February—March
2009
**THIRTY-NINE REGISTRATIONS ALREADY FOR 2009
**SURPRISE! 22d
PAN AM STARTS IN HUATULCO
**CARRERA EXPENSES
**HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
**AMENDMENTS TO 2009 RULES ISSUED
**FUTURE EVENTS
**THE COYOTE CONVOY
**RETURN
TO PIKE’S PEAK
**CARRERA CARS TO RACE ROAD AMERICA
**CORRAL AT MONTERREY HISTORICS, AUGUST 15
**CLASSIFIEDS
**LEGAL WARNING
**CONTACT INFORMATION
**THIRTY-NINE REGISTRATIONS FOR 2009
Eduardo “Lalo” Leon, the president of La
Carrera Panamericana, announced this week that thirty-nine
competitors have already signed up for the event. That
number includes a dozen from North American. That’s
an encouraging number given the economic problems of
the world.
Mr.
Leon and the Organizing Committee are fully committed
to having the event this year, in all its tradition
and glory! Dates
are October 23-29.
Last
year the race was over-subscribed with 105 entries. Eighty
entries is actually the optimum level of participation.
It
is reasonable to assume that the fall of the Euro and
Peso in relation to the U.S. dollar and the poor economic
conditions will reduce registrations. However,
since the dollar will buy 30% more in Mexico, that will
help mitigate the pain for some competitors.
By
the rules of the event Canada and the U.S. (North America)
are allocated forty entries – Mexico 20
and Europe 20. The North American allotment has
been filled for the past four or five years, and then
some. Whether it happens this year is anyone’s
guess. However, those who have already invested
big money in building a Carrera car should be inclined
to pony up the registration fee this year, but the recession
may have it biggest impact in 2010, if there is no turn
around.
**SURPRISE! 22d
PAN AM TO START IN HUATULCO!
Where? For the first time we will start way down
in Huatulco. (wha-tul’-co) Huatulco
is a beautiful resort area on the Pacific coast of Mexico
in the state of Oaxaca. There is really no city
of Huatulco, just a series of nine bays, thirty-six beaches,
and numerous lagoons, flanked by low-rise hotels. The
coast looks like Northern California, however the vegetation
is tropical, like Hawaii’s.
Be
prepared. Yes, because there is no real city,
it will be impossible to buy supplies at a Costco or
Walmart. It may also be difficult to find a muffler
shop to weld up your roll cage, or other shops for repairs. Just
make sure that you have what you need and your car is
ready before you arrive in Huatulco.
Huatulco
is six hours southeast of Oaxaca by car and served
by a small airport. It is presumed that
the Carrera racecars will spend the first night of the
race in the city of Oaxaca. Huatulco is well off
the original Pan Am highway, but it is possible that
the cars will transit down the beach to Tehuantepec and
then race north toward Oaxaca on the Pan Am highway.
Expect it to be warm, buggy, and muggy in Huatulco,
with the threat of tropical storms.
**CARRERA EXPENSES
The
only mandatory fees and costs are:
1. Entry Fee. The management
of the event does not publish the enter fee. However,
you can save $500 by paying your entry fee early. For
details, please hit “reply” or call 001-650-867-9488 The
entry fee covers the driver, co-driver(s) and the car. The
fee will go up significantly later in the year. You
may reserve a spot on the grid for a non-refundable deposit
of $500, and then must pay the balance actually due at
the time of your final payment.
2. Rally license. You must purchase
a Mexican rally/racing license for the calendar year. It
will probably cost around $300 USD. The license
includes a modest amount of medical insurance. You
will be given a quick but free medical “exam” before
you are approved to race in Mexico Contrary
to what the rules say it seems that you do not need to
have a racing license from your country to acquire the
Mexican license. However, racing experience, training,
and practice are highly recommended.
3. Mexican Car Insurance. You must
provide proof of insurance on your service vehicle when
you go through registration in Huatulco. The cost
usually runs between $12-25 a day. There are several
vendors, including www.bajabound.com, that broker
these policies. Mexican insurance coverage works
just like insurance in the USA. Having liability
insurance on your racecar is also recommended but not
required, especially if you plan to drive it more than
24 hours before the race begins.
