Carrera Panamericana 

Pan-American Highway

Mexico




27 people died during the five years of the Carrera Panamericana, giving it one of the highest mortality rates per race in the history of motorsport.

After the Mexican section of the Pan-American Highway was completed in 1950, a nine-stage, six-day race across the country was organized by the Mexican government to celebrate and to attract international business.

During the 1952 event, German racing duo Kling and Klenk introduced innovative pre-prepared 'pace-notes' which allowed co-driver to relay direction to the driver at rapid speed. This system was so revoultionary that it is used in all motorsports involving a navigator today.

LAP RECORD

17:40:26s - Umberto Maglioli (1954)

track characteristics

A border-to-border sports car racing event on open roads across varying terrains and vastly alternating altitudes.

RACE TYPE

Dash

Death toll

27

THE DANGER FILES

27 people had died during the five years of the Panamericana, giving it one of the highest mortality rates per race in the history of motorsport.

Only a third of entrants typically finished the race. The length of the stage sections were impossible to monitor entirely, making it possible for crashes to be unnoticed for several hours.

Track length

2,096 miles

established

1950