It was back in 1967 that the world’s first Baja desert racer took off from the starting line to begin the NORRA Mexican 1000. Althought SCORE now carries the torch for Baja racing with the San Felipe 250, Baja 500 and the Baja 1000, NORRA was the originator of off-road racing in Baja, and to celebrate this the organization decided to bring back the Mexican 1000 back in 2009.

Due to the damage Hurricane Jimena caused in Baja, the event was initially postponed, but in April of 2010 the National Off-Road Racing Association organized the 2010 NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally. Off-road legends of today and yesterday drove vintage racecars and alternative fuel vehicles on a three-day rally down the Baja Peninsula reliving the adventure of racing in Baja.

Legends that pioneered the sport of off-road racing such as Parnelli Jones, Walker Evans, Malcom Smith, Rod Hall and others, were along for the ride, some even traveling in restored version of the very racecars they tackled the Baja desert in over 40 years ago.

NORRA is again bringing off-roaders together for the 2011 Mexican 1000. The event kicked off on May 4th, 2011, with the group starting its trek down the Baja Peninsula in Mexicali that will end in La Paz by May 8th.

Participants and race fans gathered to check out the vehicles and meet with race legends before they began the 1000-mile trip over the next few days. Be sure to check back for a full report on the 2011 NORRA Mexican 1000 Rally after its conclusion, but here are a few shots from tech and contingency before the race.

For more information on the event, check out www.NORRA.com.

Also, be sure to check out last year's event here.