A recent Twitter follower reminded me that we are only 23 days away from the 23rd running of the legendary La Carrera Panamericana, the famous Mexican road race.
The original race ran from 1950 to 1954, then started again in 1988. This year it runs from October 22nd to the 28th.
The race runs for nearly 2000 miles along public roads, starting in Tuxtla Gutierrez and finishing north 7 days later in Zacatecas.
Many famous drivers have competed in the '50s races, guys like Hershel McGriff winning the inaugural event in 1950 driving an Oldsmobile 88, and Juan Manuel Fangio, who won in 1953 driving a Lancia D24.
Juan Manuel Fangio won the 1953 La Carrera Panamericana in a Lancia D24.Prismacolor pencils on red archival stock 12"x 9"
© Paul Chenard 2008
Original sketch is available at L'art et l'automobile, as are limited editions.
In more recent times, my friend Gary Faules raced it in 2007, driving his 1965 Mustang Gt350R ... stunning!
California's Best, Gary Faules racing his GT350R in La Carrera Panamericana 2007.
Prismacolor pencils on white archival stock 12"x 9"
© Paul Chenard 2008
Gary Faules Collection
Prismacolor pencils on white archival stock 12"x 9"
© Paul Chenard 2008
Gary Faules Collection
The Carrera sounds like a lot of fun, love the pic of the Mustang Paul.
ReplyDeleteAre you going down to Mexico forthe event ?
BTW I recall Hershel McGriff still competes once in a while at Portland aged over 80 !
La Carrera Panamericana is an event like no other ... Gary loved it.
ReplyDeleteI unfortunately will probably never make it there, but you can never say never!
Herchel McGriff is an amazing person who obviously cherishes life.
Thanks!
Never say never Paul, last year I found myself making a 7000 mile round trip to the Aarons 499 in April !
ReplyDeleteI wanted to see Talladega ever since I heard about Mark Donohue lapping at 220 plus while it was raining in 1974/5.