La Carrera Panamericana, The Mexican Road Race (1950-1954), was one of the most famous events in auto racing history. Many of the most famous drivers in the world tested their skills driving 2’000 miles across Mexico at full speed. The event was revived as a stage rally in 1988 and for twenty-four years has offered both experienced racers and novices an opportunity to experience the thrills and challenges of the original Pan Am. Today it is unique in the world—racing against the clock at full speed on public highways for a week — and passionately sponsored by Frederique Constant Geneve!Yesterday, Friday October 21st, 2011, one hundred cars lined up in southern Mexico to race 1’600 miles north to the beautiful city of Zacatecas. The event passes though the heart of the country, a string of impressive mountains and colorful colonial cities. The Mexican Highway Patrol, whose top officers travel with the race, clears the highways for the timed speed runs. Along the way, two million spectators will cheer the competitors along.Each night the race rests in a different city. This year the Pan Am will start in the Pacific resort of Huatulco and stop for the night in Oaxaca, Puebla, Queretaro, Morelia, Guanajuato, Aguascalientes, and Zacatecas. These cities are at high altitude, so the weather is typically cool and clear.The Mexican Road Race is always an adventure. Just getting a race car to the start is a challenge. The Pan Am remains a serious test of drivers and their cars, plus it’s a major cultural experience. Finishing the race after seven long days behind the wheel is another major accomplishment. Earning a spot on the podium is a huge bonus. It’s a lifetime of memories.

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