is the best feeling ever!
Day 7 into Nuevo Laredo was a good day of racing to end on. After the morning scramble to get the car running and brisk morning uphill sprint, the rest of the race day went very well considering the problems that had to be fixed. The car ran well, not 100% but maybe 90%. We had a lot of fun. Really long transit into Nuevo Laredo but well worth it.The 5 sections on the way to N. Laredo were very fast sections including the last 2 on a closed portion of a very nice toll road. Our top speed was 197 kms, 122.4 mph. Pretty good for the little Ford that was in a ditch 2 days prior!
The relief of pulling into N. Laredo was an extraordinary feeling. My eyes filled with tears as we drove through the streets lined with hundreds of cheering spectators. As we drove through the finish arch and received our medals around our necks, I couldn't help but be overcome with emotion, having overcome the odds.
I've heard it said many times and it is so true - anyone who finishes this race and crosses the finish line truly deserves a big congratulations. This ain't no Sunday drive to Grandma's!
Dinner and award ceremony was held at the cultural center in N. Laredo. A wild table of racers and 3 bottles of tequila later made for lots of laughs! We had the honor of sitting with the Fudges, Rick Shaw and Robert Curry (aka Ricky Bobby), Guillermo, Hayden and Charlie. Big congrats to Ricky (and) Bobby on winning Historic A in their yellow Porsche!
We got 2nd in our class by 23 seconds and 2nd overall to Chrislana and John Gregory in the blue and white Studebaker. Given our trials we are pretty darn stoked with that. We also got an award for having the prettiest car in class. I wonder if they voted for that before we crashed??
A fabulous ending to a wild, wild week.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Running for the Border
I don't want to talk about yesterday.
Fast forward to 6am this morning. More phone calls to find the ball joint that we need (ours broke when we crashed 2 days ago, among the other things).
7am. We find the part from Renee from Tumbaburros Racing. Renee is awesome!!! Part put in.
7:45 take off following taxi to get to starting arch. Stuck in traffic to get to arch. Ran up hill with car chip to get time card. 1 km at 8000 ft is not fun!
Just finished La Bufa and passed the two cars ahead of us. The old Vicky is feeling good again!
And my odometer is working again and that makes me a happy girl!
Fast forward to 6am this morning. More phone calls to find the ball joint that we need (ours broke when we crashed 2 days ago, among the other things).
7am. We find the part from Renee from Tumbaburros Racing. Renee is awesome!!! Part put in.
7:45 take off following taxi to get to starting arch. Stuck in traffic to get to arch. Ran up hill with car chip to get time card. 1 km at 8000 ft is not fun!
Just finished La Bufa and passed the two cars ahead of us. The old Vicky is feeling good again!
And my odometer is working again and that makes me a happy girl!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
On The Road Again!
After a very long night and early morning we are rockin' and rollin'! The crew is AWESOME!!!! Tom, Miguel, Leroy and Jose are miracle workers. We got into Guadalajara at 8 and after a beer or two and some tequila the guys got to work. The right front steering rod and spindle was twisted and we had to find a shop that had a torch to heat and bend it. At midnight Tom and Guillermo went to Paco's race shop with the part. Then we borrowed a heim joint from Stewart and Linda Robertson. Lots of other adjustments had to be done but the Vicky was ready to go this morning.
We're driving out of Guadalajara right now, sad we didn't see any mariachis but thrilled to be back in the race. We're taking it VERY easy today.
We're on a Sunday drive to arrive in Zacatecas for a big fiesta. Donkey Walk, here we come!!!
Good News and Bad News
So first the bad news. We crashed today. :( It was the last speed section into a concrete ditch (Mexico loves these concrete rain gutters on the sides of their roads instead of having shoulders). We came out of a right 1 into a quick left 2 with too much speed. Dad did a great job to save it but then lost it at the end. I'm not sure what happened because it all went so fast, but we either got our right front or hind tire a little off the non-existent shoulder and we launched into and over the 2 foot deep gutter/ditch. My side was in the sticker bushes but I was able to get out no problem and climb over the hood to get out of the way in case another car came up and had trouble also.
Needless to say that was not good for the suspension. Nor the steering. Brake line either. SO right now, 12 o'clock at night, we found a mechanic who has an acetylene torch nearby and is willing to heat and bend the torsion bar back straight.
