As we left the Corona party, the Vette experienced its only engine failure when the bronze distributor gear finally "went." My service vehicle took us to the hotel parking lot where Doug Asay, Jr., a good friend from another team, helped me install a replacement so I could be ready for the final day.
The last day of the rally was also the longest. Running from Zacatecas to Nuevo Laredo at the Texas border is over 400 miles in a day, and with the speed sections and mandatory stops added in, it took its toll on many drivers. One speed section on this day was almost straight and flat for 15 miles-so we could see who got bragging rights for top speed. The Open Class cars are allowed many more modifications, are restricted to pre-'54 cars only, and were really fast. Imagine a '53 Studebaker coupe being clocked on radar at over 190 mph!
After a long and relatively conservative drive to make sure we finished, huge crowds once again greeted us as we arrived at the finish line in the border city. It was a great feeling! The "touring" tires, wiper failure incident, and my conservative driving on La Bufa cost us a lot of time, but we still finished Sixth out of 16 very fast cars in the V-8 class. Then, after a good night's sleep, it was only a 28-hour drive to get home.Viva Mexico!
Editor's Note: If you want more find more information about La Carrera Panamericana, visit the official Web site, www.lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx/. The site is in Spanish, but an English version is offered.