Mint 400tech inspection set for March 27-28 on Fremont Street East

An impressive field of off-road racing vehicles, competitors and sponsors
in Las Vegas for the return of the Mint 400 will be highlighted during two
days of registration and tech inspection on Fremont Street East March27-28.

The racing  event, which will be run March 29south of Las Vegas, has
drawn an estimated 300 entries in 18 classes, and all of them will be
showcased during the colorful gathering on Fremont Street East.
 

Registration will be held from 9:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. March 27-28 at the
El Cortez Hotel and Casino, while tech inspection is slated from 10 a.m.
until 7 p.m. each day.
 

Autograph sessions, food bars and vintage vehicle displays are scheduled
from 7:30-9:30p.m. March 27.
 

Presented by the Southern Nevada Off-Road Enthusiasts, the Mint 400 is
returning for the first time after a historical period from 1968-88 when
it drew more than100,000 fans and up to 538 entries each year. The most
recent course started and ended on what is now Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
 

In the past, tech inspection has drawn thousands to Fremont Street.
According to SNORE officials, each car brings with it about 15 people
ranging from drivers to tech support personnel and sponsors.
 

“Thisis a wonderful spectacle,” said KJ Howe, who was the race director
of the Mint400 during the race’s glory years of the 1970s and 80s, “and
we’re so happy that this event has been brought back to downtown Las
Vegas.”
 

During tech inspection, SNORE officials will check each entry for
various vehicle-related key points such as engines, chassis, safety
equipment, wheels and tires.
 

“This is an incredible roving car show,” said long-time competitor and
SNORE member Tommy Bradley during a meeting to discuss tech inspection.
“Those of us whore member the old days know the impact that tech
inspection will have on downtown Las Vegas. The workers in the
surrounding businesses make record money during race weekends no matter
where the event.”
 

The Mint 400, which will cover 96-mile laps, will start and finish on the
Las Vegas Boulevard frontage road north of Jean March 29. Vehicles will
leave in pairs beginning at 7 a.m., and vehicles will have 16 hours to
complete the race.
 

An awards banquet will be presented March 30 at Whiskey Pete’s in Primm
beginning at 10 a.m. Primm.
 

Further information may be obtained at www.snoreracing.net, www.themint400.com

or by calling Kenny Freeman at 702-736-6355.

CAPTION: Tech inspection for the Mint 400 drew thousands every year on Fremont
Street. This year’s Mint 400off-road race will have registration and tech inspection
on Fremont Street East March 27-28. (Las Vegas News Bureau photography).

 
Contact: Mike Henle, 702-279-3483