Driver: Chris Mason
Co-driver: Jeff Mason
Vehicle: 1965 Volvo Amazon 122S “Mzcalero”
Division: Targa 2
Country: United States and Italy
Rally Brothers bring international flavour to Targa
Chris and Jeff Mason, the Rally Brothers, grew up in New Jersey, as close as two brothers could be but after college, life took them in opposite directions and thousands of miles apart. Jeff headed west to Colorado, USA and Chris went east to Venice, Italy. Rally racing together, Chris as the driver and Jeff as the navigator, has become a way to bridge the distance and stay close with each other.
The brothers’ rallying began in 2018 when they first raced the Carrera Panamericana, the seven-day rally across México. They have since raced it in 2019 and 2022, achieving an overall class podium and numerous stage wins.
Their car of choice is a vintage 1965 Volvo Amazon 122S named Mzcalero, which was built for the Carrera Panamericana.
“It’s a street legal race car that is happy on a track but comes into its own on rally,” says Chris.
The Amazon’s nickname is derived from the word Mezcalero, someone who makes mezcal, a Mexican alcoholic drink, and it became a running joke for the team at the event. “Our team has a particular soft spot for mezcal. It is hard not to in Mexico. In fact, we created a Driving La Carrera cocktail including the spirit.” See the recipe below.
In 2023, the brothers ran the Mille Miglia USA Warm Up with the Mzcalero, finishing first in class. The win secured them a berth in the 2024 Mille Miglia in Italy.
They participated in the 2024 Mille Miglia in a 1939 Fiat Balilla 508C 1100. Unfortunately, a problem with the rear differential ruined their podium chances but they still got the car to the finish, in decent form no less.
This year, the pair have set their sights on winning Targa Newfoundland.
“Targa Newfoundland has been on the radar for years,” says Chris. “Numerous past competitors have insisted we go. The stars aligned for 2025 event. The team looks forward to competing and, as always, a podium finish.”
Driving La Carrera supports The Piston Foundation (www.pistonfoundation.org). The Piston Foundation’s mission is to bring more young people into the collector car industry. By finding skilled trades programs in collector cars, they are working to help today’s craftspeople transfer their skills to a new generation and help young technicians build rewarding careers in the trades and services of the collector car industry.
Driving La Carrera is also a small media production company, producing photography and film of motorsports events. Their work can be seen on their website www.drivinglacarrera.com where you can read many more details about who they are and what they do.
The Driving La Carrera Cocktail
1 shot American Whiskey
1 shot Mezcal
1/2 shot Ancho Reyes Original
1/4 shot Simple Sirup
1 dash of bitters
Stir in a shaker with ice
Serve neat or over ice