SOUTH POINT HOTEL CASINO RETURNS TO SUPPORT THE GENERAL TIRE NORRA MEXICAN 1000 RALLY

UTV Weekly | April 24, 2013

Famed Las Vegas Resort to Host Event’s Seaside “Post” Party and Racer Awards

In a new General Tire NORRA Mexican 1000 tradition, rally finishers will honored
by a huge seaside fireworks display on the sandy beaches of San Jose Del Cabo.

With final planning for its upcoming General Tire NORRA Mexican 1000 now in full swing, the National Off Road Racing Association (NORRA) today announced a renewed partnership with South Point Hotel Casino for its 2013 rally down the legendary Baja peninsula.

Founded by 2012 vintage class Mexican 1000 champion Michael Gaughan, the South Point Hotel Casino has been a valued supporter of the annual vintage-flavored rally since 2011. This year the famed Las Vegas resort will also be the host sponsor of the South Point Seaside “Post” Party and Racer Awards at the conclusion of the 1,200-plus mile, four-day on and off-road rally. The private event will take place beginning at 7:00pm on Wednesday, May 1st and is open to all credentialed and banded racers, teams and support crews only.

Expanding a new tradition that began at the 2012 event, the memorable and world-class celebration will once again take place at Javier’s Restaurant within the Cabo Azul Resort on the beach near downtown San Jose del Cabo. Racers, co-drivers, support crew and family will all converge at this beautiful location after traveling some of the earth’s most challenging terrain from Mexicali, through Bahia de Los Angeles, Loreto, La Paz and then to finish line in downtown San Jose del Cabo.

The world-class resort of Cabo Azul at land’s end in San Jose del Cabo will once again be the background for the final evening of the 2013 General Tire NORRA Mexican 1000.

For Mexican 1000 participants, many of whom are also veteran off-road competitors, last year’s Seaside “Post” Party and Racer Awards established a new benchmark for post-competitioin celebration. Complete with an open-bar, a richly catered meal with gourmet Mexican-flavored food and a sunset beachside setting, the staff at Javier’s Restaurant served nearly 500 happy NORRA guests.

That evening was hosted by 2012 Grand Marshal and SPEED Network television personality Dave Despain, and featured NORRA’s highly-prized brass awards given to many deserving racers that finished at the top of their prospective classes. It was all capped-off by a surprise fireworks display that rivaled any major American 4th of July show.

Event organizers promise much of the same for 2013, with the addition of live music and new Azunia Tequila “Spirit of NORRA” Awards being presented to honor the rally’s hallmark vintage sedan, truck, motorcycle and dune buggy categories. NORRA expects to host 700-800 guests at this year’s South Point Seaside “Post” Party and Racer Awards.

Featuring 2,200 guestrooms, South Point Hotel & Casino overlooks the famous Las Vegas Strip. Guests visiting South Point will experience affordable luxury through a casino offering top-of-the-line gaming, a wide variety of dining options, the world-class Costa Del Sur Spa and Salon; a 400-seat showroom, a 165,000-square foot convention center and one of the finest horse facilities in the country – the South Point Arena and Equestrian Center.

“From the inception of our event, Michael Gaughan and the South Point Hotel Casino has been a big and enthusiastic part of the NORRA family,” explained event President Mike Pearlman. “Last year’s Seaside “Post” Party was one of the most memorable awards ceremonies in off-road motorsports history and thanks to the support of South Point we look forward to hosting another great event for our participants in a few weeks.”
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ABOUT THE GENERAL TIRE NORRA MEXICAN 1000
Dubbed the “Happiest Race on Earth,” the unique off-road rally was co-created by promoter Mike Pearlman in 2010. Running this year from April 26 – May 1, each day of the rally consists of special stages (unlimited speed timed stages in the dirt) linked together by controlled speed liaison / transit sections (highway). The one-of-a-kind, once-a-year, four-day rally includes vintage off-road vehicles and motorcycles, rally cars, a limited group of modern desert racecars and classes for prerunner trucks and buggies. Pearlman’s late father Ed and others established the first running of the NORRA Mexican 1000 off-road rally in November of 1967, which eventually became internationally recognized and evolved into the Baja 1000 in the mid-1970s.

The NORRA Mexican 1000 is supported by General Tire, American Racing Wheel, South Point Hotel Casino, Walker Evans Racing, Azunia Tequila, KC HiLites and Mastercraft/Impact Safety.

For more information visit: MEXICAN1000.com