Automotive writer and classic underachiever Mike McNessor never realized it, but he had spent his entire life preparing for a lackluster performance in the world's greatest amateur road race, run with vintage cars, La Carrera Panamericana.

If it has been your dream to complete in vintage racing, this book is the perfect how-NOT-to manual. In fact, you should stop reading right now to avoid filling your head with bad ideas.

But, if you're into old cars for the fun of it and you've always dreamed of embarking on the ultimate high-speed road trip with your friends, there are...