Bob Howle Named Grand Marshal of the 2026 NORRA 500 Baja Coast Challenge

Longtime NORRA Racer Will Lead the Celebration Before Returning to the Course With His Son as Navigator

NORRA is proud to announce longtime competitor Bob Howle as Grand Marshal of the 2026 NORRA 500 Baja Coast Challenge, taking place October 8–11 in Baja California, Mexico.

Howle has been part of nearly every NORRA event since the rally’s modern revival, missing only one NORRA 500 along the way. His history with NORRA has been built through years of competition, unforgettable Baja adventures and close friendships with NORRA founder Mike Pearlman, Eliseo Garcia and racers throughout the NORRA family.

“It’s quite an honor,” Howle said. “I’ve been racing with NORRA since it started and have only missed one 500. It has become a family to me. I like NORRA, I like the whole deal.”

Howle’s NORRA story began with an old blue High Jumper he purchased from Rob Roy at CarTech, a car previously raced by Bonner. He and his son headed into Baja with a group of friends, limited experience and a determination to figure things out as they went.

That first adventure ended near San Juanico after an engine failure in the beach sand. With no modern communications available, Howle and his son were towed into town and spent the night in their race suits while the rest of the team had no idea where they were. It was the first of many stories that would become part of Howle’s long history with NORRA and Baja.

For Howle, NORRA represents the side of off-road racing where the people, cars and experiences matter as much as the results. It is a place where vintage race cars, homebuilt teams and generations of families can share the same course and create their own Baja stories.

Howle initially hesitated when Pearlman asked him to serve as Grand Marshal, but after thinking it over, he realized it was an opportunity he could not pass up.

“You don’t get an opportunity like this very often,” Howle said. “Mike asked me to do it, and it means a lot knowing he wanted me there. I’m honored to accept.”

Howle will do more than wave the green flag at the NORRA 500. He plans to compete in the race with his son returning to the right seat as navigator. His grandson and additional family members and friends are also expected to attend, making the Grand Marshal honor a true multigenerational celebration.

The 2026 NORRA 500 Baja Coast Challenge begins Thursday, October 8, with Contingency, FanFest and Technical Inspection in downtown Ensenada. Racing begins Friday, October 9, from Ensenada to San Quintín, followed by the return north on Saturday, October 10, with the finish at Estero Beach, and awards pick-up at Cervecería Transpeninsular on Sunday, October 11.

NORRA looks forward to celebrating Bob Howle, his commitment to the sport and the many miles of Baja history he represents.