Welcome Fiesta, Bilstein Tech Inspection & Classic Car Round-up.
PHOTOS COURTESY OF STEEL-IT By Bink Designs / Additional NORRA Photos By FOTOSOL
AGUA DULCE, CALIF. – After all the anticipation, and preparation, competitors poured into the Horsepower Ranch in Ensenada, Baja Mexico for the 2021 Yokohama NORRA Baja 500 presented by Method Race Wheels. It would be the first time the teams would meet for the event in person as the rally clinic, and driver’s meeting were held online on September 30th. In addition to the historic race vehicles on display in the Bilstein Classic Car Roundup, Horsepower Ranch was loaded with the diverse cars, trucks, UTV’s, and motorcycles that participate in the NORRA series. NORRA is unique in that it honors the past while forging the future so you can find everything from vintage motorcycles, and iconic race vehicles from the past to state of the art modern race cars, and trucks; all competing in their respective classes. The overall classification structure is determined by the era of racing the cars competed in. That way, competitors can be matched against similar cars that all have the same technology.
Speaking of technology, NORRA uses the latest satellite tracking technology to monitor competitors, allow them to call for help, and to safely pass other cars in competition. The Stella Tracking System has enhanced safety features that send out a distress signal to approaching cars or bikes. If a racer breaks down or is stranded for any reason, they can push the distress button, and every approaching vehicle will receive an audible warning and flashing light on their unit to warn them. The Stella EVO trackers were installed during registration, and Bilstein technical inspection.
After all the requirements were taken care of, teams headed to the poolside for the Method Race Wheels Happy Hour, where they received a special Method Race Wheels pint glass, and to the NORRA welcome fiesta. It was the perfect chance to meet up with old friends, and make some new ones over an ice cold locally made Cerveceria Transpeninsular “Cerveza Clara” in the special commemorative cans. It gave racers a chance to relax, and recharge before the first stages of the race in the morning. Motorcycle staging would be at 6:00am followed by the start at 6:30. The Safari class staging was next at 7:30am, and departure at 8:00. The rest of the field gets to the line a half hour before their starting time with the first off the line at 10:00am.
Day one travels 228.2 total miles. The course heads up to the infamous pine forest that holds incredible beauty that is quite different from the desert sections. After returning to the highway in Ojos Negros, there is an 11 mile transit stage on the highway before they hit the dirt again for a 74 mile special stage. Eventually everyone will be back at Horsepower Ranch for the finish line celebration. That’s when the stories will come streaming in about the challenges, experiences, and accomplishments that took place all day. We will be bringing you some of them in our daily reports so stay tuned. You can find all the information at www.norra.com, and on our social media sites below.
