The 2021 YOKOHAMA NORRA Mexican 1000 Presented By Method Race Wheels Kicks Off With The RIGID Welcome Fiesta At Horsepower Ranch, Bilstein Tech Inspection & Classic Car Round-up!
AGUA DULCE, CALIF. – For the last 2 days, the traveling celebration that is the Yokohama NORRA Mexican 1000 Presented by Method Race Wheels resumed at the Horsepower Ranch outside Ensenada, Baja Mexico. The Rigid Industries Welcome Fiesta, and Bilstein technical inspection both took place under gorgeous Baja sunshine. NORRA Celebrates the Past, While Forging the Future so Horsepower Ranch became an incredible living display of historic race vehicles, and a showcase for state of the art engineering on 2 wheels and 4.
Just look at the Ford Broncos racing. They range from Randy Ludwig’s 1966 EB (early Bronco), to Brad Lovell’s 2021 model. Somewhere in between you will find Dave Moore’s 1995 OBS Full size Bronco. Ludwig’s EB is simple, and strong, but probably lacking a little in creature comforts. Meanwhile, Lovell’s Bronco looks pretty stock except for a roll cage, seats, and safety gear. That means he probably has a great stereo, and air conditioning along with his computer controlled engine, transmission, and suspension. Of course if we are talking about technology, we have to mention the VW ID.4 EV driven by Tanner Foust. It is stock except for safety requirements, and some suspension reinforcing done by Rhys Millen Racing. Rhys is also racing in his 2019 RMR jackal as well as many other competitors with diverse backgrounds like drag racing legend Don Prudhomme, 10 time Pike’s Peak winner Paul Dallenbach, PJ Jones, and Jamie Galles. They are joined by off road icons like Larry Ragland, and Mark McMillin, and current Trophy Truck racers Bryce Menzies, and Justin Lofton. Lofton is racing his Method Race Wheels truck in a special throwback Ford body and paint scheme paying homage to Simon & Simon racing.
During both days of Bilstein technical inspection, and the Rigid Welcome Fiesta at the Horsepower Ranch was filled with the sound of race vehicles of all types, and cheerful conversation between old friends and new. For some, it’s the only chance they get to see NORRA friends from across the country, and the globe. After the race was postponed in 2020, it’s been 2 years since they last got together. Thankfully, the celebration has just begun. Everyone is at the Mexican 1000 to race competitively, but the main goal is always to have the most fun possible while doing it. You have the guys from GoWesty in their VW Westfalia camper having fun, and the Langleys doing the same in their Cops racing team unlimited truck, and buggy. NORRA covers every bit of the spectrum. They have a class for everyone, so everyone can enjoy “The Happiest Race On Earth!”.
Today they will take the green flag under the NORRA arch in Santo Tomas. From there they will see San Vicente, La Calentura, Mike’s, El Diablo dry lake bed, and finally the warm waters of the Sea Of Cortez at El Dorado Ranch in San Felipe. The scenery will be spectacular, and the challenges will be many. Special stages will cover 157.70 miles, and there will be 24.20 miles of transit for a total of 181.90 miles. They will enjoy food and drinks at the Volcon finish line celebration, and have access to the Fab School’s Repair pits just in case. Hopefully the crews will have an easy night, and not have to work on the vehicles with a wrench in one hand, and a taco in the other. That is unless you love that, and some do.
For those at home, STEEL-IT will be uploading photos to social media along with NORRA, and we will provide race updates every day to keep you informed. Just go to NORRA’s facebook page, Instagram, or the NORRA website for the latest news. Be sure to click on the JOIN LIST button on the far right side of the NORRA web page to add your email to the mailing list.
