King of the Hammers 2014

[TORX]

TORXreport: King of the Hammers
Johnson Valley, California
February 2-8, 2014​

After web wheeling Johnson Valley for years, and following the King of the Hammers race from the beginning, both have been on my bucket list. This past week I finally got the chance to head down to "Hammertown," and experience the race in person, and see what Johnson Valley is all about. It was an epic trip.​

During the weeks leading up to KOH, I was busy lending a hand for race prep on the POR Wheeler's #689 Ultra4 car. They had secured a spot in the main race this year, which meant the car had to be at 100%. We replaced worn suspension joints, inspected the differentials, changed out leaky seals, packed bearings, and even pulled the transmission the week before the race.​

In addition to the POR Wheeler's crew, a few others including myself committed to making the trek down to help lend a hand this year. I wasn't quite sure how I was going to get down there, or what I would be driving. I hadn't really driven the Nail Salon much since returning from Moab in October. However, the week before departure I made the executive decision to get the Nail Salon road trip worthy. Yes, my jalopy was heading to Johnson Valley!​

After loading up the Jeep with the essentials for spending a week in the desert, I was ready to hit the road.

Road trip!

The Jeep quickly settled into it's groove with the cruise control set and Sirius streaming. My first pit stop was Grants Pass just before sunset.

Back on the road coming into Ashland with Mt. Jefferson in the distance.

Cresting Siskiyou Pass, and dropping into California.

After the thirteenth hour I called it after reaching Fresno. Joey (FiveNDime) was a ways behind me (wonderful Cali towing speed limit), and met up with me in Fresno as well. We crashed in the Walmart parking lot to catch a few hours rest before continuing on.

0700 we were back on the road.

Odd wildlife.

Despite the lack of evergreen trees, the SoCal landscape was quite scenic.

As we got closer we began to see more and more KOH pilgrims. Chase trucks, trailers with race cars, and even a few rigs shoved inside of box trucks and dump trucks. I began to sense the spirit of, "what ever it takes to get to KOH."

Eventually we had arrived at Johnson Valley.

We continued down Boone Road for a ways, and then after rounding the last corner Hammertown appeared in the distance on the lake bed.

 

[TORX]

Once on the lake bed, Joey and I set out to find "Stag Camp" where most of our team was camping outside of Hammertown. Joey and I set up our camps, and then set off to get our pit passes for the week.

While setting up camp the chopper buzzed overhead. I think this was the point it really set in that we were at King of the Hammers. Lets face it, this just doesn't happen at TSF.

I was a little weary of tent camping it, but it really wasn't too bad. I would definitely recommend having a good tent. The desert winds have some power behind them.

For those who simply cannot miss the Superbowl, no worries it was being streamed over the Jumbotron that night.

Monday morning rolled around, and some of the guys in our camp had some wrenching to do. Johnson Valley had already taken it's toll. Sledgehammer had taken out a front axle on Justin's 44. It just so happened I had an old spare 297X u-joint for it.

After repairs were made a few of us made our way up the hillside to watch the cars prerun the qualifying course.

Wayland Campbell, the King's kid.

4500 truck, racing in the "mod" class in the EMC race.

Tom Wayes in his newly acquired IFS car. I had a feeling he was going to be a competitor in it.

Meanwhile, Kevin was taking advantage of the "open range" wheeling, and driving up every canyon he could find. Even with 42" Pitbulls sometimes the rocks were just too big.

We got word Kyle and Nick were taking our car out to prerun Aftershock with the CRAWL guys. We missed their take off so we set off to try and catch them. I was riding passenger with Paul in his dialed in 5.9L TJ. Johnson Valley is huge.

We gave up on trying to catch them, and just set off on doing some exploring.

G dog chillin.

Heading up Devils Slide. This actually turned out to be a fun trail, and I was really wishing I had my Jeep for it.

 

[TORX]

Beautiful country.

Near the top, we met two cars coming down out pre-running the course.

Justin on the Waterfall loving his new Atlas.

We eventually made our way down Sunbonnet, and out into the desert. It definitely makes you feel small being out there alone. Considering there was a "city" just a few ridges over, we really didn't run into any other cars out there.

