NORRA will begin using digital roadbooks in 2025, one of a slate of changes for bike riders ahead of the Mexican 1000 in late April.

All riders will still be allowed to use paper roadbooks, while digitization will vary by class. If they opt for the new technology, the Pro classes can only use a closed digital device such as ICO Racing’s ICO TowerOne navigation system; open devices will not accept GPS files on transfer. Amateur riders, on the other hand, are limited to a digital reader that imports and reads a PDF of the roadbook.

With NORRA races being essentially a hybrid of cross-country rally and desert racing, phasing in electronic roadbooks keeps the sanctioning body in line with the FIM and its cross-country series. The FIM’s World Rally-Raid Championship and FIM Bajas Cups also permit for the roadbook to be on paper rolls or transmitted onto a navigation device; the W2RC’s RallyGP class even allows both at the same time via the ERTF Unik 2 unit.

While the switch from something as tried and trusted as paper to a screen might be scary for some, including the off-chance that someone tries to game the system on it, NORRA stressed it is “aware of all of these issues and will try and be as flexible as possible through this adaptation while keeping fair play our top priority. If a rider feels that a digital device will make navigation any different they are gravely mistaken and any attempt to use a device to cheat will be rewarded with immediate disqualification at the discretion of the race director. If you have any worries, use paper.”

NORRA has also increased the mandatory fuel window for bikes from 100 miles to 120 miles (200 kilometers). If a fuel stop is further than this new range, NORRA will provide new remote fuel locations at a set cost per gallon.

The Pro Rally class, which is often the top bike category as a whole, will continue to pay out $10,000 in prize money to the top three provided at least five riders are signed up. The highest finishing Amateur Rally solo rider at the Mexican 1000 will receive free registration for the 2026 race in Pro Rally.

The bike course, designed by Dakar veteran Jimmy Lewis, deviates from cars for safety as well as to put them on routes more advantageous for roadbook navigation. Such courses are primarily designed with one-rider teams in mind, though designated areas will be cordoned for rider changes so that they do not occur on track.

The six-day 2025 Mexican 1000 begins in Ensenada on April 26. The second (El Rosario to Guerrero Negro) and fifth days (Mulege to La Paz) are being considered for marathon conditions.

Featured image credit: Kove USA