I'd Like To Thank The Producers Of The Film...

I've always wanted to say that and have it be for real. Now I can. Steffan Schulz's movie, Rebirth Of A Legend, The Story of La Carrera Panamericana, staring Lucky (My car) and yours truly, Gary Faules, won 1st Runner Up for Best Sports Documentary at the 2010 Official Action on Film 2010 Awards in Los Angeles.













Congratulations to my producor, Steffan Shultz, for an outstanding production!!! And a special thank you to the entire crew of Team California's Best Racing for the an outstanding job, your dedication and perseverance. After all, it wasn't easy trying to keep up with me while I was doing 150 miles per hour through the middle of Mexico all the way from Guatemala back to the United States, let alone get it on film. Also to my navigator Jon Emerson for all he has done to help make this all a reality. Last of all to my wonderful son Will Faules who I could not have done without. I love you.





















Besides all the hustle and bustle and red tape Steffan had to deal with there were many distractions that he had to deal with. Take this one for example as Steffan is hard at work trying to shoot his production. (And this was after he had only been in Mexico for 30 minutes.)

Lucky's Been Noninated For Two Awards!

Rebirth of a Legend
the feature documentary about the Mexican Road Rally La Carrera Panamericana
has been nominated for two awards at the 2010 Action on Film Festival in Los Angeles July 23-30.


___________________________________________


The one hour program is nominated for Best Sports Documentary and also a technical achievement award for Best Cinematography - Documentary.
These are the first award nominations for Rebirth of a Legend and the screening is a Southern California premiere. If you are unable to attend the screening at the Action on Film Festival in Los Angeles, the program is also available on DVD or Blu-ray at Strange Media. Check the AOF website for presentation times.

Program Synopsis:
Taking place from 1950 to 1954, La Carrera Panamericana is considered by contemporaries as the most dangerous car race in history. This documentary chronicles the near 3 year journey of California's Best Racing Team leading up to and competing in the modern day incarnation. A behind the scenes look at the preparation and commitment of a race team competing in the 2007 road rally. A compelling cinderella story about the men and women behind the wheel and underneath the hood. The program also journeys through a historical look at the race as we hear first hand from some of the legends of the original La Carrera.


Running TIme:
1:02:48


For More Information:
Steffan Schulz
email - schulz@strangemedia.com
o - 925-229-0290




© 2009 Strange Media
www.strangemedia.com






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Sometimes It's Good Not Knowing What We Missed

This is one of my favorite photos of the 2007 La Carrera Panamericana. It was taken by Johnny Tipler at the start of a speed stage on Mil Cumbre, a day I will long remember especially sice we won that stage. Yesterday I was telling Johnny besides loving the photo and what it means to me another thing I find interesting is that in the movie, La Carrera Panamericana - Rebirth Of A Legend, there is a scene where you can actually see Johnny shooting this exact photo which is easy to pick out because of the large dead tree in the background.

This is Johnny's reply...

"Yes that was pretty amazing. Around that time, not only did a flock of sheep wander across the road, but a timber truck lumbered out of the forest and came up the hill just ahead of where you are in the pic, he figured out something abnormal was going on and thankfully pulled on to the grass at the side!"

WOW! I sure am glad I didn't know all that. I have no doubt that had I known it would have created some sort of hesitation in the corners to come... "Are there any more trucks. Did they get the road closed properly. How many damn sheep are in these mountains? I wonder how much damage a sheep will cause to my suspension if I don't lift?" The bottom line is just keep your foot to the floor and don't lift.

Sure enough Johnny sent the photos to prove it. LOL. Thanks Johnny. You're the best!

Shelby Tid Bits

I have been playing with one of my best friends over the last few weeks down at the shop. Over 475,000 miles and still as much fun as the day I drove it off the showroom floor. And just as fast and beautiful too I might add.





















Speaking of great looking rides I think that new 2011 Shelby GT350 would look pretty cool parked in my stable. CHECK IT OUT HERE



And while I'm on the subject of fast Mustangs did you happen to see the prety little red special edition 2011 Mustang GT that King Petty, who holds the NASCAR record with seven Daytona 500 victories, drove today as he paced all 43 cars to the green flag for the 52nd running of the Daytona Great American Race.

HEY.... FOLLOW THAT COP!!!

If you ever doubt for a second that LCP participants don't get preferential treatment while taking part in LCP have a look at the following video but while you're watching it keep in mind this is'nt the exception to the rule... This is the norm just the way all LCP teams are treated. You can almost go anywhere or do anything and they welcome you with open arms.

