Saturday, February 21, 2009

San Francisco La Carrera Panamericana Social

This evening we spent in beautiful San Francisco with many other La Carristias at the Club Sportiva in San Francisco. Our gracious host was none other than fellow racers Che and the beautiful Carienn Voigt. There was more Mexican food and drink to be found there than in half the Mexican restaurants in San Francisco. Needless to say nobody went hungry let alone thirsty.




Club Sportiva is a place that any true automotive enthusiast will find appealing. Club Sportiva is made up of exclusive memberships that have the use of some of the most exotic automotive machinery to be found all of which are driven on a regular basis by it members. Club Sportiva members can also use the club facilities to attend social club events, host their own private events and of course check out the newest models being added to the paddock.


Club Sportiva was founded in early 2003 by former Ford Motor Company employee Torbin Fuller and the flagship clubhouse, based in San Francisco, is over 10,000 square feet and includes a bar, kitchen and lounge not to mention the paddock housing their car collection valued at over $3 million including 20 different vehicles such as Bentley, Ferrari including a Ferrari F430 Coupe, Lamborghini, Lotus, Porsche or Jaguar. They also feature art from a number of well respected local artists which they rotate over the course of the year. Members include legendary racer Mario Andretti, NFL Hall of Fame Raider Dave Casper and Apollo 12 astronaut Dick Gordon. And for those members who don't live close to the clubhouse.... No problem because Club Sportiva will deliver the car right to your door step in their custom car hauler.











La Carrera Panamericana get togethers are always special full of laughter, reminiscing, and of course planning furture La Carrera Panamericara races and events and this one was no exception. Every time I go to one I can't believe how many new and interesting stories I learn about some of the drivers or amazing facts about some of the cars that I did not know about. As a matter of fact tonight I learned the most amazing story of a couple cars that ran with us in 2007 and their historical tributes to the sport dated back the first years of La Carrera Panamericana. Stay tuned for more about that in the near future. What an amazing story that will be.

While enjoying our wonderful dinner we were treated to some amazing DVD presentation of what else... La Carrera Panamericana photos many of which I had not seen before which is always exciting. Afterwards we were blessed with Gerie Bledsoes presence at the mic keeping us informed to all of the latest and up to the minute reports of La Carrera Panamericana. If you ever have the chance to attend one of these La Carrera Panamericana gatherings I personally guarantee it to be an event you wont soon forget and you'll be glad you made it. There were many from all over northern and southern California. One of the best things is that many of us get to spend time with others who we raced with but never really had the pleasure of getting acquainted which truly is wonderful.





Mari Chris finds the one she likes.

Always the gentleman, Tyler helps his date out of the car.



The Volvo Che and Carienn Voigt drove in the 2007 La Carrera Panamericana.


Doug Mocket couldnt stay because he had just returned from a race in South Africa but his car was on display.

Mari Chris had a hard time deciding between the Lamborgini and this Shelby GT500.


No Tyler, you cant drive it. Now give me those damn keys back!

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