Results

Anyone else experiencing the Carrera hangover? And I wasn't even there. But it sure was nice to have a good night's sleep.

Dad and Shields got 2nd in the Original PanAm Class! Woohoo! The official results are not posted yet on the official website - get it together, already. But here are the results as I know them via Gary Faules:

Turismo Mayor:

Harri Rovanperä and Jouni Närhi #140
Michelle Jourdain and Miguel Angel Diez #131
Stephan Meyers and Albert Demey #116


Turismo de Producción:

Jorge Pedrero and Marco Antonio Hernandez #10
David Gussack and Nathaniel Mundy #88
Carlos Castillo and Carlos Antonio Ramierez #51


Sport Mayor:

Carlos Anaya Marquez and Javier Marin Caballero #207
de Thoisy Pierre and Rivard Daniel #214
Phillppe Vandromme and Frederic Vivier #215


Original Panamericana:

John Gregory and Chrislana Gregory #425
Carson Scheller and Shields
Tom Overbaugh and Michael Emery #426


Sport Menor:

Eduardo Henkel Rojas and Ricardo Puente #189
Bob Gett and Bob Paltrow #153
Pedro Pablo Garcia and Jeusep Tunet #196



Historic A+:

Martin Lauber and Conrad Stevenson #254
Enrique Nava and José Luis Pérez #261
Taz Harvey and Rudy Vajdak #267


Histoic A:

Robert Curry and Ricky Shaw #289
Emilio Velazquez and Rivera Gustavo Toledo Fuentes #256
Adolfo Guerra Talayero and Adolfo Guerra Perez #268


Historic B:

David Jassan and Rosas Verónica Morelos Zaragoza #330
Lars Kroiss and Martin Rettenbacher #302
Andres Gomez and Emilio Azcarraga #333


Historic C:

Tomas Lopez Rocha and Luis Vàzquez Lecanda #367
Carlos Martinez de Campos and Roberto Mendoza #359
John Nielsen and John Rogers #369

Dad and Shields stayed in Zacatecas until today, flew out this morning and will be home tomorrow morning. Because of the timing of the flights out of Z, they stayed an extra day and explored the city. They even toured an old silver mine in the middle of a mountain that is now a disco tech! Wilhelm and Alex from Alberta also stayed that extra day so they got to hang out with them.

As happens every year, Dad has spent quality time getting to know fellow racers and also meeting new ones. He reports that he is now buds with the Leningrad Cowboys and we are invited to go Helsinki, Finland and while we are there we can drive any of their collection of Cadillacs. Nice!

He also became buddies with the photographer - Dirk, I think? - who was following and documenting the Leningrad Cowboys (see his website here) and Dirk gave Dad a dvd of a ton of photos that he took of Dad, Shields and the Victoria. I can't wait to see them!!!

Here are some other awesome photos:

photo by Fransisco Ortiz

Great images from Sports Car Digest:

The FINISH

They made it! They are finished, ran great today, passed the final tech inspection (not every car has to go through, but they were given a slip to go do it) and now they are in CELEBRATION mode. I do wish I was there to celebrate because Zacatecas means:

THE DONKEY WALK!

Me with the donkey

The Donkey Walk is a blast! A band starts playing in the main square to call everyone together. Big, loud and lively. They have a donkey with a pack and on the pack are 2 very large jugs filled with a very potent liquor - I think either mezcal or polke. Everyone gets a shot glass on a ribbon to wear around your neck. It is the funnest experience ever!

I can't wait to see pictures. Yesterday they ran great and won the class. They got to run on Aguascalientes' Nascar track and they said it got a little wild but was fun.

Today they raced La Bufa and had a blast. Car running great and having a great time.

Dad called me when they got parked and settled in the main square in Zacatecas. Z is absolutely gorgeous and historic, complete with cobblestone roads. Dad reported that he had just bought a 6 pack of cervesas and was passing them out. Note: Dad doesn't drink, but he does like to encourage others to. Last year, since the alcohol in the jugs goes down like turpentine, Dad went into some little store and came out with a bottle of delicious tequila and started pouring for everyone. He was quite popular! The band winds up and down the cobblestone streets, stopping every now and then so people can dance and then continues on, eventually ending in the BEAUTIFUL bull ring where dinner and awards are presented. It feels like you are enjoying a scene that you only see in the movies. I'm so jealous that I'm not there to enjoy it this year. What is really neat and unique to this year is that tonight is the last night of the race. Usually, the night in Z is the 6th night of the race followed the next day by the long stretch to Nuevo Laredo. So this year they all really get to enjoy themselves and not have to be up at the crack of dawn to be ready to race. I'm sure a good time will be had by all!

