"I want to return to visit my homeland and contribute something along the way," says Gerardo Ortiz, a native of Mexico who emigrated to the United States in 1995 and has not been able to return to his country or visit since.
Participating in the Carrera Panamericana and using it to bring school supplies to an orphanage in San Miguel would be a dream come true for him.
In 1990 Gerardo saw the runners arrive in Querétaro and they made a great impression on him. "I thought: when I grow up I want to participate in it. As fate would have it, I arrived in the United States and due to immigration issues I had not been able to return to my country, this is my opportunity."
Gerardo is preparing, together with his son and co-driver Joaquin, a 1964 Mini Cooper Classic called "The Absentee" for La Carrera Panamericana, all under budget and DIY.
This mini Cooper was assembled in New Zealand, imported to California. He bought it in 2004 to restore it. But now it is being prepared for racing.
Requires professional safety requirements as a racing car. Based on international FIA regulations such as a protective (roll cage), a sealed fuel tank (so it won't spill in case of a rollover, special fire extinguishers, brakes, suspension, and many other features).
The race is a high performance race. In 7 days more than 3 thousand kilometers are covered. This time it starts in Oaxaca on October 14, 2022.
From Oaxaca, Veracruz is the next stop, then Mexico City on October 16, Michoacán on October 17, Aguascalientes on October 18, Durango on October 19 and Coahuila on October 20 and 21, 2022.
"Being here in the United States, missing my country, Mexico, I always aspired to participate in this race... I bought the mini with the dream of one day participating in this race."
Mexico is not a very safe country to travel by road and this is a good opportunity to do it collectively. During the trip, together with the pilot Pedro Vidal from Miami, we will take school supplies and other necessities to the orphan children of the orphanage. Casa Hogar Santa Julia Don Bosco, A.C.
Casa Hogar Santa Julia is a home for children from precarious family circumstances. The children are brought to the home by the police, social services personnel and family members, and are welcomed with open arms.
Please join the cause! https://gofund.me/503e7c4d
I will use the money only to participate in the race and bring supplies to the children. Please help!
You can follow the complete mini Cooper restoration and safety requirements on social media:
https://www.instagram.com/scuderiaortiz/
Please make our dreams come true!
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