Last weekend a bunch of my friends who raced in La Carrera Panamericana got together down in Chihuahua Mexico for the second annual Chihuahua Express. This is a shorter version of the world famous La Carrera Panamericana and instead of the usual nine days of racing it is condensed into three. A couple of nice features about this race are that we don't have to tow our race cars and rigs all the way to the border of Guatemala to begin the race. This race is held just across the border from El Paso Texas, and instead of having to change hotels and move trailers every day teams stay in the same hotel. From there we race out one highway each day, going in three different directions and back through different types of terrain. One day we race through twisty mountain canyons and the next is on long straights for as far as the eye can see with speeds up to 200 miles per hour being common. More...
The Chihuahua Express is considered a tune-up of sorts for teams heading down to run this year's 2000-mile long La Carrera Panamericana. Teams get a chance to not only test out the cars' performance and handling, but also to dial in communication equipment as well as allow the driver and navigator to gel with each other and become one with the car. Teams getting ready for La Carrera Panamericana that compete in this race take it very seriously, and there is no running at 90 percent. This is balls-to-the-wall racing and not for the faint of heart. Of the 56 cars that started this event only 27 finished, either because of blown engines, mechanical problems, or crashes--including a beautiful 67 Shelby that was just finished in time for this race.
Unlike the La Carrera Panamericana, where only race cars are allowed to race after very strict tech inspections are completed, one nice thing about this event is you can run almost anything. There are still tech inspections, but all classes of cars are allowed to take part. The race cars obviously get to go a lot faster than stock cars, but even a rental car or daily driver can compete in a timed stage event, so if you're looking for an awesome racing adventure south of the border, this would be a great place to begin, and I guarantee it will be one you will not soon forget.
Speaking of racing under supervised conditions versus illegal street racing, this race once again proves why nobody should be stupid enough to think they can impress someone by illegal street racing. As you can see from just a few of these photos, some cars where completely destroyed while crashing at high speed. No one was seriously hurt in any of these violent crashes was because of three factors: (1) Only cars that passed tough tech inspections with full roll cages and proper safety equipment were allowed to compete. (2) Full service safety teams were on hand to quickly extract drivers and extinguish fires. (3) Paramedics were on site. Had any of these accidents happened without all of the above, it's very probable someone might have lost their life.
The white 53 Studebaker driven by Chris Sayler and the blue and orange 53 Studebaker driven by my good friend Lars Stugemo of Sweden are both set up for La Carrera, and it's common for these cars to reach 200 miles per hour. What's left of the car burning amongst the trees belonged to my good friend Joe Harding from England. It was a beautiful, fully prepared, race-ready Falcon Sprint that competed against me last year. Joe had to be removed from the crash with a broken ankle, and seconds later it was fully engulfed in flames even with a fire system. Look closely at the photo and it's important to note even the aluminum racing seats where completely melted within seconds of the fire.
The big difference between these crashes and those involved in illegal street racing is, we will all be able to look back someday and reminisce about them. As for those killed or seriously injured while street racing ,they will only leave friends and family behind to remember them.
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