STORY BY marty fiolka >> photos BY boyd jaynes : AN ICON REVIVED In 2008, A Group of Believers Recreated an Off-Road Legend. One Year Later, the Mint 400 Is Back For Real.

30 Dirt Sports Magazine I The Voice of Off-Road Motorsports hey were an unlikely trio that came together and unearthed place promoters can only dream of. a treasure lost for two decades. Two men and one women, In 2008, Don Wall, Travis Roffler and Jamie Fagan gave the off- Tbolstered both by corporate support and volunteer enthusi- road world back its beloved Mint 400, but last year’s event was, in asm, realized that their worlds were missing something special, truth, more nostalgia than substance and more desert race than something the past had promised was greatness. cultural phenomenon. A year earlier Wall discovered that the They were the group that discovered one of the world’s great naming rights to the famed race had reverted back into the public motorsports events was laying in wait; dormant as many years domain. He and the all-volunteer board of directors at SNORE at it was alive. quickly, but quietly, nabbed the off-road treasure for their very From 1968 to 1988, the annual Mint 400 was the kind of own. It was SNORE member Fagan who took up the footsteps of organic happening that occurs when the time, attitude and securing Mint 400 publicity and sponsorship; a path forged long resources support the original vision. Much like its Mexican ago by the larger-than-life footsteps of corporate mavericks like 1000 rival to the south, the Mint’s reputation was quickly K.J. Howe, Norm Johnson and Mel Larson. Finally, it was Roffler, established after its inaugural running; reaching the kind of long considered a maverick himself, who met Fagan at the 2007 SEMA show in and serendipitously discovered a historically perfect fit to help re-launch an off-road tire brand that died next to that original Mint 400. All three of them came to the 2009 version of the SNORE General Tire Mint 400 knowing that last year was a prerun to future greatness. They came back determined to do justice to those early Mint pioneers, steadfast in their objective to share collective memories of race winners like Gene Hirst, Drino Miler, Rod Hall and Fritz Kroyer with a new generation. They came to revive an icon.

Three leaders of the new Mint 400, General Tire’s Travis Roffler (left), SNORE’s Jamie Fagan and Don Wall.

May 2009 I www.DirtSportsMag.com 31 hank God for General Tire. Not only REVIVING Tdid the company have the foresight to help revive one of this sport’s big- gest races, but in 2009 it revived one of THE GREAT its most iconic traditions as well – the Mint 400 girls. TRADITION Back in the day, K.J. Howe (see page 38) wanted to add a little sex appeal to the glitter of the Mint 400 to match the celebrity appeal of celebrity racers like and James Garner. And so began that great Mint 400 tradition of selecting the queen and her court, an off-road institution that crowned a number of famous models and celebrities, including Linda Carter (of the ‘70s Wonder Woman television series) and Wheel of Fortune letter- turner Vanna White. This year, Nikki Jansen of Glendale, Arizona, was crowned 2009 Miss General Tire Mint 400 at a huge race kickoff party inside the famed Golden Nugget on Fremont Street. Jansen, a familiar face in the Dirt Sports Nation, won the title via an on-line contest that collected more than 70,000 votes – a far cry from the old days when Howe and company decided the matter. Jansen took home $1,500 in cash and a profes- sional photo shoot, along with being the attractive centerpiece to all of the weekend’s racing activities. “I am in love with the whole off-road culture and the wide open attitude everyone has,” explained Jansen. “This is something I really wanted, and am proud to be part of such a cool racing tradition.” The best thing, according to Jansen, is “keeping the cool tiara and sash.” The worst thing? A 4:00 am Dirt Sports wake up call to shoot this month’s cover on a frigid Las Vegas morning.

NO MORE ANSWERS ungodly hour, the only people still mill- ously. “In one aspect, this race is a ‘pinch For Jamie Fagan, the day began well ing around Fagan are underpaid security me’ event. I used to skip school to watch before sunrise. After months of plan- guards, crack addicts completing their last and all the bigger- ning, it is just hours before Tech and rounds and ladies of the night resigned to than-life names, and to be part of that Contingency open for the 2009 Mint yet another long and lonely walk home. now means life has come full circle,” Wall 400. Today is the Friday in March she Fagan’s hundreds of hours of uncom- later explains. “Last year, people came to has worked hard to promote, but right pensated dedication, coupled with the this race and wondered if it all was worth now the demands of that non-paying tireless efforts of enthusiasts making it. But, failure is not an option for me, so job seem a touch overwhelming. “I up her impressive support group at when my feet hit the floor in the morning, don’t want to pick up my phone again SNORE, have resulted in the not-for-profit it’s all about SNORE.” today because I just don’t have anymore Las Vegas-based off-road entity being Just hours later, the hustle and bustle answers,” she triumphantly announces responsible for upholding one of this of the Mint 400 to downtown Las Vegas to no one in particular. sport’s most high profile of events. It is has returned, with more than 200 teams Downtown Las Vegas is cold and a responsibility both Fagan and SNORE entered, many here to help SNORE in impersonal at 4:30 in the morning. At this President Don Wall take extremely seri- there admirable efforts to revive the

