Friday, June 19, 2009

Carrera Driver -- Special Edition for Rookies




CARRERA DRIVER
Special Edition for Rookies
Updated for 2009

**RACING ON MEXICAN TIME

Mexico is a wonderful country. The people are warm, friendly, curious, and generous. They love our cars, exhaust noise, and the celebration of La Carrera Panamericana.

Their countryside -- mountains and ravines, forests, and deserts --- is beautiful. Huatulco, our start city this year, must be a beautiful, Pacific resort area.

So try to relax and enjoy the racing and the celebration. This is not just a serious car race. It is a true, profound cultural experience. We are about to experience the heart and soul of Mexico, as reflected in the faces and eyes of the people, especially the children, who come to see our cars and tug at the sleeves of the brave pilotos and co-pilotos. Bring your pen, because they will want your autograph.

Never forget that this is their country and their race. We are there as guests, and we should consider ourselves honored and lucky to be allowed to race across their country at top speed. Just because we paid a hefty entry fee gives us no other special privileges or expectations.

Also do not forget that the event operates on Mexican time. Meetings tend to start late. Printed material often arrives late, and the medical exams may or may not happen at the announced time. Instead of handing out important items like time cards at one pre-designated place, the young official will wander through the crowds looking for navigators. Obviously, some of them will be wandering around looking for him, too.

There are other values in Mexico that transcend punctuality and efficiency. Frankly, it will do you no good at all to show up for a meeting on time and sit there frustrated until it starts. Be fashionably late, be relaxed. Go with the flow!

Carrera veterans know that the race will start sometime after 8 AM on October 24. We know we will race through the mountains that day, and we know we will be timed with a fair degree of accuracy. Electronic timing will be used for the first time, so they may need to work out a few kinks. If you catch a mistake, it is perfectly OK to point it out—but be polite.

We will stop for lunch around mid-day, and an hour later or so, we’ll continue racing in the afternoon. Later on that evening, probably 30 minutes later than the announced time, some of us will attend the driver’s meeting and awards ceremony. Either the driver or co-driver should attend to get the timing results of the day and warnings about the road the next day.

Even on Mexican time, it’s always fun, but it will be more fun when you understand and accept the cultural situation, even before you get there.

Viva la Carrera!

**PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT

Nomex undies, socks, and head socks are great but not required by the Carrera rules. Much depends on how competitive you intend to be. Last year they were checking for racing shoes, but did not seem to be requiring them. Drivers should wear Nomex gloves, but most navigators ride barehanded, so they can turn the pages. (If you "dog ear" the pages before you start, they are easier to turn.)

Helmets. Open face helmets are OK for rallies. They start at $150 and go up to $700. Closed-face helmets are safer. They also make a hybrid helmet--open with a chin bar.
Any helmet you buy should have the posts already installed for a HANS or other head restraint system, which are required this year. Some helmets, like Peltors, have the intercom system installed. You should use a closed-face helmet in an open car.

Neck Restraint. A HANS or similar device is required this year. Most fatalities in racing come when a collision tears your skull away from your spine. A HANS helps to hold it in place. You can also buy racing seats with lateral head restraints, and/or nets that will help keep your head on your shoulders. Some seats are not compatible with a HANS. Your helmet should not be touching the back of the seat when you are driving, says the HANS brochure.

It you have a fast car and really intend to drive it to the limit, you cannot spend too much on safety equipment.

**FIRE DRILLS

Get suited up, helmet in hand. Practice getting into your racecar, buckling up, and getting ready to launch into a speed run. Work out a strict routine for everything, including closing the car door, raising the window nets, putting on your harness, helmet, glasses, and gloves. (Did you remember to turn the main power switch on before you got strapped in?) Can you reach the dash switches OK? One year, I had to turn the car on with my toes.

