Day Eight The day after
It is all behind us now and we are headed home. We drove the 500 miles from Zacadecas to Laredo, then about another hour north and called it a day. Only 1400 miles left.
Here is a quick recap of the week and what we accomplished and what we did not. The car came off the trailer and performed as we expected. We qualified 42nd out of about 120 cars.
Day One, we did fine; middle of the pack.
Day Two, we were placed 49th. About as expected on the slower, tight uphill stages. The car is
running well.
Day Three, the big crash day. On our second run the gas pedal broke. We sort of fixed it and
completed the stage with a time that was about 10 minutes longer than it would have been if we
had not broken. The third run our temporary, field fix failed. Again we put it together and drove
slowly to the end of the stage. At service we fixed it properly. We finished poorly.
Day Four, we started at the back because of the gas pedal problems. So be it. We were quick and our
times had us finish the day in about 30th overall.
Day Five, a great day with speed stages ideal for our big heavy Chrysler. We finished the day in
42nd.
Day Six, another great day. The car was great. We finished 30th for the day.
Day Seven, our last chance. The car was great, we made some adjustments and finished 27th overall.
Best yet.
We finished 62nd overall for the seven day event. Not as good as we had hoped.
We made one fundamental mistake that took us from finishing in the mid 30's to 62nd. Last year, we had mechanical problems that kept us from finishing several speed stages. This year, my main objective was to finish every stage, no matter what. That's why we fixed the gas pedal on the side of the speed stage, twice, and limped to the finish. I achieved my goal. We completed every stage. Success.
One mistake with my strategy. The rules state that if a car does not finish a stage, that car gets the slowest time in that stage plus three minutes. In our class, that would be about one minute longer than our time plus the three minute penalty. So, about four minutes longer than what we would have posted had we not broken. In my "finish at all cost" mentality, that was all I thought about. Our fix and completion of the stage was more than 35 minutes longer than it should have been. Simple math, 35 - 4 equals 31 minutes. So, had we skipped the rest of the stage, our total time for the day would have been 31 minutes less. Rolled into the seven day results, that 31 minutes took us from finishing 35th or so to finishing 62nd. Oh well. I did what I wanted to. Next year, it will all be about where we place.
In the next year, the car will go on a diet and loose about 300 pounds, get a new, more powerful engine, a new rear end, closer ratios in the transmission and improved ventilation, and a number of small modifications.
Many thanks to Jackie and Mac, the gang at Savannah Race Engineering and especially to our support crew, Mike and Alan. They were on top of everything with the car as well as making our day easier.
We will get more photos up in the next few days.
Thanks, Philip and Kevin
Friday, October 26, 2012
Thursday, October 25, 2012
Day Seven San Louis de Potesi to Zacatecas
Yesterday, day six was great. When it counted, the car was perfect. When the results were in for yesterday, we placed 30th for the day. We are pleased as we did only ok as far as Philip and I were concerned. There is a lot of room to go faster. I can do better in the right and left 0's and 1's. There were a few crashes, cars totaled but no serious injuries.
Today, day seven, we decided to take it up a click and not lift for 0's and just barely on 1's. Let me tell you we could really tell the difference. And out times showed it. We finished 27th overall today. The morning sessions were ok. We should have changed tires before we went out today. They went away after the first speed section. Fortunately, there was an early service and on went four new tires. What a difference. In the two speeds sections afterward, we finished 26th and 27th. Considering the fact that we weigh about 1,200 pounds more than any car that is even close to our times we are really happy. It's that Savannah Race Engineering Hemi power baby!
I have had so many people come and ask about the car and us in the last four days. It is funny. When we line up in order to start, we are surrounded by Porsche's, Mustangs, Steudebakers, all with big power and lightweight and we were faster than a lot of them. The best yet was when another competitor went up and ask another driver "who are those guys?", "that car should not be going that fast". It was one of the guys in the top ten who ask.
