Mint 400
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The Mint 400 was an annual desert off road race for both motorcycles and four wheel vehicles [buggies, cars and trucks] sponsored by Del Webb's Mint Hotel and Casino. Del Webb, a well known builder and friend of Howard Hughes, was owner of the famous Mint Hotel in downtown Las Vegas.
The Mint sponsored this event from 1970 through the sale of the hotel and casino in the late 1980's. For the first few years of the event Jim Beam put out special commemorative decanters. Billed as the richest off-road race, the Mint 400 attracted over 500 entries every year and brought in millions of dollars to the Las Vegas business community. Entrants in this event were world wide and included some of the most well-known names from all racing genres as well as the television and motion picture industry. Indianapolis 500 winners Parnelli Jones, Al Unser, Rick Mears, Roger Ward, Speed King Mickey Thompson, the late power boat champion, Bill Muncey, movie and television stars, James Garner and Steve McQueen are among the many racing and entertainment luminaries who competed in the Mint 400.
Pre-race activities included the closing of a portion of Fremont Street to conduct the vehicle technical inspection and race car impound.
Each year the Mint racing committee chose a contingent of women to reign over the events' activities. Known as the Mint 400 girls, this group includes such names as Lynda Carter (who portrayed Wonder Woman in the television series) and Wheel of Fortune's Vanna White. Mint 400 Girls Tracy Vaccaro and Donna Speir were Playboy centerfolds and Vickie Reigle graced Playboy's cover subsequent to their Mint 400 publicity. Lisa Soule, Anita Merritt, Angela Aames, Lisa Hunter and Suzanne Regard later appeared in various movies and television series as well as Mint Hotel and Casino advertising campaigns.
Hunter S. Thompson's report on the 1971 race for Sports Illustrated was one of the earliest and most complete instances of gonzo journalism. His suggestion that he would ride a Vincent Black Shadow (one of the fastest production road bikes ever made) was most likely tongue-in-cheek, since this bike is too large for offroad riding and the last one produced would have been 16 years old by that time. The Mint is also featured in the movie based on Thompson's book, both named Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.de:Mint 400
