TGR StaffThe unmistakable sound of vintage racing engines returned to the streets of Chiapas as La Carrera Panamericana 2026 officially began its festivities in southern Mexico. With traditional music, enthusiastic crowds, and an impressive collection of historic competition cars, the opening celebrations reminded everyone why this legendary road race continues to capture the imagination of automotive enthusiasts worldwide.
The October 15 qualifying session saw defending champions Ricardo Cordero and Marco Hernández set the fastest time, earning the first starting position for the opening stage of the seven-day competition.
Now in its 39th modern edition, La Carrera Panamericana combines serious motorsports competition with an extraordinary journey through Mexico’s diverse landscapes, historic towns, and mountain roads. This year’s event covers about 3,857 kilometers (2,397 miles), starting in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, and ending in Zacatecas on October 22.
Chiapas Welcomes La Carrera Panamericana
Before the competition began in earnest, participating teams gathered in Berriozábal, where the community transformed its central park into an impromptu automotive celebration. Traditional dancers and marimba music welcomed the drivers and navigators as spectators gathered to admire the cars, meet competitors, take photographs, and collect autographs.
The 2026 event includes 50 competitive rally crews and another 22 vehicles participating in the Sport & Classic Tour, bringing an eclectic collection of vintage race cars and sporting machinery to the region. For the communities along the route, La Carrera Panamericana is more than a motorsports event. It is a traveling celebration of automotive history that brings internationally recognized competitors and rare racing machines directly into town squares and onto local streets.
Following the public festivities in Berriozábal, the competitors traveled toward Ocozocoautla for a warm-up session and an eight-kilometer qualifying stage. The short timed section would establish the starting order for the following day’s competition.
Ricardo Cordero and Marco Hernández Lead Qualifying
Defending champions Ricardo Cordero and Marco Hernández wasted little time establishing themselves as the team to beat. Competing in the powerful Turismo Mayor category, the Mexican duo posted the fastest qualifying time, securing the top starting position for the opening stage.
Cordero and Hernández are no strangers to success in La Carrera Panamericana. Their partnership has become one of the most successful in the rally’s modern history, with Cordero entering the 2026 competition seeking a record-breaking eighth overall victory.
Driving their famous 1953 Studebaker Champion, known as El Malditillo, the pair will once again face experienced rivals and the unpredictable challenges of racing across Mexico. Finishing second in qualifying were Hilaire and Laura Damiron, also competing in Turismo Mayor. The husband-and-wife team has established itself among the most formidable competitors in the event.
Third place went to Benito Guerra Jr. and Jorge García, competing in the Histórica B Plus category. Emilio Velázquez and Javier Marín secured fourth, while Char García and Eduardo Solís completed the top five.
La Carrera Panamericana 2026 Qualifying Results
| Position | Driver / Navigator | Category |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ricardo Cordero / Marco Hernández | Turismo Mayor |
| 2 | Hilaire Damiron / Laura Damiron | Turismo Mayor |
| 3 | Benito Guerra Jr. / Jorge García | Histórica B Plus |
| 4 | Emilio Velázquez / Javier Marín | Turismo Mayor |
| 5 | Char García / Eduardo Solís | Turismo Mayor |
Although these opening results determine the starting order, the real challenge lies ahead. Seven days of timed stages, demanding roads, changing conditions, and mechanical endurance will ultimately decide the winner.
A Spectacular Ceremonial Start in Tuxtla Gutiérrez
Following qualifying, the celebrations moved to Tuxtla Gutiérrez for the traditional ceremonial start outside the Metropolitan Cathedral of San Marcos. With the cathedral providing a dramatic backdrop, participating cars paraded beneath the official starting arch as spectators gathered to enjoy an evening of lights, music, and automotive history.
Events like this have become central to La Carrera Panamericana’s identity. Unlike traditional circuit racing, where spectators generally travel to a permanent venue, this event brings the action directly to communities across the country.
The ceremonial start also offers a rare opportunity to see these competition cars up close before they disappear onto Mexico’s winding highways and mountain passes.
Seven Days and Nearly 2,400 Miles Across Mexico
The 2026 edition of La Carrera Panamericana runs from October 16 through October 22, with seven competitive stages covering approximately 3,857 kilometers. Of that distance, 536 kilometers (333 miles) are timed speed sections, while the remaining 3,321 kilometers (2,064 miles) are transit routes connecting the competitive stages and overnight destinations.
The first stage takes competitors from Tuxtla Gutiérrez to the port city of Veracruz. At 718 kilometers (446 miles), it is the longest day of the event and features seven timed speed sections. Drivers were scheduled to depart Tuxtla Gutiérrez at 7:00 a.m. on October 16, arriving at approximately 5:30 p.m. at the Macroplaza del Malecón in Veracruz, where another public celebration is planned.
From Veracruz, the rally continues to Mexico City on October 17, followed by Puebla on October 18, Querétaro on October 19, Guanajuato on October 20, and San Luis Potosí on October 21. The final stage on October 22 brings the field to Zacatecas, where the overall winners will be crowned.
