By Mike Donahue

Moapa Valley Progress

The Mint 400, one of the largest off-road races in the country, is scheduled to start at 7:00 a.m. on Saturday morning at the Moapa Paiute Travel Plaza on I-15.

The 400-mile race, in which drivers must make four laps along a 100-mile course that runs on Moapa Paiute Reservation land and Bureau of Land Management property, is conducted annually by Southern Nevada Off-Road Enthusiasts (SNORE).

SNORE members were out in force last weekend marking the route and making final preparations before race day this Saturday, according to the SNORE website.

Spectator areas near the Travel Plaza have been marked and those interested in viewing the race are encouraged to attend.

In response to an incident in 2010 when a young Las Vegas woman was killed during the off-road California 200 race, SNORE issued a statement to reassure those interested in these events.

“The Board of Directors deems it necessary to reassure our membership that the safety of our racers, their families and our spectators is our number one priority,” the organization’s website states. “Through the use of designated spectator areas, snow fence, ropes, speed limits, course setbacks and personnel to monitor said areas, we will continue to make our best efforts to keep all of SNORE’s family out of harm’s way. We value every life attending and implore you to follow the rules and stipulations set forth at each event.

“SNORE was formed in 1969 and is the oldest sanctioned off-road organization in the world,” the website states.