“I want to revisit my homeland and contribute something along the way,” says Gerardo Ortiz, originally from Mico, who emigrated to the United States in 1995, and has not been able to return to his country even for a visit since then.
Participating in the Pan-American Race and using it to bring school supplies to an orphanage in San Miguel will be a dream come true for him.
In 1990, Gerardo saw the runners arrive in Querétaro and they made a big impression on him. “I thought that when I grow up I want to participate in it. By chance, I arrived in the United States and for immigration reasons I have not been able to return to my country, this is my opportunity.”
Gerardo is preparing, together with his son and co-pilot Joaquín, a 1964 Mini Cooper Classic called “El extraño” for La Carrera Panamericana, all on a budget and with DIY.
This Mini Cooper was assembled in New Zealand, imported to California. I bought it in 2004 to restore it. But now it is being prepared for racing.
It requires professional safety requirements like a racing car. Based on international FIA regulations such as a roll cage, a sealed fuel tank (to prevent spillage in the event 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, Michoac on the 17th, Aguascalientes on the 18th, Durango on the 19th, and Coahuila on October 20 and 21, 2022.
“Being here in the United States, missing my country, Mico, I always aspired to participate in this race… I bought the Mini with the dream of something