King of the Hammers explained

King of the Hammers is an off-road race that combines desert racing and rock crawling. This race is held in February on Means Dry Lake at Johnson Valley, California, United States.[1] The race is broadcast live on Ultra 4 Racing's website.[2] King of The Hammers race week has expanded from one race. It is now a series of five races that run throughout the week. The races include a Can AM UTV event on Sunday, the ULTRA4 vs. Rock Bouncer shootout on Monday, the Every Man Challenge Race on Wednesday, and the Toyo Desert Invitational (Unlimited Trophy Trucks) on Thursday.[3] [4]

Hammertown

King of the Hammers take place in Johnson Valley, a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) area near Yucca Valley.[5] For the nine-day race week, the Means Dry Lake bed turns into a temporary settlement nicknamed Hammertown. In 2022 there were roughly 400 teams and 80,000 spectators in attendance for the event.[6]

History

The King of the Hammers was founded by Jeff Knoll[7] and Dave Cole in 2007, who organized it in a bar via outlining it on a napkin.[8] A trial run was conducted with 12 teams nicknamed the OG13. The OG13 are always invited back to race year after year. All past winners, dubbed "Kings", are also invited annually.[9]

The first official race was in 2008, though no spectators were present. Approximately 50 drivers took part.[8] Race teams started in 30-second intervals from Means Dry Lake bed and navigated through the desert on a 50–60 mile set race course to their first rock course.

In 2013, the United States Marine Corps intended to convert the area into an expanded training facility, as the branch needed the additional land for live-fire training in an area similar to where they would be actually fighting. Opposition from Johnson Valley politicians prevented a total takeover from occurring, and the two parties instead brokered an agreement under the 2014 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) that allowed the Marines to receive a large portion of the land, resulting in course adjustments.[10] [11] The compromise between Johnson Valley and the Marines gave roughly 43,000 acres to the former, 79,000 acres to the later, and 53,000 for joint use. The Marines could use their share for two 30-day periods every year, while the rest of the time would be for off-road purposes. However, a petition on the White House website asserted the deal was still unnecessary, arguing that it was fiscally irresponsible and a future burden on taxpayers, especially as the nearby Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms is the largest Marine base in the world. The petition gained 29,456 signatures, though it was not enough to prevent the agreement from going through.[10] There are no reports on the numbers by which the bill, known as H.R. 1676 and the "Johnson Valley National Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area Establishment Act", passed or how many revisions the bill had prior to its success.[12]

The community surrounding the Johnson Valley off-road area gains around $71 million a year from off-roaders going to and from the area.[10]

Sponsors

In 2014, Mopar brought their new 5.7 liter engine out to the races, an off-road race version of the (then) recently announced Scat Package performance upgrade Hemi engine.[13] For the race, KOH Nitto Tire returned again as a sponsor for nine competitors after sponsoring six the previous year.[14] Three of the nine entries that Nitto sponsored in 2014 were previous winners: Jason Scherer (2009), Loren Healy (2010), and Erik Miller (2012).[14]

Vehicles and rules

The race vehicles used at the King of the Hammers are known as Ultra 4 vehicles, which are capable of speeds over 100 miles per hour for the desert sections, but still contain gear ratios of 100-to-1 or lower for technical rock crawling. This Ultra4 class is unlimited 4400, and every vehicle is custom fabricated by each team. Traditional design for the front drive-train is a straight axle design, but independent front suspension is becoming a popular design for the high speeds achieved in the wide open plains of the desert. Most racers use highly modified engines that can produce up to 800 horsepower. Forty-inch tires are common, and racers use beadlock wheels.[15]

Competitors start side-by-side, two vehicles every thirty seconds, and must complete the 165-mile course in fewer than 14 hours. Each team must pass through seven checkpoints and at all times while staying within one hundred feet of the centerline of the course. KOH is a no-chase-team race; repairs can only be done on the track by the racers or in the pit area.[16] [17] A last chance qualifier takes place before the race on a two-mile course. 35-50 teams attempt to qualify for the big race.[18]

4400 Class "Race of Kings"

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4500 Yukon Gear and Axle Modified Class

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4600 Curry Enterprise Stock Class

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4800 Branik Motorsports Legends Class

