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!

South to Old Mexico

We’re doing it again! Back to Mexico for the historic and exciting La Carrera Panamericana. I am meeting Dad at LAX in the morning to make our way down to Huatulco, where the 7-day race will start. This is the same place that the race started in 2009 when I was dad’s co-piloto. Even though we had some major bumps in the road (pun intended), we kept the car running and still finished 2^nd in our class (Original Pan Am) by only 23 seconds.

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, Finish, Germans and other various Europeans. The racers are as colorful as their hot rods.

The route

This will be my 2^nd time in the La Carrera and Dad’s 5^th. The years that I haven’t gone, Dad’s buddy Shields Richardson went to navigate. The pair of them made a very competitive pair, coming in first or second in class every year. Read HERE for the intro to the race in 2009.

The car is on its way through Mexico with Tom and 7’s Only Racing. Tom is taking 8 cars down and we will meet him in Huatulco.

I am not taking a computer but will be sending updates as I can to my roommate, Rachel, who will post to the blog with a few camera phone pictures and then I will post my photos from my real camera when I get back to the states.

Keep up with other teams will be posting updates:

Our friends Hayden Gruendyke and Charlie Samples: http://usa476.com/ You will fall in love with their Caddy and with Charlie’s photos.

Kristin Stewart: http://funksterwtf.blogspot.com/

Gary Faules: http://lacarrera2007.blogspot.com/

I will let you know other sites as I hear about them.

The official La Carrera site: I don’t think they post updates and even if they did, they would be in español.

This year we are VERY excited to have Tequila Fortaleza join us as a sponsor. We are looking forward to their delicious tequila and sharing with others!

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 and make it to the party every night!

And it begins. No sleep ‘til Zacatecas!

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!