This year’s route introduces several new sections, including roads through the Zoque region of Chiapas, Perote in Veracruz, and the northern mountains of Puebla. The itinerary also features a stop in Tepoztlán, Morelos, and a new timed section near Bella Vista del Río in Querétaro. Together, these additions promise a fresh challenge for experienced competitors while showcasing parts of Mexico that have not traditionally featured in the event.
The Historic Legacy of La Carrera Panamericana
Few road races can claim a history as colorful as La Carrera Panamericana. Originally held from 1950 through 1954, the competition was created to celebrate Mexico’s portion of the Pan-American Highway. The original race quickly became one of the most demanding and prestigious automotive events in the world.
The competition attracted legendary drivers and factory-backed teams representing manufacturers such as Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Lancia, and Alfa Romeo. Among the famous names associated with the original event were Juan Manuel Fangio, Piero Taruffi, and Hershel McGriff, the American driver who won the inaugural race in 1950.
The event was so influential that Porsche’s participation helped inspire the Carrera name that continues to appear on the German manufacturer’s sports cars and watches today. After the 1954 edition, the original event ended amid growing safety concerns. It remained part of motorsports history until enthusiasts revived the competition in 1988.
The modern La Carrera Panamericana retains much of the original event’s spirit, emphasizing historic automobiles while incorporating modern safety equipment, regulations, and controlled competition stages. Today, the rally features everything from heavily modified Studebakers and classic American sedans to vintage European sports cars. The sight of these machines competing across thousands of miles remains one of the great spectacles of historic motorsports.
A Race Where History Is Still Being Written
With the opening qualifying session complete, all eyes are on Ricardo Cordero and Marco Hernández as they attempt to add another chapter to their remarkable Panamericana record. The pair enters the 2026 competition as favorites, but with experienced challengers including the Damirons, Benito Guerra Jr., and Emilio Velázquez, another victory is far from guaranteed.
La Carrera Panamericana has never been simply about outright speed. Success demands preparation, consistency, mechanical reliability, and the ability to navigate hundreds of miles of unfamiliar roads each day. It is an event where the machine matters, but the people behind the wheel, and the person reading the route notes beside them, matter just as much.
As the field leaves Chiapas and heads north toward Zacatecas, the coming week promises another unforgettable chapter in one of motorsports’ most enduring traditions. For automotive enthusiasts, few events offer the same combination of history, adventure, and competition. La Carrera Panamericana remains proof that some of the world’s greatest motorsports experiences still happen on the open road.
La Carrera Panamericana 2026 Quick Facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Event | La Carrera Panamericana 2026 |
| Edition | 39th modern edition |
| Dates | October 16-22, 2026 |
| Qualifying | October 15, 2026 |
| Starting city | Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas |
| Finish city | Zacatecas |
| Total route | 3,857 km / approximately 2,397 miles |
| Timed speed sections | 536 km / approximately 333 miles |
| Transit sections | 3,321 km / approximately 2,064 miles |
| Competitive entries | 50 crews |
| Sport & Classic Tour | 22 vehicles |
| Qualifying winners | Ricardo Cordero and Marco Hernández |
| Opening stage | Chiapas to Veracruz |
| Longest stage | 718 km / approximately 446 miles |
| Number of competitive days | 7 |
| Official website | https://lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx |
Frequently Asked Questions About La Carrera Panamericana 2026
What is La Carrera Panamericana?
La Carrera Panamericana is a historic Mexican road rally that combines timed motorsports competition with long-distance travel across Mexico. Originally held from 1950 to 1954, the event was revived in 1988 and remains one of the world’s best-known historic road rallies.
When is La Carrera Panamericana 2026?
The 2026 competition takes place October 16-22, following qualifying and ceremonial start activities on October 15 in Chiapas.
Who won qualifying for La Carrera Panamericana 2026?
Ricardo Cordero and navigator Marco Hernández recorded the fastest qualifying time in Chiapas on October 15, securing the first starting position for the opening stage.
Where does La Carrera Panamericana 2026 start and finish?
The rally begins in Tuxtla Gutiérrez, Chiapas, and concludes in Zacatecas. The seven-day route includes stops in Veracruz, Mexico City, Puebla, Querétaro, Guanajuato, and San Luis Potosí.
How long is La Carrera Panamericana 2026?
The event covers approximately 3,857 kilometers, or 2,397 miles, with 536 kilometers of timed speed sections and 3,321 kilometers of transit roads.
What kinds of cars compete in La Carrera Panamericana?
The rally features historic and classic competition cars across several categories. Eligible vehicles range from vintage American sedans and Studebakers to classic Porsche, Alfa Romeo, and other European sports cars. Competition cars may incorporate modern safety equipment and mechanical modifications permitted by their respective classes.
Can spectators watch La Carrera Panamericana for free?
Yes. Spectators can attend many of the ceremonial starts, city arrival celebrations, and designated viewing areas along the route free of charge. For timed stages, spectators must follow organizer instructions and remain within approved safety zones.
Where can fans follow the 2026 Carrera Panamericana results?
Official stage results, route information, and updates are available through the event’s website, lacarrerapanamericana.com.mx, and its official social media channels. The organization also provides video coverage through its YouTube channel.
Photos courtesy of the La Carrera Panamericana
Only in Mexico!
On my bucket list to at least go watch if not drive.