La Carrera Panamericana Race News - July 4, 2012 - The Firecracker Edition

La Carrera Panamericana Race News - July 4, 2012 - The Firecracker Edition

**CARRERA FIESTA MONTEREY – Aug. 18

**THE PAN AM

**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS

**RALLY DE VOLCANES

**CONVOY AND CARRERA CAR SHOW -- Oct. 14

**CARRERA TOUR – Sept. 5-9

**LIST OF COMPETITORS

**CLASSIFIEDS

**LEGAL FINE PRINT

**CONTACT INFO

**CARRERAS FIESTA MONTEREY – AUG. 18

The 6^th Annual Carreras Fiesta will be held in Carmel, California on August 18, 2012 from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM, at the Baja Cantina just outside of Carmel, the same place as the past two years. Drinking and kicking tires will go on for a while after the formal ending. Our gracious host again is Bill Hemmer, a realtor and contractor in Monterey.

Please let Bill know if you plan to attend and pay for your tickets ahead of time, too. This is one cool event. I won’t miss it. Contact Bill at 415-725-6119 or bekgroup@gmail.com.

Attached is the official poster. This year the event will honor both the “Pana” and the Chihuahua Express. Neither event, however, provides any financial support for this fiesta.

**THE PAN AM

Very little news is being made available about the 25^th anniversary running of the Pan Am. As noted before, the organizers decided to start the race in Veracruz, which disappointed some people, and they also replaced Aguascalientes with San Luis de Potosi.

Rumor has it that the cars will be prepared and inspected in the Veracruz Convention Center, and that the event will not stop for service in San Miguel de Allende. Other than those rumors, there’s little more to report.

The entries have finally been posted on the official web site. It says the 2012 rules are also there, but they would not download to my computer this week. Maybe next week?

There are 32 entries from the U.S. and Canada. A couple of those listed on the web site may not be able to make it, however. These days, I am lucky if they allow me thirty slots for the US and Canada.

A quick count of entries shows 15 Porsche 911/912s and 23 Mustangs-Falcons. Apparently, the organizers have not been as successful in diversifying the field as they had hoped. Some of the entries have raised red flags, like the tube-chassis Corvette “Gran Sports” that wrecked last year, bur finished the race, and the replica Cobra entered in Historic C.

The Original Pan Am class has eight entries, including the Porsche 356 (#431) that nearly ran away from the class last time out. Not bad for 90 HP. It will have another former F1 driver at the helm. Is this a new tradition in the Netherlands? Oh, I forgot, the car is sponsored by the same company that provides our LCP jackets, State of Art, which is also based in that country.

**CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS

Congratulations have been pouring in to Chacho Medina’s office in Mexico City regarding the last Chihuahua Express. The overall winner of the event, Eduardo Henkel (BMW M3), was absolutely euphoric about the event, the roads, the timing, and the high level of security. Chacho’s ability to organize what seems to be the entire civil protection apparatus both of the city and the state was impressive.

The date next year will be April 12-13-14, 2013 (Friday-Saturday-Sunday). Unfortunately, Chacho cannot pick the same week each year because it may conflict with the Easter holidays in Mexico, so the date changes from year to year.

Again, the Express is open to modern and vintage cars with full roll cages. It also includes a tour class for cars without roll cages. The Express is a great way for rookies to sort out their cars and prepare for the Pan Am or other racing in Mexico or the States.

**RALLY DE VOLCANES

During the year there are numerous rallies in Mexico, including the Pan Am and the Express. If you hold the correct FMAD (FEMADAC) license you may participate in any of them. In some of these rallies, like the recent Rally de Volcanes in May, a special class for Pan Am cars is included, or vintage Pan Am cars may be included in the open class. Either way, they are welcome.

The Rally de Volcanes was a great event. It was located in a beautiful town (Tapalpa, Jalisco) in the mountains, and involved friendly people, and great roads. We had time to socialize, see the sites, and relax, unlike some other events where you are always on the go or working on your car. Most importantly, it seemed that the organizers appreciated all who signed up.

