Mexico Waits To Honor Hero From 57 Years Ago

Thanks to ATENCION SAN MIGUEL, one of the most popular newspapers in all of Mexico, everyone in Mexico now knows we're coming and that our guest Hershel McGriff will be honored at the Panamericana Gala at Hotel Refugio del Molino on October 18 during the Concurso de Motor Sports in San Miguel de Allende. Click HERE and then on Motorsports to see the news article as it appears in the newspaper.

Learn To Give Back. It Feels Good and Makes You A Champion.

Merriam-Webster defines CHAMPION as;

1: warrior, fighter
2: a militant advocate or defender
3: one that does battle for another's rights or honor
4: a winner of first prize or first place in competition; also : one who shows marked superiority.

I like number three as it best reminds me of two of my favorite champions for a cause or rights that I know. They would be my friend Gerie Bledsoe and my daughter Charmagne Faules.


Each year when the Coyote Convoy arrives in San Miguel de Allende good things begin to happen. Not only do the La Carrera teams get a reprieve from the long arduous drive which for some begins as far away as Canada, but something even more special happens as well.

Gerie Bledsoe, the La Carrera Panamericana North American Director, who leads the Coyote Convoy to San Miguel each year has a special place in his heart for the people of Mexico. He tells of small children coming up to get autographs, babies being photographed sitting in the driver’s seat of a race car and hundreds of people waving as the cars go roaring by.

He describes his commitment to helping children and families this way, “When we come here to race, all of us are touched by the faces of children we see as we travel across Mexico. People are so kind and warm and we just want to do something to give back to a country that is so welcoming to all of us.”














It is almost impossible for this need to give back to not rub off on other La Carrera members who in turn help make the same commitment in whatever way they can.

The Concurso de Motor Sports San Miguel de Allende is a result of this commitment. All of the profits from the events in San Miguel, from October 17-19, will all go to help children and families in need through the work of two exceptional nonprofit organizations located in San Miguel. One of the beneficiaries is CASA and the other is CASITA LINDA.

For those first time La Carrera teams who would like to help be part of this "giving back commitment" simply write either myself or Gerie Blesdoe to see how YOU can help. Don't panic... we all know that getting here was a big hit on the pocket book to begin with but you will be amazed how far a small donation can go. Many of us teams went to Walmart and picked up a few cases of paper or pens and pencils and while you might think that's not much... it was huge from their perspective. Ask Gerie how you can help by clicking here.


And while we are speaking of champions.... Giving Back is nothing new for Team California's Best but it is as rewarding and fulfilling for each of us as it was the first time we did anything regardless of how large of small the effort was. Another great champion that will in fact be in attendance at this years Concurso is none other than Hershel McGriff the first man to champion the Great Mexican Race.

While we are talking about Champions, recently Charmagne, our daughter and some of her co-workers made a trip to Mexico with an organization called CLUB DUST to help give back in the best way that they knew how. For Charmagne it was nothing short of life changing and I was proud to see the tears in her eyes as she attempted to tell me how good it feels to help others that have so little. It is equally rewarding when I see that my daughter and son have learned the values that have been passed down from my parents and their parents before them. The photos below pretty much sum up what Charmagne and her friends did while in Mexico and some of her experiences.


Charmagne and some of her new found friends in Mexico.



Charmagne and more new friends.





These are some of the homes that are to be replaced with new ones.


Charmagne and Co-Worker painting a new home.


A new family having fun helping to paint their new home and faces.




Charmagne and friends organizing and sorting shoes and clothing before families arrive.


Before anyone gets new shoes Charmagne and her friends washed their feet.


Making sure everyone gets a nice pair of shoes.



Sorting out healthy food to be divided up amongst the lovely families.



These are just some of the families many of whom walked miles to get in line in hopes of getting clothing and food their young children needed.


This young mother walked and carried her three children over 10 miles just to get there.


One day (or should I say in 15 minutes) Charmagne is taught how to cut hair.


WHOOPS! Charmagne grits her teeth hoping nobody would notice how close it was. But when all was said and done everyone including the young boy had a good laugh.


Finally a happy customer! Charmagne ask, "How do you say "NEXT" is Spanish?


Another new home for a lucky family. It's so wonderful to be part of these adventures especially when you see the humble smiles in each set of eyes and then we begin to realize how much we take for granted. It's also important to realize, these people are not the type that are used to asking anyone for anything. Pride... to see it first hand is priceless.


Hey, what's this? Possibly a future La Carrera Panamericana Champion?

