Bilstein
Ensenada, California, April 20, 2018 – BILSTEIN is proud to announce a 3 year partnership with NORRA Mexican 1000 rally. The Mexican 1000 is a unique blend of high-performance driving, incredible scenery and world-class adventure in a tough, multi-stage race that honors the roots of Baja racing.
Two days of technical inspection, presented by BILSTEIN, takes place on Friday, April 20th in Ensenada prior to the rally start. Stage one heads east to the fishing village in San Felipe. As the rally travels South on the Baja Peninsula, it takes in the unique scenery and distinct culture at each stop along the way. After overnight stops in Guerrero Negro (bikes only), Bahia de Los Angeles, Loreto, and La Paz, it reaches the final destination in San Jose del Cabo.
Just like NORRA, BILSTEIN has played a major role in the very foundation of off-road racing. Their participation as the Official Shock of the Mexican 1000 is fitting; many of the vehicles that originally ran the length of the Baja Peninsula took full advantage of BILSTEIN’s quality construction and damping performance to accomplish the feat.
BILSTEIN’s M 7100 Classic shocks are the most successful shock absorbers in off-road racing history. Since their inception, BILSTEIN’s monotube shocks have equipped more winning off-road cars and trucks than any other shock. You will spot the classic M7100’s on some of the vintage racers and VW based cars that participate in the rally today.
BILSTEIN will be awarding a set of shocks to two lucky teams on BILSTEIN shocks, as well as the world renowned Madonna award to the fastest overall finisher on BILSTEIN shocks.
The BILSTEIN Madonna trophy is recognized around the world as one of the most prestigious awards a racer can achieve. Earning a Madonna trophy puts you in an exclusive group of racers that includes NASCAR royalty and other icons in motorsports. In off-road racing, champions such as Ivan “Ironman” Stewart, Mark McMillin, and Mark Stahl, have all been past recipients of the Madonna.
When Mark Stahl won his third Madonna in 2016, he was running the very same BILSTEIN shocks that were originally installed on his Ford F100 race truck back in 1978. Stahl twice earned Madonnas for winning the Baja 1000 in 1978 and then again in 1980. Stahl also went on to oval and dirt track racing in the United States where he helped BILSTEIN to be as successful on pavement as they had been on dirt.
“Winning a Madonna award gives worldwide exposure to the recipient,” says BILSTEIN’s Emil Foldager, “The winner will be announced in press releases and race coverage from BILSTEIN, and the international media. We are so excited to be a part of the NORRA Mexican 1000. NORRA created the sport of offroad racing in 1966, and BILSTEIN has been a part of the sport the entire time. Our involvement will continue to expand next year and into the future.