Why Is BITD Treating Class-12, 5U, 1600 like 2nd Class (Slow) Citizens at Mint

[frostbite36]

The dust has settled nicely after the "Mint" for this year...it was really weird that BITD decided to split it into two races that didn't even go 400 miles in the first place and even stranger that class-1100/12 was put in with the "slower" group. Since when is class-12 (1100) considered "slow"...same goes for 1/2-1600 and class-5U, as far as that is concerned!!! I guess I'm just really upset about the whole Mint format with two sperate events/runs...it really detracted from the "Mint-400" mystique! Heck, it wasn't even on the traditional course... If I'm gonna pay those outragous BITD entry and GPS tracking fees, I want to get the full Monte. COMMENTS?? I'm sure there will be plenty!!

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[JERGENSEN CHASE]

from what i understood it was split due to the amount of cars and course milage. casy and mad media did what they could in the time they had just to make the race happen. there was alot of blm rules. rumor has it next year will be more like previous years

[Rory]

I heard the same rumor, BITD and MadMedia put this event under their belt and will build onto it. Not a big fan of the 2 race format for the MINT 400 but sometimes you have to take what you get. I personally see the MINT 400 getting bigger and better, they just had to get one under their belt. As for class 5 unlimited, they were suppose to be in the morning race but they asked Casey if they could do all 4 laps and he agreed (that's what I heard). I bet class 1100 (class 12) could have done the same if they called and talked to the man himself.

On a side note, now is the time to start throwing ideas their way for next years event, this way they have more time to plan and execute. Props to BITD and MadMedia both on a great event.

[lost boys]

You say two race there were three races and we all paid the same entry I only got two laps! Iwas just getting warmed up in the 9 car and then it was over next year I want all 400

[frostbite36]

For the amount of money they get in entry fees and the time they had to get this together, I'm not giving Casey or mad media and crew too much slack. I do realize there is a lot that goes into one of these events...so there is credit due, of course. Though SNORE got a bunch of crap for some mismanagement of the Mint 400 in reference to BLM land use issues, etc. At least they put on a full-distance event at a reasonable entry fee and they mananged to do it on some of the traditional Mint 400 course. I expect a lot from BITD and if they don't step up the game... Well, maybe they have it right? All the new generation of racers come charging because of the name of the event ...call it "the Mint" and do it anywhere you want, at any distance you want and $$$$ money can still be made... I for one am not going to do a BITD event until they put on a full distance Mint event for all the faster classes...including class-1100/12! Also, Casey needs to jump onboard with the new class-12 engine rules that have been acceped by all the other sanctioning bodies...

[frostbite36]

You say two race there were three races and we all paid the same entry I only got two laps! Iwas just getting warmed up in the 9 car and then it was over next year I want all 400

That's right my buggy brother...that's what I want to hear...I don't want to hear how cool BITD and mad media are...I want constructive and critical feedback!!! I don't want excuses...if you pay, you should be able to play!

[MX808]

I called and tried to get the 1600 or 2000 class moved into the afternoon race as well. Most guys I talked to at the BAP race about the mint all wanted to run the full 400. Only the 1600's having issues get caught by the unlimiteds. However as a few stated it was their first year with this race and I have a feeling it will get better. Who knows maybe we will get the original course back too.

[JRV 511]

the dust has settled nicely after the "mint" for this year...it was really weird that bitd decided to split it into two races that didn't even go 400 miles in the first place and even stranger that class-1100/12 was put in with the "slower" group. Since when is class-12 (1100) considered "slow"...same goes for 1/2-1600 and class-5u, as far as that is concerned!!! I guess i'm just really upset about the whole mint format with two sperate events/runs...it really detracted from the "mint-400" mystique! Heck, it wasn't even on the traditional course... If i'm gonna pay those outragous bitd entry and gps tracking fees, i want to get the full monte. Comments?? I'm sure there will be plenty!!

100 % agree

[Baja Jim]

I'm not trying to defend BITD on their decision to run 2 races, but there were some logistical issues regarding 1 race. This was not about money as it would have been cheaper and easier on BITD to run 1 race. There was 325+ that entered the race and over 80 unlimited cars, being a limited class car I know what it is like knowing that we have 80 plus unlimited cars coming behind me. While I know not many 1600 cars get lapped but with this many cars you would have been lapped. Even starting cars 2 at a time every 15 seconds the last car would not leave the line for 40 plus minutes later. The dust on the 1st lap for the slower cars would be blinding and guess what some of those unlimited cars would get flats and now are mixed up with limited cars. ( I experienced this 1st hand as a trophy truck decided to hit me instead of using his siren to get us out of his way.) Also the unlimited guys were doing their laps in 1:25 and certainly would have caught at least 50% of you!

Next year they need to figure out how to get a longer loop with a turn out as large as this, or they need to figure out how to give each race the full 400 miles. We as 5U were able to talk with Casey and get the full 400 miles and were glad that we did. I do believe that there was some politics regarding which cars raced in the 1st race. I believe that there was an agenda for having the 1100/12 cars in the morning race. Somebody (wink wink) Ford wanted to be able say that they were the overall winner of the Mint. When I ask Casey to move us to the afternoon race he ask why I wanted to do this as we would have a chance to win overall. I told him I wanted to race the Mint 400 and didn't care about a chance to win overall in the Mint 276. While we would have won the Mint 276 and glad I raced and finished the Mint 400

[x9racer]

I'm not trying to defend BITD on their decision to run 2 races, but there were some logistical issues regarding 1 race. This was not about money as it would have been cheaper and easier on BITD to run 1 race. There was 325+ that entered the race and over 80 unlimited cars, being a limited class car I know what it is like knowing that we have 80 plus unlimited cars coming behind me. While I know not many 1600 cars get lapped but with this many cars you would have been lapped. Even starting cars 2 at a time every 15 seconds the last car would not leave the line for 40 plus minutes later. The dust on the 1st lap for the slower cars would be blinding and guess what some of those unlimited cars would get flats and now are mixed up with limited cars. ( I experienced this 1st hand as a trophy truck decided to hit me instead of using his siren to get us out of his way.) Also the unlimited guys were doing their laps in 1:25 and certainly would have caught at least 50% of you!

Next year they need to figure out how to get a longer loop with a turn out as large as this, or they need to figure out how to give each race the full 400 miles. We as 5U were able to talk with Casey and get the full 400 miles and were glad that we did. I do believe that there was some politics regarding which cars raced in the 1st race. I believe that there was an agenda for having the 1100/12 cars in the morning race. Somebody (wink wink) Ford wanted to be able say that they were the overall winner of the Mint. When I ask Casey to move us to the afternoon race he ask why I wanted to do this as we would have a chance to win overall. I told him I wanted to race the Mint 400 and didn't care about a chance to win overall in the Mint 276. While we would have won the Mint 276 and glad I raced and finished the Mint 400

The mint 400 has been marketed as the roughest race for many years and that has kept average speeds down and made closing speeds safer. This years mint 300 or 400 what ever one you were in was the fastest's mint race ever , over 2 hours faster than last years mint.400. In laying out and blading such a fast track the closing speeds are now not safe especially when you add golf carts to the mix. I have raced areas around primm and it could have been rougher but those were not run this year . And I would doubt you will see the old track the BLM guy at the spectator area I was at said it will not happen something about the BIA and BLM don't get along. And according to the race results 270 cars raced .