Columnist Brian Hilderbrand: Henderson race has $500,000 purse — richest in U.S.

Thursday, May 23, 2002 | 9:22 a.m.

Brian Hilderbrand covers motor sports for the Las Vegas Sun. His motor sports notebook appears Friday. He can be reached at bh@lasvegassun.com or (702) 259-4089.

It may take some time for the new SCORE off-road race in Henderson to reach the level of the legendary Mint 400, but the inaugural race is off to a good start.

SCORE officials announced this week that the July 13 SCORE Henderson's Terrible 250 desert race will boast a purse of more than $500,000 -- making it the richest off-road race in the country.

The first overall finisher among the car and truck classes will receive a $10,000 bonus in addition to the posted awards. The first overall motorcycle finisher will receive an added $3,000 and the first overall ATV finisher will receive an added $2,000.

"With the help of our sponsors, contingency donors and the high number of racers we are expecting, the inaugural SCORE Henderson's Terrible 250 will exceed all expectations, especially for a first-time event," SCORE president and CEO Sal Fish said.

"With all the extras being added to this race, Southern Nevada is on the verge of experiencing a truly great family style special event and a SCORE desert race will just be icing on the cake."

The four-lap race will be held on a 56-mile course near the base of Black Mountain in Henderson and will utilize a section of the old Mint 400 course, which was held on the outskirts of Las Vegas from 1968 to 1991. The start/ finish line and spectator area will be located behind at the end of Horizon Ridge Road.

This year's race will mark the first time since 1991 that an off-road race has been held so close to Las Vegas.

"For more than two decades, the Mint 400 was one of the most popular sports events in Southern Nevada, drawing thousands of people every year," said Bud Pico, manager of tourism and sales for the Henderson Convention and Visitors Bureau.

"With the support of SCORE and Herbst Gaming, the SCORE Henderson's Terrible 250 will re-invent desert racing."

The SCORE Henderson's Terrible 250 is being co-sponsored by the Henderson Convention and Visitors Bureau and Herbst Gaming.

In addition to the race, organizers are planning a variety of support events including a major charity event, an off-road trade show, a pit-crew competition, concerts, fireworks show and a parade of entries from downtown Henderson to the course's main pit area.

David Ashley and Dan Smith of Riverside, Calif., are the defending champions of the Baja 500 in the featured Trophy Truck class. Tim and Ed Herbst of Las Vegas took second last year and NASCAR Winston Cup driver Robby Gordon finished fourth.

Wik is a six-time winner of the SCORE Engine Builder of the Year award and supplies Freeman with her racing engines. Freeman won the Class 1/2-1600 championship in 1998 and 2000 before moving up to Class 1 Unlimited.