!Viva la Carrera!

Action Shots

Photos by Pepe Cortes. I think they must have been yesterday?

Hittin' that apex

These downhills make me nervous!

Ricky & Bobby! Shake & bake, baby!

North American coordinator, Gerie Bledsoe

The Leningrad Cowboys! Who are they? Check them out here!

They're baaaaack!

They did it! Rico and Ramon* raced a good day, all day, every section AND made it to Guadalajara before dark!

AND

they won their class today!

There were only 2 Original PanAm cars that finished in the class today (the Gregorys are the other). That good ol' class is taking a beating this year.

I'm assuming that this is coming into Guadalajara, but I'm really not sure. No matter where it is, looking good! Photo by Kristin Stewart.

Waaaaay better race day to Guadalajara than where Dad and I ended up last year:

In case you were wondering - bad day. (last year!)

But today was good!

Here they are (left) getting waiting their turn for the autodromo (race track) this morning.

Word on the street is that they HAULED ASS on the autodromo. Squeeled tires and jumped curbs and put on a show. Todd Landon (Kristin's husband) commented to Dad, "I didn't know that ol' car could move that fast!"

*I don't know if I've ever explained Rico and Ramon - I really don't even know how they got those names but they stuck after their maiden voyage to La Carrera in 2007. They do fit them well.

Givin' it another go

on Day 5.

After not being able to get a high pressure hose on Sunday for the power steering, they were able to get one yesterday and get fixed. They are ready to race this morning!

Entering Tequila Territory today (the race too) and into Guadalajara this afternoon.

Shields and Dad after drivers meeting late last night. Good to see those smiles!

I think this is the Opel? German father/son team. A bit crispy.

John and Chrislana Gregory's Studebaker. They had a crash on Day 3(?) but were able to race yesterday.

Wilhelm and Alex's Chevy

The Governor's Palace in Morelia where they had the drivers meeting.

{photos courtesy of Alex Ostrop, car #365}

Hoping for good news today!!!

Driving me crazy or driving me to drink? {with update}

Both.

Today marks the halfway mark of the race. The list of wounded is growing but the battle must go on. The battered and bruised are giving it their best to put themselves back together through blood, sweat, tears and lots of cussing.

Dad and Shields spent all day yesterday looking for mechanics and a high pressure hose for the power steering fluid (one of those braided ones). Lots of frustration stemmed from the fact that it was Sunday...in Mexico...and trying to find anything proved very difficult. I don't even think they found a hose - what they said they needed was a store that carries hydraulic parts.

But they think they are put back together (somehow, I didn't press for many details, more cussing may have ensued).

When I talked to Dad they were sitting in a cafe in Queretaro watching the cars come in. Other bad news yesterday was about our friends, the Gregorys. No details at all other than they are fine - went off the road or crashed. Dad said he would call if the news was worse but he didn't call so I took that as a good sign.

A few photos of the Victoria:

Off to Morelia today and the famed Mil Cumbres. !Vaya con Dios a todos!

A great, detailed blog from Kristin Stewart: http://funksterwtf.blogspot.com/

Her husband has a team of mustangs and her Dad races too (he is "Geezer" in her writing)

Update: They did not start today. Because the shops were closed yesterday they did not get the hose but will get it today and get put back together with the goal of starting tomorrow. Dad says "there are a bunch of us struggling, crawling and clawing our way though, but we're sure gonna finish this thing." A group of them is like a Second Convoy and are sticking together.

The steering belt and this steering hose issue are coincidently unrelated.

Day 3. Morning.

Just got a text from Shields:

"Out of race today...couldn't fix steering leak...didn't even make it to the first race stage. At a roadside mechanic trying to fix (wait till you see the pics). I think your Dad's going to start drinking again!! :) "

The only thing I'm encouraged by is the smiley face that he put in. At least one of them still has their sense of humor!

Me in reply: "Leak from what?"

"High pressure (braided) hose from pump to steering...leak is in the middle of the hose too, very weird."

Someone is eating their Wheaties

A few mechanical issues on Day 2:

• Power steering and lack thereof.
• Exhaust leak.