We finished the last day and made it to the finishing arch in Zacatecas. It is a big deal just to finish the seven days and 2,000 miles. There was a big celebration that I can still hear outside. There is the "Burro Walk" from the city center to the bull fighting ring. Everyone gets a shot glass from the burro and hundreds of people walk through town, drinking shots, bands playing singing and dancing till the wee hours. Philip, Mike and Alan can tell me about it tomorrow. I'm goin to sleep now.
Please check back. We will be posting more and will add many more photos. Thanks for following us. Kev
Yesterday, day six was great. When it counted, the car was perfect. When the results were in for yesterday, we placed 30th for the day. We are pleased as we did only ok as far as Philip and I were concerned. There is a lot of room to go faster. I can do better in the right and left 0's and 1's. There were a few crashes, cars totaled but no serious injuries.
Today, day seven, we decided to take it up a click and not lift for 0's and just barely on 1's. Let me tell you we could really tell the difference. And out times showed it. We finished 27th overall today. The morning sessions were ok. We should have changed tires before we went out today. They went away after the first speed section. Fortunately, there was an early service and on went four new tires. What a difference. In the two speeds sections afterward, we finished 26th and 27th. Considering the fact that we weigh about 1,200 pounds more than any car that is even close to our times we are really happy. It's that Savannah Race Engineering Hemi power baby!
I have had so many people come and ask about the car and us in the last four days. It is funny. When we line up in order to start, we are surrounded by Porsche's, Mustangs, Steudebakers, all with big power and lightweight and we were faster than a lot of them. The best yet was when another competitor went up and ask another driver "who are those guys?", "that car should not be going that fast". It was one of the guys in the top ten who ask.
We finished the last day and made it to the finishing arch in Zacatecas. It is a big deal just to finish the seven days and 2,000 miles. There was a big celebration that I can still hear outside. There is the "Burro Walk" from the city center to the bull fighting ring. Everyone gets a shot glass from the burro and hundreds of people walk through town, drinking shots, bands playing singing and dancing till the wee hours. Philip, Mike and Alan can tell me about it tomorrow. I'm goin to sleep now.
Please check back. We will be posting more and will add many more photos. Thanks for following us. Kev
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Day Six Guanajuato to San Louis Potesi
Up early again. Today there were three speed stages before service. After day five, we started 42nd. By far the fastest of the big cars. All three stages went very well. We were into service with great times, finishing well ahead of many cars that started ahead of us.
Following service, there were two long speed stages. Everything went great. At the final checkpoint, we noticed a coolant leak. We waited for the service truck, ived the problem and made it to the finishing arch late. What penalties apply I don't know. We will see tomorrow. After day three and four gas pedal problems we were well back in overall results. Ho hum.
Tomorrow is the last day. We will finish mid afternoon in Zacatecas if all goes well.
More tomorrow.
Kevin
Up early again. Today there were three speed stages before service. After day five, we started 42nd. By far the fastest of the big cars. All three stages went very well. We were into service with great times, finishing well ahead of many cars that started ahead of us.
Following service, there were two long speed stages. Everything went great. At the final checkpoint, we noticed a coolant leak. We waited for the service truck, ived the problem and made it to the finishing arch late. What penalties apply I don't know. We will see tomorrow. After day three and four gas pedal problems we were well back in overall results. Ho hum.
Tomorrow is the last day. We will finish mid afternoon in Zacatecas if all goes well.
More tomorrow.
Kevin
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
Day Five Morelia to Guanajuato
Great day! The car was perfect, the speed stages were great for the big old Chrysler. In the morning, there were four long, fast speed stages. Unlike earlier stages, these were made up of many very long straightaways mixed with short right and left 3's. Based on our gas pedal problems yesterday we started at the rear. In the first stage we passed four cars, two in the second, and one each in the third and fourth. We would really rather not be forced to pass other cars as we never really know what they will do. Today no problems. Everyone waived us by. We lost some time with each pass, but they were all safe.
