AGUA DULCE, CALIF. – If you’re not sure where your vehicle fits in classification at the Yokohama NORRA Mexican 1000 let’s break it down. We will focus this installment on the Legends Era that spans 1976 thru 1982. After the Pioneers came the Legends. Those who thrived in the early days went on to become legends and icons of offroad racing. The Legends Era reflects the cars and trucks that were evolving into purpose-built vehicles for desert racing. Like the pioneer Era, the Legends Era has 4 main categories; Buggies, Trucks, 4×4 trucks, and cars. At this point in time, the VW based buggies were beginning to be modified. The Legends Era Buggy rules reflect this. Independent rear suspension (IRS) is allowed so you can run an 091, 002, or stick with the swing axle. Naturally aspirated type 1 Volkswagen engines of any displacement are legal. You are still limited to 2 inch diameter shocks (no bypasses or coilovers), but there are suspension modifications that are legal. In front you can run up to 2.5 inch longer trailing arms. In the rear you can run a 3×3 trailing arm. That means the arm is 3 inches longer, and 3 inches wider. The wheelbase can be a maximum of 110 inches. The 33 inch diameter tire limit is still enforced.
After the Pioneers, came the Legends. Those that thrived in the early days…
For the Legend Era cars, the same restrictions apply as far as 2 inch diameter shocks, no bypasses, or coilovers, and 33 inch tires max. For Legend Era Trucks, and 4×4’s the shock restrictions are the same as the cars, but they can run 35 inch diameter tires. The chassis has to be stock, but we see the term “stock concept suspension.” What that means is if the truck came stock with a-arms in front, a-arms have to be retained. You can’t change the suspension to I-beams for instance. You can make new parts instead of using stock pieces, but they have to aintain the original concept. The 4×4 trucks need a straight axle in front, and the cars, and trucks all need to have a body style that was available during this era.
There is an exemption for all original cars that ran in the era that might have parts that don’t fit these criteria, but those exemptions have to be approved by NORRA. Tribute cars built today are not allowed exemptions. They have to conform to all Legend Era rules. Entire rule books are available at www.norra.com if you have any questions about your vehicle just contact NORRA for assistance. Whether you are building a brand new tribute car, or can find, and restore an original, the Legend Era cars, buggies, and trucks are very fun to drive. There are cars, and trucks sitting out there waiting to be saved, and can be purchased for much less than it would cost to build from scratch. They are typically simple in their design, and parts are still available.
LEGENDS Era (1976 – 1982)
NORRA VEHICLE RULES 6.3
Legend Buggy class
• VW Type 1 engines only (any displacement)
• VW IRS transaxles allowed (091, 002, swingers)
• Beam fronts with arms no more than 2.5” over stock length
• Rear arms no more than 3×3
• 110” max wheelbase
• 33” max tire diameter
• 2” max shock diameter, no coilovers, no bypasses
Legend Cars class
• Cars conforming to Legend Era limitations
Legend Truck class
• Body style must have existed in this Era
• Stock chassis, stock concept suspension
• 35” max tire diameter
• 2” max shock diameter, no coilovers, no bypasses
Legend 4×4 class
• Body style must have existed in this Era
• Stock chassis, stock concept suspension, solid axle 4wd
• 35” max tire diameter
• 2” max shock diameter, no coilovers, no bypasses
Legend Era Categories (racing for Legend O/A)
Legend Buggies
Legend Cars
Legend Trucks
Legend 4x4s
Everything you need to know about the Mexican 1000, and Mexican 500 can be found at www.norra.com. Go to the site and find out for yourself why NORRA has exploded in popularity. You can experience the same wonder and sense of achievement those early thrill seekers sought in the 1960’s today when you join NORRA in Baja. NORRA events honor the past, while forging the future. Don’t miss out on the fun.
“The Happiest Race On Earth!”
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, five-day rally includes vintage off-road vehicles and motorcycles, as well as modern pre-runners, trucks, buggies, UTVs, bikes and desert Rally Raid cars.
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.
NORRA enjoys corporate partnerships with Yokohama Tire, Method Race Wheels, South Point Hotel & Casino, Bilstein Shock Absorbers, STEEL-IT, RIGID, Multitool USA, Satellite Phone Store.com, Biltwell, Cerveceria Transpeninsular, PCI Race Radios, The Fab School, Schampa, K&N, Baja Bush Pilots, Mag7 Pits, the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame (ORMHOF), B3KREATIV, and many more.