Vintage La Carrera Panamericana

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Over the last few years I have seen a lot of vintage La Carrera Pamamericana posters, magazine covers, paintings and so on and I have yet to see one that didn't excite me. Maybe it's the flavor of them or how simple they are in that they say so much about the wonderful adventure of Mexico and the passion of La Carrera Panamericana with so little.

This old magazine cover seems to have it all and more. It has Mexican race fans old and young alike along the highway, cactus, historical old race cars, donkeys, sombreros, ponchos, missions, beautiful senoritas, dirt road but more importantly it shows the Mexican people and all their passion and love of this historical event.

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.

Some awesome living history... Frank Ruppert

Over the weekend I was very fortunate to get to spend a lot of time with a simply incredible car guy. His name is Frank Ruppert. While many of you La Carrera fans may not be familiar with his name, more than likely you have seen or read about some of his cars or drivers that he and his brother Frank C. Ruppert had part in sponsoring during some of the most historical La Carrera Panamericana races of the early 50's. Unfortunately Frank C. Ruppert (who is Frank's brother with the same name) is no longer with us but it would have been our pleasure to have listened to any input that he could have shared with us since he had so much to do with Ruppert Motors involvement and success's as well. Thanks to Frank C. Ruppert's daughters I was able to learn he was equally as amazing. One of them told me that Frank C. Ruppert did own many yachts throughout his lifetime and was considered one of the most accomplished yachtsmen and navigators on the West Coast. It seems both these gentlemen lived glorious lives.

I had the awesome fortune not only of getting to meet Frank in person so we could interview him for our soon to be released HD DVD about our La Carrera experience but Frank and his son and his son's wife treated us to brunch at his private yacht club. It goes without saying this was a first cabin experience and one we will not soon forget. Don't even get me started about visiting some of the car collections that Frank is involved with or his yacht.




Considering Frank Ruppert is without a doubt one of the most unforgettable characters I have ever had the distinct pleasure of meeting it's difficult for me to understand why everyone hasn't heard of him. Working with his brother Frank helped operated a Los Angeles Lincoln Mercury dealership and several other automobile business as well back in the 50's which took part in sponsoring some of the most famous names that have ever been known in the automotive racing hall of fame. Besides those sponsored, he was best friends with so many other racing greats on a first name basis. Not only did the cars and drivers that Frank was involved with win several of the early La Carrera's but in fact set records doing it many of which still stand to this day. There are too many to name but some of the most famous names in racing drove on that Lincoln team including Clay Smith, Johnny Mantz, Troy Ruttman, Bill Stroppe, and the list goes on and on. All of these drivers raced in other venues as well such as Indy and Nascar. One of Frank Ruppert's relationships was with the youngest driver to ever win the Indy 500. Not only did Frank travel with the teams back in those first history making races but he was instrumental in helping teams develop methods that have carried over into many other venues of automotive racing today.



Frank's son and wife brought the winning trophy which was awarded to Troy Ruttman and Clay Smith in 1951 by the Mexican Government which is a one of a kind trophy that requires at least two men to carry around. This is one trophy that you will most certainly not see someone hold above their head on the pedestal. To stand in the presence of this spectacular award is an honor all by it's self. Frank Ruppert has a mind like a steel trap and a wit that is it's equal and when he talks about the days of those great men and their machines you are a captive audience. Our interview with Frank is nothing short of magnificent and there simply isn't enough time in a weekend to enjoy listening to him reminisce about what are possibly the greatest moments that ever took place with respect to La Carrera Panamericana especially when you consider he was there in person.





This is just one of many old car magazine adds using one of winning Lincolns that was sponsored by Ruppert Motors.


Frank's participation in helping us document and express the true passion felt by anyone having "personal" involvement with La Carrera Panamericana simply cannot be told any better. I cannot wait to spend more time with a man who is indeed the true essence of La Carrera Panamericana. To meet and know Frank is to love him. Just wait until you hear him on our DVD.

Stay alert.... A Big surprise is coming regarding the HD DVD.

