Armed with a now-proven track record of creating, promoting and hosting the latest form of desert off-road racing, the National Off-Road Racing Association (NORRA) today officially announced it will stage a second vintage-themed rally this year from September 25th to September 28th beginning and ending in Mexicali, Baja, Mexico. The yet-to-be named event will be held the same weekend as the more traditionally formatted 10th annual “Mexicana Logistics 300” race of the CODE Off Road Series, and will offer competitors a second calendar date to NORRA’s General Tire Mexican 1000 rally, which this year takes place from April 27-May 1.

In a unique partnership, NORRA will work on this event with CODE, a well-established Mexican sanctioning body that attracts a very large and enthusiastic group of local racers. CODE has been instrumental in helping NORRA with the complex logistics needed to hold the annual NORRA General Tire Mexican 1000 adventure.

While event details are yet to be completely finalized with Mexican officials, current plans call for contestants enjoying a complete NORRA Tech and Contingency day in Mexicali on Wednesday, Sept. 25th before heading south to the seaside village of San Felipe the next day. Day 2 of the rally will use various roads to reach the town of Ensenada on the Pacific Ocean. On Saturday, September 28th both the NORRA and CODE racers will merge in Ensenada for a combined race and rally back to Mexicali.

NORRA would like to thank Mexicali and Ensenada for their continuous support as we finalize the details of the event.

Beginning in 2010, NORRA has staged the highly popular General Tire NORRA Mexican 1000, a four-day stage rally down the entire exotic Baja peninsula that created a competitive environment for vintage off-road trucks, sedans, buggies and motorcycles for the first time in organized off-road racing’s 46-year history. This year an event record of more than 80 entrants have pre-entered with three months left before the green flag drops. NORRA officials expect to attract a field of 150 competitors for the 2013 rally – a 50% increase over 2012.

Known affectionately as “The Happiest Race on Earth,” the Mexican 1000 rally format now proven by NORRA consists of special stages (unlimited speed timed stages in the dirt) linked together by controlled speed liaison / transit sections (highway). Unlike the often harsh and deeply rutted race courses that are now a desert off-road racing staple, NORRA focuses on utilizing fun, fast and more forgiving roads that favor older and current limited-travel machinery, as well as creating unique hospitality environments at the end of each day of competition.

Certainly the rally’s growing reputation as one of the world’s most enjoyable and accessible motorsports adventures has sparked the enthusiastic response by veteran and rookie racers looking to enjoy the Mexican 1000 experience. So too has the notion of vintage off-road, rally and hot-rod style machinery finding a new, second life after being prepared to participate in the four-day adventure.

The NORRA Mexican 1000 is supported by General Tire, American Racing Wheel, South Point Casino, Walker Evans Racing, Azunia Tequila, KC HiLites and Mastercraft/Impact Racing.