The man shaking my hand in this photo was the top Federally in all of Mexico and clearly very well respected by everyone everywhere we went. As he shook my hand at the start of the last high speed stage of the final day he told us what a pleasure it was to have us racing in his country. WHAT? A pleasure to have us racing in his country??? Here was a man who for 7 days had helped us break every single motor vehicle known to man kind and then he made us promise we come and do it all over again.












Have you ever taken a wrong turn on the freeway and then realize not only is it the wrong way but you don't have a clue how far into the wrong direction it will take you before you will be able to find a place to get turned around? Well that's exactly what happened one day to Jon and I during the 2007 La Carrera Panamericana. After realizing we had taken a turn onto a different freeway which Jon assumed was the wrong one I just pulled off to the side of the freeway. As soon as we saw one of the Federallys who was traveling with the LCP cars we flagged him down. To make matters worse the Federally didn't know either but he knew how to find out and within a few seconds he pulled over a local police officer and told him we were in a hurry and needed directions. As bad luck would have it we were now on the wrong freeway and it was a LONG way to turn around but as good luck would have it the Federally smiled and said, "FOLLOW ME!" With that he turned on his flashing lights and we began backing up on the freeway and kept on backing right on up the on ramp in oncoming traffic until we got back to the freeway which would take us the right direction. If that wasn't cool enough then the Federally kept his lights on stopping traffic until there was an opening for us to pull out into traffic. As soon as were were back on the freeway the Federally gave us an escort thru traffic flashing lights and all that got faster and faster as we went on our merry way. VIVA MEXICO!

The Distinction Of A Mil Cumbre Battle Scar

During the entire 7 days of hard racing over 2000 miles through Mexico during the grueling world famous 2007 La Carrera Panamericana driver Gary Faules and navigator Jon Emerson had only one minor incident. Petty impressive considering this was their first LCP event on roads neither had ever seen before. The car didn't get the name Lucky by chance. The night before at the drivers meeting teams were advised by the president of LCP, "Do not, try to win this stage." Watch what happens a few seconds after Jon tells Gary, "Use all the road." By the way, Gary and Jon won this stage.

Winning Mil Cumbres

For many years the Mil Cumbres stage of the world famous La Carrera Panamericana has been reveled as the most dangerous stage of the entire race and and in the process has claimed not only many cars but tragically it has taken many lives as well; So many in fact that after Gary Faules and Jon Emerson won that stage during the 2007 LCP it has since been removed from the event. DO NOT let the sound on this video fool you since it is only being heard through the mic on Jon and Gary's helmets, these guys are seriously hauling the mail. Gary and Jon show how a good working relationship between driver and navigator are paramount thus giving each other the confidence each other can feed off of.

For the record, when Jon loses his place in the log book for a second or two I had to laugh and when all was said and done this was the only time during the entire race that it happened and he was flawless. Since the LCP Studebaker's are known for being built on tube frame chassis with Nascar Winston Cup engines that are capable of doing 200 miles per hour it was exceptionally rewarding to pass one even if it was between him and a donkey.

CLICK HERE FOR LARGER SCREEN

Gary Faules & Jon Emerson Winning Mil Cumbre Stage Of LCP from Gary on Vimeo.

A Hero's Welcome In Tehuacan

The greeting that La Carrera Panamericana participants are given as they enter every single little village or major city in Mexico is simply overwhelming and there can not be enough said to thank the citizens of Mexico for their awesome hospitality and generosity.

Here are some short segments as we enter the beautiful city of Tehuacan Mexico.

Lucky Memories

Raving Reviews!!!

What a wonderful evening Mari Chris, Jon and I had as the city of Martinez welcomed us with open arms at the sold out showings of the world premier showing of the movie about my race car Lucky and Team California's Best involvment. Lucky was parked right in front of the theater and I was extremely happy with being able to hear everyone reactions during the movie. Afterwards Jon and I were invited up on stage for a Q&A session which put me right in my element. Afterwards I enjoyed signing autographs and taking pictures with so many wonderful people and new found fans of Lucky. My wife couldn't believe how many ladies asked where Will was. LOL.





I would like to thank Steffan Schulz, owner of Strange Media for making this all come to be as a result of his amazing eye and many talents.

Lucky Becomes A Star At Historical Film Festival

Local filmmaker to show three shorts at Campbell Theatre
Event might be first annual film festival in Martinez.

