Tech Inspections

A quite last day before pre-qualification begins. Richard and Simon passed their safety, health and tech inspections with no issues. They will be running in the Historic C class with other Mustangs, Falcons, Corvettes and similar style cars. This year there are almost 18 cars in this class and it should turn out to be the most competitive class. After tech inspection they took the car out to today's pre-qualification route and ran the car for a couple of hours. Everything is running well and only a few minor adjustments were needed.

Doug and Grady also passed their safety, health and tech inspections. Because the Gypsy Wind has aluminum heads it will be running in the unlimited class with 6 other cars. This class is desiged as a catch all for cars that do not meet the specific specifications for the other classes. They will be running with 6 other cars.

For a detailed explanation of the classes you can go to: http://www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx/reglamento/2007/ultimo/(IV.-%20Elegibilidad%20y%20cat.pdf

Pre-qualification is designed to ensure that the cars are in the proper order in decreasing speed for the race. This keeps the race safer by minimizing the amount of passing that takes place during any given speed section. The individual times from today do not count in the overall race total.

In the upcoming days the drivers will leave around 8 am for the starting arch. From that point they will follow the prescribed route through a serious of speed and touring sections. Speed sections are measured for time and the roads are cleared of all traffic. Touring sections are the roads in between speed sections and have regular traffic. The drivers only have a limited amount of time to reach the next speed section. Everyday there is a mid-day break at a predesignated location.

We have two service vehicles this year. Bobby Johnson will be driving the chase vechicle, a F250 truck with an enclosed trailer, and will follow the racers along the entire route. We sweep to ensure that no one gets left out in the jungle with no support in the event of a crash or breakdown. Fernando will be riding with Bobby for navigation.

Jason Eckert will be driving the other support vehicle, a F150 truck with a flatbed trailer, and will drive ahead to the mid-day stop and again to the final destination so that the drivers have full support when they arrive at both locations. Todd Landon and Sheamus will be riding with Jason for mechanical support and navigation.

We postponed the Fiesta with the Oaxaca Mustang Club until tonight due to a 3 hour drivers meeting that took place last night.

The pre-qualification route can be viewed at: http://www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx/ruta/nvo/1_PRECALIFICACION.pdf

A link to this years participants can be found at: http://www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx/participantes.asp