Day 6, 3/7/04, Morelia, Michocan tp Mexico D.F.

Morning found us all driving to a local race track for go-carts-KARTODROMO INTERNACIONAL-to test our cars on the track. Mexico is yet relatively unspoiled by lawyers…or a lot of rules--so no helmets, no safety inspection, no need to keep folks off the hot track-not even any fears about having people on the track during wheel to wheel racing! Everyone was given a half-hour of practice time and then people were divided into different classes for timed runs. Not everyone participated, but those who did had a tremendous thrill. Beautiful trophies and plaques were awarded back at the hotel in a closing ceremony. What a blast!

With sadness, we left our many MINI friends and headed for Mexico City. But more fun was ahead. Our friends and fellow Vintage racers, Mario and Renata Domenzain, led us on a smooth 100+mph 3 hour drive to their home in the big city where a party of other Vintage racers was being held in our honor. Their house is up in the hills, a charming, restful "country" place that made us feel so welcome once again. An evening of great food and great people.

Day 7, 3/8/04, Mexico City, D.F.

Terry says, "Mario Domenzain races a Renault Alpine in Mexican Vintage Races and is a fellow BMW/MINI Independent repair shop owner-so we have a lot to talk about. Mario took me to see a neighbor who is a rabid French car collector-more Alpines, R5 Renaults, new R8 Renaults, and, best of all, an extremely rare Shooting Star-a gas turbine powered car made by the Renault factory in the 50's to try for the land/speed record. This car is the first built of only 2 in existence. It was found in an old Renault engine factory in the Northern Mexico desert city of Gomez Palacio, Durango!

Mario and I also visited his cousin Jose Luis Arizmendi, who prepares and races Porsche race cars. It is always nice to see how the big buck racers spend their money…

Next we visited the shop of Jaime Rivas, another race prep shop. Jaime vintage races a Datsun Z car and is building a rare Arnoldt MG for the 2007 La Carrera Panamericana. He is right on schedule to be ready, on time. This was the perfect day for me, talking cars and racing, all day. Cars and racing, all day. Cars and…well, you get the idea.

Debbie and Renata, on the other hand, had a great day as well. Renata kindly acted as tour guide as they visited the magnificent Main Cathedral and the Palace of the Governors. One of Deb's dreams was to see the murals of Diego Rivera there, and she says they were worth every day of waiting. Spectacularly, the history of Mexico is presented on painter walls, from pre-Spanish conquest to the 1940s. Quite a visit."

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