First Look at the Competition at the 2025 NORRA 500

The 2025 NORRA 500 got underway in Ensenada, Baja Mexico under cloudy skies. The remnants of Hurricane Prescilla brought clouds and light sprinkles, but held off on the heavy winds and driving rain she wielded only a few days ago. Prescilla dampened the streets, but not the mood of everyone who was anxious to get back to racing in Baja.

The teams, NORRA staff, volunteers and the fans were all celebrating at the Riviera Convention Center during contingency and technical inspection. It was a chance to see old friends again, take in Mac Johnson’s Vintage Classic Car Round-Up, meet with Grand Marshal and Off Road Motorsports Hall of Famer Curt LeDuc and take care of all the final details on their Motorcycles, cars, trucks, and UTV’s. NORRA has racing classes that span the entire history of off road racing. NORRA contingency takes the fans back to fond memories of the early days of off road racing, but also showcases the latest technology found today. Competitors can choose which form their adventure will take. Do they want to go for ultimate speed in an Evolution era vehicle, or experience some of what the early competitors endured back in the 1960’s when NORRA created sanctioned racing in Baja?

NORRA and their partners, Bilstein, Meyers Manx, Ford Performance, Speed UTV and the Fab School put together an incredible event that would test racers on two separate race courses over the next couple of days. NORRA events are held under a rally format. There are timed, high speed, special sections run flat out that are connected by transit sections that are used to get around at safe speeds. Competitors have opportunities to make adjustments or take on food or water during the transit sections; as long as you make it to the special section on time for your next start. Every time they line up, they are at their maximum capacity. It makes for incredibly competitive racing.

While most of the competitors had a festive, leisurely day, UTV and class 10 cars would head out to Nelson Ranch for time trials to determine starting position for the first stage on Friday. There are big prizes on the line. Ten thousand dollars in prize money is available for Pro Turbo and ten thousand for Pro UTV/ class 10. Class 10 competitors also have the opportunity to take home a K24 Honda race engine from Lozano Performance worth $9500 if they beat all the UTV’s. The UTV, class 10 rivalry is fun to watch.

Going into qualifying Max Gordon was the track record holder for NORRA. His time stood for two years; it was going to be tough to beat. Several competitors took a shot, but the record was holding. Then Kaden Wells took to the track in his Bilstein CanAm. Kaden showed his championship winning form with a 2:27.03 time which eclipsed Max’s record. When it was time for Max to respond, his father Robby told him to run fast, but don’t break the car. It was a speech that Robby probably heard countless times from his Father Bob. Like his Dad was known to do, Max ignored the sage advice to play it safe. He went huge off the starting line jump and something let go in the transmission a few turns later. Max thought he might have sheared the ring gear. Robby then went out to show how it’s done and put down a solid fifth fastest run to start right in the mix out front on race day. Max will have to start in the rear. That’s not something insurmountable, just not optimal. It forces Max into a different strategy, that’s all.

The balance of the qualifying order is as follows. Thomas Purcell was second fastest in his brand new ID Designs Polaris. He said he doubled his time behind the wheel of the new car during his qualifying attempt. That sounds scary for his competition. Third fastest was Angel Morfin who was behind the wheel of Troy Johnson’s Fab School Pro R. In fourth place was the always fast PJ Jones. He was back for more of NORRA’s prize money. Fifth was Robby Gordon in his own Speed UTV as stated. Sixth place was taken by Ivan Tagle in an Alumicraft; the top qualifying class 10 car. In seventh was Trey Hernquist behind the wheel of a Speed UTV El Diablo. Eighth fastest was Christian Strobel driving a CanAm Maverick. Beau Briggs qualified his Polaris Pro R in ninth place and Mario Gutierrez rounded out the top ten driving an Arctic Cat Wildcat XX. Congratulations to all who qualified. Complete results can be found at www.norra.com

The balance of the field will hit the dirt in the morning. This year’s course has some terrain that favors the nimbleness of the UTV’s and an equal amount that gives the edge to the class 10 cars. The bike courses are unbelievable according to Tim Morton who verified the course with Jimmy Lewis this year. Everyone will need to be right on the money with their navigation skills. The rally format does not allow prerunning, so not only must they be on time to the starts, but stay focused on the course as they see it for the first time. Routes are not released until the morning each day. This replicates the early days of off road racing where it was so crucial to be able to read the terrain. Speaking of terrain, NORRA race directors Eliseo Garcia and bike director Jimmy Lewis put together incredible courses that benefit from their decades of Baja experience. Since there is no prerunning, NORRA gets permission to travel in places were even the most experienced have never been.

Starting locations and times vary, but everyone will eventually meet at the finish line at the iconic Horsepower ranch for a celebration. The following day (Saturday), it will be at Estero Beach. If you are unable to attend the racing over the following days, you can still catch the action on NORRA TV. Links to the coverage can be found at NORRA.com. NORRA created sanctioned off road racing in Baja back in 1967. Everything you need to know about NORRA’s Baja Mexican 1000 and the NORRA 500 can be found at www.norra.com. Go to the site and find out for yourself why NORRA has exploded in popularity. You can experience the same wonder and sense of achievement those early thrill seekers sought in the 1960’s today when you join NORRA in Baja. Don’t miss out on the competition and adventure

Everything you need to know about NORRA’s Baja Mexican 1000, and NORRA 500 can be found at www.norra.com Online registration is open now for the NORRA 500. Go to the site and find out for yourself why NORRA has exploded in popularity. You can experience the same wonder and sense of achievement those early thrill seekers sought in the 1960’s today when you join NORRA in Baja. Don’t miss out on the fun and fierce competition.

Print/Radio/Television Media Contact:
Mike Ingalsbee
NORRA Communcations
Phone: +1 858-400-7440 x5

Sponsorship and Social Media Contact:
Val Douglas