1708 Mint 400 Race Report
The “Mint 400″, A race with the reputation as a Monster. Chewing up race cars and spitting them out.
Team 1708Race.com was planning on battling that monster head on, and beating him. To attack this monster, we would plan and prep for like no other race. We would assemble a team and a race car specifically designed for finishing, and winning, the “Mint 400″
First on the agenda, the car. A complete prep and overhaul of the car was in order. It was agreed that the car would be completely torn down and rebuilt. As you are only as good as the weakest link, All pivotal grade 8 hardware was replaced. Jhonny Joints rebuilt. Fuel pump, filters and fuel lines replaced. Fuel Cell removed and cleaned. New radiator. New lights. All wiring checked and confirmed. The motor, although getting tired, was checked out and given a thumbs up. The transmission was pulled and delivered to Anaheim Gear where it was completely gone through and rebuilt. New driveshafts rebalanced and checked out at OC Driveline. Currie F-9 rear end dropped off at Currie Enterprises. New gears, bearings, races, pinion support and yoke all replaced just to be sure. New Spring Packs from Deaver Springs with some “Special Adjustments” as well as completly rebuilt King 2.5″ tripple bypass shocks courtesy of King Shocks. All was complete, short of one detail. Mounting of our new BFG baja T/A’s. Thank you BFG for your support and becoming part of the 1708 Race.com family. The car was ready to go.
Now, the team. The Mint 400 Monster would have to be tamed by multiple drivers. It was decided that long time co-driver and chief mechanic Michael Slater would get the nod for the start and drive the first 200 miles while Eric Helgeson would get the final 200 and bring it home. But who would co drive?
After much debate and discussion, it was confirmed. Jessie Martin of 1788 Hostyle Motorsports fame, seasoned co driver and master of the GPS, would start with Michael Slater. Followed up with Three time Jeepspeed Champion Ray Griffith lending his skills with Eric Helgeson for the final 200 miles. The Jeepspeed Dream Team was set. It was time to attack the Monster that is the Mint 400.
Contingency on Freemont street was surreal. My first experience with desert racing was the Mint 400 back in the day as a spectator. Now it was our turn as racers. Hanging out with friends, living the legend, memories we will never forget. After the Freemont experience, it was back to main pit, and a good nights sleep, tomorrow was the Mint 400.
Saturday morning and the Mint 400 were finally here. All was set and the car was ready to go. But for one giant detail. Both our co drivers were running late due to the traffic from Las Vegas to the start finish staging area. With Michael ready to go, we had to think on the fly. Eric got dressed and would be ready to co drive the first lap if they would not make it on time. As the car approached the line up, they arrived. Late, but ready to start. Jessie was now in the car and it was on.
TAt the start line, the plan was simple. To finish first, you must first finish. We would run a conservative race. If anyone wanted to push, we would let them go, run our pace and have a complete car at the finish.
As we moved closer to the start, third off the line, side by side with the always competetive 1706 Dust Junkie team, some notes were taken from the other cars through the short course style start. The radio call was made from Eric, who was studying the other cars through to Michael in the drivers seat. HAMMER DOWN!!! Faster was definitely smoother through the short course style jumps and turns. The message was received as Michael pulled the 4 wheel drive, High Horsepower 1706 off the line and was the smoothest car through the start of all cars through. A great start to what would be a long day.
Shortly after the start, the first bit of bad news came over the radio. The silt was BAD. Silt beds and silt hill climbs are not friendly to underpowered 2 wheel drive Jeepspeeds and the first silt bed almost gathered us up if it werent for the 1706. As we struggled through the silt, the 1706 was primed to make the pass. Coming to a near stop and close to being stuck, we were hit from behind. In any other situation, being hit from the rear would not be a good thing. But this time was a blessing, thank you 1706 for helping us, although unintentional, from getting stuck and losing valuable time. A lesson was learned, we would not get close to getting stuck again. Next on the list of issues, the rock garden. A rock would jump up and grab our brake lines and rip them out. Brakes were gone. We would soldier on until our first scheduled pit stop to check them out.
We would motor on to pit “D” where our mid lap fuel stops would take place. And now on our first lap, inspection of the brake lines. At Pit “D”, a flawless fuel stop to go with the bad news. The rear brake line, running along the frame rail was ripped of and un repairable. We would race the rest of the day without brakes, we wouldn’t need them, they only slow you down.
The rest of lap one was flawless. Lap two was clean, with the exception of a flat tire and fuel leak. Both repaired by Chase 1 and his pit works team at pit “E”.
Michael would bring the 1708 in at the midway point is second place, 12 minuites behind the leader with the car in great shape minus the brakes.
As Eric prepaired to swap drivers, a request was made to help deliver parts to the 1717 who was stranded and in need of help. As the band of brothers that Jeepspeed has become, any help that could be extended, gladly would.
