Harley-Davidson Sponsors Classes at Mint 400 Off-Road Race
Harley-Davidson will play a much bigger part in one of the best off-road races in the world this year.
The Mint 400 is one of the most famous motorcycle races in the world. It’s the oldest off-road race in America, and ran from 1967 to 1989 in the Las Vegas desert. It returned in 2008, and from the look of things, it’s here to stay.
It’s a grueling race on an 80-mile desert course, originally created to help publicize the Mint Hotel and Casino. Over the year, it grew into one of the biggest and most loved races of its type.
This year, Harley-Davidson is participating in the race as a sponsor. Specifically, they’re sponsoring the Hooligan Desert Classes, according to Racer.
There are two Hooligan Desert Classes. The first, the Hooligan Enduro, is for 750cc or larger twin-cylinder bikes weighing over 400 pounds. It’s intended for amateur riders, so if you’re a former or current pro-off-road motorcycle racer, you’ll be entering the second class.
The Hooligan Open class is very similar, except pros are welcome (and encouraged) to participate. There’s also no weight restriction, meaning that there will likely be some truly incredible custom-built machines running the race.
Reading the rules, it’s clear that a modified Harley-Davidson Sportster would be more or less ideal for this race. That was likely Harley’s intent in sponsoring the Hooligan Desert Classes.
Both classes of bikes will take two laps around the Mint 400’s grueling 80-mile course. Both classes will compete on Friday, March 6. The event runs from March 3 through March 8 and will have tons of racing, as well as a performance by the Eagles of Death Metal.
The Mint 400 has always been a spectacle, but it seems to grow every year in scope. However, that’s never come at the expense of the racing — it’s always remained some of the best off-road racing around.
If you’re in the Las Vegas area, it’s worth stepping away from the slot machines to watch the racing. If you’re not able to make it, that’s no problem — Harley-Davidson will stream the entire event live on their Facebook page.
Photos: The Mint 400
Join the Harley-Davidson Forums now!
