Mexican Rally Video

Here is a great compilation from the recent Chihuahua Express where teams and drivers go not only to have some fun amongst friends but also to test their equipment, cars and skill while tuning up for the La Carrera Panamericana.

La Carrera Fiesta a Huge Success

Ron and his wife and Cosmo the family guard dog.


After a relaxing six hour drive with Michael Emery of Lucha Libre Racing and Gerie Bledso we arrived on time at Ron Lee's home in Pasadena. The weather was perfect, the food great, everyone had a great time and the cars were fantastic... what else could anyone ask for? Our gracious host was Ron Lee and his beautiful wife who made sure everyone had a great time. The only problem I had with the whole affair was I could not get everyone to turn their back when I was trying to stuff one of Ron's cars in my duffel bag.

For many of us it was a great time just being able to reacquaint ourselves with friends that we had met at the 2007 La Carrera Panamericana while others who have been friends for years shared experiences with us about past La Carrera Panamericanas.



Eduardo Leon and Gary with Ron's 55 Kurtis GT coupe which was originally built to run La Carrera Panamericana. Notice Leon's grand daughter in the driver's seat. Leon and Ron were heard arguing if she was going to be Piloto or Co-piloto.

Another special treat was getting to spend one on one time with Eduardo Leon, the president of La Carrera Panamericana as well as his beautiful wife and their two daughters. There was lots of talk about past and future La Carrera adventures but it was also a time to meet families and others with interest in La Carrera as well and of course there was lots of beautiful cars to admire.

During the evening Gerie Bledso took time to thank Ron and his wife for having us all over and assured Ron that none of us has spilt guacamole on any of his cars however an apology was in order for the drool left on many of them. And drool we did. Ron has a unique car collection, one that any automotive enthusiast would be proud to have. On a personal note one thing I enjoyed about Ron is that his cars are not trailer queens stored in some place that prevents them for being enjoyed. No sir, Ron's cars are used for what they were intended to be used for... Rode hard and put away wet. It's apparent these cars get lots of love and attention but it's also great to know they are not driven at parade lap speed. From what I saw I don't think the word "Parade" is in Ron's vocabulary.

I hope you will enjoy the photos of just a few of Ron's cars and I would like to take the time to personally thank Ron and his wife for a wonderful evening had by all.



Gerie Bledso with Ruth and Chris "Coop" Cooper.




Gary and Bret Haller




Colin Herrick, Gary Faules and Kevin Jones recent Chihuahua Champion.




Father & Son team Colin and Eric Herrick ham it up with Gary




Sam Burg asking Gary why he's wearing sunglasses at 8PM.



President Eduardo Leon and grand daughter Stephanie admiring Paul Chenard's latest work. He truly loved it.



This is the car Ron Lee is presently building to race in this year's La Carrera Panamericana. (No joke)













OK, so since there are three photos of this car by now you probably have figured out which car I was trying to steal.











As I posted these photos I realized none of them can do justice to their beauty, their lines, workmanship by craftsmen not to mention you should have heard them when they were started up. I still have goose bumps. Gerie Blesdo is planing some more La Carrera Fiestas possibly one at Laguna Seca during the Monterey Historics. If you can find time to get to one of these family get-together's it will be a day you won't soon forget. There were many others I had the opportunity of meeting and I look forward to seeing each of you again. A few others in attendance were Eddie Marrazito, Marshall Chabot, Dara Herrick, Jack Heydorff, Monica Leon-Grossmann, Andrea Leon-Grossmann, Dyana Marlett, Tom Hollfelder, John McKain, Jane Park, and please accept my apologies for those I did not mention since I am great when it comes to remembering cars and beautiful women but terrible names.

La Carrera Fiesta... May 9 2008

Tommorrow Gerie Bledso, Michael Emery of Monark Racing and myself are heading south to attend the Carrera Fiesta at the home and garages of Ron Lee, in South Pasadena. There we will meet up with other Carreraistas and good friends for what will surely be an awesome gathering accompanied with liquid libation and food. I am happy to report Carrera President Eduardo Leon and his wife Monica Grossmann from Mexico City will also be on hand. Besides other La Carrera cars that will be attending Ron has a great collection of race cars and hot rods that we are all looking forward to enjoying.

