Industry News

UTV Race Report From The Legendary Mint 400 Desert Race

1917 Can-Am Commander driven by Jason and Derek Murray

1917 Can-Am Commander driven by Jason and Derek Murray Takes Home the Win at The Mint 400

The Mint 400 aka The Great American Off-Road Race is steeped in history for the thousands of racers  from around the world who have attempted to tame the Nevada desert near Las Vegas. Fans got the chance to see vehicles up close in front of the Fremont Street casinos during the technical inspection and contingency before the vehicles headed off to Jean for the races on Jean Dry Lake Bed on Saturday.

The Mint 400 ran until 1988 and resumed in 2008 after the 20-year break. Mad Media took over the rights to The Mint 400 race and brought it to a new level. And with thirty UTVs in the mix for the first time ever, it was a huge boost for UTV desert racing.

The Mint 400 race took place Saturday March 24th , 2012 in Jean, Nevada but there were several days of events leading up to it. There were hosted parties by several of the race sponsors, autograph signings, the tech & contingency parade on Fremont Street in Las Vegas, and of course, the famous Miss Mint 400 pageant contest!

UTVs were off the line by about 6:30 and had two 95 mile loops in front of them. The course just outside of Jean, Nevada has huge trophy truck whoops, deep silt beds and rocky desert that took its’ toll on about half the field.

It was a great day for Can-Am as Commander 1000‘s took home the top two spots on the podium. And it was great to see four different manufacturers in the top six Pro UTV finishers (Can-Am, Polaris, Kawasaki and John Deere).

Finish Order (Overall listed in order of corrected time finish):

  1. 1st Pro UTV – #1917 Jason and Derek Murray – Can-Am Commander
  2. 2nd Pro UTV – #1904 Cory Sappington – Can-Am Commander
  3. 3rd Pro UTV – #1926 Jason Fraser -Polaris RZR XP
  4. 1st Sportsman – #1988 Lacrecia Beurrier – Polaris RZR 800
  5. 1st SR1 – #1957 Richard Ratto – Yamaha SR1
  6. 4th Pro UTV – #1918 Justin Lambert – Kawasaki Teryx
  7. 2nd SR1 – #1955 Bobby Raber – Yamaha SR1
  8. 5th Pro UTV – #1930 Seak Cook – Polaris RZR XP 4
  9. 6th Pro UTV – #1911 Scott Martinez – John Deere Gator XUV 825i
  10. 7th Pro UTV – #1907 Justin Wells – Yamaha Rhino
  11. 8th Pro UTV – Daniel Flower – Polaris RZR 800
  12. 9th Pro UTV – #1937 Craig Hein – Polaris RZR XP
  13. 2nd Sportsman – #1985 Michell Sweatt – Polaris RZR 800
  14. 10th Pro – #1908 William Morris – Polaris RZR 4
  15. 11th Pro – #1944 Todd Stephensen – Arctic Cat Wildcat
  16. 12th Pro – #1943 Gabe Geurin – Polaris RZR XP 4

From some reports, The Mint 400 was one of the roughest courses many racers have experienced.  The course definitely took its toll on the vehicles.  I have heard of a fire destroying 1905. Another with a blown engine. One with three flats and a broken axle. Another with a blown clutch that could not be fixed in the field. One that got hit by a buggy which knocked them out of the race because it tore a corner off the UTV. A second got hit hard by a truck and ended their day. Another lost the front suspension off one side after hitting a rock or something.  And one suffered a blown head gasket before the race even started.

1st Pro UTV - #1917 Jason and Derek Murray - Can-Am Commander

1st Pro UTV – #1917 Jason and Derek Murray – Can-Am Commander
2nd Pro UTV - #1904 Cory Sappington - Can-Am Commander

2nd Pro UTV – #1904 Cory Sappington – Can-Am Commander
3rd Pro UTV - #1926 Jason Fraser -Polaris RZR XP

3rd Pro UTV – #1926 Jason Fraser -Polaris RZR XP
1st Sportsman (4th overall)- #1988 Lacrecia Beurrier - Polaris RZR 800

1st Sportsman (4th overall)- #1988 Lacrecia Beurrier – Polaris RZR 800
4th Pro UTV - #1918 Justin Lambert - Kawasaki Teryx

4th Pro UTV – #1918 Justin Lambert – Kawasaki Teryx
5th Pro UTV - #1930 Seak Cook - Polaris RZR XP 4

5th Pro UTV – #1930 Seak Cook – Polaris RZR XP 4
6th Pro UTV - #1911 Scott Martinez - John Deere Gator XUV 825i

6th Pro UTV – #1911 Scott Martinez – John Deere Gator XUV 825i
1st SR1 - #1957 Richard Ratto - Yamaha SR1

1st SR1 (5th overall) – #1957 Richard Ratto – Yamaha SR1
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