As for the uncertain good news - there is a 90% chance that we will be racing in the morning!
Needless to say that was not good for the suspension. Nor the steering. Brake line either. SO right now, 12 o'clock at night, we found a mechanic who has an acetylene torch nearby and is willing to heat and bend the torsion bar back straight.
As for the uncertain good news - there is a 90% chance that we will be racing in the morning!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Day 4
My favorite racing day so far! We went up into the Sierra Gorda mountains and it was so beautiful. Some very twisty speed sections and I felt like an auctioneer because I was calling so many turns. I don't think I could ever be a navigator for a Turismo Mayor car because I can't even talk fast enough to call turns any faster!
Dad and I had fun today and had a good rhythm all day. The car was trying to overheat at the end of the day (still trying to figure that out) so we took it easy but still did well. Gary, we're wishing we brought that canvas water bag from home!
We got 2nd in class again but are still maintaining our over all lead in class.
Guadalajara tomorrow to drink some tequila!
Monday, October 26, 2009
Day 3
Another good day of racing. Because of the rain in Mex City, they cancelled the speed run on the big racetrack. Probably for the best because some people probably would've been out of control, but disappointing as well.
We did get to go around the track here in Queretero as the last speed section. It was fun and dad improved on his go last year - no spinning this time!
We came in 2nd in our class today to our good friends John and Chrislana Gregory from Vancouver (who mom and I stayed with on the way to the Weber Family reunion this last summer). We are happy to share the podium with them.
Off into more mountains today and then San Luis Potosi this afternoon.
We did get to go around the track here in Queretero as the last speed section. It was fun and dad improved on his go last year - no spinning this time!
We came in 2nd in our class today to our good friends John and Chrislana Gregory from Vancouver (who mom and I stayed with on the way to the Weber Family reunion this last summer). We are happy to share the podium with them.
Off into more mountains today and then San Luis Potosi this afternoon.
Sunday, October 25, 2009
More Pictures
Two of these photos are courtesy of Coop. And one is courtesy of Dirk Behlau.
(This is Lauren's friend Rachel blogging for her and I wasn't clear on which pictures were which.)
Oaxaca to Mexico City
Great racing day. It was foggy in the hills in the morning for the first few speed sections so we took it pretty easy because we couldn't see very far ahead. But once that lifted it was smooth sailing.
After the last speed section the town of Tehuacan threw the carristas a huge party in their town square. Now I know what it feels like to be a rock star! The people started greeting us and cheering a few miles out of town and then once we were in the downtown area the street was so full that all we could see in front of us was a sea of people. They had the cars parked around the square and when we came to a stop we couldn't even get out of the car! They were cheering and wanted autographs and to shake our hands and take pictures with us. It was crazy!!! We signed shirts, our postcards, people's hats, whatever they held up. It was an amazing feeling to see the excitement on all the kids' faces.
Long (300 km) transit into Mex City. Dad was so exhausted (and has a cold) that I drove for the long easy freeway stretches while he took a nap. The Mexican police gave us an excellent escort into the city and we convoyed to the arch. It was pouring by the time we got to the arch but fortunately it was close to the hotel.
Results: we won our class again! So I got to stand at the top of the podium for the second night. Very cool.
We go around the race track a few times this morning and then off to Queretaro.
After the last speed section the town of Tehuacan threw the carristas a huge party in their town square. Now I know what it feels like to be a rock star! The people started greeting us and cheering a few miles out of town and then once we were in the downtown area the street was so full that all we could see in front of us was a sea of people. They had the cars parked around the square and when we came to a stop we couldn't even get out of the car! They were cheering and wanted autographs and to shake our hands and take pictures with us. It was crazy!!! We signed shirts, our postcards, people's hats, whatever they held up. It was an amazing feeling to see the excitement on all the kids' faces.
Long (300 km) transit into Mex City. Dad was so exhausted (and has a cold) that I drove for the long easy freeway stretches while he took a nap. The Mexican police gave us an excellent escort into the city and we convoyed to the arch. It was pouring by the time we got to the arch but fortunately it was close to the hotel.
Results: we won our class again! So I got to stand at the top of the podium for the second night. Very cool.
