Become Part of the Legend, 2011

We have few opportunities in our lives to become part of a legend.  But La Carrera Panamericana, the Pan Am is one of those rare opportunities.  It is the last, top-speed open-road race of its kind in the world.  No one can predict how long it will survive in this modern age.

This October, 100 vintage race cars--each with a driver and co-driver—will line up in southern Mexico for the 24th year to race north to Zacatecas.  It’s seven days of racing (time trials) over paved roads, through some of the most beautiful country north of the Equator. Seven days of freedom; a week of feeling very special and a lifetime of memories.

The modern event is a revival of the famous international Pan Am that was conducted between 1950-1954. Many of the world’s most famous drivers, including world champions like Phil Hill and Juan Manuel Fangio, and NASCAR legends like Hershel McGriff, came to Mexico during these years to test their cars, skill, and stamina.  The race was started in 1950 by the Mexican government to inform the world that Mexico had a new system of highways stretching across the country--from north to south--for commerce and tourism.  When the race was canceled in 1955, its purpose had been accomplished.

In 1988, a group of Mexican and North American auto enthusiasts revived the Pan Am as a “pro-rally” or “stage rally.”  Each car is given a route book with detailed instructions to follow for the entire seven days.  Every turn along the entire route is listed and rated by degree of difficulty.  Warnings are given about dangerous conditions.  Speed bumps and gas stations are even noted, but there can always be a surprise lurking around each blind corner.

Each day’s route is divided into “transit” and “speed” stages. The transit stages are run from town to town on regular highways, in regular traffic.  But several times a day the race cars line up for the “speed” stages.  After the Mexican Federal Highway Patrol clears the road, the race cars are started in thirty-second intervals.  There are no speed limits--only open roads slicing through the mountains. You may travel as fast as your skill, your car, and road conditions warrant.   Passing a slower car happens frequently.

These speed stages normally stretch from three to sixteen miles in length, mostly over good, paved mountain roads.  Stages may also be run on a sports car or NASCAR track or freeways.  At the end of the week, the cars with the lowest elapsed times during the special stages are declared the winners – overall and by class.  Time penalty points are imposed if you arrive too early or too late to a speed section, or commit an infraction of the rules.   For the first time this year, the speeds of the top classes will be limited to 142-144 MPH.

There are three unofficial levels of participation in the Pan Am for the same entry fee.  First, you may participate at the “tourist” level.   Just buy an old car (1965 or older), add some required safety features, and come down to cruise the route for fun.  It’s the “no pressure” approach.   Finishing the event, even at this level, is a significant accomplishment.  It is, of course, the best way to learn how the event operates.

The second level of participation, “competition,” requires investing more in your car and running it hard. You may not expect to finish first in class, but you intend to extract the most from the car.   At this level of participation, a podium finish is possible.