Everything about La Carrera is outrageous, from the vast, remote, and hazardous Mexican terrain, down to the history of the race itself. In the nineteenth century, once railroads started to span continents, men dreamed of connecting the top of North America with the bottom of South America with one gigantic railroad. However, with automobiles mass-produced by the start of the twentieth century, this idea morphed into a globe-spanning highway network: The Pan-American Highway.

Except for a short 70-mile break between southeast Panama and northwest Columbia, where a stretch of serious rainforest blocks the way, this nearly 20,000-mile highway can be driven in an average passenger car from Prudhomme Bay, Alaska, down to Ushuaia, at the southernmost tip of Argentina.

An international agreement in 1937 set a plan for the quick construction of a highway network between the countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and the United States.

In 1950, Mexico became the first country to complete its portion. In order to promote their accomplishment, the Mexican government organized the first Carrera Panamerican road race. Held for five consecutive years from 1950 to 1954, it was the most dangerous race of any type, occurring when racing was still a blood sport across all ranks.

The first race began on May 5, 1950, starting just south of the Texas border near El Paso, running down to the Guatemalan border. Nine “legs,” or stages, were run over five days, stretching a total of 2,178 miles. While the first race was limited to stock sedans with five seats, racers from around the globe and from virtually every type of motor sport entered, including many American drivers bringing heavy American iron. The race was dangerous right out of the gate as the lives of three competitors and one spectator were lost that year.

The high speeds and lack of safety features meant the tragic death toll continued to rise in the following years. The roads had no guardrails and the cars did not have roll-cages. Mountain roads would often run along deep canyons, with hundred-foot drops on one side and immense boulders and rock faces on the other.

On average, only a third of all entries finished a race. Some of the longer stages were impossible to secure, and sometimes crashes were not attended to for hours, reducing survival chances considerably.

In later years, the entries opened up to more classes, which led to the participation of many European makes such as Porsche, Mercedes, Jaguar, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo. While speeds had increased considerably, the lack of safety measures had stayed the same. Add to this a win-at-all-cost mentality of many drivers, and one can see how a most dangerous race was created.

By the time the event was canceled following the 1955 disaster at Le Mans, twenty-seven people had died on the Carrera Panamericana, with competitors, spectators, and safety control personnel among the casualties. La Carrera Panamericana’s tragic claim to fame was that it had the highest mortality rate per race in the history of motorsport.

Amazingly, the event was resurrected in 1988 and runs now 2,000 miles over seven days. And while technically a vintage racing event (virtually any car with a classic bodyshell is eligible), it is unlike classic road-rallies like the contemporary Mille Miglia. Whereas mandatory safety features inside the cars have dramatically improved, the Carrera of today still has long stretches of fully closed-down roads for proper all-out, high-speed racing. Many sections of the road require steel nerves and are today as dangerous as ever.

On average, only a third of all entries finished a race. Some of the longer stages were impossible to secure, and sometimes crashes were not attended to for hours, reducing survival chances considerably.

In later years, the entries opened up to more classes, which led to the participation of many European makes such as Porsche, Mercedes, Jaguar, Ferrari, and Alfa Romeo. While speeds had increased considerably, the lack of safety measures had stayed the same. Add to this a win-at-all-cost mentality of many drivers, and one can see how a most dangerous race was created.

It’s truly is the “Last of a Breed!”

To experience firsthand the danger, excitement, and adventure of La Carrera Panamericana, watch three fearless race teams take on the course, via GT Racer!