After a 50-year hiatus, Don Prudhomme is on a mission of redemption to the NORRA Mexican 1000. “In 1968, we burned it up,” he said, referring to the Porsche-powered buggy built by Tony Nancy. “Never made it into the dirt, which I’m embarrassed to tell you. Haven’t been back since.”
The NORRA Mexican 1000 is what the SCORE Baja 1000 was called back in the day. The NORRA or National Off Road Racing Association 1000, takes place in Baja California Mexico and pays homage to the many eras of off-road racing. It is five days and 1,000 miles of racing in the Baja desert with cars, buggies, trucks, and motorcycles aplenty. This year, the racers strike out from the city of Ensenada in northern Baja on Friday, April 20th, racing to San Jose del Cabo, at the tip of the Baja peninsula, where the race concludes on the following Thursday.
Back in 1968, Steve McQueen was supposed to enter the race in his Porsche-powered buggy, but due to a movie conflict, he wasn’t able to drive. Car builder Tony Nancy then called on Don Prudhomme, who he knew through drag racing, to take McQueen’s place. Sadly, they didn’t finish and “The Snake” never returned to Baja, until now.
Prudhomme’s entrance into the Mexican 1000 is the first competitive race since his retirement in 1994 and the first time he’s been racing south of the border in 50 years. At the time of his retirement, Prudhomme earned 49 NHRA National event titles in both the Funny Car and Top Fuel classes. Later as a team owner, 63 more titles were added his books.
Prudhomme will be piloting a 2018 Polaris RZR 1000 that has been prepped by P.J Jones of PJ Performance in Mesa Arizona. The vehicle was built to race in the Stock Turbo UTV Class. “This thing can move out,” says Prudhomme. “If we’d had this in 1968, we would have finished the race. We’re gonna do it right for the NORRA this year.”
Ex Hot Rod staffer and Roadkill.com editor Elana Scherr got a chance to talk to “The Snake” about that one time he raced a buggy in Baja. For an awesome interview click here.
The post Don “The Snake” Prudhomme Will Return to Baja appeared first on Hot Rod Network.