King of the Hammers

Last updated
King of the Hammers 2019 King of the Hammers 2019 (46934615182).jpg
King of the Hammers 2019

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]

Contents

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

Ultra 4 Racing logo Ultra 4 racing.jpg
Ultra 4 Racing logo

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"

1st Place Finishers:

2nd Place Finishers:

3rd Place Finishers:

4500 Yukon Gear and Axle Modified Class

1st Place Finishers:

2nd Place Finishers:

3rd Place Finishers:

4600 Curry Enterprise Stock Class


1st Place Finishers:

2nd Place Finishers:

3rd Place Finishers:

4800 Branik Motorsports Legends Class

1st Place Finishers:

2nd Place Finishers:

3rd Place Finishers:

EV Class


1st Place Finishers:

2nd Place Finishers:

3rd Place Finishers:

Can Am Class


1st Place Finishers:

2nd Place Finishers:

3rd Place Finishers:

King of the Motos

1st Place Finishers:

2nd Place Finishers:

3rd Place Finishers:

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Circuit Ricardo Tormo</span> Race track in Valencia, Spain

Circuit Ricardo Tormo, also known as Circuit de Valencia and officially named Circuit de la Comunitat Valenciana Ricardo Tormo, is a 4.005 km (2.489 mi) motorsport race track located in Cheste and built in 1999. The track is named after Spanish, two-time world champion Grand Prix motorcycle racer Ricardo Tormo (1952–1998), who died in 1998 of leukemia. It has a capacity of 165,000 and a main straight of 0.876 km (0.544 mi).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yas Marina Circuit</span> Motorsport race track in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

The Yas Marina Circuit is the venue for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The circuit was designed by Hermann Tilke, and is situated on Yas Island, near Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. Yas Marina was the second of four Formula One tracks in the Middle East, with the first being in Bahrain and subsequent tracks in Qatar and Saudi Arabia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vaughn Gittin</span> American professional drifter

Vaughn Gittin Jr., commonly known as JR, is a self-taught, professional drifter from Maryland who competes in Formula Drift. He drives a Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5-D sponsored by Monster Energy, Nitto Tire, and Ford Performance. Gittin won the Formula Drift Championship in 2010 and 2020, and competes alongside teammate Chelsea DeNofa. Gittin also competes in the Ultra4 Racing series in his 4400 Class Ford Bronco and is the creator of RTR Vehicles, which is his vision for the Mustang, F-150, Ranger and other one of a kind Fords.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jessi Combs</span> American racer and TV personality (1980–2019)

Jessica Combs was an American professional racer, television personality, and metal fabricator. She set a women's land speed class record in 2013 and broke her own record in 2016. She was known as "the fastest woman on four wheels".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">José Manuel Ponce</span> Mexican race car driver

José Manuel Ponce is a Mexican race car driver who participates in extreme rock crawling, desert rock racing, and rallying. He is part Purépecha. Ponce currently owns and is the main driver for World Rally Team based out of Arendal, Norway.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ty Dillon</span> American racing driver

Tyler Reed Dillon is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 25 Chevrolet Silverado for Rackley WAR. He has also competed in the NASCAR Cup Series, the NASCAR Xfinity Series, what is now the ARCA Menards Series, what are now the ARCA Menards Series East and West and what is now known as the NASCAR Pinty's Series in the past.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Hunter Nemechek</span> American racing driver

John Hunter Nemechek is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series driving the No. 42 Toyota Camry XSE for Legacy Motor Club and part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 20 Toyota Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing. He is the son of NASCAR driver Joe Nemechek and was the 2012 champion in the Allison Legacy Series.

Shelby Steven McEntire Blackstock is an American race car driver. He is the son of country music singer Reba McEntire and her ex-husband Narvel Blackstock. His older half-brother, Brandon Blackstock, was formerly married to singer Kelly Clarkson. He also has two older half-sisters, Shawna and Chassidy.

