Reminicing Memories and Momentos

Five days after Bob signed this my son Will and I were in Oaxaca at the far end of Mexico taking the car out of the trailer and the first team in line for registration and tech inspection.

How La Carrera Panamericana Helped Make Phil Hill Famous

A few days ago a good friend sent me a link to a Fuller Brush magazine which focused on Phil Hill's racing career. Not only did the full page color photos show Phil with many of his cars but it was also a time line of sorts as to how he got his start and went on to be the legend he is. I also enjoyed how they took time to show Phil away from the track enjoying his hobbies, wife, family and more while at home or traveling. But what stood out most of all was realizing how La Carrera Panamericana set down the foundation as it had for Hershel McGriff in that it opened so many doors of opportunity. One can't help but wonder had it not been for their involvment in La Carrera Panamericana would the names Hill and McGriff be what they are today or would destiny taken them down other paths?

I have several well written books all signed by Phil in person all of which tell stories about various races he won and so on but I found this simple little cover style magazine most intriguing and when you stop and realize it was published in the late 50's the quality of the pictures are quite impressive indeed. To see the entire display of photos CLICK HERE.

Here is the cover of the Phil Hill Fuller Brush Special Edition





















Phil Hill & Richie Ginther in a Ferrari owned by Allen Guiberson driving past Mount Popocatépetl.





















This is photo was taken thru Lucky's rear view mirror by Co-Piloto Jon Emerson while driving by Mount Popocatépetl in Lucky during the 2007 La Carrera Panamericana. Not only is Mount Popocatépetl a still active volcano but in fact it erupted a few days after we passed causing some evacuations.






Denise McCluggage, sports columnist for the New York Herald Tribune, who wrote this feature article had a most descriptive way of writing which really added flavor and color. I had to hold back a belly roll when I read... "The Mexican Road Race is the world's longest race. It stretches for five days and 2000 miles the length of Mexico from the tropical town of Tuxtla Gutierrez on the Guatemalan border over the snaking mountain passes the with of a wagon road through the high, cool capital of Mexico City, on across the hot dusty flatlands of Ciudad Juarez the struggling, dirty border town across the Rio Grande from El Paso."

It really amazed me to learn was this was Phil's very first International race and he finished sixth. But even more interesting was that when Phil tried again the following year he was so nervous about the race that the only thing he could eat was baby food, possibly because of his narrow escape after he plunged off a cliff on a bling curve in the mountains.



Here is the actual car driven by Phil Hill and Richie Ginther at last years Monterey Historics.




Phil Hill and Richie Ginther try again in 1954 this time finishing second in the 1953Ferrari 375 he drove to second place in the fifth Carrera Pan Americana.





















This time Phil was driving the #20 and Ferrari prepared ride called the 4.5 Mille Miglia. Phil finished an amazing second right behind Italian Maglioli who drove a newer Ferrari but with a bigger engine. On the last leg Phil averaged over 140 miles per hour but much more importantly, because of his success it was during this race when he realized that racing was what he wanted and then he began to dream of driving for a factory team in Europe. And as they say... the rest is history.

Here is the #20 Ferrari today.


Having been blessed to have known Phil Hill personally is something I will be eternally grateful for but one of my favorite memories of him was the day this photo of Phil and I was taken. My son asked Phil, "Of all the races and records you've set not to mention all the world championships is it possible for you to pick one that stands out more than any other?" Without any hesitation whatsoever Phil's eyes lit up as he looked at Will and replied, "Absolutely... During my entire racing career not a single race was ever more exciting than the La Carrera Panamericana."

Try Threading A Truck And 24 Foot Trailer Thru A Needle

That's exactly what my son Will had to do at Zacatecas during the 2007 La Carrera Panamericana and since he was our only service crew member he had to do it entirely by himself. Not only is my son an amazing young man but I just cant imagine who else could have performed up to the level and expectations that he did. It's important to know while the race cars get a police escort thru mind numbing traffic jambs, the service teams are pretty much left on their own to figure out how to reach designated service stops on their own.

Team California's Best truck and trailer parked behind Enrique's service rig.


