La Carrera Panamericana 2010

A recent Twitter follower reminded me that we are only 23 days away from the 23rd running of the legendary La Carrera Panamericana, the famous Mexican road race.

The original race ran from 1950 to 1954, then started again in 1988. This year it runs from October 22nd to the 28th.

The race runs for nearly 2000 miles along public roads, starting in Tuxtla Gutierrez and finishing north 7 days later in Zacatecas.

Many famous drivers have competed in the '50s races, guys like Hershel McGriff winning the inaugural event in 1950 driving an Oldsmobile 88, and Juan Manuel Fangio, who won in 1953 driving a Lancia D24.

Juan Manuel Fangio won the 1953 La Carrera Panamericana in a Lancia D24.
Prismacolor pencils on red archival stock 12"x 9"
� Paul Chenard 2008

Original sketch is available at L'art et l'automobile, as are limited editions.

In more recent times, my friend Gary Faules raced it in 2007, driving his 1965 Mustang Gt350R ... stunning!

California's Best, Gary Faules racing his GT350R in La Carrera Panamericana 2007.
Prismacolor pencils on white archival stock 12"x 9"
� Paul Chenard 2008

Gary Faules Collection

Mike Hawthorn 1929-1959

Pen & ink with watercolour and Prismacolor pencils on white archival Strathmore stock
� Paul Chenard 2009

John Michael �Mike� Hawthorn was a well-liked British racecar driver from Farnham. He was popular, and fun-loving, almost always sporting his trademark bowtie, even when racing.

His father Leslie owned own and operated the Tourist Trophy Garage and Mike spent most of his spare time working in his father�s garage, located close to the Brooklands race track.

He started racing motorcycles with some success, and in 1950, raced automobiles, also with success. In 1951, he graduated to a Formula 2 Cooper-Bristol that his father bought.

His racing prowess caught the attention of Jaguar�s Lofty England and Enzo Ferrari. Hawthorn was offered a contract with Ferrari and signed up for 1953.

His first F1 win came in the 1953 French Grand Prix at Reims, driving a Ferrari 500. Though less consistent and successful than others, he won 4 pole positions and 3 Grand Prix races in 45 starts. In 1958, he won only one race, but place 2nd in five races, allowing him to take the Formula 1 Driver�s Championship.

After winning, Hawthorn immediately announced his retirement from Formula 1 to pursue his business interests. Sadly, less than a year later, he was killed in an automobile accident.

Note: The sketch above is available as a 11"x 14.5" limited edition of 50 signed/numbered archival Giclee print for $150 USD each plus shipping/handling.

Collector Cards - World on Wheels

Recently, I picked up an interesting set of vehicle cards.


World on Wheels Card No.2

They were published in 1953-54 by the American company Topps in a 160-card set under the title "World on Wheels". They later added 20 more cards, and featured it as a 180-card set; I guest these have blue+black printing on the back and are rarer and more valuable.

The sets included a fairly eclectic mix of vehicles, including passenger cars, sports cars, race cars, buses, commercial vehicles, and military vehicles.

I acquired 17 sports car/race car cards. I haven't finished scanning them, but I thought I'd show off a few of them.

World on Wheels Card No.23














World on Wheels Card No.110

World on Wheels Card No.38

World on Wheels Card No.43

World on Wheels Card No.35

World on Wheels Card No.30

La Carrera Panamericana 1953 - Fangio

Prismacolor pencils on red stock � Paul Chenard 2008
Private Collection


Five-time F1 Driver's World Champion Juan Manuel Fangio was the pride of Argentina. Soft-spoken and humble, he could just as easily win in sports car, illustrated by his 1953 win of the Carrera Panamericana in a Lancia D24.

Limited edition of 50, numbered and signed premium archival Giclee prints $125 USD plus shipping/handling.