Bill Baird is an American race car driver. He currently competes in the Ultra4 Racing Series in the #5252 buggy. He is a former Rookie of the Year and champion of the ARCA Bondo/Mar-Hyde stock car Series, and owns Saturn Machine, a steel equipment manufacturer.

Ryan Beat is an American professional off-road racing driver. He competes in the Championship Off-Road Series, driving the No. 51 Pro 2 Chevrolet for his team Ryan Beat Motorsports.

References

  1. ↑ Brubaker, Ken (1 July 2009). "King Of The Hammers 2009 Incredible!". Fourwheeler Magazine. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  2. ↑ "King of The Hammers LIVE Coverage". ULTRA4 Racing. 21 January 2014. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  3. ↑ "Unlimited Desert Truck Race Added to King of The Hammers Week". ULTRA4 Racing. 31 July 2018. Retrieved 21 September 2018.
  4. ↑ "2015 KOH Week Schedule Of Events". ULTRA4 Racing. 13 December 2014. Retrieved 3 February 2015.
  5. ↑ Harrell, Ashley (2021-02-05). "SoCal divided over massive, ongoing King of the Hammers off-road event". SFGATE. Retrieved 2021-02-07.
  6. ↑ "661 Extra King of the Hammers". Archived from the original on 2015-09-23. Retrieved 2015-04-19.
  7. ↑ Lasher, Mike (16 July 2011). "Jeff Knoll Joins ORBA Staff". OffroadPress.com. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  8. 1 2 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. ↑ Clifford, Lance (25 Jan 2008). "King Of The Hammers 2008". Pirate4x4.com. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  10. 1 2 3 Perry, Tony (9 May 2014). "Marines, off-roaders compromise over area near Twentynine Palms" – via LA Times.
  11. ↑ "Compromise Reached on Johnson Valley OHV Area - 4 Wheel Drive and Sport Utility". 13 December 2013.
  12. ↑ "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. 1 2 [(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. ↑ Racing, Ultra 4 (1 Jan 2008). "King Of The Hammers RULEBOOK". Ultra4 Racing.com. Archived from the original on August 11, 2011. Retrieved 12 September 2011.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  16. ↑ Collard, Chris (1 Feb 2009). "Hammer Down Racing in Johnson Valley, California". Offroad Adventures.com. Archived from the original on 9 September 2012. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  17. ↑ Producers, Pinned (20 Jan 2010). "2010 King of the Hammers / Pre-Race Teaser Video". PinnedTv.com. Retrieved 14 September 2011.
  18. ↑ Gonderman, Jason (April 2009). "2009 King Of The Hammers - Last Chance Qualifier". JP Magazine. Retrieved 9 September 2011.
  19. ↑ Sanchez, Tim (22 Feb 2008). "Rock Racer Shannon Campbell Crowned "King Of The Hammers!". DirtNews.com. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  20. ↑ "2009 King of the Hammers winner is: Jason Schere". Race-Dezert.com. 28 Feb 2010. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  21. ↑ Williams, Fred (May 2010). "King Of The Hammers 2010 Battle For The Crown". 4 Wheel Offroad Magazine. Retrieved 12 September 2011.
  22. ↑ Burns, Josh (11 Feb 2011). "Shannon Campbell Wins 2011 King of the Hammers". Off-road.com. Retrieved 13 September 2011.
  23. ↑ Newz, Dirt (11 Feb 2012). "The Crown Goes East As Erik Miller Wins the 2012 Griffin King of the Hammers". DIRTnewz.com. Retrieved 15 February 2012.
  24. ↑ Newz, Dirt (10 Feb 2013). "2013 Griffin King of the Hammers Presented by Nitto Tire". Ultra4racing.com. Retrieved 9 February 2013.
  25. ↑ "Full Race Recap - 2104 King of the Hammers". Driving Line. 10 February 2014. Retrieved 23 Nov 2020.
  26. ↑ Bourdon, Stuart (11 Feb 2016). "ERIK MILLER WINS 2016 KING OF THE HAMMERS DESERT RACE". Fourwheeler Network. Retrieved 16 February 2016.
  27. ↑ Barrett, Anna (14 February 2017). "Race to the Finish: King of the Hammers 2017 Recap". Driving Line. Retrieved 23 Nov 2020.
