Switzerland-Germany via Mexico
Did someone just say " Roberto Belmar" ? It's quite a coincidence that the Mexican, who competed in the 1953 Carrera Panamericana in a DeSoto like Sigrist's, started the following year in the car of another Zwischengas editor: mine - a 1954 Studebaker Starlight.
With one crucial difference: while I had to make do with just under 90 HP from six cylinders in the Champion, Belmar was able to enjoy a 127 HP V8 in the Commander. Perhaps the experience from the previous year had tipped the scales in favor of switching brands, as the '54 Studebakers were known for their excellent brakes.
However, to compensate for the previous year, he had perhaps made a little too much use of them. After a 21st place in 1953, Belmar and his co-driver Felix San Roman only finished the 1954 Carrera Panamericana in 52nd place.
