MINT 400 race update thread

[Dave G]

For those of us left at home!:(

If anyone has anything - post it up!

[RelentlessPursuitRacing]

(CUT AND PASTED FROM MINT '08 THREAD)....
My buddy just called me from the MINT. Sad news for Chuck/BC Broncos. They blew something in the motor on the start line while waiting to take off. The report I got was lots of blue smoke somewhere in the engine compartment, then it died and would barley crank. Hopefully it is something they can fix quick and get out there, but it doesnt look good. Good luck to them and all the RACERS out there today. Only other report I got as that Moss smoked Pike off the start line. (2 starting side by side). My guess is that heaviness of Pikes Ramcharger has a lot to do with that. The FJ and Ken Leavett got off the start line without any issues. That's all the info i got on class 3's. I was supposed to be driving my buddies class 11 off the start line, but had to cancel due to a death in the family. My cousins funeral is today......BUT, I just got an update and they left the start line about 15 minutes ago. Good luck to them as well.

[Cervantes Racing]

Only a handful of trucks/cars being tracked on the link below, looks like PIKE the only class 3 being tracked is at a stand still.

http://www.racetheworld.net/

[Cervantes Racing]

Just got this off Race Dezert:

first Class 3, @ 8:52 302, no sign of any others yet

[fj40]

I wonder whats going on???

[chupakabras]

hate to be on this side of the race,...

[Dave G]

Last I heard, At the end of our second lap (some time around 2:00), we had 9 minutes on the FJ, and 25 on Leavitt! I haven't heard anything lately, and it's KILLING ME!!!!

[Dave G]

From what I just heard - 302 is at mile 80 on our final lap, with the FJ just 8 or 9 minutes back, and Leavitt is still going at it, but I didn't get any splits on him!

[shadowII]

come on crew cheif tell everyone that ken brought it in for the team! Not sure where everyone else is at yet

[Dave G]

come on crew cheif tell everyone that ken brought it in for the team! Not sure where everyone else is at yet

As I hear it, we crossed the finish line at around 7:10. Ken and Dan brought it in, and waited to see where the FJ was. A couple minutes after that, I got the call that we won!!!

[Salttoy]

Just talked to my bro and he confrimed that Moss came across the line first and he thought the FJ was 20+ minutes back and had front suspension problems. That's all I know, I'm still loaded from all the wine tasting in Calistoga today.

[MudMad]

If thats the case way to go Moss Bro's, woohoo, yipee. I hope all the others make it in safely and under the time limit, at least all those class 3er's that are here. I'm just partial to yhe Moss bro's as I've been a long time fan of there's, even before I owned my Bronco. Any word on Cam? I envy all of you racers and only dream of being able to get back out to the races. Even as a spectator.

[chupakabras]

way to go moss, congrats to you,..

any news about cam?, i didn't born to be an spectator, this is killing me,..

[RelentlessPursuitRacing]

I talked to Don Moss about an hour ago. Sounds like all went well for them and their racer. He did say the FJ was right there with them most of the way and that Ken stepped it up a bit on the last 2 laps just to be sure they didnt get caught. Don said that the Pike Racharger was taking it easy off the start line so they didnt REALLY smoke them off the line. :) He also said the Pikes had some front end breakage ( i think a spindle). He said he thought Ken (Ironman) Leavett was still running and just cruzing along pretty good. I think he said the FJ lost a ring and pinion toward the end, but was able to finish....and I think in second. (NOT 100% sure on that one though).

I talked to my buddy Jeff in the class 11. They blew up a transaxle at RM23 and were out. They got word that another class 11 had major motor issues, so the driver and co=driver of Jeff's class 11 started disassembley of stuff on the engine (prepping to pull it) while they waited for the trailer. The plan was to pull the motor and loan it to the other class 11 compadre so they could finish the race. While this was all happening, the compadre's got there motor fixed and didnt need the loaner after all.

He also mentioned that another class 11 got HIT HARD, REARENDED by a class 1 car in the silt/dust. TOTALED the 11 car. completely caved in the rear half of the 11 car, displaced all A and B pillars AND flipped them over. No noted injuries......but I am sure they are going to have MAJOR back and neck soreness and maybe injuries. No word on the class 1 occupants. The 11 car wasnt stranded or stuck, just trying to get through the silt when they got NAILED HARD. That's all the info I have for now. Wish I was there. Jerry

[Blanco]

final stats.