The Art of Giving Back

I always enjoy hearing of racers who make it possible for others to appreciate and enjoy the same sorts of excitment that we do. Here is a nice article from Mexico in the Atencion San Miguel newspaper worthy of reading about the LT Special driven by Sam Burg and co-piloto Dyana Marlett and maintained by Mat Hammerland. Be sure and check out Mat's new website.
The ride of a lifetime
By Cathy Cooper Long



After yet another first-place Panamericana win in 2007, two crashes and a complete overhaul and rebuild, the famous Mexican race car, the LT Special, made its comeback debut at the Jardin in San Miguel on Sunday, August 17.

The event was the conclusion of a fundraiser begun in October of last year by Feed the Hungry (FTH), San Miguel’s children’s charity.

The LT Special—owned by Lerdo de Tejada, and built and maintained by Mats Hammarlund Racing here in San Miguel—is an exact replica of the only race car ever built in Mexico. The original car, built in the fifties and the only one of its kind in the world, is priceless and no longer races. But its clone has won La Carrera Panamericana a total of four times, including last year, and the sleek red machine was given a hero’s welcome at the event at the Jardín.

“It is definitely a crowd pleaser. The car is very noisy; it’s very bright; it’s very special and…it is very, very fast,” said Mats Hammarlund, who rebuilt the car after last year’s Panamericana. Hammarlund and his hot-red hot-rod were at Sunday’s event on behalf of FTH and the lucky winners of last year’s raffle. A total of six winners were drawn from hundreds of raffle tickets sold in October, 2007. The prize: a once-in-a-lifetime chance to ride in the renowned race car.

A large and curious crowd gathered round as the race car, which could be heard two to three blocks away, thundered into the Jardín for the event. Gleaming in the midday sun and basking in the glow of last year’s victory, not so much as a single fingerprint marred its lustrous scarlet finish. The spectacle was such that onlookers shielded their eyes and covered their ears!

Emiliano Tristan, the first winner to claim his prize, brought his toddler son along for the ride. The little boy, not yet two years old, slept through the commotion and had to be gently awakened from his nap. Eventually he roused, and then seemed underwhelmed by the car and overwhelmed by the crowds and all the attention he got. His father, however, couldn’t hide his excitement at getting to ride in the LT Special. “I have always liked cars a lot, so I have been looking forward to this for a very long time. It is very special.”

Another raffle prize winner, Duane Eriksmoen, is coincidentally a volunteer and board member of FTH. Full of anticipation and anxious to redeem his prize, Eriksmoen was the first winner to arrive at the Jardín, but the last to take his ride in the famed race car. “I’ve been waiting for eight months. What’s another couple of hours?” he asked good naturedly. “I’ve been like a 10-year-old kid, waiting for the ride of my life!”

In addition to the raffle winners, two very lucky and very special young visitors from Los Angeles got a chance to take a spin in the passenger’s seat—lucky because they happened to be in the right place at the right time; special because, after hearing about the work done by FTH for thousands of children in and around San Miguel, they decided to give part of their personal savings to the nonprofit organization to help it continue its work.

Nine-year-old Hanah Daines said, “I wanted to spend my ‘charity money’ on children. The pictures in the brochure tell the story. Feed the Hungry makes kids happier.”

Her 11-year-old brother, Noah, also made the same choice and both children made their decision before they had any idea they’d be rewarded with a ride in the race car. Their mother, Barberry Gray Byfield, explained: “Their charity money is part of their allowance. They each set aside one-third every year, and then they decide how to donate it.”

Horst Tutepastell, a FTH board member and organizer of the event, set up a tent and booth alongside the race car to spread the word about FTH, answer questions, recruit volunteers and give interviews to reporters from El Sol de Bajio and Azteca’s Canal 4. He said that FTH’s part of Sunday’s event was also a success. “The race car is a hit,” he said, “but we have had many inquiries about FTH as well. We received donations today and got new volunteers. We couldn’t ask for a better turnout; we are very grateful.”

Perhaps Hammarlund, the builder and driver of the LT Special, summed it up best when he said, “This is great fun, but it is also a wonderful cause. FTH is highly respected, locally and nationally. I like their work, and I love to help however I can.”

FTH is a nonprofit organization which builds, operates and maintains 35 kitchens in San Miguel and the surrounding ranchos. A thirty-sixth kitchen is underway. A hot nutritious meal is provided to almost 4,000 kindergarten and primary school children every school day.

For more information, contact Feed the Hungry San Miguel, Inc. (a 501(c)3 corp.), www.feedthehungrysma.org, 220 N. Zapata Hwy., Suite 11, Laredo, TX 78043; La Conexión, Aldama 3, San Miguel de Allende, Gto 37700, or call 52 (415) 152-2402 in Mexico or (505) 349-3700 in the US.