By Greta Mart

Staff Reporter
January 14, 2010



Move over, Telluride and Sundance. This coming Saturday at the Campbell Theater, the Martinez Inaugural Film Festival commences with two world-premiers and a six-minute science fiction short.

Martinez filmmaker Steffan Schultz led the effort to bring a festival celebrating the cinematographic arts to the area. He met with Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Cynthia Murdough earlier in the month to pitch his vision of an annual multi-day event, and the two agreed to collaborate on this weekend’s trial run.

“I love the idea of an ongoing Martinez Film Festival, and this is a great chance to test the waters,” said Murdough.

“There are no film festivals in the East Bay besides Oakland and Livermore, and I just though we need something like this in Martinez,” Schultz said this week. “The biggest issue [with instituting film festivals] is the venue and infrastructure, and when the Campbell Theater was offered, it was perfect.”

Starting at 5 p.m., Saturday’s festival features three films made by Schultz, Rebirth of a Legend, Lorelei and Tracker.

“Taking place from 1950 to 1954, La Carrera Panamericana is considered by contemporaries as the most dangerous car race in history, and my documentary chronicles California’s best racing team leading up to and competing in the modern day incarnation,” said Schultz, describing a 2000-mile, 7-day journey to Central Mexico. He added that the cast and crew of the documentary will be on hand to answer questions, and the racing car featured in the film, a 1965 Shelby GT350 Mustang entitled “Lucky,” will be parked outside.

Lorelei is loosely based on a poem written by German write Heinrich Heine, and Tracker envisions a Earth ravaged by global warming and ‘uncontrolled corporate pollutants.’

Tickets for the festival cost $7; due to limited seating, tickets at the door are not guaranteed and prospective attendees are encouraged to call the Chamber at 228-2345 to reserve seats.

Gazette readers were introduced to Schultz last April when he screened his documentary entitled Hovsgol Nuur: Diving in the land of Chingis Kahn, a 48-minute film that followed a team of international scientists as they explored the environmental significance of two giant lakes on the Mongolian/Siberian border - 85-mile-long Lake Hovsgol, which provides 70 percent of Mongolia’s fresh water, and Russia’s Lake Baikal, the deepest and oldest lake in the world.

CLICK HERE FO ARTICLE

World Premiere of "Rebirth of a Legend"

Please join us for the World Premiere of "Rebirth of a Legend - The Story of La Carrera Panamericana"

This event is one night only and seating is limited. Meet the cast and crew and see "Lucky" the 1965 Mustang Shelby that participated in this historic road rally through the heart of central Mexico.

Also playing are Tracker and Lorelei, two short films by Strange Media.


DATE: January 16th
TIME: 5:00pm (Doors) 5:30pm (Curtain)
Cost - $7
LOCATION: Campbell Theater 636 Ward Street Martinez, CA

One Man's Loss... Another's Gain

And I mean this with the utmost respect but sometimes one man's destiny can have either an adverse or a positive effect on another man's destiny. So with that in mind read along as I explain myself....


Without a doubt the most exciting recollections I have of the entire 2007 La Carerra Panamericana was the day Jon and I won what is and always has been the undisputed most dangerous stage of the entire race... Mil Cumbres. Not only did we win that stage but even after being told by veterans that because it was so challenging and dangerous we should not expect to pass any cars unless they crashed. But not only did we dominate that stage of the race but in fact we passed two very fast cars.

It was while coming into a very fast corner that Lucky's tail end swung out as far as it could go and removed one of those white cement bumpers that line much of Mexico's highways. To our left was a cliff with no guard rail and thousands of feet down and to our right was a solid rock wall. Due to the angle we were sliding and the speed it was obvious that if I lifted we would have most certainly bounced off the rock wall and gone over the cliff.

Lucky's Mil Cumbre battle scar worn with honor


Jon hung on and I stepped on the loud pedal as hard as I could. A soon as the tail end began to come back to me we heard the WHAM as Lucky's right rear quarter slammed the cement marker but in a split second the horsepower really paid off as the car straightened out. Without skipping a beat Jon says, "Nice save. Ok, Right 1." I'm here to tell you THAT was exciting!


As if it were only yesterday I remember every detail of that adrenaline rush stage and all that took place. With that in mind you can only imagine how excited I was tonight when I stumbled upon a friend's site which I have never before, seen only to find a photo he had taken of Jon and I in Lucky passing a Studebaker from a much faster class right in the middle of Mil Cumbre! What a treasure this is for us and had it not been for Terry's misfortune more than likely they would not have had time to shoot this awesome shot. HOW DAMN COOL IS THAT!!!


