10/09/2026
NORRA AND LEGACY ANNOUNCE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP TO LAUNCH THE NORRA LEGACY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Three Baja races, two Nevada races, and one Arizona race will unite two professional racing organizations as NORRA celebrates the 60th anniversary of its original Baja race in 2027.
October 8, 2026 — NORRA and LEGACY today announced a strategic partnership to establish the NORRA LEGACY World Championship Series, creating a unified six-race off-road championship spanning Mexico and the United States beginning in 2027.
The partnership brings together NORRA’s pioneering Baja heritage and LEGACY’s U.S. desert racing program to create a broader international platform for racers, teams, sponsors, manufacturers, and fans. With three races in Baja, two in Nevada, and one in Arizona, the championship will connect two established racing communities through a shared pursuit of championship honors.
NORRA and LEGACY will retain their individual organizational identities while working together on championship development, race operations, marketing, and commercial opportunities.
THE ORIGINAL BAJA: A 60TH ANNIVERSARY MILESTONE
The inaugural championship season will coincide with the 60th anniversary of the first NORRA Mexican 1000. This pioneering 1967 point-to-point event that established organized Baja desert racing and later evolved into the Baja 1000.
Organized by Ed Pearlman and his fellow pioneers, the inaugural Mexican 1000 attracted 68 vehicles competing in four classes. Vic Wilson and Ted Mangels were the first to reach the finish in a Meyers Manx buggy, helping establish Baja as a defining destination for off-road competition.
That heritage provides a meaningful foundation for the new championship. Sixty years after its first Baja race, NORRA is joining with LEGACY to build new opportunities for the sport and its next generation of competitors.
A BIGGER STAGE FOR OFF-ROAD RACING
The NORRA LEGACY World Championship Series is designed to create a larger competitive and commercial platform by bringing together the participants, audiences, and relationships of both organizations.
This strategic partnership offers a unique opportunity for racers to compete against a broader field across an international season. Bringing the two racing communities together is intended to encourage participation across borders, strengthen competition, and increase recognition for teams and their sponsors.
For the manufacturers and commercial partners, NORRA LEGACY championship provides a coordinated presence across six events in two countries. Combined marketing and media efforts will connect individual race weekends to a season-long championship story, creating more opportunities to showcase vehicles, products, and the people behind the sport.
For the fans, it creates one championship to follow across the rugged terrain of Baja and the demanding deserts of Nevada and Arizona.
The series will reward versatility, preparation, endurance, and consistency. Teams will need to adapt to different terrain and racing conditions while maintaining their performance throughout the season.
EXPERIENCED OPERATORS LEADING RACE EX*****ON
NORRA LEGACY will bring together NORRA Race Director and LEGACY Race Director Donald Jackson. Both Directors give series experienced operational leadership and a strong foundation for delivering the combined championship.
They bring firsthand knowledge of their respective events, terrain, racing communities, and the demands of desert competition. Their combined expertise will support race planning, competitor communication, and professional event ex*****on while preserving the distinctive character of each organization’s races.
Together, they provide the practical leadership necessary to connect the championship’s international vision with the experience racers and teams receive at each event.
ROBBY GORDON TO LEAD CHAMPIONSHIP DIRECTION, MARKETING AND MEDIA
Robby Gordon will lead championship direction, marketing, sponsorship, media, and manufacturer relations. He will also be responsible for planning and overseeing live-stream and television production for the NORRA LEGACY World Championship Series.
Both organizations recognize that sponsor support depends on live-stream or television coverage, making production an essential part of the championship’s marketing and sponsorship plan.
The media strategy will focus on bringing the racing to a wider audience, increasing visibility for competitors and their partners, and creating opportunities for greater sponsor and manufacturer involvement. Coverage plans will be announced as arrangements are finalized.
Gordon’s leadership will complement the operational expertise of the Race Directors connecting professional race ex*****on with a coordinated strategy for championship promotion and growth.
2027 NORRA LEGACY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SCHEDULE
Round Event / Location Month
1 San Felipe, Baja California January
2 Parker, Arizona February
3 NORRA 10 Day Baja Rally Ensenada to San Josa Del Cabo and back April - May
4 Ensenada to San Quintin, Baja California July - August
5 Laughlin, Nevada September - October
6 Championship Final Nevada, venue to be announced December
7 Championship Banquet December
Exact event dates, final venues, eligible classes, championship points structure, and registration information will be announced as they are confirmed.
A SHARED COMMITMENT TO THE FUTURE
The NORRA LEGACY strategic partnership brings together the heritage of the original Baja race, established U.S. desert racing operations, and a shared ambition to grow the sport.
By combining their experience and reach, the organizations aim to deliver stronger competition, broader exposure, and greater opportunity for the racers, teams, businesses, and host communities that make off-road racing possible.
As NORRA celebrates the 60th anniversary of its first Baja event, this 2027 season will mark both a tribute to the sport’s origins and the beginning of a new international championship.
NORRA LEGACY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES
Two countries. Six races. One championship.