I am curious to see who tells bigger stories, the fisherman or the racers but either way I am sure this will be a great way for racing friends to reminisce great memories and discuss future events. Word has it that Gerie and some friends are also working on a little reunion at the Monterey Historics on August 16 at a site near Laguna Seca. If you have never taken part in the Monterey Historics trust me when I tell you this is a must do so mark it down on your calendar.

Topes Versus Speed Bumps

Here is a typical speed bump like the ones found here in the U.S. which most of the time don't even warrant a warning let alone slowing down.






This is a Tope like those found in Mexico. You don't have to slow down for these ones either. That is unless you want to replace your oil pan and your fillings. God forbid your co pilot is carrying child.




Better known as Speed Hump this is usually found in front of a massage parlor.




This would be the size required to really get someones attention.

Women of La Carerra Panamericana

A lot of men have been immortalized since the beginning of La Carrera Panamericana but it's equally important to remember there have been some amazing women pilotos and co-pilotos as well. I stand in awe of those women as well as the ones I have had the privilege of racing with in La Carrera Panamericana. I will be posting some stories about these amazing women and the teams they competed with and to get things started here are some interesting facts about the first women to drive in La Carrera Panamericana.

Her name is Jacqueline Evans de Lopez an English-born film actress who had married a Mexican and became a well known Mexican actress, often playing gringas in Spanish language Mexican films and soaps including a career spiced with the occasional Hollywood outing. She is also remembered for her help in establishing and funding the archive of Mexican and foreign magazines and newspapers, "La Torre del Papel" in Mexico City. Jacqueline died in Acapulco in 1989.

In the early '50's, Porsche's reputation for reliability in racing hadn't yet been established. By the end of 1952, about 2,740 cars had been built; only about six percent of them had made it to the U.S., primarily to the sports car-rich Northeast and to car-crazy California. Porsche owners reasoned that if a Porsche could beat a Cadillac it most certainly could do the same for a longer distance, like La Carrera Panamericana.
















By 1952, the annual event had been placed on the international racing calendar and had captured the attention of some very fast factories and it was also the year Porsche made its first appearance in Mexico. In 1953 Porsche which was barely five years old but busy building a reputation. They had won their class at both Le Mans and the Millie Miglia in 1952 so Porsche wanted to make an all out attack on a victory at La Carrera Panamericana and so they sent ten Porsches to La Carrera Panamericana in 1953. It was this year that Jacqueline Evans de Lopez would make her fourth attempt to finish Carrera in her personal coupe unfunded by as where the factory Porsches. Unable to complete any of the races she was given the nickname Jacqueline "did not finish" Evans de Lopez.

It is said, only the strong could survive La Carrera Panamericana but in this writer's opinion she was as strong as they come. I can only imagine what determination and guts it must have taken a woman competing against men in that day and age must have been like let alone coming back four years in a row. Partially because of the stubbornness, courage and perseverance of Jacqueline Evans de Lopez, Porsche commemorated it's wins and rightfully gave the name Porsche Carrera to honor their success in La Carrera Panamericana.

As seen in the photo of a commemorative model of Jacquelene's 1954 Porsche below, Jacquelene dedicated the race to Eva Peron by having Eva's face painted on the hood of her car. On the subject of women, talk about an interesting lady.... check out Eva Peron's bio.




Be sure to check out the interview with the beautiful Angelica Fuentes who co-piloted Doug Mockett in 2007 in our up-coming HD DVD.

Lucky Immortalized By Paul Chenard

For those of you who truly love to see great prints of anything automotive or any type of automotive art for that matter I just can't tell you how happy I am with the recent work that Paul Chenard did of Lucky my GT350R. Not only did Paul capture everything that actually recreates the very moment but I just can't tell you how pleased I am with the detail. The type of detail that his work and keen eye seems to pick up on are the sort of things that the driver himself will truly appreciate. It is this special ability that truly makes his work all the more special to the owner of the car. With this in mind I can not think of a better gift to give someone special than one of his pieces.

