THE TOUGHEST RACE IN THE WORLD
The PanAm Trophy is an extreme race and the toughest in the world. It runs through countries linked by the Pan American Highway which was originally created to connect the entire American Continent from Fairbanks in Alaska to it's southernmost point Tierra del Fuego. Endurance, Navigation and Survival skills are of vital importance not only to reach the finish line but and especially to 'make it safely' through one of the most challenging (and most beautiful) environment on the planet. Rocks, Sand, Riverbeds, Mud, Jungle, Tropical Rain and potholes Roads are only few of the challenges that each Competitor will face every day of the race. It is such "ingredients" that make the PanAm Trophy the most fascinating and exciting off-road rally in the world.
THE ROUTE
Details of the official Route will be published in December 2008, however this will be a general informative schedule of the overall race course without stages details. To maintain Competitors navigational skills the daily stages of the Route will be kept "classified" and will be given to each Team at the start of each stage/day. Also the PanAm Trophy is a 'unique' race and some of the general Regulations which apply to other global races, will not be implemented. The use of electronic devices such as GPS etc. will be reduced to a minimum necessary and where possible, completely abolished.
Currently there are 3 different routes planned and the Organizers will ultimately choose the official one to take, however we will 'listen' to all the Competitors 'suggestions' before reaching a final decision.
ROUTE 1 Race starting in Laredo - Texas and running through to Mexico, Guatemala, (Belize), Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Panama. In Panama City 1 resting day and 1 transfer day from Panama City to Esmeraldas - Ecuador ( ferry transfer ) then from Ecuador through to Peru, Bolivia and Buenos Aires - Argentina.
ROUTE 2 Race starting in San Jose - Costa Rica and running through to Panama. In Panama City 1 transfer day from Panama City to Esmeraldas - Ecuador ( ferry transfer ) then from Ecuador through to Peru, Bolivia, Chile; 1 resting day in Chile after the toughness of the Atacama Desert before the final 'sprint' to Buenos Aires - Argentina.
ROUTE 3 Undisclosed
STAGES
The Race will be held over 21 days from 1 to 21 December and the Route will run approx. over 10000 KM (6213 Miles) with daily Stages of approx. 500 KM (310 Miles and 2 and half resting days including the ferry transfer. There will be 3 overnight stops in Hotel accomodation and the rest will be 'night camp'.
The PanAm Trophy will be pleased to include Colombia into its Route but due to current political unrest in the region and for the safety of all Teams at the moment it is not possible to include Colombia into our Route. We hope that by the time the race starts the political situation in Colombia will have settled. There will still be a ferry transfer from Panama City eventually to Colombia because of the Darien Gap on the Panama - Colombia border that makes it 'technically and geographically' impossible to cross the border via surface yet. However the Organizers are studying several options to cross the Darien Gap via surface without disturbing the environment and the local inhabitants. Only few people have ever made it through the 'Gap' on their vehicles. It will be the first time that such a large scale crossing will be attempted and it will also open a 'path' through the 'Gap' for future expeditions.
The PanAm Trophy Organizers reserve all rights to change The Race details at anytime at their own discretion and without notice.
Email us for more details :
info@panamtrophy.com