We had a great time meeting up with all the winners of our Get Schooled contest this past weekend. Thank you to everyone that entered this years Get Schooled contest. We will be running lots of cool promotions and contests as next year’s Mint grows nearer. We’d like to congratulate

1. Alex Ramirez of Moreno Valley for winning the Semester with Fab School where he will learn the ins and outs of fabrication, welding, frame building and so much more. Congrats Alex!

2. Dannielle Isabelle of Nuevo for winning the weekend with Team O’Neil Rally School where she will learn to drive like the pros do. Pretty soon Dannielle is going to be pitching it sideways just like Robby did this past weekend. Contrats Dannielle!

3. JJ Andrasic of Scottsdale for winning the Fox shocks. Fox is dialing you in with 4 performance series shocks to style out your vehicle. Congrats JJ!

4. Tom Greer of Hibbings for winning the Maxima Race Oils prize package. Maxima is going to hook you up with a assortment of their awesome race oil products, they’ll be in the mail soon! Congrats Tom!

Congrats again to all our winners and thanks to everyone who participated in our contest!

The Heated Miss Mint competition concluded on Thursday night in front of a room full of racers where Finalists Sarah Coggin, Vanessa Golub-Ferrara and Rachel Mortenson gave their final comments hoping to sway the judges. When the final decision was made, it was Vanessa Golub-Ferrara out of Laguna Niguel, CA who took home the 5 Thousand dollars and the title of the 2012 Miss Mint.

Vanessa wasted no time getting to her duties. After a long night of photo-ops and celebration with racers and fans alike, Vasessa was up early to drop the green flag, sending racers on their way to battle the grueling 400 mile course. Vanessa was also there to lend a friendly face when the checkered flag dropped to welcome the race weary drivers back to the podium and to racing glory.

If you weren’t able to make it to the Grand on Thursday night here’s a photo recap of how it all went down

2012 Mint400 4 Lap Classes Results
2012 Mint 400 3 Lap Classes Results
2012 Mint 400 2 Lap Classes Results
2012 Mint 400 Lap Times

We’re happy to announce our 2012 Miss Mint finalists! Sarah Coggin of Mesa, Vanessa Golub-Ferrara of Laguna Niguel and Rachel Mortenson of Casa Grande will be joining us in Las Vegas this week for the crowning ceremony. Who will win? Join us at the Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino THIS Thursday night at 9PM and find out LIVE. One of these lucky ladies has a date with destiny and will take home the prestigious Miss Mint title, a prize package, national exposure and a professional photo shoot.

Click The image below to view larger!

The KMC Wheel Pit Crew Challenge will take place on Wednesday night on Fremont St at 8:30 PM.

The KMC Pit Crew Challenge Rules

16 pit crews from the top unlimited truck teams do head to battle to decide who is best in off-road!

One spare, One Jack, One Impact Gun, 3 man crew

Each team of 3 team members starts in staging box with impact gun, Jack, and one spare tire. Team must start with hands in air. Equipment must be on ground within box. Must carry jack into carpeted area

Teams must swap one front tire and one rear tire. Both teams will be timed individually in case of penalties.

First team back to staging box with impact gun, Jack, and one spare tire and all 3 members with hands in air wins. Equipment must be on ground within box.
Must carry jack from carpeted area around truck to staging box.

Penalties:
5 sec penalty per loose lug nut
15 second penalty for missing lug nuts

Rules:
37″ Tire Min.
5 Lug Nuts Minimum
Lug torq 65lbs before and after
No lug spacers
No glued lug nuts on wheels
No extra lug nuts
No limit straps to limit travel all vehicles must be race ready
3 tires on the ground at all times (single point jacking only.)

Notes:
Truck working area to be carpeted 20×10
Staging area to be carpeted 5×5
2 Clip boards
2 timers
1 air horn

Prizes:
(3) Sets of KMC wheels
(3) Sets of Fox OEM shocks
(3) Sets of General Tire Grabbers
(3) $500 Kartek Gift Certificates
(3) Maxima Oil Packages
(3) Optima Batteries

Click Here To Download The 2012 Race Map PDF!

Seen here is the 2012 Vendor Placement Map.

**Please click on the link below to take a look at the entire placement guide and see where your spot is!

Thursday, March 22nd – Vendor Set Up for Fremont East (LV Blvd to 9th) TRAILERS ONLY – 9 am to 3 pm at 9th & Fremont

Friday, March 23rd -  Vendor Set Up for FSE Canopy (1st to LV Blvd) and Fremont East (LV Blvd to 9th) EZ-UPS ONLY – 6 to 8 am.  Fremont East EZ up vendors load in at 9th & Fremont

Friday Vendors Load in at the following locations for FSE/Canopy:
Use 4th Street for vendors on 3rd and 4th blocks
Use 1st Street behind 1st Street Stage for vendors in 1st & 2nd blocks

Click Here To Download The 2012 Vendor Placement Legend

Method Race Wheels decided that Class 10 needed a little bit more love! That’s why they are offering a $3,000 cash prize and a custom Method Race Wheels Trophy to this years Mint 400 Class 10 Champion. Some of the most competitive racing in all of off-road goes down in class 10 and with a field of 25 Class 10 racers, its gonna be war. In just over a week we’ll see who takes home the cash and the glory.

For more information about the preliminary finalists and finalist selection process please see the official rules under theWinner Determination Section

Click Here To Download The 2012 Spectator Map PDF!

General Tire Mint 400 ~ Spectator Rules and Regulations

For your safety and to protect the desert environment persons MUST NOT:

1. Spectators are not allowed to park in any other area outside the BLM designated spectator area and may not go outside the BLM designated (5) spectator areas.

2. Spectators must not park any vehicle in violation of posted restrictions, or in such a manner as to obstruct or impede normal or emergency traffic movement or the parking of other vehicles, create a safety hazard, or endanger any person, property or feature. Vehicles so parked are subject to
removal and impoundment at the owner’s expense.

3. Spectators are subject to a ticket by BLM law enforcement if outside the BLM designated spectator area.

4. NO ATV’s, NO Motorcycles, NO Bicycles, NO UTV’s are allowed to be ridden in any spectator area.

5. Spectators must not operate any vehicle, including an off-highway vehicle, which is not legally registered for street and highway operation, including operation of such a vehicle in spectator viewing areas, along the racecourse and in designated pit areas.

6. Spectators must not allow any minor child to be out of their sight or playing near any traffic areas or racecourse. Spectators must not allow any pet or other animal in their care to be unrestrained at any time.

7. Spectators must not be in possession of any alcoholic beverage unless that person has reached the age of 21 years and is not driving a motor vehicle.

8. Spectators must not sell, give or otherwise provide any alcoholic beverage to a person that has not
reached the age of 21 years.

9. Spectators must not discharge, or use firearms, other weapons, or fireworks.

10. Spectators must not cut or collect firewood of any kind, including dead and down wood or othervegetative material.

11. Spectators, PLEASE leave your area clean. Pick up and carry out your trash! To keep the desert open to enjoy you must do your part and keep it clean.

12. Spectators must follow the direction of the Best In The Desert Official, these areas are permitted areas under the supervision of Best In The Desert and the BLM.