Day 2: Oaxaca - Puebla

Unfortunately, I don't have much good news to share for the day. We thought we had the overheating figured out but soon found out otherwise at the beginning of the first speed stage out of Oaxaca. When were overheating getting out of town in traffic but got going and the temp dropped (it is much better when we are running with airflow and very bad idling). We got to the first speed stage and were spitting water out of the reserve reservoir. We proceeded on the speed section, taking it pretty easy and then all of a sudden there was a klinkity-clank noise and loss of power. Neither of which are never good. Dad pulled the car over on the shoulder and we waited as the rest of the cars passed and the crews who were sweeping started to come by. Fortunately, Todd Landon and Kristin Stewart stopped to check on us. They let us load onto their trailer and hauled us in to Servicio. It was very frustrating to be on the trailer but we had no other choice.

On our way to Servicio with the car on the trailer, we came across this GIANT wash out. Fortunately it wasn't during a speed section but, still, Holy Cow! Ya just never know what's around the next corner.

Every town has an impressive church. If someone hasn't already - coffee book table idea: The Churches of Mexico.

Once at Servicio we met Tom with the big truck and trailer and left the car with Tom to load to haul to Puebla. Because lack of room in Tom's rig (two other cars and drivers/copilotos also needed somewhere to ride) we rode with Todd and Kristin the rest of the day. It turned out to be a lovely ride with them. It was great to visit and get to know Todd and Kristin. We had quite a few laughs, made ourselves really hungry talking about beef and butter (Todd works for Land O' Lakes) and even picked up more passengers - a Mexican team in a Fiat who were having electrical problems. They became amigos of ours for the rest of the race and were always good spirited and friendly. They rode with us {and by "with us" I mean inside the Fiat} all the way to Tehuacan where their service crew met them and got them running again.

Alfredo and Ernesto's Fiat. Kinda funny story: It took a lot of effort to get our Ford on the trailer in the morning - three guys with an electric winch pulling up on the cord and then pulling in the slack with the electric motor and two people pushing from behind. The Fiat was so much lighter that the two guys just pushed it right on the trailer in the blink of an eye!

Lead the way, Einstein!

The biggest poinsettia plant I have ever seen!

These "bull"etin boards dotted our way through Mexico. No idea what they are selling. However, every time we would see one Dad would say, "Hurry, hurry, take a picture!" I would then be flustered and scrounge for the camera and try to get a picture as we zoomed by. This was the best I could do. We don't hold still for long enough!

Photo by Kristin - she caught us taking a little siesta. You don't realize how exhausted you get until you sit still.

Will update when I know more about the car. Lots of carnage and broken cars today.

The good news: We are safe and saw lots of beautiful scenery today. Mexico truly is a beautiful country.

Day 1: Huatulco - Oaxaca

Day 1: Check! It was a LONG and grueling day to bring us to Oaxaca. It was hot leaving sea level and especially hot when we were in the hills and canyons with no breeze but we made it to higher elevation, about 6,000 ft.

Speaking of hot - What is it like to be sitting in a race car, strapped in & ready for take off, seat belts tight, race suit up to your chin, helmet tight feeling like your head is swelling and is going to explode at the slightest movement, it's 90 degrees with 90% humidity and sweat is slowly rolling down your nose? Imagine getting inside your sleeping bag, in a sauna, in a straight jacket. There ya have it. Oh - and then when the speed section is over you can grab your water bottle from behind the seat and quench your thirst with near-boiling water. Are we having fun yet?!?

{all kidding aside, even though it can be hotter than a two dollar pistol, it doesn't trump the exhilaration of La Carrera}

We left Huatulco on a beautiful, sunny morning. It was really fun to all of the cars and drivers getting ready before the starting arch.

One shot before taking off

The faster cars going through the starting arch

Doug Mockett and Angelica Fuentes in the uber fast Olds

This was the driver's meeting the night before the start. They did a wonderful job and threw a great party!

The country that we raced through sure was beautiful! There were 12 speed sections ranging from 7 kms to 21 kms. In the second speed stage of the morning, dad felt something change in the power steering and it wasn't the same the rest of the day. The car also ran hot all day and we refilled water twice. AND - the roads after servicio were horrible; one of the speed sections was cancelled because of bad pot holes and rough road. What else can I complain about, oh - 20 cars crashed out today. Other than that, the day was ok.

Dad and me with Rocio Berriochoa. She was our fabulous hostess in Huatulco.

My view from the inside of the Tequila Fortaleza Ford, lined up at the speed section after servicio. We should have kept some of the tequila in the car. I could have used it.

I will do a diagram of what all those things are later, but this is my command center.

We made it into the city of Oaxaca!

They sure give us an enthusiastic welcome!

What we usually do when we get into a town is park the car in the square where the officials tell us, get out of the car while being accosted by the locals, sign a few "hero" cards, take pictures with people, kiss babies and then escape the crowd and head to an outdoor cafe on the square for some food and alcohol {Dad doesn't drink so he has coffee but I try to make up for his abstinence}.

