Last April, Dakar Rally veterans Darren Skilton and Scott Whitney brought their vast knowledge and unique experience to a brand new off-road rally held in the intoxicating and massive sand dunes of Mexico's Sonora desert -- dunes that rival those in Africa and surpass those found in South America. Set to run under its new "Sonora Rally" name (it was formally known as the Cortez Rally), they have announced the 2016 event will run from April 4-7th, with registration and the rally school scheduled for April 3rd.

Limited to an exclusive field of just 40 entries, the veteran racing duo have also announced that 2016 Sonora Rally registration will open in October and includes categories for cars, trucks, motorcycles, UTV and quads. In addition, next year's event will also feature several new ways to participate.

For their first rally, Skilton and Whitney worked with the National Off Road Racing Association (NORRA) to give racers the opportunity to experience a true North American cross-country navigation rally through varied desert terrain never previously used for competition.

Next year, with a new name and an all-new course, the 2016 Sonora Rally will again lead competitors through spectacular scenery and challenging navigation. The only rally of its kind in North America, Sonora Rally competitors must use true, Dakar-style “HP Navigation” (coming from the French phrase “Hors Piste” meaning "off-track"). Participants will be able to follow existing trails until arriving in the sand dune areas at which point they will have to navigate and finish via compass and expert Scott Whitney's road books.

The four-day event will include a new version of last year’s popular bivouac which will give competitors and crew a central location to gather and camp in the stunningly beautiful dunes. Created by AdventuraTravel.com, the bivouac will be complete with The Sonora Cantina, new camp-style showers and bathroom facilities as well as 24-hour food availability.

Each entry will include a half-day rally school, making this world-class adventure accessible to all levels. "The overwhelmingly positive response we received from last year’s competitors was all we needed to bring this rally back in 2016," said Skilton, "We are looking forward to giving this year’s competitors an even better adventure and race experience, with new trails and terrain undiscovered by the off-road motorsports world!" SonoraRally.com

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