A (bumpy) trip down memory lane

By Andy Samuelson

Sunday, March 29, 2009 | 2 a.m.

Don Wall’s first encounter with the Mint 400 was quite a memorable experience.

But not a drug-induced haze that is often associated with the off-road race in Southern Nevada that gained worldwide fame from Hunter S. Thompson's 1971 gonzo novel “Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.”

Rather Wall’s reaction was one of childhood astonishment, stemming from the sheer size of the supped-up off-road rigs parked in downtown Las Vegas and their corresponding larger-than-life drivers.

After all, Wall, now the president of SNORE (Southern Nevada Off-Road Enthusiasts) was just a 12-year-old that day in 1979 when he laid eyes on legendary off-road driver Mickey Thompson for the first time.

“I was blown away by him, and really everything that was going on with the race. But for some reason the tradition and grander of it all really stood out to me,” Wall recalled on Saturday, during this year's running of the Mint 400.

Last year the event — that began in 1968 with Norm Johnson, who was public relations director for the Mint Hotel at the time — returned after a 21-year hiatus.

“It was an overwhelming response, a lot of positive feedback by everyone,” Wall said, of last year’s race. “But there were just a couple of traditional things that seemed to be missing.”

When Wall became director of the race for this year, he quickly went to work “improving on an already great start.”

Saturday’s event was moved from the Nevada-California state line to Moapa Valley, a half hour north of Las Vegas, where the original event was held. Wall also wanted to have a major presence downtown and thus had Friday's inspection and vehicle parade on Freemont Street.

“That was easy, the downtown casinos love us,” continued Wall. “I don’t even have a clue how much money we’ve helped bring in this weekend, but it’s a lot. There’s a lot of rebirth in that area right now and we’re glad to play a part in it.”

The harder part was jumping through legislation with the state of Nevada, officials from the Bureau of Land Management, and tribal members of the Moapa.

“We’re racing in Nevada, not Mexico. That right there is a huge paradigm change,” said Wall, comparing the Mint to the larger Baja races that take part in Mexico's Baja California Peninsula.

“We’ve had to jump through a lot of hurdles and dumped a lot of money to make it happen.”

So, was it worth it?

“Every bit. I’m so stoked that so many people came out,” said Wall, shortly after a throng of media members, helicopters fluttering overhead and fans cheering on tops of RVs cleared out after Andy and Scott McMillin crossed the finish line roughly seven hours after starting the 400-mile race at 7 a.m.

Indeed the scene felt more like the NASCAR event held in Las Vegas earlier this month as thousands of fans lined Interstate-15 to watch dirt devils of all shapes and sizes make their way through the dust and silt of the desert terrain. RVs surrounded the start-finish line while flags and banners of varying truck-part sponsors blew in the very slight breeze.

Andy Funk, who used to live in Las Vegas, but now resides in Portland, Ore., decided to see what all the fuss was about the historic race. He attend the Shelby 427 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway earlier on March 1 and stayed to watch the Mint 400. He even is sticking around for next week’s NHRA action.

“My poor wife hasn’t seen me in a month,” Funk joked.

But there was no joking around for a thirsty McMillin, who after pulling himself free from his assortment of harnesses and security devices, he was ready for a “cold one,” rather than the typical energy drink most other motor sports drivers endorse in victory lane.

“It’s awesome,” said McMillin, as a buddy passed him a Coors Light.

“This is how it’s supposed to be with me and my dad right here in the winner's circle.”

Indeed the McMillin’s, including father Scott, who navigated the truck the first two laps, added their name to a winner’s list which includes their cousin, Mark, a victory of the event in the late 1980s.

“We had him out here watching all this before we ever knew if he could drive or not,” chuckled Scott about his son, Andy, who held off second-place finisher, Cameron Steele, despite having to repair a broken drive shaft on the third lap.

“There’s sure a lot of tradition here.”

Las Vegas driver, Rob MacCachren, got the bumpy drive down memory lane he was hoping for — securing a first-place finish in the Class ½ 1600.

“This is exactly how I remembered it. The course was very, very silty, making it hard to see. Very rough, but one great ride,” said a smiling MacCachren, who drove solo to claim his third individual title in the event's history.

The 44-year-old MacCachren — who finished in front of several higher-class vehicles Saturday — isn’t quite sure which series he will be racing in this year, but said he and his Rockstar Energy Drink/BFGoodrich-sponsored buggy will be a familiar vehicle on the off-road paths of Southern Nevada.

“SNORE and all the fans from Las Vegas did a great job this year,” he said. “I hope they can keep it out here and keep improving, because this is reminiscent of what the Mint 400 was all about.”

So much so that Wall — despite being in charge of nearly every aspect of the 200-plus car field, which will collect combined winnings of more than $80,000 — had to give the course his own seal of approval.

“I just had to get out there and see what it felt like,” said Wall, who raced two laps before handing the wheel to his daughter Alyson.

“It’s old-school, we’re going team Wall all the way. I love it.”

Andy Samuelson can be reached at [email protected] or 702-948-7837.