Since the mid-1970s, the name of Bilstein has been synonymous with high-performance shock absorbers that are engineered for the demanding environment of desert off-road racing.  Now Bilstein has joined forces with the National Off Road Racing Association (NORRA) in its mission to “Honor the Past” and “Forging the Future” by being named as the “official shock absorber” of the California-based organization.

Today’s announcement comes in preparation of NORRA”s second off-road rally of 2013– the upcoming NORRA Mexican 500 “La Carrera Del Norte” (The Race of the North).  Scheduled for Sept. 27 – 30th, the new three-day Mexican 500 rally will take competitors from the historic off-road racing home of Ensenada, Baja, Mexico to Mexicali, San Felipe and back to Ensenada over three fun and adventure-filled days of competition and camaraderie.

NORRA was the first organizer of off-road motorsports in Baja, commencing with the first annual Mexican 1000 Rally in 1967. While that event would eventually lay the tracks for the Baja 1000, in 2010 a revamped NORRA returned to spearhead a new bread of multiple-day, rally-style competitions with a unique emphasis on vintage machinery and a return to old-fashion fun via the General Tire NORRA Mexican 1000.

Earlier this year a record turn-out of 148 entries participated in the fourth annual Mexican 1000, with many of the vintage four-wheel vehicles running the legendary yellow Bilstein gas shock absorbers. Among this year’s entries were three Porsche 911 rally cars and even an authentic Ford Shelby Mustang 350 piloted by a New Zealand-based husband and wife team.

“We are very to be part of  NORRA’s growing family of companies supporting this exciting new aspect of traditional desert off-road racing,” explained Bilstein USA Aftermarket and Motorsports President Steven Beaty. “The fact that NORRA’s rallies are starting to attract a growing national and European base of competitors is relevant to the Bilstein brand on many levels. We look forward to a long association with the NORRA organization and its unique brand of off-road motorsports.”

In addition to engineering a complete line of off-road and motorsports shock absorber packages, Bilstein also offers adventure-seeking enthusiasts with high-performance shock upgrades to a wide variety of trucks, SUVs and motorhomes.  Besides its new alliance with NORRA, Bilstein also has increased its marketing presence in the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series (LOORRS) via on-track racer support and televlsion support.

In addition to Bilstein, NORRA is also supported by General Tire, American Racing Wheel, Azunia Tequila, South Point Hotel and Casino, Walker Evans Racing, KC HiLites and MasterCraft Safety.

“Today’s announcement represents another watershed moment for everyone at NORRA,” concluded organization President Mike Pearlman. “Like our other partners, getting together with a legendary brand like Bilstein fits our overall vision for NORRA perfectly.  It’s just great news.”