Since Jon and I will not be attending this years La Carrera Panamericana it does not mean that we are not dreaming about it. At times family and business must come first but in either event there will be a tomorrow. In the mean time we live vicariously through other's stories all of which are exciting and filled with anticipation.
Today while I was talking with none other than Hershel McGriff we both agreed that having been involved in La Carrera Panamericana there will never be an end to the dream of returning again someday. The cars, the cheering and waving spectators, the danger, excitement, the ups, the downs and more. Yes, it is in fact a disease and I am happy to report there in no cure in sight. The only way we will ever be satisfied is to return and do it all over again. There is a remote possibility that Hershel and I might fly down to take part in CONCURSO MOTOR SPORTS SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE to be held in October 2008 in the beautiful Mexican city of San Miguel de Allende, the site of the first Concurso de Motor Sports Panamericana. The event will be a weekend of classic cars, vintage motorcycles, and motor sports entertainment. The Concurso will raise funds for groups providing assistance to the children of San Miguel de Allende and the area. Last year this is the village where we spent two days and nights with the Coyote Convoy and it is simply one of the most beautiful places in the world.
Gerie Bledsoe and his kids
Speaking of living vicariously... Last weekend at Ron Lee's fiesta I met a couple of guys who are getting prepared to compete in this year's La Carrera Panamericana. One of them was John McKain (Don't even ask) and his buddy Brent who will be filling part of the service team. John and his father, Jeff McKain, will be sharing the chores in one of my all-time favorite cars, a 65 GT350. I wonder why I like their choice so much? Hmmm. (Big Tool Man grunt!)
Having spoke to John and Jeff I couldn't help but feel a familiar bond as I hear their excitement of sharing this adventure as a father & son team. How cool is that. John has a fair amount of seat time and he wrote, "I've raced the car since the mid 90's in Tacoma then thru calif , Az and all up and down the east coast until Road Atlanta last year when a suspension failure put old 77 in the wall. We rebuilt it and decided that after a couple more races in 2007, we would retire her and make the Carerra the car's swan song, and then park it." For too many reasons to list Team California's Best would like to wish them well as they prepare for an adventure that us veterans know is to be life changing. I hope we will be able to keep up to speed with reports from them not only to wish them well but so we too can live through them vicariously.
John and Jeff's GT350
John and Jeff's GT350 at Daytona
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