Service crews are given a route book similar to the ones given to the race cars which some times show alternate routes however teams need to do their homework the night before since many times the route needed will be closed for the race leaving crews stuck behind in traffic until long after the race is over. Some mornings Will had to leave as early as 5am in the morning to reach a service stop even though we didn't have to start racing until 8am. Good team work helped figure out team strategies and service stops. Do we check the brakes in the morning and get a good nights sleep tonight or so we service the car tonight so the service crew can let early? These are just some of the things that need to be considered. I'm very proud to say everything worked out perfectly for us. The only thing I would change in retrospect and when we do it again is that WE WILL NOT ATTEND EVENING AWARDS/DINNER CEREMONIES. Instead we will spend that time relaxing and site seeing.

Hell, it was bad enough driving in Zacatecas in my GT350R and that even taking into consideration I could run traffic lights, and pass police and go anywhere I wanted. The night Will had to drive in Zacatecas and find a safe place for the trailer and then get to the hotel was the hardest on him for the entire trip. Doing the smart thing, he parked and then found the hotel and me. Then we simply paid a taxi to lead us the best way back to the Hotel Emporio.

Our very good friend Enrique who many times teamed up with Will. Left to right, Jo Rimerez, Enrique, Gary Faules.



This video of Zacatecas shows exactly what I'm talking about and keep in mind this video was shot during day light and Will had to maneuver it after dark something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. (Fast forward thru the interviews) Zacatecas is one of the most beautiful cities along the LCP route but it was absolutely the roughest and unfortunately Enriques couldn't make it this day which is one more very important lesson in realizing that your service crew had better be able to deal with adversity. This is no place to anyone who can't roll with the punches and make shit happen. (Pardon the language but if you can't handle that then you are sure as hell aren't ready for LCP.)



Check out some of these streets in Zacatecas and remember this guy is doing it on a motorcycle! Then try an imagine it with a 24 foot trailer.

Phil Hill At La Carrera Panamericana

Since referencing a quote a few days ago that Phil Hill made to my son Will and I about La Carrera Panamericana being the most exciting and thrilling event that he ever competed in I began thinking about the cars he drove.

One of them was this 1953 Ferrari 375M Spyder which was purpose built for the 1954 La Carrera Panamericana.




Here we see Phil getting ready for the SCCA National Event at March Air Force Base in Riverside California where drove the car in the thirty five lap main event to a second place behind Bill Spear's in another 375MM Ferrari. In reality this race was meant to serve as a shake down with less than 5 months beore taking it to Mexico.


In this photo Phil Hill and Richie Ginther ready themselves for the start of the La Carrera Panamericana. Phil Hill was the piloto and Richie Ginther was co-piloto and they took second place overall averaging 105.5mph. They were able to win three of the eight legs of the race. They ran out of fuel on the seventh leg and only managed fourth place which put them out of contention for the overall lead. Only 85 of the 146 vehicles entered actually finished the grueling endurance race.






















Here they are taking a break in front of a sponsor's business. If you look closely you may recognize the 1954 La Carerra Panamericana poster in the window.


In this photo taken near Puebla, Phil makes repairs for the race to Mexico City. In this photo you can also see how Ferrari modified the body to include a distinctive headrest and tailfin as well as a modified rear body to accept an additional spare tire, and aircraft airscoops were added to help cool the tires. Then the traditional red was repainted white and blue.


Here we see Phil at the wheel while Richie Ginther waves to the fans at 110 miles per hour.


Phil and Richie take a break after a hard run.


Phil and Richie cross the finish line at Juarez after averaging 137mph for the final leg. By the way... that is a La Carrera Panamericana speed record which has not been broken to this very day. That's been 55 years ago folks in a car that was built 56 years ago. Think about it.

Good Racing Requires Great Intuition

I'm sure it happens to everyone... How many times have you been driving in traffic and something told you that car up front was going to change lanes even though there was no turn signal? But with any great race car driver it's that same instinct that makes the difference. It may be because the other driver just makes a mistake going into a corner too hot, or it may be that he just didn't see the other car or any of a thousand other reasons but the difference is a great driver can sense these things before they happen.

