NORRA 500 Tech in Ensenada: Fast 'N Dirty Straps In

The wrap caught the low sun first. Grey camo, FAST 'N DIRTY across the door, www.fastndirty.com underneath, a light bar up top and beadlock wheels parked on the sidewalk under the palms. Then came the part that matters: climbing in.

Thursday is tech day for the NORRA 500 Baja Coast Challenge, four days of Baja racing out of Ensenada from October 8 through 11. Before anybody races, every vehicle has to pass inspection.

The side-by-side classes were first in line at 8 a.m. on Club Rotario Avenue beside the Riviera, with the Evolution and Historic Era machines following from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. FanFest filled the same stretch from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Inside our UTV, it was two Fast 'N Dirty shirts, two thumbs up, and a cab wrapped in window net and intake tubes. In the next frame it was just Brad in the seat, the net throwing a checkerboard of shadow across his face.

Tonight brings the drivers meeting at the Riviera. Friday the field runs Ensenada to San Quintín. Saturday it turns back for the beachside finish at Estero Beach, and Sunday is awards at Transpeninsular Brewery.

The shirts are clean and the wrap still shines. Give it two days.