The
cost of the Carrera is really not bad for a “bucket-list” activity. Where
else can you get two weeks of adventure for such a reasonable
price?
**HOTEL ACCOMMODATIONS
Hotel
rooms will cost the same as in 2008. Each
entry receives one double room (two beds) for eight nights
(23 October—29 October). A second room
for that period costs $1200 USD. If you arrive
early in Huatulco or stay later where ever the race ends,
you will pay $150 per room per night.
A
luxury option will be offered as well. In
certain cities you will be able to book rooms in super
luxury hotels like the Camino Real in Oaxaca, which is
in an old convent. These rooms are an extra $150
per night. Normally there are four or five of these
hotels, and they usually sell out fast. Hotel
payments are non-refundable and non-transferable.
**AMENDMENTS TO 2009 RULES ISSUED
The
Carrera Office in Mexico City has recently issued a
set of amendments to the official rules of the race
for 2009. If you want a complete copy, please
ask. Here is a summary:
Historic
A – “Austin Mini 997” changed
to “Austin Mini.”
Historic A – original
four cylinder up to 2000 c.c. or modern engine up to
1600 c.c.
Cars
with 1600 c.c. may use five speed transmissions
No
variable cam timing systems
Historic B – 2.4L
Porsche and 4.2L Jaguar, Austin Healey, Maserati
5.0
liter for Chevy II, Valiant, Falcon
Historic C – original
or similar transmissions, no straight-cut gears or
sequential
No changes were announced for other classes.
All
classes will be required to use a HANS device or Leatt
brace. HANS
is a brand name for a head and neck restraint system.
If
you buy your HANS from Wine County Motor Sports, they
will give you a free OMP helmet-HANS bag worth $89,
free installation of the posts for the HANS in your
helmet, and free shipping. They will also install
posts in old your helmet for free, if you send it to
them.
Wine
Country Motor Sports is located in Sonoma, CA (Infineon
Raceway) and Juniper, Florida, near the Moroso Motorsports
Park. Call (800)
708-7223 to order or go to http://www.winecountrymotorsports.com.
**THE COYOTE CONVOY
Towing
or driving your racecar to Mexico? Not
racing but want to come along for fun and adventure? Join
the Coyote Convoy. It’s free. Here’s
the schedule:
Oct. 16 – 9:00 PM – meet
in Laredo, Texas (Marriott Residence Inn)
Oct.
17 – 6:00 AM – cross
the border and drive to San Miguel de Allende
Oct.
18 – 10:00-3:00 – display
cars in San Miguel de Allende
Oct.
19 – 7:00 AM – depart
for Oaxaca, spend the night
Oct.
20 – 7:00 AM – depart
for Huatulco
There
is no cost for participating in the convoy except for
the hotels along the way, which are optional, and any
group meals.
In
addition to the Convoy, there will also be a LCP Tour
offered by the former press secretary for the event,
Rosa Maria Mondragón Fiesco. This tour
is the only way to get close to the event as it stampedes
across central Mexico.
With
all the unhappy reports from Mexico, it is important
for us to stick together on the way across the border
and down to the start. It costs $37.00 to get a
tourist sticker for your car, plus around $22 for your
personal tourist card/visa, both good for six months. You
may obtain the sticker for your vehicles at the border,
at certain Mexican consulates, and on line at www.banjercito.com.mx.
**RETURN
TO PIKE’S PEAK
Carrera
cars will again be featured at the Pike’s
Peak International Hill Climb,
July 19, 2009. These
cars will race up this majestic mountain with entries
from
the Rocky
Mountain Vintage Racing Club. This
is the second time in 10 years that vintage cars have
been allowed to run the granddaddy of American
motoring events. They were quite popular last year.
Last
year two Carrera cars, a ’64 “Olds” crewed
by Doug Mockett and Angelica
Fuentes, and
an Unlimited Class Subaru piloted by Kevin Jones, who
won the Chihuahua Express, came home with trophies. The dynamic duo of Mockett and Fuentes
won the Vintage Division, beating out some local boys
from RMVR. Doug and Angelica plan to return to
defend their title.
