In celebration of his contributions to the sport of Baja off-road racing and his continuing support of the “Happiest Race on Earth,” NORRA today announced that Walker Evans will be honored as Grand Marshall for the 2015 General Tire NORRA Mexican 1000 rally.
Scheduled for April 25-29, this unique off-road event will cover 1,300 miles over four days (five days for the motorcycles) beginning in Ensenada, Baja, Mexico before finishing in the world-class resort destination of San Jose Del Cabo.
Evans, an enthusiastic NORRA Mexican 1000 veteran and overall Vintage category winner, joins a distinguished list of previous rally Grand Marshalls. Evan's good friend Parnelli Jones enjoyed that title for the inaugural race in 2010, followed in 2011 by original Baja record-setter and fiberglass dune buggy inventor Bruce Meyers. Motorsports personality and all-around desert racing enthusiast Dave Despain served as 2012’s Grand Marshall, followed a year later by five-time Baja 1000 champion and Mexican 1000 veteran Mark McMillin.
You don’t need to be an off-road racing insider to know the legendary name of Walker Evans. In fact, he carries the richly deserved nickname of “The Legend.” For decades, his fame has transcended that of being just another off-road racer. Today, the namesake company he started with wife Phyllis and longtime colleague Randy Anderson, Walker Evans Racing, has exploded, providing wheels and shock absorbers to the automotive, off-road, snowmobile and UTV markets.
NORRA is proud of the fact that Walker Evans Racing has been a welcome partner with NORRA from the onset, and in 2015 continues that tradition by sponsoring the rally’s “Welcome Fiesta and Driver’s Meeting” in Ensenada, Baja, Mexico.
Born in Cedar Lake Michigan, Walker Evans was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame America in 2015 and into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame (ORMHOF) in 2004. Over his long and successful career, Evans earned 142 victories in both desert racing and short course competition -- claiming 21 championships and five Baja 1000 wins in the process.
Walker got his first sample of off-road racing when he drove a Rambler Sedan in the 1969 NORRA Baja 500 for actor James Garner's American Motor Team. During his career, Walker has driven Dodges, Chevrolets, and Fords. As they say, the rest is history.
“Naming Walker Evans as the Mexican 1000's Grand Marshall for 2015 is an honor, and a pleasure!" NORRA President Michael Pearlman said enthusiastically. “Walker and Phyllis Evans have been part a big part of the NORRA family since we decided to revive the Mexican 1000 rally in 2009. This is a perfect way to pay tribute to their support and, of course, Walker's lasting contributions to the entire sport and off-road industry."
ABOUT NORRA
Beginning in 2010, the National Off Road Racing Association (NORRA) began promoting a rebirth of the NORRA Mexican 1000 rally. The unique off-road rally was co-created by promoter Mike Pearlman to consist 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, as well as modern desert Rally Raid cars, pre-runner trucks, buggies and motorcycles.
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-1970's.
The General Tire NORRA Mexican 1000 is supported by General Tire, American Racing Wheel, South Point Hotel Casino, Walker Evans Racing, Azunia Tequila, KC HiLites, Bilstein Shock Absorbers and Mastercraft/Impact Safety.
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