OCOZOCOAUTLA, Mexico – Ricardo Cordero and Marco Hernández secured the top qualifying time for the 2026 Pan-American Race (La Carrera Panamericana) after a successful run on a 8-kilometer stretch in Ocozocoautla. Driving a 1953 Studebaker Champion, the duo clocked a time of 3 minutes and 26.1 seconds, according to the official provisional classification.
The qualifying results have established the starting order for Stage 1, scheduled for this Friday at 7:00 AM. The first leg will depart from the Metropolitan Cathedral of Tuxtla Gutiérrez, heading toward Veracruz.
Following closely behind Cordero and Hernández were Hilaire and Laura Damiron, also piloting a Studebaker, who finished 4.8 seconds behind the leaders. Benito Guerra Jr. and Jorge García-Salmones took third place in a 1986 Porsche 911, trailing by 7.5 seconds.
The organization noted that while 46 crews were ranked, only 12 teams recorded official times during the timed qualifying stretch. For the remaining 34 crews, times from the warm-up session were assigned, though the specific reason for this distinction was not provided in the official bulletin. Two additional teams, numbers 508 and 395, failed to take the start in either session.
Completing the top five were Emilio Velázquez with Javier Marín (Studebaker) at 8.2 seconds behind the leader, and Char García with Eduardo Solís (Studebaker) at 9.8 seconds. A total of 50 crews are competing in the main event, while an additional 22 vehicles will participate in the Sport and Classic Tour.
In a notable incident during the session, the number 595 Porsche 911 (1973 model) driven by Adiel and Evelin Gamboa overturned. Despite the accident, the vehicle was ranked 18th with a warm-up time of 5 minutes and 48.4 seconds. It is slated for the final starting position (48th) on Friday, with a scheduled departure at 7:23:30 AM. The organization has not yet confirmed the status of the crew or if the vehicle will successfully take the start.
Stage 1 will cover a grueling 718.4 kilometers, including 62.3 kilometers of high-speed sections. The official itinerary includes timed sections in Chiapas, specifically Copainalá (starting at 7:58 AM), Rey Zoque (9:01 AM), and Raudales (9:34 AM), with a scheduled service stop in Raudales Malpaso. The leg is expected to conclude at the Veracruz Malecón Macroplaza around 5:30 PM.
The Pan-American Race is scheduled to conclude on October 22 in Zacatecas.