CLICK HERE and enjoy a fantastic site about Terry Sayther's #401 BMW that has to be the most beautiful car that I have personally seen running in LCP. WARNING... There is a LOT to see and read including some great photos and videos about Terry's adventures during three years of LCP in this car but sadly it suffered a terrible crash during 2007. I was so focused and busy with the entire race and even though I was around this car both before and after it's wreck I never knew one of my friends, Bill Arnold, was the co-piloto until I returned back to California. The sad remains were parked next to us at a service stop that evening and once again served those skeptics with a reminder by proving LCP is indeed a race and NOT just another rally.

Before


After

A VERY Exciting Picture

The main staging area for the 2007 La Carrera Panamericana was behind the Eduardo Vasconcelos Stadium in Oaxaca opened in 1950 and was named after Eduardo Vasconcelos, who was Governor of Oaxaca from 1947 to 1950. This was the meeting place for anyone who competed. It was a very exciting place for many of us especially us first timers and it was here that for the first time it really began to sink in that something big was about to happen. This is where we began to notice some of the cars and drivers we had been reading about for the last two years and a place were we would make new friends that will last a lifetime.

This is a very special never before seen slide taken right in front of the Oaxaca stadium at the start finish line during the 1954 LCP. Thank you to the estate of the late Frank C Ruppert brother of our good friend Frank J Ruppert. Anyone who was there in 2007 will really enjoy this simply because at the time we were there. It's hard to believe but it was MILES to the nearest empty lot and business's filled the streets as far as you could see. Obviously long before this photo was taken as there is NOTHING around the stadium them. If you look closly to the left of the soilder you can see one of the Lincoln team members wearing their blue team jacket.

CLICK ON PHOTO TO ENLARGE




Here it is today.



This was home for a couple days where we could park our rigs and begin any unfinished prep work and so on. We were required to take a brief physical or sorts and basically if you could get a helmet on your head you passed.





















This was where we gathered to get in line to get all the required goodies including registration papers, license, LCP jackets, hats and T-shirts and so on and I was the first person in line which I found out later really reaped it's rewards. Afterwards you could get in line to get your car scrutinized by the tech inspectors and this is where teams really learned the importance of getting their early and being prepared. This line for some lasted two whole days and in several cases some teams had to return more than once with corrections or changes to their cars to meet tech requirements as well as helmets and racing suits.



This also the place you finally get to see the route book for the very first time.



Cars lined up for tech inspection for two days.



After your car met the approval of strict tech inspection you were sent to have the required decals installed by an entire team of guys who really knew what they were doing and did an awesome job.







One thing I enjoyed was all the colorful graffiti that was on the walls. I was told that they welcome it and I was glad they did.
























Here is the start line in Oaxaca in 2007




Here is the start line in Oaxaca in 1953

R Models From Hell

Found this cool item on Ebay today. Gotta love it! It's a Shelby Amercian Automobile Club SAAC Postcard from a few years back.

Bob Bondurant, Lucky, Cobra Daytona -- More Records Than You Can Shake A Stick At

Bob Bondurant has been a good friend since 1970 and when he asked if he could write the forward for our DVD La Carrera Panamericana - Rebirth of A Legend
I was ecstatic.

Bob wrote; In the early 50’s, the top racing teams in the world tasked their legendary drivers – Juan Fangio, Phill Hill, Carroll Shelby and others, to challenge one of the toughest road races of its time – The La Carrera Panamericana. A grueling 2100 mile, multi-day race across the heart of central Mexico. After only five years, the race was canceled. Some say it had accomplished its goal; to promote the newly constructed Panamerican Highway. Others contest that the race was too dangerous and had to be stopped.

Today, the modern incarnation of La Carrera pays homage to that history, and is still considered by many to be the world’s toughest open-road race. To say you’ve competed in, and actually finished the La Carrera Panamericana is a significant achievement.

This documentary is an unprecedented view of that legendary race, and a contemporary look at one of its participants, the California’s Best Racing Team. Rebirth of a Legend chronicles the amazing 3-year journey that lead driver Gary Faules and co-pilot Jon Emerson to take on the 2007 La Carrera Panamericana. I have known and been friends with Gary for many years, and he has proven himself as a skilled driver.

From junkyard to finish-line hero, it’s a ride you won’t soon forget. This DVD is a priceless piece of history!

-Bob Bondurant

This weekend Bob was on hand while the very same Cobra Daytona that he drove into the analogs of automotive history sold for $7.25 million.



Courtesy of Hemmings...