Today I had the great pleasure of having a couple wonderful phone conversations with none other than Ben Iskenderian, the brother of the famous Ed Iskenderian. Back in the early 70's when I drove dragsters and hung out at Gotellies Speed Shop, with ole Man Gotelli better known as "Terrible Ted" I was blessed to be able to call Ed any time I needed advice and great advice Ed had plenty of. Today was the first time I had ever talked with Ben but he is just as fine a gentleman as his brother Ed. Before we hung up both Ben and his wife invited me to come visit them the next time I was in Southern California not to mention we would head down to the Isky Cam factory for a personal tour with Both Ben and Ed. That is an invitation I will look forward to and one I will not pass up on.

Funny that I would be talking to one of the most famous cam grinders of the racing world from Southern California since on this very weekend our production company and I will be traveling to Southern California to meet one of the most amazing me who has ever had anything to do with regards to La Carrera Panamericana. His name is Frank Ruppert, of Ruppert Motors who in fact sponsored some of the Lincoln and Mercury teams that won so many races during the first years of La Carrera Panamericana. One of those teams included Clay Smith. Borrowing a quote from Hemmings.... If you've been around a long time you likely remember the woodpecker decal, the one with the snarl on its face and a cigar hanging out to the left. That redheaded bird is a trademark and a characterization of Clay Smith, who was known as Mr. Horsepower and whom none other than Smokey Yunick called "the world's smartest mechanic." Another compliment paid to Smith by his peers was the title "America's Genius Mechanic." So adept at fixing cars was Smith, he could tell how an engine was running by pressing his loins against the body of a car, according to another hot rod pioneer, Ed Almquist.

Interesting footnote; All three of these racing giants (Smith, Isky & Gotelli) were very seldom seen without holding or chewing on one of their signature cigars.


Frank Ruppert has invited our production company to spend the day aboard his yacht while sharing his wonderful involvement in La Carrera Panamericana. Having spoken on the phone numerous times with Frank I am amazed how many famous drivers, owners and other famous racing rascals he and his brother (Also Frank Ruppert) knew on a first name basis.

If that isn't enough excitment to make me crazy then let me tell you about a phone call I had this week inviting me to visit with Herschel McGriff. Talk about feeling like a kid in a candy store! Hershel McGriff has won NASCAR races in the last six decades and won the Mexican Road Race in 1950.

When I said our upcoming HD DVD was nothing short of the greatest La Carrera Panamericana video ever made bar none I wasn't kidding so stay tuned.

Was I dreaming or what!

Many of our friends prepare to take their cars to Chihuahua Mexico this weekend to compete in a three day race. Sure they will be there for the adventure and to renew friendships with fellow La Carrera Panamericana teams but for the majority it will be to work out the bugs in their cars in preparation for this years La Carrera Panamericana. Not only is it a good idea to see test the car as well as it's equipment such as navigation equipment, seat belts and all the other odds and ends but it's also a good idea to experience Mexico for those who haven't been before. The food, the language, weather as well as understanding the rally type method of racing. For those lucky enough to actually have their cars ready to race this long before La Carrera Panamericana I salute your good fortune.

To put things into proper perspective check out these pictures of Lucky and then try to imagine how it all got done in time. Not only did it get finished but we returned after having finished 9th overall not to mention we won the most dangerous stage of all... Mil Cumbres. The top three photos above where taken exactly one year ago today! Can you believe that! Lucky was like a caterpillar that transformed into an amazing Monarch Butterfly that did exactly what Monarchs do... headed out for Mexico. There was a lot that happened since then including the trailer pictured being stolen only a few days before we were to leave.

La Carrera... Spinning, Crashin and Racin

I couldn't help but laugh when the pig walked right out in front of the fast moving race car but the truth is, whether it be a hog, dog or donkey it's to be expected during La Carrera Panamericana. Just one more obstacle and while a screen over the grill of your car might help with rocks or bugs it sure as hell won't help if you hit a horse or a cow.

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.

Crank it up and go like hell!

If it's video you thirst for then here is some older video footage from older La Carrera's that should help to wet your whistle.