How is it that all week we anxiously await Day 7's arrival and then when it gets here we think, "Where did the time go?" It is a huge weight off our shoulders to have only the final leg of this marathon to run and then it will be time to celebrate.
Enjoying the some beautiful countryside, at high speeds
We had a short speed section out of San Luis Potosi and then a long (187 km) transit to the next section. This next section is up into the hills out of Aguascalientes, stopping for a short break (servicio) and then running the same section back down the hill and then transitting into Zacatecas for the famed La Bufa. The service between the two speed sections was a little surreal for all. It was in a dusty little town a long ways from anywhere (really, we found a lot of those kinds of places) and pilotos and copilotos congregated in the shade of a brightly colored little restaurant. A group of us - the Gregorys, Robertsons, CJ Strupp and Adrian and Paul of the infamously-crashed-but-resurrected-Studebaker sat on the curb reminiscing and telling stories of the week. Conversation bounced around from the crashes, the man who jumped out the plane to break records and the sound barrier, how Linda and Stewart met (in an airport and he had no wheels on his luggage) to beef. It was really nice to just sit in the shade with some of our closest friends. One could sense the feeling of being completely exhausted but also at ease because we were just 3 speed sections away from the finish.
At the last servicio before La Bufa
We ran La Bufa excellently. I had in-car video from last year to review and to make notes for dad for when to tell him to gas it out of a turn if he had a straight coming up and where the tricky intersections were. La Bufa would have been a lot more fun had the pavement been in better shape, but we still ran really well down and back.
What a feeling of relief to be finished! We still needed to transit the 2.5 kms into town to the finish arch but WOOHOO! We did it!
We loosened our belts and saw Jack Rogers and CJ Strupp pulled over in their Mustang. We pulled up beside them and they told us they blew their engine on the last run. Our first thought was to give them a two to the arch but then Dad remembered that we could be penalized and even eliminated for towing a competitor. So, unfortunately we couldn't give them a ride but they were able to coast down hill and get a push to the arch.
What an incredible feeling of accomplishment! No matter if your car is running perfectly or if you have had mechanical gremlins, this race is is grueling and not for the feint of heart. as we waited in line to cross under the finish arch, a million memories of the week went flashing through my mind.
We left the GoPro running as we went through the finish. It is my favorite clip of the whole race because it shows many cameos of good friends and the celebrations that are starting.
Holy smokes. Are we in Zacatecas yet? I´m sorry for no post yesterday because of computer malfunctions but we made it all day to Guanajuato, through the tunnels, off this morning all around the countryside on some great sections that were really fun and we are now in San Luis Potosi. One more day and off to Zacatecas tomorrow.
I can barely form complete sentences, my thoughts are coming out rated in numbers (right 2, left 3...), my boogers are black and even though I´ve taken a shower I still smell exhaust. However, the last 6 days have been a blur. We´ve been in 7 different cities, almost to 3000 kilometers and have been in more Pemexes (Mexican gas stations) than most Mexicans will in one year.
The car is still running strong. Here's what happened yesterday:
Made it to Guanuajuato! I{m having a really hard time with this old ghetto computer in our hotel so I´ll recap yesterday here. Leaving Morelia yesterday morning to run Mil Cumbres again we heard an awful clanking in the motor after the first stage. We still had power but a major hunk of metal was rattling - turns out it was the harmonic balancer (I call it the harmonica) that had come loose. It he
lps to keep the motor balanced and is attached the the crank shaft at the front of the engine. Where it was it could have damaged the water pump and or pulleys. So we couldn{t do anything there so we conservatively ran the next three sections before a 200 km transit to servicio. We knew Steve Strupp would be waiting at a toll booth to make sure we went by so we found him and Steve and Greg got to work with a cutting saw and just cut the damn thing off. We don´t need no stinkin´ harmonica! Here we were on the side of the freeway and they were set up with there generator and went to town. The ring is a think 6ïsh inch diameter piece of metal and wtih two cuts they had it off and off we went! Had to haul ass to make it to servicio with no penalties but we made it and ran great the rest of the afternoon. Then...the dreaded tunnels...but we conquered the labrynth! Made it into to the beautiful town of Guanajuato with minimal stress, did not get lost AND...were 2nd in class! Off to San Luis Potosi today. Car running well. We´re taking it easy, just need to make it to Zacatecas. All is well and we´re having a great time!
Today was great too. We had some really fun runs and made up some time on the Dutch Porsche. We were second on the podium tonight but only by a few seconds! We have become friendly with the Dutch guys and they are so proper and opposite of us but really a lot of fun. Gys is an incredible driver and I can´t wait to see their in-car video to see how smoothly he drives.
