Announcing the 2008 edition of La Carrera Panamericana

Background

This internationally acclaimed event had its beginnings in the 50's, to celebrate the inauguration the highway that would cross the entire American continent under the direction of Mexican president Miguel Aleman. Organizers invited the best drivers as well as automotive brands that were the stars of the racing sports of this time. Some of these brands had already reached 50 years established on America. After four consecutive years, this event came to an end as safety became a major issue after several tragic accidents.

Despite the dangers of the original event, the experiences were so positive to the extent that in 1988 it was resurrected with the original cars of that era but with modern safety guards. As of today, this event has reached 21 uninterrupted editions; and manages to obtain 80 - 100 participant automobiles and the exhilaration of an audience who enjoys every moment of it along with the magnificent scenery Mexico has to offer.

Different car clubs and drivers participate from all over America and Europe with cars from the 1940-1965 period in different categories, with modifications that underline the participants safety, allowing the use of brand new technology in some parts. (disc brakes, fuel cells, etc.)

Although every participant feels like a celebrity since they are all treated as such, this event has had some world renowned celebrities who have participated over the years, among them are:

Formula 1 drivers - Guy Edwards, Clay Regazzoni, Philippe Aliot; Le Mans drivers - Alain de Cadenet, Robert Lamplough; Alistair Caldwell (former team manager Mc Laren), Mark Knopffer from Dire Staits, Nick Mason & David Gilmour from Pink Floyd, Adrian Paul (Highlander), race cars designers - Jon Ward & Knight Rider, Royalty members - Carol Spagg, Valentine Lindsay, Renato Bicciato, Burhardt von Schenk, Ludovic Lindsay, Cars museums owners - Herve Ogliastro, Arturo Pérez, Dave Petersen and several top executives from international corporations Bill Shanahan, Roberto Albarrán, Eduardo Baptista, Joe Sexton, Manfredo Lippmann, Mike Wilfley, Enrique Coma Cross, Graham Walker, Michael Stoschek, Sam Walton, to mention some from the list of many passionate collectors and classic cars racers.

Sponsors have included Telmex, Tag Heuer, Hot Wheels, Ferrari, Fiat, Mercedes Benz, Bar Honda F1, Harper´s, Remosa engines, Corona beer, Pfizer, Ford, Kodak, Coca Cola, Fila, Furor jeans, Nokia, Telcel, Bancomer.

Media Coverage

La Carrera Panamericana’s race media coverage has a privileged place in the racing sports environment as well most vintage cars and racing trade publications. In each edition we find journalists and broadcasting teams from several countries who write articles and produce special programs featuring highlights from the race and even producing documentaries.

Among the publications that have covered the event are:

France, Italy, Germany, USA
Nitro, Autocollezioni, Herz Instakt Car and Driver
Echappement, Auto Marka, Chrom Flammen,
Modelisme, Nostalgia Mercedes News,
Auto Hebdo, Automovilismo, Mercedes-Benz European Car
L´Automobile, Rombo, Classic, Road & Track, Car & Driver,
Auto Retro Autorevue Sports Cars Int.
Compte Tours Motorsport Aktull Texas Driver
ADDX Christophorus
Classic Racing GO
Historic Cars Octane
La Vie de Auto
Cavallino
Retro Tours

United Kingdom/ Japan
Supercar & Classics Automotriz Brutus
Motor Sport Car Graphic (Japón),
Victory Lane Automovil Mex Ex
Autosport Deporte Super CG
European Car Automundo Deportivo
Octane Deporte Motor

México/ Sweden
Deporte Ilustrado Auto Motor Sport
Herz Intakt
Begin Laredo & Nuevo Laredo Nostalgia
Estilo
Mi Automovil
Garage Clásico
Imagen
Mustang
Automóvil Panamericano

Spain, Portugal, Belgium
Autopista Auto Magazine Auto Motor Sport
Motor Clásico Autohoje

International TV Coverage:

BBC.- London
NBC, ESPN, Fox Sports, ABC.- USA
Canal Plus.- France
AHM Comunicazione.- Italy
Discovery Channel.- USA

Some home video, music videos (Pink Floyd), 35 mm films and documentaries of La Carrera Panamericana have been produced. Local TV broadcasters have done event specials. Local networks cover the event to keep avid fans abreast of all the developments throughout.

To celebrate the 50th anniversary of the victory performed by Mercedes Benz in the original La Carrera Panamericana, 40 journalists traveled to Mexico from all over the world to commemorate the 1953 triumph. Not to be outdone, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Ferrari´s participation, the F 430-2006 was launched featuring the scenery of this magnificent event. In 2006, Gil de Ferran & Rubens Barrichello´s, Bar Honda Team driver and manager, organized a media event in Oaxaca City. La Carrera Panamericana has been a nominee in the stage rally of the year division in the Historic Motor Sports Awards, event the “Academy Awards” (Oscar) of racing cars.

In 2008, La Carrera Panamericana is welcoming two of the most important personalities in the racing world; former Sports Director from McLaren International, Jo Ramírez as well as the Swedish driver Stig Blomqvist, former World Rally Championship winner.

A regrettable note to the Panamericana community is the recent and untimely passing of Jerry Churchill, extraordinary human being and a great "fan" of Panamericana and Mexico whose yellow Studebaker will be missed in the starting line.