-- Team Photo To Be Part of Rally's Technical Inspection --

(Agua Dulce, California) -- Back in the earliest days of Baja off-road racing, the National Off-Road Racing Association's (NORRA) organization and its officials made it a tradition to take a picture of each and every entrant just before they took the green flag. Not only was the practice uniquely NORRA's, but it also helped capture history for future generations to enjoy.

The organization proudly announced that the upcoming 2015 General Tire Mexican 1000 will mark the official return to a tradition it started decades ago. As was the case at the inaugural 1967 NORRA Mexican 1000, all teams entered in this year's rally will take part in an 'Official Team Photo' celebration at the event's kick-off in Ensenada, Baja, Mexico. While an unofficial photo backdrop has been available in recent NORRA events, in April each race team's participation will be a formal part of the rally's experience.

According to current NORRA President Mike Pearlman, all of these early images were taken by Pearlman himself. As son of original NORRA President Ed Pearlman, Mike was named 'Official Photographer' by his father and has vivid memories of shooting all of the drivers, riders and their colorful machinery just before they took off on their Baja adventure.

The original format for taking the images saw teams pull up next to the photo backdrop just before taking the green flag. 'In those days, NORRA impounded all of the vehicles immediately after going through Technical Inspection, and they were released for the start sequentially starting from entry number one and going through the field until the impound lot was empty,' Pearlman said.' One by one they would stop to have their photo taken, which they would be happy about after the race.'

In 2015, NORRA will erect a backdrop near the famous RIviera Convention Center rock wall that was used in the original NORRA race. All two and four-wheel entrants will have their photograph taken just prior to taking the green flag for Day 1 of their Mexican 1000 rally event.

'While some may question the 'Official Photo' aspect of this year's event, the fact is NORRA and our staff are all about making great memories for our guests,' added Pearlman. 'We are recording this special moment for our racers and their families to be enjoyed for years to come. It's another unique part of the Mexican 1000 experience.'

For more information, please visit the NORRA at www.norra.com.