Thanks to Johnny Tipler we can enjoy some great photos of this years awesome turn out of LCP cars at the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2010 in the UK. The Festival also marks the 60th anniversary of the Carrera Panamericana road race and 50 years since the RAC Rally took to the forests of Britain for the first time. All the cars were simply beautiful examples but Johnny says on his blog that the standout car was the Porsche 550 Coupe built for the 1953 Le Mans and then run in La Carrera Panamericana – so it’s in my book. CLICK HERE FOR JOHNNY'S BOOK
One of the cars was a Jaguar C-Type, the only one of its kind to have competed at the fearsome Carrera Panamericana road race in Mexico. Chassis XKC 029, driven by Fiskens’ Will Stone at last weekend’s event, contested the race in 1953 and ’54 and appeared at Goodwood resplendent in its striking newly restored ‘Veracruz’ livery last seen in 1954.
I have also included a short video of my good friend Andy Prill who raced with me in 2007 doing an interview at the festival as well.
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!
Let me tell you, if anyone ever tells you it's easy keeping up with Hershel McGriff because he's an old man, their dead wrong! Hershel may be considered one of Nascar's 50 greatest racers of all time but to me he's Numero Uno! I had to laugh as I was on my way to Infineon International raceway this morning to spend the day with Hershel McGriff because on the Nascar station one of the announcers was trying to compare himself to Hershel McGriff. He said, "It's like this... I am less than half of Hershel's age and last night I was in my back yard pulling a few weeds and this morning I almost couldn't get out of bed. But here's this guy Hershel McGriff and this weekend he's racing in a Nascar race at Infineon and he's 81!"
Hershel invited me up to the track today for what I assumed would be a relaxing day of visiting and lingering around the track visiting with a few Nascar drivers. While it was an awesome day it was anything but relaxing. Hershel and his lovely wife Sherry where about as relaxed as a swarm of yellow jackets as they made sure every single detail for the entire weekend was in order. But what do you expect from a man who hasn't learned the concept of slowing down.
By the way, don't tell anyone because its a secret but even better news is that my family is surprising me this Saturday by taking all of us including my grandson Tyler to his first race at Infineon to watch Hershel race in this weekends Nascar race for Father's Day. Then on Sunday my producer and myself will go back to do an interview with Hershel for our soon to be released HD DVD.
Also exciting was listening as Hershel and Darrell "DW" Waltrip did an interview. The announcer began by building up DW's introduction saying, "This man has been involved with Nascar over three generations..." But when he introdeced Hershel he said, "This man has been racing with Nascar over.... Oh hell, Hershel started racing even before Nascar started over five generations ago!" LOL.
While I was there Hershel got word his interview with Nascar's youngest driver, Joey Lagano, has been changed to tomorrow who will also be racing against Hershel in Saturdays race. No matter how things go it's going to be an awesome weekend that's for sure.
One thing that really made my day was when Hershel and I sat down in his motor coach while he autographed a few very special books I had. Hershel autographed these three covers and page on a very rare edition of "The Mexican Road Race". (Don't tell anyone but I giggled like a little girl.)
Hershel also signed this page in Johnny Tipler's book "La Carrera Panamericana."
Here are a few random photos from around the pits and paddock...
Not just everyone gets a paddock pass like this one.
Hershel's Hot Rod #4
See if you can guess who is parked next to Hershel's motor coach. I may go back later and let the air out of their tires.
Hmmm, nobody's looking. I wonder if these tires will fit on Lucky?
These next two shots are officials tearing Hershels car apart doing the tech inspection. You would NOT believe how much they tear down.
Here is Hershel testing his new car a few days ago.
For those of you who may not have seen Johnny Tipler's awesome LCP coffee table book "La Carrera Panamericana The World's Great Race", here is a brief video showing some photos from it.
I hate to say it but I'm still living the awesome memory of 2007 when my good friend and teammate Jon and my son and I ran the 20th anniversary La Carrera Panamericana. Not only did we finish but in fact we accomplished something I have never heard of any other team doing in their first attempt... we finished in the top 8 overall.
Not only are we extremely satisfied with our achievement but the friends we made along the way are a bonus that is as rich and rewarding as any treasure ever found in the Sierra Madres. It was exciting, adventuresome, rewarding and there are more than 10,000 more adjectives that couldn't possibly describe it all. But what I can tell you is once you have been there you will never forget it, regardless of the outcome. Fortunately, for Jon, Will and myself it's one we will not soon want to forget. What does the future hold in store for us now? I'm not sure but it most certainly holds the dream of returning and knowing what to expect rest assured next time we won't be holding it back to 80 percent.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!
Today, one of my new La Carrera Panamericana friends sent me the best possible New Years gift anyone could have sent. Johnny Tipler, author of the "LA CARRERA PANAMERICANA 'The World's Greatest Road Race'" sent me some photos from across the pond of Jon and I tearing up some memorable highways with Lucky the GT350R in Mexico. I can't begin to thank him enough let alone try to remove the smile from my face. Every time I see these I find myself strapped in Lucky's seat and can feel all that awesome power and handling all over again as if it was only minutes ago. Thanks Johnny!
LA CARRERA PANAMERICANA "THE WORLD'S GREATEST ROAD RACE!" a book I have just finished reviewing is surprisingly one of the best La Carrera Panamericana books to be found.
While you may not find your picture on the cover of the Rolling Stones I can guarantee you will find something in this magnificent work of art that will make your blood pressure rise and even if you don't buy five copies for your mother you most certainly will want to have this one for your own coffee table.
Author Johnny Tipler isn't just another race junkie who thinks he's a writer but in fact he has a BA in History of Art and is an international motoring journalist and author, with over 30 books published on a variety of sports oriented subjects. Anyone who is familiar with my love affair and fascination of La Carrera Panamericana knows that not only have I competed but in fact I have read anything and everything having anything to do with La Carrera Panamericana, old and new. Without a doubt Johnny Tipler has done an extraordinary job of capturing the true essence of what this historical event is all about leaving nothing to the imagination. And just wait until you begin opening the pages as specially commissioned photographs by friend Rebecca Olausson will whisk you away to Mexico where you will feel as if you are standing amongst the non-stop excitement.
Tipler's book begins with the forward written by my good friend and fellow competitor Jo Ramierz in which he tells about his fascination and dreams of this race since he was a teen. The forward it's self offers a good look into what draws so many to the adventure of a lifetime.
The problem with this book simply is there are so many good things to say about it that it makes it difficult to describe how good it is. For those who enjoy the history of how it all began, the first half has it all. Awesome photos, exceptional interviews and surprisingly enough, not just more of the same old stories and photos seen in every other attempt to write about La Carrera Panamericana. It's fresh and very well written.
The second half of the book just blew me away. The hair literally stood up on the back of my neck and goosebumps rose as I saw so many familiar cars and friends who have competed in this race with and before me. There is a very good probability that if you have been involved with this race that you too will find yourself within it's pages. There are lots of exceptional photos taken during the 2006 and 2007 La Carrera Panamericana.
If you enjoy racing or anything to do with respect to the true spirit of La Carrera Panamericana, then this is a must have.
La Carrera Panamericana "The World's Greatest Road Race!" By Johnny Tipler Veloce Publishing WWW.veloce.co.uk ISBN 978-1-84584-170-6 $89.95 USA
Veloce books are stocked by or can be ordered from bookshops and specialist mail order companies but can also be ordered directly from Veloce. (credit cards accepted)
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