WOW! And THANK YOU!!!

I have always known deep down inside La Carrera Panamericana - Rebirth Of A Legend, was going to be exciting. What I didn't know was what an overnight success it was going to be! Steffan, the producer has been working overtime and staying up late getting orders filled and sent. Team California's Best and Steffan at Strange Media would like to thank all of you who have picked up your copies and to those who have sent such awesome kudos. In the mean time, those of you waiting for your copy, get buckled up and ready because you are in for a thrill. I can't wait to do it all over again.

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.

Team Lucha Libre Racing Gets A Thumbs Up

Photo of Gary taken with Team Lucha Libre Racing Piloto and Co-Piloto.








The Howling Monkey 1967 Datsun 1600 Fairlady is heading home after getting a good going over at California's Best Racing. There is no doubt this car should do very well in the 2008 La Carrera Panamericana with only a few improvements. For us it has been a real pleasure being asked to be involved and would like to thank Michael Emery for including us in the excitement. It reminds each one of us how exciting it was getting Lucky prepared for last years race. I am already asking myself how we will be able to get up to the minute accounts of how this and so many other cars will be doing in this years race rather than having to wait for three weeks to find out. God help us all back here in the States while everyone is sharing yet another adventure.

We have a La Carrera guest

Being part of auto racing is always exciting and in this case it simply means we intend to have fun even though we will not be attending this years La Carrera Panamericana. Michael Emery of Team LUCHA LIBRE RACING has asked CALIFORNIA'S BEST RACING to act as Director of Race Preparations for the 2008 Lucha Libre Racing run of La Carrera Panamericana.

Running La Carrera Panamericana is not new to Michael having ran it in 2006. Having done so, Michael is all the more aware of the challenges ahead both for the team as well as the car. Team California's Best will be involved with shaking the car down, offering suggestions and making a few improvements to help assure that the 1967 Datsun Fairlady 1600 is ready to accept the challenge from start to finish.


On first look and after a quick run down the highway I must say, the car already looks pretty good. My first thoughts are it will not take much to be a very competitive car not to mention very reliable. Stay tuned over the next days as we help get things in order for Team Lucha Libre Racing so they can have a great showing in this years La Carrera Panamericana.

A couple more fun LCP videos

From time to time I find some La Carrera Panamericana videos that help fuel the fire for those who are wondering what to expect or even to help feed the need for those of us who have been and just can't get enough.


CLICK HERE TO WATCH A 2004 LCP VIDEO.



CLICK HERE TO WATCH A 2005 LCP VIDEO.


Don't forget the soon to be available La Carrera Panamericana HD DVD. This promises to be the most exciting La Carrera video ever made. You know what the monkey said when he got his tail caught in the organ grinder.... "It won't be long now." Drop me a line at gfaules44@aol.com to be put on the list.

Do not go gentle into that good night

I seems like only a week ago that we decided to go run the 2007 La Carrera Panamericana. Then it seems as if it were only a couple days ago that we were in some strange hotel in Texas meeting up with the Coyote Convoy and the next minute we were in Laredo Texas crossing the border into Mexico. But the best part of all is it seems like only an hour ago Jon, Will and I were crossing the border back into the United States. It seems as if it were only moments ago that we were hauling ass down some section of road as fast as Lucky our GT350 could go all the while passing Federalies and large crowds of spectators that lined the highways everywhere we went. I can still smell the air of the long beautiful transit sections and the spectacular views of the Sierra Madras, the long flat cactus flats and each and every one of those amazing little villages and everything in between.

I feel so much excitement for those who will be going for the first time and no matter how much they may have felt the excitement of racing they are in for the treat of their racing life. There will be roads that they will carve through that are more exciting than any race course. There will be cliffs, canyons with unforgiving drop offs, curves, corners and then there will be the unexpected. They will be telling themselves to take a breath as they realize they haven't done so since they passed that last car on a blind corner. To say the adventure before them will be exciting is like saying there is sand in the Sahara. And just like sand in the Sahara the excitement of this once in a lifetime journey will seem never ending.