Seems everyone is very happy to almost be to Zacatecas. We end the day with the big run on the famous section called La Bufa. We will be taking it easy. Looking forward to seeing that donkey in Zacatecas!
You know what sucks more than loosing your phone in the states? Loosing your phone in Mexico. Yep, shit happens but fortunately worse things can happen and have happened this week. Wait, have we been going a week? I had to ask Mom on the phone today what day it was. I know it´s day 4 and we´re in Morelia but that´s about it! Lost the phone getting out of the car to ask directions to hotel tonight. Super bummed but oh well! Onward. So what that means for all of you trusty followers is that I won´t be able to post any real-time photos the rest of the week.
The great news today is that we were again 2nd in our class! Today´s sections were my favorite of the whole La Carrera and Morelia is my favorite city. The first two stages before servicio were really fast and our time smoked the Finnish porsche (with F1 driver Gijs Van Lennep behind the wheel and Albert Westermann navigating) on the long straits but he had us beat in the twisty sections. Today was the famous Mil Cumbres (1000 turns) and full of turns it is! I don´t know how the faster cars´ navigators keep up because I can barely call the turns fast enough. The Mil Cumbres contains 3 speed sections (I guess the middle one is officially Mil Cumbres at 19ish kms) and they are each twisty and long. We got the GoPro camera in the car today and hopefully got all of the day´s sections and I can´t wait to share!
In the longest section we lost power steering...again...but Dad muscled through the rest of the section and I could barely tell we had even lost it. When he told me he felt the belt pop off I may have spilled some explatives but then 4 turns later had to ask him if he really lost it because he was driving like a champ. The places where it was the toughest for him was in the 3s but we just slid around them to compensate. It was a blast! Video will be fun, especially my audio.
After that section we still had one more section to go, just as windy, so as soon as we pulled through C to get our time, we pulled over and did our Mexican fire drill that we perfected yesterday and I think we even shaved a few seconds off. We both jumped out, I pulled the clamps on the right side, ran around to the back to open the trunk, dad grabbed the spare belt, opened the hood, I jumped in the driver´s seat, threw it in neutral, hit the starter button to just make it barely crank over to turn the power steering pulleys and the belt fell right into place. Car back in gear so we wouldn´t roll down the hill, Dad closes hood and latches, I close trunk and we both dive back and haul ass to the next section and made it in plenty of time. We´re getting good at this! Not that this should be regular practice. They are working on this issue tonight and we should be set tomorrow.
We run Mil Cumbres backwards tomorrow and it will be another fun time.
There were a few casualties (car) today. In the first section Gerie Bledsoe lost his brakes going into a right 3 and ended up over a small wall that the villagers has recently repaired. He is out for the rest of the race and had to pay 350 pesos to have the wall fixed. A porsche totalled in the same section. There were a few other minor bumps and scrapes but no injuries.
We all celebrated with some tequila once we made it through the finishing arch and are ready for tomorrow...and the horrid tunnels of Guanajuato. I am determined to have no issues with the tunnels this year.
Also, for more updates, see Kristin Stewart´s http://funksterwtf.blogspot.mx/. Her dad (Geezer) and brother Vance III (Stewie) are racing and we´re usually right around the same order as them and we have a great time. We all helped kill a bottle of tequila upon arrival tonight...
Today was the day all cars (ok, most cars, some still have mechanical problems or hasn't yet passed tech) run a specified speed stage for a time. The time which we receive is to order is for tomorrow - fastest first. Now this is tricky. You don't want to run real race speed because you don't want to risk error or crash, but you don't want to loligag because you want a good starting order. After pre-running yesterday, we felt confident in our notes and the short, fast stage. We don't see the results immediately, only know what your own time is and can visit with your friends to compare times. Turns out we qualified the fastest in our class (Original Pan Am). Now, this does not mean anything other than we are very happy with our starting place overall for the morning - 37th out of 111. It is better to run on the front of the pack rather than the back because usually the faster cars know and follow the rules. The back of the pack tends to be a logistical, chaotic nightmare. So we are happy.
Dad got the carburetor re-jetted and we are ready to leave sea level in the morning ad head to Oaxaca which I think I remember being 5000-6000 feet.
Here are some shots from today:
You know what I just realized, it looks like all we are doing is partying. Well, work hard play hard and tomorrow gets extra serious (as serious as we can be in an old Ford with a rooster horn).
