Pushing the Limits:
Meyers Manx Remastered at the NORRA 500
January 11, 2024
Settled in the passenger seat of our Meyers Manx Remastered Kit, we began our journey from Orange County to the rutted trails of the NORRA 500 to try the Safari Class unsupported. It was just us, our Manx and roll of tools, and the open road. Our only partner in this escapade? A Mercedes camera truck, which, frankly, came with its fair share of melodrama.
Rolling towards Mexico, the Pacific Coast air mixed with a sense of thrill and a dash of uncertainty. We weren’t setting off on a road trip, and feeling the typical sense of wanderlust one does when they point their headlights South from San Diego. We were setting off to test the mettle, and fiberglass, of our new Meyers Manx Remastered Kit. The challenging terrain of Baja is a harsh teacher, and we hoped to learn the very limits of one of our classic buggies.
Once into the event, the terrain was unforgiving. Recently ravaged trails from the Baja 1000 SCORE event only added to the challenge. We packed our typical Manx Hoodies and Beanies expecting the pacific chill to last halfway through the event. It lasted for about 2 hours, and then the relentless heat began. We did everything we could to stay hydrated, and our Nalgene Bottles of water raised in temperature throughout the day in the back of the non-air conditioned Mercedes. Thankfully, we found the right tire pressure for the terrain and our Manx began to dance over the dry lakebed, easily outpacing the Mercedes and traveling along at highway speeds.
Then came a brutal hole in the trail, which threw us a real curveball. Our Meyers Manx's rear left shock mount decided to bow out. After calling out the failed shock on the radio, we pulled off the trail with the Mercedes to evaluate our car. Fixing these vehicles in the field is necessary when relying on 60’s technology for your adventures. With the Mercedes overheating, a tow out wasn't an option. We decided to completely remove the shock and press on for the rest of the event on three of them.
Our lightweight Manx soaked up the entire 500 as well as the trip back, and its classic Volkswagen motor had no issues sitting in 3 hours of traffic on the way home. These cars really can do it all.
