Lucha Libre Racing 2010Lucha Libre Racing 2008 Lucha Libre Racing, still smiling on day 5, AguascalientesL to R Dan Brubaker, Michael Emery, Joe Brubaker and Brent Zerull
Piloto Joe Brubaker is a
life long car guy. For the last 6 years, he’s been wringing every last second
out of his Mini Cooper at Northern California tracks. Two years ago he stepped
up to a Porshe Carrera, that is now seeing more time on the track than on the
road. After hearing the account of the Lucha Libre Racing team’s assault on the
2006 La Carrera Panamericana, he decided that 2008 would be his year. He
carefully researched building his own Carrera ride, running his Mini in the
Unlimited Class, or buying a veteran car. When Emery
proposed that they take on La Carrera Panamericana together, in the Datsun, he jumped at the
opportunity.
Brubaker began his art
career as a painter, but soon found inspiration from his travels where he
encountered Mexican Santos and indigenous arts from many cultures. He currently
works as Sculptor, with a major retrospective opening at the Palo Alto Museum
of Art in January 2009. His wife Marka, is an executive in the clothing
industry. They have two adult children. His work can be seen at joebrubaker.com
Lucha Libre Racing 2006Emery and Donovan finish with style 2006
In the 2006 race with navigator Ted Donovan, the duo embodied the philosophy that ignorance is bliss. "If you two are still running at the end, you'll be battling that all-girl SAAB team from Sweden for last place." US race director Gerie Bledsoe said. Although they were smoked by the SAAB team, they did finish the race. A feat accomplished by only 30% of first timers. Unfortunately, on day two, they were hamstrung by a blown water pump that lead to a blown head gasket. Repairs were made, but their chances of winning were gone. Of all the racers, they had the least amount of experience, the least amount of horsepower and they finished dead last. Finishing in last place is still a great achievement, as they finished ahead of 19 cars that blew up or crashed, and they finished with style.
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