The morning sessions were followed by a 230 kilometer transit to service. Just a quick once over of the car and we were on our way. The afternoon speed stages were much like the morning. We moved up considerably in starting position and did not make any other passes. We were close to passing a Porsche right at the end of the last two speed stages but just missed him. Probably a good thing. this evening we arrived in the center of old town Guanajuato. A spectacular old mining town full of tunnels and people for the biggest arrival celebration yet.
Now is a funny time. We are at the point where anything we hear or feel in the car makes me worry. We have a rattle in the rear that we can't find. We have checked every suspension bolt, mounting point, everything. We can't find a thing. But still.......it keeps me wondering.
There has been a lot of attrition so far. We started with 117 cars and 76 finished today. Our main goal is to finish the 2,000 miles. Two days remain.
Kevin
Great day! The car was perfect, the speed stages were great for the big old Chrysler. In the morning, there were four long, fast speed stages. Unlike earlier stages, these were made up of many very long straightaways mixed with short right and left 3's. Based on our gas pedal problems yesterday we started at the rear. In the first stage we passed four cars, two in the second, and one each in the third and fourth. We would really rather not be forced to pass other cars as we never really know what they will do. Today no problems. Everyone waived us by. We lost some time with each pass, but they were all safe.
The morning sessions were followed by a 230 kilometer transit to service. Just a quick once over of the car and we were on our way. The afternoon speed stages were much like the morning. We moved up considerably in starting position and did not make any other passes. We were close to passing a Porsche right at the end of the last two speed stages but just missed him. Probably a good thing. this evening we arrived in the center of old town Guanajuato. A spectacular old mining town full of tunnels and people for the biggest arrival celebration yet.
Now is a funny time. We are at the point where anything we hear or feel in the car makes me worry. We have a rattle in the rear that we can't find. We have checked every suspension bolt, mounting point, everything. We can't find a thing. But still.......it keeps me wondering.
There has been a lot of attrition so far. We started with 117 cars and 76 finished today. Our main goal is to finish the 2,000 miles. Two days remain.
Kevin
Monday, October 22, 2012
Day four, Quetereo to Morelia
Day four, Quertero to Morelia
Today we started a bit later than usual. We left the town square and had a relatively short transit to the first speed stage. The first stage was a short 8 kilometers. Perfect following a day like yesterday. It helped settle everyone's nerves.
When we started this morning, we were shown in the low eighties for starting position. As it turns out , there was a timing and scoring mistake and we were actually in the 35 starting position. The morning speed stages went well. We were pretty quick and the car performed well. Following the service break, we left for three steed stages. The first was very fast and we ran very well. The second was a bit longer, about 20 kilometers. It was the speed stage that over the years has resulted in the most crashes. It is a stage made for our Chrysler. Slightly downhill overall with very high speed straightaways going into sweeping turns. It was probably the best run of the week. About half way through, the gas pedal failed again. So we lost the results of a great run. The last run of the day was plagued by the gas pedal issue and our times were bad. No doubt we will correctly have a very bad starting position tomorrow. The big problem is that we will be starting among slower cars and we will find ourselves need ing to pass other cars. It will slow us down, and you never know about how other drivers will behave. Some people are funny ya know.
We redesigned the way the gas pedal is attached and we believe it should no longer be a problem. We thought it was just a loose set screw, so we reinstalled it and secured it well. For whatever reason, it loosened again. It is fixed now. It is great to see how other competitors offer parts, tools, just about anything to help other racers. There are a lot of great folks here.
Mike, Alan, Philip and I are all well and having fun. More tomorrow,
Kevin
Photos from yesterday are up at the photobucket site
Day four, Quertero to Morelia
Today we started a bit later than usual. We left the town square and had a relatively short transit to the first speed stage. The first stage was a short 8 kilometers. Perfect following a day like yesterday. It helped settle everyone's nerves.
