Rugged Radios Returns as Official Communications of Mint 400
American Off-Road Racing Championship Series officials are proud to announce the return of Rugged Radios as the Official Communications Partner of the 2026 BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400. Rugged will once again bring its interactive booth to Fremont Street in downtown Las Vegas for the Mint 400 Off-Road Festival on Thursday, March 5—marking its 13th consecutive year as part of the event’s marquee celebration.
As the Official Communications Partner, Rugged Radios will power race communications throughout the Great American Off-Road Race, with its industry-leading products on display all week long.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Rugged Radios back as the Official Communications Partner of the BFGoodrich Tires Mint 400 for 2026,” said AORC CEO Matt Martelli. “For 13 consecutive years, Rugged has played a critical role in the safety and success of this event. The overwhelming majority of our racers rely on Rugged systems for clear, dependable communication in some of the harshest racing conditions in the world. Their Fremont Street display has become a race week staple, but on race day, it’s about performance and protection—our race operations team and competitors depend on Rugged’s communications to respond quickly, operate efficiently, and get everyone to the finish line safely. We encourage racers and fans to visit their booth and learn more about the technology that helps keep this race running safely.”
When Greg Cottrell, Founder and President of Rugged Radios, launched the company, his goal was simple: revolutionize off-road communications. What began as a focused mission to improve reliability and clarity in harsh racing environments has grown into an industry leader serving the Work, Race, and Play markets.
Today, Rugged Radios designs and manufactures purpose-built communications systems engineered to withstand extreme conditions. Every product is built rugged-tough using premium components and tested to meet the demands of professional racers, crews, and off-road enthusiasts alike. Driven by a passion for performance and safety, Rugged Radios remains committed to delivering the technology customers depend on to go further—wherever the terrain leads.
Whether you’re ripping through Baja in your UTV, hitting single track with friends on the weekend, or taking flight in your Cessna, you need communications you can trust. With more than 30 years of experience designing high-noise environment communication systems, Rugged Radios delivers reliable performance when clarity matters most.
From desert racing and recreation to industrial job sites, agriculture, aviation, and fire and safety operations, Rugged Radios offers purpose-built solutions for virtually any environment. Built for durability, engineered for performance, and trusted by professionals, Rugged products are designed to keep teams connected when it counts.
For more information, visit www.ruggedradios.com.
The Mint 400 has held the title of the toughest, most spectacular off-road race in North America since 1968 when it was first run. Initially, the race was a public relations event promoting the Mint Hotel’s annual deer hunt, but what started out as a hotel promotion soon grew into a legitimate desert race. Since its 2008 revival, “The Great American Off-Road Race” has only gotten bigger and more prestigious, and deeper fields every year only make it tougher to win.
This year’s Mint 400 will take place from March 4th - 8th in Las Vegas. More information on the event for racers and spectators is available at TheMint400.com, or follow the event on Facebook and Instagram.
Details regarding racer registration, sponsorship packages, exhibitor vending, spectator tickets, camping, and parking passes for the American Off-Road Racing Championship are live on americanoffroadracingchampionship.com
About American Off-Road Racing Championship
About the American Off-Road Racing Championship:
The American Off-Road Racing Championship (AORC) is the premier desert off-road racing league in North America, created through the unification of Best in the Desert (BITD) and Unlimited Off-Road Racing (UNLTD).
Best in the Desert, founded in 1984 by legendary racer Casey Folks, is the longest-running and most respected off-road racing series in the U.S., with a legacy that includes iconic events like Vegas to Reno, the Silver State 300, the Parker 425, and the Laughlin Desert Classic.
Unlimited Off-Road Racing, established by the Martelli Brothers in 2023, produces world-class events such as The Mint 400, The California 300, and The Parker 400. UNLTD is recognized for its focus on innovation, storytelling, and large-scale racer participation, with events known for high car counts, challenging courses, pre-running, and family-friendly fan experiences near major markets.
Together under the AORC banner, BITD and UNLTD preserve the heritage of desert racing while building its future—offering racers, sponsors, and fans a unified championship built on clarity, consistency, and world-class competition.
About Rugged Radios
Founded more than 20 years ago by Greg Cottrell, Rugged Radios is a leading manufacturer of high-performance communications systems for off-road racing, recreation, aviation, industrial, agricultural, and emergency response applications. Built to perform in high-noise and extreme environments, Rugged products are engineered for durability, clarity, and reliability when it matters most.
Trusted by professional race teams, event organizers, first responders, and outdoor enthusiasts worldwide, Rugged Radios delivers purpose-built communications solutions for Work, Race, and Play. With a commitment to innovation and safety, Rugged empowers customers to stay connected and go further in any environment.
For more information, visit www.ruggedradios.com