The Mint 400 Celebrates 50 Years of Desert Racing [GALLERY]
The Mint 400 is much more than just a race. It's a five-day event that takes place in both iconic and remote places around Las Vegas. Beginning in historic Downtown Las Vegas, a two-day race contingency and tech takes place along the iconic Fremont Street experience. Industry companies and race teams line up along the street as racers push their vehicles through the crowds, interacting and taking photos with fans on their way to tech inspection. The Trophy Truck and Class 1 buggy teams attend a qualifying event in the desert, with the qualifying times determining the starting position. But it all led up to Saturday's main event. In it's 50th year, The Mint 400 featured over 400 race team entries, in every class from bone stock VWs to $500,000 Trophy Trucks that have their own helicopters as chase vehicles. Although the range in vehicles and team sizes couldn't be more vast, the camaraderie among those who compete in this race couldn't be closer. With relentless rain, cold temps and a quickly fading sunlight, the unlimited class race went deep into the night.
Flip through the gallery above to see all the action from the Mint 400, and stay tuned for more coverage of "The Great American Off-Road Race!"
