplomatic flap between the U.S. and Mexico caused when the U.S. government stopped Mexican long-haul trucks from entering the country did cause a problem at the border for one of our trucks hauling cars to Chihuahua. Again, this problem should be resolved by October.

**DEADLINE FOR REDUCED FEE

On June 1, the entry fee for the Pan Am jumps another $500 USD to $6500. Please send in your checks by May 31. If you sent in a deposit of $500, the balance due before June 1 is $5,500. Make checks payable to “La Carrera USA” and mail to address under contact info below.

**THE RESORT OF HUATULCO

Huatulco offers a much more relaxed atmosphere than Cancun, Acapulco, Cabo, and Puerto Vallarta. It’s a beautiful resort area along the Pacific Ocean. There is no city of Huatulco, just a string of bays, lagoons, and estuaries with low-rise, modern hotels, and a few small towns composed mostly of vacation homes. The airport code is “HUX.”

The center of action for the start of the race in October will probably be the town of Santa Cruz. No information about specific hotels or their location has been released, of course, but it seems logical that the beach town of Santa Cruz is about the only place big enough to have a paddock for 75-80 racecars. (The original fishing village was “displaced” when the resort was first developed.)

Rooms in Huatulco may be booked through the Carrera Office in Mexico City for $150 per night. Premium hotels cost $300 per night (limited availability).

If you want an all-inclusive package deal, add $100 to the price of the regular hotel per night and $150 to the premium hotel’s cost. The package deal includes: three meals daily, box lunches, five different restaurants, juice and soft drinks, alcoholic drinks, minibar, snacks, no-power water sports, plus 24 room service to your room, poolside, and the beach. But the best part of the package is clearly the two “alfresco Jacuzzi pools.” Think any Corona girls will be there?

Email Monica Grossmann at monica.grossmann@yahoo.com.mx to make your reservations.

**NEW ROUTE -- GUADALAJARA

In addition to starting in Huatulco, which was not on the original Carrera route, the event will visit Guadalajara this year, the first time since 1999. Guadalajara, the second largest city in the country, has a population of several million. Best to update your Garmin GPS software. It’s big city. Try Mexico Maps for the latest Garmin software. Email Mark Walker mwalker@mexicomaps.com for info.

Guadalajara takes the place of Aguascalientes, which the race has visited every year since 1999, at least. Apparently the Chamber of Commerce in Guadalajara came up with more incentives this year than Aguascalientes. Guadalajara was not on the route of the original Carrera either, but it is an important city. Unfortunately, the detour will add several extra hours of transit time to the schedule.

**FUND RAISER FOR “LUPITA” HERNANDEZ

Need a Carrera patch for your hat or jacket? How about a Coyote Convoy shirt? I have both for sale for $10.00. Add $3.00 S&H for a shirt. All net proceeds go to the Mexican nurse, Lupita Hernandez who lost both legs at the hip in a Carrera accident in 2003. We send her a small check every six weeks.

**CLASSIFIEDS – CARS FOR SALE, CO-DRIVERS NEEDED

You may advertise here for drivers, co-drivers, and service crew at no charge. You may ALSO advertise your car, truck, or services for sale/rent here and on the web site www.panamrace.com for $30; $45 with photo. Send the info and photo to Laura Cox at lauracox@austin.rr.com with a check to be posted on the web site. Most of the cars posted on the web site are sold. I also broker cars for a very modest fee.

’54 Studebaker. For Sale or Rent - Overall winner of the 2008 La Carrera Panamericana. This Commander has been completely rebuilt following last year’s win. The car is now faster and more dependable than it was in 2008. If you are serious about winning overall in 2009, you need to be driving this car. Complete spares package and trailer included in the $125,000 sale price. Rental option would in the form of a sale/service/buyback. Please call or email Bill Beilharz for more information. bbeilharz@aol.com or call (001) 602.320.5173. Phoenix, Arizona

’64 Chevy Nova -- $5900/BO. V8 post coupe, four-speed Muncie, GM front disc brakes, headers, newer exhaust, and seats. Rust free, with new steel floors on sub-frame connectors. Interior and exterior stripped, ready for race preparation. Want it prepared? Pick your color, competition level, and engine power—from 300 to 400+ HP. Cost? Around $18,000-$28,000+ depending on the level of preparation. Guaranteed buy-back program. Ten years of experience building these lightweight cars. Novas were the Historic “C” Champs in 2001 and 2002. Guaranteed entry in 2009 or 2010. At 2800 pounds, it can run a four-barrel Holley. Extra safe roll cage and subfloor protection.. Shipping can be arranged, along with support during the race, and even rally driving instruction. We had ten years’ experience building these cars. Contact Gerie Bledsoe at gbledso@aol.com. 650-726-9890.

Lucky Taco -- needs another co-driver/partner for 2009. It’s a ’54 Oldsmobile that runs in Original Pan Am. The three experienced partners need a fourth. Bridge anyone? Contact Clyde Morter if interested at Lakehart2@aol.com.

ISO Co-Piloto -- David Cooper. ’51 Chrysler NASCAR replica. dave@alpinesky.com This car won Original Pan AM a couple of years ago, and David is a serious competitor, with top flight equipment. Several other guys, like Lucha Libre Racing’s Michael Emery, are looking for co-drivers, as well.

Enrique Cortes will provide mechanical service while you are in Mexico. Check his video on MyTube. Enrique lived in the US several years and has two support trucks. He and his crew will wrench and weld all night for you.

**RALLY AMERICA

New York to Miami, three days in August 2009, to benefit the Women’s and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo. Call Dan at 716.480.0703 or visit www.rallyamerica-usa.com.

**TWO NEW BOOKS ON CARRERA 2008

Photographer Sam Gezari is compiling two books on last year’s Pan Am that will be published next month. To obtain more info on the books, call 213.880.4001 or go to www.carrerapanamericana2008.com.

**WARNING

Like all forms of motor sports, the Pan Am is extremely dangerous. Obviously, it is less dangerous at moderate speeds. It can also lead to a lifetime of addiction to road racing in Mexico.

**CONTACT INFORMATION

If you change email addresses, please let CARRERA NEWS know. Once you register for the race, you will also receive CARRERA DRIVER, which contain much more detailed information about the race and how to prepare your car.

Feel free to send CARRERA NEWS to your friends and racing buddies. Encourage them to sign up. This newsletter will be posted on the web site www.panamrace.com as a blog.

2009-04-30T16:31:00.000-07:00

The route for the 2009 edition of La Carrera Panamericana has been published. Here are the cities where we will spend the night:

Huatulco -- starting city, October 23

Oaxaca

Mexico City

Queretaro

San Luis de Potosi

Guadalajara

Zacatecas

Nuevo Laredo -- ending city, October 30

The big change is dropping Aguascalientes and adding Guadalajara, the second largest city in Mexico. The race has not visited Guadalajara since 1999. This will add at least 200 miles to the total length of the event. Make sure you have updated software for your Garmin or other GPS.

Adelante!