WTF

PRESS RELEASE: Todd to Build 2012 Pikes Peak Race Car for Bobby Unser Jr.

2012-02-02T10:42:00.002-07:00

http://www.gazette.com/articles/unser-132662-driving-sense.html

RAMSEY: Unser won't let injured hand stop his return to Hill Climb

January 31, 2012 10:55 AM DAVID RAMSEY THE GAZETTE

When Bobby Unser Jr. regained consciousness at the hospital, he immediately thought about driving. This makes sense. He’s a member of an Unser family that has triumphed 38 times at the Pikes Peak Hill Climb along with multiple Indy 500 victories.

In 2009, Bobby Jr. was stricken with a flesh-eating disease that claimed the index and ring finger on his right hand. He refuses to complain; he’s just thrilled to be alive. Doctors told him he was hours away from death.

“It’s fine,” Bobby Jr. says, reporting on the condition of his right hand. “It’s really strong, good on a steering wheel and good on a shifter. That’s all I worried about, to be honest.”

He’s eager to test his hand, and there’s no better place for a challenge than Pikes Peak, the mountain of his youth. He’s been driving the curving road his entire life.

“My first time up there,” Bobby Jr. says, “I was in my mother’s stomach. I think a lot about my heritage and how much I love that mountain and love that race and love that road.”

He will return July 8 to compete in the vintage class of the Hill Climb. He’s part of a wave of returning Unser racers. His sister, Jeri Unser and brother, Robby, will return to compete in hybrid cars.

Bobby Jr., 56, calls Pikes Peak “Unser’s mountain.” Excuse his bravado because there’s substance behind it. In 1915, Bobby Jr.’s grandfather, Jerry, rode a motorcycle with a sidecar to the top of the peak alongside his brothers, Louis and Joe. This courageous ride was taken before the completion of Spencer Penrose’s Pikes Peak Highway.

Since 1926, an Unser has been at the start line of the Hill Climb 113 times. Bobby Unser, Bobby Jr.’s father, collected 13 Hill Climb titles.

Bobby Jr. made his name primarily as a stunt driver. He has not competed in the Hill Climb since 1985. He enjoyed his years of competition at Pikes Peak, even though he often struggled. He usually excelled in the days leading up to competition. On race day, his cars often failed him.

“I was told by a lot of people I was too hard on my equipment,” he says.

He hopes 2012 will be different. He will drive a 1968 Mustang High-Country Special Coupe. The High-Country, which was sold primarily in Colorado, features a special options package.

Todd Landon, a research scientist in Minneapolis, is preparing the Mustang for Unser. They met last summer at the Hill Climb, and started talking about the possibility of Unser returning for this summer’s race.

“He can still handle the steering wheel,” Landon says. “I think he’s quite a driver.”

For years, Bobby Jr. has yearned to return to The Hill Climb. Last summer, he worked at the summit as a broadcaster and watched as Nobuhiro “The Monster” Tajima ripped across the finish line with a course record.

Bobby Jr. knew he needed to again race up the mountain. His return became a virtual requirement.

“It’s an adrenalin kick like you can’t believe,” he says. “You’re huffing and puffing when you get to the finish line. I’m looking forward to it. I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Bobby Jr. declines to talk much about his right hand. He’s not focused on what happened at the hospital in 2009. He refuses to limit himself as he prepares for another battle with his – and his family’s - favorite mountain.

Twitter: @davidramz Facebook: davidramsey13
Read more: http://www.gazette.com/articles/unser-132662-driving-sense.html#ixzz1lFJ6xqSl

2011 La Carrera Panamericana: More Photos and Stories Coming Soon

2011-11-02T17:49:00.003-07:00

2011 La Carrera Panamericana: The Big Finish

2011-10-28T12:16:00.003-07:00

Blogging from my dad's office in Zacatecas. It was a banner year. El Jefe and Team TBZ finished 3rd overall in class Turismo Producion!

The Greenwoods brothers finished 19th overall! Congratulations to everyone!

El Jefe's triumphant arrival in Zacatecas!

The Gypsy Wind at the finish arch!

Geezer, Uriel y Eloisa celebrate.

Uriel got to ride in El Jefe through the arch and got his own medal!

Greenwood Bros capture 19th overall!

Ben & John Greenwood.

My brother had to leave the race a day early so he is missing from the team photos above but he contributed greatly to the success of the team. Sadly his mother-in-law passed away after a long battle with cancer while we were racing. Rest in Peace, Marlene.

Marlene J. (Cihla) Voracek, RIP

Geezer and Stewie on the podium in Morelia.

The Stewarts: Vance Jr. Kristin Sr. and Vance III.

2011 La Carrera Panamericana: Day 6 Begins

2011-10-26T05:41:00.001-07:00

We are in Guanajuato and preparing to begin the 6th day. As usual we have very few official results. The red squares denote results for that section; you can see there are many blanks.

2011 La Carrera Panamericana: Day 5 - Mil Cumbres and Into Guanajuato

2011-10-25T23:38:00.002-07:00

Today a Mini Cooper rolled and though we didn't hear details, the guys were okay and we saw the car in the parking lot and it is pretty munched.

Good luck on Day 5. I say good luck because the guys were okay. Any day this happens and you are okay is a great day.

We swept the course today and enjoyed a very relaxing (believe it or not!) morning sitting on the mountainside of Mil Cumbres waiting for the race cars to pass by. It is such a beautiful place, neither words nor photos can do it justice.

It was fun to see the Gypsy Wind and El Jefe roar by on the speed stage, as well as all of the others, some going so fast, and some struggling. Later when we swept the course we saw Michel Jordain who had gone off the road, as well as Eric Werner's Studebaker, and a few other cars. Luckily Eric was able to quickly get back on the road, but Jordain looked to be out for the day.

Michel Jordain off the road in Mil Cumbres on Day 5.

Eric Werner (copilot) Studebaker off the road in Mil Cumbres on Day 5. Check out the long skid marks.

2011 La Carrera Panamericana: Day 4 - A Rough Day

2011-10-25T18:05:00.005-07:00

I'm way behind; the hotel we stayed at last night was such a historic palace in the centro of Morelia that it did not have internet. My dad says Morelia is the most beautiful town square in all of Mexico and though he's seen more of Mexico than me, I have driven about 25,000 miles through capitol cities and villages and I agree!

There was a very bad crash today where a Mustang built by Mats Hammerland and driven by two Swedes was on the wrong side of a country road and drove head on into a local's car containing 3 people. We don't know the whole story and have very few facts, but we did come upon the scene maybe an hour later and saw the carnage and I do not believe the reports that all 5 people involved are okay. The front end of both cars, on the passenger side, was pushed to the windshield. What a mess. The car was newly built and painted to look just like the Gypsy Wind so we hoped no one thought it was our car with the Greenwoods in it. This accident did not happen in a speed stage which points to it being 100% unnecessary. I am sorry for the locals who were involved and injured, it is a shame.

This is not our Mustang. It was a Mats Hammalund built Mustang owned and driven by two Swedes.

Unfortunately this racer involved a civilian car with 3 people in it.

Today started out a little nerve-wracking. We caught up to the lineup for the first speed stage and we got a text message from John Greenwood saying the speed stage was cancelled and "something bad happened."

Very shortly after that we got a text from Rene saying, "Call me." Rene was driving the service truck that day and his message really concerned me but we did not have good enough cell service to call them back.

I started to walk up the long line of service trucks and locals, trying not to worry, but thinking a lot about Geezer and Stewie in the car and hoping that they were okay, as well as everyone else. The more I thought in those first few seconds, the more I worried so I started to run up to the start line, asking a few trucks along the way if they knew anything.

To my relief, I spotted El Jefe on the side of the road ahead. Whew! I ran up to them and learned they had broken the throttle cable on the engine compartment side. Geezer handed me the set screw and I ran back to the truck to get an allen wrench from Todd. Todd grabbed it and ran ahead to help Geezer fix El Jefe. I learned some new Spanish...."cinchos plasticos" which means zip ties. I ran to the service truck in front of El Jefe and borrowed two of them and Todd was able to fix the throttle cable.

Todd has a faux-hawk and he's a damned good mechanic/car-builder.

It takes a village sometimes.

Stewie and Geezer got going in a hurry and hoped they wouldn't be too late for the next stage. I walked with Geezer for a while to turn in his timecard and we ended up walking at least a quarter mile uphill. He was quiet and Stewie told me that he was a little bit upset about the car breaking but there was nothing they could do about it now and we were all happy it was something simple. Since the actual start line for the cancelled speed stage was so far up, I hopped on the front of the car to get a ride. Geezer turned in his timecard very close to the scene of the terrible Mustang crash. No one was talking about what happened - the carnage of the two vehicles said it all.

Fashion first - Kristin and John.

Our suite in the historic Morelia hotel, overlooking the zocolo - amazing!

I love the Greenwood bros - shhhh, don't tell anyone.

2011 La Carrera Panamericana: Day 3 Success and Another Podium for TBZ

2011-10-23T14:19:00.012-07:00

Creepy beyond words. Even the locals stopped in their tracks. And the baby was fake.

Carina, Rudi and little Sami arrive for our annual visit!

