Government Mandates Force Loop Race At Yokohama NORRA Mexican 1000

Presenting Incredible Opportunities For New And Exciting Baja Experiences! 

Content provided by NOORA and shared here as a public service.

AGUA DULCE, CALIF. – Government mandates have closed Baja Sur to the Yokohama NORRA Mexican 1000 presented by Method Race Wheels, so what to do? The forced departure from normal is not a letdown; it’s an incredible opportunity to experience something new and exciting. We all want to run the length of the peninsula, but instead of giving up, NORRA has laid out a course that travels all over the North. We will be using the opportunity to run on incredible routes that we don’t usually have a chance to see; some of it never raced on before. The course still travels all the way south of Bay Of LA for the cars, and the bikes will stay overnight in Guerrero Negro. Bikes will have their own routes, just like always. The starting line will be in Santo Tomas, and after 5 days of racing will end at the Horsepower ranch outside Ensenada. Total mileage is 1,141 miles with 11 special stages. 893 miles are on dirt, and 248 on paved roads during transit. The terrain, and scenery we have in store for you is unbelievable. The route laid out gives racers the fast sections they crave, and is also technical to test your abilities; it has it all. The sections we will be running are both legendary, and uncharted. People will be talking about this race for years to come.

While unable to have the grand strand Tech and Contingency in front of the Riviera Convention Center as in years past, NORRA is proud to present a more intimate affair hosted at the infamous Horsepower Ranch! Stay tuned for upcoming details…

Running a loop also gives crews a chance to really take it easy, and enjoy the race. With the brand new highway going from San Felipe to Bay of LA, it will be no problem driving a motorhome, or camping trailer down, which will provide a comfortable spot to eat and sleep there. Friends or family, who typically don’t like to rough it, will really enjoy this opportunity to be included in the race. Remember that Mag7 Pit services will be available and the Fab School will also be coming down with their skilled fabricators to give assistance to anyone who needs it. Many people spend a few days in La Paz after the race concludes. We will be providing a guide for racers that will point out the best things to see, and do up North so you can continue this practice. With all that is going on, if you really need to get back to work afterwards (sorry to bring this up), the drive home will be a piece of cake; you have options.

Course changes will take racers on legendary and uncharted routes, fast sections and technical alike. The terrain and scenery throughout the North along the course is unbelievable. This will be an extraordinary adventure worth taking!

Running in the North, which has less restrictions, will allow us to have food and drinks after racing every night. The bench racing will not be affected. Although the rally will be different, we will still be able to enjoy most of what keeps us coming back for the Mexican 1000 every year, with added bonuses we don’t usually get to see or experience. Some of the logistics will be much easier, and will give you more opportunities on where to stay, and what to eat. The Mexican 1000 will still be an extraordinary adventure worth having, and we hope to see you there.

With major transit roads now complete, coupled with staying North, travel with motorhomes and campers open the opportunity to have your own accommodations to sleep and eat in. This allows for friends and family, who may not enjoy roughing it, the opportunity to be included in the adventure. Post race, you can choose your own adventure from many surrounding destinations (some of which we will compile in an upcoming release), or be at the border within a few short hours.

The Yokohama NORRA Mexican 1000, presented by Method Race Wheels, is a totally unique event that pays tribute to off-road racing history while also providing tough competition for motorcycles, ATV’s, UTV’s and 4 wheeled race vehicles of all types including EV’s (electric vehicles). There are classes for vintage cars, and trucks all the way up to state of the art modern vehicles. Classes are divided into eras of racing. Restored original race cars compete on the same course as thundering Trophy Trucks and unlimited buggies. Want to join the fun? Don’t wait. Complete rules and detailed information is provided on the NORRA website here: www.norra.com NORRA Honors the Past, While Forging the Future.

ABOUT NORRA

Beginning in 2010, the National Off Road Racing Association (NORRA) began promoting a rebirth of the NORRA Mexican 1000 rally. The unique off-road rally was co-created by promoter Mike Pearlman to consist of special stages (unlimited speed timed stages in the dirt) linked together by controlled speed liaison / transit sections (highway). The one-of-a-kind, once-a-year, five-day rally includes vintage off-road vehicles and motorcycles, as well as modern pre-runners, trucks, buggies, UTVs, bikes and  desert Rally Raid cars. 

Pearlman’s late father Ed and others established the first running of the NORRA Mexican 1000 off-road rally in November of 1967, which eventually became internationally recognized and evolved into the Baja 1000 in the mid-1970’s.