Hershel McGriff will attend Concurso de Motor Sports in San Miguel de Allende

It's OFFICIAL! Legendary driver Hershel McGriff, the very first driver to win La Carrera Panamericana and his lovely wife Sheri, will be accompanying my wife and I to San Miguel de Allende where Hershel will be honored at the gala Panamerican banquet at the Concurso de Motor Sports in San Miguel de Allende on October 18. What a special treat this will be for anyone attending the the first Concurso de Motor Sports Panamericana in San Miguel de Allende this year. Traditionally San Miguel de Allende is where a much needed layover for competitors and teams who are part of the Coyote Convoy led by North American La Carrera Director, Gerie Bledsoe, find time to relax and acclimate themselves to the beauty of Mexico prior to heading south to the Guatemala border. San Miguel de Allende is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities in Mexico and has been voted one of the top travel destinations not only in Mexico but in the world. Click here for a list.

The event will be a weekend of classic cars, vintage motorcycles, and motor sports entertainment. In addition to recognizing Hershel the Concurso will raise funds for groups providing assistance to the children of San Miguel de Allende and the area. During the fund raiser Hershel will be interviewed in a question/answer type format by a panel headed up by Gerie Bledso and let me tell you, having spoken with Hershel numerous times, I can guarantee Hershel is an amazing speaker so this is going to be great! Can it possibly get any better than this? I think not.



When I was a young boy growing up in rural Oregon I was all but cut off from the rest of the world when it came to all the hero's that most young boys grew up idolizing. Most boys worshiped sports legends like Joe DiMaggio, Jackie Robinson, Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams, and Willie Mays as well as others from football teams naturally being fondest of the teams from their state. But Oregon had no famous NFL or baseball teams but what we did have was Hershel McGriff. While other boys were playing ball I could be found racing my go-carts on country roads or cow pastures pretending to be Hershel McGriff. Like myself Hershel grew up around the lumber business in Oregon and he even bought some logs from my father's mill over the years. Little did I know that one day I would find myself traveling to Mexico to take part in honoring the man I have idolized since my early childhood.



I can't begin to tell you how exciting this is for me. Just think... Hershel won the very first La Carrera Panamericana and now after 58 years he is returning to be recognized for his amazing feat.

McGriff's career is one that pre-dates NASCAR and spans seven decades of racing. NASCAR Chairman Bill France Jr. said, "Hershel started with us about the same time NASCAR was founded and he has always championed NASCAR's cause since day one. He was quite a race-car driver through the years and even more importantly a great ambassador for the sport and we hope he continues as an ambassador to our sport."

McGriff's fascination with racing stemmed from an early interest in cars that developed while growing up in Sioux Falls, S.D. He owned a motor scooter when he was about 9 years old and drove farm machinery while working summer jobs before becoming a teenager. "My dad let me use the family car when I was 12," McGriff recalled of living in a time and place that did not require a drivers' license. "I bought my first car when I was 13."

His first race was at 17 years of age after his family had moved to Portland, Ore. He borrowed his father's car to compete at Portland Speedway in September of 1945. "They advertised this 250-lap race at Portland Speedway, which was dirt," McGriff said. "My dad agreed to let me use his car, a 1940 Hudson. The following year I was offered a 1946 Ford coupe. In the meantime, they had blacktopped the track. I won that race, a 100-lapper.

One of what McGriff considers his biggest accomplishments came in 1950 when he won the Pan American road race in Mexico. His encounter during that event with fellow competitor Bill France Sr., led to a lifelong friendship. "From that time on we were always pretty close," McGriff said. "I think I learned a lot from him. He was so knowledgeable and looked so far ahead."



That same year, France invited McGriff to compete in the first Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. After driving his car cross-country, McGriff raced it to a ninth-place finish and then drove it home to Portland.

Busy building a successful lumber business, McGriff was basically away from racing from 1955 to 1967 before eventually getting involved again. During his racing career, McGriff competed against some of the best names in NASCAR including three generations of the Petty family. He went door-to-door with Lee Petty early in his career, later raced against Richard Petty and even competed against Kyle Petty.

Perhaps McGriff's most remarkable talent was on a road course. With 14 wins, he was the all-time leading race winner at Riverside International Raceway. He also won the first-ever NASCAR Winston West Series street race on the streets of Tacoma, Wash in 1986.

Never one to shy away from a challenge or an adventure, McGriff also carried the NASCAR banner overseas on more than one occasion. In addition to competing in a NASCAR Winston Cup car in the 24 Hours of LeMans in France, he raced in Australia and Japan.

Besides his accomplishments on the track, McGriff was also noted for his efforts off the track. His contributions to the sport were reflected with McGriff being presented with the NASCAR Award of Excellence.

McGriff's popularity among fans was indicated by the record 12 consecutive years, from 1981 to 1992, that he was named as the Most Popular Driver in the NASCAR Winston West Series.