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EV Class

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Can Am Class

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King of the Motos

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External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: King Of The Hammers 2009 Incredible!. Brubaker. Ken. Fourwheeler Magazine. 1 July 2009. 9 September 2011.
  2. Web site: King of The Hammers LIVE Coverage. ULTRA4 Racing. 21 January 2014. 9 January 2015.
  3. Web site: Unlimited Desert Truck Race Added to King of The Hammers Week . ULTRA4 Racing. 31 July 2018. 21 September 2018.
  4. Web site: 2015 KOH Week Schedule Of Events. ULTRA4 Racing. 13 December 2014. 3 February 2015.
  5. Web site: Harrell. Ashley. 2021-02-05. SoCal divided over massive, ongoing King of the Hammers off-road event. 2021-02-07. SFGATE. en-US.
  6. Web site: 661 Extra King of the Hammers . 2015-04-19 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150923222703/http://www.blm.gov/ca/st/en/info/newsbytes/2015/661_extra_king_of.print.html . 2015-09-23 .
  7. Web site: Jeff Knoll Joins ORBA Staff. Lasher. Mike. OffroadPress.com. 16 July 2011. 12 September 2011.
  8. Carey, L. (2014, February 1). The Real Story Behind King of the Hammers - DrivingLine. Retrieved April 19, 2015, from http://www.drivingline.com/2014/02/king-of-the-hammers-history-beginnings/
  9. Web site: King Of The Hammers 2008. Clifford. Lance. Pirate4x4.com. 25 Jan 2008. 13 September 2011.
  10. Web site: Marines, off-roaders compromise over area near Twentynine Palms. Tony. Perry. 9 May 2014. LA Times.
  11. Web site: Compromise Reached on Johnson Valley OHV Area - 4 Wheel Drive and Sport Utility. 13 December 2013.
  12. Web site: House Report 113-123 - JOHNSON VALLEY NATIONAL OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLE RECREATION AREA ESTABLISHMENT ACT. www.gpo.gov.
  13. (February 11, 2014 Tuesday 6:30 AM EST). Chrysler Group: Mopar Takes on 'King of the Hammers'. India Automobile News, Retrieved from www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic
  14. (February 11, 2014 Tuesday 6:30 AM EST). Nitto Tire Returns for a Second Year as Presenting Sponsor of the Griffin King of the Hammers with Nine Sponsored Entries. India Automobile News, Retrieved from www.lexisnexis.com/hottopics/lnacademic
  15. Web site: King Of The Hammers RULEBOOK . Racing . Ultra 4 . Ultra4 Racing.com . 1 Jan 2008 . 12 September 2011 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110811203453/http://ultra4racing.com/racers/rulebook/ . August 11, 2011 .
  16. Web site: Hammer Down Racing in Johnson Valley, California.. Collard. Chris. Offroad Adventures.com. 1 Feb 2009. 12 September 2011. dead. https://archive.today/20120909004744/http://www.offroadadventures.com/articles/view/id/363/. 9 September 2012.
  17. Web site: 2010 King of the Hammers / Pre-Race Teaser Video. Producers. Pinned. PinnedTv.com. 20 Jan 2010. 14 September 2011.
  18. Web site: 2009 King Of The Hammers - Last Chance Qualifier. Gonderman. Jason. JP Magazine. April 2009. 9 September 2011.
  19. Web site: Rock Racer Shannon Campbell Crowned "King Of The Hammers!. Sanchez. Tim. DirtNews.com. 22 Feb 2008. 13 September 2011.
  20. Web site: 2009 King of the Hammers winner is: Jason Schere. Race-Dezert.com. 28 Feb 2010. 12 September 2011.
  21. Web site: King Of The Hammers 2010 Battle For The Crown. Williams. Fred. 4 Wheel Offroad Magazine. May 2010. 12 September 2011.
  22. Web site: Shannon Campbell Wins 2011 King of the Hammers. Burns. Josh. Off-road.com. 11 Feb 2011. 13 September 2011.
  23. Web site: The Crown Goes East As Erik Miller Wins the 2012 Griffin King of the Hammers. Newz. Dirt. DIRTnewz.com. 11 Feb 2012. 15 February 2012.
  24. Web site: 2013 Griffin King of the Hammers Presented by Nitto Tire. Newz. Dirt. Ultra4racing.com. 10 Feb 2013. 9 February 2013.
  25. Web site: Full Race Recap - 2104 King of the Hammers . Driving Line . 10 February 2014 . 23 Nov 2020.
  26. Web site: ERIK MILLER WINS 2016 KING OF THE HAMMERS DESERT RACE. Bourdon. Stuart. Fourwheeler Network. 11 Feb 2016. 16 February 2016.
  27. Web site: Barrett . Anna . Race to the Finish: King of the Hammers 2017 Recap . Driving Line . 14 February 2017 . 23 Nov 2020.
  28. https://www.facebook.com/ULTRA4EUROPE/videos/1773001639397378/
  29. Web site: 2018 King of the Hammers Main Event Results . race-dezert.com . 29 January 2024.
