“La Carrera Panemericana” is a unique event that receives many participants that
drive a wide variety of classic cars built from 1940 – 1975. For obvious reasons,
not all of them can compete in the same category and that is why there are now
four groups and nine competition categories so that the participants can compete
under equal conditions.
In the first edition of “La Carrera Panamericana” held in 1950, all of the
competitors participated in the same category which Hershel McGriff won aboard
his Oldsmobile 88. Due to the increasing popularity of the event and the arrival of
European teams, in 1952 the Organizing Committee divided the cars into two
categories: “Turismo de Producción” for 4-seater production sedans that had a
production of at least 5,000 units; and the “Sport” category for 2-seater (generally
European) sport cars.
Today, all of the cars are inspected by the Organizing Committee prior to the start
to verify that they meet all of the technical, and even aesthetic requirements for
the cars in a particular category. The designation of the categories is a very
important element of the event because cars participating in their correct
category bolster the credibility of the event as well as help and preserve the
image and tradition of the cars and the event itself.
In all cases when it is difficult to find existing original components for the cars, the
Organizing Committee must be informed to authorize the substitution or
manufacture of a piece or component so that the car can comply with the
requirements and come as close as possible in terms of design and functionality
to the original version of the car. Some of these pieces can include the motor, the
bodywork, the wheels, the windshield, etc.
Today, the Groups and Categories are as follows:
A) Panamerican Cars Group
In this group, sports, GT and production touring cars (sedans) from 1940 to 1954
are eligible for this category. Some models of these cars that were built after 1954
will be accepted into the category if they are essentially the same in terms of
technical components and/or aesthetics.
"Street Rod" or "Hot Rod" type cars prepared from those built from 1932 or later
are also eligible, as are "replicas" of prototypes from the era or cars built from
1932 to 1956.
In this group are the four main categories of the cars that compete in “La Carrera
Panamericana”. These are as follows:
* "Turismo de Producción" - (Numbers from #2 to #99)
In this category are the production sedans (saloons) built from 1940 to 1954 with
original bodywork and F.H./O.H.V. with V8 cylinder engines; or F.H./O.H.V. and
S.O.H.C. inline 6 cylinder; and O.H.V./O.H.C. D.O.H.C. 4 cylinder.
Engine: The engines must be of the same make or family and configured the same
as the original. For those cars with hard to find engines, it is authorized to use
engines from different manufacturers; but they must be of the same
configuration and number of cylinders.
Note: Only the cars that participate in this category have the right to occupy the
first five places in the General Classification of the event. The rest of the cars
occupy their corresponding places from 6th place of the G.C. onward. All of the cars
are classified according to their specific category to determine the category
winners.
* "Turismo Mayor" - (Numbers from #100 to #149)
All production sedans (saloons) from 1940 to 1954 with original bodywork and
inline D.O.H.C. 6 cylinders and O.H.V. V8 cylinder engines, as well as all O.H.C. /
D.O.H.C. 4 cylinder engines participate in this category.
Engines: The use of modern engines of the same manufacturer/family and
configuration are permitted; with displacement up to 5000 cc. (305 cubic inches)
for 6 cylinder engines and 6,000 cc. (366 cubic inches) for 8 cylinder engines with
a V configuration and 2,500 c.c. (152.6 cubic inches) for 4 cylinder engines.
* "Sport Menor" - (Numbers from #150 to #199)
All mass and limited production sports cars, prototypes and/or reproductions
from 1940 to 1954 or similar, which have been authorized by the Organizing
Committee with original bodywork and/or of the same material and with the
original or bored out engine up to 2,000 c.c. (122 cubic inches) for mass
production cars are eligible to compete in this category.
Engine: In this category and in all cases, the use of a modern 4 cylinder engine of
mass production with the same configuration as the original engine of that
particular car (inline or boxer) with a maximum displacement of 1,600 c.c., 4
valves per cylinder and double overhead cams (D.O.H.C.) is permitted.
* "Sport Mayor" - (Numbers from #200 to #249)
The cars that will compete in this category are all mass and limited production
sports cars, prototypes and/or reproductions from 1940 to 1954 or similar, which
have been authorized by the Organizing Committee with original bodywork
and/or of the same material. The engine must be the original or from the same
family; larger than 2000 c.c. (122 cubic inches) and bored up to 5,000 c.c., (305
cubic inches), unless the original size is larger.
Engine: In this category and in all cases, the use of a modern mass produced inline
6 cylinder engine with a maximum displacement of 3,000 cubic centimeters (183
cubic inches) four valves per cylinder and double overhead cams (D.O.H.C.), is
permitted.
B) Historic Cars Group
* "Histórica A" - (Numbers from #250 to #279)
All mass production and limited production cars built from 1955 to 1973 and
more recent models aesthetically and mechanically similar to those of 1973,
which have been previously authorized by the Organizing Committee regardless
of their country of origin participate in this category.
Engine: Four cylinder engines that are not the original ones are permitted, only if
their maximum displacement is not greater than 1,600 cc (97.64 cubic inches) and
with only one camshaft.
* "Histórica A Plus" - (Numbers from #280 to #299)
All mass production and limited production cars built from 1965 to 1975 and
more recent models aesthetically and mechanically similar to those of 1975,
which have been previously authorized by the Organizing Committee regardless
of their country of origin.
Engine: Modifications are permitted according to the "period" (if proof or
evidence exists) and if the Organizing Committee approves them before
scrutineering.
* "Histórica B" - (Numbers from #300 to #349)
All mass production and limited production cars built from 1955 to 1974 and
more recent models aesthetically and mechanically similar to those of 1974,
which have been previously authorized by the Organizing Committee regardless
of their country of origin.
Engine: Modifications are permitted according to the "period" (if proof or
evidence exists) and if the Organizing Committee approves them before
scrutineering.
* "Histórica C" – (Numbers from #350 to #399)
All mass production and limited production cars built from 1955 to 1973 and
more recent models aesthetically and mechanically similar to those of 1973,
which have been previously authorized by the Organizing Committee regardless
of their country of origin.
Those special, unique, limited production or artisan manufactured (handmade)
cars which were built from 1950 to 1954 and which maintain their original
mechanical and aesthetic characteristics may be accepted in this category; if and
when their authenticity is proved (Article 15) and are authorized by the
Organizing Committee before scrutineering.
C. Original Panamericanos Group
* "Original Carrera Panamerican Cars Group" - (Numbers from: #400 to #450)
This category groups the cars that are the same make, model and year as those
cars that participated in the original "Carrera Panamericana" from 1950 to 1954.
The appearance of the car must be as close as possible to the original with certain
allowance for the following modifications to improve the safety and reliability of
the car without affecting its original appearance.
D. Exhibition Cars Group
* "Exhibition Cars" - (Numbers from: #450 to #499)
Cars that do not correspond to any of the 9 competition categories; but are
allowed to participate in the event upon prior authorization by the Organzing
Committee, (but are not eligible for official classification), participate in this
category.
The cars that do not meet all of the technical requirements during the initial
scrutineering and are in risk of being excluded from the event could participate in
this category under the approval of the Organzing Committee.
Without exception, the Organizing Committee must still approve all of the cars
and their modifications in order to participate. All of the corresponding technical
information must be sent to the Permanent Secretariat for revision in order to
determine the cars eligibility.