Today, the Groups and Categories Are As Follows

“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.