Day 3 was long and grueling but great. Both El Jefe and the Gypsy Wind had great morning and afternoon speed stages and survived when others went off the road. The laps at the Autodromo de Queretaro was cancelled - we don't know why. El Jefe came in 3rd place in class again! The Greenwoods are suppsedly 37th overall. Results can be seen at http://lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx/resultados.

Today was a very long day of transits for both the race cars and the service vehicles, about 350 miles in all. My morning started out with a giant smile as there were two Dr. Simi's dancing around at the starting arch! I love Dr. Simi and two of them at once is over the top! There were quite a few stragglers at the arch long past the time they should have left, including Johnny Tipler in a Porsche 914, who to my delight, I saw the first time on this trip. Johnny is a fantastic character and I hope he does well! He mentioned some confusion with the morning's direction and I replied, "Always an adventure" and wished him luck. One of Mats' Falcons was struggling as his team worked on it when we left.

Two Dr. Simis - twice the FUN!

Johnny Tipler in his Porsche 314.

Go Johnny!

A Mats Falcon that missed the start.

We saw Gerie and Fernando pass us just before noon service - we were happy to see them on the road again, though they seemed to be behind. Later at the zocolo Fernando told me that they ran the morning speed stages but missed the afternoon.

During one of the morning mountain stages outside of Pachuca, we learned from Mockett that the Otten Mustang went off and was on its side. No injuries reported for the husband and wife team who seem to be having trouble on this trip with the car. We talked to Jochen Mass at a Pemex who said the morning was good but slippery, but not as bad as last year as the long speed stage was eliminated.

Todd gets the scoop from Mockett - the first car in after the morning speed stage.

Jochen Mass's Fastback.

The Greenwoods arrive.

Undercover rock stars - don't ask; I won't tell you who they really are. It's hard to figure out when their hair is so short.

Chip Fudge.

Smashed up cars.

We got to the hotel in Queretaro in time to get good parking spots and grab a taxi to the centro, where the finishing arch is. Just as I stepped out of the taxi, El Jefe arrived. It was great to hang out with my dad, Stewie, Rene, Tonio and Bimbo and sign autographs on our postcards. Todd went to check on the Gypsy Wind and congratulate the Greenwoods on another successful finish.

Ralph is famous.

Anders, Geezer and Julio.

Jake and Todd.

Always on the prowl.

Rene highlights his hair now.

Family picture.

Bimbo!

Tonio!

Carina shows Sami how the big boys do it.

We heard of some other crashes that were not so good though we didn't hear of any injuries. The Otten husband and wife team went off in one of the afternoon stages and the roof of the passenger side was completely crushed. From looking at the carnage of the car, it appears that Ute Otten is very lucky to have not been injured. The car is severly damaged and the FIA rollcage clearly failed, running itself through the roof and the floor of the car without providing any protection to her. Very scary.

Albert Otten stands outside his munched Mustang.

The base of the FIA rollcage as it punched through the floor.

In the upper left corner you can see where the rollcage punched through the hood. Not much protection for your noggin.

Albert inspects the damaged roof from the inside.

Ralf Christensen also went off, dampening his chances for a podium, but they were not hurt either. Mexico's Fastest Taxi also went off in the last speed stage and I talked to one of their crew members, Christine, who was waiting for them to be towed off the hill. I told her not to wait, as the LCP was not likely sending any tow trucks and sunset was coming soon and she needed to engage someone locally to get them off the hill. Truth be told, though the LCP will tell you that a tow truck is coming, but in the end you are on your own.

We had a great time in the zocolo. I got to meet Rene Ortega in person the first time, of RANACHILANGA PHOTOGRAPHY fame. Check him out on facebook or http://www.ranachilanga.tk/. He follows the race each year and takes killer photos. Also bumped into Jorge Arellano Vital, another Queretaro friend who writes a super blog called Wheeled and Rolling and takes some fabulous photos.

Later in the evening my local friends Rudi and Carina arrived with their 14 month old handsome son, Sami. Rudi is an old coworker turned dear friend and we meet each year in Queretaro when the Carrera rolls through. It is the highlight of my trip every year. Sami is extra cute and we all had dinner together at the Crown Plaza - Todd and I, Rudi, Carina, Sami and Brian and Dave. Sami had a toy car made of balloons and though he is very young, you could see in his blood that he knew he was among La Carrera race car drivers tonight!

2011 La Carrera Panamericana: Day 2 - Team TBZ in 3rd Place Again!

2011-10-23T13:18:00.004-07:00

Day 2 went well for us and Team TBZ was on the podium again last night for their performance from Oaxaca to Puebla. Stewie was driving with Geezer navigating and clearly they tore it up! Congrats to the whole TBZ Team! Well-deserved! The Greenwoods started out the day in 24th place or so, a great showing from solid drivers in the Gypsy Wind.

Several cars blew their engines including the navy blue Corvette from Canada (the husband and wife team who totalled it two years ago), and a Chrysler. We know of two Mustangs that went off the road, one worse than the other but no injuries. One was Mats Linden, but it didn't look too bad, just some scratches on the passenger side and a broken strut which he repaired at the noon service. Lots of cars were on the side of the road and lots on trailers. It has been a tough couple of days.

Check out the skid marks going off the road (click to enlarge).

It is always a spooky sight to come around a corner in a speed stage, see skid marks and the driver and navigator standing on the road, but no race car. This Mustang was so far down that we couldn't see it.

Mats Linden's Mustang that went off road - just a few scratches and a damaged strut, which he fixed at noon service.

Mats Linden wiping off his bleeding noggin, which he cut fixing the strut.

Todd and I rose early and left Oaxaca Saturday morning to catch the start of the first speed stage. The mellow montainous area is one of my favorite scenaries of the trip, and it is Todd's favorite speed stage. El Jefe was looking good with Stewie ready at the wheel in the lineup. Geezer and I had time to chat while they rolled slowly up to the start line. It was a beautiful Oaxaca morning, what a gorgeous place! The Greenwoods were all smiles, as usual, having come in about 21st place overall on Day 1. Carson Scheller was dropping some water/coolant on the roadway while waiting to take off but we didn't identify it was him until he had already crossed the start line.

The Gypsy Wind, #371, starting line of the first speed stage of the day outside of Oaxaca.

Blowing off some steam....

Ralph with race face in #101 Hot Rod Lincoln.

Two Gillette, Wyoming guys in a sweet 'Vette.

Geezer doing his homework.

My brother's son, Charlie, just got his Eagle Scout so now he represents on the back of El Jefe.

Ben Greenwood in the Gypsy Wind - so serious!

They call him Senior Salchicha in Mexico.

Felipe and Steve getting ready for speed stage #1.

We decided to sweep the morning course and let Dave and Brian run ahead in the Greenwood's Honda Ridgeline. About 10 km into the first long speed stage we found Carson and daughter/navigator Lauren on the side of the road. The car had overheated and quit, and was having power steering issues as well. They asked for a tow since the other racecar they were traveling with was disabled as well and they had only one trailer. Because they drive a '54 Ford that's heavier than our Mustangs we first towed them with a strap to get off the dangerous uphill corner where we were sitting. Then we got the Ford on the trailer by having 3 guys pull upward on the winch cable repeatedly, and I reeled it in with the winch. Carson and Lauren hopped in back and we really enjoyed getting to know them throughout the day. We later dropped off their Ford at the noon service since their big rig was there to tow it, but we kept them as passengers.

Getting the Scheller's Ford on our trailer.

Checking out a pretty dramatic washout on one of the speed stages of the morning. Wouldn't want to come across this one at night. By the time you see the cone, I'm thinking it's too late!

Father and daughter taking a much deserved nap.

One of the great conversations of the day was discussing which cut of beef is the best.....Lauren works for the US National Beef Council and is an expert on all things beef. But after a while of discussing tri-tip and petit filet and fresh butter on toasted sourdough bread on the grill, we had to stop because we were all starving! The Schellers are a great father/daughter team and we hope they can get the car going again to catch up with the race.

One of the most common sights we see on the Carrera. Happens to everyone.

Stewie and Geezer at noon service.

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I gave him my gluten-free bagel.

Blown engine.

Mid-way through the day after service we came upon a little red Fiat disabled in a village. I had commented the even prior that I thought the car looked like a grasshopper, which was fitting since my Oaxaca nickname is Chapulina (grasshopper) from eating grasshoppers there in 2006.

The little red grasshoppa on our trailer.

The Mexican owners of the Fiat asked for a tow and while Todd was getting out the battery to hook up the winch, Lauren and I felt the truck move and looked back and the guys had pushed the little bitty car on the trailer by themselves! We laughed - no winch required for this one! The owners had to ride in the car on the trailer, which didn't feel like the safest thing to do, but we gave them a walkie talkie to call us. We had them on back for a couple of hours and dropped them off in Tehuacan where their mechanic was waiting.
As we rolled into Puebla and found the hotel, we bumped into Mockett and Fuentes who were running #2 as of this morning, but were putting in a protest as they had been blocked for 4 kilometers by the the #1 runner in a Studebaker during a speed stage. Blocking is grounds for disqualification for the entire race; it will be interesting to see what comes of it.

Brian, Dave, Todd and I had a quiet dinner in the Camino Real in Pueblo. Most of the dinner consisted of waiting to get service; frustrating because we were so hungry and thirsty. The drivers' meeting was across town at a car museum so we decided not to attend. To my joy I got a text from Geezer later that evening saying they were on the podium again in 3rd place! That's two medals in a row, we are so excited!

