They promised more races in 2015 – and they meant it! The ColeCar Motorsports team made a last-minute decision to participate in ‘the greatest off-road race in America!’

Mike Klensin called Thursday to say “We’re off on our way to the Mint 400; it’s not on the schedule. Mat

[Carpentier] decided we should run this, so we pulled the trigger and we’re going.” Plan was “We have tech contingency on Fremont Street Friday; and then the race is Saturday.”

Heading to Tech

‘Timmy’ heading to tech early Friday morning; photo by Jerome Curtis

A race series with history

Mike explains “It’s a really old desert race – definitely the premier desert race in the U.S.” In the 60s it began as a promotion for the Mint Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Promoters sent matching dune buggies across 600 miles of desert from the Mint to the Sahara Hotel in Tahoe. It was an instant hit that remained popular for two decades. Celebrity drivers included Mel Larson and Parnelli Jones; movie stars included James Garner and Steve McQueen.

When the Mint was sold in 1988, the series became a memory. In 2008 it was resurrected by SNORE Off Road Racing with help from General Tire.

Enjoy a video history of the Mint from the Red Bull Signature Series:
http://www.redbullsignatureseries.com/event/mint-400-2015/mint-400-history-race

Klensin at The Mint

Mike Klensin, Mat Carpentier and ‘Timmy’ on Fremont Street

‘The Superbowl of off-road racing’

Mint 400 CEO Matt Martelli says “We’re building the Superbowl of off-road racing one year at a time.” One of this year’s improvements is a longer race course. According to race-dezert.com, “The new 126-mile Mint 400 race loop is designed to allow all twenty classes of race vehicles to race a full three laps of the ultra-technical race course – provided they can make the six hour cut-off time. The loop is longer and more technical than previous years and will allow limited classes to get more seat time as they attempt to finish the notoriously brutal race.”

Mat and Mikey will be co-drivers. Mikey Florian is “excited to experience the mint 400 – racing it and seeing the history behind it. It’s a bucket list race – like Baja 500 and the Baja 1000. I haven’t co-driven Timmy; the Mint will be the first time in the new car.” Mike says “Mat might drive the second half of the race.”

The 2015 Polaris RZR Mint 400 is presented by General Tire

The 2015 race happens Saturday, March 14th; the Red Bull Signature Series broadcast will air on NBC Sunday, June 28. Tens of thousands of spectators showed up last year. According to the Mint official trailer, “The Red Bull Signature Series brought us into 140 million homes nationwide, prime time.” 

MintOfficialTrailer

Watch the 2014 Mint 400 online; the complete NBC Broadcast is free.
http://themint400.com/2014/07/watch-the-2014-mint-400-nbc-broadcast-here/

Learn more about the race online at themint400.com

About Amanda Products

Amanda Products is TITLE sponsor of ColeCar Motorsports LLC, including ‘Timmy,’ the new Ultra4 race car and two UTVs.

Amanda Entourage

Amanda Products is home of SpeedHook™ – as seen on the team’s Ultra4 IFS race car and chase trucks. The ingenious off-road recovery device is priced from $79; it’s compatible with Jeeps, F150s, buggies and any vehicle with a 2” receiver hitch.

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