This work of Lucky ripping through a corner on Mil Cumbre is a fine example even though it is impossible for you to see the awesome quality of it here on the blog. (Click on the photo to enlarge.) Why not surprise someone and contact Paul and have him do a painting of someones special car as a gift. I promise you you won't have any regrets and that special someone will love it. CLICK HERE!!!!!!!!!!

Paul has a lot of amazing items for sale and it's not all limited to art work. Just get a load of his toys for sale for example. (Click here)

Carrera News from Gerie Bledso

Carrera News

May 2008

**REGISTRATION CLOSED--SECOND YEAR

**CALIFORNIA CARRERA FIESTAS

**PIKE’S PEAK HILL CLIMB

**COYOTE CONVOY AND CONCURSO IN SAN MIGUEL

**PREPARING A CAR FOR THE PAN AM

**SAN LUIS DE POTOSI – NEW CITY ON ROUTE

**CLASSIFIEDS

**CONTACT INFO



**REGISTRATION CLOSED—SECOND YEAR


Registration for the 2008 Pan Am rally has been closed. This is the second straight year that the event has been full. A heavy registration from Europe, especially Germany, is a primary reason.

There are 54 paid entries from Canada and the U.S. The official web site is listing a total of 94 entries.

One of the entries is Stig Blomqvist, the Swedish rally champion for many years and WRC winner. He will drive a '64 Studebaker fabricated by Mats Hammarlund Racing in San Miguel de Allende.

The Pan Am starts on Oct. 24 in Tuxtla Gutierrez (Chiapas) and ends in Nuevo Laredo on Oct. 30. Registration for 2009 will open next February 1.

**CALIFORNIA CARRERA FIESTAS

Final plans are being made for the Carrera fiesta in South Pasadena this weekend. Around forty Carreraistas and friends have made plans to attend. We are also working on a little reunion at the Monterey Historics on August 16 at a site near Laguna Seca.

What about other parts of the county?

**PIKE’S PEAK HILL CLIMB

Eleven or twelve colorful Carrera cars will race to the top of Pike’s Peak on July 20along with five cars from the Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing Club. Pan Am entrants include: D. Allen, G. Bledsoe, R. Carungi, J. Daniels, R. Davis, C. Johns, T. Landon, D. Mockett, C. Salyer, and M. Sharp. A navigator is optional. Anglica Fuentes, however, will be Mr. Mockett’s co-piloto.

G. Bledsoe is looking for a navigator for his “new” Chevy II Nova rally car.

Registration is July 15. Practice is July 16-17-18. July 19 is a day off, and the race up the mountain takes place on July 20. The course is 12.5 miles; all but two miles are paved. The elevation goes from 9000 feet up to over 14,000. Oxygen is optional!

This is a rare opportunity. There may never be another chance for us to take part in this famous event.

**COYOTE CONVOY AND CONCURSO IN SAN MIGUEL

The Coyote Convoy will gather in Laredo, Texas, at the Marriott Inn on Friday, Oct. 17 at 9 PM. The convoy will cross the border the next morning at 6 AM for the drive down to San Miguel de Allende.

Convoy participants will be welcomed in San Miguel at a special reception, followed by an optional gala fundraising banquet. After the banquet, convoy participants are invited to party at downtown clubs.

On Sunday our Carrera cars will be displayed in the main square in town, el Jardin, from 10 AM until 3PM. In addition to the Carrera car show, on Saturday the Concurso will have venues for vintage and collectible cars, racecars, and motorcycles.

The Concurso plans to raise $50,000 over two years for three or four charities who to provide assistance to children and families in need in the local area.

The Convoy and Concurso are open to all motor sports enthusiasts with prior approval. If you or a friend want to drive or fly down to San Miguel to be part of the festivities, please let me know at gbledso@aol.com.

A discounted hotel package will be offered to participants in the convoy and Concurso. Additional information about the Concurso is available at www.concursosanmiguel.org.

**PREPARING A CAR FOR THE PAN AM

To be successful in this event a Pan Am car must do three things well:
1. drag race
2. road race
3. commute

The car will be launched five or six speed times a day from a standing start, so it’s a drag race against the clock for a half mile or so. The drag race then turns into a road race – mostly through the mountains on paved roads – for 5 to 15 miles. At the end of the day and in the mornings, the car must also be comfortable driving in bumper-to-bumper rush hour traffic. A car with a lumpy cam, sticky clutch, and weak cooling system will not be happy inching along trying to find the main square on a warm afternoon.

