TAG HEUER FLIES THE SWISS FLAG AT THE TOP OF THE PODIUM!

TAG HEUER FLIES THE SWISS FLAG AT THE TOP OF THE PODIUM!

Outright winners of the Carrera Panamericana : well done Erik and Isabelle!

After 7 days of frenetic driving, in treacherous conditions, with a capricious car, and racing here for the first time, Erik Comas and Isabelle de Sadeleer have notched up a personal success: winning the 2014 edition of the Carrera Panamericana!

The ex-Formula 1 driver and his team-mate showed nerves of steel throughout the course, racing neck and neck with another Studebaker with such determination that nothing could stop them from closing in on their victory. A perfect demonstration of the « Don’t Crack Under Pressure » spirit.

The youngest pair in the 2014 edition of the Carrera Panamericana, Jérôme de Sadeleer and his co-driver Caroline Wilhelms, will be remembered for their tenacity, their youth and their smile. The young couple suffered mechanical setbacks during the long days in Mexico but managed to win some medals despite these tribulations. TAG Heuer, through its sponsorship of 2 brilliant teams proudly flying the Swiss colours, has partnered 4 extraordinary personalities who epitomized the values of the Swiss watchmaker with passion and brio in their races.


The Carrera Panamericana, that most legendary of road races, took place from 17 to 23 October 2014 in Mexico. TAG Heuer was the official partner and timekeeper. The Swiss Manufacture decided to double up by running a two-car team under its colours, one driven by the former F1 driver, Erik Comas, and the other by the youngest driver in the race, Jérôme de Sadeleer.

A 3,000 kilometre race through Mexico, from Veracruz to Durango: the legendary towns of a race that makes the heart of every lover of the most beautiful « carreras » in the world beat faster.
The partnership between TAG Heuer and the Panamericana is based on a shared love of challenge and adrenaline. The starting and arrival lines, as well as the car workshops, all run to TAG Heuer time. The winners received a limited edition TAG Heuer Carrera with Juan Manuel Fangio’s portrait engraved on the back. A watch symbolising the strong link between the Swiss watchmaker, the car racing legend and sportsmanship.

A race like the Panamericana is also an event where history, heritage and shared experience play a major role with legendary cars driven by passionate drivers like Erik Comas at the wheel of his 1953 Studebaker. With his co-driver, Isabelle de Sadeleer, he raced in the « Turismo Mayor » class. This Frenchman and his Swiss co-driver have taken part together in many of these highly demanding races and their personal challenge this year was simply to win the Panamericana. They showed the way for Jérôme de Sadeleer and his co-driver Caroline Wilhelms, who were driving a 1965 Ford Falcone, in the « Historica C » class. Just 25 years old, Jérôme and Caroline were the youngest pair in the race. Their boldness and passion are a living expression of the TAG Heuer values and the « Don’t Crack Under Pressure » spirit. The two magnificent TAG Heuer team sports cars, and the four riders’ suits and helmets all carried the Swiss manufacture identifying marks.
For over 50 years, the Manufacture’s history has gone hand in hand with that of the Carrera Panamericana.
In 1963, when Jack Heuer designed the Carrera, he had car racing drivers in mind and dedicated to them this chronograph - its shape and readability making it almost a revolution - so that its name has become forever inseparable from the brand's identity.
In 1963, when Erik Comas was born, he did not know that he would be part of this legend too.
On Erik’s wrist, the past and the present merge and the passing of time is marked by one of the very first Carreras and by the 2013 limited edition chronograph.


Congratulations to Erik, Isabelle, Jérôme and Caroline for their determination and their resistance to the pressure of the Carrera Panamericana : «They didn’t crack under pressure!»