My son Will is exactly that sort of person possessing that all important instinct and luckily he got the same genes from yours truly that ultimately enable him to make the right decision at the right time. This video shows exactly what I'm talking about as we were watching the Toyota Save Mart 350 last weekend at Infineon. It is near the end of the race and Boris Said is in heavy traffic attempting to catch leader Joey Lagano. Watch Boris who is in the black number 57 car as he splits two cars going into turn 4 and if you listen you can hear Will say "Boris if going to punt him!" long before it happens. Average drivers don't possess the ability to make these calls as the one who takes a wild ride.

A Tale Of A Son And His Proud Father

Most little boys begin having a fascination with cars the moment they open their eyes, something that only grows as they do. Equally as enjoyable is that fathers enjoy taking their children for a ride and that includes grandfathers too. Here is my father taking Will and his mother for a ride in one of our 1928 Fords.
















Then, what seems like only yesterday Will was racing around the house on his first race car. As you can see, some things never change... Will still thinks racing is more important than getting dressed.



When Will was a young boy he would do anything to get to drive so his grandmother would pay him a few bucks to mow the lawn. This didn't last long since Wills Nascar driving style cost Granny too much in tires and gas.


Naturally when it was time for high school Wills need for speed didn't stop there as he set multiple track records in high school as well as state several of which still stand to this day.


I know it's hard to believe but Will was grounded from driving his mustang from time to time so he took up water skiing. The problem was Will had no boat so he improvised. Will built a contraption and called it "California Skiing."


Since he was grounded he had to have his mother use his car to do the towing. Did I mention the hospital emergency room knew Will on a first name basis? (He loved wheelchairs too.)


Since I couldn't afford all the emergency room visits I finally gave in and let him use the boat.


One weekend Will asked his sister if he could borrow her car and she told him he could if he would take good care of it to which he eagerly agreed. What he neglected to tell her was he had just qualified as the youngest licensed driver in NASA's history and was signed up for a weekend of NASA at Laguna Seca.


At the ripe old age of 13 Will began racing my Dodge Viper at NASA events as well as anything else with wheels on it until finally he took one of my RX7's back to the Mid Ohio championships and won his first national championships. (Between you and me I was as proud of the car as I was Will.) Here's Will doing some victory donuts after the exciting win.


Not long after that I had a heart to heart with Will about my concerns of him always thinking about cars and that he should settle down and get a job and taking on some responsibility. A few days later he came home and announced he had a job. Naturally I was very excited as I asked where he would be working. Then he said, "I am the new race car instructor at Reno Fernley."




As Will grew older he found that his love of water skiing and racing cars went hand in hand.




Eventually Will did what every loving parent prays and hopes their kid will do... He got a job and moved away. YES... THERE IS A GOD! LOL! The jury still seems to be out as to which one of us is happiest.



All kidding aside this is one of my favorite photos. This was taken back in the days when Will and I had plenty of time to spend racing go-carts every week. Will was always a very good listener and I credit that to much of his success in everything he has ever taken on. Whatever he sets out to do is always given 200 percent or nothing at all.

Spring Is In The Air

Besides the fact that spring has officially begun which means the leafs are bursting, the flowers are blooming, the animals are... well, never mind, I think you get the general idea.... It's the beginning of the spring racing season here in California and there is nothing more exciting than racing this time of year. Everything is green, cars are new, drivers and teams are excited to try out new machinery and more. To make things all the better, this time of year can bring the added excitement of rain showers right in the middle of a race.


Regarding the first race of this spring season was no exception and even better was that Team California's Best made me damn proud today and if it's excitement everyone was looking for at Infineon Raceway this weekend they got their moneys worth that's for sure.




This was the debut weekend for team mate Jon Emerson's SE30 BMW and an impressive one it was at that. What I found most exciting about Jon's new ride was the fact that between Jon and Will this car was completed in almost record time and is without a doubt the most beautifully detailed SE30 car on the planet earth. For those of you who didn't already know, Jon's middle name is "Detail".



But as impressive as the build was, both in detail and quality, what I found even more spectacular was this car went from Jon's garage onto a trailer straight to the track and never even saw so much as a lap around a city block. After it came off the trailer this morning it went straight onto the race track. Just as I arrived at the track Jon had just come off the track after a warm up lap and had one small fuel and coolant leak which a small repair and all ready for qualifying.





