12/22/2018
Hey all,
For the fifth year running, the Martelli Brothers, who own the Mint 400, and Best in the Desert have set aside slots for Class 11s. They are strong supporters of old school racing and, as they have in the past, are making a special deal for Class 11 teams.
The entry fee for Class 11s is $1050 (up $50 from 2017 because everything is more expensive). Unfortunately due to a change in overall race operations, they won’t be able to offer the two day comped hotel room in Primm as they have in the past. You will, however, get the discounted rate at Primm. I suspect we will be getting space on Contingency Row if you want to put up a display to support your sponsors. As with past years, we will be doing two laps of the 120 mile course.
There will be two days of racing in 2019 and 11s will race Saturday afternoon starting at 1 p.m. along with the following classes - 6000 Trophy Lite, 2000, 7300, 3000, 5000, 1100, 1200, UTV Unlimited, UTV RS1, UTV Sportsman, 7100 Sportsman, Vintage, Vintage Open, Class 11 Stock VW, 1700 Jeepspeed 1, 2700 Jeepspeed 2, 3700 Jeepspeed 3, 4700 Jeepspeed 4 and UTV Rally.
When registration for the Mint opens January 4, you will have to move quickly, as we expect it to sell out again. We’ve had a couple of teams lollygag and they didn’t get to race because all the slots were filled. (If we don’t reserve them, they go to other classes, like those shifty-looking Class 9 people.)
If you or someone you love is interested in racing the Mint, you can contact me at [email protected] .
Here’s a quickie FAQ based on what I’ve been asked in the past…
Q. When is the race?
A. Race Week is March 6-10. Our race is Saturday afternoon, March 9.
Q. Can I keep my 11XX number?
A. Best in the Desert already has a Class 11 and it’s not us. We’ll be 51XX, so you need to prepare new number plates.
Q. ZOMG, HOW COME ONLY 240 MILES?! IN THE OLD MINT WE DID ALL THE MILES!
A. Yes, in some past Mint 400s, Class 11s did all 400 miles. But I’m (still) writing the first book on the history of the Mint and, point of fact, sometimes Class 11s did all 400 miles, some years they did less. Some years they didn’t even have Class 11. For 2019, it's two laps. Turn that frown upside down.
Q. How come no hotel rooms?
A. For a number of reasons, not the least of which being that motorcycles are coming back this year for the first time since 1976, there's not going to be a surfeit of hotel rooms in Primm like there has been in past years. When I started racing, we slept in the dirt and we liked it. Old Skool.
Q. Can I get in the parade?
A. I can probably hook a couple of you up, but you need to be in Vegas by Wednesday morning of Race Week at the latest and you have to tell me way in advance because participation is capped at something like 100 vehicles and it’s first come, first served. Tell me now.
Q. Can I lead the parade? (Seriously, someone asked me this).
A. Yeah, no.
Q. What rule book are you using?
A. If you are a SNORE or SCORE-tagged car, you should be good to go.
Q. What's going to be done about nerfing 11s?
A. A couple of things. First, the classes have been divvied up, shifting the faster classes to a different race. Second, race organizers are strongly recommending running a rear-facing GoPro or other race camera. If there is convincing video evidence you were unduly nerfed, the other racer risks being DQ'd.
Q. What’s the prize money?
A. I don’t know yet, but I’ll keep you in the loop.
Q. Who is signed up so far?
A. Nobody. It opens Jan. 4. See above re: lollygagging. Registration starts 10 a.m. Friday, January 4. They're doing online registration this year and you can find it on themint400.com website under the "Racer Info" tab.
Q. Ok, then. Who has expressed interest?
A. Since you asked, Jared Justus (5114). The Boyers (no # yet). Andy Mac HSD (5169), Jereme Wade Robinson (1152), Nick Hamm / Machete (5132), Hector Maymes ORS / Suavecito (5152), Ventura Brothers (5121), Mauro Diaz Dimel Racing (5106), Robert Johnson (5189), Richard Sletten (5163), Victor Manuel Gasca Rivas/Gasca (5149).
Q. What can I do to ensure I get an automatic rear start?
A. Attach a concert rider that includes M&Ms, deli plates and Fiji Water with your application (Dave Bolles). Keep asking if you can lead the parade (Robert Johnson). Asking if you can have the number 5100 when you didn’t actually win last year (You know who you are).
Q. Can I hit you up months after the event and ask for a t-shirt?
A. I'm not making any promises.
Q. Are you ever going to buy me that McDonalds meal you owe me because you lost that bet?
A. Yes, Dave Hendrickson. This year for sure.
