Tick Tock Tick Tock

This is the part I hate about being at home... The waiting to hear how everyone is doing, the drama, the good news, and sometime the not so good.

Hey Jon... I bet if we hopped in the car and drove all night.........

Time to work out the bugs

Thanks To Marcia I have some news that several of the drivers have been up the hill to take notes and see Pikes Peak for the first time. Basically the description goes something like this... GASP!

Our buddy Gerie Bledso had some trailer tire issues on the way there but got there safely however he had some hydraulic clutch problems yesterday. Let's all pull for Gerie that he will be able to get things repaired in time to get back on the mountain tomorrow.

It's Started!

The cars have arrived and here is a line-up of the cars running in the La "Carrera/Vintage" class all of whom are classified as rookies. While our La Carrera friends will not be charging up the hill like the above photo it's not to say there will be any less excitment. GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! An important change is the re-scheduling of race day. In past years, that was held on Saturday. This year, however, it has been moved to Sunday.

Today was technical inspection day and since I have heard first hand from other friends who have run Pikes Peak in the past I can tell you these guys take tech inspection to a whole new level. I have realized however one thing about La Carrera Panamericana that beats the hell out of Pikes Peak.... During La Carrera at least you can sleep in until 5am. But to get up the hill for this event each day the toll Gate opens to Competitors at 3:30am. Do you have any idea what time that means you have to get up to get ready each morning? For those who think it's easy to take a drive up trhe hill, think again.


Driver/Co-Driver/Division/Vehicle#/Rookie/Vehicle/Year/Make/Model/Demographics


1 Allen Douglas Vintage 369 Y 1965 Ford Mustang Aspen, CO
2 Bledsoe Gerie Vintage 395 Y 1963 Chevy Nova Half Moon Bay, CO
3 Carungi, Ralph Richert, Bill Vintage 101 Y 1954 Lincoln Capri Phoenix, AZ
4 Cooper David Vintage 403 Y 1951 Chrysler New Yorker Southlake Tahoe, CA
5 Daniels David Vintage 145 Y 1949 Cadillac Sedanette Minneapolis, MN
6 Davidson Keith Vintage 163 Y 1963 Ford Falcon Golden, CO
7 Hill Bob Vintage 66 Y 1966 Ford M Colorado Springs, , CO
8 Jantzen Joel Vintage 656 Y 1965 Ford Mustang Colorado Springs, CO
9 Johns Chip Vintage 385 Y 1964 Ford Rally Falcon Santa Teresa, NM
10 Jones, Mike Coffey, Doug Vintage 220 Y 1966 Ford Mustang Colorado Springs, CO
11 Landon Todd Vintage 399 Y 1967 Ford Mustang Mound, MN
12 Linton Jim Vintage 816 Y 1969 Ford Mustang Parker, CO
13 Mockett, Douglas Garcia, Angelica Vintage 133 Y 1954 Oldsmobile Super 88 Christiansted, St. Croix USVI
14 Morrison, Richard Hamlin, Richard Vintage 422 Y 1958 Mercedes 220S Coupe Salina, KS
15 Neal Jess Vintage 42 Y 1971 Plymouth Cuda Colorado Springs, CO
16 Salyer, Christopher Wiley, Carlile Vintage 106 Y 1954 Chevy Corvette Oklahoma City, OK
17 Smith, Dean Akey, Ashley Vintage 351 Y 1961 Chrysler 300R Las Vegas, NV

Total 17



Here are the the cars from the "Time Attack" class and it's interesting to note the first car is NOT a rookie. This is the class Kevin Jones and Mark Williams are running in. I know my fingers are crossed. How about yours? GOOD LUCK YOU GUYS AND MAKE SURE YOU GET IT RIGHT!

Driver/Co-Driver/Division/Vehicle#/Rookie/Vehicle/Year/Make/Model/Demographics


1 Fletcher, Brent Time Attack 4 N 2004 Mitsubishi EVO VIII Thousand Oaks, CA
2 Gerner, Jeff Time Attack 44 Y 1994 Audi S-4 Kansas City, MO
3 Jones, Kevin Williams, Mark Time Attack 43 Y 2005 Subaru WRX Sti South Gate, CA
4 Hine, Kelly Time Attack 25 Y 2006 Nissan 350Z Calabasas, CA
5 Kern, David Kern, Allison Time Attack 9 N 2005 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Centennial, CO
6 Keeney, Melissa Keeney, Vicki Time Attack 69 N 1991 Honda CRX Colorado Springs, CO
7 Millen Rhys Time Attack 6 N 2007 Pontiac Solstice GXP Huntington Beach, CA
8 Norman Roger Time Attack 8 Y 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution Reno, NV
9 Workum, Peter Time Attack 11 N 2004 Subaru STI Paradise Valley, AZ
10 Scott, Brian Dillon, John Time Attack 96 N 1971 Datsun 240 Z Coupe Pine, AZ

Total 10

How to get high on 97 octane

Gerie ready to take off for Pikes Peak.

I had to laugh when someone asked Gerie to tell them about his Nova. He said, "It's not your mother's Nova!" LOL.