McGriff, who was named to the Oregon Sports Hall of Fame, leaves his name etched throughout the NASCAR Winston West Series record book. In addition to winning the series championship in 1986, he is third on the list of series career victories with 34. In terms of pole positions won in the modern era (1971 to present), McGriff leads the way with 35. His record 12 victories in 1972 still stands as the most in a season as does his record that year for winning the most pole positions, with 12. McGriff also set a record that year for most consecutive races won with five and for the most top-five finishes in a season with 22.

In the modern era alone, McGriff started 236 NASCAR Winston West Series races, one short of the record. He is second in that era for top-fives, with 96, and also second on the list of top-10s with 144. McGriff led 4,094 laps of competition in the modern era, which also ranks second for that time span. When he visited victory lane at Mesa Marin Raceway in Bakersfield, Calif., in 1989 he became the oldest driver to win in the series at 61 years and four months old.

Return to San Miguel de Allende

I hesitated with the title for this post only because I wish I was headed back to run this year's La Carrera again. (Heavy sigh.) Last year when my son Will and I spent a couple days relaxing in San Miguel de Allende with the rest of the Coyote Convoy I swore I would return. As a matter of fact it stood out so much in my mind that I promised myself that I would return with my wife even before we got back to the U.S.A.. But today it's official... I just picked up my plane tickets and my bags are packed. I have talked with many who will be there and look forward to seeing each and everyone of them. The only thing that could make this trip better for me would be for Jon and his wife to join us.

For those of you who have not been to San Miguel de Allende yet get ready to fall in love with a place that will demand that you return again. Trust me on this, you will not be able to refuse yourself such pleasure. I can't wait to see the cars begin to pull into Hotel Refugio and see all the faces old and new alike. The only difference is that this time I will be relaxed, rested and not the least bit concerned as to what lay ahead on the drive to the southern most border.

I can remember all too well the day we pulled our trailer into the secured parking lot along with the rest of the convoy. People were tired from a long days drive and understandably many were stressed out simply from know knowing what to expect. Gerie Bledso handled things just the way they should be and really knew best how to let things unfold. For the most part Gerie said, "There's the parking lot. There's the Hotel across the street and I'm going to have a beer. See you all later." As expected all the rookies were nervously wondering how they would get out of the parking lot on the morning when they left as well as wanting to know how things looked inside their trailers and so on. If Gerie would have hung around the parking lot I'd be willing to bet he'd still be there answering questions to this day. LOL.



How exciting can a parking lots be you ask? Well, let me tell you how exciting it can be. Many of us wanted to get our cars unloaded for the car show in the Jardin the following day and there were a bunch of teams that still needed to perform some work or service on their race cars if you can imagine that. One team had forgotten to bring their ramps which made for an interesting exhibition. Then there was Richard Row and Ernie Harris with a beautiful red Chevrolet who unloaded their car but forgot to set the brake. Everyone just about died laughing as we watched them run after their car narrowly catching it before it went thru a fence and down over a cliff. Who said La Carrera is just a rally? LOL. A guy can total his car in the freaking parking lot just getting to the starting line.

San Miguel de Allende will capture your soul. You can not find a better atmosphere anywhere in the world especially while there with the Coyote Convoy. The entire city will be waiting for you when you get there and you will feel the love the day you leave. If there is one thing you MUST be sure and do it is "take the walk." One evening there will be a local group of musicians who will meet all of us in front of the hotel. Then in their colorful outfits accompanied with a dressed up donkey they will begin singing and serenading all of us while walking all the way down the hill to the Jardin. Also on the way it is a custom for many of the locals to join in and walk along with us singing all the way. (Be sure and bring your video camera.) Along the way we will stop to appreciate some of the fantastic view points along the way as well as walk down some of the most beautiful cobblestone streets lined with showcase entrance ways before continuing on.

At the Jardin (Town square)everyone can go to many fine restaurants, so many in fact you will find it hard to pick just one. Later in the evening many La Carrerstias ended up in the local hot spot complete with disco to let it all hang down. Not to worry because you still have another day to sober up and you can always take a taxi back to the hotel so you don't have to walk back up that hill. Aye Ca rumba!

On the next day when all of the race cars are parked in the Jardin you will not believe how well you will be treated by everyone let alone how many people will come out to see your car and visit with you. Be sure and have hero cards made to hand out and autograph. You can NOT take too many.




Many friendships are formed in San Miguel de Allende. Teams begin to get acquainted and some help with each other's cars and some will offer to take part of other's supplies in their trailers. Some teams will decide to put their cars back on trailers instead of the long drive and so on. In our case we ended up helping some teams put some of their parts in our truck and them we got lucky and had two gals from Sweden ride with us all the way to Oaxaca. More on that adventure later.

For more information on all the excitement going on at Concurso de Motor Sports en San Miguel de Allende click here.