The way the race is organized prevents us from seeing many of the competitors, including my dad and Team TBZ. This is one of the big bummers of the race for me. The LCP staff choose hotels that are scattered all over these capitol cities and it is often too far, too late at night, to grab a taxi to go visiting. This is a fairly new change as our team used to all stay in the same hotel and everything was easy.....now we don't even share the same hotel with out own team and often it is very difficult for our clients to get the race car across town to our hotel so we can do maintenance.

We finished the evening with Todd and Dave doing some regular maintenance on the Gypsy Wind, which is running superbly, and a few drinks in the hotel bar. We remembered that last year we were lying on the dirty street of Puebla outside of the Holiday Inn until 2am changing the transmission on one of the cars. This is a good change! We chatted with Steve Strupp and some other folks and had a nice evening.

Pico de Orizaba, a volcana on the outskirts of Puebla.

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Don't tell anyone that we taught Dave how to text and now he's hooked. Probably have carpal tunnel by the time he returns to the US.

The very busy street where we get to park and work on the cars. Not too safe.

Todd hanging with Steve Strupp, swapping tales about the day.

2011 La Carrera Panamericana: Day 1 - Huatulco to Oaxaca

2011-10-22T05:10:00.002-07:00

Day 1 went well for our teams. The Greenwood Brothers are running in the top 20 overall, which is fabulous. Gerie and Fernando had some trouble again with the hydraulic clutch and were on the trailer in the afternoon. Todd said he saw quite a few cars disabled on the side of the road and picked up a white Mustangs, owned by two Swedish guy, who had Mats build them a car recently. Todd towed them about 200 miles to Oaxaca.

And the best news of all is that Team TBZ with El Jefe was on the podium last night, earning 3rd in Producion Class!! We haven't been on the podium in 5 years and we were all very excited. Rene drove with Stewie navigating and they did really well. They are running 51st overall, which is fine and respectable for the end of Day 1, when 50% of all of the crashes of the race happen. Yay El Jefe! I walked into the drivers' meeting just in time to have a paloma and snap some photos of the guys on the podium and see how happy it made Geezer. Good stuff.

The winning driver, Rene Rodriguez, with navigator Vance III.

Team TBZ, reunited!

A very late dinner....with manniquins.

2011 La Carrera Panamericana: Day 0 Prequalification Early Morning Photos

2011-10-21T08:57:00.002-07:00

From Huatulco, prior to taking off for Day 0 Prequalification. Evidently 5 cars crashed, including a Datsun 260Z that is completely out of the race. Oil was spilled on the roadway which may have caused some of the crashes. Gerie and Fernando spun out and lost their hydraulic clutch line and oil pressure.

Suerte and blessings of safety to everyone on Day 1!

El Jefe and TBZ team suiting up.

Our brochachos! Fernando y Gerie.

Carson and Lauren getting ready to roll.

Jochen Mass struggling with his headset.

Linda Robertson - beautiful as ever!

Ralf Christianson and his navigator - big smiles! Go Vikingos!

Angelica, Doug and Oscar.

Quote of the day.

Ralph Carungi (Hot Rod Lincoln) and Stewart Robertson of the classiest Studebaker out there.

Ralph & Bill get to lead the entire Carrera on Day 0! Go #101!

Super fast Mustang and very low profile.

Still welding on a Mexican-driven Fiat.

2011 La Carrera Panamericana: Photos From Huatulco

2011-10-19T11:43:00.005-07:00

Photos of pre-race activity and Tech Inspection in Huatulco.

The Gypsy Wind gets the OK sticker.

Sweet, sweet Jags.

Ben Greenwood with the freshly painted and teched helmets.

El Jefe looking fine!

Local fans posing in the Gypsy Wind.

The Greenwood Brothers!

The Gypsy Wind rolling into Tech Inspection.

The Greenwood's helmets getting stripes to match the Gypsy Wind.

They are still working on Jochen Mass's Mustang.

Beaut of a Maserati.

Maserati engine.

The Gypsy Wind passed tech and is ready to go. Plenty of time to relax at the beach now.

The sign painter from Oaxaca rode the bus to Huatulco so he could paint our cars. Here he paints the Greenwood's names and blood types on the roof.

Very long and hot line at Tech Inspection.

Mustangs To Go

2011 La Carrera Panamericana: Gas! Gas! Gas!

2011-10-16T18:06:00.008-07:00

Got a text message yesterday from my little brother, Rene and in my mind I could hear him laughing as he sent it. He said,

"!Gas gas gas, hermanita, mañana nos vamos, VIVA PANAMERICANA!"

The 2011 La Carrera Panamericana convoy has begun and most crews and race cars are on their way and some have already arrived in Huatulco.

We will be rolling again this year with the rad wonder brother twins, John and Ben Greenwood in the Gypsy Wind ('65 Fastback, #371).

!Saludos Amigos!

The Gypsy Wind (top right) at the end of the race in Zacatecas in 2010. Photo courtesy of Dirk "The Pixel Eye" Behlau. http://www.pixeleye.de/

2011 Bonneville Speed Week: Wrapping Up

2011-08-19T08:35:00.000-07:00

Simon ready to run on the long course with the streamliners.

This morning Todd discovered that on Simon's last run yesterday evening something in the Silver Bullet engine broke. The distributor won't turn so 2011 Bonneville Speed Week is over for Mustangs To Go/Landon Speed Racing.

Yesterday all 3 drivers averaged around 198.5 mph with Thierry hitting a top speed of 199. So close! Todd kept saying, "We're only half of walking speed away from 200 mph."

So close and still such a great rookie accomplishment - congrats to all!

Thursday sunrise on the flats.

Sweet Chevy Woody.

The Flower of Scotland Streamliner on the long course.

2011 Bonneville Speed Week: Thursday Afternoon

2011-08-18T14:29:00.002-07:00

Thursday 445pm update: Thierry ran 199 mph but was missing boost so he just missed the 200 mph mark! Todd was on his way to the pits to get the data about the run and try to solve the boost issue and maybe put on a little taller tire for the next run.

**********
I talked to Thierry this afternoon and the Silver Bullet is back in business after pinpointing a problem with collapsed carburetor floats (brass). They are not sure how it happened but they are happy to be running again.

All 3 drivers are qualified in the 175 - 200 mph range and one of them hit 189 mph. As we were speaking Thierry had to rush off for what I believe will be his first attempt at the 200 mph mark.

Here are the website results from Tuesday (click to enlarge):

2011 Bonneville Speed Week: Thursday Noon

2011-08-18T11:22:00.001-07:00

Todd reports that yesterday Thierry was going for the 175 mph mark by mile 2.25 and 199 mph by mile 3 for his final license. But the car had some issues, either engine or fuel/ignition and he had to back off at 177 mph.

They got the problem pinpointed and Steve Strupp, mechanic for Jack Rogers, sent Todd to Team Jesel who were amazingly helpful and lent Todd necessary parts this morning. So hopefully by now they are back on the race track pointing towards 200 mph again.

La Bala de Plata Dos. Photo courtesy of Thierry De Latre du Bosqueu.

2011 Bonneville Speed Week: Wednesday Mid-Day

2011-08-17T13:08:00.001-07:00

BANGshift.com has some great 2011 Bonneville photos:

Friday/Saturday Photos: http://www.bangshift.com/blog/Bonneville-2011-Galllery-Friday-and-Saturday-on-the-Salt-and-at-the-Cruise.html

Monday/Tuesday Photos: http://www.bangshift.com/blog/2011-Bonneville-Gallery-Monday-on-the-Salt.html

Simon completed his 175 mph qualifying run, so all 3 have qualified at this speed.

Thierry ran his next qualifying level, going for 175mph by 2.25 mile mark and 199 mph at 3 mile mark for his final license. On this run he had an engine or fuel/ignition issue at 177 mph and had to back off (and I'm assuming didn't make his qualification). I hope to learn more later.

Todd says Thierry's son is getting good at sitting in line waiting to run and also at packing the parachute after each run.

Photos are from Todd and also Thierry's wife, Annick.

Motobecane racer.

Thierry ready to run.

Simon, Thierry & Bruno

The De Latre family.

Simon

2011 Bonneville Speed Week: Rookie Runs Complete; Thierry hits 175 mph

2011-08-16T15:36:00.000-07:00

Todd reports that all three drivers have successfully completed their rookie runs and had fun! Thierry has just completed his second qualifying run at 175 mph. I think the exciting part comes next - the approach to 200 mph. Stay tuned!

I'm pretty sure this is the 1968 Corvette that Todd went to watch last year Bonneville Speed Week. Good to see them back! Last year they forgot to latch the removable hard top and lost it during a speed run!

The flying hardtop of 2010, which they were able to repair and continue to run.

2011 Bonneville Speed Week

2011-08-16T06:50:00.015-07:00

The reincarnated Silver Bullet, built by Todd Landon / Landon Speed Racing.
Photo courtesy of bangshift.com.

Todd is at Bonneville Speed Week at the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. He rebuilt the Silver Bullet, a 1965 Mustang Fastback, as a land speed car, and he is hoping to crack 200 mph.

The Silver Bullet was a pedigreed La Carrera Panamericana, Targa Newfoundland and Chihuahua Express competitor before heading to The Flats. Originally built by Todd Landon, it was piloted by the late Tom Silver and navigated by Dave Fuss.