Back in 1967, Bob Bondurant sold a Cobra Daytona for a paltry $4,000. Over the weekend he watched one of six Daytonas built by Shelby cross the block for an astounding $7.25 million at Mecum’s inaugural Monterey Auction, setting a record for the highest price paid for an American car at public auction, according to Mecum.

The Big Day Has Arrived

It's been almost 4 years in the making but today is the big day. I'm like a little boy who finally got to open his Christmas presents on Christmas morning and just cant wait to show them to his friends. Steffan Shultz, the producer who has spent countless day and nights and hours piecing La Carrera Panamericana Rebirth Of A Legend all together after thousands of hours of building the car, testing and racing has really created the best ever La Carrera Panamericana movie production ever made and today it makes it premier debut at the Pebble Beach Monterey Historics.

As amazing as this movie will be to anyone who has ever been involved with La Carrera Panamericana it will be just as exciting to anyone who has a love affair with automotive racing. Included in this movie are some never before seen slides and movie footage from the very first La Carrera Panamericana. There are some amazing and insightful interviews with some of the most recognizable LCP participants of all time including men and women from around the world, one of the original team owners from the first LCP and the legendary Hershel McGriff himself.

Everyone who has seen it has said the same thing... "It's so good that it seemed as if it was only ten minutes long and I was left wanting more." Speaking of legendary drivers, the forward was written by none other than my dear friend Bob Bondurant himself and C. Van Tune, former Editor-in-Chief, Motor Trend & ESPN TV personality.

Other than running in La Carrera Panamericana what could be possibly better than spending an afternoon at the Monterey Historic's with a group of La Carrera Panamericana friends and watching this movie?

Giving Credit Where Credit Is Due

Every man knows that destiny is what shapes each man's life but very few of them realize that our destiny was not created by things we had anything to do with but rather by those before us all to often decades before our very existence. This last weekend as I drove to Oregon to be with my mother for what is realistically the last time, I had lots of time to think about my own destiny and how it has been effected by others before me.

In one of the letters that President Reagan wrote to me he said, "It's hard to find anything more distinctive about American life than the variety of the opportunities it affords people to improve their own lives and, in the process, the lives of so many others." Then I realized what a perfect example Hershel McGriff has been in affecting my life and the lives of so many others and in doing so my own destiny. Because Hershel seized opportunities many years ago which in fact improved his own life and in the process, the lives of so many others, many of us are now able to enjoy a more distinctive life.

Hershel McGriff and Gary Faules


For those of us involved in racing, more specifically, with La Carrera Panamericana, it's almost unfathomable to comprehend how uneventful our roles in today's La Carrera Panamericana might be had Hershel not won that first race thus bringing home the distinction to The United States. Hershel's successful involvement in racing for the next many decades to come had a lot to do as a result of his early success and Hershel has always given credit to that race being one that opened so many doors of opportunities.

Had it not been for the likes of Hershel McGriff and a few other greats like him many young drivers today would not have had many of the doors open to them that they did. Always the diplomat, a real man's man, Hershel has always been able to back himself up with his own actions. The truth is, if it were not for Hershel, racing may very likely not be what it is today. It's the ground work that was set up by great drivers like him that became the very foundation known as one of the greatest racing venues ever realized in the racing world.... NASCAR.



Speaking of greats think Kentucky Derby. Super Bowl. America’s Cup. Indianapolis. Le Mans. Daytona ... each the epitome of sporting excellence. Add to that list the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races. Since 1974, the Rolex Monterey Historic's have showcased the world’s passion for vintage racing cars and has risen to a preeminent place on the international motorsports calendar, held at the beautiful Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. During this year's event "La Carrera Panamericana, Rebirth Of A Legend" produced by Steffan Shultz, will be making it's debut. In doing so one of my biggest dreams will be realized after having competed in La Carrera Panamericana which has long been widely recognized by it's contemporaries to be the most dangerous race of any type in the world.























This amazing production is by far the most comprehensive and exciting documentary not only about La Carrera Panamericana but also about the involvement of Team California's Best and those who made it a reality. Besides tons of exciting footage, photos, interviews and more during the 2007 La Carrera Panamericana, the film includes the entire build and preparation of my 1965 GT350R Shelby that finished 9th overall made all the more exciting since finishing that high is unheard of for any first timers.



I would like to take this time to thank Hershel not only for his part in this film but for his friendship and for helping shape Team California's Best and so many other's destinies, mine included, into some of the most amazing adventures and opportunities any man could ever ask for. Thank you Hershel.