Moss: 1st Place
2nd : FJ
3rd Leavitt

I personally rode laps #2 & 3. :D

[MudMad]

final stats.

Moss: 1st Place
2nd : FJ
3rd Leavitt

I personally rode laps #2 & 3. :D

This must be a record for Cam. This has to be one of the shortest posts' he has ever made about a race. Are you tired or something? Congrats to Cam for helping bring home the truck to a 3rd place finish, and to the rest of the anger issues team.

[11wnb]

Congratulations Ken & Ray, I wish I could have made it there.
Blanco congrats on your first race! Tell us how it went.:cool:

[flyinbronco]

Way to go team Moss brothers!!!!!!:)

[KCHiLiTES]

For those of you who don't know me (Michael DeHaas), I'm the owner of the Toyota FJ and the owner of KC HiLiTES. Here's a little insight as to what happened at the KC Pits at the Mint 400.

Not having done much racing, I thought the Mint 400 would be a great place to take the KC FJ out for its first race since I've been the official owner. Not thinking that Moss Bros was goign to enter, I thought we might have a chance of having a top finish. You can imagine my surprise when I saw Moss Bros coming down the contingency line with the well tuned, dialed in Ford Bronco that's nearly impossible to beat. As predicted, the only time I saw Moss Bros at the race was at the start and at the finish....we were never able to catch them.

Since we were out for the experience, I was looking to get seat time to as many of our crew as we could. Randy Ellis was the driver off the line and I was co-driver. 2nd Lap, I was the driver, 3rd lap Dylan Evans drove, and finally Randy Ellis finished up. Moss Bros. seemed to be staying way ahead of us and on the last lap we decided to go for it although I thought it would be nearly impossible to catch them.....I calculated them to be ahead of us by about 17 min as we left the pits on the last lap. The FJ did well until the front end locked up locked up which put us on the sidelines for about 20 min, at that point we were glad to bring home a 2nd place finish.

Congratulations to Moss Bros, they are a first class team and organization and they represent KC HiLiTES well.

If we can ge the FJ prepped in time, we will be racing it in the BITD Terribles 250 in the Sportsman's Class unless we can get other Class 3 vehicles to enter. I've talked to Casey and he will reopen the class if we can get enough people to run.

Thanks to all the other racers who support KC HiLiTES, I hope we were able to light your way to the finish line!

[locopny]

congrats to the finishers.

I saw the Moss's black beauty pass me heading up to the race...passed me like I was standing still...(I was only going 25 up the grade)...

From the sign on the FJ I saw on Thurs. night...it looks like it could be yours for $70K? or is this somebodys idea of a 'ha-ha'??

Saw the BC racer on the trailer at Whiskey Pete's...but didn't see Chuck or crew. sorry to hear about the engine trouble.

Rough weekend for broncos. :(

[2dumnotto]

For those of you who don't know me (Michael DeHaas), I'm the owner of the Toyota FJ and the owner of KC HiLiTES. Here's a little insight as to what happened at the KC Pits at the Mint 400.

Not having done much racing, I thought the Mint 400 would be a great place to take the KC FJ out for its first race since I've been the official owner. Not thinking that Moss Bros was goign to enter, I thought we might have a chance of having a top finish. You can imagine my surprise when I saw Moss Bros coming down the contingency line with the well tuned, dialed in Ford Bronco that's nearly impossible to beat. As predicted, the only time I saw Moss Bros at the race was at the start and at the finish....we were never able to catch them.

Since we were out for the experience, I was looking to get seat time to as many of our crew as we could. Randy Ellis was the driver off the line and I was co-driver. 2nd Lap, I was the driver, 3rd lap Dylan Evans drove, and finally Randy Ellis finished up. Moss Bros. seemed to be staying way ahead of us and on the last lap we decided to go for it although I thought it would be nearly impossible to catch them.....I calculated them to be ahead of us by about 17 min as we left the pits on the last lap. The FJ did well until the front end locked up locked up which put us on the sidelines for about 20 min, at that point we were glad to bring home a 2nd place finish.

Congratulations to Moss Bros, they are a first class team and organization and they represent KC HiLiTES well.

If we can ge the FJ prepped in time, we will be racing it in the BITD Terribles 250 in the Sportsman's Class unless we can get other Class 3 vehicles to enter. I've talked to Casey and he will reopen the class if we can get enough people to run.

Thanks to all the other racers who support KC HiLiTES, I hope we were able to light your way to the finish line!

