Ensuring there was “no bad blood” between the two entities, the Martellis said their plan was to chart a new path for the race in an effort to “bring off-road racing to a much broader audience.” In April 2019, news broke that the Mint 400 would no longer be part of the Best in the Desert series. Under the watchful eye of The Martellis and the Best in the Desert series, the Mint 400 cemented itself as the biggest and best off-road race and event in North America, easily surpassing the 10,000-spectator mark since 2012. Over the next eight years the Mint 400 grew from a one-day race, averaging about 200 entries, to a four-day complete off-road festival, averaging over 550 entries. The BITD is the largest desert racing series in North America, founded in 1984 by industry legend Casey Folks. Ideal for off-road vehicles – thanks to a waterproof design – this innovative throttle-enhancement device is emissions safe, warranty safe, and made in the USA.įor 2012, the Mint 400 joined the Best in the Desert off-road racing series. Adjust on the fly and really feel the change as you drive. With their vast knowledge of extreme sports, racing, and promotion, the duo infused the race with a fresh new perspective, taking it forward by leaps and bounds. Founders of Mad Media, a pioneering ad agency in the action sports realm, the Martelli Brothers also produced Gymkhana, arguably the most popular and important viral automotive franchise of the last decade. Shortly after its rebirth, the race was purchased by producers Matt and Josh Martelli, better known as The Martelli Brothers, who had covered the race for several years after its resurrection. But for 2008, former long-time sponsor General Tire resurrected the race with help from SNORE (Southern Nevada Off-Road Enthusiasts).Ī legend was reborn - bigger and better than ever. 20 Years in the MakingĪfter the 1989 race, the Mint 400 went silent for two decades. Therefore, the race was left for dead after the 1989 running. Unfortunately, Binion’s ownership felt the race and the accompanying activities would have a negative effect on casino business. Ignoring the naysayers, and spanning the next two decades, the Mint 400 was circled in pen on the calendars of top off-road racers and enthusiasts throughout the country.Īs history would have it, the legacy of Johnson’s journey outlasted the hotel it served to promote, as The Mint folded into the iconic Binion’s Horseshoe in 1988. Very few finished and most ended up strewn about the desert.Įvent sentiments were mixed among the hotel’s executive, with one saying “This is a f-ing disaster,” while others praised it as the greatest thing they’d ever seen. With $30,000 on the line, 115 drivers attempted the route. However, it was the following year that saw the true birth of the race, as it was now taking entrants and offering prize money. Professional off-road racer Ivan Stewart racked up eight Mint 400 victories during his career. The inaugural trek caught the eye of national media outlets, driving enthusiasts, and outdoor adventurists, and the popularity of the 600-mile drive took off overnight. Thompson’s book Fear and Loathing In Las Vegas, and featured in the popular film adaptation.) (If that hotel and race sound familiar, that’s because they were depicted in Hunter S. In 1967, he sent two dune buggies to take the desert voyage from Las Vegas to Lake Tahoe in an effort to promote the now-defunct Mint Hotel- the starting point for the race. Journalist, racer, publicist, and sculptor Norm Johnson gets the credit for organizing the first event. The Mint 400- often referred to as The Great American Off-Road Race -started from humble beginnings over 50 years ago. And while it may not have the immediate name recognition for a younger generation like KOH, for my money it is a must see (or drive!) event for all off-road enthusiasts. But over the course of the past half-century, no off-road race has more legend, lore, or luster than the Mint 400. Outside the States, the Dakar Rally and Baja 1000 hold the title for most fans of pavement-free motorsports, and inside the U.S., The King of the Hammers may have taken its place at the head of the table during the past decade. But for those of us who prefer dirt and sand over asphalt-what is our off-road Mecca? Our holy grail of racing?
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