OTSFF Racing Shows Strong Pace at 2026 NORRA 500 Before Mechanical Setback

Press Release · Vaughan, ON – October 29, 2026

OTSFF Racing entered the 2026 NORRA 500 with a focus on performance, development, and building momentum for the future. While an engine failure ultimately brought the team’s race to an early conclusion, driver Andre Laurin and navigator Dalton demonstrated impressive speed and collected valuable data from several significant upgrades to their race truck.

Competing across the challenging terrain of Baja California, the team completed approximately 140 miles of racing on the opening day, steadily increasing its pace as Laurin grew more comfortable behind the wheel. The team’s latest suspension adjustments, combined with a newly installed Fortin underdrive system and X Comp tires, delivered noticeable improvements in handling, control and overall performance.

Leading the Class Before the Setback

“Obviously, it wasn’t the race result we were hoping for, but we accomplished some massive testing with the new Fortin underdrive system,” said Laurin. “It has been an amazing change to the truck. Combined with the suspension improvements, I was able to drive much faster and smoother, especially flowing in and out of corners. Dalton was on point with navigation, and everything was coming together.”

That improved performance translated directly into a competitive advantage. Before the mechanical setback, OTSFF Racing had worked its way into first place in class, building an approximately four-mile lead over its nearest competitor.

One particularly memorable moment came during a series of rolling hills, where Laurin and Dalton experienced an unexpectedly long jump that briefly left them wondering when the truck would reconnect with the ground.

“There was one section of rolling hills where Dalton and I had a pretty big ‘oh, shit’ moment,” Laurin recalled. “We felt like we were in the air forever with no ground in sight. Thankfully, we had a smooth landing, gave each other a quick fist bump, and kept going. At that point, we were leading our class by four miles, and the speed we were carrying was incredibly rewarding.”

Despite their promising start, an engine failure ended the team’s competitive effort before the completion of the opening day. With racing no longer an option, the crew shifted its attention to preparing for approaching severe weather as ocean conditions threatened portions of the racecourse.

Although the mechanical failure was disappointing, the team’s experience reinforced the effectiveness of its recent development work. The Fortin underdrive system represented one of the most significant improvements, allowing Laurin to maintain greater control and momentum through corners. The suspension changes further improved the truck’s handling, while the X Comp tires provided impressive performance throughout the team’s time on course.

Beyond the equipment, Laurin emphasized the importance of having a dependable support crew capable of managing the demands of off-road racing.

“Having a great crew gives me confidence and takes away a lot of the stress that comes with racing,” Laurin explained. “Adam has put together a great group with Ryan and Mike. Knowing we have good people supporting us and chasing the truck allows me to focus on driving and getting the most out of the equipment.”

Lessons From Baja

For Laurin, the NORRA 500 continues to offer a unique racing experience, combining competitive stages with a rally format that rewards preparation, consistency and adaptability. Familiarity with much of the course from the previous year’s event also helped him find a comfortable rhythm early in the race.

While the team left Baja without the finish it had hoped for, the experience provided valuable insight into the truck’s capabilities and the direction of its ongoing development.

“One of the biggest takeaways is to stay calm and keep moving forward,” Laurin said. “Things don’t always go according to plan in off-road racing, but there is always something positive to take away. We approached this race as an opportunity to test components, and from that perspective, we accomplished a lot.”

Looking Ahead to a Historic 2027

With the 2026 NORRA 500 behind them, OTSFF Racing is turning its attention toward an ambitious opportunity in 2027 as NORRA prepares to celebrate its 60th anniversary.

The organization has announced a historic 10-day Baja rally that will take competitors from Ensenada to San José del Cabo and back, creating an extraordinary endurance challenge across the Baja Peninsula.

For OTSFF Racing, participating in the anniversary event would represent a major commitment, with the extensive preparation, logistics, and resources required potentially making it the team’s only race of the 2027 season.

“The 2027 NORRA event is going to be a massive undertaking,” Laurin said. “Ten days and more than 2,000 miles of racing is an incredible opportunity to be part of NORRA’s 60th anniversary, and it’s something we’re looking at very seriously.”

With meaningful improvements already demonstrated at the NORRA 500, the team has a stronger understanding of its race truck’s potential and the areas requiring attention as preparations continue.

For OTSFF Racing, the 2026 NORRA 500 may not have delivered the desired finishing result, but the performance demonstrated throughout the opening stage provided plenty of reasons for optimism. The team now looks to build on those gains and carry the lessons learned into its next chapter of off-road racing.

OTSFF Racing couldn’t do this without its sponsors: X Comp Tires, Vision Wheel, FUCHS, Dynamic Motorsports, Vibrant Performance, Nacho Offroad Lighting, ADS Racing Shocks, WABAM, Viscid Design, Fitza Racing Development, GlazzKraft and Motorsports Assassin.

Follow the season: see every OTSFF off-road race report, or browse the off-road truck photo galleries.