Is your seat adjustable? Sometimes you can put your belts on and them slide the seat forward to tighten them. Always loosen your belts when you get out of the car and move them out of the way. It will make it a lot easier to get strapped back in the next time.

Being able to get in and belted up smoothly will reduce your frustration and anxiety level enormously down in Mexico. Practice before you start racing!

Now prepare for the worse. Fire drill! Practice quick exits from your car, with the door open and closed. Can you get both your helmet and arse out the window in 15 seconds? Practice it with your window nets up.

What will you do if your car turns over and you are hanging upside down like a bat in a belfry? Can you release your seat belts? Or do you need a knife to cut them? Can you turn off the power switch? Tricky to practice this stuff.

Know how to operate your fire suppression system. Make sure its charged, unlocked, and ready to use when you start the race. It’s OK to tape the pin in it, if you are worried about an accidental discharge.

Fire bottles should only be attached with metal straps. No bungee cords or racer's tape.

Check the cabin. Is there anything that will crack open your helmet if you hit it in a collision? The navigator should not use a hard clip board--just the route book on his lap. They do make foam board that will work. Do not install the rally computer near your face, as you may eat it.

Do you have a handy place to store change (coins) for the toll booths? And, yes, you need a couple of “official rally cup holders” for your water bottles. Some guys use a hiker’s hydration pack strapped to the back of their seats.

You might consider a neck pouch for your money (bills), car document, driver’s license, etc. You are expected to wear your FMAD racing license at all times, and there is usually some ID for La Carrera to decorate your neck. If you have special medical needs, wear an ID bracelet or stencil it on the bottom of your right foot.

You will not use your helmets in long transit stages, so you need a place to store or hang them. If possible, install a hook on the back of the seats for this purpose. The same is true if you use a two-piece driving suit. It’s nice to be able to hang the coat on a hook in the back. Some crews will suspend a net in the backseat area to hold their helmets, Jameson bottles, etc.

**INTERCOMS AND RALLY COMPUTERS

Intercoms and computers are nice but not essential. A cheap digital watch that can also display military time (24 hours) works fine for timing. And you should learn how to set your watch and to sync it with the official time quickly. (Don’t wait until the first morning of the race to learn how to sync it!) Some racers only use the rally computer to find their place in the speed stages when they get lost. It happens to everyone. The rally computer is not normally used to calculate how much time we have to get to the next checkpoint. You should drive as fast as your safely can.

Subé Sports in Long Beach, California sells a variety of intercoms and rally computers. Terraptrip and Terraphone are the big names.

Even if you do have a collapsible steering column, you might want to install a pad that straps to the center of the steering wheel to protect your chest. Wooden wheels are classy but not as safe as those covered with hard foam and plastic.

Have a place to store pencils, pens, and markers, like Sharpies, for the navigator.

Glue the ball on your shifter, make sure the gas and brake pedals are on tight, and that nothing, like a water bottle, is rolling around on the floor.

It is OK to bolt a small cooler to the floor behind the crew for water and cold drinks. Also, as noted, some guys install a net in the back seat area to hold stuff.

GPS does not help much, but many people buy a Garmin and get the Mexican map software from http://www.mexicomaps.com/. I recommend that you take a AAA map of Mexico in your race car, at least.

**TRAILERS -- THE WEAK LINK

Many of you have towed your car to the race track or a car show. How many of you have towed it 3000+ miles one-way? Be prepared.

Make sure you have good tires, properly inflated. Two spares are a good idea. Lube the axles or bearings. Bring a spare set of wheel bearings. (Make sure the spare set will fit.) Be able to change a trailer tire quickly. Check the wiring and lights. Put a tag on it and have a title or registration in the truck owner’s name. Make sure the trailer brakes are working. A winch is a good thing.

