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Sept. 1, 2018 (Agua Dulce, Calif.): With the 50th anniversary 2017 NORRA Mexican 1000 race in the rear view mirror, plans for the 2018 YOKOHAMA NORRA Mexican 1000 race are well under way. Dates have been set and registration will open right around the corner on Sept. 15th. Just like last year, this year’s rally will be loaded with more days of racing with the stop on day one in the fishing village, and popular vacation destination, of San Felipe. This will shorten the race mileage on day one, give competitors more time to tune their vehicles after the first stages, and allow competitors to enjoy everything San Felipe has to offer. NEW this year is an independent day set aside just for the Awards Celebration – allowing participants the time to shake off the dust, sit back, relax and settle into that Baja Feeling with their teams, families and fellow competitors!




(ABOVE) 2017 NORRA Mexican 1000 4-Wheel Overall winner Cameron Steele (top) at 15:09:19 and Overall Moto winner Steve Hengeveld (bottom) at 16:12:02
(BELOW) The 1967 Mexican 1000 Rally program cover.

The NORRA Mexican 1000 was first run in 1967. Until NORRA came in and established a sanctioned event, adventurers would compete for the fastest time running the length of the Baja Peninsula on their own. They kept track of their runs by using the telegraph office to record their times. The Mexican 1000 created the foundation for modern off road racing; in fact, it was NORRA’s Mike Pearlman who coined the name off road racing.

Today, the YOKOHAMA NORRA Mexican 1000 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 from vintage to state of the art. Classes are divided into eras of racing. Restored original race cars compete on the same course as thundering Trophy Trucks and unlimited buggies. Complete 2018 rules and detailed information will be provided on the NORRA website here: www.norra.com/rules_current.php.



The time is now to begin planning to attend the 2018 YOKOHAMA NORRA Mexican 1000. “The Happiest Race On Earth!” gets better every year and the anniversary race is one you don’t want to miss. You will compete in a rally style event, rub elbows with icons of off-road racing, and witness the spectacular beauty of one of the few wild places left on earth. First time competitors become lifelong fans of the Mexican 1000. The rally is such a unique and rewarding experience, once you participate, you will want to return every year. Check out the itinerary below and start planning to attend.

2018 YOKOHAMA NORRA MEXICAN 1000

Friday April 20th
Ensenada
(Welcome Fiesta / Pre-registration / Tech)

Saturday April 21st
Ensenada
(Registration / Tech / Drivers Meeting)

Sunday April 22nd
Ensenada ~ San Felipe

Monday April 23rd
San Felipe ~ Guerrero Negro (Moto)
San Felipe ~ Bahia de los Angeles (4-Wheel)

Tuesday April 24th
Guerrero Negro/Bahia de los Angeles ~ Loreto

Wednesday April 25th
Loreto ~ La Paz

Thursday April 26th
La Paz ~ San Jose del Cabo
(2018 YOKOHAMA NORRA Mexican 1000 Finish!!!)

Friday April 27th *NEW!*
La Paz ~ San Jose del Cabo
(Awards Ceremony)

For registered teams that need help securing accommodations, BajaVoyager, a leader in desert race support and personalized concierge services throughout Baja, has been chosen as the exclusive provider for accommodations for the 2018 YOKOHAMA NORRA Mexican 1000 race. This is the fourth consecutive year that BajaVoyager has played an important role in logistical support for the event. Since 1989, BajaVoyager has been coordinating and organizing travel, events, and accommodations for tourists and off-road racers. Make sure you make your reservations as soon as possible. More information can be found at www.bajavoyager.com.



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(BELOW) The 2011 Baja Legacy Induction of NORRA and the condensed story of how the "New" off-road sport came to be. Included in the homage are photos (l-r) of Ed Pearlman and Don Francisco along with the 1968 Mexican 1000 race map, and in the lower right corner the original timepiece used by NORRA.

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, Ensenada and many more.

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