When we started this morning, we were shown in the low eighties for starting position. As it turns out , there was a timing and scoring mistake and we were actually in the 35 starting position. The morning speed stages went well. We were pretty quick and the car performed well. Following the service break, we left for three steed stages. The first was very fast and we ran very well. The second was a bit longer, about 20 kilometers. It was the speed stage that over the years has resulted in the most crashes. It is a stage made for our Chrysler. Slightly downhill overall with very high speed straightaways going into sweeping turns. It was probably the best run of the week. About half way through, the gas pedal failed again. So we lost the results of a great run. The last run of the day was plagued by the gas pedal issue and our times were bad. No doubt we will correctly have a very bad starting position tomorrow. The big problem is that we will be starting among slower cars and we will find ourselves need ing to pass other cars. It will slow us down, and you never know about how other drivers will behave. Some people are funny ya know.
We redesigned the way the gas pedal is attached and we believe it should no longer be a problem. We thought it was just a loose set screw, so we reinstalled it and secured it well. For whatever reason, it loosened again. It is fixed now. It is great to see how other competitors offer parts, tools, just about anything to help other racers. There are a lot of great folks here.
Mike, Alan, Philip and I are all well and having fun. More tomorrow,
Kevin
Photos from yesterday are up at the photobucket site
Day three, Puebla to Queretaro,
Carnage. It is the only way to describe yesterday. Following a three and a half hour transit, we started what was a well known and well publicized verydangerousspeed stage. It was high speed, downhill, always a cliff on one side, rough pavement, gravel covered 27 kilometer speed stage. We were all warned; the route book the navigator uses to call the speed stage for the driver had adequate warnings of the dangerous parts. All very clear.
Let me set the stage. The faster cars go first. The stage started of with about 250 yards downhill into a left 1 (downhill left 1 you might have to slow a bit after 250 yards). From there it was down hill to a quick short left then 250 yards down hill to a "left 3! Danger mortal" too fast and went off the cliff, one on top of another. They ended up about 120 feet down, stacked up. The only injury was a broken hip. Several other cars spun out and hit the guardrail until they stopped the speed stage. Then, about half way through the stage another car got out of shape at a very high speed and plunged off a 1000 ft cliff but stopped about 300 feet down and caught on fire. The people surf.ived with only bumps and scratches. Finally, a Porsche lost it and went off a huge cliff and was stopped a few hundred feet down by trees. After seeing the first five cars, I dialed it back a bit. We. We're doing well, cautious where we should be when the gas pedal fell off. It mounts on a splined share and is retained by a set screw and the set screw backed out. No probe, we pulled off and secured it well enough to complete the stage and get to service. Our time suffered greatly, as once we stopped we took all the safety measures before I looked at the problem. Made it to service, Fixed the gas pedal and we were off to the afternoon speed stages. They were fast, with no problems.
Today we are off to Morelia; my personal favorite. The car has been great, no release bearing issues like last year. (Jackie, it is still as smooth as silk).
Looks like the problem in the speed stage cost us big.
Thats all for now.
Kev
Carnage. It is the only way to describe yesterday. Following a three and a half hour transit, we started what was a well known and well publicized verydangerousspeed stage. It was high speed, downhill, always a cliff on one side, rough pavement, gravel covered 27 kilometer speed stage. We were all warned; the route book the navigator uses to call the speed stage for the driver had adequate warnings of the dangerous parts. All very clear.
