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Inverting the maxim constantly bandied about by competitors in the Gumball 3000 and Bullrun, among other events, La Carrera Panamericana is most assuredly a race. We've had radio silence from our correspondents from the last day as they were busy with qualifying (qualifying isn't mandatory for La Carrera, but a good session moves you up in the grid). Meanwhile, Haller got his blog on and has a cornucopia of snippets, including this Mini crash photo taken while the pilots of the diminutive British econobox suddenly noticed a Stude piloted by a couple of dudes named Carlos who ended up in the weeds. Thankfully, everyone was okay, and not only that the Mini's back on the grid. Oh, and Rachel qualified 16th of 103 cars in her mostly-stock Lotus. More »
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Ms. Larratt did a bunch of towing and hauling to get from the Eastern Midwest to the Southern Mexico, and just prior to that, a bunch of bandaging and rollcaging her Elise. We'll tell you this: preparing for an event like La Carrera is a whole helluva lot of work. We didn't manage to pull it off. But at least we've got Coop and Rachel safely ensconced in their firesuits. Check out her blog for photographic and written evidence of her thrash to get to the starting line. – Davey G. Johnson More »
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A few long hours ago, we pointed you in the direction of Coop's Positive Ape Index in hopes of enlightening those of you who don't yet understand the sheer awesomeness of the Mexican Road Race. We also mentioned Rachel Larratt, who would be a mensch if mensches had vaginas. Plus, she's occasionally Canadian, has many tattoos and drives a Lotus. Is further endorsement needed? Anyway, Rach just informed us that she's got a blog of her own, and will be — as time allows — writing down her adventures in Mexico for all to scope. So go scope. Meanwhile, Wert...what's the feminine of "mensch?" – Davey G. Johnson More »
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Because we suck, we are not running La Carrera Panamericana this year. We came oh-so-close, but funding and timing simply were not on our side. As such, we sit here and send our regards and good faith to the mighty Coop, who is navigating for Gerie Bledso on the historic side of things, and the awesome Rachel Larratt, who threw a cage in her Elise to run the Unlimited Class. Gerie, Coop, Rachel, Haller and Kevin, we wish you all the best. Come back in once piece. Because as Coop says, "You're not really having an adventure unless knowledge of your blood type is required beforehand." More »
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So we were yammering with Haller too late at night, and as late-night yammering between car guys often ends up, ridiculous ideas spring forth. On the spot, he decided to offer free entry into La Carrera Panamericana's Unlimited Class to any hombre with cojones enough to subject his Ferrari FXX to the Mexican endurance test. And here's a note to the kids over at the Scuderia: if you boys want data, here's a way to gather it. The invite is open. All you have to do is get your car to Mexico. More »
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Since 1988, the revived Carerra Panamericana's been reserved for vehicles that would've been eligible to compete in the original race. Thanks to Bret Haller, this has changed. Bret and his pal Kevin Ward (who won the whole shebang in Stude back in '95) have pre-run the route to make sure that it's suitable for supercars, measuring the height of speed bumps along the way. Will hoonage ensue on the way from El Camaron to Monterrey? What do you think? More »
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