The Silver Bullet, multiple time class winner at Targa Newfoundland.

Photo courtesy of Fabricio de la Cajiga.

Tom Silver and Dave Fuss after a little mishap at the 2007 Chihuahua Express. Photo courtesy of Fabricio de la Cajiga.

The Silver Bullet now, #3720 at the Bonneville Salt Flats on 15-Aug-11.

The Silver Bullet is entered on the 2011 Speed Week Pre-Entries as:
     Vehicle = #3720
     Engine = C (Classic Category, '28 - '81 American coupes and sedans)
     Body = CBGALT (classic blown gas altered)
     Entry Name = Mustangs To Go
(More information on how the classes work is at the bottom.)

We have 3 drivers who will take turns at breaking 200 mph:

Thierry de Latre du Bosqueau
Simon Jefferies
Bruno Van Marsenille

Yesterday, Monday, August 15, 2011, the Silver Bullet ran its first qualifying run with Thierry at the wheel. The required qualifying range was 125-150 mph; Thierry averaged 143.402 starting at mile 2. Today's qualifying run is required to be between 150-175 mph.

Erik Hansson's Scandinavian Street Rod, a restored drop tank that raced at Bonneville in the 1950's and 1960's. This belly tank racer has a blown flathead Ford motor producing almost 600 mph and it set a new record in 2009 of 194.744 mph. Anders Berg, a veteran LCP and ChiX mechanic, is a mechanic on the team but was not able to make it to Bonneville this year.

The Lil Salt T from Denver - I saw this vehicle this spring at the Air Force Academy during a Bonneville presentation to engineering cadets by Land Speed Louise.

More information on the classes and categories:

CLASSIC CATEGORY - /CBFALT, /CFALT, /CBGALT, /CGALT, /CPRO, /CPS

This category encompasses American coupes and sedans between 1928 and 1981. The classes within this category are intended to provide a venue for coupes and sedans from the "Golden Era" of American Automobile production.

Engine classes allowed are AA, A, B, C, D, E, F

How Do The Classes Work?

Bonneville Speed Week - V=D/T
Velocity Is Distance Over Time. Bonneville Speed Week Is Velocity Over History.

From the December, 2009 issue of Hot Rod
By David Freiburger
Photography by David Freiburger

Most race classes at Bonneville are broken down by five criteria: body category, aerodynamic modifications to the body, engine size, supercharged or not, and fuel or gas.

The categories are Special Construction (Streamliners with closed wheels and Lakesters with open wheels, neither of which may be based on any production car), Vintage ('23 to '38 roadsters, '48-and-earlier coupes with vintage engines, '48-and-earlier oval-track cars), Classic ('28 to '81 American cars without EFI), Modified (with classes for virtually any year and make of car, including sports cars and pickups), Production (including stock-bodied '28-to-current passenger cars, sports cars, and trucks), and Diesel Truck.

Within the Vintage, Classic, and Modified categories, there are multiple classes divided by aero modifications. In Vintage, a Street Roadster is nearest to stock (it has rear fenders and front headlights), a Roadster is fenderless, and a Modified Roadster or Rear Engine Modified Roadster has a stretched wheelbase and aero mods forward of the cowl. In Modified, the lowest level of aero upgrades is Gas Coupe, which allows a front air dam. Next is Altered, where spoilers and covered grilles and headlights are legal. The next step up in the Modified category is the Competition Coupe class, which allows chopped tops and stretched, aerodynamic noses and bellypans. The Modified Sports and Modified Pick-up classes likewise allow more aero mods than the respective Production-class versions of the same vehicles. In the Production category, cars must be aerodynamically stock.

Next, each class within these categories allows a certain number of engine variations. Displacements range from AA, which is 500 ci and up, to K, which is 30.99 ci and under. An engine with any kind of supercharger or turbo falls into the Blown classes. The Gas designation is for cars operating on the certified ERC brand gasolines provided at the event. Fuel classes are open to any noncertified fuel, including gasoline, alcohol, nitromethane, or nitrous oxide.

Every entry is required to carry a class designation on its side, and this leads to a confusing alphabet soup for first-timers. Generally, engine displacement comes first, followed by a slash, then a code that describes the induction type, fuel, and body class. For example, a AA/BGS is a Blown Gas Streamliner with an engine above 500 ci. A C/BFRMR is a Blown Fuel Rear-engine Modified Roadster with a C engine, from 306 to 372.99 ci. A D/CGC is a Classic Gas Coupe with a D engine from 261 to 305.99 ci. And a V4F/BVFCC is a Blown Vintage Fuel Competition Coupe with a Vintage four-cylinder Flathead engine. Get it?

2011 Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb: Wrap-up and Photos

2011-07-22T20:35:00.003-07:00

I posted a bunch of my Pikes Peak photos throughout the blog. Click here and use the "Newer Posts" link at the bottom of each post to see photos of:

Practice Day 1
Practice Day 2
Practice Day 3
Fan Fest
Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing BBQ at Bob Hill's house
Bobby Unser Jr. signing and driving the Phatt Man
Pre-race prep and antics
Race day and post-race parking lot party

2011 Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb: Article on Bobby Regester after the Crash

2011-07-07T06:25:00.001-07:00

Bobby Regester announces his retirement after his crash on Pikes Peak this year:

Regester lives to tell of crash on Peak

Posted: Thursday, June 30, 2011 9:00 am

Updated: 11:34 am, Fri Jul 1, 2011.
Danny Summers

Contributing Writer Colorado Community Newspapers
OurTellerCountyNews.com

Divide stock car driver Bobby Regester examines the damage to his car just days after his wreck on Pikes Peak during the 2011 Hill Climb. Regester and his Pontiac Sunfire took a 200-foot fall during this year’s race off the side of the mountain. Photo by Danny Summers

The back end of Regester’s Sunfire is almost unrecognizable following its bout with Pikes Peak June 26 at this year’s Hill Climb. Photo by Danny Summers

Regester and his crew surmised after the wreck that Regester likely lost his bearings on Pikes Peak due to inhaling methanol flames from an exhaust leak inside his car. “It looks like the exhaust pipe got pushed inside the passenger side door,” he said afterwards. Photo by Danny Summers

Divide stock car driver Bobby Regester stands next to his 2005 Pontiac Sunfire just days after he and the car tumbled 200 feet off the side of Pikes Peak at the 2011 Hill Climb. Photo by Danny Summers

Bobby Regester knows Pikes Peak Highway about as well as anybody. After all, over the last 30 years he’s raced up it hundreds of times in practice and as a competitor in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

But on June 26, about a quarter-mile below the 16-mile switchback, Regester lost his way on the mountain about eight minutes into his run. In an instant his life flashed before his eyes when he flew off the mountain backwards and down the side of the 2,000-foot cliff at 70 mph, while wide open in third gear.

“I’ve never lost my place on the mountain,” said Regester, 57, a resident of Divide and a grandfather of seven. “I thought I was in the left hand turn in the third leg of the ‘W’s’ going through the W switchback. I came into 16 Mile and I was looking for the guard rail but it wasn’t there. I was thinking about my brakes and lost concentration... Then when I went off the mountain I thought it was the end of the road. I thought that was my last run. But the good Lord stepped in and had me live another day.”

The only reason Regester, who reached a top speed that week during qualifying of about 130 mph at Bottomless Pit, was able to walk away relatively unharmed — aside from a few bruises and a sprained left foot — was because his No. 44 2005 Pontiac Sunfire came to rest upon a boulder some 200 feet down the cliff. Prior to stopping, Regester’s car appeared to have hit another large boulder, thus slowing his car down as it broke apart into many pieces.

“When I stopped, I got on the radio and let my son (Bobby, Jr., his crew chief) know what happened, and that I was all right,” said Regester, who was racing his first Hill Climb since 2008. “I got out of the car, hiked down and got in a safety vehicle which took me to the top to get checked out by emergency crews.

“I made a decision an hour later that I was retiring from racing. It’s time to hang up the helmet on Pikes Peak.”

Regester, who drove two years in the Indy Racing League at the turn of the century, added that he wanted to thank his wife, son, family and friends for helping make all his successful racing years so enjoyable.

By Tuesday, Regester’s car was back at his shop in Divide. He and his crew surmised that Regester likely lost his bearings on Pikes Peak due to inhaling methanol flames from an exhaust leak inside his car.

“It looks like the exhaust pipe got pushed inside the passenger side door,” he said. “It probably happened that morning when we were changing tires.”

By late Sunday night, a video of Regester’s horrifying crash was posted on YouTube. By 6 p.m. Tuesday, there were nearly 90,000 hits of the 13-second spectacle. By Thursday afternoon that number was 370,000. Counted among those who saw the video was Hill Climb legend and Woodland Park resident Leonard Vahsholtz.

“I know for a fact that sometimes when you’re racing and you concentrate you forget to breathe,” Vahsholtz said. “In all the years I raced the Peak, I never crashed or anything, and I never thought about going off the cliff. Sometimes you just get disoriented. You’re not superhuman.”

Leonard’s son, Clint, who tied his father on Sunday for the most individual victories in Pikes Peak Hill Climb history with 18, started about a minute behind Regester and was not informed of the crash until after he reached the summit.