32 Dirt Sports Magazine I The Voice of Off-Road Motorsports Mint 400 may never either, but that has 1000 (breaking BFG’s not stopped SNORE from trying to return 20-year win streak) and it to its rightful place. gave it a valuable pres- To that point, Wall, Fagan and Roffler all ence at the . upped the ante over last year, primarily Now director of mar- by bringing back elements that made the keting with General original Mint 400 so memorable in the Tire, at the Mint 400 first place. General Tire, the race’s title Roffler the renegade sponsor, helped reestablish time-honored was in true form, using traditions like their exclusive Thursday a Friday press confer- night party at the Golden Nugget and the ence to unveil a newly Mint 400 girls. All of their primary race created graphics pack- teams were present, and Roffler, along age for BJ Baldwin, his with PR and Communications Manager recently designated Dana Zamalloa, made the race their superstar. own. “I think that everybody has seen a When “Ballistic” rolled big jump up from last year to this year,” up to the starting line, added Roffler. “You are treading on his #1 “Rampage” was sacred ground here. You have to respect redesigned with sleek the past, and I think we have started to new red, grey and black recapture that again.” Along with these paint stylized with skull welcome additions, Roffler and company accents. “When fans have worked hard to bring the race back GOING ALL IN saw the new look of BJ’s into the public spotlight via a comprehen- truck, it was like nothing sive new television package. “Ultimately, they’ve ever seen in the what we wanted to do was bring the Mint everal years ago when he was desert,” said Roffler. “We will build a 400 to television,” he added. “We will Sstaking out Toyo Tires’ territory brand around BJ Baldwin. He epito- have two race results shows on Speed in the off-road world, Travis Roffler mizes the future of this sport, and we and a lifestyle show on Versus, which made a bold, almost career-defining will turn him into an icon. takes a look at the lives of BJ Baldwin, statement by signing Only days later General announced Marc Burnett and Heidi Steele.” to a long-term, big-league commit- its jaw-dropping deal for short course ment with Toyo. It was move than net- with Carl Renezeder, a deal Roffler CORPORATIONS AND INDIANS ted the upstart company it’s first over- claims was a “culmination of a lot of Wall’s big contribution this year came in all win at the 2006 Tecate SCORE Baja work over a number of years.” the form of the race course itself. A CNC- programming expert by day, Wall was fiercely determined to return racers to the Left: The 2009 Mint 400 boasted a rough, rocky and just plain nasty trails healthy entry, all of whom seemed to that gave the Mint it’s tougher-than-nails enjoy the Fremont Street location for reputation. To do so, Wall had to institute Tech and Contingency. a delicate negotiations process with the local Moapa Indian nation, where much glory days of 20 years ago. Back then, of the land used for the Mint is located. the “Glitter Gulch” area of Vegas was “Truthfully, the negotiations between still in its prime, and upwards of 500 the Moapa Indians and the city coun- plus teams would descend onto Fremont cil brought these two diverse cultures Street (minus today’s tourist-driven together,” he stated with pride. “For us overhead roof) for two full days of Tech, to negotiate a bi-partisan agreement Contingency and upholding the town’s between them was a huge accomplish- “party till you drop” tradition. Boozing, ment.” And yet, Wall still isn’t satisfied gambling, girls and the richest off-road with that. In 2010, his hope is to complete race in the world – what could be better? the puzzle by returning the infamous “The neat part of this is watching the “Rock Garden” section of the course back families come through Contingency,” the Mint. observed Fagan as the day’s festivities Fagan’s efforts for 2009 concentrated hit their peak. “It’s Grandpa with the son on bringing Tech and Contingency activi- with the grandson. To help bring the Mint ties back where they belong, on Fremont 400 back to the people is the most satis- Street. While most of the trailers and faction I could ever get.” displays were located just to the east of As great as events like the the enclosed sidewalk, she was able to and Crandon are, they have yet to touch have the cars parade single file down the the Mint 400 in its heyday. The modern old route. She is determined one day to

