Day One of Racing Gets Underway at the NORRA 500

The first full day of racing at the 2025 NORRA 500 got underway with even more remnants of Hurricane Priscilla’s moisture. Intermittent downpours were either a blessing or a curse depending on their intensity and location. For some it allowed unobstructed, dust free vision ahead; the perfect opportunity to catch and overtake. If you were in a wash with flowing water or on a normally dry lakebed, it was vital to pick the right line or you risked being swallowed by mud. All the preparation and planning would be put to the test.

The bikes were on a southern course that took in some epic scenery along the Pacific Ocean coastline. The terrain was fun, the rain was light, but the navigation was challenging. Special stage one covered 218.3 miles. Special stage two was 83.5 miles long. Taking the overall spot on day one was Michael Frederick riding a Kove 450 Rally Pro. He was first on stage one and second on stage two. “The race went great today,” said Michael. “NORRA definitely knows how to lay out a good course. I really appreciate the race officials and my chaser Bob Koch. It sprinkled lightly, but I had rain-X on my lenses so it just ran off.”

Second overall after day one was Kevin and Michele Busch. They are the couple who ride tandem on the bike. Obviously, both are amazing riders. “We were lost as hell,” says Kevin. “Tomorrow, I’m going to be flying solo.” If they finished second riding tandem, look out tomorrow when Kevin will be riding alone. Third place overall was Robert Sjoberg. Andy Kirker was fourth place and Carlos Rocha rounded out the top five. There was a good mix of Amateur Rally riders and the 60+ riders in the top five. Tomorrow will be an epic day that will determine the winners.

The four wheeled competitors would be on the eastern loop that took in the epic pine forest in addition to some virgin trails that have never been raced on before. The course was tight and technical for the most part. It was a configuration that favored the all-wheel drive and smaller foot print of the UTV’s. Wrestling a big heavy truck through the twists and turns would be a struggle. Many of the trucks showed up at the finish line covered in leaves and twigs from the foliage that had overgrown the edges of the trails. The rain added another level of challenge as there was only a single line through in many spots. The margin of error was near zero. Thank goodness the trails were not covered in cholla.

The race for the overall was intense. Places on the leaderboard were constantly changing. Just as it looked like someone would be out front, another competitor would shatter the previous time. At the very front of the race, two trucks were battling back and forth as they cleared the trail for everyone else. Kevin Murphy was behind the wheel of Craig McCarthy’s 2025 Nine1 Industries Unlimited truck with Craig navigating. They were locked into a battle with Last year’s NORRA 500 winner Kyle Murray in a Geiser Bros 6100 truck and Justin Lofton driving in Gay Smith’s Armada F150 luxury prerunner.

Not far behind were a slew of buggies like Bill Zemak’s Jackal and the pair of UTV’s that chose to forego the UTV prize money and race for the overall with the big boys. Andrew Whitehead and Jeff Terzo were entered in the Evolution Unlimited buggy class in their CanAm UTV’s. The UTV’s were in their own class rivalries, but constantly knocking on the door for the overall lead. It was a rollercoaster ride out on the course as well as on the leaderboard.

Stage one finishing order was Craig McCarthy in first place, followed by rivals PJ Jones in second and Robby Gordon third. Fourth was Kaden Wells and Thomas Purcell was fifth. The tight and slightly slick conditions favored the UTV’s.

There would be three special stages on the day. Each had its own character. Stage two saw Craig McCarthy maintaining his lead with Kyle Murray second. Third place was Kaden Wells in the CanAm who clawed back a bunch of time. He was followed by Bob Briggs in his historic truck and PJ Jones with another strong run. PJ was now running second overall followed by Kaden Wells.

Stage three was a big setback for PJ. He lost time with an issue that dropped him back to 17th place on the stage and ninth place overall. “The Murph” was still cutting the trail out front in Craig McCarthy’s truck. He and Craig were rock solid all day long. It’s not easy clearing the road, especially on trails that had never been run before, but this team was near perfect. All that work and their lead overall is only seven minutes over second place Thomas Purcell. Third overall was Jeff Terzo who always runs fast. Fourth and fifth place overall are Bob Briggs followed by Beau Briggs. Their team must be ecstatic. Sixth place is the team of “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone and Josh Felix in their Mason 6100 truck.

Justin Lofton held down seventh overall with Gay Smith. Bill Zemak and Daughter Isabella were in redemption mode after a heartbreaking DNF at the Mexican 1000. They had a great day to finish eighth place overall. PJ Jones was ninth as previously mentioned and Robby Gordon was solidly in tenth place. It was great seeing a big smile on Robby’s face in a race car. He still loves going fast in Baja after so many races and all he’s accomplished in his career.

With day one of racing in the books we got a glimpse of everyone’s potential but as you know, anything can happen in off road racing. The course favored the smaller, more nimble vehicles which showed in the results. Day two will be a different animal. There are several more open sections that will favor the high horsepower and tons of suspension travel found on the unlimited vehicles. The outcome is entirely unknown, but one thing is for sure, it’s going to come down to the very end. Don’t miss the action, go watch it on NORRA TV!

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.

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