The Mint 400
THE MINT 400
Retailored For Out-And-Out Speed, This Money Race Still Belongs To The Bikes
JOSEPH C. PARKHURST
JOE RUSZ
WHAT HAPPENS when a cross-country race becomes a stunt staged by a gambling casino and hotel? Del Webb owns the Mint in Las Vegas, and he’s fast becoming a national figure in off-road racing. The second annual Mint 400 proved again that the motorcycle is the fastest off-road machine, but, reading the press releases from the hotel, one would think that the illustrious stars of automobile racing were the winners.
The Mint bellowed loudly about drivers like Al and Bobby Unser, Mickey Thompson, Parnelli Jones, and Bob Bondurant, but it was Husqvarna rider J.N. Roberts who set the fastest lap. They crowed mightily about a bunch of unknown Hollywood types and Vegas comedians who were “racers.” But it was desert ace Mike Patrick and co-rider Phil Bowers, on a Yamaha 250, who finished two hours and 12 minutes ahead of the first car. Not only that, nine of the first 10 finishers were bikes; a buggy arrived in 7th place.
The International Desert Racing Association staged the two-day event, running eight 50-mile laps, four laps per day, much like a hare scrambles. It was run over some of the roughest terrain in Nevada—and some of the dustiest. The only machines that ran after dark were late starters and slow runners, much to the disappointment of the real die-hard cross-country racers. Before the race the pits looked like a movie set, but as things progressed, a lot of hair styles, men’s and women’s alike, were messed up, either by cold wind, or the heaviest, siltiest, face powder ever seen.
Roberts managed only two laps the first day, because of a lost coil. Larry Berquist looked strange on a Bultaco, but he went well until his gearbox packed up. It looked like a regular hare and hound after the first hour or so, as bikes so outdistanced the four-wheelers that it became hard to tell if they really were racing against each other.
Most four-wheeler drivers were courteous and did their best to make room for the bikes and to move over when being approached from the rear. Las Vegas resident and leading desert rider Max Switzer lifted the front end of his bike in a wheelie salute as he passed one buggy; he got a friendly wave in return. Highly paid four-wheel-drive drivers were their usual pushy selves. It still makes for bad news to force sporting bike riders to mix it up on the roads with professional car racers who have little or no sympathy for bikes, especially when the cars are being blown off regularly. Only by some kind of miracle was a serious accident avoided on the start, where bikes had to drag to a hard right-hander with cars. Reports say that a spokesman of the bike riders didn’t mind it at all, but not all riders agree. Bikes will start first, and alone, in future races held by the National Off-Road Racing Association (NORRA), IDRA’S competitor in throwing this type of event.
For some strange reason, IDRA paid only $1500 in prize money to the winning motorcycle, and the winning experimental dune buggy, while it awarded $5000 to the first stock class buggy and four-wheel-drive vehicle. Bikes were excluded from the special “first overall” money. It would appear IDRA doesn’t like bikes. IDRA is doing an excellent job, all things considered. The Mint is turning into one of the better events, and its future looks good. But many bike riders say they won’t return unless they get first-class treatment, a situation they feel does not exist now. Second place bike and 2nd overall was Switzer and Dick Dean on a Greeves. Third was AÍ Baker and Rich Thorwaldson on another Yamaha. Fourth was Keith Nerseth and Charles Standeford on yet another Yamaha. Steve Hurd and Dub Smith rode a Kawasaki into 5th place, followed by George Zuber and Ron Bishop (Yamaha) in 6th. Seventh spot was a buggy, 8th went to Gary Olsen and Ed Bloxham (Bultaco) and 9th was John Coots and John Gaetz (Triumph). The balance of the field was filled with cars.
Several prominent motorcycle riders have deserted to cars. Bud Ekins (sporting a ravishing hairdo he grew for a “charming” motion picture that will do wonders for motorcycling by giving full coverage to the Hell’s Angels) drove an Olds-engined giant of a vehicle. John Steen drove a giant Olds Toronado around, lumbering about like a turtle, hardly a worthy mount for such a rider. AÍ Rogers gave cars a try, bashing about in a buggy as if he thought it were a bike. None of the three “turncoats” finished. [Q]
