NORRA Mexican 1000 and Dos Mares 500

With the NORRA Mexican 1000 in Mexicali at the 28. of Apr 2010 doing registrations, tech inspection (Colonial Hotel Rear Entrance – access from Calle Libertad), having their contingency and drivers meeting (6:00pm Colonial Hotel poolside) followed by “The Legends” party the historic rally is ready to leave in direction La Paz. Tomorrow at 7:00 am PST the vehicles will parade to Laguna Salada and at 8:00 am start at the top of Laguna Salada for the first leg of the 3 day rally event to the Bay of L.A. with the finish of the day across from the Casa del Sol Hotel. At the same time the last preparations for the Dos Mares 500 on it’s way. The organizer is reporting 143 vehicles enlisted to participate at this history rich event in Baja California Sur. This is the 17th edition of the race, most likely is the DosMares 500 the biggest race in Baja Sur. Noticeable is the change of location for the fake – ceremonial – start from the pictures Malecon location near the center of La Paz by to the outskirts of the city. At our humble opinion, living here almost 19 years and going to see that event, a poor decision considering that many folks now in need to drive. The start is now at the Carretera Transpeninsular past the entrance to the Grand Plaza near the stoplight of the Walmart/Sam’s “Cola de la Ballena” shopping center.

Looking at the starter list it’s to bad not to see more “gringo” names. I say about the usual participants like Tom Bradley in Class 8, a living Baja Sur off-road legend. I miss to see “Papa” Burns, maybe he enlists later or he quit racing at all. Lost total contact with them (never had much the first way) but them 2 guys always had a good battle going in Class 8. I think there could be more done in the marketing sector to make the race attractive for racer from north of the border yet I also see missing effort from the promoter to use new media means to attract them by getting the word out. Just because Roger Norman is this year participating does not mean to much – hey, don’t get that wrong, I’m glad he does – besides it’s for sure a highlight for the event. I’m wondering if he would race here if there would not be the Mexican 1000 come to La Paz at the same weekend. He expressed interest at an conversation we had recently to race more often down here at Baja Sur if the conditions are right. As well we are aware of 3 SoCal Teams that would be very interested pending on conditions.

Info on the Dos Mares 500 La Paz Race here.
Updates on the NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally here.

Below you see the location of the “real” start at El Saladito as it was at last years DM500 race. If you go out there before the race and drive about 5km into the course where it turns away from the coast there is a great place to watch on top of a mountain. But be aware: there is no leaving until the last car is past that point. After that one could hit over to El Garambullo and see them bike and car racers come back later at the evening / night. (In the opposite direction as in the video / link from last years Coyote 300) And yes, we know this is a very, very, very much amateur video….