(Agua Dolce, Calif.)  With pre-registration for the 2014 General Tire NORRA Mexican 1000 going strong, BILSTEIN today announced a renewed partnership as the “Official Shock Absorber” of the National Off Road Racing Association (NORRA), the event’s organizing body. BILSTEIN Shock Absorbers has a rich history in off-road racing and officially joined NORRA’s growing family of corporate partners in 2013.

Today’s announcement includes news that for a second straight year NORRA’s pre-rally festivities will include the “BILSTEIN Tech Inspection” that precedes Mexican 1000’s highly-popular “General Tire Round-Up” — the official race vehicle display scheduled for Saturday afternoon, May 10th in downtown Ensenada, Baja Mexico. In addition to the presence of BILSTEIN’s show trailer, NORRA Mexican 1000 racers can receive shock absorber advice or spare parts via on-site factory technicians.

“BILSTEIN Shock Absorbers is proud to rejoin NORRA for this new off-road racing tradition,” explained BILSTEIN USA Aftermarket and Motorsports President, Steven Beaty. “Interest in the Mexican 1000 Rally is growing every year, and we are happy to be part of this unique off-road experience. The sport will always be part of our corporate fabric, and we look forward to adding this legacy via an increased involvement in the 2014 Mexican 1000.”

Acknowledged as a pioneer and hugely influential leader in off-road motorsports, BILSTEIN’s introduction of the world’s first monotube gas pressure in the mid-1970s revolutionized the sport of desert off-road racing. After almost 40 years of refinement, the BILSTEIN brand has used the harshest form of racing in the world to perfect its products for consumers in light truck, RV, off-road racing, motorsports, original equipment replacement and tuning markets around the globe.

In fact, the company’s brand heritage with the off-road culture is so strong it still offers the famous yellow BILSTEIN gas shocks that have carried many racers to wins and championships.
“The return of an internationally recognized brand like BILSTEIN to NORRA is exciting and also validation that we are going down the right path,” added NORRA President Mike Pearlman. “NORRA’s plan with the General Tire Mexican 1000 has been for steady growth to insure our racers, their teams and our corporate partners have a great experience every year. We welcome BILSTEIN back to the family and look forward to seeing them in Ensenada this May.”

The surge of interest in vintage off-road motorsports is at an all-time high, and has been sparked in large measure by NORRA’s annual Baja rally. NORRA expects a record number of entries for their fifth annual Mexican 1000. Currently more than 130 teams from all around the United States and Mexico have pre-registered for the rally with many more expected. NORRA is preparing to host a unique field of sedans, trucks, buggies, motorcycles and ATV/UTVs this year’s four-day, trans-Baja rally, which is scheduled for May 10-14 from Ensenada to San Jose Del Cabo.

Known as the “Happiest Race on Earth,” the General Tire NORRA Mexican 1000 places a strong emphasis on creating a fun, competitive on-and off-road stage rally through Baja. An important component to that objective is a healthy dose of hospitality that celebrates the event’s unique nature and helps foster camaraderie among its competitors. The Mexican 1000 rally’s growing reputation as one of the world’s most enjoyable and accessible motorsports adventures has sparked an enthusiastic response by veteran and rookie racers looking to enjoy the General Tire Mexican 1000’s special atmosphere.

NORRA’s annual Mexican 1000 is proudly supported by General Tire, American Racing Wheel, Azunia Tequila, South Point Hotel Casino, KC HiLites, Walker Evans Racing, BILSTEIN Shock Absorbers and MasterCraft/Impact Safety.