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La Carrera Panamericana IN THE SPOTLIGHT: LA CARRERA PANAMERICANA • PAN DELTA SUPER RACING FESTIVAL • THE NEW CARIBBEAN DRAG RACING ASSOCIATION

La Carrera Panamericana If contesting a stretch of road called With a focus on which motorsports competitions and sanctioning the “Devil’s Backbone” gets your com- petitive juices flowing, then the La Carrera organizations are trending worldwide, PRI’s recurring international Panamericana (LCP) is the race and column spotlights a revitalized drag racing sanctioning group in Mexico is the place. Similar to Italy’s 1000 the Caribbean, an endurance race on the roadways of Mexico, and Mille Miglia, but more visceral “wild west” than refined motoring, the seven-day event a wildly popular grassroots event in China. is an endurance challenge for cars, drivers and support crews attracting cheering where the Sierra Madre mountains kiss the tourism, tourism major, sport major and crowds as it winds through the country. Pacific Ocean with white sand beaches, sport minor. Historic represents Group “What began as a car rally to mark the the route heads northwesterly, finishing B, and consists of categories: historic completion of the Mexican section of the 6233 feet above sea level at Durango, A, A plus, B and C. Group C is called Pan-American Highway is today consid- but only after negotiating the notoriously Original “Panamerican,” while Group D ered the longest running open road race,” sinuous “Devil’s Backbone” with 60 tunnels is Exhibition. Additionally, there is a cat- offered Anthony Cooper, international and more than 40 bridges. egory for “all others,” which is not eligi- liaison for the La Carrera Panamericana. Started in 1950, the LCP ran for six ble for prizes and for whom results are This year’s race is scheduled for years, took a 33-year hiatus, and was not tallied. October 13–20 and covers some 3000 then revived in 1988 with a modern, Race entries were once reserved for kilometers (1864 miles) on a combina- updated twist that now offers four groups cars built from 1940 through 1965, but now tion of federal highways, state roads and and nine categories. include modern machinery. Among past paved byways. Group A, called “Panamerican,” fea- luminaries are inaugural winner Hershel Starting in the Huatulco resort region, tures the following categories: stock McGriff in an Oldsmobile, Argentinian 114 Performance Racing Industry | August 2016 YEARS 46 SINCE 1970... FUEL SYSTEM BY LOUISE ANN NOETH EXCELLENCE Juan Manuel Fangio, Piero Taruffi, Pink at the Zhuhai International Circuit under a Floyd drummer Nick Mason, Troy Ruttman, single umbrella while creating an interac- Tony Bettenhausen, Mickey Thompson, tive environment for fans and a platform Karl Kling, Phil Hill, and Clay Regazzoniv. for corporate sponsors. Now, 12 years The 2016 entrants include race dom- later, it has grown into a premier regional inating Studebaker Commanders and series and the gold standard for grass- Champions, 1956 Buick Centurion, roots racing in China.” 1946 Sport Saloon Jaguar, Alfa Romeo Held on the third weekend in March, Guiletta, 1954 Olds Super 88, as well as June and September, the events flour- a herd of Mustangs, a Daytona Coupe, ished, and today regularly draw 20,000 Mini Coopers (new and old), and plenty spectators while including live national of Porsches, including one modified 911 TV broadcasts that cover approximately that could also run the Baja 1000. 200 racers. “Entries arrive from a dozen coun- “Asian drivers normally dominate tries, and Americans show up in good the field—even a few women—and MADE IN numbers each year,” explained Cooper you regularly find Americans on the CUSTOM THE U.S.A. of the government-backed event. “This podium,” added Quandarium Associates FUEL BLADDERS & year promises another eclectic mix general manager James Moore. “The COMPLETE FUEL CELLS RAMSEY, NJ of cars ranging from a slick little Ford biggest draw remains their homegrown Escort MK1 to a flamed Mercedes Benz series ZIC Superbike, Red Bull Drift 800-526-5330 220; and we welcome back former class Challenge and Circuit Hero, which all draw atlracing.com winner Renee Brinkerhoff driving her 1956 international entrants.” [email protected] Porsche 356A.” Circuit Hero was formed as a platform The odd music superstar and a smat- for grassroots racing. Staged as three sep- tering of veteran pros also show up—all in arate events, Circuit Hero One is for pro- need of support services along the way. fessional level drivers and teams; Circuit Breakdowns are nothing more than elon- Hero Two is for entry-level participants with gated pit stops for racers determined to limited experience and/or budgets; and finish each stage no matter the extra time. Circuit Hero Three is dedicated to vehi- This requires support crew service that cles manufactured prior to 2001. sometimes borders on the miraculous. How can American companies plug in? Pan Delta Super Racing Festival Capitalizing on increasing fan popularity When the 4.3-kilometer Zhuhai of the drifting held during each festival, International Circuit opened in 1996 it the Red Bull Drift Challenge debuted in became the first permanent FIA-approved 2013 with an international driver field. The racing circuit in China. With passing field nearly doubled, from 8 to 15, the fol- opportunities plentiful on the clockwise lowing year, and has remained well sup- circuit of four left turns, ten right turns and ported by local racers. two straights, the FIA Formula One (F1) But title sponsorships are expensive and FIM Motorcycle Grand Prix (Moto GP) spec designed track quickly gained popularity—it now hosts numerous inter- national race events. On a local level, however, none of various race series were strong enough by themselves to really wick up excitement among the general public until the debut of the Pan Delta Super Racing Festival. According to Benjamin Grenon, founder of Hong Kong-based SpeedShare and part of the management team that created the festival in 2005, “The idea was to bring all the various racing championships held Pan Delta Super Racing Festival August 2016 | www.performanceracing.com 115 international