We go around the race track a few times this morning and then off to Queretaro.
Saturday, October 24, 2009
Day 1
We have survived the first day!
Aside from being really REALLY hot, especially when we were strapped in with helmet on with sweat dripping down my nose, we had a good day. Starting at sea level and traveling up to 5500 feet put some strain on cars and drivers. Both our water and oil temps were pegged after the first transit and we had to do a survival pull over after the first speed section to add water. But then we were off and ran the rest of the day with our eyes on the gauges.
The route today was one twisty son of a gun! Even the transits were nonstop left and rights. It was really fun in the speed sections in the series of turns, almost like snow skiing.
Just got back from the driver's meeting that started at 8:30pm Mexican time which means 10:00pm.
And the best news of the day...we were the fastest in our class today! We got to stand on the winner's podeum with our trophies.
Early start tomorrow, have to be at the arch at 6:30. Boo. And then onto Mexico City!
Aside from being really REALLY hot, especially when we were strapped in with helmet on with sweat dripping down my nose, we had a good day. Starting at sea level and traveling up to 5500 feet put some strain on cars and drivers. Both our water and oil temps were pegged after the first transit and we had to do a survival pull over after the first speed section to add water. But then we were off and ran the rest of the day with our eyes on the gauges.
The route today was one twisty son of a gun! Even the transits were nonstop left and rights. It was really fun in the speed sections in the series of turns, almost like snow skiing.
Just got back from the driver's meeting that started at 8:30pm Mexican time which means 10:00pm.
And the best news of the day...we were the fastest in our class today! We got to stand on the winner's podeum with our trophies.
Early start tomorrow, have to be at the arch at 6:30. Boo. And then onto Mexico City!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Prequalifications
PreQuals went really well for us today. It was a fun little section about 7 km long. It is very jungle-y here so it was very beautiful driving through the lushness* (I'm really not supposed to be looking up at the scenery very much but occasionally I get a glance ;) )
The theory behind the prequalifications is that you are only supposed to drive about 70 percent of your capabilities (and your car's capability as well). The times from today mean nothing, other than determining a starting order for tomorrow. Lots of accidents happen on prequal day and first day of the race. Drivers get amped up, some may not be totally used to their car, many things can happen. So we didn't really push very hard but we still did well.
We are at 25th, 35 seconds faster than any other Orig Pan Am car.
77 cars completed the qual run today; 102 cars total entered in the race; 5 accidents; 2 people in the hospital but we don't know who.
I am excited for tomorrow and looking forward to getting in that racing rhythm. We leave Huatulco at 9 and will be in Oaxaca tomorrow afternoon.
The theory behind the prequalifications is that you are only supposed to drive about 70 percent of your capabilities (and your car's capability as well). The times from today mean nothing, other than determining a starting order for tomorrow. Lots of accidents happen on prequal day and first day of the race. Drivers get amped up, some may not be totally used to their car, many things can happen. So we didn't really push very hard but we still did well.
We are at 25th, 35 seconds faster than any other Orig Pan Am car.
77 cars completed the qual run today; 102 cars total entered in the race; 5 accidents; 2 people in the hospital but we don't know who.
I am excited for tomorrow and looking forward to getting in that racing rhythm. We leave Huatulco at 9 and will be in Oaxaca tomorrow afternoon.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Preclassification Day
This afternoon we run a 7.7 km section to determine the starting order for the start of the race tomorrow. This stage is not mandatory, however, cars that don't attend the classification will start behind the last classified car of their class. They really emphasize taking it easy for this run because so many people get too amped up and drive crazy and crash on the classification run and first day of the race. They said last night that of all the accidents, 70% happen on the first day.
So our plan is to take it pretty easy and get in our rhythm.
We just got back from going out on the designated section for this afternoon. We did a test run (not racing; staying on our lane of course). It is a beautiful stretch and very rhythmic.
So our plan is to take it pretty easy and get in our rhythm.
We just got back from going out on the designated section for this afternoon. We did a test run (not racing; staying on our lane of course). It is a beautiful stretch and very rhythmic.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Beach paradise
Hello humidity! Huatulco is beautiful but has been warm and very humid. However, I feel like we are in tropical paradise. The coast is gorgeous, the water is warm and the beaches are fabulous. Oh yeah, and the cars are pretty awesome too!