Eric an Ray were off. Only minuites behind the leader while running the car at a conservative pace. At mile 25 the parts were delivered. Now it was time to race. Through pit “A” we were trouble free. At then entrance to pit “B” the Monster that is the Mint 400, jumped up and bit us again. A tire blowout from one of the rocks from the famed “rock garden”. Through pit “B” we stopped at the F.A.I.R. pit for a quick tire exxxchange. After regrouping, we were now 20 minuites behind the leader. Significant, but not insurmountable.
As we were coming into main pit at the end of our third lap. The news was relayed. The leader was stuck in their pit and things were not looking good for them. car on fire and major motor issues, they would not continue on their fourth and final lap. We entered main, a quick check of the car, topped off with fuel, we began our fourth lap, in First Place.
As we exited the main pit area, Ray called out to main, and asked to give us a split and notice on who and when second place comes through. ”Roger that” was the replay as we turned on the lights and headed out into the darkness of the final lap of the Mint 400.
Discussions in the car were basically “lets bring the car home in one piece”. Speeds were ratcheted back as our main concern was to keep her together. 30 min later we called in to main, “Anyone come through yet?” main responded with “Nope”, “You are the only Jeepspeed through”. Motor on. As the night wore on, the course got rough. The silt beds became the monster they were reported to be. Holes semmed deeper, rocks seemed sharper. Even as we took our conservative pace, it was all we could do to keep from being eaten by the monster. An hour and 1/2 in on our final lap, we called in to main again. ”Anyone through main yet?” ”Nope, you are still the only Jeepspoeed through”. We would continue to motor on and battle the beast
At about mile marker 65, the radio crackled. ”1708 main to race, you copy?” ”Go ahead main”, “1706 is just through main, you have an exactly 2 hour lead”. ”Bring her home in one piece”. “Roger that Main”. 50 miles to go with a 2 hour lead. We were almost home. Just keep it in one piece.
The last few miles on our way to the checkered flag, we were able to reflect on our long day. We were racing the infamous “Mint 400″ and it was the monster it was reported to be. As we came through main pit for the final time, our pit crew gave us a spectacular fireworks reception. That’s when we realized our acomplishment. Not only did we finish the Mint 400, which was our ultimate goal. But we had won, and in impressive fashion with a close to 3 hour lead on 2nd place, our frinds and competetors the 1706, the only other finishers of 16 entrants. We had just won the “Mint 400″!
This win was a team effort and could only have been realized with everyones effort.
Michael Slater, for driving the hell out of the first 200 miles and bringing in a race car ready for the last grueling 200 miles.
Jessie martin, for his contribution in the co dog seat, keeping her on course and out of trouble.
Ray Griffith, for getting in the car with me. I learned a lot driving with you. You are one hell of a driver and it definitely translates to the passenger seat as well.
Chris haynes, For your radio and remote pit skills. You are always there when we need you and are greatly appreciated. We couldn’t do it without you.
Denise and my girls, Family is everything. But I don’t think people realize we do this with an all girl main pit and communications that rivals the skills and competency of the most seasond teams.
Keith sato, For helping to build what is now the oldest and fasted Jeepspeed running. Our car is solid and at 8 years old, not a single crack.
Tony Sato, For your skills at setting the car up. ”Find your speed first with suspension” you profess. Now thanks to your help. Our suspension is now outrunning our motor.
The Nissley Family. Thanks for everything. It’s a pleasure to call you teammates.
Michael Slater Sr. Thank you for always being there.
Rob Renken, Thank you for all you do. Without question you are always the first to jump in and help out.
Keith and his “Chase 1″ Pit Works Crew. Thanks for your help. Simply knowing you are there when we need you, gives us the confidence to go for it when we are so far away from our main pit.
FAIR, Your program is awesome. The security of knowing we have friends and equipment at every pit is invaluable.
Paul and Kevin. Thanks for all your help and effort at Pit “D” fueling and checking over the car. You are a great addition to our racing family.
And our sponsors. Please support them as they support us and our sport and are invaluable to our success.
Deaver Springs, for outstanding product and customer service.www.DeaverSpring.com
Twisted Stitch Seats, Nets, bags, limit straps, seats. www.TwistedStitchInc.com
Anaheim Gear, For our bullet proof transmissions. www.AnaheimGear.com
King Shocks. www.KingShocks.com For your continued support and service.
A special thanks to RDM OffRoad www.RDMOffRoad.com For your Jeepspeed contingency program.
With special thanks again to Currie Enterprises. Your continued support through the years means so much to our success. Thank you. www.CurrieEnterprises.com
BFGoodrich Tires, Thank you for your support and joining the 1708 Race team. It was our pleasure putting you atop the Jeepspeed podium once again. www.BFGoodrichTires.com
And our Jeepspeed series sponsors, without you, our Jeepspeed series would not exist.
ATK Engines-O.C. Motorsports-Orange Coast Jeep-Race Line Wheels-Currie Enterprises-General Tires
As we head into the 3rd round of the jeepspeed Desert Race Series, May 21-23, The MORE “ORAF 500″ Day Night Race, Lucerne Valley, CA. 1708Race is Solidly in 1st place and looking to extend their successful 2010 campaign for the Jeepspeed Championship.
Thank You All for your support, ”1708 Race Over and Out”!