San Jose del Cabo, B.C., Mexico—While considered more a rally than a race, the NORRA Mexican 1000 offers the challenges of the Baja Peninsula over a five day event. The drivers do however compete in timed stages among several vehicle classes. While it may not be the endless grueling test of endurance offered by the legendary Baja 1000, drivers are pitted against Baja's toughest silt, high-speed desert crossings, river beds, washes, ditches and drop-offs  during the 1300 plus mile event. This year, the rally zig zagged from Pacific to Gulf along the peninsula with stage starts at Ensenada, San Felipe, Bahia de Los Angeles, Loreto, and La Paz with a finish in San Jose del Cabo. 

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Weddle-equipped cars were well represented across several classes. Though the familiar buggies and trucks were present, the NORRA Mexican 1000 attracts a range of vehicles from vintage racers to out-of-the box speciality vehicles that expand the possibilities of desert racing. Tom Bird drove his Weddle HV24-equipped Porsche Challenger 914 to first place in the Legend Bugs class. Los Osos’ GoWesty crew took first and second in the Evolution RV Class in two 4WD VW Vanagon Syncros with Lucas Valdez piloting 421 and Ned Bacon in control of 422. BITD veteran Lee Banning took first in the Evolution Pre-run Buggy Class in Albins AGB-equipped 1248.

Weddle-equipped vehicles also earned some great results in more familiar buggies. Matt Park took 2nd in the Challenger Buggy class in Weddle HV25-equipped car 12. Butch Jensen took 3rd in Evolution Unlimited Buggy in his Albins AGB-equipped car 25.

Over all, the NORRA Mexican 1000 is a fun test for anyone ready to pit their vehicle, skills and preparation against everything the Baja Peninsula has to offer. We’re looking forward to the next one.

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Top Finishers 2018 Yokohama NORRA Mexican 1000
April 20-27, Baja California, Mexico

Legend Bugs Class
1. 500 Tom Bird—Weddle HV24

Evolution RV Class
1. 421 Lucas Valdez/GoWesty
2. 422 Ned Bacon/GoWesty

Evolution Pre-run Buggy Class
1. 1248 Lee Banning—Albins AGB

Challenger Buggy Class
2.  12 Matt Parks—Weddle HV25

Evolution Unlimited Buggy Class
3.  25 Butch Jensen—Albins AGB
4. 1598 Danny Brown—Albins AGB
5. 19 Gay Smith—Albins AGB
6. 153 Matt Campbell/El Martillo Racing—Albins AGB