The car threw the power steering belt...again...flashback to the 2008 Chihuahua Express and me running around villages on the way to Copper Canyon trying to buy various sizes of belts. Re-visit this chaos in this post. What is happening - and forgive me for my lack of sounding like a car professional - is that the pulleys that the power steering belt connects too have become slightly un-aligned. What this means:

large, heavy American-made 1954 car

+

no power steering

=

Dad has to eat LOTS of Wheaties.

Good thing Dad is a big guy because I'm sure he had to man-handle the Victoria. They finished the day and with no penalties, amazingly, but struggled. The story that I didn't tell in that '08 ChiX post is that after lunch at the Copper Canyon, going back down hill, Shields and Dad came upon a fast downhill run into a 5-right (5 is the rating for the tightest, sharpest turn). Bad news. Even with hard breaking and slowing the pace, the front left corner of the car had a personal encounter with the wall of stone.

Anyway - back to Day 2 reporting. They had to pull back on their pace. The good news - they still had a podium finish, coming in 3rd behind John in the white Corvette - who is apparently blazing a smokin' hot trail - and the Gregorys.

Dad and Shields said that once in Puebla, they had a really nice evening. The reception by the people of Puebla were very nice and courteous. They were parked in the plaza right next to a cafe and they got a table near the car and enjoyed some food and beverages (my guess: Dad had a pot of coffee and Shields had some beers).

Tom and the team worked on the car last night and hopefully fixed the belt issue but did not have time to get to the exhaust leak which is fine - would rather have steering. Hopefully those damn belts stay on!

Here is a photo that Gary Faules shared. Not sure who to give photo credit to but great job, man! This must have been in Tuxtla in the staging area. That's my best guess.

The route for today, Day 3, finishing on the track in Queretaro. Back on the track can be very entertaining, especially because driving into the sun at that time of the afternoon. Fingers crossed that all racers keep their cool.

In other news: I thought I was missing out on the "Carrera Diet" this year. Ha! Turns out you can lose your appetite no matter where you are, as long as the race is going on. Lucky me :)

Really worth watching:

Mats Hammarlund Racing is doing an excellent job putting together videos to report each day. Gary had been posting they on his blog so you can find others there. This video shows what is is like to go really fast. (Dad and Shields' feet do not peddle this fast. Close, though)

It's that time again!

La Carrera Panamericana 2010 is here!

Dad and the Victoria are back in action and Dad's trusty co-piloto this year is Shields Richardson. Dad and Shields successfully raced in 2007 and 2008, bringing home top honors in the Original Pan Am class.

Dad and Shields, Chihuahua Express 2008

Then I got to go last year and we had quite an adventure!

The Victoria, Dad and me - La Carrera 2009

What is this race, you ask? Well, let me tell you a little story here. You can read other posts about our experience last year. Also check in with Gary Faules at www.lacarrera2007.blogspot.com for the most up-to-date that any of us north of the border can get our hands on. He has great pictures, reports and videos.

They went down on Tuesday, went through tech on Wednesday and prequalifications yesterday in Tuxtla Gutierrez on a track. From the report from Dad, sounds like it was pretty wild. Some spin-outs, some mechanical issues and some wheels rolled away. The Victoria had an issue: a bolt came loose from a rotor and damaged the sensor for the in-car rally computer (Each car, well most actually, have rally computers on board for the co-piloto to use for measuring time and distance. Where this is most helpful is for the following the route book that measures everything in kilometers so you know exactly where you are in either the speed section (the hauling ass part) or the transit section (actually, still hauling ass)). Tom (the mechanic) had another sensor but it was for the Terratrip computers, not the one that is in our car. Sooo what that means: Shields has to go off of the kilometer marker signs that are usually on the sides of the road that the book sometimes tells you about. He's also going to use his GPS to help. A big accomplishment for Dad and Shields was figuring how to change the GPS from miles to kilometers.

Results from qualifications: The were sitting at the top of the cars in their class and about the middle of the pack overall (100ish cars entered total). This doesn't really mean much because 1) these qualifications were done on a track and not quite the same as racing out on the open road, 2) you really don't want to drive at your full capacity on this day - this is a 7 day marathon, not a sprint, 3) it would be shitty to crash on Day 0, 4) some people when 5 laps instead of 4 or even 3 laps - are you getting understanding the chaos yet?