“When I drove back down I looked at where he went off,” Clint said. “I said to myself ‘It would be bad to go off here.’ When you go up the race course you have to be on top of everything.”

Few drivers know Pikes Peak as well, or better, than Regester. He is a fourth generation Woodland Park resident and a 1972 graduate of the high school. He started racing short track while still in high school and made his initial start in the Hill Climb in 1980, earning rookie of the year honors.

He won his first championship in the Open Wheel Division in 1985, and followed that with victories in Super Stock in 1994, 1995 and 2007. His run in 1994 of 11:39.17 was the record that lasted for 16 years until Clint Vahsholtz bettered it by six seconds in 2010.

Unfortunately for Regester, this is not the first time he’s crashed on the mountain during the Hill Climb. In 1999, while driving a Chevrolet Camaro, he crashed at 19-Mile and had to be taken away in the Flight for Life helicopter to Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs. He suffered from internal injuries.

“I just got my guts shook up that time,” Regester said.

This time he’s just grateful to still have his guts left.

2011 Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb: Grandpa and Grandson

2011-07-05T18:27:00.000-07:00

I'm still working on finding time to write some stories and post photos about this year's PPIHC.

I love this story! A grandfather, 74, and his grandson, 20, both competed on motorcycles this year. And Grandpa in the vintage division won by 14 seconds!

Grandpa, on his 1962 Honda Eddie Mulder replica in the vintage class posted an 18:13.

Grandson, on his 1985 Woods Rotax in the 450cc class posted an 18:27.

Grandfather and Grandson at the top of Pikes Peak. Photo courtesy of

JERILEE BENNETT, THE GAZETTE.

Grandpa, #501, in the parade down the hill.

Grandpa Gerberick.

Grandfather and grandson complete motorcycle races up Pikes Peak

June 26, 2011 9:33 PM

SCOTT KANIEWSKI

THE GAZETTE

When grandma tells you to do something you do it.

So when 20-year-old Joshua Hamblen was told by his grandmother that he was going to race in the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb, he said OK.

Hamblen had plenty of experience to draw on. His grandfather, Robert Gerberich, 74, competed in the Hill Climb from 1991-2006. So Sunday was a return for Gerberich in the Vintage motorcycle class and a first time for Hamblen.

Hamblen raced in the motorcycle 450 class. It’s a ride the Wadsworth, Ohio, resident won’t soon forget. He fell twice. Cracked the shield on his helmet. And could hardly see by the time he got to the top of the peak.

“It was tough,” Hamblen said. “Toughest thing I’ve ever done.”

But he knew he had to finish.

“Getting up to the top to see my grandpa,” Hamblen said, “that’s all that mattered.”

He’s already planning on riding next year.

“Definitely going to come back,” Hamblen said. “With a bigger bike and better equipment.”

Gerberich, Grandma Loa and Hamblen all race back in Ohio. Gerberich first started riding Pikes Peak because of its tradition.

“I follow the races,” Gerberich said. “Mario Andretti, A.J. Foyt, they’ve all done this. So I said ... hey, I’ll do the same thing they did.”

The grandfather-grandson duo wasn’t the only relatives to make it up the hill. Brothers Stuart and Leeland Sinclair won their respective motorcycle races. Stuart won the 750 class, while Leeland won the Super Moto 450.

After winning his race, Leeland had to do a few interviews. He wanted to get them finished quickly.

“I ran out to find him,” Leeland said, “and heard a V-twin and prayed and prayed it was him. I’m more excited for his win.”

Sure enough, the V-twin belonged to Stuart.

“It’s really a big deal,” Stuart said. “It’s a big deal for us as brothers and to be up here together.”

For the second consecutive year Davey Durelle won his motorcycle event and will probably move up. A year after winning the 250 class, Durelle moved up to win the 450 class Sunday.

“It was fun,” Durelle said. “We wanted to come into the 450 class and (win again).

With the track expected to be completely paved next season, Durelle said he’ll probably go up another class for one more race up Pikes Peak.

“I’ve been thinking about it a lot,” Durelle said. “Being that it’s going to be paved it’s going to level the playing field as far as times. I didn’t think the top section would be as fun as it was, all paved, but it wasn’t bad. I actually had a lot of fun up here, so I think I’ll be back for one more year.”

2011 Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb: What Happens When Spectators Are In The Road...If You Are Lucky

2011-06-30T09:16:00.001-07:00

At this year's PPIHC there have been a ton of complaints about spectators in the road during the race....again.

It takes a special kind of person to endanger the lives of the drivers, riders and navigators. Please do us all a favor and stay home next year.

Read my 2009 post on Doug Allen's crash at mile 2 because of spectators in the road.

http://funksterwtf.blogspot.com/2009/07/2009-ppihc-good-news-bad-news-good-news.html

2011 Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb: Updates on Injured Motorcycle Riders

2011-06-29T10:45:00.002-07:00

Update as of 5-Jul-11, 3pm:
[From facebook]

Ryan Sweeney Dale had the tubes removed from his mouth. In surgery, they installed a trache tube for breathing + put in a tube to direct feed to his stomach. They should start to bring him out of his coma Wed.

Update as of 1-Jul-11:
[From facebook]

Kelly Wiley

Dale Wentworth the downed aprilla rider, is showing some good signs. Brain swelling is down, pupils have reacted to light, and squeezed my aunts hand a couple of times on demand. Please keep all fingers crossed and give a prayer. He's still not out of the woods yet, but keeps giving as positive signs. Keep it up Uncle Dale!!!!!

Update as of 29-Jun-11, 3pm:
[From facebook]

Regarding Dale Wentworth, #64, injured motorcycle rider:
Kristen Coltey Wentworth He's got alot of broken bones, had some bleeding in his brain but they got that under control, and a puncured lung...as of last night the brain swelling was down, they did a cat scan which came back normal and he's finally breathing on his own...He's still in the ICU and still has a long road ahead of him...the family is asking for prayers and warm thoughts sent his way (I'm his daughter in law).

Also looking for status on vintage rider Donald "BJ" Bjornsrud, #777.

According to the PPIHC facebook page 28-Jun-11, 10pm:

Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (Official Site) wrote: "The two riders are still in ICU. Our thoughts and prayers are with them and their families."

I believe they were both airlifted off the hill during the race.

2011 Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb: Amazing In-Car HD Cam from Monster's Run

2011-06-28T09:46:00.000-07:00

2011 Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb: Race Day Photos

2011-06-27T19:30:00.124-07:00

Race day is here! And it starts early, about 230am for Anthony, dee and I as we arise and make our way up the hill. We saw "The Crazies" as Judie calls themselves, around 330am sitting in their car on the Pikes Peak Highway, waiting for the tollgate to open. Anthony, dee and I rolled by; Anthony knocked on Judie's window and she jumped up and got out of the car and delivered a ratty piece of paper that had scratched in pencil, "Go Todd! Go Geezer! #362!" So funny! They are #372 but I give her full credit for her great enthusiasm. Those are minor details in the middle of the night when you haven't slept.

Gene and Pat, 3am crazies.

Gene and Judie, 3am. I am glad the ladies brought a bodyguard. Gene is a retired Air Force pilot.

Judie at sunrise, bundled up in the Camry.

Race start around 10am. Photo by JJ Pittinger.

JJ crews Todd and Geezer at the start line while the rest of us wait impatiently at Devil's Playground. Photo by JJ Pittinger.

The sidewinder tricycle - pretty cool. Photo by JJ Pittinger.

Morning on Devil's Playground.

Judie and Pat's perch on Devil's Playground.

Judie is AMAZING! She had a gluten-free chocolate cake made for my birthday, decorated with the Phatt Man! I think cake is fine for breakfast but we decided to save it for the end of the day to celebrate with Todd and Geezer and everyone.

Anthony, K and Judie pose with the most kickass cake ever.

Yep, dee is in there. This is Geezer's rental SUV; dee and I crashed out in the back from 4-8am while Anthony tried to sleep in the front seat. I guess age earns you a better sleeping spot.

K and her stepson Anthony. He rocks.

Anthony and Pat high.

The guys next to us caught Zs when they could.

We saw this guy run up the course earlier, he went to the top of Pikes and ended up sitting next to me on his way down. He ran the entire race course and wasn't tired or winded. Super interesting and fit guy! What was uncanny to me was that he looked so much like the famous ultrarunner, Dean Karnazes (Ultramarathon Man).

The 'Cuda makes an impressive showing. We didn't know he spun out earlier but got back on course. We later learned he still got 2nd in his class!

Colorado's own and favorite homeboy, Keith in his welterweight Falcon.

Click to zoom - that's Todd and Geezer at the start of the W's!

The aftermath of the Bobby Regester crash. So glad we saw him walk out with our own eyes. It was a super stressful couple of minutes for the entire crowd.

The motorcycles are launched 5 at a time so there tends to be more action when they are on course as they jockey for position.

Watching the motorbikes from the top of the W's. I was only a little bit nervous to stand in the place where the Monster almost launched into the Devil's Playground crowd last year.

Yay John!!! That's my college buddy and our Pikes Peak crew guy, John Kollars, #831 in the SuperMoto 450. He's SuperCrazy!

K and Anthony enjoying the sun (and not noticing sunburn yet).

Big K's Kitchen on the hill. What can I get ya?