Some Americans and Europeans are leaving their Pan Am cars here at a shop in Mexico and flying down to use them for these rallies and for the big show in October. Why invest all those bucks in a car, only to race it only once a year? Leave it in Mexico, have it prepped here, and fly down for a one- or two-day rally in the middle of the year to keep your skills up.

In mid-September you can actually practice on Mil Cumbres in the Patrio Rally—two times up the mountain and two times down in one day.

**CONVOY AND CARRERA CAR SHOW – Oct. 14

At this point we do not have a firm date for when the 11^th Annual Coyote Convoy will leave Laredo for the 550 mile drive down to San Miguel de Allende. The date could be as early as October 11 or as late as October 13. It depends on how the convoy comes across the border: (1) with tourist permits, as we have done for 12 years, or (2) by using the services of a Mexican Customs (Aduanas) agent (broker), as the Race Director of the Pan Am has proposed.

Personally, I like the Temporary Import Permit (TIP) because the document can be obtained via the Internet before you leave home for around $65 USD or in some Mexican Consulates in the US. At the border, the permit only costs around $35. Of course, if you drive into Mexico with a TIP you still need to stop at the border to obtain a tourist visa since the TIP is only good if you have a tourist visa. So, if you get the TIP by the Internet, you also must stop at the border and get a visa.

The organizers of the event said they wanted all the racecars to come into Mexico through a Customs Agent because of real or imagined problems with the company that provides the third-party liability insurance for the event. I have been assured by others that this is a non-issue. Hopefully, this will be resolved soon.

The Carrera Car Show in San Miguel de Allende (SMA), which we held for four years, is back on again due to popular demand and the fact that the Pan Am will not stop in San Miguel, as it did last year. Another major factor is – it’s a much shorter, one-day drive down to Veracruz on Monday; there’ll be no overnight in Oaxaca this year.

My preferred schedule for the convoy is:

Thursday, October 11 – meet in Laredo 6:30 PM, Residence Inn by Marriott, Lost Oaks Rd.

Friday, October 12 – cross the border at 7:00 AM, arrive in San Miguel around 6:00 PM

Saturday, October 13 – R and R in San Miguel (maybe tour two or three speed stages on the road to Guanajuato or take a walking tour of the city)

Sunday, October 14 – Carreras Car Show, main square, San Miguel from 10:00 AM—4:00 PM

Monday, October 15 – drive to Veracruz 8:00 AM--3:00 PM

The Convoy is open to spectators and others with an interest in the event. Each competitor is responsible under the Pan Am rules for getting his car safely to the start of the race. The race organization does not endorse nor support the Convoy or the stop in San Miguel.

**CARRERA TOUR

Have concerns about visiting and racing in Mexico? Sample this county at its best in early September with the CARRERA TOUR.

Racing in Mexico is a mystery for some North Americans and Europeans who have never visited this beautiful country. It takes a while to adjust to the altitude – over 2000 meters, the food, the water, roads, the culture, and a stage rally, Mexican style. To help people adjust, I started the Carrera Tour last year. By all reports, the participants enjoyed their visit to San Miguel last September and learned a lot.

Why San Miguel? It’s a very safe town and a major tourist destination in the world. It’s really unlike any other city in Mexico, because of the blend of Northern American, European, and Mexican cultures. You can walk anywhere in town 15 minutes, or take a cab for $2. The buildings are out of the 17^th and 18^th centuries, and all the streets are cobblestone. It may be a post-card town but it’s very hip, with one of the biggest artist communities in the world.

In only 25 minutes we can also tour six or eight of the best speed stages of the Pan Am, plus the city of Guanajuato where some competitors got hopelessly lost last year in the tunnels under the city. We will also check out some speed stages near Queretaro.

SMA is also family-friendly, a place that women love. It offers quaint, luxury hotel (very romantic), boutiques, great restaurants, art galleries, spas by the dozens, inexpensive prices, and other things that chics really dig. For the guys, we have two shops that build and support cars for the Pan Am, Mexican NASCAR, and other racing venues. SMA also offers some neat saloons, along with 24 churches for the more pious.

The AARP just announced that San Miguel is one of the fifteen best places in the world to retire.

