LCP 2010 comes to an end for car 265

We had a great first year in LCP these past 2 weeks, and can only say are more eager than ever to participate in the 2011 event.

We are already working on the upgrades for next year and in brining the car to an even better appearance than in 2010. The minor scratches we took on the last day should be gone in a few weeks, and a few tweaks here and there should make this car an even more serious contender than in 2010.

Thanks to all for following, and I'll keep posting progress and other races as the season goes on.

Leaving for home

So! We finished 'La Carrera Panamericana' on our first try, we have top 3 times for 4 of the 7 days of competition and gained a ton of experience for 2011!

On our way back and ready to get the car ready for 2011. We'll talk about the upgrades soon! - but, the list is not very long, overall a great car, and more importantly a great team.
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Finished!

Ok - so we finished!
Not wothout a minor off road experience, but all in all thos was great.
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Ready for 2nd half of day 7

Just went through service - excellent as usual! - where we changed spark plugs. Car really liked the spark plug change and is running nicely.

I believe we have 5 or 6 more stages today and that's it!....
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Stage 2, day 7

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Start day 7!!

Ready to go!!!!
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Results to date!

Well now... So results to date!

I still don't understand 'Panamericana' style daily awards and scoring...

The times from yesterday indicate we ended 3rd and only 6 second fom the fastest in the group!! But ---- no trophy!!!!! So... The team is starting a formal protest.

We'll see.

Today to enjoy this last day!!!!

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End of day 6!!

Arrival to Aguascalientes! 1 more day!!

It was a good day - we need more camber in the front though!
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Service station day 6

So - the service is now down to an art!!! Service team works great!

Many thanks to: (in alphabetical order)
- Aguirre, Priscila
- Castruita, Azel
- Castruita, Jose
- Moreno, Ivan

More pics of the services later. They really make all the difference!

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Results day 5

So, 4th in our group yesterday. And I'd agree, we were out of pace in the morning and had a better afternoon.

Car feels good today!
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Results from day 4

Picture from the official results. Had 3rd for our category for day 4 which is ok all things considered.

We'll need some upgrades here and there to make a leap to the top 10 tier. Both car and driver wise!
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Ready to start day 6!

Starting from Guadalajara, going to Aguascalientes.

Did some minor tuning to the car yesterday it seems to have liked. New spark plugs, adjusted valve lash and timing chain tension.
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Day 5 - speed stage

So - not many pics today, but this is a really good one and overall a great day!
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20101025_Aguirre BMW Hood Orn.jpg

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Start day 5 - 2

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Start day 5

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Hotel day 4 - Villa San Jose, Morelia

Nice place today! Great view. At the far end of the picture you can see the spires of the cathedral we had the car parked at when we arrived today.
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Arrival to Morelia - end of day 4

Car is looking and feeling good!
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In line for mil cumbres!

Ready for going down?

Sure!
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Mil cumbres! Last 2 legs of day 4!

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Waiting line for 3rd speed stage day 4

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Early morning copilot chat

Sharing some info on time and other co-pilot stuff!
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Results day 3

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Start day 4!

Ready to go!
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Long transit - following a merc 'gull wings'

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Done with real del monte and mineral el chico - all is good

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Line up for stage 6, day 3

We are just behind! But hopefully still faster.
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Day 3 - tough stuff!

We are half way through the first stages, and they have been really good, fun - but also pretty difficult (slippery and really tight).

Right now parked at the end of the run waiting for all cars to finish and then we go back in the other direction (same road).

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Service day 2

All is ok until now. The first special stages have gone well and the car is behaving well.

Routine check and we'll be off again!
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Start day 3

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Race start! Day 2

The starting grid! And a great backdrop for our starting place for day2!!!!
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She is back to life!

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Pics, first half day 1

Car at the starting grid 7am, and refueling
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Arrived at service day 1!!

Car running well, and we are doing a general check.
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Ok... So qualified 26th overall, but... 1st in our group! Pretty good!!!

So we are ready for the race tomorrow and now need to make sure we stay in the race.
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The Team!

Just finished qualifying! Car feels very good!

Place? We don't know yet. But it seems the car looked good!
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In line for qualifier!

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1 day to race - start of day

Almost there!!!

We have already fixed the exhaust leak and are cleaning up the car for the qualifier this afternoon (1-3pm Mexico time).

Also, getting our GPS tracking device installed. We'll post the link where you can follow the cars position every day later today.
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End of day - 1 day to race start!!

So... A couple of very dark pics! But a good day overall. We tried a couple of exhaust lengths and settled for something that is in the 36" range (as predicted / advised by Jeremy from IE). It has really helped the car get rid of a wierd dead spot around 4000rpm - car is feeling great. Our only pending item is getting rid of an exhaust leak but should be quick!

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Re-tuning the exhaust

Working on changing the exhaust length to lower the max torque / power rpm.
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Car with it racing numbers!

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All inspections done!

Car is ready to race! We need to submit the medical info tonight but we are all set.
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In line for the tech inspection and starting the admin proceedures!

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Car 265 in Tuxtla Gutierrez, Chiapas, MEXICO

Finally arrived! Had a good drive in the car and now have final sea level and 800mts jet setting.
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Testing, checking levels, temps and jets

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Morning in Cordoba

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