Hahahaha! dee had a dirt mustache! You know how I love mustaches.

The start of the finishers' parade down the hill - love it!

Hey, he finished and it counts. There is no shame in a tow down part of the hill.

Fast electric car.

Yay! My guys!!!!! So proud of them.

Hayden's Groendyke's 1949 Caddy rips.

These two were so cute and she was so happy to see him.

I love this photo of John, so much positve energy in that guy! John Kollars, #831.

John! Stellar rookie finish!

John is a wildman.

Mockett and Angelica - felicidades!

The crazy Dark House Camaro cowboy from Montana with a successful finish.

Ralph, proudly representing the Vikingos of Sweden.

I love this little Triumph, I love his outfit and I love that custom seat.

Mondo siping.

Looking for the owner of this piece....

Found the owner!

Shredded.

Judie, Gene and Pat, buddies from the Summer Residence Association of Estes Park - these guys were troopers! Stayed up all night in their car, watched the race all day in the intense sun and wicked wind, the race went 3 hours longer, Judie had so much grit in her eyes she had to sit in the car for a while. Here they are at the end of the parade STILL SMILING. Not a big deal for these guys - they hike mountains in Rocky Mountain National Park all the time. Longs Peak? No big deal for them.

STILL SMILING!

Big sigh......the after party at the Silver Saddle in Manitou Springs. Cake, beer, mescal.....all in moderation as we still have to drive 90 miles home to Broken Arrow.

The after party at the Silver Saddle: JJ, John and Anthony.

The best cake ever. Even yummier with some Don Tacho smoked mescal from south of Oaxaca.

Happy Geezer.

The only racer in the world who wears Levis under his race suit.

John's truck says it all.

John dedicated his ride to his brother-in-law Jim and his friend Bill Smith (story below).

John Kollars dedicated his ride to his good friend and college roommate, Bill Smith, who died unexpectedly a few weeks before the race. John and Bill were a part of a group of friends I had in college who camped, rock climbed, hiked and 4-wheeled together in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Rest In Peace, Bill.

Rest In Peace, Bill.

2011 Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb: Official Results

2011-06-27T06:59:00.001-07:00

http://www.usacracing.com/usac_live/ppihc_timing

Snapshot of vintage results (click to enlarge):

2011 Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb: Bobby Regester Crash Video

2011-06-27T06:56:00.001-07:00

Incredible video of the crash we saw from Devil's Playground where Bobby Regester goes off the W's in his Pontiac Sunfire and walks away unharmed.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rVdS8Qnvb8

Some perspective, this is a bird's eye view of where Bobby left the road (red dot). On the far right you see a triangle of snow above the second to last switchback; we were sitting above that snow. You can also see the cars parked above the road at the Devil's Playground.

And this is the view we had, with the driver out of the car looking mobile (click on photo to enlarge):

Here is another view of the slope of the hill. Bobby went off on the corner in the very top right (red dot):

2011 Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb: World Record Broken by Monster; Todd & Geezer with a Successful Finish!

2011-06-27T00:15:00.006-07:00

The race is over and Todd and Geezer made it to the top. We haven't seen official results yet but we think they did it in 13:51. They looked awesome coming through the W's, roaring around those steep switchbacks and fishtailing a bit on the last W. About 10 minutes later, assuming they had made it to the top, I wandered down to listen to the radio broadcast and caught Bobby Unser Jr. saying, "Todd Landon from Minnesota built a killer '67 Mustang Fastback.....Todd how was the climb?" Todd said it was hairy but he knew that a bunch of people were praying them up to the top.

Todd and Geezer, finish line!

I was relieved to hear his voice and know they made it to the top. I had asked Bobby to please let me know via the radio broadcast that #372 had finished and so appreciate that he did!

And my dear friend, John Kollars finished in the Supermoto 450 class in his rookie year! He posted a 13:51 and was 15th in his class of 24. I saw him crest the top of the W's and he was ON IT!!

John Kollars, #831, cresting the top of the W's.

The overall world record was smashed by "Nobuhiro "The Monster" Tajima of Japan with a time of 9:51. His old record was 10:01 but this year there were 3 more miles of pavement, making it faster. They say he averaged 76 mph over the 12.42 mile course - unbelievable!

Tajima at the finish - a new sub-10 minute world record.

Ralph Murdock in the 1970 Camaro (white) broke the Vintage Modified record posting a time of 12:50. I heard Bobby Unser Jr. interview Ralph and he got very emotional, explaining how much this meant to him. He started racing on Pikes in 1965 and in later years got very involved in his kids racing. After a 37 year hiatus his kids built him this car and he's clearly back!

Murdock in his 1970 Camaro at practice.

Mockett and Fuentes Garcia came in 2nd in Vintage Modified with a 13:01.

Keith Davison broke the record in Vintage with a time of 12:44 in his 1963 Falcon.

Jess Neal, #42 in the black 'Cuda posted a 2nd place 13:20, even after doing a 360 and taking extra time to get going again!

It was an incredibly windy and long day. There were many delays due to bad crashes and we think two flights for life for motorcycle riders. We witnessed a Pontiac Sunfire leave the road in the W's.....this was not your typical movie scene where a stunt car launches straight off a cliff and sails through the air.....this car wiggled on a corner and somehow became airborne, vertically, with his nose in the air and sailed up and over the edge. Our brains couldn't process what our eyes were seeing. The car disappeared from our view and the crowd gasped. We think he rolled end over end and was lucky enough to be stopped by a rock in the large boulder field. The driver emerged from his car minutes later and the crowd roared in relief. I hope someone posts a video as I would really like to understand what happened and watch it again.

Of the people I talked to who saw the entire crash, no one could quite put into words what happened or how it happened. It was the most terrifying sight I have ever seen and I still can't believe the driver walked away.

Incredible video just posted of the Bobby Register crash on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rVdS8Qnvb8

I will post full stories and photos as soon as I get some sleep.

2011 Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb: Race Day Tomorrow

2011-06-25T17:21:00.004-07:00

I apologize for the lack of posts lately. We finished out day 3 of practice on the middle section and are now ready to race tomorrow. Mockett didn't show up for the last practice and we wondered if he had issues with the car or overslept the 3am wakeup call. I chatted with him at Fan Fest last night and he said that morning he wasn't feeling well at all and couldn't make practice. He was feeling much better when we saw him Friday evening so we wish him and Angelica luck.

This is dee's bungalow. JJ thought it was a fancy tire rack with a cover the first morning he saw it - and dee was inside her bivy cot in the parking lot asleep!

This morning we met and chatted with Bobby Unser Jr. and his son in the parking lot of our motel. I introduced myself at the motel's continental breakfast and asked him if he would do the honor of signing the Phatt Man. When he showed up to sign the car I gave him a Landon Speed Racing tshirt and a copy of GT Racer's La Carrera Panamericana Director's Cut DVD featuring Todd's winning team in 2008.

Bobby Jr. absolutely loved the Phatt Man and we loved talking to him. Pikes Peak was dubbed "Unser Mountain" nearly 50 years ago as the Unser family currently holds the most wins on the hill with a count of 38. Bobby Sr. was born in Colorado Springs and won the PPIHC 13 times. Bobby Jr. raced Pikes Peak from 1976 through 1983, finishing second in 1981. He set numerous qualifying times records in the Open Wheel category.

The Vasholtz family of Woodland Park, just around the corner from Pikes, is right behind the Unsers with 35 wins. Good stories and good history!

Todd took Bobby Jr. for a ride in the Phatt Man and then Bobby Jr. took Bobby IV for a ride!

Bobby Unser Jr. signs the Phatt Man's hood.

Bobby Jr with Bobby IV and two of his buddies.

Todd takes Bobby Jr. for a ride.

Bobby IV and his father, Bobby Jr. take Phatt Man for a drive.

Bobby Unser Jr. driving the Phatt Man down Manitou Avenue.

Geezer hard at work with Pikes Peak in the background.

Today we attended a fun bbq at the house of Bob Hill, a local competitor. Bob loves Mustangs like we do and there were about 15 street and race Mustangs at the party. The party was graciously sponsored by the Hills and Rocky Mountain Vintage Racing. My friend Anders Berg from LCP was there, crewing for Ralf Christensen. Unfortunately Ralf's race car didn't make it here from Sweden....the "Vikingos" Falcon, as it was caught up at Customs in California and they wouldn't let it pass. Luckily Bob Hill was able to rent him one of his Mustangs so Ralf will still get to race.

Our gracious hosts, the Hills.

The Hills meet Bobby Unser Jr. and have him sign a Pikes Peak plaque his father signed years ago.

Anders and Ralf from Sweden.

My good friend Judie White and her friend Pat are coming to spectate with us at Devil's Playground. Judie loves Nascar and Pat loves Indy so they are going to show up around midnight and sleep in their car with one other friend to wait for the 4am opening of the tollgate road for spectators.

Todd's son, Anthony, and team photographer and friend, dee Welsch and I will roll through the tollgate about 315am to secure our perch on the Devil's Playground to watch the race.

Bobby Unser Jr. will be commentating on AM radio from the top and I asked him to be sure to announce when #372 crosses the finish line above 14,000 feet so we can cheer for Todd and Geezer.

I will post stories and photos after tomorrow. Good luck and blessings of safety to every racing and everyone involved tomorrow.