Today was long but I feel like I don't have much to share about it. Our goal today was to pre-run tomorrow's prequalification section and that we did. Unlike when the race started in Hualtulco, the pre-qual stage is an hour out of Veracruz. We were spoiled in Huatulco because it was a short 5ish kilometers from town. Three of us cars went out together - Hayden and Charlie, Christian and Dan and us - escorted by Guillermo and the rest of Team 476. Needless to say we had an exciting outing. First we all calibrated the rally computers in the cars (some people have Terratrips, we have an old trusty Timewise but some people don't have any computers to use and solely rely on the book or gps). Once we got to the section for tomorrow we each ran it several times and took notes. It is only 6 kms long and will be a fast, easy section. It was nice to get the car out and see that she was running well.
This afternoon we had a 3 hour co-piloto meeting (yes, way too long) but a good refresher of the timing, penalties, rules and time card. Then Dad had a driver meeting so we weren't out of meetings until after 9 tonight. Time for some shut eye and up early for prequalification tomorrow.
I'm sorry this blogger app on my phone won't let me put captions to the photos but what we have here is a donkey that wanted to join us, the 433 by the breach before calibrating the computer and a few shots from the co-piloto's meeting.
We made it safely into Veracruz last night. It was fun to see our amigos at the DFW airport - the Gregorys and Robertsons from Vancouver, Paul and Sue Wendt from New York and a surprise arrival from Hayden Groendyke and Charlie Samples from Oklahoma.
Tech inspection opened this morning at 10 and we were #22 in line to start registration. I am really impressed with this year's registration and tech process - I keep thinking, is this really La Carrera? It's so organized! The cars are parked in organized, personalized spots in the Convention center of the World Trade Center. Unlike any staging area in years past - we are in a clean building, in air conditioning, organized and with bathrooms with toilet paper and soap! Quite the royal treatment.
The first step of tech/registration is showing your ID and receiving our race ID, paying for our Mexican rally license, passing a health inspection and then getting the car through a stringent technical inspection. They look at our suits, shoes, helmets, Haans devices ( neck protection) and gloves. Then they check turn signals, headlights, brake lights, roll cage (in a few tense moments we almost had to modify the over head bars on the roll cage but upon further inspection were allowed to pass), seatbelts, seats, fire suppression system, fuel cell, tires and wheels, carburetor size (600 cfm), weigh the car and then finally put all sponsor sticker, official number and the all-important green OK sticker.
Ok, game time: whoever guesses closest to how much the car weighs, you win a La Carrera gift!
What a relief to get through the with no issues. You never know how the inspecters will interpret the rules or if they will institute a new rule without anyone knowing. Only 35 cars went through tech today and 13 of them had issues to correct - mostly additions to roll cages or fire suppression system.
We were finished by 1:30 and ventured to find a much-needed cerveza and lunch. We met Guillermo, Hayden, Charlie and the rest of Team 476 -Jason, Keith and Dustin (usa476.com) at the Hotel Beach Club. Dad and I loaded in the hotel's safari-mobile (didn't get a photo but will try mañana!) and headed to the beach. Lunch was a fabulous main course of tequila and Modela with side dishes of shrimp and fish ceviche.
After some good laughs we all piled back into the safari chariot and back to the hotel were a mission to find cigars and espresso ensued.
The good Americans were are all packed into a hotel room and watched the debate intently and once we were sufficiently fired up, headed to the best Italian dinner in all of Veracruz.
Plans for tomorrow are to take the car out to stretch her legs and pre-run the pre qualification stage and to calibrate the terratrip (the computer system in the car that I use to track distance). Then we are touring the old part of town.
Unfortunately the Carrera claimed more cars today. There were 6 very bad accidents, 5 of them in the same spot on top of each other. The good news is that there are only minor injuries, a true testament to the stringent safety requirements and well-built cars. My friend Pepe is one of the press for the race and has some incredible photos and below is one of them.
Besides that bad news - we also have good news. We were second in our class today! Because of the crashes in the morning the first two stages were cancelled but we ran very well in the 4 other stages. Here is a photo of us on the podium tonight. Have I mentioned we are running second to an ex-Formula One driver? Not too shabby!
We set a world record in the Ford today - 203 kilometers per hour! That's almost 125. It was a long straight away, we don't have many of those, and dad got her going. Not bad for an old Y block engine. We had fun even though that speed doesn't even come close to the faster classes.
And then, when dad lifted after the stage, the damn power steering belt popped off again! But this time we were prepared. We pulled over, worked as fast as a NASCAR pit stop and ha it back on in 30 seconds flat. Then we jumped back in the car and made it to the next section on time. It's almost like we practiced!
