The National Off-Road Racing Association will continue with its traditional two races for 2026, the Mexican 1000 holding its uusal spring slot while the NORRA 500 is in October.

The Mexican 1000 will begin with two days of technical inspection on April 30 and May 1; the latter day will also see UTV qualifying. Racing begins on May 2, running through May 7 with the finish on San José del Cabo. The awards ceremony will conclude the week on May 8.

Unlike the Mexican 1000, which runs down Baja California in a rally format, the NORRA 500 consists of a loop around Ensenada. The 2026 edition commences with inspection on October 8 followed by two days of racing on the 9th and 10th. Awards will be handed out on the 11th.

Registration for the 2025 NORRA 500 opens on July 1, while the race is scheduld for October 12–13. The Mexican 1000 took place in May, where the overall was won by Dave Mason Jr.

“The NORRA 500 and NORRA’s Baja are both the greatest Baja racing experiences you will ever have,” reads a statement from the sanctioning body. “NORRA offers routes that other sanctioning bodies just can’t deliver. Every year the courses are unique with varied terrain and incredible scenery. Our rally racing format is challenging, but also forgiving. It’s not an all or nothing, one shot, torture test. Both events offer multiple days of fierce, high speed competition that allows teams to fully experience everything Baja has to offer. In addition to bragging rights, prestigious awards, trophies and cash prizes are presented depending on the class in which you participate.

“NORRA classifies vehicles according to the different eras of off road racing, so there’s a class for everyone and you will be racing against vehicles that are equal to yours. NORRA has classes for cars, trucks, UTV’s and motorcycles of all types. If you’re not a racer, NORRA has the Meyers Manx Safari Expedition that is unique to NORRA. Open to street legal vehicles capable of travelling off road, it is a guided tour of Baja that puts you right in the mix of the NORRA’s Baja or the NORRA 500.”

2026 NORRA schedule

#	Race	Inspection	Racing	Awards Ceremony
1	Mexican 1000	April 30 – May 1	May 2–7	May 8
2	NORRA 500	October 8	October 9–10	October 11

Featured image credit: Ford Performance