When towing, check the trailer’s tires for excessive heat build up. Balance the load properly. (The trailer’s tires should be equally warm.) Too much weight on the tongue will make your truck’s steering sloppy. Mark the right spot on the deck for future reference. You may want to tie your car down by frame to limit suspension travel. Some people think it is more stable bounching around. Bring an extra set of tie downs. Check them regularly. Make sure you used hardened steel attachment clamps. “If it can shake lose, it will” on this long tow. Get a hitch lock. Use hood locks on your racecar even when on the trailer. Be able to lock your racecar’s doors. And do not leave the removable steering wheel on the seat, or it will become a souvenir.

What about your car's external power switch? If the key is removable, remove it when you stop, especially when crowds are around. Also bring a spare key for driver and co-driver. Do you have a regular ignition key? Both driver and co-driver should carry a spare.

Lock your hood at night. Pull your hood pins and use small padlocks. That’s right--have two sets of keys.

Bring an extra set of valve stems and chrome valve covers, with a key to change valves. Metal valve stems are recommended, but not required.

**RESCUE AND SWEEPING

The race has two medical crews, both with doctors, who accompany the race, and a crash truck. In most crash situations, where someone can see you, help comes quickly. Injured crew members will be transported by the doctors to the nearest suitable medical facility. In some areas, medical evac choppers are available. Most larger cities in Mexico have excellent doctors and medical facilities.

If there are serious injuries, the race will probably be stopped so the medical crews can attend to the injured.

If you have a “no-injury” wreck or if your car is disabled, it is your responsibility to recover your car and have it towed. Assistance will not be provided by the race organization. About the most they will do is to notify the police or a wrecker where they last saw you.

It is imperative that you have a plan to recover your car, especially on the first day in the remote parts of the state of Oaxaca. If you have no support crew, make a deal with another crew that is following the race to pick you up, or help you get a tow truck.

Be able to communicate with your service crew. If you wreck, call them immediately, so they can come back for you. Use cells phones or sat phones.

Normally, several service or support trucks with trailers drive though the speed stages immediately after racing has concluded. Some may stop to help or pick up a disabled vehicle, others will keep going. There may also be local Mexican tow trucks parked on the course. In remote areas, however, it may take a while to obtain the proper type of wrecker to recover your car from a ravine.

Someone must stay with your car if wrecked, as roadside wrecks are fair game in Mexico. Put up your emergency markers on the side of the road where you went off.

Most service crews will team up with other crews during the race. Two-ways radios help. One or more trucks in the “team” will go ahead to meet the racecars at the mid-day service area, while another truck and trailer in the cooperative group will ”sweep” (follows the race) to pick up disabled cars. Make plans the night before for which trucks go ahead and which sweeps.

Decide your team’s policy about picking up disabled cars. Will your trailer pick up a disabled car or a wreck? Under what conditions?

If you break down, get your car to the next town on the Carrera's route. In most of these cities, local shops will stay open all night to help straighten out damaged cars. Cars that miss a day because of serious body/suspension repairs may rejoin the race later, but they are subject to technical inspection. No, your AAA+ card does not work. Expect to pay a Mexican tow truck a buck or two a mile for a tow. Recovery from a shallow ravine runs around $200; I know. (You are not in a strong bargaining position, dude.)

Warning. If your car breaks down during a transit stage immediately prior to a speed stage, the official race crews, including the medical crews, will NOT stop and provide assistance. They have responsibilities up the road for the next speed stages and must be on time. In effect, they cannot stop and keep to their tight schedule.

If your car becomes disabled at any point or you wreck, you should QUICKLY deploy your warning triangles or wave flags energetically. This is especially important around blind corners. Remember, in a speed stage, the next car will reach you at full speed in about 30 seconds! There’s no time to discuss your actions. (A red T-shirt makes a good flag you can wear.)

If you simply lose power, get the car off the road. Push it or use the starter. If you cannot get the car off the pavement, the navigator should jump out and run back around the corner to warn approaching cars. Make a quick decision.

When you are stopped on the side of the road, a thumbs up signal or OK sign (provided) means that you and the driver are OK. Hood up if you have a mechanical problem.