Friday was Day 1 of racing. Beginning the day in Tuxtla Gutierrez and ending in the city of Oaxaca, they had a long 12 hour day in the car. See the map here.

Report from Rico (Dad) and Ramon(Shields) on Day 1:

Made is safely! Most important part. Car ran well. Overheated a a little - thought we had this figured out, obviously not. Roads very windy and not in great shape because of recent storms. Lots of cars on the side of the road, assuming with overheating issues - really high elevation and hot and humid. Our friends Brad and Derek, USC Trojans, in their beautiful yellow Lincoln, crashed very badly. See photos on Gary's blog. Word is that Derek is ok. He was transported to the hospital. Rough day on all teams. Car to Tom to try to figure out overheating problem and to re-jet. Results: First in class! Our good friends, the Gregorys, from Vancouver were 2nd in class and a beautiful white corvette 3rd in class. One day down, 6 to go.

Photos from Alex Ostrop (racing with his Dad Wilhelm). They are farmers from Canada.

First Place trophy

Looking at the camera: Shields, Dad, Alex

Not looking at camera: John and Chrislana Gregory and Stewart Robertson

Top of the podium!

*****UPDATE: Just got a call from Dad and more accurate results came in this morning. They DID NOT get first in class - they got a 1 minutes penalty (not sure from what) and are 2nd behind the Gregorys by only 30ish seconds. And that's ok!

On to Day 2 - to Puebla!

Mexico City

I'm going to go back to the beginning of the race trip to Mexico this past October, starting with our 2-day stay in Mexico City. Because I didn't put many photos in the blog during the race, I'm going to re-post the posts but with more photos and adding more stories. So here we go:

Arrived in Mexico City Friday 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 vogue. However, I felt like I was 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.

Paseo de la Reforma is 12 kms long running in a straight line cutting diagnally across the city. It has several large roundabouts with large monuments, one of the most famous is the Angel de la Independencia. She is bronze (originally gold, but that one fell down in the earthquake of 1957 which majorly rocked Mexico City). She represents Winged Victory, built in 1910 to celebrate the centennial of Mexico's Independence. The base contains the tombs of several key figures in Mexico's war of independence.

It has become a popular gathering place for both celebrations and protests. In the brief while that we were there we saw 3 different Quinceanera parties taking pictures.
Mom and Dad discussing the monument

The food was 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 goto Mex City to try it. The best part is that it was so big that I almost had to hold it with 2 hands!

The food was DELISH. We had to try the chiles rellenos and tortilla soup everywhere we went.

We stayed at the Four Seasons, right on Paseo de la Reforma. I'm sure it would normally cost a herd of donkeys to stay there, but since Mexico is trying to promote tourism Dad got a killer deal on the rooms. Only ended up costing one donkey. It was so nice and peaceful that we didn't mind spending time in the hotel, especially for a few meals.

This is looking down at the courtyard from our room

Dad and Mom enjoying some Mexican Coffee at the hotel

Outside of the hotel on the sidewalk on Reforma was an open air market with venders selling plants and flowers.

Dia de los Muertos was coming up so there were lots of merigolds for sale

On Sunday 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 Palacio National has been the official seat of the Mexican government ever since the Aztec empire was in power from 1325 to the year 1521. It sits on the Plaza de la Constitucion (the Zocalo). In addition to being the seat of the federal government, the National Palace Mexico City also houses the Federal Treasury, the National Archives and the president's offices.

The palace was built where Moctezuma's palace had stood. Like most of Mexico City, the floor level is still shifting and sinking, as seen in the above photo.

Although most sections of the building have been remodeled through the years, the murals of twentieth-century artist Diego Rivera remain in their original states. The murals were painted over a period of 25 years and depict various scenes from the history of Mexico as seen through Rivera's eyes.

The murals include the subjects of The Epic of the Mexican People, the life of the Aztec god Quetzalcóatl, the Market of Tlatelolco, the Arrival of Hernán Cortés in Veracruz, the Mexican Revolution and the mixing of the Spanish with the native.

This is the view from the patio of the Best Western Hotel Majestic,where we enjoyed lunch, on the Plaza de la Constitucion (the Zocalo) looking at the Catedral Metropolitana de la Asunción de María and the Palacio National. The cathedral is the largest and oldest cathedral in the Americas, built in sections from 1573 to 1813.

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.

We're off to Huatulco next. 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!