  28. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/ULTRA4EUROPE/videos/1773001639397378/ [ user-generated source ]
  29. ↑ [chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://cdn3.race-dezert.com/forum/data/attachment-files/2018/06/349742.2018-king-of-the-hammers.pdf "2018 King of the Hammers Main Event Results"] (PDF). race-dezert.com. Retrieved 29 January 2024.{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  30. ↑ [chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://cdn3.race-dezert.com/forum/data/attachment-files/2019/02/355611.2019-Nitto-King-of-the-Hammers-OFFICIAL-RESULTS-Ultra4-Racing.pdf "1019 Nitto King of the Hammers Race Results"] (PDF). race-dezert.com. Retrieved 29 January 2024.{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  31. ↑ "King of the Hammers 2020 Results". Racingjunk.com. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  32. ↑ "4400 UNLIMITED RESULTS - 4400 UNLIMITED". ultra4racing.com. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  33. ↑ "2022 King of the Hammers Results". optimabatteries.com. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  34. ↑ "2023 King of the Hammers Results". optimabatteries.com. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  35. ↑ "49 Official Finishers of the 2012 Griffin King of the Hammers". race-dezert.com. 11 February 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  36. ↑ "Video – Randy Slawson Wins the 2013 King of the Hammers". off-road.com. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  37. ↑ "Return Of The King: The 2014 Hammers Race Crown Belongs To Healy". offroadextreme.com. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  38. ↑ "ERIK MILLER WINS 2016 KING OF THE HAMMERS!". drivingline.com. 5 February 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  39. ↑ "Shannon Campbell Wins 2017 Nitto King of The Hammers". motortrend.com. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  40. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/ULTRA4EUROPE/videos/1773001639397378/ [ user-generated source ]
  41. ↑ [chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://cdn3.race-dezert.com/forum/data/attachment-files/2018/06/349742.2018-king-of-the-hammers.pdf "2018 King of the Hammers Main Event Results"] (PDF). race-dezert.com. Retrieved 29 January 2024.{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  42. ↑ [chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://cdn3.race-dezert.com/forum/data/attachment-files/2019/02/355611.2019-Nitto-King-of-the-Hammers-OFFICIAL-RESULTS-Ultra4-Racing.pdf "1019 Nitto King of the Hammers Race Results"] (PDF). race-dezert.com. Retrieved 29 January 2024.{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  43. ↑ "King of the Hammers 2020 Results". Racingjunk.com. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  44. ↑ "4400 UNLIMITED RESULTS - 4400 UNLIMITED". ultra4racing.com. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  45. ↑ "2022 King of the Hammers Results". optimabatteries.com. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  46. ↑ "2023 King of the Hammers Results". optimabatteries.com. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  47. ↑ "49 Official Finishers of the 2012 Griffin King of the Hammers". race-dezert.com. 11 February 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  48. ↑ "Video – Randy Slawson Wins the 2013 King of the Hammers". off-road.com. 8 February 2013. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  49. ↑ "Return Of The King: The 2014 Hammers Race Crown Belongs To Healy". offroadextreme.com. 13 February 2014. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  50. ↑ "ERIK MILLER WINS 2016 KING OF THE HAMMERS!". drivingline.com. 5 February 2016. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  51. ↑ "Shannon Campbell Wins 2017 Nitto King of The Hammers". motortrend.com. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  52. ↑ https://www.facebook.com/ULTRA4EUROPE/videos/1773001639397378/ [ user-generated source ]
