final push after Zacetecas

We arrived safely in Zacatecas after another 500km day. Zacatecas is always a highlight as there is always a great crowd waiting and we all have a beer in the 'hole in the wall bar'. Despite the fact that we are nearing the end todays speed stages still claimed four victims. Thankfully despite the serious nature of the crashes there were no injuries.
Richard and I again placed first in class today but unless something happens to our main rival we can't win the class this year. Tomorrow is a 700KM day so there is still a lot of time for something to happen. We will push hard and hope for the best.
Tune in for the final day tomorrow.
Andy

prep work

La Carrera Reportage Begins

Andy weighs in upon arrival:

My name is Andrew Prill and together with my co driver Richard Clark I am about to compete in my tenth Carrera Panamericana.  

Originally run between 1950 and 1954 it was a round of the World Sportscar Championship in which most of the great drivers  like Fangio, Hill and Tarruffi raced. Abandoned after the 1954 race because it had become to dangerous it was restarted in 1988. The race is for historic cars similar to those which competed originally. Over the years they have become so developed that we are going faster than ever. Car in the big class will do just under 200mph and our car which is in the under 2 litre class will regularly hit 150 on the longer stages.
Following a similar route to  the original the race is a gruelling  7 day 3000KM dash from the South of Mexico to the US Border. To see the complete route visit www.carrerapanamericana.com.mx
We arrived in Huatulco on Sunday after a long flight from the UK and a 12 hour drive from Mexico City. Over the last three days we have collected the race car and completed all of the technical inspections. We have already checked out the first stages.  Tomorrow (Thursday) we have a pre-qualification stage to set the starting order for the start of the race on Friday. Now I am off to a drivers briefing so I will try to report again tomorrow.



Best,


Andy

La Carrera Panamericana

7 more days and the 2009 La Carrera Panamericana is off to a start in Tuxtla Gutierrez.

Born as a celebratory event in the 1950's to mark the inauguration of the highway that would span the American continent the best drivers in the sport where in attendance.  An opportunity to race beautiful cars on public roads in an exotic setting was lost on none.  Sadly, after four consecutive years and several tragic accidents safety became an issue and the Carrera was cancelled.

In 1988 the event was resurrected with original cars of the era and a modicum of modern safety gear.  Once again the sirens call was heard and few could resist.  After 21 uninterrupted editions the Carrera has drawn passionate collectors and vintage car racers alike.  Such petrol heads as Alistair Caldwell, Alain de Cadenet, Guy Edwards, Nick Mason & David Gilmour of Pink Floyd, Mark Knopfler, and Renato Bicciato among others,  have competed.

This year we are fortunate enough to have Andy Prill providing a bit of inside coverage.  Andy won the 2 litre class in 2008 and will be competing in his 10th consecutive Carrera.  Watch for Andy in his Porsche number 152.  For more info on Andy and his spectacular shop have a look at maxted-pageandprill.  We wish him good luck and hope to hear from him soon.