Let me set the stage. The faster cars go first. The stage started of with about 250 yards downhill into a left 1 (downhill left 1 you might have to slow a bit after 250 yards). From there it was down hill to a quick short left then 250 yards down hill to a "left 3! Danger mortal" too fast and went off the cliff, one on top of another. They ended up about 120 feet down, stacked up. The only injury was a broken hip. Several other cars spun out and hit the guardrail until they stopped the speed stage. Then, about half way through the stage another car got out of shape at a very high speed and plunged off a 1000 ft cliff but stopped about 300 feet down and caught on fire. The people surf.ived with only bumps and scratches. Finally, a Porsche lost it and went off a huge cliff and was stopped a few hundred feet down by trees. After seeing the first five cars, I dialed it back a bit. We. We're doing well, cautious where we should be when the gas pedal fell off. It mounts on a splined share and is retained by a set screw and the set screw backed out. No probe, we pulled off and secured it well enough to complete the stage and get to service. Our time suffered greatly, as once we stopped we took all the safety measures before I looked at the problem. Made it to service, Fixed the gas pedal and we were off to the afternoon speed stages. They were fast, with no problems.
Today we are off to Morelia; my personal favorite. The car has been great, no release bearing issues like last year. (Jackie, it is still as smooth as silk).
Looks like the problem in the speed stage cost us big.
Thats all for now.
Kev
Saturday, October 20, 2012
Day Two Oaxaca to Puebla,
Today was filled with two long speed stages and an early service break. We ran very well. Much faster than yesterday. We were placed 49 out of 111 cars. Following the service break there were several more speed stages. The car has been great! No problems at all. Philip and I have found our rhythm and we are gaining confidence in the turn call outs in the route book.
Toward the end of the afternoon we pulled into Teuhuacan for a big celebration. There were so many people. Check out the pics. From Teuhuacan we drove to Puebla for another big fiesta. It was absolutely packed as only Brian, Philip and I know. Philip and I must have posed for well over a hundred photos. They really love the La Carrera here. People were along the road the whole way today. Tomorrow comes too soon for me. More tomorrow.
Kev
Today was filled with two long speed stages and an early service break. We ran very well. Much faster than yesterday. We were placed 49 out of 111 cars. Following the service break there were several more speed stages. The car has been great! No problems at all. Philip and I have found our rhythm and we are gaining confidence in the turn call outs in the route book.
Toward the end of the afternoon we pulled into Teuhuacan for a big celebration. There were so many people. Check out the pics. From Teuhuacan we drove to Puebla for another big fiesta. It was absolutely packed as only Brian, Philip and I know. Philip and I must have posed for well over a hundred photos. They really love the La Carrera here. People were along the road the whole way today. Tomorrow comes too soon for me. More tomorrow.
Kev
Friday, October 19, 2012
Race Day One,
As most days during the La Carrera, today started off at about 5 am. We were up and t.o the starting location by 6:30. The start went smoothly. The first stage was a transit stage of about 104 miles over which we averaged about 100 mph. By 9:30 am we were at the starting point for the first speed stage. We went from sea level to about 4000 feet for the start. The first speed stage was short and uphill. No problems; just getting used to the car and roads again. We approached the second stage with stern warnings that it was very fast. Unfortunately, one of the cars with two brothers aboard crashed in a very fast part and the navigator died at the crash site. When that happens, the race goes on hold for a while.
A couple of hours later we were back to racing. The rest of the day went well. We met Mike and Alan, our support crew mid-afternoon for our service break. The car was fine. After an hour we were off for the two afternoon speed stages. Both were fast and long. Great fun. At the end of the last speed stage, we had an hour transit to Oaxaca, where we had the cars on display for a while. So many people. Pictures just won't do the experience justice. Tomorrow, we are off to Puebla.
That's it for now. And we did get the intercom working properly. Kev
As most days during the La Carrera, today started off at about 5 am. We were up and t.o the starting location by 6:30. The start went smoothly. The first stage was a transit stage of about 104 miles over which we averaged about 100 mph. By 9:30 am we were at the starting point for the first speed stage. We went from sea level to about 4000 feet for the start. The first speed stage was short and uphill. No problems; just getting used to the car and roads again. We approached the second stage with stern warnings that it was very fast. Unfortunately, one of the cars with two brothers aboard crashed in a very fast part and the navigator died at the crash site. When that happens, the race goes on hold for a while.
