(Agua Dulce, Calif.): NORRA is more than just adventure wrapped up in a race down the peninsula. For many who enter the Mexican 1000, it’s time spent with family and friends enjoying the diverse challenges unique to Baja.
Rob and Kyle Usnick are a father and son team who are no strangers to off-road racing. In fact, they enjoy every brutal minute of it. Having started in 2009, Rob has competed in numerous King of the Hammers, the Mint 400, several other SCORE, BITD, BRT and of course the NORRA Mexican 1000 in 2013 and 2015. With a diverse resume, Rob has raced JeepSpeed, rockcrawlers, motorcycles, and UTV’s.
In the 2015 Mexican 1000, this team built and entered a 1970 Husqvarna 400 Cross (shown below), affectionately known as “McQueen Kong”. The name was inspired by a competitor’s Honda called, “Hondzilla.” After completing every one of the 1300 miles, Team McQueen Kong came in 2nd place by an hour and some change, barely missing the win. This year, McQueen Kong has been totally rebuilt and upgraded, while still maintaining the spirit of the Super Vintage class. Rob, an Army Special Forces soldier and aspiring author stationed in Fort Bragg, NC, is currently writing a book, “A Thousand Miles of Dust,” which documents the 2015 and 2016 NORRA races.
At only 15 years old, Kyle Usnick is already a veteran in off-road racing. Kyle grew up in North Carolina and was racing motocross at age 7. From 10 years old and on, Kyle cut his teeth in many of the same series as his father, and he quickly learned to co-drive. Learning quickly is what it took to plan, prep, and race. At 12, he entered his first 100 mile desert race aboard his KX 100 and had a flawless race placing 4th against bikes two times the size of his. It was in the desert, however, where his riding ability really began to shine. Kyle’s most recent race was a 100 mile hare scramble in New Mexico where he placed 1st in the Expert Lites class.
Last year, Kyle co-rode with his father in the Mexican 1000 in McQueen Kong where they took 2nd place in the Super Vintage class. This year, Kyle will run with two teammates at the Mexican 1000 on his own entry racing a specially prepared Kawasaki KX250 hoping to finish and win the 2-strokes only class!
You can keep an eye out for the Usnicks’ journey down the Baja peninsula and follow them on the NORRA Mexican 1000 live tracking after the bikes start the rally off on Saturday!
MORE MEXICAN 1000 COVERAGE
2015 NORRA Mexican 1000 Recap