Be aware that the crew of the next approaching car may be so focused on the road surface that they may not see you standing by the side of the road waving a red rag. Standing in a safe place, wave your flag, arms, or helmet to get their attention. Try to indicate to them clearly to stop or just slow down, depending on the location of your disabled car. If you can, indicate the side of the road they should pass on, if they can get by it.

Expect the worse if you surprise them. Your warning may cause them to lose control. (Yes, it has happened. )

Whatever you do, you must act quickly--to protect your car and their lives.


**RESPONDING TO A BAD WRECK

This is a topic that is much discussed, and there is no official Carrera rule on the topic.

If you see a bad wreck in front of you, what should you do? It is situational, and at 80 MPH, you must decide quickly. The navigator should call it, assuming he/she has a more time to consider the options.

Assuming the wreck is off the road, normally it is better to continue your speed run so you can notify the officials at the next timing station where you are allowed to stop (Control C). (Never stop at the Control B -- the checkered flag.)

If there is fire or it is a serious crash and the crew is still in the car, normally you should stop--off the road--and try to help. Deploy your red flags or emergency signs. Take your fire extinguisher and first aid kit. You are not expected to place your life at risk, and you should always be extremely careful when touching someone who has been injured badly. You are under no legal obligation to render assistance, however.



If the car in front of you goes off into a steep ravine or dense brush, you should pull over in a safe place and go back to mark the spot with a flag and render necessary assistance.



**COMMUNICATIONS AND OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Radios. You may use any CBs, two-way, or hand-held two-way radios in Mexico. Most do not work well, however, in the mountains. The Carrera race organization uses VHF radio 144-148 Mhz for emergency transmissions only. I have been told this is similar to ship-to-shore radio in the U.S.

GPS. You may purchase GPS software for most of Mexico for a Garmin unit. The Garmin is pretty good for getting around the cities. Good news: the cars will probably be outfitted with GPS transponders through Globalstar. Bad news is--your wife can track you from her computer at home. Try http://www.mexicomaps.com/.

Cell phones. Work pretty well in much of Mexico. You need a tri- or quad-mode phone. You can also rent cell phones or SIM cards in Mexico. Sat phones are the more expensive option, of course, but the Irridium systems seems to work well down there, even in the mountains.

Computers. Internet hookup is available in most hotels. Most also have a business center where you can rent a PC by the minute.

Water. Each car should carry at least two liters of drinking water at all times. You should have a hat in the trunk or some way to cover your head should you have to stand out in the sun for long. At high altitudes, the air temperature should be moderate during the day, but the sun is very hot at 8000 feet up in the thin air.

Please remember the “Spirit of La Carrera.” True, we are down in Mexico as competitors. Some of us want to win. Most of us want to do the best we can. But more importantly, we want everyone to finish the race and be safe. Thus we should help each other when necessary, even people in our class.

Does this mean you loan your only spare tire to your nearest competitor before the last speed run when you are 10 seconds behind? It’s up to you. But this question too may be a decided by the actual situation.


**MONEY

Many small teams will find that $2500 USD in cash is enough for out of pocket expenses while in Mexico and during the race. Some teams need twice this much. You need cash primarily for gasoline and tolls for the racecar and the tow truck. You will also need cash for food and drink, as well as lap dances. (Ha! Just checking to see if you are paying attention!) Cash works best in repair and parts shops, too.

Change your money in Mexico for the best rate: at the border, hotel, or bank. The hotels sometimes run short of pesos for exchange, and banks have a limit. The exchange rate is currently around 13 pesos to one dollar.

Gas stations in the north of Mexico will usually take dollars and more are accepting credit cards.

You can charge meals at the hotels and better restaurants on your credit card.

If you want to charge meals to your room, however, you must give your credit card to the hotel’s front desk when you check in. They will run an open voucher for such charges.