To my favorite sections tomorrow - Mil Cumbres - and into Morelia, my favorite spot we go to. Hasta mañana!
Two days down, many miles to go! I'm not even sure where to start about today but it had it's highs and lows. The first two stages out of Oaxaca were really fun but it was a bit of an eerie feeling driving by the spot where we blew our motor last year (bent a push rod to be exact). The same spot where Todd Landon and Kristin Stewart picked us up. The same stage David Buchanan and Raffi blew their motor in their Orig Pan Am Chrysler.
And then today, in the exact stage, Hayden and Charlie crashed the Caddy. They were running really well - in the top 5 - and came in too hot to a series of 3s. They are both ok but the car went permanently on the trailer. I'm sure Charlie will have videos and photos posted soon, if not already, to usa476.com. They will be missed the rest of the week.
And then the rest of the day went mostly well. We were running great until we lost power steering in the middle of the third to last section of the day. We lumbered through the last rest of the section (downhill 3s and 4s are not fun in a 4000 pound hunk of metal) and as soon as we crossed the checkered we pulled over and popped the hood. The belt was still there! So we rushed the tools out of the trunk (we had another stage to get to!) and with a few Mexicans in this small village looking on wide-eyed and with some cussing, dad got the belt back on and we took off in a cloud of dust.
Then, once we caught up to the next section about 15 kms away, we made a grand entrance. We had to get the time card and chip checked in but we missed the control stop (this is highly frowned upon) because we couldn't see the little yellow control sign on the left side of the road. Instead we went straight into the A area where you are supposed to be belted in, helmets on and ready for the green flag for the speed section. This is against the rules and major penalties could be given. Realizing our mistake, dad hit the breaks, I jumped out of the car, helmet and Haans still on, and ran back to the Control stop.
Out of breath at 6,000 feet, I apologized profusely to the official and explained we didn't see the sign. In broken English he replied, "That is because you ran it over."
I had to apologize some more and then we were in our way. At least with power steering.
Then we went into the town of Tehuacan. This town really throws a grant party for the Carristas. We have stopped in before but this was bigger than ever before. You will see from the photos how packed it was. In order to not be mobbed, I sat on the roof of the car to hand out our cards and to sign autographs. The support from the Mexican people is really overwhelming and wonderful. See the photos and videos of what crazytown it was. I soaked up my 30 minutes of fame. When else are people going to want my autograph, to sign their shirts and to take photos with them? And yes, they are all shocked at how tall I am.
As for placings: our time card and chip readings got messed up today so I had to file an official protest. Unfortunately we were not on the podium tonight but unofficially ran 2nd in our class. Hopefully it will be fixed tomorrow.
A few minor other accidents today but fortunately nothing like yesterday's fatality. Hold your loved ones close and enjoy every minute with them.
Today we have some really good news and some really bad news. Getting it over with, I will start with the bad news.
We are receiving conflicting reports about a very bad accident that happened in the 2nd stage today. We've heard a fatality but I also heard tonight news to the contrary. Please keep these racers in your prayers.
On the uplifting side, Dad and I ran really well today. It was a really long day from Veracruz at sea level to 6000 feet to Oaxaca tonight. 12 hours in the car. The car is running really well and we had fun getting into the driver/navigator groove. Drum roll please...we won our class for the day! As is usual, there are always tense minutes in the car but we had a very good time. However, it was a long day and we are both pooped. It's hard to believe we have 6 more days of this.
Dad is coming down with a cold so I got him some meds and hopefully e'll be feeling better.
Comic relief for the day: we were moving pretty well in a straight in a speed stage and the route called noted a dip in the middle of this long straight (little less than a 1 km straight). Usually a "dip" in a speed section isn't a huge deal unless it's in a turn or spot that throws the car off its line. So Dad didn't slow for it and we hit the dip pretty hard and the old metal cover on the dash of where radio speakers would have been came flying off! Luckily I was able to grab it quickly and put it under by route book and co to use to call turns.
Enjoy some photos from today. This app makes me crazy because it won't let me change their order but oh well. Up in 6 hours to do it all over again!
It's that time! Back to Old Mexico for the historic and exciting La Carrera Panamericana. Dad and I head south tomorrow to Veracruz to meet our racing friends, have the cars tech-ed on Tuesday and Wednesday, do pre-qualification on Thursday and put the petal to the metal on Friday. 7 days and 7 different cities to the finish in Zacatecas.
Here is our "hero card" for this year. Each team has these cards made up to hand out at the stops. The people love them! They go crazy for un autografia and a copy of each car's card. You just have to soak it up because were else can you be treated like such a rock star?!
