BFGoodrich Tires presents "The Mint 400" 1978

In 1978 Director Robert O'Connor and his film crew followed the BFGoodrich Performance Racing Team on their journey to the world famous Mint 400. The BFG team, which included the Bill Stroppe built #235 Chevy Blazer of Frank "Scoop" Vessels and the sister Blazer of #247 "Baja" Bob Gordon and co-driver Gary Pace, entered alongside an incredible 437 competitors. This is their story...
This twenty-minute film, provided to The Mint 400 courtesy of our friends at BFGoodrich Tires, captures the almost insurmountable challenge that the Mint 400 contestants faced both then, and now.
For more information on the Mint 400 visit:
www.themint400.com and / themint400
To see exciting performances of the current BFGoodrich Performance Team members visit: www.bfgoodrichr...
About The Mint 400:
Known as “The Great American Off-Road Race™," The Mint 400 is the oldest, most prestigious, and most challenging off-road race on the planet. This annual four-hundred mile marathon between the top off-road racers in the world includes over three hundred and fifty race teams in twenty-four different classes of off-road vehicles. Established in 1967, The Mint 400 is steeped in American lore. Thousands of racers and celebrities from around the world have attempted to tame the brutal Nevada desert, but less than half of them have ever finished the Mint.
© 2015 Mint 400 LLC - All Rights Reserved
Downloading and re-uploading, editing, or other use of this audio/visual material - except that provided by RUclips, without the express written permission of The Mint 400 is strictly forbidden.

[@idubz]

as a tamiya collector, this is my new favorite video

[@Threesixty31]

Thank you for this treasure! Fantastic!
Moreover this is a rare document where Tamiya RC model fans can see the Blazing Blazer in real and in action!

[@GVGames1986]

"Take your time and go smooth" - Very well said, that is how modern WRC drivers often plan difficult stages. If you go slower you might be the only car in the field not to have to get out and fix a puncture.

[@deborahchesser7375]

Sometimes you have to slow down to go faster, odd sounding but so very true.

[@Rafagafanhotobra]

Looking at how these old-school off-roaders run, you can notice how much the cars evolved in terms of suspension geometry to this day, to say the least.

[@extec101]

70s off road suspension look as stiff as a roadracer against what is used today.

[@kewrock]

Yeah, the 70's. What an exciting decade. It was a pivotal decade in so many ways. A transition between yesteryear and the modern age.

[@paranormalinvestgations]

These new drivers think they have it rough ...Mad respect nothing but respect

[@ChuckHickl]

Given how little suspension travel they had back then, I just don't understand how these guys spent this much time in one of these vehicles and survived. I know the Baja's are exceptionally tough, as is Dakar in its own way, but these people were agreed apart in my mind. They had everything to go fast back then except for the suspension so the driver became half of the suspension. Brutal...

[@domtron8873]

Damn, the quality and shots are amazing in this.

[@user-sw2er4bv1r]

i'd love to see more films like this

[@zpoyly]

check my channel Genesis Maldonado

[@javiercarballo7930]

Una chulada de carrera y más por qué fue en mi año 😅🎉.

[@GVGames1986]

Just realised this is a real race haha. By Hunter S Thompson! Big springs and raised chassic. Dust, jumps awesome race!

[@surgedtwice]

wow.. Epic film

[@MisterGravelrama]

I can only think of the guys who shot this video as who they are portrayed as in Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas.

[@brucekoster9253]

2 wheel drive?..Are you kiddin' me?.....I know it's '78 but I still can't believe they didn't put build some clearance & suspension into those rough ridin' rigs! I can't believe they were able to stomach that kind of abuse.

[@mre2577]

gonzo was here

[@RetrocosmNet]

Suddenly I see where Tamiya picked up many of the designs for their early 80's models ;-)

[@izom]

oh man robby gordons father!!- i would love to own one of those old blazers !! ;- ()

[@rodclark5831]

Real good eh!

[@kurtiswa-k-8346]

Then to now, Today's cars could have cup holders for coffee...

[@itskevinjustkevin]

When I get the chance to go to the mint 400 I'm dressing up as Hunter S Thompson and carrying a suitcase full of assorted candies and pretend they are the galaxy of uppers, downers , screamer and laugher

[@thetreblerebel]

Ghost Riders in....the Sky...

[@thomasmorales1379]

Sadly they don’t race the same track as they did back then

[@charlesharper6421]

Too bad they kicked the bikes out .that’s when they lost me