In 1950 the Mexican Government scheduled a six-day, border-to-border race in order to celebrate the completion of Mexico's portion of the Panamerican Highway - the Carrera Panamericana was inaugurated. The start was in Juarez and the race continued six days and 2,096 miles southbound until the finish line in El Ocotal. The race evolved over the years into an important event of international scope. The races '51 to '54 started in Tuxtla Gutierrez, lasted 5 days, and took the same route north - finishing in Juarez. In the beginning, most of the participating cars have been sedans of american origin and there has been just one " open " class. Lincoln was one of the dominating marques. Sports cars remained an exception until the following years. After the first race in 1950, the Carrera Panamericana earned an immediate reputation as one of the most demanding, difficult and dangerous road races in the entire world. The years '51 to '54 lured factory teams and famous drivers from all around the world. In 1952 the Carrera Panamericana saw the introduction of two categories - Sports Cars and Stock Cars. In 1953 these categories were divided again into Large and Small, for a total of now 4 categories to accommodate the huge number of participants and the different breed of cars within the race. Mercedes-Benz entered Karl Kling on one of the three 300 SL, who won the Sports Car category in 1952. Lancia entered Juan Manuel Fangio on a D 24 who won the Large Sports Car category in 1953. Porsche entered Jose Herrate on a 550 Spyder and won the Small Sports Car category the same year. Ferrari won twice - in 1951 with Piero Taruffi on a 212 Export and in 1954 with Umberto Maglioli on a Ferrari 375 in the Large Sports Car category. After the '54 race, the era of the Carrera Panamericana came to a an end. Because of the high number of spectator and driver injuries and fatalities, the Mexican Government canceled the following races. In the five years of its existence, the Carrera Panamericana attracted over 2 million spectators, more than any other Motor sport event in the world.