Chapulines! {crickets} These are a delicacy in southern Mexico. They go great on tacos and tostadas.

That is our dear Canadian friend, Linda Robertson. She and her husband, Stewart, drive a really cool Studebaker and finished in the top 10 this year.

The Vicky parked in front of the cathedral.

If you do have a chance to try some Tequila Fortaleza, take the opportunity. It is delicious!

After all the dust settled for the day, we were second in Original Pan Am to our friend John Gregory. Great to be on the podium with friends! Any day finishing is a good day.

On to new day! To Puebla. Hopefully Tom was able to get the issues straightened out and we can rum more smoothly today (they think power steering pump is the culprit for power steering issues).

Onward!

PreQual and Tech

Tech and Pre Qual done

I'm sorry for the lack of updates the last 2 days. I had a glitch with my data service on my phone and with WiFi. Remember - this is Mexico.

Yesterday we had technical inspections. Tech includes a health inspection, FMAD racing license, equipment inspection (helmet, suit, shoes, gloves, Hanns device or R3), car inspection, race sponsor stickers and signing more paperwork. We got caught up at the car inspection - our brake lights we not working and we needed to add a fire extinguisher nozzle pointed to the inside of the car (alreadyhad them in engine compartment and trunk but new rule this year to add to inside). It took a while but we passed and got our "ok" sticker. We then ran the route for pre qual. It was a great feeling to get in the car and run her a little.

I know what you are thinking, "Wow! That Carson is so fashionable!"

Be on the lookout for the different hats that make an appearance this week.

Dad answering the tech inspectors' questions.

Our gear getting inspected and ok'ed.

The Vicky getting her official stickers

This morning was pre qualifying. Not many exciting details to share other than there were 8 crashes, some into the jungle. We ran well and are starting 49th tomorrow.

Lined up for Pre Qual

Team 476!

The best marked tope (speed bump) in all of Mexico. We must have gone over 1,000 of them. No joke.

Some of the other race cars (120 total). This is the 1950s Chrysler driven and navigated by David Buchanan and Raffi Najjarian. They were also in our Original Pan Am class. Unfortunately, they had engine problems on Day 2 and did not finish the race.

The Gregory's Canadian Studebaker! John and Chrislana Gregory, husband and wife, are the usual suspects in this hot rod. However, because Chrislana is busy with school, the not-as-good-looking but just as wonderful, Frank Talaghini.

The Mats Hammarlund Racing Stude that would win it all - Ricardo Trivino and Marco Hernandez

Enjoyed the Huatulco tropical sunshine alittle this afternoon, spending some time in Guillermo Berriochoa's beautiful infinity pool with fresh coconut cocktails.

Cocos Locos with Rocio Berriochoa. Fresh coconut juice, rum and fresh ginger. Una mas, por favor!

View from our room at Villas Fa Sol

Just got finished studying the route book for tomorrow and we are set to begin our trek across Mexico first thing in the morning.

!Viva Carrera!

Huatulco

Arriving in Huatulco today was a much anticipated event and lived up to every expectation: hot, humid and fabulous hospitality! We are staying with the most generous hosts - Guillermo and Rocio Berriochoa. We met them last time that I raced, 2009. They are very close family friends of another friend of ours, Hayden Groendyke (visit www.usa476.com to follow Guillermo, Hayden, Charlie and the 476 team), and were instrumental in having the La Carrera return to this ocean resort town.

After we arrived we went directly to the area where all the cars are being staged to see the Vicky and Tom's crew. After saying hello to everyone we came to Guillermo's Villa Fa Sol, where we are staying, to have a fabulous lunch of crab, tostadas and of course - some mescal!

We definitely ate the best at Fa Sol in Huatulco. I had an appetite, too, which was soon to leave and not return for a while.

Guillermo also threw a first class dinner party tonight for some other teams and crews with a live band and a variety of delicious delicacies including a fish that no one knew what it was...expect something more?

In the morning we are going to try to go through tech early so that we can beat the heat and be able to practice on the prequalification route.

Buenas noches!

Getting to Mexico City

Yesterday was not a smooth travel day but it all turned out safely. Where my hiccups began where in Phoenix where the evil lady at USAirways wouldn't let me check my bag all the way through to Mex City. Long story short - I missed the check in time at LAX to get on the same flight with Dad. Many customer (no) service agents later, I was on a later flight.

Then I had the pleasure of sitting next to an extreme-animal-rights-activist-vegetarian-telenovela-actress who didn't hold back on her views. I didn't hold back on mine, either. I even called her out when she ate her ham and cheese sandwich.

Made it to Mexico City and met up with dad at the hotel where we had a fabulous dinner.

We stayed on the famous Avenida Reforma. Our room looked down over this crazy intersection:

Dad and I were quite entertained watching the morning rush hour and road rage of cars going every different direction.

We're now at the airport to head to Hautulco. We're seeing fellow racers including our good friends from Vancouver, John Gregory and Stewart and Linda Robertson and their crews.

On to the beach!