Normally it is not necessary to check out at the front desk in the morning if you have no charges to your room. Just leave the key in the room or at the desk.

**LA POLICIA y LA MORDIDA

La Mordida is the Mexican word for “bite.” If a local cop stops you for an infraction, real or imagined, you often have a choice: pay him mordida, or get a ticket and go to the police station and pay the fine. He will take your driver's to guarantee that you will show up.

Do you have time to visit the police station during the race?

The mordida is always negotiable, especially for us, because they charge gringos more than the locals. Usually you can get a half-price sale if you are polite but persistent. Drag the negotiations out. A $400 asking price can be reduced to $200. Usually, the sight of a crisp $100 bill will bring the negotiations to an end. But do not offer the bill until you are certain that the cop is going to accept it. Yes, they will accept mordida in pesos or US dollars.

If you surrender your driver’s license, they will keep it until you pay mordida or the fine at the police station. Consider getting a duplicate license to carry for such occasions.

Most norteamericanos do not like the mordida system because the money goes into the pockets of the cops. Mexico is making a major effort to stop the system, too. But, like most things, is not all bad. It does offer a way to settle things outside of court. And you don’t get points on your license. Ha!

Local cops are not authorized to enforce the regulations about the importation of your vehicles into Mexico.

Is there a way to prevent the “bite?” The best way is to obey the traffic laws. Most of the police are supportive and helpful, but others see us as a big payday.

**SHOPPING

Just about anything you can buy in the USA is found in Mexico. Wal-Mart, Costco, Sears, etc. are all there, at least in the larger towns, along with McD.’s, Subway, KFC, etc. Bring your Costco or Sam’s Club card, too.

Many medical drugs are available without prescriptions. However, you should carry your personal medications with you and the prescriptions.

Car dealers for GM, Ford, and Chrysler are also found in most cities, and they pretty much operate like former dealers in the US.
As I am fond of saying, the Carrera is an adventure. It's a long, tough race, but if you are able to relax a little and enjoy the event, it is more likely that you will have fond memories and want to return.

My job as North American coordinator is to explain what you are about to experience and to a degree, de-mystify it, plus give you the tools to endure it. But even 10,000 words of the most descriptive prose cannot capture the true significance of this event, or the depth of your feelings when you roll across the start line, and, hopefully, seven days later, the finish line.

There is nothing like it in the world, and it may not last much longer.


Copyright © 2009 Gerie Bledsoe








CARRERA NEWS
JUNE 2009









**MONTEREY HISTORICS – CARRERA FIESTA
**PIKES PEAK
**CARRERA MUSTANGS AVAILABLE
**VACATION IN HUATULCO
**COYOTE CONVOY & TOUR
**OUR MEXICAN GIRL FRIEND
**RULE CHANGES
**CLASSIFIEDS
**WARNING


**MONTEREY HISTORICS – CARRERA FIESTA

The Monterey Historics is the biggest and best vintage race car event in the world. It comprises two magnificent weeks of racing, tire kicking, auctions, concourses d’ elegance, and paddock drooling. This year the featured marque is Porsche.

The culmination of the Historics comes during the weekend of August 14-16. Thus the third annual “La Carrera Fiesta at the Historics” will convened on Saturday, August 15 at 2:00—6:00 PM in the beautiful courtyard of Tarpy’s Roadhouse. Prior to August 1 tickets will be $40.00. At the door, they will be $50.00. The tickets cover the cost of set up, food and drink, souvenir, plus a $5 contribution to our Mexican girlfriend, Lupita Hernandez (see story below). Because space is limited, only fifty tickets will be printed.

There will be space to display ten Carrera cars in front of Tarpy’s during the Fiesta. Five of these slots are reserved for Carrera Porsches. The spaces will be assigned on a first-come basis. At least one ’53 Original Pan Am Porsche is expected to be there.