I have a few pictures of your truck in the race. I'll send them your way, congrats on a great first race. Admitting you own KC on this site is like admitting you own a Krispy Kreme at a Weight Watchers meeting, get ready for the free sample requests.

[Blanco]

Chuck told me how his Early Bronco was having bad cooling issues...
While in line it got up to 260 Degrees & then as they pulled it off the line it develope a Knock. :eek:

I personally found it to be a real Bummer that we did'nt have more Class 3's to start. :(

I must say I was impressed with how the FJ still stuck close to the Moss Bros even with a new Crew. http://www.thewebwheeler.com/forums/images/smilies/humm_smilie.gif
Sorta seems to prove that its a very well built rig..

I've gotta ask Michael DeHaas, Why did you not bother to go to the Awards Meeting? :confused:

& if you dont sell it at $70.000.00 will you considering joining the Class 3 Cup & continuing to chase the Moss bros? :cool:

[straightaxle]

I've gotta ask Michael DeHaas, Why did you not bother to go to the Awards Meeting? :confused:




I think that missing out on that traffic jam getting out of Whiskey Pete's might have been one really good reason for him not to go! The traffic there and a couple other places added about 2 hours to what should have been a 9 hour trip home.

Turned out to be what I thought was a very good event. Going in, I had my doubts. It is interesting to see how the various organizations pull off similar events. What I did not realize about SNORE was that it is entirely volunteer operated AND most of the organizers also compete in the race in their own cars. However their first priority is to the organization, race car second. Those people were at 110% for 24 hours each day leading up to, during and after the race. With exception to some really lame directions to registration, my hat is off to them.

We had no problems at all, and never laid a tool on the truck, even though I thought the wheels or springs were falling off at the end of the first lap. Turned out to just be some weird terrain and maybe the shocks fading a little bit. Nevada sure provides some brutal terrain to race in, and rivals San Felipe for rough. As always, we ran our own pace, which turned out to be very similar to that of the FJ, and we were suprised to find them at just about the same split time throughout the first three laps, even though they had 3 different drivers. They really turned up the wick on the last lap between pit B and C and gained more than 10 minutes on us. When Ken heard that they were gaining, he found the afterburner button and gave Dan quite a ride to the finish. The FJ would have only had to finish within 30 seconds of us to take the win, which is nearly impossible to monitor without tracking devices and limited access for crews on the course.

We swapped out co-drivers each lap, and drivers after two. We really missed having BFG there to provide pits, and we had to dump our own fuel. A huge thanks to crew chief Dave G for turning the truck around in less than 2 weeks, and then making the entirely-too-mature decision to stay home and attend to business rather than go with us to the race. Thanks to Gary for whipping out new numbers (new numbers each race is really a PITA!). Thanks to Rich, Mike, Dennis, Randy, Brock, Dan, Craig, Rob, and Chris, who were all there in support of our effort. Rich for putting us up Thursday night in Henderson and making his co-dawg debut on lap 2. Mike rolled in with a full-on industrial service truck that turned a few heads, unfortunately he had to roll on a real serivice call before we finished lap 1. Also a huge thanks to BroncoDawg for providing a pit at Pit B that we never used (but a radio relay that we did use) after his his primary team (BC Broncos) went DNS. Greg was out there waving us on lap after lap (you could not miss him, no pit sign required!). If there is something beyond a hard luck award, Chuck and team would have won it.

Next race on the Moss Brothers Racing schedule is the Baja 500, May 30-June 1.

[Blanco]

Also a huge thanks to BroncoDawg for providing a pit at Pit B that we never used (but a radio relay that we did use) after his his primary team (BC Broncos) went DNS. Greg was out there waving us on lap after lap (you could not miss him, no pit sign required!).
So True!
I remember after my 1st lap ( 2nd race lap ) as we went through pit B there he was waving us on as well. :)

& Ken said who's that guy? He sure seems enthusiastic.
& so I told him, Thats BroncoDawg! :D

[straightaxle]

So True!
I remember after my 1st lap ( 2nd race lap ) as we went through pit B there he was waving us on as well. :)

& Ken said who's that guy? He sure seems enthusiastic.
& so I told him, Thats BroncoDawg! :D

For those of you that have not met BroncoDawg, if you can picture in your mind several hundred pit crew members lining the course, except for the ones in the bikinis, they all look pretty much the same; T-shirt, cap, sunglasses, dust coating, etc. You are just about red lined in second gear, and going for third and it all starts to blur, when all of a sudden this 1.5 scale humanoid steps out from the crowd doing this arm pump thing............. Gets your attention!