The Carrera Panamericana is a true endurance race. To reach the finish line in Nuevo Laredo, the cars must be well-prepared and reliable. At least 1/3 of the cars break down along the route. Some are repaired and rejoin the race, while others are consigned to trailers and tow trucks. Highly stressed engines and trick racing parts tend to implode first.

Alternators, electrical systems, radiator hoses, fuel pumps, and fan belts should be given special attention. Electric “puller” fans behind the radiator seem to work better. Properly installed fan shrouds also help to cool the engine.

The Pan Am uses roads that are mostly above 5000 feet in altitude. Many stages are 7000 feet or higher. High altitude means several things: the carburetor must be adjusted or re-jetted at the end of the first day (in Oaxaca) and at lunch the last day, before we go down the mountain into Nuevo Laredo. The cooling system must be more efficient, because the air at high altitude is thinner and less capable of absorbing and dissipating heat. Also, the engine must be protected from vapor lock, which is also more common at high altitude. And most importantly, good brakes and brake pads are imperative, especially when coming down a mountain.

Also, the car must have an engine (cam shaft) that produces mid-range torque to climb the mountains and negotiate tight corners. Higher compression also helps. When launching the car at 7000+ feet, don’t press the accelerator to the floor until the engine is well off the line and running smoothly. Too much fuel will flood the engine. Cars with cold- or ram-air induction for the air cleaner will perform much better at high altitude.

**SAN LUIS DE POTOSI – NEW CITY ON THE ROUTE

San Luis de Potosi (SLP) is a major city on the main highway from Nuevo Laredo, Texas to Mexico City—the route of the Coyote Convoy. The city dates back to the 1500s. It is only 80-90 miles north of San Miguel de Allende.

SLP was a stop on the old silver trail to Mexico City down from Zacatecas and other mining towns in the north. It has played an important role in Mexican history. Today it is a city of heavy industry, distribution, and transportation.

Like most 16th century Spanish/Mexican colonial cities, it has well-preserved historical center and main square with an impressive cathedral and old government buildings.

For hotels, AAA recommends the Holiday Inn, Country Inn, or the Westin, the luxury option. Holiday Inns in Mexico are several steps up from the same chain in the US. Information about the Carrera hotels is not released until a week before the event.

**LEGAL WARNING

The Carrera Panamericana is a serious motor sports event that involves driving at high speeds through the mountains and plains of Mexico--for seven full days. As such, it is inherently dangerous. Even the transit stages--through regular traffic--can be dangerous. Participants, even those in the unofficial “tourist” class, should make sure that their car and bodies are prepared adequately, and that they drive carefully. Every driver who has not raced in competition should take a high performance driving or racing course to learn proper car control techniques. They should not exceed 70-80% their ability to maintain good car control, especially when the road conditions are marginal or at high speeds. All participants will be required to sign a waiver holding the organizers harmless for any accidents.

Just remember: nothing counts unless you finish the Pan Am, and just finishing this event under your own power is a significant accomplishment.

**CLASSIFIEDS

Co-piloto needed for the Pike’s Peak Hill Climb. Practice navigating and ride to the top with Gerie Bledsoe. He won’t break any records, but it will be another epic adventure. gbledso@aol.com or 650-726-9890. The cost is moderate.

Co-pilot needed for La Carrera Panamericana? Mechanics or truck drivers needed? Advertise here for free.

**CONTACT INFORMATION

Gerie Bledsoe
North American Coordinator

La Carrera Panamericana
677 Highland Ave.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
650-726-9890 (home office)
650-726-9599 (fax)
650-867-9488 (mobile)

gbledso@aol.com
www.panamrace.com
www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx
www.chihuahuaexpress.com


La Carrera Office
Ave. Lindavista 312

Col. Lindavista, Del. G.A. Madero

CP 07300 Mexico DF

Mexico

+52-55-5586-6898 (tel.)

+52-55-5754-6052 (fax)