(Agua Dolce, Calif.) From the very onset of Baja motorsports, motorcycles have always held a special place in NORRA Mexican 1000 history. Indeed, the inaugural running of NORRA’s Mexican 1000 in 1967 was born from a yearning to find out what vehicle could run down the exotic Baja peninsula faster – two wheels or four? With that heritage in mind, NORRA today announced two additions to its 2014 General Tire NORRA Mexican 1000 created better address the needs of their two-wheel and powersports (ATV/UTV) competitors.
In conjunction with the MAG 7 pitting organization, NORRA will offer free pit support for all motorcycles, ATV and UTV competitors already registered or those signing up for the 2014 NORRA Mexican 1000 by Monday, March 31. Competitors registering by that deadline will receive a complimentary entry into MAG 7s “emergency services” level of pit support (a $500 value) at nine pitting locations strategically placed over this year’s four-day, 1,200-mile trans-Baja Mexican 1000 rally. Complete fuel support and logistics are available through the MAG 7 organization as well (for an additional fee).
To increase safety and maximize competitor enjoyment, for the first time in the sport’s long history NORRA is instituting a highly unique “split course” format that will separate the motorcycles, ATVs and UTVs from the four-wheel classes via different courses for three of the four rally days. This new concept, along with the additional support of the NORRA MAG 7 pit support program, will help solidify a better experience for this special group of hearty NORRA competitors.
In the true Baja spirit of support and helping each other when south of the border, MAG 7 is a brotherhood of racers and pit crew that formed at the 1969 Mexican 1000 (then known as the “Magnificent 7”). The group has been part of every NORRA Mexican 1000 rally since its revival in 2010. Additional information can be found here.
“NORRA has enjoyed the support of the motorcycle community since hosting the very first Mexican 1000,” said NORRA President Mike Pearlman. “Our rally has evolved into a bucket list event for many people around the world — folks that couldn’t enjoy the Baja peninsula otherwise. This is especially true of the motorcycle and powersports community. Today’s announcement adds to the Mexican 1000’s ability of offering a world-class event to everyone.”
Interest in the 2014 Mexican 1000 has been strong since NORRA opened event pre-registration at 12:00 p.m. noon New Years Day with a record 73 entrants recorded online in just 24 hours. As of today, a sparkling field of trucks, buggies, sedans and motorcycles/ATVs of all types has grown to 116 entrants. Currently NORRA’s entry list includes competitors from California, Arizona, Nevada, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, Texas, Illinois, North Carolina and New York, as well as multiple teams from Mexico and Canada.
Photo: Chris Collard