For those that do not know the history, the Porsche company actually made its racing debut in Americas during the ’52 Carrera. However, after winning its class in Le Mans and the Mille that year, it returned in force to the Pan Am in ’53 to sweep its new class, Sports Menor. Thereafter the race’s name has adorned the rear lid of many of their cars, a tradition that continues today, even with the new “Panamera” model.

On Saturday morning, all Carrera cars are also invited to join Porsches for a tour of sites on the Monterey peninsula, traveling on some entertaining back roads. And after the Fiesta, on Saturday night, ten Carrera cars will be invited to join a big Porsche display under the lights in downtown Monterey. Bill Hemmer and Adriana Robles are our local hosts for the fiesta.

Please contact the North American Coordinator if you want to purchase a fiesta ticket, reserve a spot for your Carrera car, or need more information about these events.

**PIKE’S PEAK – YOUR LAST CHANCE!

Is the Pike’s Peak International Hill Climb July 14-19 on your bucket list? Do not wait. Join us this year. The deadline is July 1. The entry fee is only $800, if paid to the Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing Club (RMVR). That’s about half of the regular entry fee. Just about any Carrera car or vintage racecar with a full roll cage is eligible. Vintage entries are filling up and may be gone soon. Most of the 12.5 mile course, including the top section, has been paved.

Doug Mockett and Angelic Fuentes will be back to defend their championship on July 19. Kevin Jones plans to return, too. We will practice on the mountain three mornings, before the main event on Sunday, July 19.

To register, contact Tony Martins of RMVR cycleworksusa@msn.com. The entry form is available at http://www.rmvr.com/. Send it and a check for $800 to:
RMVR
c/o Tony Martins
6387 South Hill Street
Littleton, CO
80120

Rooms are available at the Silver Saddle Motel in Manitou Springs for $79 a night. RMVR is also planning a vintage car show in Manitou Springs on July 18.

**CARRERA MUSTANGS AVAILABLE

Want to participate in this year’s Carrera Panamerica or Pike’s Peak but do not have a car?

No problem, just contact Todd Landon at TALandon@landolakes.com or call him at 952-250-7948. Todd, a food scientist for Land O’Lakes in Minnesota, has twelve years’ experience racing and building Mustangs and Falcons for the Pan Am, Chihuahua Express, and Pike’s Peak. It’s his hobby and passion.

As a former competitor, Todd understands that a successful Carrera car must be dependable, safe, and quick. His cars have finished consistently in the top ten, including a first in class and a sixth place overall finish last year. That particular Mustang is currently for sale in Britain for only $95,000. Todd can provide a tested, turn-key car at a much more reasonable price, however. Don’t really want to compete in Mexico, but just drive fast? Todd has a Mustang for lease that can run in the Exhibition class, as well.

Todd has two or three cars for purchase or lease for the race this year. He also provides full mechanical support during the race. His services are highly recommended.

If you are looking for a Turismo Mayor Studebaker, try Mats Hammarlund at mhracing1960@gmail.com. His shop also supports them.



**VACATION IN HUATULCO

Numerous Carrera competitors, friends, and support crews plan to arrive in Huatulco (wha-tool-koh) a few days early in October to relax and check out the beautiful beaches of this tropical paradise. Rates should be reasonable that time of the year. Try to pick a hotel around Santa Cruz, if you want to be close to the action.

The Carrera Office in Mexico City is offering special all-inclusive rates at the “regular” and “premium” hotels. Contact Monica Grossmann directly, if you are interested, at monica.grossmann@yahoo.com.mx. (They also have added a premium hotel in Guadalajara.)

Spouses, friends, and family might want to come down the weekend before the race, October 16-19 for a little R & R, and then head back to the States when the competition begins. The days leading up to the race are a period of intense preparation, so if your girlfriend demands constant attention, it may not be the best place for her. Sadly, there is no Nordstrom’s or Tiffany’s within five hundred miles for diversion. However, the “alfresco” hot tubs may offer some distraction.