  30. Web site: 1019 Nitto King of the Hammers Race Results . race-dezert.com . 29 January 2024.
  31. Web site: King of the Hammers 2020 Results . Racingjunk.com . 12 February 2020 . 29 January 2024.
  32. Web site: 4400 UNLIMITED RESULTS - 4400 UNLIMITED . ultra4racing.com . 29 January 2024.
  33. Web site: 2022 King of the Hammers Results . optimabatteries.com . 28 February 2022 . 29 January 2024.
  34. Web site: 2023 King of the Hammers Results . optimabatteries.com . 14 February 2023 . 29 January 2024.
  35. Web site: 49 Official Finishers of the 2012 Griffin King of the Hammers . race-dezert.com . 11 February 2012 . 29 January 2024.
  36. Web site: Video – Randy Slawson Wins the 2013 King of the Hammers . off-road.com . 8 February 2013 . 29 January 2024.
  37. Web site: Return Of The King: The 2014 Hammers Race Crown Belongs To Healy . offroadextreme.com . 13 February 2014 . 29 January 2024.
  38. Web site: ERIK MILLER WINS 2016 KING OF THE HAMMERS! . drivingline.com . 5 February 2016 . 29 January 2024.
  39. Web site: Shannon Campbell Wins 2017 Nitto King of The Hammers . motortrend.com . 29 January 2024.
  40. Web site: 2018 King of the Hammers Main Event Results . race-dezert.com . 29 January 2024.
  41. Web site: 1019 Nitto King of the Hammers Race Results . race-dezert.com . 29 January 2024.
  42. Web site: King of the Hammers 2020 Results . Racingjunk.com . 12 February 2020 . 29 January 2024.
  43. Web site: 2022 King of the Hammers Results . optimabatteries.com . 28 February 2022 . 29 January 2024.
  44. Web site: 2023 King of the Hammers Results . optimabatteries.com . 14 February 2023 . 29 January 2024.
  45. Web site: 49 Official Finishers of the 2012 Griffin King of the Hammers . race-dezert.com . 11 February 2012 . 29 January 2024.
  46. Web site: Video – Randy Slawson Wins the 2013 King of the Hammers . off-road.com . 8 February 2013 . 29 January 2024.
  47. Web site: Return Of The King: The 2014 Hammers Race Crown Belongs To Healy . offroadextreme.com . 13 February 2014 . 29 January 2024.
  48. Web site: ERIK MILLER WINS 2016 KING OF THE HAMMERS! . drivingline.com . 5 February 2016 . 29 January 2024.
  49. Web site: Shannon Campbell Wins 2017 Nitto King of The Hammers . motortrend.com . 29 January 2024.
  50. Web site: 2018 King of the Hammers Main Event Results . race-dezert.com . 29 January 2024.
  51. Web site: 1019 Nitto King of the Hammers Race Results . race-dezert.com . 29 January 2024.
  52. Web site: King of the Hammers 2020 Results . Racingjunk.com . 12 February 2020 . 29 January 2024.
  53. Web site: 2022 King of the Hammers Results . optimabatteries.com . 28 February 2022 . 29 January 2024.
  54. Web site: 2023 King of the Hammers Results . optimabatteries.com . 14 February 2023 . 29 January 2024.
  55. Web site: OVERA LL COMBINED RESULTS - 4WP EVERY MAN CHALLENGE . race-dezert.com.
  56. Web site: 2024 EVERY MAN CHALLENGE: 4500, 4600, 4800 AND EV RACE RESULTS . King of the Hammers.
  57. Web site: 2024 EVERY MAN CHALLENGE: 4500, 4600, 4800 AND EV RACE RESULTS . King of the Hammers.
  58. Web site: 2024 EVERY MAN CHALLENGE: 4500, 4600, 4800 AND EV RACE RESULTS . King of the Hammers.
  59. Web site: 2024 EVERY MAN CHALLENGE: 4500, 4600, 4800 AND EV RACE RESULTS . King of the Hammers.
  60. Web site: 2024 EVERY MAN CHALLENGE: 4500, 4600, 4800 AND EV RACE RESULTS . King of the Hammers.
  61. Web site: 2024 EVERY MAN CHALLENGE: 4500, 4600, 4800 AND EV RACE RESULTS . King of the Hammers.
  62. Web site: 2024 EVERY MAN CHALLENGE: 4500, 4600, 4800 AND EV RACE RESULTS . King of the Hammers.
  63. Web site: 2024 EVERY MAN CHALLENGE: 4500, 4600, 4800 AND EV RACE RESULTS . King of the Hammers.
  64. Web site: 2024 EVERY MAN CHALLENGE: 4500, 4600, 4800 AND EV RACE RESULTS . King of the Hammers.
  65. Web site: 2012 King of the Motos Results . kingofthehammers.com . 12 February 2012 . 29 January 2024.
  66. Web site: King of the Hammers 2020 Results . Racingjunk.com . 12 February 2020 . 29 January 2024.
  67. Web site: 2012 King of the Motos Results . kingofthehammers.com . 12 February 2012 . 29 January 2024.
  68. Web site: King of the Hammers 2020 Results . Racingjunk.com . 12 February 2020 . 29 January 2024.
  69. Web site: 2012 King of the Motos Results . kingofthehammers.com . 12 February 2012 . 29 January 2024.
  70. Web site: King of the Hammers 2020 Results . Racingjunk.com . 12 February 2020 . 29 January 2024.

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