With less than an hour before qualifying we began to hear raindrops on top of the canopy. Oh crap! Like Jon said, "I'm not afraid to drive my brand new car in the rain..... It's some of those other drivers that scares the B-Jesus out of me."



If there's one thing Jon and Will enjoy the hell out of it's racing in the rain and boy could I tell you some stories. Just let me say this... when it starts raining and you look into either one of their eyes you see something akin to Jack Nicholson's face in the movie, The Shining, when he says, "Heeeere's Johnny!" CLICK HERE to see what I mean. Later today I overheard Jon and another driver arm-chair racing when Jon told him, "The rain and lots of traffic are my best friends." Almost as if it was planned, no sooner than qualifying began so did the rain but when it was all over, Will had set a new SE30 lap record (even though it was wet) and Jon's new toy had performed absolutely perfect and qualifyied him in 8th. Don't forget, Jon hasnt even been behind a wheel for some time.

Since the main heat race wasn't until 5:00 in the afternoon there was plenty of time to just enjoy seeing old friends and hanging out. I even drove over to the esses and took a two hour nap ocassionally looking up to watch the Star Mazda formula guys battle it out for a while. Then it was time for the big event of the day as the SE30 BMW's took the track and let me tell you there was a bunch of beautiful looking cars too. Even the high dollar Porches with their whale tails looked bland by comparison. What was interesting about this race was one lap some of the sections of track would be soaked with rain and two laps later those sections would be dry but others would be wet. For the entire race the drivers never knew from one lap to the next what the next corner would be let alone the line.

Here are a couple short videos of the race.






On the very first lap as the large pack of SE30 BMW's came into turn 4 a car got got sideways and then collected by another car and it was every man for himself. Will was just ahead of it all and Jon did an awesome job of getting through the whole maze and moved up a few spots. By the time Will had reached the bottom of 6 he was well in the lead. As the race progressed Will kept opening up his lead and Jon kept picking off cars on his way to the front of the pack. It's important to know there are four seperate clases of race cars running at the same time some of which are Porsches, Miatas, and others but even that didnt stop Jon and Will of doing so well that not only did they catch up with the tail end of their own class but in fact lapped some them as well. And this was on a WET racetrack... Simply a spectacular site to watch.


Jon smiling while waiting in impound.

When all was said and done two of Californis's Best Team drivers stood on the podium. Will with a first and Jon with third. How awesome is that for the first day of spring?

This photo was taken for our good friend Gary from Canada at THE GARAGE to show him how to drive past a cone WITHOUT killing it.

What Could Possibly Be Better Than Father And Son In LCP?

Having been so very fortunate and to be able to look back at so many awesome adventures and experiences in my lifetime it can often be overwhelming. But one of the very best adventures of all was competing in La Carerra Panamericana. Most of us know why and it is so much more than just another race. It's a tradition, it's exciting, it's all about becoming part of a legendary race, one of the most recognized in the world, it's about making some of the most unforgettable friends in your lifetime and if nothing else, it's an honor just having been involved. Combine this with the facts that I got to do it with one of best friends and teammate Jon Emerson and not to mention we finished so well especially considering it was our first time in LCP and it makes it all the more rewarding.




As exciting as all of the above was and still is, all that aside, one of the very best parts of the entire journey was being able to do it with my son Will. From the time Will was a very little boy he was driving/racing something. We have more battle scared walls, furniture, ankles and yes even a few cars, than most people will ever encounter. The point is, it truly has been a special journey of it's own having a son like him to watch grow up let alone remembering all the smiles he has put on our faces and memories I am sure to take to the grave with me.



Not only was Will an intricate part of Team California's Best which was an asset in helping us obtain such a great finish and helping us find our place in the history books but he was so much more. He was my best friend, my confidant, traveling companion for such a long and arduous trip, but best of all WE did the La Carrera Panamericana as father and son. Only a father and son, especially one who has raced as many years as we have, can completely understand the merits, satisfaction, self esteem, and rewards of such an adventure.