  53. ↑ [chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://cdn3.race-dezert.com/forum/data/attachment-files/2018/06/349742.2018-king-of-the-hammers.pdf "2018 King of the Hammers Main Event Results"] (PDF). race-dezert.com. Retrieved 29 January 2024.{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  54. ↑ [chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://cdn3.race-dezert.com/forum/data/attachment-files/2019/02/355611.2019-Nitto-King-of-the-Hammers-OFFICIAL-RESULTS-Ultra4-Racing.pdf "1019 Nitto King of the Hammers Race Results"] (PDF). race-dezert.com. Retrieved 29 January 2024.{{cite web}}: Check |url= value (help)
  55. ↑ "King of the Hammers 2020 Results". Racingjunk.com. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  56. ↑ "4400 UNLIMITED RESULTS - 4400 UNLIMITED". ultra4racing.com. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  57. ↑ "2022 King of the Hammers Results". optimabatteries.com. 28 February 2022. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  58. ↑ "2023 King of the Hammers Results". optimabatteries.com. 14 February 2023. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  59. ↑ "OVERA LL COMBINED RESULTS - 4WP EVERY MAN CHALLENGE". race-dezert.com.
  60. ↑ "2024 EVERY MAN CHALLENGE: 4500, 4600, 4800 AND EV RACE RESULTS". King of the Hammers.
  61. ↑ "OVERA LL COMBINED RESULTS - 4WP EVERY MAN CHALLENGE". race-dezert.com.
  62. ↑ "2024 EVERY MAN CHALLENGE: 4500, 4600, 4800 AND EV RACE RESULTS". King of the Hammers.
  63. ↑ "OVERA LL COMBINED RESULTS - 4WP EVERY MAN CHALLENGE". race-dezert.com.
  64. ↑ "2024 EVERY MAN CHALLENGE: 4500, 4600, 4800 AND EV RACE RESULTS". King of the Hammers.
  65. ↑ "OVERA LL COMBINED RESULTS - 4WP EVERY MAN CHALLENGE". race-dezert.com.
  66. ↑ "2024 EVERY MAN CHALLENGE: 4500, 4600, 4800 AND EV RACE RESULTS". King of the Hammers.
  67. ↑ "OVERA LL COMBINED RESULTS - 4WP EVERY MAN CHALLENGE". race-dezert.com.
  68. ↑ "2024 EVERY MAN CHALLENGE: 4500, 4600, 4800 AND EV RACE RESULTS". King of the Hammers.
  69. ↑ "OVERA LL COMBINED RESULTS - 4WP EVERY MAN CHALLENGE". race-dezert.com.
  70. ↑ "2024 EVERY MAN CHALLENGE: 4500, 4600, 4800 AND EV RACE RESULTS". King of the Hammers.
  71. ↑ "OVERA LL COMBINED RESULTS - 4WP EVERY MAN CHALLENGE". race-dezert.com.
  72. ↑ "2024 EVERY MAN CHALLENGE: 4500, 4600, 4800 AND EV RACE RESULTS". King of the Hammers.
  73. ↑ "OVERA LL COMBINED RESULTS - 4WP EVERY MAN CHALLENGE". race-dezert.com.
  74. ↑ "2024 EVERY MAN CHALLENGE: 4500, 4600, 4800 AND EV RACE RESULTS". King of the Hammers.
  75. ↑ "OVERA LL COMBINED RESULTS - 4WP EVERY MAN CHALLENGE". race-dezert.com.
  76. ↑ "2024 EVERY MAN CHALLENGE: 4500, 4600, 4800 AND EV RACE RESULTS". King of the Hammers.
  77. ↑ "2012 King of the Motos Results". kingofthehammers.com. 12 February 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  78. ↑ "King of the Hammers 2020 Results". Racingjunk.com. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  79. ↑ "2012 King of the Motos Results". kingofthehammers.com. 12 February 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  80. ↑ "King of the Hammers 2020 Results". Racingjunk.com. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  81. ↑ "2012 King of the Motos Results". kingofthehammers.com. 12 February 2012. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  82. ↑ "King of the Hammers 2020 Results". Racingjunk.com. 12 February 2020. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.