With off-road desert racing’s summer hibernation now up shifting into the frantic pace of fall, the National Off-Road Racing Association (NORRA) today announced the official dates for its 6th Annual General Tire NORRA Mexican 1000 rally. Working in association with local and state officials, the vintage-themed event – known affectionately as “The Happiest Race on Earth” is scheduled to take place from Sunday, April 26 through Wednesday, April 29, 2015.

Once again, a diverse field of over 200 trucks, sedans, buggies and motorcycles are expected to take on a 1,300-plus mile, four-day on and off-road rally from the starting line in Ensenada, Baja, Mexico to the white sand beaches of the resort destination of San Jose Del Cabo at land’s end. For a peek into what the event is all about, check out the video above of the 2014 event.

In keeping with a popular NORRA tradition, online registration for all participants in the 2015 Mexican 1000 will once again commence precisely at 12:00pm (noon, PST) on New Year’s Day, January 1st. As is the case every year, early entrants are guaranteed “first in, first out” starting positions within their category on Day 1 and “first come, first served” room reservation guarantees from NORRA at the Day 1 overnight stop in Bay of Los Angeles (four wheel vehicles only).

While NORRA hosted its Mexican 500 “La Carrera Del Norte” last October, rally organizers have decided to concentrate its current efforts in fine-tuning its Mexican 1000 rally experience for competitors, sponsors and media guests at this time. As an example, in 2014 the Mexican 1000 dates were two weeks later in May, but customers were concerned about competing during a very special time for families.

“Admittedly, there were several tangible benefits to running our marque event later in the year, but we became aware that those dates coincided with Mother’s Day weekend,” explained NORRA President Mike Pearlman. “First and foremost to NORRA’s business philosophy is customer service, so our competitors concerns were not just heard, but addressed. Finding a date that works for everybody every year is almost impossible today, but this seems to be the best solution for 2015 and beyond.”

NORRA is also looking to refine and enhance its unique multiple course, multiple city format that was first instituted earlier this year to provide a greater margin of safety for the rally’s two and four-wheel classes. Trying to maintain a careful balance of managed growth without losing the very essence of what has become the cornerstone to the event’s remarkable growth, rally organizers are recommitting themselves to the Mexican 1000s many vintage vehicles and motorcycles next year.

“In many ways, organizing the Mexican 1000 is navigating unchartered territory in terms of long distance desert competition,” Pearlman added. “First and foremost, it’s all supposed to be about fun, camaraderie and enjoying Baja’s incredible peninsula — and not a grueling marathon. This year we discovered some important lessons about the limits our vintage-based classes can overcome. NORRA is 100 percent dedicated to correcting these issues in the future.”

NORRA is expected to announce more schedule and course details in the coming weeks as it prepares for its annual attendance at the Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo in Pomona, California, and the SEMA Show in Las Vegas.