Yes, I'm a bad blogger and never finished blogging the race last year. It had something to do with a city that shall remain nameless (Guanajuato) and had to do with dark tunnels, traffic, over-heating and tears. Lots of cuss words too, but I've blocked the majority out of my memory because we go there again this year and we are going to kick Guanajuato's ass* and have no problems with the tunnels and have a shot of tequila to mock that heinous labyrinth. However - I will do my best to be a better blogger this year.
Despite our challenges last year, we stuck with it and were 2nd in our class. It is an honor to end up on the podium, let alone finish the race.
This will be Dad's 6th time racing the La Carrera and my 3rd navigating for him. We again are in the ol' gal - 1954 Ford Victoria. We race in the Original Pan Am class which includes cars from 1940-1954 that could have originally run in the early days of the race. There are, of course, other classes and more modern cars but nothing newer than 1970. I like to think we have the most fun in the Original class. We don't go nearly as fast as say Turismo Mayor, Turismo Produccion, Sport Menor/Mayor, Historic A/B/C or Exhibicion (ok, I just named all the other classes) but we certainly hold our own. The key is consistency and accuracy. Check out the competitor list. Dad wins for best profile photo. It lists the various classes and we're down at car 433 with the other Orig Pan Am cars. It is exciting to have 7 cars in our class this year. Prayers that all of them finish!
What the heck this event? It is a legendary 7 day road race across Mexico. Read history about the race {aqui}. Racers and cars come from across the globe to compete in this adventure. Teams include Mexicans, Americans, Canadians, Spanish, Fins, Germans and other various Europeans. The racers are as colorful as their hot rods. This year is the 25th Anniversary of the modern race. I'm looking forward to the special hoopla they have in store.
How does one prepare for something like this? Not quickly or on a whim. A sound warrior-of-a-car is key and Dad has astutely tuned our ’54 Ford Victoria. A sound car is the most important part to finishing this race. Oh yeah – “finishing” is the goal. Sounds like cake but any veteran of the La Carrera will testify otherwise. Certainly if you’ve followed us on these adventures you’ve seen some of the trials and tribulations. Anything can happen and it takes a driver (piloto) and navigator (co-piloto) who can roll with the punches and adapt in a hurry. To cross the finish line, in the car, driving on its own, in one piece – is quite an accomplishment. Our goal this year sounds simple: take it easy, have fun, make it to the finish line every day to collect our 7 day medals. I am truly blessed to share this unique experience with my Dad. I want to soak up every minute of it.
This year the race starts in Veracruz. The race has not been to Veracruz since 2006 (I think), the year before Dad began racing. We've heard stories of a tropical storm and flooding from that year so fingers crossed for clear weather.
Then 7 other cities. My favorite is Morelia. Looking forward to racing Mil Cumbres and then following the ancient aquaducts into the city and seeing my favorite cathedral in all of Mexico (from what I've seen, at least).
The car is on its way through Mexico with Tom and 7’s Only Racing. Tom is taking 5 cars down and we will meet him in Veracruz. He's two days south of the border now.
Again I am not taking a computer but will be posting as often as I can via my iPhone and with the help of my bffs in Arizona, Anna and Rachel. I will be taking lots of photos with my real camera and will then post more detailed recapitulations when I get back to the states.
Keep up with other teams will be posting updates:
Our friends Hayden Groendyke and Charlie Samples: usa476.com You will fall in love with their Caddy and with Charlie’s photos.
I will let you know other sites as I hear about them.
The official La Carrera site: they say they will post daily updates this year. I'm not holding my breath.
We are very grateful to our generous sponsors including Baja Bound (insurance services for driving in Mexico) and Calderon Tires.
I am frequently asked, "You go to Mexico to do what?!" And am met with quizical, unbelieving looks and responses like, "Oh, yeah, I've heard of the Baja 1000." Or "You're crazy to go to Mexico, it's so unsafe." I'm sure it is thought that this is a tourist-y Sunday drive. Let me tell you - this is not the Baja, I've never felt unsafe, and it sure as shit isn't a Sunday drive. The La Carrera Panamericana is a world-renowned road race
*I apologize now for any profanity that might occur in the next few weeks. It happens. As you follow along, you will start doing the same. Have a shot of tequila, it helps one cope. ;)
I am no video expert but here are some clips from our in-car GoPro last year. I'm going to try to do a better job this year, plus, Dad upgraded the GoPro so hopefully we'll have some sound of me calling the turns.
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out where the strong man stumbled or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred with dust and sweat and blood. At best, he knows the triumph of high achievement; if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat." Theodore Roosevelt