**LIST OF COMPETITORS

A list of U.S. and Canadian competitors will be sent to those on the CARRERA DRIVER email list. If you want a copy now, let me know. Otherwise go to this web page: http://lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx/ficha_categorias.php

**CLASSIFIEDS

ISO Co-Driver for 2012 Pan Am. Experienced driver needs a well-funded navigator for a special project in this year’s Pan Am. The driver has participated in the past thirteen Pan Am races and knows his way around. He’s looking for a co-driver who wants to have fun, without risking life and limb, in a special car. Rally or racing experience is preferred but not essential. The perfect candidate should not be too tall, too heavy, or too square. Being able to endure old Pan Am stories and jokes is required. A decision must be made soon. Contact Gerie Bledsoe at 650-525-9190 (CST) or gbledso@aol.com for more information.

’54 Studebaker Champion. Original, un-cut, rust-free car. 12 volt electrical system, new brakes, master-cylinder, battery, etc. Chevy 350 V8 with 700R automatic transmission with overdrive. Headers, dual exhaust. Engine was just overhauled. $900 in new Cragar rims and Bridgestone tires. Rear axle from ‘62-63 Hawk GT with posi-traction. I did not have the heart to turn such a nice car into a Pan Am racer. The body is in amazing condition. Original interior. Located in Northern California. Buy it for what I have invested: $12,980. Now on eBay. (photo below)

The "Sarmiento" car. A well known and multiple Carrera Panamericana winner. Not a newly build car but an original Studebaker chassis. Competitive and well prepared car. A top-5 finisher in the right hands. Meets the latest Carrera regulations and is in excellent condition.

The car resides in Mexico and is ideal for Chihuahua Express and/or Carrera Panamericana 2012! (See photo below.) Contact info:
RMD Bvba, contact Marc Devis, Belgium, Tel: +32/ (0) 475 422790 Email: salesinfo@rmd.be

Coca-Cola Pan Am Buick – this is a replica of the ‘54 Buicks that ran in the original Pan Am. It is reported to be a good driver and easy to update for the Pan Am, Original Pan Am class. Located in Monterey, California. $24,000 USD/BO. Contact Steve Dole at cashblanket@gmail.com. Go to www.Bringatrailer.com for details about the car.

ISO Ride. Clyde Morter (Illinois) is looking for a ride as co-piloto in LCP 2012 and is willing to share some expenses. His brother, Guy, is also looking for a paid job as a tow truck driver or mechanic. Both have Pan Am experience. Call 815-338-0044 or Lakehart2@aol.com.

ISO Driver. Ray Stephens (Arizona) is looking for a funded driver for his Porsche 911 in this year’s Pan Am. Ray has participated twice in the Chihuahua Express but his driver could not make the Pan Am this year. A highly experienced navigator may be available, too. Call 949-375-1597 or email raystephensracing@yahoo.com.

Please note: My posting of these ads does not mean that I necessarily recommend any of these cars or individuals. Just because a car has raced in LCP before does not guarantee that it is properly equipped under today’s rules, is legal, properly prepared, or will be allowed to enter the event in a coming year. Buyer beware! I simply provide this page as a service to people who like to race in Mexico.

**LEGAL FINE PRINT

The views expressed in CARRERA NEWS are those of the author and may not (probably don’t) represent the views of the organizers of any event in Mexico. The author is a competitor in both of the main races featured, and any advice he offers may be considered to constitute a possible conflict of interest.

“Carrera” simply means “race” in Spanish, so this newsletter is about any form of auto sports in this country. It should be considered as a promotion or endorsement of any particular event.

All forms of motor sports are inherently dangerous, and road racing in Mexico is no exception. The Pan Am and the Chihuahua Express are long, hard endurance races at high speeds mostly along mountain roads. Mechanical failures are common, accidents not uncommon, and serious injury and even death are quite possible. Addiction to this type of racing is also a serious threat.

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 these events 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, U.S. number)

Mexican phone number +52-415-185-8470

Mailing Address in Mexico (FedEx, UPS only):

Prolong. La Quinta 5-A

Centro-Ojo de Agua

San Miguel de Allende