1951 La Carerra II -- Intenational Border to Border Test of Speed; Ferarri vs. Hemi=Powered Chryslers and the Ruttman/Smith Mercury

3rd place finish 1951 Chrysler
Ruttman/Smith Mercury
212 Ferrari for export

La Carrera II, “Prueba Internacional de Velocidad de Frontera a Frontera”

“International Border to Border Test of Speed”

For the second year of this event, the course was altered. To begin with the leg from Tuxtla Gutierrez to El Ocotal was deleted, and the direction was reversed, so the end of the race now was at the Mexican-American border near El; Paso. No longer an event that started on Cinco de Mayo or May the 5^th, it was now staged at the end of the season, on November 19. Consequently, more American and European competitors were available. Further, the rules were changed so that European sports cars could compete along side Aemerican stock cars. Modifications were allowed; however, the original engine type and camshaft profile had to be maintained. This time the fair weather racers were absent, and only 91starters left the line. Only six older cars, namely those made before 1950 were involved in this race, compared to some 25 pre-1949 cars that were a part of the 1950 event.

La Carerra II marked the appearance of Ferrari as a serious challenger to the Americans. Two new 212 models were driven by race veterans Taruffi and Ascari. Oldsmobile was back, but the big news was the appearance of hemi-powered Chryslers. But then there were also independent entries, including one entered by the team of Clay Smith and Troy Ruttman. Smith, a legendary engine builder, joined with driver Ruttman, and the pair persuaded a dealer to provide them with a 1948 Mercury. This car, modified on as short budget of $2500, would make its mark in Mexico.

The Ferraris ran in to tire trouble early on in this race, as its soft compounds could not stand up to the punishment of the Mexican roads. This cost Taruffi and Ascari time, as the race devolved to a battle between the Ferraris and the Chryslers. In the end the more nimble Ferraris won out, with the Ruttman/Smith Mercury close behind. Finishing fourth, the low budget Ruttman/Smith team were in the limelight, and celebrated for their “Yankee ingenuity” as opposed to the expensive European entries. Other interesting developments during this race included the performance of the “Twin H-Power” Hudsons, the Fords and Mercurys, and flat–eight Packard. Speeds increased, as did the fatalities, as some three drivers died during the course of the race.