I absolutely love the people I work with. Not just because they’re just as weird as me when it comes to cars, but because they actually go out and do cool car shit.
Emme Hall is a regular contributor for The Autopian, where she covers the latest news in the world of off-roading and Miatas. But when Emme’s not writing, she’s out racing. She’s taken two class wins in the Mint 400, America’s toughest off-road race, behind the wheel of her heavily modified Mazda MX-5 Miata. She’s also won the Rebelle Rally, a seven-day off-road navigational event, twice.
This week, Emme is back at the Mint 400 to fight for another victory. This time, she’s playing the role of co-driver in a badass 1968 Ford Bronco. And thanks to the power of modern tech, the whole venture is being livestreamed from onboard cameras mounted in the truck. Join us in rooting her on!
The car she’s riding in is how I’d describe my ideal Baja desert runner. Built and driven by custom car builder Theresa Contreras of Baja Forged, it’s a ’68 Bronco that’s been heavily modified with long-travel suspension from Ford Racing, huge 37-inch Nitto tires, and a “Megazilla” Ford Racing 7.3-liter V8 crate engine that makes 612 horsepower. Not only does it look awesome, but it sounds incredible. Here, take a listen to this idle:
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Contreras started this Bronco build back in May 2025 and showed it at SEMA in the Ford booth back in November. While it certainly looks like a Bronco, there really isn’t much Bronco left underneath. The custom suspension geometry uses parts from Icon Vehicle Dynamics, while the axles are ProRock XD 60 units from Dynatrac. In case the duo gets stuck on the trail, there’s also a Warn winch installed in the bumper.
In February, Contreras finally got it running and driving. Now, just a month later, it’s about to cross the start line to face its first real challenge: 285 miles of fast desert terrain, sharp rocky climbs, and blinding dust clouds.
Baja Forged is streaming the entire endeavor on its YouTube channel right now, where we can see a view out of the truck and a view of the cabin. While it’s easy to hear the two drivers speak while the truck is idling, I have a feeling it’ll mostly be engine and wind noise when the green flag waves.
If you can’t or don’t want to have a YouTube video constantly running all day, the Mint 400 makes it easy to track every competitor using this live timing system from RacingTrax.com. All you have to do is punch in the team’s number—4548—and it’ll give you a precise location along the route.
Either way, it feels like a great thing to be playing in the background this Friday afternoon. So please join us in cheering on Theresa and Emme as they claw through the southern Nevada desert.
Top graphic image: Emme Hall
Really cool to watch writers from The Autopian getting involved in real motorsport.
gtu
Go Go Theresa and Emme!
I would have guessed it was Mercedes from the title.
Is the Cross Cab eligible for the Mint 400?
I’ll push back on the most challenging off road race in America as that happened in Johnson Valley about a month ago. However! Theresa and Emme are complete bad-asses and the race car looks and sounds exceptional. Also, the radio is piped directly in to the feed so you should be able to hear them over the engine and wind.
As of this writing, it looks like the car is sidelined and the pair are making roadside repairs. Crossing my fingers that they’ll be able to get back on track!
Eeep, Currently no video and it sounds like they are stopped and repairing something.
Power steering leak due to a popped hose. They fixed that and put in brake fluid to top off (with mechanics approval). But then just about a mile later the power brakes, which were on the same hydraulics as the steering, went out. There was a steep descent coming so they decided to bail for the day (maybe race??).
Thanks. I was scrubbing through it to see if I could figure out what had happened
Good luck and Godspeed, Emme and Theresa!
“In some circles, the Mint 400 is a far, far better thing than the Superbowl, the Kentucky Derby, and the lower Oakland roller derby finals all rolled into one. This race attracts a very special breed.”
“Fear And Loathing In Las Vegas: A Savage Journey To The Heart Of The American Dream” by Hunter S. Thompson
here I was hoping I’d be the first one here with a Fear and Loathing quote.
Crap, I haven’t been to roller derby in years. It’s funny how the revived version is IMO one of the more wholesome indoor sports around. All PBR and home-baked rainbow cookies and singing the national anthem.