Reports are already coming in about drivers who have either already arrived at or are on their way to Colorado Springs for three days of practice and a day of racing at the PPIHC. How exciting it will be to see a group of La Carrera Panamericana cars lined up to head up "the" hill.

Over the weekend my family and I drove over to Gerie Bledsoe's home in Half Moon Bay to give him a good luck send-off but Gerie's wife told us we had just missed him. (Bummer) But good luck none the less Gerie and all the rest of you La Carrera types as well.

Somebody has to stay at home!

Sad but true. It's not the norm for Jon and myself to not be sitting on the starting grid when it matters and being at Pikes Peak on July 15 through the 20th really matters to both of us. It will be with great expectation that we will wait to hear how friends of ours in their Carrera cars do at this historical event. Since this is possibly a once in a lifetime event with regards to La Carrera cars it's not even as if we will be able to run it during a future event. (fingers crossed)

I have been promised that we will be receiving some reports during and after the Pikes Peak event so stay tuned and lets all say some good prayers for our buddies. Last week while I was driving by the Half Moon Bay Airport I saw Gerie Bledsoe talking to some guy holding a very big parachute. Hmmm.

We will be hanging out during the Monterey Historics at the annual Monterey fiesta and corral that will be held at Tarpy’s Restaurant, Saturday August 16, 3:00-6:30 PM which is a very popular Laguna Seca race track hang-out so we hope to see you there. For thoise of you who know who Jack McAfee is there is a very special treat awaiting you should you make it to this event. Jack McAfee,s son, Rex McAfee will be there and will be showing a 15 minute film of his father driving a 49 Cadillac in the 1950 Carrera and finishing 10th. The film was narrated by his father. In later races he drove Porsches and Ferraris and was also famous as one of the first Porsche racers in California. He won a lot of races in a 550. Check out his website HERE.

There is a very good chance we will have a good movie trailer to show at the same time so stay in touch. Jon and I are very excited about showing this publicly for the frist time.

In the mean time I'll just have to hang out in the garage dusting off the dirt.

DURANGO DEUCE... The sequel?

Today California's Best got a little visit from North American La Carrera director, Gerie Bledsoe and his beautiful little Chevy. Gerie's "tribute" car is beautifully prepared and ready to run in the exciting and historical Pikes Peak event which is only a few days away. From there it will come home and then go to the 2008 La Carrera Panamericana. While Gerie calls it a plain Jane type of car I can assure you this car is in fact a no-frills race car and under his guidance it should do very well indeed.



Anyone who knows any history with regards to Gerie's last Chevy will get a chuckle as Gerie's great sense of humor comes to life when you read his new license plate frame.

Firecracker Edition Carrera News from Gerie Bledsoe

CARRERA NEWS
July 4, 2008 -- Firecracker Edition -- Happy Birthday USA!



Dates to Remember



***CARRERA CARS AT PIKE’S PEAK – July 15-20

***CARRERA RECEPTION - July 24

***CARRERA at MONTEREY HISTORICS – August 16

***CONCURSO -- SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE – October 18

***HERSCHEL McGRIFF – CONCURSO HONOREE

***IN MEMORIAM

***CLASSIFIEDS -- GPS MAPS FOR MEXICO!!

***COYOTE CONVOY NEWS

***CONTACT INFO







***CARRERA CARS AT PIKE’S PEAK



A dozen classic Carrera cars will challenge the 12.4 miles and 156 corners up the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb on July 20. Two other Carreraistas will compete in other classes: Kevin Jones (Subaru, Time Attack) and Ed Gaven (FF Cobra, Exhibition).



Classic drivers and co-drivers are: Doug Allen, Gerie Bledsoe, Ralph Carungi (William Richert), David Cooper, John Daniels, Ron Davis, Chip Johns, Doug Mockett (Angelica Fuentes), Rich Morrison, Todd Landon (Kristin Stewart), Chris Salyer, and Dean Smith (and daughter). Six cars from the Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing club will also participate in this group.



Ron Davis has designed a special souvenir patch for your Strand 21 driving uniform. The patches sell for $10. Proceeds go to the Lupita Hernandez fund. Email gbledso@aol.com if you want one.



Gerie Bledsoe is still in need of a navigator. A racing license, moral fortitude, and a financial contribution are required. Navigation skills are NOT necessary, but an appreciation of mountain scenery is.



***CARRERA RECEPTION – July 24



The program for the 2008 event will be presented to the public and media on July 24 in Mexico City at the annual Pan Am reception. This will be the 21st year of the modern event.



The route is expected to include an overnight stop in Mexico City – the first time in over a decade – plus one or more speed stages inside the city.



Last year Pan Am cars ran a speed stage on the main freeway through the city, reaching speeds of 180 MPH. Apparently, the mayor of Mexico City is a staunch supporter of the Pan Am. The media exposure was significant.





***CARRERA at MONTEREY HISTORICS - August 16



Our annual Monterey fiesta and corral will be at Tarpy’s Restaurant, Saturday August 16, 3:00-6:30 PM. Tickets are $35 per person for food and beverages. Tarpy’s is near the Laguna Seca racetrack.



