Behind The Tensor DSR 37" | Rhys Millen Claims Overall Victory at NORRA 1000
The NORRA Mexican 1000 is a five-day rally through the deserts of Baja California. With multiple stages per day covering over 1,000 miles, this event is a huge undertaking and one of the most historic in all of desert racing. Rhys Millen, in his RMR built four-wheel-drive "Jackal" buggy, took the overall win using Tensor Tires' new 37" DSR competition level "Desert Series Race" tire.
"It's official, we won our class and overall!" Rhys stated. "I am beyond pumped for the team and to NORRA for such an amazing course! It wasn't the perfect run, we were not always the fastest, but when it came down to it, we stayed on course, hit every VCP and were the smartest!"
Over the five days and 11 stages, Rhys drove the 1,126-mile course in a total time of 15 hours, 14 minutes, and 53 seconds. Racing his lightweight V8-powered Jackal in the Evolution Unlimited Buggy division, Millen beat the 2nd place overall finisher, a high horsepower Evolution Unlimited Truck (Trophy Truck), by 8 Minutes, and 14 Seconds.
The RMR Jackal is a versatile platform that could be outfitted with various engine configurations to run in multiple divisions depending on the racer's desire. One thing that does not change is the 37" DSR Tensor Tires. This Jackal platform was designed for and built around this specific tire in a collaborative development program between RMR & Tensor Tire. During the NORRA 1000, Millen suffered zero failures, with the tires performing beyond expectations. Rhys has also recently raced several events with zero flats and has either won or been on the box.
Millen commented on the Tensor DSR 37" Tires performance, "I won the Baja 1000 last year in Class 7, zero flats. We just finished the San Felipe 250, zero flats. So, the tire has a weight factor balanced with this lightweight vehicle is an amazing combination.”
This year's "Happiest Race On Earth" was re-routed before the event kicked off, cutting out Baja Sur. Typically a point-to-point event starting in Ensenada and finishing in La Paz, NORRA mapped out a mix of well-worn race lines and never before ran sections all in Baja Norte.
Millen started 20th overall and 7th in class. By the end of the third stage on Day 1, Rhys had moved up to 2nd overall. After catching the leader 15 miles into Day 2, the Jackal snapped an axel and Millen lost 7 minutes, falling back to 4th place. Day 3, Rhys ran quick and clean with a couple of 2nd fastest stage times behind Justin Lofton, leading overall in his Method Race Wheels throw-back Rough Riders truck. RMR had a rough go of Day 4, struggling with navigation but was still in contention for the win, which was making for great racing. Millen brought the Jackal across the finish line in Ensenada for 2nd place on the day but good enough for 1st place in class and the overall finish.
Tensor Tire congratulates Rhys Millen for this big victory and recognizes the proven performance of the lightweight RMR Jackal Buggy combined with the 37" DSR Tensor Tire.
Photography By: Bink Designs
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