While in Mexico I saw a side of my son I had not seen before. He never ceases to amaze me. He spoke Spanish like an old pro which was something I didn't know he could do. For the first time in our lives he was the one playing the roll of being the supporter saying things like, "Now just don't worry about it. Go to your room and get some rest and I'll fix it for you. You just focus on the things you're supposed to." We raced together, we drank together, we laughed together and we even chased a few gals together. Unfortunately for the latter he always got to them ahead of me.




Knowing how exciting all this was for me and other father and son teams before us, I began thinking about my good friend Carson Scheller and a similar journey he is about to embark upon with his beautiful daughter Lauren. That's right... Father and Daugther team. How cool is THAT! It's one thing to take part in a race like this as a husband and wife team and like I already made clear, doing it with your son is something else but when I heard Carson's daughter was Co Piloto for him this year I damn near fell off the stool I was sitting on at the time. To be honest with you, since I have an amazingly beautiful daughter too and one that drives as crazy as Will, (well almost) and having a perfectly good understanding as to all that goes on in LCP, I just can't fathom what must be going on in Carson's mind. Sweet Jesus!


Lauren is the one without the mustache.

What I do know is that Carson and his wife have done a simply amazing job raising what is an amazingly beautiful, extremely smart, multi-talented and wonderfully charming young lady. I have no doubt Lauren will be an awesome co-piloto. I am also sure Carson's car will be surrounded by more autograph seekers and photographers than any other car along the way and justifiably so. If Carson ask me to be a body guard... I'm there.


Unlike most young lassies, pressure of competition is something Lauren is not unfamiliar with not to mention horsepower.


Will Carson's daughter be able to deal with all the craziness during La Carrera Panamericana. Check out this photo and you tell me.


Carson and Lauren's upcoming LCP adventure without a doubt will be one of my top priorities to stayed tuned to and I hope to be able to keep everyone up to date along that journey. I can just hear it all now, "Ok Dad... Right 4..... Left 2.... Long straight.... Flat over crest.... Right Zero... HEY LOOK AT THAT DONKEY OVER THERE!" SCREEEEEEEAAAAACCCCHHHHHHHHHH. LOL! Just kidding. What I would give to be a fly on the wall in that car.


The Scheller Family.

I wonder what the odds are that Will and Lauren could do the LCP as Piloto and Co-Piloto. I can dream can't I.

It Was Raining All Over The World

Albeit a wet one Nitrus the wonder dog, my wife and I enjoyed the drive up to San Francisco and on up to Infineon Raceway yesterday to watch watch Will start this years series. The action began before we even got to San Francisco let alone the track since right in the lane just ahead of we saw not one but three major traffic accidents all of which were on the freeway at speeds of 70 to 80 miles per hour. It was crazy considering there was high winds and pouring like hell. Some people just never seem to learn.



Like I said in yesterdays post Will was DQ'd for being underweight the day before so he had to start in the middle of the pack on Sunday. He got a good start and in the first lap was already up to third place. On the second lap I was shooting a video of him passing a car just before heading into the high speed esses (on slicks in the rain no less) and then he began his attack on the first place car and it was only lap two. Unfortunately he got too aggressive (whats new?) as he came to the rear bumper of the first place car and took a big ride into the wall at speed. (Video too poor quality to post.) He managed to finish the race but not with any great results. All he had to say was, "Probably should have used rain tires ya think?"







On the way back home we listened to the Nascar race on the radio and low and behold it was called due to rain. I never realized until now that Electric Light Orchestra's song All over the world was a song about racing...

She cried to the southern wind
About a love that was sure to end
Every dream in her heart was gone
Headin' for a Showdown

Bad dreamer, what's your name
Looks like we're ridin' on the same train
Looks as through there'll be more pain
There's gonna be a Showdown

And it's rainin' all over the world
It's raining all over the world
Tonight, the longest night

She came to me like a friend
She blew in on a southern wind
Now my heart is turned to stone again
There's gonna be a Showdown

Save me, oh save me
It's unreal, the suffering
There's gonna be a Showdown

And it's rainin' all over the world
It's raining all over the world
Tonight, the longest night


Will takes the lead and wins on Saturday with dry track.



Will demonstrating his new lightweight front bumper.