Geezer, Pat, Gene and Judie, around 10:30pm the night before the race - they'll be up all night waiting in their car for the toll gate to open at 4am!

2011 Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb: Friday Night Fan Fest

2011-06-25T13:46:00.000-07:00

Fan Fest, downtown Colorado Springs.

I'm really not sure what's going on here but this is how Fan Fest started.

The reigning champ's Monster car.

Todd and Anthony.

A young cadet from the Air Force Academy's Falcon Club.

Sweet wheels sister.

Geezer, Angelica and Doug's girlfriend getting rowdy.

Keith and wife, Angelica.

The Ducati Mamas.

Sorry, did I hit you with my giant sombrero?

Geezer is happy to see the Broncos Cheerleaders again this year.

We had a picnic on the Silver Saddle Motel porch for dinner and Geezer fell asleep. Don't worry, we were keeping an eye on the lit cigarette in his hand.

2011 Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb: Practice Day 3 (Middle Section - The "W's")

2011-06-24T06:32:00.037-07:00

Todd's son Anthony flew in last night from the upper peninsula of Michigan where he attends graduate school at Michigan Tech. Our crew today consists of myself, photographer dee Welsch and Anthony.

This morning's practice was in the middle section, the famous "W's" which are completely paved. Todd says in this section you just "point and shoot" and I say, hopefully you don't notice the extreme exposure on many of the corners.

This has been the warmest Pikes Peak week since we started in 2008 and we are enjoying it. I got out the camp stove and we enjoyed early morning burritos while Todd and Geezer successfully ran the W's.

Todd's son Anthony helps with checking lug nuts.

Todd and Geezer ready to zip up the paved W's.

Smokie smokie time. You aren't allowed to smoke on the hill this year except in your car.

One of Jack Rogers' mechanics helps with the jetting.

Jerry Churchill, Bobby Johnson and Tom Silver - Todd's late racing friends, not to be forgotten.

Geezer enjoys a burrito from Big K's Kitchen.

Photo by Anthony Landon.

Rhys Millen and his Red Bull speedster. Photo by Anthony Landon.

Anthony loves this Toyota Corolla. Photo by Anthony Landon.

Three Carrera cars at Devil's Playground after practice: Landon, Groendyke and Rogers. Photo by Anthony Landon.

Geezer with his son-in-law. Photo by Anthony Landon.

Todd and son Anthony Landon.

Anthony gets some shut eye on the ride down the hill with Pikes in the background.

The late model Camaro, AKA The Dark Horse, split his oil pan on a rock. We hope he can get it fixed in time to race tomorrow.

The Dark Horse from Montana.

The Dark Horse mechanic and driver.

2011 Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb: Practice Day 2 (Bottom Section)

2011-06-23T06:19:00.000-07:00

Photos from Practice Day 2 in the bottom section.

Photographer dee Welsch workin' it early in the morning while crew member, JJ, looks on.

Early morning glow on Pikes Peak - glorious.

Todd and JJ.

The Razor is scary FAST.

Doug Mockett and Angelica Fuentes Garcia pose with the owner of Ace Driving Gear (pretty sure).

Mockett Rocket.

Phatt Man.

Ralph's 1970 Camaro.

The top seems a long way from us at the starting line.

Todd and Geezer in the remaining 3 miles of dirt. Photo courtesy of Bower Motorsports Media.

Photo courtesy of Bower Motorsports Media.

Photo courtesy of Bower Motorsports Media.

2011 Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb: Crash on Practice Day 1

2011-06-22T10:14:00.002-07:00

Todd and Geezer went off the road on their second practice run on the top 1/3 of Pikes Peak. He says they are okay and so is the car. They had to wait until practice was over to get towed out so we've been waiting anxiously to hear from them since there isn't cell service on the mountain and they were two hours overdue.

The top 1/3 of the race route is now completely paved.

This is the approach to where Todd and Geezer went off.

Todd and Geezer went off the road to the right somewhere near here.

Todd and Geezer during practice.

Just got a call from John Kollars and I could feel his smile through the phone. He was practicing on the bottom 1/3 on his KTM 450cc and had a blast and moved up to 50th place (we think overall), which is great! Said he was helping out a guy after practice who had broken his ribs in a fall, saw another guy go off the course on Engineer's Corner and was helping a fellow rookie get a set of street tires to replace his knobbies which knocked him over on a paved corner as John predicted.

John during practice.

John ripping a corner during practice.

2011 Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb: Our Lineup

2011-06-21T07:15:00.014-07:00

The Phatt Man passed Tech Inspection today and is ready to roll well before dawn tomorrow morning for Practice Day #1 (the top 1/3 of the race course).

The Phatt Man passes Tech Inspection.

I'd also like to announce that one of our PPIHC crew members, John Kollars, is competing this year in the Super Motor 450 class.

John will be racing his 2005 KTM against 23 other bikes in his class and we are here to support him, as he has supported us for several years, and are very excited to see him compete! Go John!

John Kollars racing his 2005 KTM 450.

John crewing us at PPHIC in 2009.

The vintage race car lineup (click on it to enlarge):

The full competitor list is here: http://director.usacracing.com/ppihc/files/pdfs/competitor_list.pdf

2011 Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb: Kicking Off With A BBQ

2011-06-21T07:07:00.001-07:00

The Phatt Man and Todd have arrived in Colorado, as well as Geezer from Mexico and the Pikes Peak pre-race festivities began with a bbq.

We had about a dozen people over and the guests of honor were Liz and Bob "Jonsie" Jones. Jonsie and Geezer became best friends in Paris, France in the early 1960s when they were both lieutenants in the U.S. Army. The friendship continued as they were both deployed back to the States several years later and Bob and Liz and my parents and their growing families all spent time together in the midwest. But a few moves later the Jones family ended up on the east coast and the Stewarts were in Minnesota.

So it has been almost 40 years since they've seen each other....and the "Jonsies" live just 10 minutes from Todd and I here in Colorado! It brought me a lot of joy to see them connect as the Jonsies walked in our front door and stood there in a circle and talked each other's heads off for the first 20 minutes!

Doggies Tank and Dozer match the car.

We race BMX too - Todd's Huffy Thunder Road and my Huffy Sweet Thunder (1976).

Geezer with Liz & "Jonesie" Jones of Evergreen - old friends who met in Paris in the early 1960s and haven't seen each other in almost 40 years. Look at those smiles!

SistaFly

Seemed to be a lot of kissing going on at the party....team photographer, dee Welsch gets macked on by Kristin.

2011 Pikes Peak Int'l Hill Climb: Introducing The Phatt Man

2011-06-13T06:57:00.005-07:00

Todd Landon and Vance Stewart, AKA "The Geezer", team up again to tackle the big hill, this time in a new, purpose-built 1967 Mustang Fastback nicknamed The Phatt Man.

The Phatt Man

2008 Pikes Peak finish - Todd and Geezer in Moriah.

The 2011 Pikes Peak International Hill Climb takes place on Sunday, June 26th with practice days from June 22-24.

Join us here on the blog for stories and photos throughout race week.

Check out previous Pikes Peak race stories and photos from our team here:
     2008 PPIHC
     2009 PPIHC
     2010 PPIHC

Click on the "Newer Post" link at the bottom of each blog entry to read each year's stories chronologically.

2011 Chihuahua Express: Day 3.....the last day

2011-04-10T09:39:00.004-07:00

My man on the ground (Todd) reports today will be short and fast!

I love the technology that brings us timely updates, but it is really hard to be sitting at home while the race is going on!

Update 5pm Chihuahua time.....seems most everyone has finished. Todd says 3 cars were impounded and teched: Jordain, Mockett and Landon. Todd was the only Historic C car pulled.

Update 7pm.....Todd and Geezer got 1st in Historic C for the day and 7th or 8th overall. They are waiting for cumulative results.

Update 730pm: Gerie & Fernando WIN HISTORIC C!!!!! Woohooo!!! Jourdain #1 overall, Mockett #2. Todd & Geezer 4th in Historic C (due to missing a speed stage on Day 1). CONGRATS to all!

2011 Chihuahua Express: Day 2 Update

2011-04-09T12:11:00.013-07:00

ChiX Day 2: Todd and Geezer arrived at the lookout on top of la barranca del cobre (Copper Canyon). The downhill speed sections are always the most dangerous - hope everyone keeps their cool on the way down.

Just heard from Todd this evening that he and Geezer were 1st in Historic C today and 10th overall. I hope Gerie and Fernando were close behind.

Mats says Jourdain is still in 1st place overall.

Gerie's wife, Diane, says Gerie & Fer are 3rd in Historic C, behind another Nova at 2nd (still assuming this is the Gregorys).

At the service on the way to the Copper Canyon (I think), the Pemex lost power and there was only one other gas station across town. So most of them sat and waited...no power = no gas. Seems to be a lack of gas theme going here. And later in the day, at another Pemex (if I understand this right) there wasn't any gas either.

Todd's notes from Day 2:
Day #2 was super windy and super dusty at the services. It was a new Pemex with no food or drinks, just bathrooms. The wind kept knocking the power out for the gas pumps and lots of people were nervous about fuel stuff—us too. Rene was low on fuel in the Big Mama. Gunter was having rich fuel issues with the Studebaker and had to run back to town to get his truck and trailer, then back up the mountain to retrieve car. Very few people brought their trailers up to the Copper Canyon.

