This is it, Day Seven! We are energized by the party at the bullring and also saddened because the end of this great adventure is near. The day starts as always - early rise, pack, breakfast, and Scott is off with the truck. This morning, we start our third run at La Bufa right in front of our hotel. There had been a rumor that there was ice on the road for the first section, but a check with Jerry Churchill, who had already made a pre-run, puts that gossip to bed- it's good to ask the right people!
There was some confusion with the time cards and official clock and I dealt with that. Rick was helping the 57 Chevy Tropical Gangster crew siphon gas from our car.
Our third pass at La Bufa was our best and then it was a day of long transits and short speed sections North. Our drive today is about 410 miles, with only 30 of those race sections.
Our third pass at La Bufa was our best and then it was a day of long transits and short speed sections North. Our drive today is about 410 miles, with only 30 of those race sections.
Some of the transit sections consisted of a verrry long, and verrry straight two lane highway that disappeared into the horizon. At best, this was tiring and to give Rick a break, I got to drive these. Joy!
Somewhere along one of these straights, we were stopped by Federales due to an accident and because we were not sure of how long to the next section, I tired sneak on through. One officer waved us forward, but the second gave us the Mexican version of the stink eye as we came upon a single boot in the in the road. Not pretty, but it seemed a fitting memorial to a lost motorcyclist.
Somewhere along one of these straights, we were stopped by Federales due to an accident and because we were not sure of how long to the next section, I tired sneak on through. One officer waved us forward, but the second gave us the Mexican version of the stink eye as we came upon a single boot in the in the road. Not pretty, but it seemed a fitting memorial to a lost motorcyclist.
The day went on to a very fast speed section on a highway that was run full out. This video will show you what the start was like, our Chevelle shows up at about the 6 minute mark. A couple more short runs and a stop for gas brought us to the outskirts of Nuevo Laredo.
Here everyone was told to keep up their speed through town to the finishing arch.
As we got closer to the finish, the crowd grew, as did the waving and cheering and the chaos of
of it all!
Ultimately, we come to the line of cars waiting to hand in their time cards, as we inch forward and cross through the arch, the awareness of "WOW.... that was it.... it's over" becomes a reality.
We receive our last finishing metal, and move on through more wild crowds, to park down the street anywhere where we can.
Our pal and crew member Scott is here to greet us, and once out of the car, there's hugs and
kisses and handshakes for him and anyone nearby, such as our old friend Chip Johns and his co-pilot Dee Grisamore who parked next to us.
For me, I was feeling a bit glum because the end of the race had come, but with a couple of beers and the arrival of the Tecate Girls, things brightened up.
The next two hours were spent talking to anyone and everyone who came by. Then it got dark and we needed to get to our hotel to get ready for the last drivers meeting and the final awards.
The event was held at the Cultural Center somewhere in downtown Nuevo Laredo.
It took us awhile to get down there and being late as usual, it was tough to find a table for three. So we hung around the fringes, ate, watched the award ceremonies, shopped the souvenir stands, and bought pictures of our race car.
Of course we chatted with all the good folks we had met, and knowing we were not going to see the podium, I sampled a little of the Johnny Walker that was at each table.
As the evening wound down, there was the exchange of phone numbers and e-mails with new friends, congratulations to the winners, encouragement to the runner-ups, and good-byes to everyone till next time. Our results for the day were a 23rd place finish, 7th in class Historic "C".
By now the seven days had caught up with us, it was time to get a ride and head back to the hotel. It took awhile to get a taxi as everyone seemed to have the same idea at the same time.
By now the seven days had caught up with us, it was time to get a ride and head back to the hotel. It took awhile to get a taxi as everyone seemed to have the same idea at the same time.
We rode back with the Fiat-Abarth crew to a sound sleep till the morning. The next day, Scott was off early to catch a cab to cross the border and fly home from Laredo.
Rick and I got the car loaded on the trailer, and things packed up for the trip home. As we were leaving I remember a remark from Jerry Churchill who said something to the effect, that you'll never forget your first La Carrera Panamericana. How very true!
In the final overall results, we finished in 20th place, 5th in Historic "C" class. http://lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx/resultados_07.asp
Next Time: And finally, some final thoughts