We went through tech yesterday and passed no problem. They do a very rigorous check of the car and equiopment. They make sure the car and any modifications are legal for the class, the roll cage is up to snuff, the fire and safety equipment is acceptable, the lights work, and every safety precaution in taken. They make sure your helmets are up to date and that the driving suits are accepted. They look at many details (that I probably didn`t notice, like the engine stuff) but we passed no problem. Other cars had a few issues. Friends of ours had to add two extra bars to the roll cage; a porsche had to change out their windshield (plastic windshields are not allowed, only glass) so they had to fly a windshield down from California; some illegal tires; probably other things that I have not heard of.
Tonight I have a co-piloto meeting and then we have a cocktail party to attend.
Dad and Tom hired a boat to take them fishing this morning and they caught 2 fish that they don`t know what kinds, something with red meat.
Ate crickets yesterday, a favorite here in the state of Oaxaca. They were actually pretty tasty!
Time running out on this computer, more later!
We went through tech yesterday and passed no problem. They do a very rigorous check of the car and equiopment. They make sure the car and any modifications are legal for the class, the roll cage is up to snuff, the fire and safety equipment is acceptable, the lights work, and every safety precaution in taken. They make sure your helmets are up to date and that the driving suits are accepted. They look at many details (that I probably didn`t notice, like the engine stuff) but we passed no problem. Other cars had a few issues. Friends of ours had to add two extra bars to the roll cage; a porsche had to change out their windshield (plastic windshields are not allowed, only glass) so they had to fly a windshield down from California; some illegal tires; probably other things that I have not heard of.
Tonight I have a co-piloto meeting and then we have a cocktail party to attend.
Dad and Tom hired a boat to take them fishing this morning and they caught 2 fish that they don`t know what kinds, something with red meat.
Ate crickets yesterday, a favorite here in the state of Oaxaca. They were actually pretty tasty!
Time running out on this computer, more later!
Saturday, October 17, 2009
The Sinking City
Arrived in Mexico City yesterday afternoon. What a beautiful city! I may not have said that a few months ago when H1N1 was the hot topic and breathing masks were en voge. However, I feel like I am in Europe. It is a very large city with 8.8 million inhabitants. We are staying in the business district right on Paseo de la Reforma, a broad, tree-lined, monument studded, 6-8 laned boulevard fashioned after the Champs Elysees in Paris.
The food has been FABULOUS. Last night we dined at Villa Maria in the Polenco district (hip, nice neighborhood). Had a phenomenal margarita - Margarita Tamarindo. I don't even know how to describe the taste, you will just have to come to Mex City to try it. The best part is that it was so big that I had to hold it with 2 hands!
Today we had a great tour of the historic (well, one of the historic parts) part of town to see the Government Palace, the zocolo (town square) and the cathedral. The Government Palace is home to beautiful murals by Diego Rivera depicting Mexico's complex history and colorful people. We were very moved by the stories of the paintings and details that Rivera painted are amazing. The Cathedral is beautiful, emphazing the Mexican people's devotion to the Virgen de Guadalupe.
What is really interesting about this city is that most of it is sinking. It is said that the city sinks approximately 6 inches per year! It is really noticible on some streets where the sidewalks are 20 feet below street level. We felt the slant when we were walking from one side of the cathedral to the other and some doors and doorways are very crooked. More on the sinking later...
What is really interesting about this city is that most of it is sinking. It is said that the city sinks approximately 6 inches per year! It is really noticible on some streets where the sidewalks are 20 feet below street level. We felt the slant when we were walking from one side of the cathedral to the other and some doors and doorways are very crooked. More on the sinking later...
I decided not to bring my computer along for the sake of simplicity. Lugging a laptop in and out of a racecar didn't really sound like fun, one more added stress that I want to avoid. So unfortunately I won't be able to upload any photos during the trip. I have already been snapping away but you will have to wait until we return for that visual smorgasbord. Sorry :(
We're off to Huatulco tomorrow. We're in for a major temperature change. It has been 70 and cloudy here in Mex City and it will be 92 with 60 percent humidity. At least we will be at the beach!
Friday, October 16, 2009
Swimming with sharks, running with the bulls...
and racing in Mexico! Not for the faint of heart.
