What are the Biggest 3 Vintages Races

[bajaxp]

Does anyone know if NORRA plans on adding additional vintage 'rally' style races in the future? Also have the dates been set for the 2013 Mexican 1000? (sorry for the hijack).

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[Marty Fiolka]

Having been involved with the Mexican 1000 on several levels over the years, my take on this is pretty basic. As Rory has stated, the rally concept for vintage cars works for the Mexican 1000 because the course really suits these older, less sophisticated cars and bike...and, it also puts these vehicles into the spotlight. It is also really fun. I don't know how much "fun" it would be to have to race on today's well-worn (read big wheel travel) behind all of the modern race cars.

Another thing you have to remember. The rally, overnight format is awesome for even Class 11 racers because they finish early (often in the daylight) and always feel part of the event itself. Everyone is bunched back together again to enjoy the "Baja Social Club" aspect of the event. Just my .02.

[Bro_Gill]

I have wondered why current promoters don't do something with an exibition type race before the main race, like a single loop of Parker on Friday morning before tech. Do it like the NORRA rally with sections run at speed and sections run as transition with travel times to be met or assessed a penalty. Or run the cars after the last Pro class leaves for V2R and let them run the whole course or half the course. I think most of the vintage cars that would enter would be faster than many of the current slower classes, so it wouldn't be too hard on the promoter to let them run through the check points like everyone else. A loop race in Barstow on one of the hammered courses would be alright, but maybe abetter deal would be to meet and go over some of the old courses that are no longer raced on, but still allow OHV cars to travel some of the same routes. This is a BIG hint to Warpy!!! I have a couple old cars that would be up for this type of stuff.

[burro8]

I have asked Mike Perlman at NORRA about running a US based event either as a solo event like the 1000 or as part of the Mint, Vegas to Reno or ? How about a old vintage NORRA Stardust 7-11 event? All three of my 1968 Burro buggies raced in the early 1000s, 500, Mint 400 and the Stardust 7-11 races. I participated in the 2010 NORRA event and had a great time. I hope to do it again in the future, but having a CA or NV event would be less money and time then going to Baja. I do realize that it is much harder to put on an event in CA or NV, that is why I think that running it in conjunction say with a BITD event may be due able, but I am not a promoter. I would think that possibly a CA or NV event would bring out more entries also.

[AZ45]

I actually think one race a year isn’t that bad. The NORRA race is a bunch of time and money, but is worth every minute and dime spent.

I don’t think I would race a vintage race by another promoter unless it could bring the recognition that the NORRA 1000 does because you’d have a hard time getting sponsor support. The NORRA 1000 has run for three years and gotten better each year. The three years have built on each other regards to organization, media exposure and the fun factor. The more media exposure it gets, obviously the easier it is to get sponsorship to run the race or build a car.

I’d say Vintage Off Road Racing is in its infancy, so why don’t we let it grow up a little before we try to give it a little brother.

BTW, where’s the movie Marty?

[retroblazer]

The Norra 1000 is a rally, the Baja 500 is a desert race. That said, I have a leaf spring class 4 that has more motor than I do. Being semi retired with a relaxed work ethic, Mexico races are not gonna happen. Not sure why anyone would want to run a big race with old iron anyway. Myself would prefer a centrally located desert race with lower miles and a smoother course. For me the event would be just as much about show and tell as a chance to race. If you really want a couple of nostalgia classes, promoters should consider who owns the bulk of them and will show up. How about a thread dedicated to finding cars and owners, how far they will tow, how often they will enter and what they will spend. Maybe the Norra Rally for the Mexico event and a desert race with once a year vintage classes for the US event. If the SS 300 ends up on county roads again next year, I will make an effort to put the honcho back on track regardless of what classes are offered.

Why run old iron, because its fun! I ran the 2010 norra event and found it is well suited to a leaf sprung car. Where else could my leaf spring Blazer run with old Class 8's and give them a run for their money. Just because the cars are old doesn't mean that people are driving slow. On the last leg of my first day, Puertocietos to the Bay of LA turnoff was 78.9 miles. I ran it in 64 minutes and Walker 65 and Abatti in Robby G. Hay Hauler ran it in 63. Your Honcho is crying to come out and join them!

[retroblazer]

I would love to be able to run another race besides the NORRA event. I agree that running in the tracks of 37-40'+ tires is not fun. I do it in my normal SCORE racing and call it "challanging". I start typically after 200 cars have passed. I think there is a decent chance that if we approached VORRA or a smaller race promoter with the prospect of bringing in a class with entries, that we would be welcomed. Frankly, I think it's a huge challenge to find the right track. Most of the standard spots like Plaster City or the high deserts in Cali or southern Nev, are too rough to be run at speed.

[Fandango]

Yo Chris, never any doubt about all the fun and want to add that you and your Blazer are inspiring. When I penciled in last years rally, it looked like about 8k for a modest week with a few friends along. I can make the time, just don't want to bore anyone with how many river miles that wad can float. Sure, a US rally event will be less, but not by much. At sixty, cool, wet, or smooth look pretty good these days. A desert race once a year is affordable and I really didn't know the Silver State was mostly fast until the vids were posted. Two years ago we posted up some interest in a reunion event. Seems like it evolved into class debates and sort of fizzled. I check this forum all the time so if people get more serious about showing up and care a little less about how fair the vehicles are, and how much prestigious/media/sponsor/bling and on, than we may actually put a race together. Just last month Vorra bent over backwards...and then just bent over because no one showed. Where were we? That race would have been a perfect start.

[AZ45]

How about a few laps a Laughlin?
They could use the car count
The spectators would dig it and it may attract more.
Easy to get to
Cheap rooms
Easy to support

I think the vintage cars would need a no bump rule and an entry fee that would make it attractive.

Maybe Rory needs to put this together, I hear he has all of the local officials in his pocket.

[Marty Fiolka]

Yah, Laughlin....that's a smooth track...just kidding Jeff but not really...