Jim and his wife Jeanie in front of "Rum Runner"

16 June, 2010, Los Angeles: With its historic return to the motorsports world, the National Off Road Racing Association (NORRA) honored off-road racer Jim Kirby on June 12th for his participation in the 2010 NORRA Mexican 1000 rally. The three day special stage rally, which was held April 28th thru May 2nd held fast to NORRA's simple mission statement of "Honoring the past. Forging the future". While the rally was noted for its all-star line-up of world-famous off road racers from the past and present and a mixing of the world's most historic vintage off road vehicles with cutting edge alternative fuel technology, one could easily identify that Jim Kirby is a tribute to off-road motorsport's past, present, and future. The award was presented during a post rally party at the "West Coast Metric" motorsports museum of fellow racer Lorenzo Pearson.

With the green flag coincidentally dropping on Kirby's 78th birthday, the Baja veteran, accompanied by his wife, son, closest friends, and near strangers, celebrated the day behind the wheels of his Meyers Tow'd, better known as "The Rum Runner" and his 1966 VW Baja Bug. While NORRA officials anxiously awaited his arrival in Bahia De Los Angeles on day one of the rally hoping to throw him a surprise birthday party, anticipation turned to anxious concern as the clock struck 3:00 AM and still no sign of Jim. The suspense broke when word came that one of his chase vehicles had mechanical trouble. He stayed with the team, and finally arrived in time to catch about a two hour nap before the next morning's start. His team finished the rally with a time of 1315.03 for the Tow'd and 1531.20 for the VW.

NORRA became the first sanctioning body of off road racing in 1967, Kirby competed in the 1968 Mexican 1000, and has been returning to Baja ever since. He was featured in National Geographic with NORRA in 1972. In 2002, at the age of 70, he completed the grueling Baja 1000. He plans to do it again this November, and recently purchased a new race vehicle for the campaign.

Jim, Jeanie, co-driver Betsy Anderson, as the NORRA team presents the "Spirit of NORRA" Award

Though his racing bio speaks for itself, it is his generosity, charm, and life-long passion for off road that won the heart of NORRA. As the rally approached, Jim called NORRA weekly just to see if he could be of any help. He attended NORRA functions as a "living exhibit" of off road, complete with pictures, articles, and his race vehicle, helping draw attention and more entries to the rally. He invited all NORRA staff to a "pre-rally" party at Mile High Ranch where he presented them with team jackets, hats, and was always quick to offer "drinks" from the "Rum Runner". The folks at NORRA are proud to raise their glasses to all the legends of off road who helped support the return of the Mexican 1000 Rally, especially the "die hards" like Jim, carry the spirit of NORRA with them everywhere they go!