and may not be an ideal fit. As insiders sessions, driving simulators and photo explain it, pulling the sponsorship trigger opportunities with umbrella girls. confidently requires an in-depth under- “Companies like Eibach, Wiseco and standing of the local culture to develop Exedy got involved through product spon- profitable long-term relationships. sorship,” explained Moore. “Value here “Marketing in China should be viewed is highly dependent on picking the right as a long-term investment handled directly team and getting additional exposure by the brand, and not left up to the distrib- outside of Pan Delta through shows and uter or dealer,” said Moore. “The difference appearances. This requires companies is that money in the US is spent reminding have local distributors who understand people of your brand; in China it is spent how to get value through the sponsor- introducing people to your brand. Inside ship agreement.” New Caribbean Drag Racing Association of the motorsport level, major brands are New Caribbean Drag Racing Association widely recognized, but when you get into “I had the best time at the greatest little Drag Racing Association (CDRA), which the much larger street level performance race track in the middle of the ocean,” hosts competitive motor-related activities market they have limited knowledge.” remarked Caribbean Dragway’s most ranging from remote control cars to perfor- In a country where 30 years ago private unlikely spectator, John Force. “There were mance and off-road motorcycles, in addi- car ownership was estimated at only so many families out there. It was a great tion to nitro burning machines. 20,000 vehicles, the Zhuhai Circuit nur- afternoon at a nice facility. I could see the Based on St. Croix, which is the largest tured the motorsports culture through international future of drag racing.” of the US Virgin Islands, CDRA is a non- heavy marketing and the creation of a fan During a family vacation to the Caribbean profit organization with a nine-member interaction area offering food, live enter- in 2014, the drag racing champion practi- board, and upwards of 50 local and US tainment, product introductions, autograph cally stumbled upon The New Caribbean mainland members. The facility currently

116 Performance Racing Industry | August 2016

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Call Now For our Free 20 Page Indy Parts Guide www.indyheads.com • 317-862-3724 uses an eighth-mile drag strip, with room ered timing tower, and recently gave the The CDRA leadership has identified to expand to quarter-mile racing. entire place a fresh coat of paint. federal funding that could be tapped if An estimated 200 race cars and bikes Inter-island racing happens twice a year, they can convince local government to regularly support the sport, with hun- when CDRA hosts neighboring St. Thomas accept drag racing as a viable commu- dreds more that come from various nearby and St. John islands racers for a “Best of nity and tourism sport. Other islands that islands and the US to catch the action. the VI Titles” in Street, 9Sec and Faster, have embraced the idea have triggered Leased from the Port Authority since and motorcycles. One popular team is new marketplaces for racing parts and 1999, the race track does not upset the Lady Horsepower Farm, the only all-female service providers. island paradise tranquility, as it is operated drag racing team in the Caribbean that Fighting the same battle that Wally between an airport and a landfill. has members on five neighboring islands. Parks faced back in the 1950s—to redi- “We host bi-monthly ‘Test ’n Tune’ and There are also operational drag strips on rect street racing into safe and sanctioned car and bike street bracket racing, and Nevis, Santo Domingo, Grand Cayman, St. NHRA drag racing—Natalie Nelson Tang a monthly ‘Money ’n Trophy’ event open Maarten, Curacao, St. Lucia, Tortola and How, legal counsel for the new CDRA, to all racers,” described publicist Ramon Grenada, and one on Antigua operated told a legislative session of the Virgin Cuencas. “Match racing is always a crowd on private land. Unfortunately, racers face Islands Territory, “This is hands down pleaser that brings out the entire commu- eye-popping barge fees to transport race a ‘win–win’ situation if the males in the nity, and our ‘Car and Stereo Competitions’ cars from surrounding islands, coupled demographic group ages 16–25 can be is hotly contested for bragging rights. with port fees, which the volunteer board engaged on a regular, almost weekly On-site we have covered spectator is working to reduce. basis with sanctioned drag racing activi- bleachers, a huge concession area, rest- The islanders use social media to pub- ties. Quite frankly, there will be a dent in rooms and a performance stage.” licize their events. With its eye on future the crime rate Territory-wide in addition Not long ago the group purchased a quarter-mile competition, CDRA is actively to the revenues that can be generated new timing system for the relocated check- developing sponsors locally and nationally. for the local economy.” z

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