The
race is 12.4 miles up the mountain--from 9100’ to
14,300’ in elevation. There
are over 150
turns along the route. Eight or
nine miles are paved; the rest is
exciting gravel. Off road SUV tires are recommended. The
competitors practice on the mountain three mornings before
the main event. The views are breathtaking. You
must be in the area from July 14 to July 19 for registration,
tech, practice, and the event.
The
entry fee is $800. Do not register on the
PPIHC web site or send your entry
directly to
that organization. You can use the
official entry form from their website or get one at www.RMVR.com. Make
out your check to RMVR and send the check and the entry
form to:
RMVR
c/o Tony Martins
6387 South Hill Street
Littleton, CO
80120
All
cars must be manufactured prior to 1972 and have run
either the Pike’s Peak
before, the
Carrera, or the Chihuahua Express. Other
vintage racecars may enter as well.
The
PPIHC is a professional event, with cash prizes. However,
the vintage cars will not be running for cash, only glory.
In addition to the hill climb, RMVR is planning a big
vintage car show in Manitou
Springs on
Saturday July 18 before the race on Sunday. So
get that Carrera car out
of the garage,
shine it up, and head up to Manitou Springs (outside
of Colorado Springs) next July. PPIHC
is a major spectator event, too.
An attractive PPIHC brochure in pdf format is available,
if you hit reply and ask.
**CARRERA CARS TO RACE ROAD AMERICA
All
Carrera-eligible cars are invited to enter the SVAR
vintage race at Road America, Elkhart Lake (WI), May
15-17, 2009. The
Carrera cars will have their own dedicated
run group. The weekend will include three practice
sessions on Friday, a qualifying race on Saturday, and
a feature race on Sunday. The entry fee is $475. The
cars are also eligible
to participate in the longer enduro race. Entrants
must hold a current racing license from a recognized
racing association.
Check
the web site at SVRA.com or call Cal Jensen, SVRA Competition
Director at 561-379-7751. Transport
of cars from the Left Coast will be arranged.
**CORRAL AT MONTERREY HISTORICS, AUGUST 15
All
Carreraistas are invited to the third annual Carrera
Corral at the Monterrey Historic Races, Saturday August
15, 2:00-6:00 PM at Tarpy’s Restaurant.
Around
forty Pan Am fans gathered on February 21 at Club Sportiva
in San Francisco to swap stories and here about the
2009 event. Seattle fans will be
gathering on March 10.
**CLASSIFIEDS
You
may advertise here for drivers, co-drivers, and crew
members at no charge. You may advertise your
car, truck, or services for sale/rent here and on the
web site www.panamrace.com for
$30-45.
’64
Chevy Nova -- $6500/BO. V8 coupe, four-speed, front
disc brakes, interior
and exterior
stripped, ready for race preparation. Want
it prepared? Pick your color and competition level.
Fast, safe, and fun. $28,000-38,000. Guaranteed
buy-back program. Ten years of experience building these
lightweight cars.
Class C champ
2001 and 2002. Guaranteed entry
in 2009 or 2010. 650-726-9890
ISO
Co-Driver (funded). Chevy-Lister roadster
replica. Fast, top-five car. Contact Charles
Breed at cbreed@cbreed.net.
ISO
Co-Driver (funded). Sam Burg. LT Special
roadster. Dr. Sam has been on the
top of the podium several times in recent years. DrSam@dds4kids.net
ISO
Co-driver (funded). Steve Walters. ’65
Mercedes 220 SEb “fin back.” Normally Steve
drives the car down and back to Mexico.
stevewalters@earthlink.net
**LEGAL WARNING
Like
all forms of motor sports, the Pan Am is extremely
dangerous. It
can also lead to a lifetime of addiction to road racing
in Mexico.
**CONTACT INFORMATION
If you change email addresses, please let CARRERA
NEWS know. Once you register for the race,
you will also receive CARRERA DRIVER, which
contain much more detailed information about the race
and how to prepare your car.
Feel free to send CARRERA NEWS to
your friends and racing buddies. This newsletter
is posted on the web site www.panamrace.com.
Gerie Bledsoe
North American Coordinator
La Carrera Panamericana
The 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
www.panamrace.com
