Tragedy on Day 1

Heartbreaking news  on La Carrera Panamericana website after first day of race:

Translation from earlier post of accident on La Carrera website regarding accident:  The organizers of La Carrera and the entire Panamerican Community lament the regrettable death of pilot Piloto Francisco Javier Dávalos Valenzuela who died when his car rolled in Puerto del Aire between the states of Veracruz and Puebla during the second speed stage.

Javier Dávalos was co driving this event with his brother Roberto Dávalos in a Studebaker. Roberto escaped with bumps and bruises and is said to be well.

Organizer Eduardo Leon told ESTO, "They were driving third stretch, Section 15, in the area called Puerto del Aire, within the limits of Puebla and Oaxaca, finishing the descent of Las Cumbres de Alcutzingo and the beginning of Puerto del Aire, when the Studebaker made a strange movement and rolled several times."

Sources claim this 2nd stage was a super high speed section with a lot of downhill fast sweepers.

The website for La Carrera has been down since early Friday evening:

 http://lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx

The organizers of La Carrera and all the participants are deeply saddened by this tragedy. Our hearts are with the family of Javier Dávalos. Rest in Peace, Javier.

May the rest of this race run safely.

Articles about accident:

http://www.oem.com.mx/esto/notas/n2739424.htm

http://www.zonafranca.mx/muere-copiloto-javier-davalos-en-el-arranque-de-la-carrera-panamericana/