**COYOTE CONVOY & TOUR

Want a little adventure? Join the Coyote Convoy for the trip down to Huatulco. Drive down in your own car – racecar, m/c, or street machine. It’s easy! There is no fee for joining the parade.

The convoy will gather in Laredo, Texas on Friday, October 16, and across the border on Saturday, October 17. It will spend two nights in San Miguel de Allende (selected by Condé Nast magazine as one of the top ten tourist destinations last year), before leaving on Monday, October 19 for the city of Oaxaca. After a night in Oaxaca, it will continue on to Huatulco, arriving on Tuesday, October 20. Short walking tours of San Miguel and the city of Oaxaca will be provided.

Don’t want to drive your Lambo down to Mexico? Fly into Laredo and hop a ride in a service vehicle down to San Miguel. In SMA Rosa Maria Mondragón Fiesco will pack you in her Ford Expedition for the trip on down to Oaxaca and Hautulco with the convoy, and if you want, you can follow the race back to Laredo with her. Rosa Maria is the former P.R. director for the race and two-time co-piloto in the actual event. She is also a licensed rally driver, so she knows how to get you close to the action. Sadly, she can only fit six people in her vehicle--with a modest amount of luggage. Sign up early!

If you want the whole Tour package: fly into Laredo, Texas on Friday, October 16 and schedule your return from there on Friday, October 30. If you go with the tour, the charge will be based on the actual number of days you travel with Rosa. It will be two exciting weeks. You must, of course, bring your passport, but that is the only document you will need, other than a Mexican tourist visa.






We also do not expect swine flu to be a problem in October, either.

**OUR MEXICAN GIRL FRIEND

As some of you know from first-hand experience, supporting a girl friend can be an expensive proposition (no pun intended). Many of the Carrera drivers and co-drivers have been supporting our favorite Mexican hottie for several years now.

She is a sweetie and gives us much pleasure. Of course, we are talking about Guadalupe “Lupita” Hernandez Ramirez, who lives down in Chiapas.

Lupita lost both of her legs at the hip when a Carrera car hit an oil spill, spun off the road, and pinned her up against an ambulance outside of Tuxtla Gutierrez in 2003. None of us expected her to survive as she was being airlifted to a local hospital. But survive she did and now, thanks to her family and the “Friends of Lupita,” she is doing well. The “Friends” supplied her with a cute little house, computer, furniture, training, and support -- all in coordination with the International and Mexican Red Cross.

Famous pilotos like Jerry Churchill, Doug Mockett, Bill Shanahan, Ralph Carungi, Matt Hamilton, and James Gublemann--to name a few-- have been solid supporters of Lupita. None of us wanted to see her begging on the streets, and we have succeeded. However, since Churchill’s passing and the retirement of groups like the Tropical Gangsters, the ranks of “Friends” has been thinned. Doug Mockett administers her trust account.

We need some new recruits to help out. Any level of donation will be appreciated. Carrera patches and other items are also available a http://www.panamrace.com/. All proceeds go to Lupita. Our goal is to raise enough to create a trust fund that will send her at least $300 dollars or so every month.

Send your donations to:

Friends of Guadalupe Hernandez Ramirez
c/o Ms. Fanny Davila
South Bay Bank
2200 Sepulveda Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90501
Acct. #: 009400710

**RULES CHANGES

One of the reasons that La Carrera Panamericana is such a cultural adventure is the process for developing the rules – both official and unofficial versions. Typically, the rules for the year’s event are not promulgated until most of the cars have been constructed -- on the basis of last year’s rules!

Everyone should remember the axiom -- “no rule is final; any may be changed” -- before or during the event, depending on whose ox is being gored, and the amount of black lash from the Mexican racing community and assorted VIPs. Sponsors of the event seem to have an inordinate amount of influence.