Please pay for your ticket by August 1, so we can guarantee the event. See Contact Info for snail mail address. PayPal dough may be sent to gbledso@aol.com.



***CONCURSO -- SAN MIGUEL DE ALLENDE -- October 18



The kick-off of the Concurso de Motor Sports is scheduled for August 8 with a press reception and “Carrera de Margaritas” at the famous Allende Institute in San Miguel. Restaurants and bars in San Miguel will compete for the title “Best Pan Am Margarita 2008.”



The Concurso is scheduled for October 17-19 when the Coyote Convoy visits the city on the way to the start of the Pan Am in Tuxtla Gutierrez. The event includes classic car and motorcycle shows and the Pan Am gala banquet on Saturday. Our Carrera cars will be displayed in the main square on Sunday.



The Coyote Convoy and the Concurso are open to all. Discounted hotel accommodations are available. To fly into San Miguel, the airport at Leon-Silao-Guanajuato (BJX) is recommended. From there, you may take the shuttle bus for the 60 miles ride to San Miguel.



***HERSCHEL McGRIFF – FIRST CONCURSO HONOREE



The winner of the first La Carrera Panamericana in 1950, Herschel McGriff, will be honored at the gala Panamerican banquet at the Concurso de Motor Sports in San Miguel de Allende on October 18.



McGriff, who resides and runs a business in Arizona, was inducted into the Motor Sports Hall of Fame, in Novi, Michigan in 2006. He raced in the NASCAR Cup series and the Winston West series before retiring at age 74. He holds the record for the oldest person to win a NASCAR feature event at age 61.



***CHIHUAHUA EXPRESS DATES--March 27-29, 2009



Chacho Medina has set the dates next year for the Chihuahua Express – March 27-29. The dates are determined by two primary considerations: when Easter week falls each year and the dates of the Silver State Classic Challenge in May.



Given the event’s unqualified success during the past two years, it should continue to grow. The Express involves over 325 miles of open-road racing over a course of 1000 miles – in just three days. The format—a stage rally on closed, paved roads--is identical to the Pan Am. The big difference is – the racers return to the same hotel each night.



The event is open to all cars – modern and classic. Overall winners will be declared in each of these categories.



Click on www.chihuahuaexpress.com for more information.



***IN MEMORIAM



Two members of the Carrera fraternity passed away recently. Jerry Churchill, a Carrera regular, died after surgery three weeks ago, and Hokán Cederburg died in a car accident on May 22.



Jerry Churchill had participated in the last nine Carreras, and was looking forward to returning this year in his beautiful ’54 Studebaker. He won the Historic C class in 2003, and was committed to winning the overall title.



Jerry, who had a long history of auto and truck racing with ARCA, SCCA, and NASCAR, was a true believer in Mexican road racing – in La Carrera and the Chihuahua Express, which he helped to establish.



Jerry was also a staunch supporter of Lupita Hernandez, the Mexican nurse who lost both legs at the hip in a Carrera accident in 2003. Jerry’s sister, co-driver (Jim Roxbury), and friends believe that a contribution to the “Carrera Friends of Lupita Hernandez” would be the best way to pay our respects to Jerry. (See address below.) We also plan to present Jerry’s family a framed collection of Carrera photos and signatures.



Our Swedish friend, Hokán Cederburg, died in a traffic accident in Europe. Happily, his wife and child survived the wreck. Hokán won the Historic C title in a ’65 Corvette roadster in 2005. His son, Erik, said he would like to return the car to the Carrera eventually.




***Need companionship? That is driver, co-driver, navigator, mechanic, or just a pal? Let me know at gbledso@aol.com (I do not, however, arrange other forms of companionship in Mexico, nor do I handle divorces between pilotos and co-pilotos.)



***Cheap labor? I have the names of guys who will travel to Mexico to help wrench or drive the support truck – just for a place to stay.



***COYOTE CONVOY NEWS



The Coyote Convoy will assemble at the Marriott Residence Inn de Mar in Laredo, Texas at 9:00 PM, October 17. Call 956-753-9700 and ask for the Pan Am discount. Anyone will an interest in the Pan Am or Concurso may travel with the convoy. However, the Convoy, La Carrera, or anyone else is not responsible for your safety and security while in Mexico. The convoy leaves at 6:00 AM for San Miguel de Allende.



Please let me know if you need a room in San Miguel de Allende.





***CONTACT INFO





Gerie Bledsoe
North American Coordinator

La Carrera Panamericana and Chihuahua Express
677 Highland Ave.
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
650-726-9890 (home office)
650-726-9599 (fax)

650-867-9488 (mobile)

gbledso@aol.com (PayPal account)

www.panamrace.com

www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx

www.chihuahuaexpress.com

www.concursosanmiguel.org



Carrera Friends of Lupita Hernandez
Account #1851509370
Comerica Bank
Attn: Ms. Cindy Duda
2200 W. Fort St.
Detroit, MI 48216
(313) 222-4981