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February 18, 2019 (Agua Dulce, Calif.):

No Racecar Needed For The YOKOHAMA NORRA MEXICAN 1000

The YOKOHAMA NORRA Mexican 1000 - “Honoring the Past, Forging the Future”. The field is filled with historic and restored vehicles, as well as Motorcycles, ATV’s, and modern race cars, and trucks. What if you don’t own a racecar? If you own a UTV, prerunner, or 4x4 truck, NORRA welcomes you with open arms. There are many icons of offroad racing and current professionals who compete in the Mexican 1000, but the “Happiest Race On Earth!” is for everyone who loves the spectacular scenery, food, and rich culture of Baja. New to the rally this year is the Savvy Safari class that runs the length of the Peninsula but at a much more leisurely pace. The Safari class is open to offroad vehicles of all types. The UTV classes are also a blast, and have grown in popularity every year. There are classes for stock and modified UTV’s.

It will be even easier to join in on the fun this year with the addition of the Savvy Offroad Safari class. You don’t need to have a modern race car or restored vintage vehicle to participate in the rally. The Safari class will be guided each day from the starting town to the finish with fun and games along the way. They will travel through the same areas and sit around the campfire with the rest of the rally competitors each night. Those competitors include professional racers, automotive icons, industry insiders, and adventure seekers just like you. You know it’s going to be a good time because Savvy Offroad owner Gerald Lee, an experienced NORRA Mexican 1000 competitor, was one of the first to sign up for the Safari class.

The UTV classes are also typical of the unique mix of people who are competing in 2019. They come from diverse backgrounds but all have surrendered to their sense of adventure and yearning to explore Baja. Competing in the Stock Turbo UTV class in their Can Am Maverick X-3 are Anthony and Lisa Galpin. The Galpins are not professional racers, they are California farmers who are part of the Farm to Table movement. Their fruits are picked fresh and placed directly in the box. The consumer gets an organically grown product that has been touched by only one person, the one who picked it. They will feel right at home in Baja as fresh picked fruit and vegetables, handmade tortillas, and the catch of the day are common at meal time. Mexico is also known for its excellent beers, world class wines from Baja’s Guadalupe Valley, and tequila made from the blue agave plant. At the Mexican 1000, you’re going to have some great food and drink.





In contrast to the Galpins, Joe Bolton races in several race series’ every year. He has been competing in Baja on motorcycles since 1984, and has done the NORRA rally 6 times; 3 on bikes, and 3 in his Multitool UTV. Not only does Joe race every year, his Multitool company is a sponsor. He is back again this year with two UTV’s. “NORRA is just a super fun event,” says Joe, “We try to take new people along every year and our kids and their friends are now involved. It’s great to see some younger people involved because it teaches perseverance, and self-reliance. We try to get everyone in the car either driving or navigating. Last year we had our mechanic driving one car when we had a slight issue on the other one. It was awkward but we asked him to stop and fix the other car. We got both cars to the finish; one in 2nd and the other in 4th or 5th. There are shops in every town we stop in along the way that work all night doing repairs for the racers. We broke a leaf in one of our trailer springs at Bay of LA. They had a new spring in stock and got it fixed for the next day. It’s nice to have a break every night to regroup and make any repairs. Running the entire length of the peninsula at a SCORE race is hectic, it’s chaos. NORRA is more relaxed. One of my son’s friends said it was the best week of his life; I am very fortunate to be able to do it every year with my buddies and my family. We do videos and promotional stuff for Multitool every year and our team sponsors are always asking to share them. It’s such a great sense of accomplishment at the final party in Cabo, then we will spend a day or two fishing after the rally. Last year we went fishing in Cabo, then drove to Loreto and went out again during our trip home.”



NORRA Mexican 1000 competitors take part in an incredible event, and become seasoned Baja travelers along the way. The rally begins in Ensenada, and winds back and forth between the Pacific Ocean, and the Sea of Cortez on the way down to the finish in San Jose Del Cabo. They experience the unique charms of Ensenada, San Felipe, Bahia Los Angeles/Guerrero Negro, Loreto, and La Paz during overnight stops that allow them to slow down, celebrate the day, and recharge for the next day’s stage. Remember, the goal is to have fun; it’s not a torture test. Many people note the unique spots they pass on the trip down, so they can spend even more leisurely time at those favorite spots on the drive home.



You can sign up today and join in on all the fun and adventure. Everything you need to know about the Mexican 1000, and Mexican 500 can be found at www.norra.com. Go to the site and find out for yourself why NORRA has exploded in popularity. You can experience the same wonder and sense of achievement those early thrill seekers sought in the 1960’s today when you join NORRA in Baja. NORRA events honor the past, while forging the future. Don’t miss out on the fun.