Once back at camp we grabbed a quick dinner, and then made our way up to "Backdoor" for Monday evening's Backdoor Challenge. There was a few other people there as well.

There were fifty competitors registered for the challenge. Fastest one up claims $10,000. It was a good time. Randy Slawson the 2013 King of the Hammers took the prize with a 30 second run.

We watched about half the rigs run, and then headed back to Hammertown to watch the rest on the Jumbotron around the bonfire.

Tuesday morning came around, and more morning wrenching was being done. Kevin purchased some new 2.5" Fox Coilovers in Hammertown to swap onto the front of his YJ.

Tuesday was the first day of qualifying for the KOH main race. Basically every car would run the course, and their starting position in the main race would be based on that qualifying time. Faster time, better position.

KarlVP and the Timber Tamers out watching the action.

Some people had it rougher than others.

 

[TORX]

In addition to the POR Wheeler's #689 car, our team was also helping pit for Dave Ashman and his #697 Jimmy's4x4 car. He was flat gettin' it on qualifying.

Wheel stand up the waterfall.

Others ran out of talent right out of the gate.

What you saw at home.

Some of the cars had fast runs through the desert section only to get twisted up in the rocks. Others ran conservative through the desert and one shotted the rocks.

Chopper was in the air.

In addition to the overwhelming amount of buggies on the lake bed, there was also a ton of other cool rigs too. Classic FJ40.

Cody Waggoner's (WeRock Champ) Dad came out to watch qualifying in his Bomber Fab car. These cars are a prime example of quality fabrication.

Junk on the lakebed.

Unlike the Northwest, the desert doesn't offer a plentiful supply of firewood. We were forced to hit up the local firewood truck who also appeared to be fumigating the lake bed.

Meanwhile while qualifying was going on, Kyle had been out tuning the car with ADS Shocks. Winton recruited a few of us to help pull the rear shocks and coilovers on the car to have the ADS guys work their magic on them.

After getting them put back on Kyle and Joey went for a test run. All smiles when they returned. It's amazing how much of a science shock tuning really is.

Enjoying good times around the campfire. "Martinez" "Alaskan Pipeline" "Kevin walking his Jeep" ...

 

[TORX]

Wednesday I awoke to the sound of the chopper in the air, and the national anthem playing. It was the star of the UTV (Side X Side) race.

In addition to the UTV race more KOH main race qualifying was going on. Rob our driver for the main race flew in early morning, and got out to Hammertown by early afternoon. Talk about VIP status.

Qualifying continued.

Rob and Kyle setting off on their qualifying run. The plan was to have a conservative run, and just finish the course with a decent time. Last year they put the car on it's side ending their shot at KOH.

Through the RedBull arch.

Scenery never got old.

CRAWLmerica Trentfab Buggy.

Shannon Campbell.

After qualifying finished, contingency started. Basically all the cars lined up, went through tech inspection, and were briefly interviewed on stage. It was almost overwhelming trying to take in that much awesomeness.

Autographs were signed.

"Plowboy" the Rockbouncer. Not my style, but cool to see up close.

While contingency was going on, RuffStuff Specialties was busy plugging away on repairs for the teams. Big props to RuffStuff for their support!

Kyle on stage with the car.

 

[TORX]

The King's new Bomber.

Thursday was the Every Man Challenge race. This is the race for the "stock" and "mod" classes, as well as this years two new classes "legends" and "spec".

Joey and I ventured over to the Team "4643" pit Wednesday evening to see about helping with pit support. We were recruited to help with main pit, and then 2A. Getting the car lined up Thursday morning. The 4643 is really impressive in person. The crew definitely has buit a solid car.

Cal getting buckled in.

Chris getting his goodbye hugz in.

Eric Miller's stock class ZJ.

4643 is off!

Since the 4643 is running Falken tires, we used their pit area at main pit. From the start the cars go out on a desert section, through remote pit 1, back to main pit, out into the rock trails, through pit 2, then pit 2a. From there it's a race to the finish.

Other teams pitting nearby.

