Off-road trophy truck racing in the Baja desert during the 2026 season

The desert wakes up early on race week. Long before dawn, the wash fills with the throb of engines and the white beams of pre-runners scouting one more line, while chase trucks load spares and crews argue over fuel splits. From the trophy trucks of the Baja 1000 to the vintage iron of the NORRA rally, 2026 is a full year of racing down the peninsula and across Sonora – and Instant Mexico Auto Insurance has insured this world since 1975. Here is the season at a glance.

The 2026 Baja & Sonora season at a glance

The marquee dated events for the 2026 off-road season:

Jan 30-31
San Felipe Desert Mayhem — “El Jefe 300”
RECORD series opener · San Felipe, Baja
Early Feb
Bahía de los Ángeles 200 (Bay of LA 200)
Circuit race on the Sea of Cortez · Baja
Mar 25-29
SCORE San Felipe 250
SCORE World Desert Championship · San Felipe, Baja
Apr 30 – May 8
NORRA Mexican 1000 (Baja 6-Day Rally)
Ensenada to San José del Cabo · vintage-style rally
Jun 3-7
SCORE Baja 500
SCORE World Desert Championship · Ensenada, Baja
Sep 9-13
SCORE Baja 400
SCORE World Desert Championship · Ensenada, Baja
Oct 8-11
NORRA 500
Two-day loop · Ensenada, Baja
Nov 9-15
SCORE Baja 1000
The crown jewel · Baja California

Dates are the latest announced and can shift – always confirm with the promoter before you travel.

More racing through the year
  • RECORD Off-Road (5 races): the San Felipe-based series runs rounds across the year, opening with the El Jefe 300 in January.
  • CODE Off-Road (6 races): Baja’s busiest desert series, with events between Mexicali, Ensenada and San Felipe.
  • Sonora Rally: the road-to-Dakar navigation rally in Sonora, typically in the spring.
  • Check each promoter’s site for the full 2026 round-by-round schedule.

We insure the whole field

Whether you are racing, pre-running, driving chase, or just heading down to watch, you need valid Mexican insurance the moment you cross. Instant is the official Mexican insurance agent for SCORE International and a longtime partner of Baja off-road racing – see our off-road racing insurance page for race-vehicle, pre-runner and chase coverage, and our race guides for the Baja 1000, Baja 500, Baja 400 and San Felipe 250.

Racing or watching in 2026?

Race vehicles, pre-runners and chase trucks are insured by phone – off-road racing coverage is not available through the online form. Just driving down to watch? Quote your own vehicle online in minutes.

Call (800) 345-4701 Quote my vehicle →

Related guides

By Instant Mexico Auto Insurance
Serving U.S. drivers heading into Baja and mainland Mexico since 1973, from our drive-through office at the San Ysidro border. California-licensed (Dept. of Insurance #0516723), BBB A+ accredited, and the official Mexican insurance agent for SCORE International and Baja off-road racing – including the Bay of LA 200. Our policies are underwritten by established, A-rated Mexican carriers.

Frequently asked questions

When is the SCORE Baja 1000 in 2026?

The 2026 SCORE Baja 1000 is scheduled for November 9-15, 2026, in Baja California. It is the final round of the SCORE World Desert Championship.

What off-road races are in Baja in 2026?

The 2026 season includes the San Felipe Desert Mayhem El Jefe 300 (Jan 30-31), the Bay of LA 200 (early Feb), SCORE San Felipe 250 (Mar 25-29), NORRA Mexican 1000 (Apr 30-May 8), SCORE Baja 500 (Jun 3-7), SCORE Baja 400 (Sep 9-13), NORRA 500 (Oct 8-11) and SCORE Baja 1000 (Nov 9-15), plus RECORD, CODE and Sonora Rally rounds.

Do I need Mexican insurance to race or watch in Baja?

Yes. Your U.S. auto policy is not valid in Mexico. Racers, pre-runners, chase vehicles and spectators all need a Mexican auto policy to drive legally. Race-vehicle coverage is issued through our office; spectator and chase coverage can be quoted online.

Can you insure a race vehicle or chase truck for a 2026 Baja race?

Yes. We specialize in off-road racing coverage – race vehicles, pre-runners and chase trucks. Contact our office at least three weeks before your event so coverage can be issued in time.

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