As the second annual NORRA Mexican 1000 gets set take the green flag for next week's three-day run down the legendary Baja peninsula, event organizers and Intersect Beverage Company have announced a new partnership that will see its Azuñia brand of premium tequila enjoy official status of the unique motorsports rally. Scheduled for May 4-8, the 2011 Mexican 1000 will cover over 1,000 miles over three days beginning in Mexicali, Baja, Mexico and finishing in La Paz.
Based in San Clemente, Calif., Intersect Beverage is the worldwide distributor for Azuñia Tequila, a premium line of tequilas that includes their three distinctive blends -- Anejo, Resposado and Platinum Blanco. A rich tasting and authentic tequila, Azuñia is made with perfectly aged Weber Blue Agave, which grows for 8 to 10 years in the sun-drenched fields surrounding the small town of Amatitan in the Jalisco region of Mexico.
"From it's inception, a key ingredient to our formula for success with Azuñia was to associate the brand with unique and upscale events," explained Intersect Beverage founder and CEO Jim Riley. "While only in its second year, the Mexican 1000 is already well down the path of becoming a world-class motorsports adventure. The combination of authentic Mexican heritage and unique, fun-filled spirit of the rally make it an ideal fit on many levels."
The partnership between Intersect Beverage and NORRA (National Off Road Racing Association) President Mike Pearlman is a two-year program to encompass both the upcoming 2011 and 2012 rallies. Pearlman's late father Ed and others established the first running of the NORRA Mexican 1000 off-road rally in November of 1967. Eventually the Mexican 1000 became internationally recognized and evolved into the Baja 1000 in the mid-1970s. In 2010 Mike Pearlman successfully revived NORRA to sanction and promote the Mexican 1000, a unique, once-a-year, three-day rally that includes vintage off-road and alternative fuel vehicles.
Intersect will provide this year's contestants with specially prepared Azuñia Tequila/Wide Open Excursions Mexican 1000 Driver's Meeting. In addition, Azuñia will support the entries of a two-car effort of Riley and racing partner Rick Johnson, not to mention providing each of this year's entries with a special bottle of Intersect Beverage's new Regional (pronounced "Rayhe-o-nahl") 100% blue agave tequila.
"We are very pleased to announce the addition of Azuñia Tequila and Intersect Beverage to our growing NORRA family of partners," explained Mike Pearlman. "At its core, the Mexican 1000, while a competitive rally, is more about our participants having a great time while honoring the past and forging the future. Having a premium and authentic brand like Azuñia on board is welcome news for 2011 and into the future."
NORRA is expecting up to 100 entries for next week's Mexican 1000, a field comprised of a wide array of vehicles and teams. For more information, including driver bios and vehicle histories, please visit NORRA.com.
About Intersect Beverage
Intersect Beverage, located in San Clemente, CA, imports premium tequilas. Executives, Jim Riley and Chris Melendez, have more than twenty years experience in the spirits industry. Intersect Beverage is committed to delivering the highest quality brands and products to every client, employing the best management and sales team in the industry involving each individual in the success of the company and its partners.
To learn more about Azuñia Ultra-Premium Tequilas and to download a list of Azuñia Tequila cocktails visit www.AzuñiaTequila.com.