The supercharged Acura NSX was on its trailer midday for the rest of the day. A blue Porsche went off on the way down from Davisidaro on a downhill right 2 with gravel—we saw the skid marks but not the car—I remember the spot—a cop was waving to slow down—we rocked the corner—the mule held its footing.

The Televisa CEO came in a new BMW Mini Cooper for Day 2 (also the sponsors for the race) and he crashed on the long transit (118 miles or so) from the hotel to the start - about 40 miles short of the start —not sure if he hit another racer or what—he was out.
The Seman-Baker team is running a Cobra and a 260Z. The Cobra was on the side of the road just before the top of the Copper Canyon—he was still there when we raced down—they were OK—big thumbs up as we roared past.

Long , long haul transit back to the hotel. Fernando was sound asleep in the navigator's seat of Gerie's Nova every time we swapped positions on the highway. The chip reader at the end of afternoon return run #2 was not working at timing/end of run—they did ours manually. We had 15 seconds of mysterious penalty day #2?

Todd's photos from Day 2:

Geezer, copiloto, ready to roll on Day 2.

Pemex for noon service - no power, no gas!

Waiting for gas.

Just a little scrape on the tail end of the Porsche.

Copper Canyon sales force.

The overlook at Copper Canyon.

Selling wares at the edge of the canyon.

Two ponies.

Evidently there was no gas a second time at a Pemex.

2011 Chihuahua Express: Day 1 Complete

2011-04-08T17:04:00.005-07:00

Todd reported that he and Geezer finished Day 1 and the Gypsy Wind ran well....except she ran out of gas in the morning and they missed the last speed stage of the morning. It's not the first time the GW has run out of gas.....happened to the Greenwoods last fall in the LCP, happened to Geezer on La Bufa in Zacatecas a few weeks ago and now today. Maybe there is a big hole? :)

I just talked to Todd and he said the gas gauge shows 1/4 tank when it is actually empty - lessons learned!

As of this evening, as far as he knows, only a yellow Porsche went offroad today and he thinks the damage is minor. He saw Gunter and Barbara on the side of the road, the Canadians in the vintage Corvette, as well as Mats' Falcon, which he heard also ran out of gas. He is bummed about running out of gas but he said it was a great day. Later we found out that Gunter and the Canadians also ran out of gas, too funny.

At the end of Day 1 Gerie is running 2nd in Historic C, and he said another Nova was in 3rd (guessing it's the John and Chrislana Gregory) and a Pony was in 1st.

Day 1 photos from Todd:

Barbara

Release of the three white doves in memorium of the three racers lost last year.

The Mockett Rocket.

Driver's meeting, end of Day 1.

2011 Chihuahua Express: Day 1 Launch

2011-04-08T08:02:00.001-07:00

Todd and Geezer launched 1st in Historic C this morning to kick off Day 1 of the three day Chihuahua Express. !Suerte!

Fernando & Gerie at the Day 1 launch.

Fernando, hijo de Chihuahua.

2011: Chihuahua Express - The Gypsy Wind Is Blowing Warm Tonight....

2011-04-07T18:18:00.009-07:00

Todd reported in this evening that it was a fun and successful Day 0. The race participants visited The Home For Special Needs Kids and were showered with smiles from the children. Todd handed out little Matchbox Nascars that General Mills donated years ago and he said they were a hit with the kids. We keep finding piles of them in nooks and crannies in the trailers, house and garage - it is good to have them find a proper home.

Then the racers took a few laps around the track. Todd's race suit didn't pass inspection as it was too old so Fernando's friend, Raoul, was able to borrow one for him. Todd said the GW sticks well and Gerie's Nova lost oil pressure at the track, but they later found a faulty valve and it's fixed.

Fernando Garcia said on Facebook a few days ago, "We'll teach those Mustang and Fords a couple of tricks! :)" I hope he has humbled a bit since then. He's a big Mustang guy and always has at least a few of them in his garage, but he's navigating in a Chevy Nova with Bledsoe so it cracks me up to hear him talking smack about Mustangs.

The Governor of Chihuahua is evidently living in the hotel so there is a lot of security, and there is a big wedding scheduled for Saturday night so parking should be interesting.

The funniest note of the day was Todd saying:

"We made the paper!! Rene told them Gypsy Wind has 570 HP!!! It is in print, so it must be true."

You can't beat that smile.

This is Jack Rogers' Mustang. Jack ran this car in the LCP last year and has a bunch of land speed records at Bonneville in multiple engine classes in a Camaro. Pretty cool!

Here's a snippet on Jack Rogers at Bonneville: The 757 Camaro had an incredible few days at the 2010 World of Speed meet on the Bonneville Salt Flats. The 757 Camaro, driven by Jack Rogers, broke 3 records in 4 days, with 1 record being in excess of 250 mph! New records set by the 575 Camaro were in A/PRO, A/GALT and A/FALT classes. Needless to say the crew and fans of the 757 Camaro were all smiles and giggles in 2010! A cool video of his record breaking run here.

A good crowd at the Home For Special Needs Children.

Todd says: "Jake's running a Fairlaine (smaller than a Galaxie)!"

Mean looking Viper with the Canadian Corvette behind it, the one that had a very bad crash in the 2009 LCP.

Todd says, "The Gregorys are running a Nova!"

Todd says, Rene is good!

Todd says, "Your hubby sponsored by a pork products company at the track!"

The driver's meeting is going on right now They will release three white doves at the ceremonial start in Chihuahua tomorrow morning for the three men killed last year. Tomorrow the racers leave the hotel around 7:30 a.m. to head downtown for the start.

Todd said it is hot and dry - the Gypsy Wind is blowing warm tonight.

The new time cards, which evidently are the same ones to be used at LCP this fall.

Thursday evening driver's meeting.

2011: Chihuahua Express

2011-04-07T14:50:00.009-07:00

The 2011 Chihuahua Express website featuring the Bag O'Nails and Thierry & Eric's 5th place finish last year.

The 2011 Chihuahua Express has begun. As far as we know everyone arrived safely. Gerie caravaned north from San Miguel, hooking up with Geezer and the TBZ boys in Zacatecas for the drive to Chihuahua.

Geezer brought up Todd's truck, trailer and the Gypsy Wind, which has been wintering at the TBZ Spa, enjoying a facelift and some liposuction. Todd flew into El Paso on Tuesday, where Fernando and his brother picked him up and drove the 240 miles back to Chihuahua City. Two wheels fell off Mats Hammarlund's dually truck on the way to Chihuahua, but no one was hurt.

Today the racers paid a visit to a children's home in Chihuahua City, bearing gifts, and now they are off to the race track for a few laps. Todd says he needs to scrub the Gypsy Wind's new tires and that he's going to "take it easy."

Tomorrow the race officially begins. I will upload photos tonight if Todd is able to get them to me.

Suerte a todos and please keep the memory of the three men who died during last year's race in your hearts and minds.

2010 LCP: It Is Over

2011-04-06T20:15:00.004-07:00

We've all heard people grumble with dread at the end of an amazing vacation, "Well, now it's back to the real world."

I tend to be backwards in some things in life but when I'm at La Carrera, for me, it is real life.

My real life is anywhere or anytime I'm feeling the joy, doing what I love best, getting the most out of every moment. I used to think those joyful feelings I had while on vacation could be carried back to my regular life but only for a while. Many of us like to stay on "vacation mode" for as long as possible, but in my past, those feelings faded fast and the stress of working, commuting, too much to do and not enough time, etc. would creep back in way too soon.

After spending time in Death Valley a few times in the mid-2000s as a crew member at the Badwater Ultramarathon (135 mile footrace each July, recognized globally as the world's toughest footrace), I came to a realization that I needed to make my everyday life feel as good as possible by eliminating or minimizing stress and pointing my efforts towards letting every day bring me pleasure, not just a few weeks of vacation a year, to refill my emotional reservoir and renew my spirit.

So here's to La Carrera - my REAL WORLD.

In conclusion, I love what our beautiful and dear friend, Fernando Garcia wrote shortly after the race. We deeply missed you, Fernando.

Feel PROUD for every happy or sad face, for all the blood, tears and smiles, for the heart and the guts, for the freedom and the talks, for the passion and the anger, for the courage, for the fear and the friendship, for the speed and the waits, for all of you, all of you who made it, tried, worked or helped. Feel Proud!! Carrera Panamericana.

-Fernando Garcia

2010 LCP: Summary of Blog Entries

2011-04-06T20:04:00.001-07:00

I am way behind with updates, as it usually goes in the weeks and sometimes months of recovery from the madness of LCP. Life gets in the way sometimes. But I finally finished blogging the 2010 LCP.

Day 7 - Aguascalientes to Zacatecas (EL FIN)

Day 6 - Guadalajara to Aguascalientes

Day 5 - Morelia to Guadalajara

Day 4 - Queretaro to Morelia

Day 3 - Puebla to Queretaro

Start of Day 3

End of Day 2 - Oaxaca to Puebla

Day 1 - Tuxtla to Oaxaca

Updated Day 0 Prequalification with new photos as well as an extra page of Day 0 photos.

Mi hermanito, Rene Rodriguez, driving #11 El Jefe, at the noon service on Day 7. !Que chulo!

Photo of Geezer courtesy of Michael Emery of Lucha Libre Racing.