The 4643 stopped for ~16 minutes in the first desert section when the car shut off. Cal and Goatman diagnosed it to be a CPS wire shorting out. After isolating the wire they were back in the race.

We got the call over the radio they were a few miles out from main pit. They called for a fuel dump, and to check the transmission fluid level.

It was go time!

Within minutes we had the car fueled, fluids checked, underside inspected, and the car back on course.

Team also helped pit for the 4595 mod class YJ.

 

[TORX]

At this point we quickly packed up the tools and supplies from main pit, and headed out to the remote pits to catch the car. We already had a team at pit 2, so we cruised down to 2a... and waited.

2A

NorCalChris, doing his thing.

Other teams pitting nearby.

Some of the volunteers had it pretty rough.

Miller coming into 2A, minus his new fancy fiberglass hood.

BFH to a bent wheel.

4643 inbound.

They had gotten a flat between pit 2 and us, so we swapped out the flat in the back with a fresh Falken. All was well on the car, so we sent them to the finish line.

Team ended up taking 3rd place in the 4600 class. Well done guys!

After getting back to Hammertown Joey and I stopped in to check on our car. The guys were busy giving the car a good once over for the main race the next day.

After everything was buttoned up, Nick took the car out for a test ride with Justin riding along for his first ride in the buggy. Worried much?

The calm before the storm.

Friday morning came quick, it was race day. I got a quick breakfast in, packed some lunch, and wandered over to Hammertown.

 

[TORX]

Cars were busy lining up, strapping on last minute items, adjusting GoPro's, and talking strategy.

Team Japan.

Joey and I were assigned for Pit1 duty. This meant getting an early start on the drive out, or risk missing the car. Remote Pit 1.

Chopper following cars in.

Coming in hot.

Kyle radioed when they were a few miles out. We had them stop, gave the car a good once over, and sent them on their way. All was well. As our car was leaving, Shannon Campbell came in on the tow strap, blown underdrive.

Joey and I then rallied back to main pit.

Life Flight on standby.

Chocolate Thunder loaded up with spectators.

Our car made it into main pit just as Joey and I got back to Hammertown. We already had a crew waiting for them. A quick fuel splash, onceover of the car, and they were gone. Joey and I then loaded up to head out to pit 2 to wait for them. Following the other chase trucks.

Pit 2

We weren't at pit 2 for too long before Lori, (697 Ashman's crew chief) informed us Dave was a few miles out. He had started 43rd, and was picking cars off one by one. When he got to the pit, we did a fuel dump, onceover of the car, and sent him on his way.

Awhile later Nick arrived with a custom tool for the 689 car. Our t-case linkage was loosening, and a special tool is needed to tighten it. We were missing the tool in the tool trailer, so Nick created one. Welding tool steel in the desert wind, fun times.

We were pitting next to RuffStuff Specialites, so occasionally cars would come in needing welding support. Again, big thanks to Dan and his crew at RuffStuff.

 

[TORX]

689 arriving at pit 2. It rounded the corner with a pretty good lean. Rob and Kyle thought that had a flat, but the rear sway bar actually sheared off the axle. RuffStuff was quick to jump in with a new tab, and welded to glue it on.

Joey, Don, Mike, and I loaded up and headed down to pit 2A to wait for them.

Some pretty good carnage was coming through about this time in the race. This car broke a rear link, which took out the driveline. He was able to crab walk it to the pit in front wheel drive.

Coming into 2A Kyle radioed they needed first aid. While stacking rocks on Aftershock Kyle smashed his finger between a rock and the cars tire. It was a pretty good wound, but Casey got it wrapped up good. We looked the car over again, and noticed the sway bar was starting to tear from the axle again. With no welding equipment at 2A we sent them onto main pit.

With some time ahead of us before the car returned through pit 2 again, Joey and I returned to Hammertown to grab some quick dinner. Sun was beginning to go down.

While back at main pit I got to see Tom Wayes in the #321 car cross the finish line on three tires and a wheel. He was in it to win it for sure. Unfortuantely, he missed a checkpopint, and received a time penalty.

