41 TRICK TRUCKS, 29 CLASS 1500s, AND 30 CLASS 1000s READY TO RACE THE GENERAL TIRE MINT 400

UTV Weekly | March 18, 2013

Las Vegas, Nevada, March 15, 2013

Casey Folks announced today that 254 entries, including 41 Trick Trucks, 29 Class 1500 cars, and 30 Class 1000s are signed up for the General Tire Mint 400 presented by Polaris. Plus, he said only a limited number of spots remain to enter the race. Hundreds of race teams from across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australia and Europe will converge on Las Vegas, Nevada for “The Great American Off-Road Race” and to compete in twenty-one different classes of off-road desert race vehicles at this year’s General Tire Mint 400, which will take place from March 20^th – 24^th, 2013.

So who’s coming? Only the top off-road racers in the world! Names like Rob MacChacren, Cameron Steele, BJ Baldwin, Adam Householder, Steve Olliges, John Swift, Shawn & Ray Croll, Jason Voss, Curt LeDuc, Kyle Conlon, Brandon Arthur, Bryce Menzies, Kevin McGillvray, Ryan Poelman, Jesse Jones, TJ Flores, Steve Strobel, Mark & Gary Weyhrich…and the list goes on and on.

The BLM has approved the Casey Folks designed course located south of Las Vegas, Nevada. The brutal 400-mile, multi-loop race course features rocky washes, silt beds, high-speed graded roads, rock gardens, and the giant rolling jumps that The Mint 400 has become famous for. Additionally, racers will start side-by-side (two at a time), making “turn one” an exciting aspect of the race. Prize purses include the “Team Ford” Pole Award and Trick Truck Challenge bonus money. Additionally, Folks commented there will be four (4) designated, limited space, free viewing areas that will accommodate several thousand spectators, so fans can witness first-hand the incredibly thrilling action of high-speed off-road desert racing.

The 4 Wheel Parts Mint 400 Off-Road Vehicle Parade (right down the strip!) will begin at 3:15 PM on Wednesday, March 20th at Circus Circus Las Vegas Hotel & Casino and make its way three miles south to Mandalay Bay Hotel & Casino. Following the procession, Hussong’s Cantina will host the official Mint 400 Kick-Off Party beginning at 6PM. Thousands of spectators and race fans can also soak up the spectacle of The Mint 400 at the Fremont Street Experience when contingency and tech inspection kicks off Friday, March 22^ND on Fremont St. in downtown Las Vegas from 9:00 AM until 7:00 PM. Here they’ll have the chance to get up close to the race vehicles and drivers as well as check out thousands of awesome products on display as they weave their way down the street lined with hundreds of race related manufacturers and vendors. This spectacular event is made possible through the sponsorship of the entire Downtown Las Vegas/Fremont Street Group.

The fast action really gets started Thursday morning, March 21^st when the 41 Trick Trucks and 29 open Class 1500 buggies get set to go head to head at the Time Trials for a shot at the coveted “Team Ford” pole award and the $1000 in bonus cash from Steve Olliges of Team Ford Lincoln, Las Vegas that goes along with it.

Saturday, March 23rd is race day and kicks off at 6:00 AM for Classes 1100, 6000, 3000, 2000, 4400, 7100, 8100, 5500, 1800, 3700, 1700, 9000, 5100, and the UTVs. These racers will run either three or two laps on the course.

Shortly after 12:00 Noon, the speed merchants of the desert will take the green flag. This group includes the Trick Trucks along with Classes 1500, 7200, 1200, 8000, 1000, 5000, and 6100. These classes will all run four laps over the brutally challenging course.

Mad Media and the Martelli brothers are co-producing The Mint 400 along with Best In The Desert. “We’ve expanded the reach of The Mint for 2013 dramatically by increasing the coverage with our TV partners and by partnering with Race-Dezert.com for live tracking and web coverage during the race,” said Joshua Martelli. “We’ve also expanded the Mint 400 social media package that includes Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. We will be producing a ton of new video content prior to and during the race – and distributing it through these channels to all of our fans. We’re going to elevate The Mint 400 back to being the most important motorsports event in the world, one year at a time.”

Best In The Desert official sponsors: Ford Motor Company – official truck, General Tire – official tire, Lucas – official oil, VP Racing Fuels – official fuel, KC HiLiTES – official light, John Deere – official UTV, Beta Motorcycles – official motorcycle, Fabtech – official Suspension, Slime, Fall Advertising, Prerunner Maniac, McKenzies, PCI Race Radios, Kartek, Rockwell Time and Sportsman Cycle Sales.

The American Off-Road Racing Series…Best In The Desert!
Further information available from: www.bitd.com
email: bitd@bitd.com, phone: (702) 457-5775

Media and Marketing information for The Mint 400 available from:
Matt Martelli
Email: matt@madmedia.com, phone: (702) 802-8503

Media Credentials and Program Advertising information available from:
Fall Advertising
Email: mediabitd@fallads.com