2024 La Carrera PanAmericana results

[BobWaitz]

I received the following email from Gerie Bledsoe:

The 2024 Pan-Am ended last week and the final results are posted on the official website; Here's a summary.

It looks like 38 cars finished the event, but we can't tell how many did not finish. I did hear that Doug Mockett blew his engine, did not have a spare, so decided not to find one in Mexico and try catch up.

Of the 38 finishers, 28 or 29 were from Mexico, 3 from the USA, and 2 from Canada. The rest were from Europe or other countries. Eleven of the entries were hot Porsches.

The winner was Ricardo Cordero in a "Studebaker." Among the 11 top finishers, were 6 "Studebakers" (well they look like Studies), and there were five 911 Porsches. My fav, Hilaire Damiron (France) was second, only 0.30 seconds behind Cordero? Really?


Don Lee Yount (USA )finished in 9th in a Porsche 911 RSR Tribute.
Karlo Flores (Canada), in a Porsches finished in 11th place.
Hans Lindbohm (Sweden) in a '67 Camaro finished 12th.
Michael and Kristi Shoemaker (USA) finished in 33d place.

Other finishers of interest were a 2023 BMW M2 and two 2017 Mini Coopers. OMG, it looks like the entry rule for the Chihuahua Express ("run what'cha brung")!

There were also two LT Specials in the race this year. Those are replicas of a sports car made in Mexico to race in the original 1955 Pan-Am that was canceled for good by the government. My good friends Mats Hammarlund and Eva Engstrom returned to racing to support the LT that they fabricated in their shop in San Miguel de Allende.

I also did not see my old friend Angelica Fuentes in the list of finishers.


So far, no reports of any really bad crashes.

Remember the 2025 Chihuahua Express, April 23-26, the week after Easter.

[Commander Eddie]

Thanks for this update, Bob. I have followed the results of this race for a few years and always enjoy the Studebakers. The sleek bodies make them a favorite every year.

[BobWaitz]

Here's a link to the results: https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/8...mericana-2024/

[Mark L]

It looks like the "Studebakers" swept the podium!

[Commander Eddie]

Pretty much every year for some time now.

[Andy R.]

Thanks for this. My brand X enthusiast friends always show deference on this one.

[Silver Hawk 59]

Here's a link to the results: https://www.ewrc-results.com/final/8...mericana-2024/

Studebakers never fail to impress!

[Rafe Hollister]

Does anyone know what is actually under the body of these Studebakers? Stock frame, custom frame, etc... ? It would be cool to read an article about why they are so fast. I assume that they do not have all the auto shocks, traction control, of modern cars. Also, what is it about Studebakers that so many top competitors modify and use them? Is it a Mexican thing, or a certain speed shop, the long wheelbase? Very curious.
Rafe Hollister

[Noxnabaker]

There are different classes, so some aint much Studebaker & some are closer to original.

[Silver Hawk 59]

Oddly, I can't tell what year/model these Studes are... But I would guess the reason they do so well is due to the weight/ wheelbase/ H.P per pound these cars have. Also, the front wheels are forward on the chassis and together with the front coil/ rear leaf springs on these cars make them great for road racing.

[StudeRich]

Silver Hawk 59, you might want to put your glasses on, they ALL are clearly 1953 or 1954 mostly Starlight's and a sometimes a few Starliners.

Same Body, Doors and Fenders as your '59.

[J_Cole]

Rafe Hollister Angie Fuentes is a friend of mine and she races a '53 Stude at La Carrera. The car wasn't ready the last two years so they raced a Porsche GT4 and then she was sick this year and couldn't race sadly. She grew up in Mexico and now lives in England and told me that it's well known in Mexico, if you want to win La Carrera, only one car will do. The 53 Studebaker. The frames and engines are race car, but they are so good because of their light weight, aerodynamics, and longer wheelbase. She's said there are so many shops down there that specialize in building La Carrera Studebakers because they are just so competitive. It's fun to watch them take podium year after year after year. Angie finished 3rd or 4th last year or the year before in the Cayman GT4 race car behind Studebakers! Even though they are essentially race cars, it's fun to see them kicking modern built race cars around!

Here is a great video of Angie and La Carrera

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NQLfAh6PojQ

[Rafe Hollister]

Great answer, thanks J. Cole!
Rafe

[Rafe Hollister]

Thanks for sharing that video, J. Cole, that was really amazing. I wonder why this race doesn't get more exposure? Such a beautiful car.
Rafe Hollister

[Dick Steinkamp]

I was fortunate to attend La Carrera in the fall of 2017. I wrote a recap of the trip with pictures that appeared in the February 2018 issue of TW. THE best motorsports event I have ever attended.

As Justin mentioned, the unlimited cars are essentially all NASCAR with a Studebaker body.

Here's Justin's friend Angelica Fuentes arriving in Guanajuato having just finished a speed section from Morelia.

[J_Cole]

Rafe Hollister I'm having a custom '54 built that will be inspired in part by Angie's car that you pictured. I'm planning on it being Ferrari red with offset racing stripes in black and silver in the same location as Angie's car. So not the same color combo, but similar layout. What I would do to own that car, it is so awesome looking. Angie is a top notch person, very approachable and bleeds Studebaker blood even if the car isn't Studebaker underneath. I am equally confused why the race doesn't get more publicity and why the Studebaker brand, club, and museum doesn't do more to promote it. Who cares if the engines aren't studebaker? To see Studebaker's winning year after year after yet get bashed for not being "stude" enough is weird. It should get people talking about the brand and how successful they are.

[Silver Hawk 59]

Man, that car looks like it's goin' 100 m.p.h. even when it's standin' still!

[J_Cole]

Man, that car looks like it's goin' 100 m.p.h. even when it's standin' still!

Angie's car is the only car I'd ever consider trading S2D for. It's amazing!

[Commander Eddie]

I believe the cars in this race get up to well over 140 mph. Anybody have a more up-to-date number?

[Rafe Hollister]

Certain stock Hawks and Avanti's could do that, right? If its a Studebaker body on a NASCAR chassis and motor....
Rafe