We are at it again. Dad and I are in another car race, this time the grand La Carrera Panamericana. The BIG one. This is the event that Dad has raced the last 2 years but it will be my first time navigating this historic race.
Mom gets to come along this time (yay!). We are leaving tomorrow morning, flying into Mexico City for a two night stay and then on to Huatulco on Monday. The race doesn't start until Friday so we'll have a little time to enjoy the town and the beach until tech and the real craziness starts. The race starts Friday and then we're off to Oaxaca.
The car is en route. Tom and his 7's Only Racing Crew left Buttonwillow, CA last Sunday. We got news that they crossed the border yesterday and are on their way south (Thank God that this crossing was much smoother than the last crossing in March for the Chihuahua Express. If you missed that adventure, read posts from April to relive the frustration). Tom has 2 transport rigs going down and we will meet him in Huatulco for an ice cold cerveza.
The La Carrera Panamericana was started in 1950 to celebrate the opening of the Pan American Highway, stretching from Guatemala to Canada. The race was stopped in 1954 because of the hazardous nature of the event, causing fatalities to both drivers and bystanders.
In the glorious 80s the race ran again! With stringent safety requirements and regulations, the La Carrera Panamericana Spirit lived again. This year celebrates the 22nd anniversary of the modern Carrera. We will be driving on the nice, paved public highways (don't be confused, this is NOT like the Baja 1000, our goal is to not end up in any dirt).
This year we start in the beach town of Huatulco. After 7 days of hard driving and 8 cities later, we will arrive at the finish in Nuevo Laredo at the Texas border on October 29th.
The last 2 years Dad and his other co-piloto, Shields, won their class (Original PanAm). So I feel like I have a lot to live up to! However, if we make it across the finish line everyday, I will consider ourselves winners. Don't get me wrong - I'm still VERY competitive!
Here is the race route covering about 3000 kms:
I will update as often as possible so stay tuned!
Other sites to follow:
The official La Carrera Panamericana website: http://lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx/ (click on the American flag for English)
Our good friend and fellow racer - Gary's blog: http://lacarrera2007.blogspot.com/
We are at it again. Dad and I are in another car race, this time the grand La Carrera Panamericana. The BIG one. This is the event that Dad has raced the last 2 years but it will be my first time navigating this historic race.
Mom gets to come along this time (yay!). We are leaving tomorrow morning, flying into Mexico City for a two night stay and then on to Huatulco on Monday. The race doesn't start until Friday so we'll have a little time to enjoy the town and the beach until tech and the real craziness starts. The race starts Friday and then we're off to Oaxaca.
The car is en route. Tom and his 7's Only Racing Crew left Buttonwillow, CA last Sunday. We got news that they crossed the border yesterday and are on their way south (Thank God that this crossing was much smoother than the last crossing in March for the Chihuahua Express. If you missed that adventure, read posts from April to relive the frustration). Tom has 2 transport rigs going down and we will meet him in Huatulco for an ice cold cerveza.
The La Carrera Panamericana was started in 1950 to celebrate the opening of the Pan American Highway, stretching from Guatemala to Canada. The race was stopped in 1954 because of the hazardous nature of the event, causing fatalities to both drivers and bystanders.
In the glorious 80s the race ran again! With stringent safety requirements and regulations, the La Carrera Panamericana Spirit lived again. This year celebrates the 22nd anniversary of the modern Carrera. We will be driving on the nice, paved public highways (don't be confused, this is NOT like the Baja 1000, our goal is to not end up in any dirt).
This year we start in the beach town of Huatulco. After 7 days of hard driving and 8 cities later, we will arrive at the finish in Nuevo Laredo at the Texas border on October 29th.
The last 2 years Dad and his other co-piloto, Shields, won their class (Original PanAm). So I feel like I have a lot to live up to! However, if we make it across the finish line everyday, I will consider ourselves winners. Don't get me wrong - I'm still VERY competitive!
Here is the race route covering about 3000 kms:
I will update as often as possible so stay tuned!Other sites to follow:
The official La Carrera Panamericana website: http://lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx/ (click on the American flag for English)
Our good friend and fellow racer - Gary's blog: http://lacarrera2007.blogspot.com/
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