The 2019 YOKOHAMA NORRA Mexican 1000 Dates:

Ensenada to San Jose Del Cabo

Friday, April 26th - Tech and Registration (Day 1)
ENSENADA

Saturday, April 27th - Tech and Registration (Day 2)
ENSENADA

Sunday, April 28th - Race Day 1
ENSENADA ~ SAN FELIPE

Monday, April 29th - Race Day 2
SAN FELIPE ~ BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES (Cars)
SAN FELIPE ~ GUERRERO NEGRO (Motos)

Tuesday, April 30th - Race Day 3
BAHIA DE LOS ANGELES ~ LORETO (Cars)
GUERRERO NEGRO ~ LORETO (Motos)

Wednesday, May 1st - Race Day 4
LORETO ~ LA PAZ

Thursday, May 2nd - Race Day 5
LA PAZ ~ SAN JOSE DEL CABO

Friday, May 3rd - Awards
SAN JOSE DEL CABO

NORRA’s rally format allows the rush of competition, but also allows participants to relax each evening in a unique location in Baja. You can enjoy the food, drink, and nightlife in San Felipe, Ensenada, or La Paz, but also reflect on the rugged beauty at Bay of Los Angeles, or dine on the catch of the day in Loreto. After 5 days of competition, you will have traversed the entire length of the Baja Peninsula; experiencing the spectacular beauty and distinctive Baja culture along the way. After experiencing the Mexican 1000 just once, you too will be hooked.


NEW! 2019 The 2019 NORRA 500

The bigger and better part of the “Happiest Race On Earth!” will be a second event that will be held October 10th-13th of 2019; the NORRA 500! Based in Ensenada, Baja California Mexico, the event will be family-friendly event that will offer two separate and concurrent 250 mile race courses starting and finishing in front of the Riviera Convention Center. Cars and Bikes will be separated appropriately and then switch courses on the second race day. Each evening the NORRA team will offer locally inspired hospitality starting with happy hour events and concluding with dinner. The event’s unique format is intended reduce complicated planning and logistics and create an event that racers new and old can easily manage. If you have always wanted to bring your family and friends to see what NORRA is all about, or want to get your feet wet racing in Baja, this is the event for you. On Sunday, there will be an amazing Awards Ceremony held to NORRA party standards that will include brunch at a great location to be announced.

Registration opened for the 500 on September 15th at noon (PST) as well with only a $500 required deposit.

The 2019 NORRA 500 Dates:

Ensenada to Ensenada

October 10th - Tech and Registration
ENSENADA

October 11th - Race Day 1
ENSENADA ~ ENSENADA

October 12th - Race Day 2
ENSENADA ~ ENSENADA

October 13th - Awards Ceremony
ENSENADA


Want To Get A Head Start?

Login to your existing NORRA account, or create a new NORRA account at www.norra.com/member/member_home. Have picture images (.jpg, .bmp, or .png) of your Driver's License, Passport and Health Insurance Card ready to upload to your profile. Have your race radio frequency handy as well as your emergency contact phone numbers.

2019 NORRA RULES:

Determine what category your vehicle should be competing in (refer to 2019 rules at www.norra.com/rules_current). Update and complete the 'My Profile' and 'My Vehicle' sections of your account. Once, pre-registration opens, it should be as easy as selecting your vehicle and choosing your preference of payment option. Upon completion of registration you will receive a confirmation email and see your entry online.


ACCOMMODATIONS NOTES: One thing to keep in mind when making the Mexican 1000 peninsula run is that there are a shortage of hotel rooms at some of the towns we visit. Unfortunately, we cannot increase the existing infrastructure of Baja for the one night a year that we pass through. For racers new to NORRA, Bahia de Los Angeles is a very small town with very limited resources. The organization does reserve rooms ONLY in this location in an effort to limit one room per team until sold out. From there, racers can purchase a concrete pit pad from the NORRA online store or create their own camps. In an attempt to support our smaller stops like Bahia de Los Angeles and Loreto, we will have bivouacs available to help provide an alternative solution to the best of our ability and according to what Mother Nature allows.

As an organization, we cannot prevent poor practices or inflated prices at the available hotels. Please be aware that the ONLY room block secured in the name of NORRA is strictly for staff/safety/volunteers and the folks required to make the daily event safe and successful. The NORRA organization suffers a significant financial expense moving our teams down the Baja Peninsula as quickly as we do, and does not in any way profit from the hotel bookings. We support making online reservations with hotels that are large enough to be represented so you have a confirmation of receipt. This will never be a perfect process and we recommend that EVERY team be prepared to camp and/or rough it just in case best made plans fail. This is all a part of the Baja adventure. If you choose to use a third party vendor to secure your reservation, please understand that NORRA has no authority or interest in these reservations and they are made at your own risk. Our number one priority is as always to make sure you have the best time of your life at the “Happiest Race On Earth!” Go to norra.com for the latest news and information about NORRA’s upcoming events.

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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, four-day rally includes vintage off-road vehicles and motorcycles, as well as modern desert Rally Raid cars, pre-runner trucks, buggies and motorcycles.

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.

The 2019 YOKOHAMA NORRA Mexican 1000 is supported by Yokohama, Method Race Wheels, South Point Hotel Casino, Walker Evans Racing, Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Steel-It, Multitool USA, RIGID, Savvy Offroad, VP Racing Fuels, Timberline, Ensenada Proturismo, Mastercraft/Impact Safety, Cerveceria Transpeninsular, Roganto, Biltwell Inc., Schampa, Racing TraX.com, Satellite Phone Store.com, P.C.I. Race Radios, WARN, Magic Bullet, US Action Trax.com, and many more.

NORRA - National Off Road Racing Association. Home of the Mexican 1000 and the NORRA 500