The Mexican 1000 from Ensenda to Cabo
The NORRA 1000, also known as the Mexican 1000, is a 6-day race in Baja, Mexico, running from Ensenda to Cabo San Lucas. Considered the “Happiest Race on Earth”, the race is broken down into daily 200 mile-ish segments that allow for racer rest and vehicle repairs in the evening, before starting out on new stages again the next morning.
This race is very different from the Baja 1000, which allows a total time of 50 hours to finish and is run non-stop. The landscapes: however, and the course are as epic and similar as the competitors run the course from north to south, running through traditional racing hot spots like the Bay of L.A., and La Paz.
There are several classes available, just like the Baja 1000, and you can see everything on course from trophy trucks to VW bugs, and of most interest, several vintage Broncos, the Bronco DR, and a brand new 2024 Bronco. You can learn more about the NORRA race here.
Baja 1000 Vintage Class Winner competes in NORRA
Speaking of vintage Broncos, when I met up with racer Chris Greenwood back in December to learn about his Baja 1000 journey, he was already prepping his vintage 1972 Bronco for NORRA.
He is passionate about the race and shared with me some of his navigational books from previous years. He was running 1st in class but had a broken leaf spring that set him back and required a late night on Day Five to get repairs done. He is running the full Day Six and is expected to finish, more than can be said about many of the other competitors.
The Bronco DR Makes its Racing Debut
Brad Lovell, and his brother Roger, are no strangers to desert racing or the Ford Bronco, having competed in the Baja 1000, King of the Hammers, and previous NORRA races in one while bringing home several wins.
This year, they have the unique opportunity to run the Bronco DR, competing in its first race. The DR behind the Bronco name stands for Desert Runner, and the vehicle is one of 50 builds, prepped and ready from the manufacturer for off-road racing.
In fact, it is so heavily modified that it is no longer street legal. Some of the mods include the Coyote 5.0l V-8, Multimatic Positional Selective DSSV™ Dampers, a Multimatic safety cage, 37-inch BFGoodrich® Mud-Terrain T/A® KM3 all-season tires and beadlock wheels. The starting price for a Bronco DR is $295,000 but can climb quickly with additional features.
Brad and Roger Comment on the Competition
Coming back to NORRA, the team of brothers have been making a great show on course, testing the DR to its fullest, reaching speeds of over 115mph on the Diablo Dry Lakebeds and running first in class.
They are currently sitting in 18th position overall, with only one day left in the competition. At the time of this article, they are racing towards Cabo and are expected to bring home a win in class and a very respectable overall showing in the Top 20.
When asked about the opportunity to compete in the Bronco DR, Brad Lovell stated, “I'm incredibly excited to race the Ford Bronco DR in Baja," said Lovell. "The Bronco DR is a blast to drive and an absolute beast in the dirt.
Bronco has such a storied history in Baja and I can’t wait to be part of its continuation." All week, the team has smoked the course, fighting through the notorious silt beds of Baja, with nothing but good things to say about the vehicle’s overall performance. On this last day Roger Lovell comments, “Made La Paz and picked up two more spots for 18th overall and 1st in class. The Ford Performance Bronco DR is amazing and Amsoil Inc Is keeping it smooth and cool!”
Bronco Nation reviews the DR
Last year at the King of the Hammers, Jordan Parker got the opportunity to take the Bronco DR for a test ride with legendary Curt LeDuc.
New Bronco Competes with Ford Engineering Team Onboard
Lastly, there is a brand-new Bronco running and being tested in the Evolution Showroom Stock Late Model class with Ford engineers Seth Goslawski and Jason Hunter co-driving with lead driver, Jamie Groves.
Jamie is the Bronco Engineering Manager, while the 2024 Badlands with a 2.3l engine has been christened with the name “Eleanor”. Eleanor has also been making an exceptional show for itself, being not only 1st in class but in an incredible 69th spot overall with 173 vehicles still starting the final day. When asked about his last day of competition, Jamie Groves says, “the team and Bronco are ready for more fun fast Bronco roads on the way to Cabo today.”
As we have seen and continue to see in the off-road world of racing, the Bronco has not only historically been a fierce competitor but continues to dominate the field in multiple classes and races, as well as being a great vehicle for the everyday off-roading. If you’re curious as to how all the Broncos finished NORRA, you can see the final standings here.
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