Joey and I rallied back out to pit 2 to catch Dave on his final lap through. Dave was charging hard, and the car was doing great. A few steering bolts needed re-torqued, and we noticed his Atlas was puking fluid bad out the rear yoke. We tossed a few quarts of fluid in, tightened a few bolts, and sent him on his way. We felt really good about him finishing the race, which is a massive accomplishment by itself.

Sun began to set, pit 2 became quiet.

With the sun now set, cars were now running off their light bars. The stream of cars into pit 2 became inclreasingly slower as the night went on.

At main pit Esab Welding was able to repair our sway bar again. However it did break on the way in which took out a brake line. The guys at main pit were able to repair the brake line. In addition to those, the car had lost third gear in the tranny so their speed was limited. One of the rear trailing arms also acquired a new "high clearance" bend to it. However, our pit crew got them patched up, and sent them on their way.

The down time though, and having to limp the car into main cost us valuable time. After leaving main pit, the guys had to run Backdoor. They played it safe, and winched right away with no issues. From their they began to hit traffic in the rocks, which slowed their pace considerably.

The next checkpoint they needed to make was Chocolate Thunder by 9:00pm. At 8:45 the official at pit 2 was told to inform the cars the pit had closed. There was no way we could make it to CT by 9:00. Shortly after 9:00 we made radio contact with Rob and Kyle, and guided them into pit 2. With almost our whole crew out there, we all proudly greeted them and congratulated them on their efforts.

I've always heard KOH is the toughest one day race in the world. I now believe it. The attrition and carnage out there is incredible. Out of 150 cars who started the race, only 30 or so actually were able to finish. Both Kyle and Rob were blown away at the amount of high dollar broken cars littering the sides of the trails. We started 118th off the line, and finished 59th overall. Most impressive of all, the car was able to drive back under it's own power. We did great.

Saturday morning rolled around, and it was sadly time to pack up and head north. We were all really dreading the journey back due to the reports of the snow from back home.

0830 I set off from Hammertown, along with a few other thousand people as well.

Hammertown, I'll miss you.

Caught the Poly guys heading out.

 

[TORX]

Where's the Portland signs?

Just when you think you're making good time.

I didn't really have a plan on the return trip. I made decent time out of California being able to maintain 70mph. Once I hit Oregon around 10:00pm I committed to driving straight through. I began seeing signs of snow around Cottage Grove and Eugene. I grabbed some coffee, and slowed my pace down.

I kind of felt like I was doing something illegal as I was the only car on I5 at the time. Oregon required chains on any vehicle towing, so pretty much all the semis were pulled over. I was cautious of ice, but never had any issues.

19 hours, 2196 miles later, I was home. KOH week was over.

All in all, King of the Hammers and Johnson Valley are well worth the trip. I will definitely be returning for KOH next year, and I really would like to make a trip back to JV just to rec wheel and explore the area.

Big thanks to the POR Wheeler's and crew, Team , and the 697 crew. A great bunch of people to spend a week in the desert with.

 

[NW-ZJ-SCOTT]

Biggest and best TORXreport yet!

 

[the_weirdo]

Badass!

 

[NW99XJ]

I was monitoring the race here at work, hoping I'd be able to get a screen shot of the Nailsalon or Torx in passing. No such luck, but watched the first real time video feed of the the KOH race ever broadcast, it was amazing... the only thing beating that would be being there in person.
Looked like an epic trip indeed Dustin.
And of course, great write up as usual.

 

[stang65]

that looks like so much fun I can only hope someday to be able to make it to that

 

[TORX]

Here's a few videos I got as well.

Monday nights Backdoor Challenge. Got rev-limiter?


Miller's qualifying run.


Ben Napier's qualifying run.


Tom Waye's run to the finish.


Not mine, but here's a few of the cooler highlight videos I found from this year.

Tom Waye's getting it done on Backdoor.


Randy Slawson's winning run for the Backdoor Challenge.


Lastly, Kevin Sacalas' crash during qualifying. It was a brutal crash, but the car did it's job.

 

[josefxj97]

Nothing but awesomeness in this report! I am very upset with myself for not making it down there. Thanks for sharing!

 

[cracker]

I missed you out there.....I was probably drunk somewhere. :laugh:

Nice write up.