FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
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April 21, 2017 (Agua Dulce, Calif.): NORRA is pleased to have a Grand Marshall for the 50th Anniversary event who has such an historical significance to the race. Eliseo Garcia helped to get the rally off the ground as Director of Tourism for Ensenada. As the date of the first event in 1967 approached, he was promoted to Chief of the Department of Tourism for the whole state. He issued the official government permit to hold the race and establish what has become offroad racing.
(above) 1972 Baja 500 - Eliseo Garcia, center of both pictures, with hat.
“Back in those days, it was just a crazy idea,” said Garcia, “We had to overcome many challenges. None of us knew that Ensenada would become the center of offroad racing. It has been a lot of hard work but we have enjoyed every minute of it. Looking at Ensenada today, and thinking about how far we have come, it’s incredible to see my son Eliseo and Ed Pearlman’s son Mike working together to keep the tradition alive.”
Eliseo Garcia and his son, NORRA's very own - Eliseo Garcia, at the starting line of the NORRA Mexican 1000 just this past year.
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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 2017 NORRA Mexican 1000 is supported by Yokohama, Method Race Wheels, Walker Evans Racing, South Point Hotel Casino, Bilstein Shock Absorbers, Multitool USA, Mastercraft/Impact Safety, P.C.I. Race Radios, Baja United Group and many more.