Officially, the Pan Am is sanctioned by the Federation Mexican Auto Sports (FMAD), the FIA’s affiliate in Mexico, but the event is not sanctioned by the FIA. Thus it has it own set of very unique, “organic” rules. FMAD inspectors do check the safety features of the cars.

This year, for example, a rule was added within the last month or two that forbids the use of Boss 302 four-bolt main engines in a Mustang or Falcon in Historic C.




Also, the rules now say that no “straight cut gear transmissions” may be used in Historic. Aimed at Jerico and sequential transmissions, if strictly enforced, this rule could also outlaw a vintage Muncie M-22. The Historic C rules are also inconsistent about carburetion limits.

There is nothing in the rules that says that alloy heads are not allowed in Historic C, but you may be forced to run in Exhibition if the inspector’s magnet doesn’t stick to ‘um. On the other hand, sometimes they forget to check. Tubular control arms seem to get only a wink and nod these days, too, but rack and pinion steering is a no-no.

Also, the rules are usually not strictly enforced on new cars until they start bumping veterans off the podium. The cars of new hot shoes will be subject to peer review, for sure. Cars have been bumped into Exhibition during the middle of the event because of complaints from other competitors.

In Historic B the rules were changed this year to allow 2.4 liter engines in a Porsche 911. Please, like they needed more displacement to maintain their domination of this class?!

The big development this year will be the use (or so we are told in a press release) of electronic timing. Will this eliminate the obvious anomalies in the nightly results? Not completely, but it is certainly a step in the right direction.

Again, the Pan Am should be seen as much as a cultural adventure as a vintage race. It is unique in the world, and part of the charm is that it is not a rigid SCCA or FIA event. Loosey-goosey? Yes. But fun, hell yes!

**CLASSIFIEDS

ISO Co-Piloto -- David Cooper. Dave drives a ’51 Chrysler Saratoga NASCAR replica. Email dave@alpinesky.com This car won Original Pan AM a couple of years ago, and David is a serious competitor, with top flight equipment.

Several other guys, like Lucha Libre Racing’s Michael Emery, in a Datsun 1600 “Fair Lady,” are looking for co-drivers, as well. Phone 415-728-6960 or email michael@luchalibreracing.com. It’s always a fun ride with Michael, who has been to Mexico many times.

HANS/Leatt Braces. Wine Country Motor Sports is offering a premium on HANS devices. Wine Country Motor Sports is located in Sonoma, CA at Infineon Raceway and Juniper, Florida, near the Moroso Motorsports Park. Call (800) 708-7223 to order or go to http://www.winecountrymotorsports.com.

Antonio Maceda down in Mexico is offering Leatt Braces for $499, which are approved for the Pan Am. You can contact him at morforacing@yahoo.com. This price is good until August 31st.

Ron Davis out in Colorado has three ’55 Chryslers for sale – red, white, and blue. You can have the whole lot for $45,000. The hemi engines alone are worth that much. Email him at c300r@yahoo.com.

Ford Falcon available. $32,000. Crate 302. Well tested car. Won class in Chihuahua Express in 2007. Ready for Carrera 2009. From the estate of Tom Silver. Contact David Fuss at dave.fuss@medtronic.com.

Need service in Mexico (on your car)? Try Enrique Cortes. enrocortes@hotmail.com
Enrique lived in the US for several years, speaks English, and aims to please. He will work on a retainer basis or by the hour – 24/7 along the entire route. Welding and fabrication seems to be his forte, but his jolly band of elves also wrench. Check him out at http://www.ecf.com.mx/index_archivos/Page711.html

**WARNING

Like all forms of motor sports, the Pan Am is extremely dangerous. Obviously, it is less dangerous at moderate speeds. It can also lead to a lifetime of addiction to road racing in Mexico. CARRERA NEWS is not an official publication of the event. All opinions herein are those of the author, who is also a competitor in car #395.






Ciao,






Gerie Bledsoe