The Mint 400 History – The Great American Off-Road Race!

The Mint 400 Off-Road race is permanently woven into the fabric of America as the backdrop for the famous novel by Hunter S. Thompson ” Fear and loathing in Las Vegas”. Started in 1968 as a way to promote the Mint hotel the race quickly rose to become one of the biggest motorsports events in America with famous racers, actors, and athletes all seeking to test themselves against the competition and the mighty Mojave desert. Racing legends Mel Larson and Parnelli Jones along with Mint hotel director of publicity Norm Johson began to promote the race and attracted Mickey Thompson, Bob, and Al Unser, and actors Steve Mcqueen, Lee Majors all joined the star-studded event. By 1970 the race grew to over 300 entries making it one of the largest motorsports events in the world!