Lake Elsinore, CA – The iconic Mint 500 hosted by Best in the Desert and Mad Media invited motorcycles back to the event this weekend; the first time since 1976. Off-Road Support/TBT Suspension backed privateer Jacob Argubright prepared to compete in the endurance event as an ironman, alongside a roster of top-talent teams.
Located on the state line between California and Nevada, Argubright would have his hands full with an 79-mile loop consisting of truck track, vast valley crossings, sand washes, and technical trails in which he would have to take on three times consecutively. To start the race, riders would have to straddle the front fender of their dead engine motorcycle, and quickly remount and start their bike once the green light was given.
Argubright was quick to mount his KX450, jumping into the mix in a 4th overall position going into the first turn. From there, Argubright quickly set his sights on the leader, and the two began to set the pace. Swapping for the lead position multiple times, Argubright eventually tucked into second place. Coming into Pit A at mile 25, Argubright trailed the leader by approximately 10-seconds. A quick refuel had him on his way quickly, and the two maintained the gap as they raced towards Pit B. With the competition not making the stop at Pit B, Argubright found himself having to make up time after another refuel. Coming into the Main Pit before heading out onto lap two, the leaders swapped riders, and Argubright capitalized on closing the gap; passing the duo in the pits.
Lap two saw an intense battle as Argubright moved into the lead with second place now hot on his tail. Swapping positions in a fast section, Argubright continued to consistently challenge the leader throughout the 79-mile course. As the riders entered the Main Pit at the end of the lap, the leader again swapped riders before heading out onto the third and final lap.
The abundance of lapped riders on lap three now posed a new challenge; more dust. This became tricky for Argubright who was beginning to lose clear sight on the leader in the first 25-miles. Coming into Pit A, the two sat just 40-seconds apart with only 50 miles to the checkered flag. Running out of course to catch the leader once again, Argubright closed up the gap just slightly; claiming 2nd overall at the finish line.
Argubright exclaimed, “Today was incredible! The win would of course be much sweeter, but I believe I accomplished a great task today. I’m so stoked on the finish. I committed myself early on, both mentally and physically, to racing as an ironman regardless of the talent that I would line up next to, and I think that strategy worked well. The racing was intense and the JCR Honda team were on it today. I would not have had the same results without the help of my wife, parents, pit crew and sponsors. I grew up only hearing about motorcycles racing in the Mint 400, and today I got to race it. Thanks to Mad Media and BITD for bringing the bikes back.”
Top 3 Official Results:
1. Ricky Brabec/ Kendall Norman (HON)
2. Jacob Argubright (KAW)
3. Mark Samuels/Justin Morgan/Justin Jones (HON)