34 Dirt Sports Magazine I The Voice of Off-Road Motorsports Above Left: silt-filled and brutal as the days of old. San Diego’s McMillin Up front, the battle boiled down to a family continued its classic shoot-out between the McMillin winning ways at the family and rising Trophy-Truck upstart Mint 400, winning its Cameron Steele. Father Scott McMillin third consecutive over- set the race’s fastest time on lap one, all victory in as many and handed their Geiser brothers-built races with their new Ford to son Andy at the half-way point. Geiser Ford. Steele, also in his recently built Geiser Ford, overcame little issues to chase his Below Left: younger rival to the finish line. In the Talk about talent. Rob end, the McMillin’s claimed their third MacCachren’s little straight overall race win, solidifying their 1-2/1600 beat every newfound mastery of unlimited truck Class 10, every Class 12 racing. Steele came in just over five min- and most of the Class 1 utes behind; his recent competitiveness cars on his way to a win clearly a relief for a sponsorship-driven and the seventh fastest effort like his; “I have to say, being part overall time! of the Geiser Brothers fraternity has been the missing link for me. Buying this Trophy-Truck was the biggest decision of my life; way harder than buying my put all of the displays actually under the greenies, which want jazz festivals to house. At least it’s paying off now.” Fremont Street Experience, but even come here. But those people don’t bring For General Tire, BJ Baldwin’s blown this year’s limited access has been dif- the money or the pizzazz that the Mint engine early in the race was disappoint- ficult at best. “The hotel owners and the 400 brings.” ing, but it was a day salvaged in great management that oversees the Fremont Rod Hall was a Mint 400 competitor measure by the third place showing Street activities are two different enti- from the very beginning, and returned to of Rick Johnson in his General Tire- ties. I am going to see the mayor this race with his old pal Gale Pike. “Well, you bedecked truck. Las Vegas local Bill week and explain what happened so I can say it isn’t like it was, but it is what McBeath, who teamed with Tim Herbst, can rectify this situation. A few people it is today. And today, it is really great to had his best day yet, finishing in fourth don’t like off-road racing, but that is see Contingency and Tech right down- place in class and overall. General’s going to change. The hotels all want town. I really like seeing all these young day was also aided by the Class 8 win this, and the businesses all want this. It people so fired up to race here, no matter of Ted Hunnicutt Jr. and Kent Kroeker’s will be an easy sell, though, because the what they are driving.” valiant finish in winning Stock Full. Other hotel owners have all been here since The next day, the racing was as intense winning efforts included TJ Flores in the 1970s. It’s the new generation, the as it ever was and the course as rough, Class 1, Bryan Folks in Class 12 and Rob Reinertson over a large Protruck field. 2009 But, by far the most amazing drive of the SNORE General Tire Mint 400 day was turned in by Rob MacCachren, Date: March 27-29, 2009 • Las Vegas, Nevada who floored everyone with his stunning 1-2/1600 victory, a performance good CLASS Rig # Driver/co-driver Elapsed time enough for seventh place overall. The TROPHY-TRUCK: #31 Andy/Scott McMillin 8:27:35 speed of MacCachren and his Rockstar- CLASS 1: #100 TJ Flores 8:46:39 sponsored Alumi Craft-VW was truly CLASS 1-2/1600: #1603 Rob MacCachren 9:24:22 mind-blowing. CLASS 3: #300 Donald Moss 12:37:31 On many levels, the 2009 edition of the CLASS 5: #536 bill Zolg 12:34:29 Mint 400 was an event-defining success, CLASS 5/1600: #552 Glen Mayernick 14:43:32 especially when one considers the all-vol- CLASS 7: #713 Charles Anderson 13:55:51 unteer nature of the SNORE organization. CLASS 8: #806 Ted Hunnicutt, Jr. 11:22:17 Wall admits that the Mint’s future success CLASS 9: #973 Cody Rash 14:51:29 may force them to review that concept, CLASS 10: #1010 Michael Hanson 11:47:23 but says that “the staff that I have put in CLASS 11: #1101 Robert Johnson 15:53:28 place are all business owners and lead- CLASS 12: #1278 bryan Folks 10:08:15 ers that understand corporate structures, CLASS 13: #1367 Courtney Collins 11:37:04 which let’s me create a corporate mental- CLASS 15: #1597 Rory Ward 10:40:33 ity to manage high-dollar events.” CLASS 18: #1824 Clint Braun 12:59:03 For Fagan, it all boils down to some- STOCK FULL: #8110 Kent Kroeker 16:59:02 thing much more basic. “There isn’t one TROPHY LITE: #6017 Gary Messer 11:18:56 thing I need to have other than the racers PROTRUCK: #234 Rob Reinertson 10:08:07 being able to say that they finally got to race a real Mint 400.”

36 Dirt Sports Magazine I The Voice of Off-Road Motorsports