For those who have been, they know exactly what I am feeling. For those who are thinking about doing it, all of us are shouting "DO IT!" because we know there is no racing experience in the world that can captivate one's inner soul like this one will. The closer we get to the 2008 La Carrera the more I feel my heart palpitate and seem to skip a beat. Then I begin to feel an emptiness knowing Jon, Will and I will not be attending this year. There is an old saying about gentleman who have been to Africa on hunting safari that suggest that it somehow changes a man. Having been on just such an adventure as well as having run the La Carrera, I must agree it''s so very true. But to those who dare to live the dream, I challenge you to read Dylan Thomas work of "Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night" and while it may all seem melodramatic to you at first, trust me when I tell you that your love of racing will change before you return from Mexico.

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rave at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless, me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

LIGHTS... CAMERA... ACTION!

Yesterday was spent mostly in a very high tech production studio taping interviews to be used in the new La Carrera Panamericana HD DVD along with driver's, crew, cameramen and North American Coordinator, Gerie Bledso. All three production companies were present and I am amazed how the professionalism in which this entire project is coming to a head. If we keep this up one of these days I might be able to say, "Did I ever tell you about the time I was a movie star?" LOL.

It never really occurred to me how overwhelming this day would be. As I sat quietly and listened to the extremely well organized question answer interviews I found myself transported back into that period of time as if I was back in Oaxaca or that I might walk outside and see Lucky parked amid thousands of fans waiting for us to take off again. I listened while others relived specific moments during La Carrera, some exciting and some not so exciting. It was very rewarding to hear the anticipation in other voices as they relived moments that we all shared together and that many others that were involved with La Carrera will enjoy as well.

Without a doubt, this is going to be by far the best La Carrera Panamericana video ever made. Both Veterans and rookies alike will love this production. Those who have been there will enjoy reliving the spirit of the event while rookies or first timers will be able to get a feel of the adventure that they are about to embark upon. Then again it will be good to watch to get ideas as to how to better prepare for their next trip to La Carrera.

Thank you to all who are involved and a special thanks to Gerie Bledso for just being the wonderful personality that he his. They were all great but just wait until you see Gerie's interview. There have been hundreds of man-hours spent in editing and production and the time is coming soon when this HD DVD will be a reality. In the mean time stay tuned as we hope to release a trailer soon. In order to get your copy and to be added to the list drop us a note at teamCBR@gmail.com.

Will finds Daytona exciting

After getting settled in at one of the best hotels with an awesome view of Daytona Beach, Will spent the last couple days helping Team No Hot Wire's/Car & Driver get their car dialed in. Like any big race there are some issues that need sorting out and the weather has not been helpful.

Will saw Randy Pobst but both of them were so busy they didn't have long to visit. There was some real excitement when a car hit the pit entrance way too hot and came sliding into the pits hitting another car and sent a crew member flying past Will. This is only testing and things are already exciting.

In the photo you can see Will in the hot pits with his favorite shades getting things done.

Will said it's interesting to point out if you look in the pic of the beach, the locals say that as recent as a couple years ago the sand went all the way to where the first wave breaks way out there. The bad hurricanes and storms in recent years have taken away all the sand.

Aftermath in Mexico City

At the 2007 La Carrera Panamericana on the day we raced thru downtown Mexico City they had to close the freeway which is the first time it has even happened. Needless to say it was a major undertaking and one that must have really raised some hell with regards to the regular traffic. All of us who were in race cars got the kings treatment while the freeway was entirely closed off allowing us to do out thing with no restrictions whatsoever. Having spoken to several teams whose chase and support crews had to follow it was a major undertaking to make way thru all that traffic. This video is the only one I have seen that actually shows the freeway reopening after all the race cars had taken off. I wonder how long the first commuter in line had to wait let alone those way at the back.