Monday, October 26, 2015

The 28th modern Pan-Am ended last Thursday in Durango, and it already time to start thinking about next year, as well as the Chihuahua Xpress, April 21-24, 2016.
 
Emilio Velazquez, from Oaxaca, is the newest Pan-Am Champ.  He was a DNF last year, but this year he improved his time coming down Mil Cumbres by 30 seconds, for instance, to put time on his closet challenger, Hilaire Damiron (FR).  Even so, his margin of victory after 7 days was only 27 seconds.  According to some reports, Damiron was just trying too hard to win and was losing time sliding around in the corners.
 
Doug Mockett and Anglica Fuentes (MX), the top U.S. challenger finished 6th.  Doug reportedly had brake problems near the end of the event and failed to move up the finishing order.  Unfortunately, our other U.S. contender, Paul Hladky, was unable to participate this year.
 
Congratulations to Taz Harvey and Rudy Vadjak for their 1st in Historic B and 9th overall.  Taz said he had problems with his Datsun Z-car along the way, but managed to dominate the 911s in his class again.
 
Conrad Stevenson and rookie co-piloto David Lee, from norther California, also took 1st in Historic A Plus and 13th overall.  Conrad's reg Alfa got my vote for the sexiest car in the event.  Sophia woud look good in that car.  Historic A Plus (four cylinders, 1966-1972) has become the most popular classes in the Pan-Am with 15 entries.
 
Rookies Iain Dobson (U.S., English) and Jeff Trasher in their beautiful Ford Escort RS finished 2d in Historic A Plus, while Martin Lauber was close behind in 3d.  Apparently, Martin decided to take his bride, Kelly, on a little off-road excursion at one point.  Many others followed suit.  Martin also organized a group of four Historic A Plus cars, including Mike and Peggy Thurlow (23d overall), Tom Minnich and Cristin Combs (29th overall), and Mark Colbert and Deborah DeSantis (47th overall).  And no group had more fun!
 
Karlo Flores (Canada) and Juan Salgado Flores (Mex.), both Pan-Am rookies, won 1st in Sports Menor (modified sports cars with less than 2000 c.c. engines).  Rene Brinkerhoff and Robert Mendoza, who are gaining rock star status in the event finished 2d.  Rene had a little off road excursion during the qualifying run that caused serious problems for two or three days, but her great crew kept her car running to the end.
 
Rookie Matt Hummel and vet Chris Cochrane finished 3d in Turismo Production and 36th overall.  They were driving Frank Oliveto's laest creation, a 1940 Cadillac LeSalle.  According to Frank, the only problems they experienced was a broken shock and a bout of "touristica."  This unique car, powered by a Chevy 302 engine, is being offered for sale.
 
A special mention must be extended to rookies Rob Miller and Will Horne in their Shelby Mustang for their finish.  You may recall that their car was build by students at a local technical college in NE Texas and one of the students, Mr. Horne, won the drawing among the students to ride along as the navigator.  Felicidades! to a great team and story!
 
One of Todd Landon's Mustangs, driven by a crew from New Zealand won the hotly contested Historic C class and finished 14th overall.  Historic C missed some of its hot shoe regulars like Chip Fudge and Jack Rogers, among others.
 
Sam Burg, from southern California, was the co-piloto in the LT Special that finished  2d in Sports Major and 43d overall.
 
Other U.S.-Canadian results:
 
Michael and Kristi Shoemaker (Neb.), 50th overall, crash
Jake Shuttlesworth (TX) and C.J. Strupp (IN), 52d overall, engine problems
Steve Walters and Janet McFarland (VA), 56th overall, engine problems
Miles Jones and Robert Gehlan (Norcal), 59th overall, power-steering curse
Gerie Bledsoe (FLA)and Fer Garcia (Mex.), 60th overall, broken hydraulic lifter
Christian Reichardt (Socal) and Dan Roche (Canada), 63d overall, engine problems
 
Steve and Janet deserved special recognition for driving their Mercedes Fintail from Alexandria, VA to the start of the race and planning to drive it back.  Reportedly the car was towed to Laredo, where it will be shipped back home.  Steve and Janet are the last of the hearty souls from the U.S. who would drive their race car all the way to Mexico, race it, and then drive it back.   We wish them the best.
 
Jake Shuttlesworth and other trucks helped carry a ton of wool scraps from Austin to Mexico for a group of Indian women who recycle it to make rugs and other items.  Gracias a todos!

Get your car ready for the Chihuahua Express, April 21-24.  Registration opens in November.

---any car with the proper roll cage and safety equipment may run
---three days of open road racing
---1,000 total miles, about 300 at unlimited speed
---return to the same luxury hotel each night
---only 145 miles from Texas
---race to the rim of the famous Copper Canyon

Just want to cruise?  Sign up for the Xpress Tour.  Same route as race cars, but at legal speeds in a time-to-distance rally.  Even rent a regular car in Chihuahua.  All you need is a helmet.


 

 
 
 
 

 

Saturday, January 24, 2015

LCP DATES October 15-22, 2015


Carreras News
January 2015                                                    Happy New Year!

**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS REGISTRATION UP
**AUCTION OF 2014 PAN AM JACKET AND HAT
**RALLY FALCON FOR SALE
**PAN AM LINCOLN FOR SALE
**DATES FOR 2015 PANAM
**LEGAL NOTICES
**CONTACT INFORMATION

**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS REGISTRATION UP

Enrollment for the Chihuahua Express is significantly higher this year than at the same time last year.  Over 24 North Americans (Canada and U.S.) took advantage of the early entry discount, good through January 6.  An additional four or five are listed as “possibles.”

Organizer Manuel “Chacho” Medina said he was pleased to see more entries from the U.S., especially from the states of Texas, California, and Nevada.  “I think we have turned a corner,” Mr. Medina said,” “as more Americans are recognizing that this is one of the best motor sports events in the world.”