[bajabum]

For those of you who don't know me (Michael DeHaas), I'm the owner of the Toyota FJ and the owner of KC HiLiTES. Here's a little insight as to what happened at the KC Pits at the Mint 400.

Not having done much racing, I thought the Mint 400 would be a great place to take the KC FJ out for its first race since I've been the official owner. Not thinking that Moss Bros was goign to enter, I thought we might have a chance of having a top finish. You can imagine my surprise when I saw Moss Bros coming down the contingency line with the well tuned, dialed in Ford Bronco that's nearly impossible to beat. As predicted, the only time I saw Moss Bros at the race was at the start and at the finish....we were never able to catch them.

Since we were out for the experience, I was looking to get seat time to as many of our crew as we could. Randy Ellis was the driver off the line and I was co-driver. 2nd Lap, I was the driver, 3rd lap Dylan Evans drove, and finally Randy Ellis finished up. Moss Bros. seemed to be staying way ahead of us and on the last lap we decided to go for it although I thought it would be nearly impossible to catch them.....I calculated them to be ahead of us by about 17 min as we left the pits on the last lap. The FJ did well until the front end locked up locked up which put us on the sidelines for about 20 min, at that point we were glad to bring home a 2nd place finish.

Congratulations to Moss Bros, they are a first class team and organization and they represent KC HiLiTES well.

If we can ge the FJ prepped in time, we will be racing it in the BITD Terribles 250 in the Sportsman's Class unless we can get other Class 3 vehicles to enter. I've talked to Casey and he will reopen the class if we can get enough people to run.

Thanks to all the other racers who support KC HiLiTES, I hope we were able to light your way to the finish line!

were considering running the terribles 250 due to the shortness of our last race, maybe we can convince casey to re-open class 3

[chupakabras]

Chuck told me how his Early Bronco was having bad cooling issues...
While in line it got up to 260 Degrees & then as they pulled it off the line it develope a Knock. :eek:


260:eek::eek: in line, wow,. ours at san felipe reached 250, we stop everytime it reached that temp.. when i jumped in, moss and us were just a second apart of eachother, i jumped in with a temp of 190, it went to 250 as soon as i shifted to 3rd gear, no more moss on our site, but well, that was our limit, so, 5 to 10 more degrees and your out of there, blown gasket or head or anything else, right, that sucks..

[Broncodawg]

You are just about red lined in second gear, and going for third and it all starts to blur, when all of a sudden this 1.5 scale humanoid steps out from the crowd doing this arm pump thing............. Gets your attention!

You guys are killin' me! LOL Even though 304 DNSed, it was great still having something to do for the day. Along with relaying lead times for the Mosses, wanted the Leavitt's to know where I was if they needed anything on future laps and guess I was enthusiastic about letting them know. Never grow up is my motto.

Congrats to the three finishers. Good race all day between the black bronco and the FJ and had the Leavitt's not gone a lap down it would have been a three way race.

What happened to the Leavitt's early on?
We heard they lost a spindle, but then heard that was what happened to the Pikes.

Great meeting all three generations of the Pikes and sorry your day didn't go better.

Good job getting some seat time Cam, too bad about the prerun carnage.

[Broncodawg]

Ken and Cam, my bad on the last post, looking at your lap times you guys were running right behind the 302 and 307. Someone told me you guys were a lap down.

Congrats on a good run. What got you on your last lap time?
Can you mail out my shirts since we didn't hook up on them at the Mint?

[straightaxle]

Ken and crew were right there for the whole race, except for that last lap, and they were reported through Pit B just as we finished, or about 50 miles back. I can bet that the course was REALLY torn up by then.

We were pitted right next to each other, and I had just gotten out after the first two laps. You know how they talk about the old days in NASCAR when the driver would get out to smoke a cigarette during a pit stop? Well Ken got out beteween lap 2 and 3 to have lunch! Laid it out on the hood and wolfed it down. His dad was suited up and I thought maybe he was getting in, but then Ken jumped back in and they took off! 2 laps was all I wanted, doing all 4 is just insane!

[Blanco]

Yeah, I've been thinking the same thing, Our Pit stops were too long My girlfriend Maggie said were usually within 2 minutes & you were gone.
We would been alot closer I suppose without the accumulated time lost in the pits. :o