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After all these years

Remember a while back I mentioned one of the cars that had the unfortunate luck of getting up close and personal with a vulture that came thru their windshield at a high speed. I recently found a photo of that very car as it sits on display to this day in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart Germany .


Here are three of the most famous Mercedes-Benz racing cars in history. At the far left is the 1952 300 SL race car was Mercedes-Benzis first post-war racer, and in that year Karl Kling and Hans Klenk drove this car to win Mexico's grueling Carrera Panamericana. The windshield bars were added after a Turkey Vulture flew through the windshield. In the middle is the famous #722 300 SLR roadster that Stirling Moss and navigator Dennis Jenkinson piloted to victory in the 1955 Mille Miglia, departing Brescia at 7:22 a.m. (hence the number), and setting a record that was never broken. On the right is a 1955 W196R streamliner like those that Juan Manuel Fangio and Karl Kling powered to a 1-2 victory at the Formula One race in Reims.

I am beginning to understand just how he felt

It was the White Rabbit in Alice And Wonderland who said. "I'm late, I'm late for a very important date."

As I sat down in my den tonight to relax I began doing some calculations in my head but it didn't take long until I had the calander in front of me and pen in hand. As I did the math the word safari came to mind. Safari is an old Swahili word meaning a long journey and indeed it seemed at the time like it was in fact going to a long journey and such a long time to wait. That was September of 2006 and and here it is already in the middle of May!

Considering the car still needs a dash with gauges, battery cables, fuel pump and hoses, all susspension, all windows, fenders, hood and trunk, seats, seat belts and window nets, navigation and radio equipment, oh yeah and don't forget the engine, transmission, shifter and rear end, exhaust, radiator, hoses, belts, trailer maintence, and God knows what here are some interesting numbers...

There are only 92 days until we are supposed to be testing at Thunderhill.

There are only 134 days until we are supposed to be testing at Sears Point.

There are only 159 days until we leave with the Coyote Convoy on our way to Mexico.

Keeping in mind I made myself a promise I would have the car COMPLETLY finished and ready no later than the end of September to help the stress and "What-if" factors, that means there are only 142 days left. Like the saying goes in Adam Sandlers movie The Waterboy...

"You can do it."

FIFTY NORTH AMERICANS SIGN UP!!

From the desk of Gerie Bledso, North American Director of LCP.



This may be the biggest Carrera year--at least for the norteamericanos--since the mid-1990’s. We have a healthy contingent of fifty (maybe more) coming down to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the modern La Carrera Panamericana. We will continue to sign up participants until the organizers say “no mas.” Interest in Europe has been running high as well, but we have no information about actual entries. Almost half of the fifty entries are new guys (sorry, no women drivers). The best represented states are California, Oklahoma, Texas, Washington, and Arizona. Other states include: New York, Connecticut, Virginia, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Colorado, Massachusetts, Iowa, Georgia, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Michigan, Georgia, and, of course, the U.S.V.I. Maybe two guys from Canada will join us. Six or seven Porsche 356s have signed up. A stock 356 may run in three classes: Original Pan Am (OPA), Sports Menor, or Historic A. The more heavily modified Porsches will run in Sports Menor. Cars that are mostly stock may run in Historic A or OPA.

Not counting any 356s, eleven cars have signed up for Original Pan Am. This class almost died out a few years ago. Obviously, it’s back. This should be the premier class, honored above all. Historic A and B entries are thin this year, but Historic C has nineteen so far. We have no word on the concept of a Historic D for supercars or extending the manufacturing eligibility date to 1967. In fact, the rules have not yet been promulgated for 2007.)

Historic C will be dominated by Shelby GT-350s and R code clones this year, along with their cousin the so-called Falcon Monte Carlo. Three, maybe four, of these special Falcon replicas are entered. Fifty or so were made--mostly of fiberglass-- in 1964 to rally in Europe. With their light weight and 400 horsepower 289/302 engines, they are now the car to beat in Historic C. Last year, one piloted by “los Vikings” (Sweden) finished second overall and would have probably won the whole event, if that were possible, had not the last speed stage--the track in Monterrey--been canceled “because of darkness." (Thus another Carrera legend was created.)

Let's get rolling

Today I finished installing the metal brake lines that run the full length of the car and began tearing down the Lincoln Versailles rear-end that Jon and I picked up several months ago when this project first began rolling. (No pun intended.) The axles will be sent out for new bearings and some other parts will be hot tanked before bead blasting and eventually paint.

I also found time to install the battery box and install the vent so no battery fumes will evern enter the cockpit.

Highs & Lows

Today is one of those mixed emotions day. Life is often like being in a boat at sea in that there are moments we are up and there are those when we are down. Racers are like everyone else in that we share the same highs and lows. All of our emotions are gauntlets we must endure and the race cars must take a back seat at times while we reflect on what really matters... Our Family, Our Friends, Our Health and Our Beliefs.

It's ironic that as my wife and I celebrate our first grandson who is 11 months old taking his first steps on the same day that my brother is morning the loss of his first grandson who was supposed to turn 17 but was killed when he hit a tree while doing over 100 miles per hour this last week. Our prayers are with my brother and my nephew and their families.

Another downer is the sad news that one of our outstanding team members will not be able to join us for this adventure to Mexico and he will be sorely missed as a result of some back pains. Speaking of irony, on the other side of the gauntlet is the fact that his absence has made it possible for another favorite team member to share in the adventure. Mike, thank you for your sacrifice and all that you bring to the table. You will not be left behind and in spirit you will be with us every mile of the journey.

Five steps to good steering

Now Lucky's steering column is completed except for one last support bracket and brace. Today I installed the GRANT racing steering wheel along with a GRANT steering wheel quick release. This combination is exceptional for several reasons. First and foremost the quality of the quick release is far beyond any I have ever had. Regardless of who made them, every steering wheel quick release I have ever had has always had some movement/slop but there is none to be found with this one. Another outstanding feature about this specific application is that the spline bolts onto the shaft instead of needing to be welded like most others. By being bolted on instead of welding I can change the upper steering shaft bearing or turn signal switch should I ever need to and furthermore I will never have to worry about the weld breaking. Don't laugh, I have seen it happen. Most race cars do not require turn signal switches but in this race it does and using the factory switch really simplifies and sanitizes the entire installation.

As for today's title, what does all this have to do with five steps you ask? While I was typing this post my 11 month old grandson, Tyler Gene, just took his first steps. Not only did he take his first steps but I was lucky enough to get it on camera! Just think, today his first five steps... Before long he will be driving a race car. Thank God for this little gift from Heaven.