A couple of hours later we were back to racing. The rest of the day went well. We met Mike and Alan, our support crew mid-afternoon for our service break. The car was fine. After an hour we were off for the two afternoon speed stages. Both were fast and long. Great fun. At the end of the last speed stage, we had an hour transit to Oaxaca, where we had the cars on display for a while. So many people. Pictures just won't do the experience justice. Tomorrow, we are off to Puebla.
That's it for now. And we did get the intercom working properly. Kev
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Hi,
It is Thursday evening. Today we qualified for starting positions in the race which starts tomorrow. Everything went well. We qualified 42nd overall, one tenth of a second behind our German friends. I'll get them tomorrow. Our run was only OK. Our intercom was not working properly so I could not hear Philip calling the turns. I believe it is working properly now.
Tonight there is a big celebration for the La Carrera in downtown Veracruz. We will be there with the race cars until the drivers meeting at 9pm. Tomorrow we have a 104 mile transit to the first speed stage then several more speed stages before lunch and several more after before pulling into Oaxaca for the night.
I forgot to mention a very important part ov our time in San Miguel. Our friend from last year, Pedro, could not be here this year. Each year he has purchased backpacks and filled them with school supplies for young girls in an orphanage in San Miguel. Since he was not here this year, I picked up the task of buying the supplies and delivering them to the girls. In all they needed 23 backpacks with supplies. It was great fun trying to find everything we needed and putting everything in the backpacks. We met most of the girls and it was great watching them pick out their backpack and looking for the surprises we put in each one. So little goes so far here in Mexico. Please take a look at the pictures of the girls.
That's it for now. More after ther first day of racing.
Kevin
It is Thursday evening. Today we qualified for starting positions in the race which starts tomorrow. Everything went well. We qualified 42nd overall, one tenth of a second behind our German friends. I'll get them tomorrow. Our run was only OK. Our intercom was not working properly so I could not hear Philip calling the turns. I believe it is working properly now.
Tonight there is a big celebration for the La Carrera in downtown Veracruz. We will be there with the race cars until the drivers meeting at 9pm. Tomorrow we have a 104 mile transit to the first speed stage then several more speed stages before lunch and several more after before pulling into Oaxaca for the night.
I forgot to mention a very important part ov our time in San Miguel. Our friend from last year, Pedro, could not be here this year. Each year he has purchased backpacks and filled them with school supplies for young girls in an orphanage in San Miguel. Since he was not here this year, I picked up the task of buying the supplies and delivering them to the girls. In all they needed 23 backpacks with supplies. It was great fun trying to find everything we needed and putting everything in the backpacks. We met most of the girls and it was great watching them pick out their backpack and looking for the surprises we put in each one. So little goes so far here in Mexico. Please take a look at the pictures of the girls.
That's it for now. More after ther first day of racing.
Kevin
Wednesday, October 17, 2012
Hello all,
It is Wednesday evening, a week after I left Pinehurst. The trip to Houston was trouble free. I made it to Houston in time to have dinner with Philip and my good friend Gardner. Following dinner, I made it to San Antonio for the night. The next day, Thursday, I made it to the hotel in Laredo and met up with about 15 other racers. One of our support crew members, Mike Poppa, had flown in the night before.
Mid-day Thursday, we went across the border and got our visas. It was a simple and quick process compared to last year. That night we had a meeting to discuss crossing the border and the 550 mile trip to San Miguel de Alende. Following a 7am departure, it was a uneventful 11 hour trip. San Miguel is a spectacular town from the mid 1500's. Friday night was spent exploring the town and meeting the locals late into the night. We met a couple of German guys from Stutgart. They have a Porsche 911 that they sent to Houston by ship and drove to Laredo then on to San Miguel. They followed us all the way so we have become good buds. Saturday in San Miguel was quiet, mostly spent exploring the town. Saturday night there was a reception for the race teams in a wonderful hotel. You would never believe you were in a small Mexican town. Saturday night it was back down town.
