By SEMA Editors



Photo credit: Mad Media

Baja racing legend Rod Hall, 82, has passed away. He began his racing career in the ’50s and won the inaugural NORRA Mexican 1000 in 1967. He was a hired driver for the legendary Bill Stroppe and co-drove with Larry Minor in a Ford Bronco. In 1975, Hall managed the Dodge off-road program with Jim Fricker.

Hall is the only off-road racer to have participated in 50 consecutive Baja 1000 events in a four-wheeled vehicle. His last green flag was in 2017 at the 50th anniversary of the SCORE Baja 1000. In 1969 Hall became the only off-road racer to win the Baja 1000 overall in a four-wheeled vehicle. In addition to SCORE races, Hall competed in HDRA, Best In The Desert, and several other off-road races throughout his career. Hall had 37 consecutive victories in SCORE and HDRA and more than 160 event wins, including 10 Mint 400s, 10 Parker 400s, 12 Fireworks 250s, and 12 Baja 500 and 17 Baja 1000 class victories. He won 14 major class points championships in production four-wheel-drive vehicles, according to the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame, which inducted him in 2005.

In addition to racing, Hall owned a company that supplied suspension products for military vehicles.

A memorial service open to all will be announced as soon as possible. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame in Hall’s memory would be appreciated.