La Carrera Panamericana, originally held from 1950-1954, was unlike any other race in the world. More grueling than Le Mans, four times longer than the Indy 500, and much more treacherous than the Mille Miglia, the race became an international sensation.
The great European manufacturers such as Ferrari, Masterati, Lancia, Porsche, and Mercedes-Benz came to race as well as the North American Manufacturers including Chevy, Ford, Studebaker, and Oldsmobile.
Unfortunately, no races were held without lives being lost. Nine died in 1953 alone, with a total of twenty six in five years. Many of the dead were bystanders. At the conclusion of the 1954 event it was decided to discontinue La Carrera Panamericana.
La Carrera Panamericana lay dormant for the next 35 years, but its reputation only grew in its absence. By 1988, car safety had markedly improved. With the blessing of the Mexican government, the race was brought back once again in 1988 with changes made to make it safer for drivers and spectators. Historic racing at La Carrera Panamericana was alive and well again!
Presently, La Carrera Panamericana is held as a Historic race consisting of rally type “transit stages” to get the race through populated areas with a minimum of mishaps, and velocity sections of unlimited speed.
2006 will mark the return of modern day production vehicles to La Carrera Panamericana! History is again to be written in the annuals of this great race! In coordination with the La Carrera Panamericana Historic racing organizers, the organizers of “The Unlimited Class” are bringing modern day production vehicles back to La Carrera Panamericana to race.
This documentary takes you with the drivers on one of the previous editions of La Carrera Panamericana. The comments are in French.