On Sunday, the town closed the town square and we took the race cars for a car car show. So many people came down to see the. Cars. We were there for five hours and the crowds kept coming. It was good fun.
Monday morning we made the drive from San Miguel to Veracruz. San Miguel is high in the mountains, about 6800 feet. The trip took about 10 hours and in some pares the scenery was spectacular. In the final 120 miles we descended about 6000 feet and the views were great. We arrived in Veracruz with no problems. Our hotes is great and best of all just a short walk to where the cars are kept. Yesterday, Tuesday, Philip arrived and we spent the day registering, getting physicals, Mexican racing credentials and getting the car through technical inspection. We sailed through tech with no problems as did our friends Hans and Martin. By the time we were finished it was time to call it a night.
This morning, we were up and took the car over tomorrows qualifying course. It is a total of about 125 kilometers (75mi). The car ran great and is ready to go for tomorrows qualifying. As I write this, Philip is in a three hour navigators meeting that will end at eight o'clock. The drivers meeting immediately follows and should only last about an hour.
That is it for now. More tomorrow after qualifying. Kev
It is Wednesday evening, a week after I left Pinehurst. The trip to Houston was trouble free. I made it to Houston in time to have dinner with Philip and my good friend Gardner. Following dinner, I made it to San Antonio for the night. The next day, Thursday, I made it to the hotel in Laredo and met up with about 15 other racers. One of our support crew members, Mike Poppa, had flown in the night before.
Mid-day Thursday, we went across the border and got our visas. It was a simple and quick process compared to last year. That night we had a meeting to discuss crossing the border and the 550 mile trip to San Miguel de Alende. Following a 7am departure, it was a uneventful 11 hour trip. San Miguel is a spectacular town from the mid 1500's. Friday night was spent exploring the town and meeting the locals late into the night. We met a couple of German guys from Stutgart. They have a Porsche 911 that they sent to Houston by ship and drove to Laredo then on to San Miguel. They followed us all the way so we have become good buds. Saturday in San Miguel was quiet, mostly spent exploring the town. Saturday night there was a reception for the race teams in a wonderful hotel. You would never believe you were in a small Mexican town. Saturday night it was back down town.
On Sunday, the town closed the town square and we took the race cars for a car car show. So many people came down to see the. Cars. We were there for five hours and the crowds kept coming. It was good fun.
Monday morning we made the drive from San Miguel to Veracruz. San Miguel is high in the mountains, about 6800 feet. The trip took about 10 hours and in some pares the scenery was spectacular. In the final 120 miles we descended about 6000 feet and the views were great. We arrived in Veracruz with no problems. Our hotes is great and best of all just a short walk to where the cars are kept. Yesterday, Tuesday, Philip arrived and we spent the day registering, getting physicals, Mexican racing credentials and getting the car through technical inspection. We sailed through tech with no problems as did our friends Hans and Martin. By the time we were finished it was time to call it a night.
This morning, we were up and took the car over tomorrows qualifying course. It is a total of about 125 kilometers (75mi). The car ran great and is ready to go for tomorrows qualifying. As I write this, Philip is in a three hour navigators meeting that will end at eight o'clock. The drivers meeting immediately follows and should only last about an hour.
That is it for now. More tomorrow after qualifying. Kev
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Pictures
Photos will be uploaded to www.photobucket.com/LCP2012 as we go through the trip. We will post some pictures on the blog as we update it, but the majority of them will be uploaded to the photobucket account.
The drive from North Carolina to Texas has started. The truck, car, and group should arrive in Houston around 4PM today. From Houston, they will meet up with a group of other participants coming from the US to cross the border and get the correct paperwork.
Continue to check back for updates. The racing starts late next week!
The drive from North Carolina to Texas has started. The truck, car, and group should arrive in Houston around 4PM today. From Houston, they will meet up with a group of other participants coming from the US to cross the border and get the correct paperwork.
Continue to check back for updates. The racing starts late next week!
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