There is one notable entry from Belgium, Medart Philippe, who will drive the “Juan Carlos Sarmiento” Studebaker that won the Panam twice a few years ago.

The Chihuahua Express is affiliated with the Silver State Classic Challenge (www.SSCC.us).  At least four of the entries in this year’s Express are regulars in that event, a 90 mile run across Nevada.

For more information go to:  www.chihuahuaexpress.com.    Need to rent a Shelby Mustang for the event?    Contact Todd Landon at “Mustangs to Go.” Email TALandon@landolakes.com.

**AUCTION OF LA CARRERA 2014 JACKET AND HAT FOR “LUPITA”

Since 2003 “Los Amigos of Lupita Hernandez” have asked for donations to support the young Mexican nurse who lost both legs at the hip in a Carrera accident.  Currently, Los Amigos try to send Lupita, who lives in Chiapas, near Tuxtla Gutierrez, least $600 every quarter.

To continue this modest level of support, your help is needed.  A generous benefactor has donated a 2014 La Carrera Panamericana racing jacket and hat to be auctioned.  These items are only available to drivers and navigators in the event.  The “State of Art” jacket (a large) and hat are in perfect, unworn condition. The jacket and hat are black with Pan Am patches on it and “Mexico!” across the back.  Photos are available.

The last time a Panam jacket and hat were auctioned, they went for the “buy it now price” of $500.  All bids should be in U.S. dollars.  For bids under $500, shipping will be extra.

The auction is now open and will close on February 9 at noon (CST).  Payment may be made by check, money order or Paypal.  Checks should be made payable to “Friends of Lupita Hernandez.”  The trustees for her fund are:  Doug Mockett, Oscar Carillo, and Gerie Bledsoe.   

Send bids to:     Dollars4Lupita@aol.com  Include your name, postal address, and phone number in your email.  All bids will be acknowledged but not disclosed.

If this jacket is not right for you, contributions to Lupita’s fund are warmly welcomed.  Please send your check to:

 Friends of Lupita Hernandez
 c/o Oscar Carillo
 Mockett and Co.
 PO Box 3333
 Manhatten Beach, CA 90266


**RALLY FALCON FOR SALE


1964 Ford Falcon Monte Carlo Lightweight.  A race/rally car with FIA papers, extremely lightweight with legitimate fiberglass fenders, front hood, doors, rear deck lid and bumpers.  Car raced in Europe and won the Nurburgring and Hamburg among other places.  This is Bill Shanahan’s rally car which placed second in the Carrera Panamericana Historic C in 2008, first in Historic C in 2009 and first in the Classic Division of the Targa Newfoundland in 2010.
The car comes with a complete set of spares including front and rear suspension, transmission (T10), two 305 cubic inch Ford race prepared/rally engines.  Also included is a fully developed 6 cylinder 4.5 liter Ford engine which qualifies to run in Historic B in the Carrera Panamericana, all of the FIA spec pieces including a 289 FIA engine and the original suspension parts.  The suspension parts of the Carrera/Targa car have been significantly strengthened given the difficult road conditions in those rallies at high speeds.  Finally, the car comes with a complete set of molds to build, if necessary, fiberglass fenders, hood, doors and trunk.  The car has not been raced since 2011 due to owner business commitments; it has been continually track tested and is race ready.
Call David Bate – 203-377-6745 ext 37 or Michael Silverstein – 203-377-6745 ext 14
www.automotiverestorations.com  100 Lupes Drive, Stratford, CT  06614

**FAMOUS PAN AM LINCOLN FOR SALE



54 Lincoln Capri.  Ready to race in the Chihuahua Express in Turismo Mayor or Pan Am. An iconic competitor in La Carrera, Chihuahua Express and Pikes Peak. 360 cu.in. Ford Racing engine with 650 cfm. Holley, remote oil cooler, aluminum radiator, H.D. T-5 five-speed close-ratio trans, Ford 9" rear axle, 4:10 Detroit locker diff, coil-overs,  torque arm 3 link with Panhard bar rear suspension, coil over front suspension, NASCAR power steering, 6 piston Wilwood front calipers, 4 piston Wilwood rears, 
Tilton pedal box assy with adj. brake bias. 28 gallon fuel cell, FIA approved Racetech seats
Monit Rally computer, Peltor intercom, Fast A/F meter, (2) on board fire systems.
fiberglas bumpers and inner fenders, Lexan windows, skid plate, rear difuser
extensive spares package, including molds, jigs and spare rolling body with frame
contact Bill Richert $60,0000. Cannot be duplicated for twice this amount.  Located in Phoenix.
The patina on the Lincoln is a Mylar “wrap.”
Contact Bill Richert at:  brichert@cox.net Tel. 602-548-9368

**DATES FOR 2015 PANAM
The tentative dates for the 2015 Carrera Panamericana are October 15-22.  The route will be about the same as last year:  Veracruz to Durango.  Final plans should be announced next month, when registration will open.

**LEGAL STUFF
Auto racing is dangerous in any form, and special rallies (road racing) in Mexico are no exception.  Carrera News is not an official publication of any race organization.  The views expressed here are the editor’s only. All competitors should have adequate experience or training before signing up for one of these events.

**CONTACT INFORMATION
Gerie Bledsoe, North American Coordinator
La Carrera Panamericana and Chihuahua Express
Santa Rosa Beach, Florida 850-66zero-178four
San Miguel de Allende, Mexico 650-525-nine one 90

LCP Main Office
Mexico City +52-55-5586-6898
US Number 1-310-860-6959
www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx
team@lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx (entries, general info)
monica@lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx  (hotels and entry fees)

Chihuahua Express
Chacho Medina, President