Polaris RZR racers dominated the 2016 Mint 400 UTV results, sweeping the podiums in both the Pro Turbo and Pro Production classes. Branden Sims earned the overall UTV victory in his Lone Star Racing Polaris RZR XP Turbo, while Justin Lambert won Pro Production for Cognito Motorsports.
Nearly 50 UTV teams entered the 2016 Polaris RZR Mint 400 Presented by BFGoodrich Tires. The 330-mile Best in the Desert race was run in the reverse direction that year, adding another challenge to an already punishing Nevada desert course.
Branden Sims Wins the 2016 Mint 400 UTV Overall
Polaris Factory Racer Branden Sims and co-driver Justin Krause raced the No. 913 Lone Star Racing Polaris RZR XP Turbo EPS to the front of the field on the second lap. Sims remained under pressure through the rest of the race but held on to win the Pro Turbo class and claim the overall UTV victory.
Sims recorded the fastest UTV lap of the race at 2:09:02.913. His ITP UltraCross R Spec tires completed the demanding event without a tire failure.
Wayne Matlock finished second in Pro Turbo and third among all UTVs in the No. 971 Terabbit Racing Polaris RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS. Ryan Laidlaw completed the Pro Turbo podium in the No. 960 Redlands Racing Polaris RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS.
2016 Mint 400 Pro Turbo Podium
- Branden Sims — No. 913 Lone Star Racing Polaris RZR XP Turbo EPS
- Wayne Matlock — No. 971 Terabbit Racing Polaris RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS
- Ryan Laidlaw — No. 960 Redlands Racing Polaris RZR XP 4 Turbo EPS
Justin Lambert Pushes His RZR Across the Finish
Justin Lambert delivered one of the race’s most memorable finishes in the No. 1918 Cognito Motorsports Polaris RZR XP 4 1000 EPS. Lambert and his co-driver were pushing the RZR after a mechanical problem stopped the car approximately a quarter-mile from the finish.
After crossing the line, Sims saw Lambert’s team struggling toward the finish. Sims and Krause ran back to help push the Cognito RZR across the line, securing Lambert’s Pro Production victory and second place overall among the UTVs.
The win was Lambert’s third consecutive Best in the Desert Pro Production victory. His Cognito Motorsports RZR, nicknamed “Hellraiser,” also recorded the fastest Pro Production lap at 2:12:03.081.
Kristin Matlock took second in Pro Production in the No. 1954 Terabbit Racing Polaris RZR XP 4 1000 EPS. Benjamin Bischoff finished third in the No. 1923 Polaris RZR XP 1000 EPS.
2016 Mint 400 Pro Production Podium
- Justin Lambert — No. 1918 Cognito Motorsports Polaris RZR XP 4 1000 EPS
- Kristin Matlock — No. 1954 Terabbit Racing Polaris RZR XP 4 1000 EPS
- Benjamin Bischoff — No. 1923 Polaris RZR XP 1000 EPS
A Complete Polaris RZR Podium Sweep
Polaris racers occupied all six podium positions across the Pro Turbo and Pro Production classes. Sims, Lambert and Wayne Matlock also gave Polaris the first three UTVs across the finish line.
The results reflected the rapid development of factory-supported UTV desert racing during the mid-2010s. Turbocharged RZRs were beginning to reshape the premier class, while highly developed naturally aspirated machines such as Lambert’s Cognito RZR remained capable of challenging for the overall victory.
That momentum carried into the following season when Polaris expanded its 2017 RZR Factory Racing program around racers including Sims, Lambert, Wayne and Kristin Matlock, Brandon Schueler and Mitch Guthrie Jr.
2016 Mint 400 UTV Highlights
- Branden Sims won the UTV overall and Pro Turbo class.
- Justin Lambert won Pro Production and finished second overall among UTVs.
- Wayne Matlock finished second in Pro Turbo and third UTV overall.
- Polaris RZR racers swept both the Pro Turbo and Pro Production podiums.
- Sims and his co-driver helped push Lambert’s disabled RZR across the finish line.
- The race covered approximately 330 miles over three laps of the reversed Mint 400 course.
This article was originally published March 16, 2016, and has been updated to preserve the results and historical context of the 2016 Mint 400.
