King of the Hammers 2016

[TORX]

TORXreport: King of the Hammers
Johnson Valley, California
Jan 31 - Feb 6, 2016​

​

King of the Hammers snuck up on me this year. For the past few months Winton and I have been thrashing on the 4500 MJ, hoping to get it ready for some pre-running while down there, but it just wasn't meant to be this year. However, I knew at the very least I was down to head down for a week of spectating and good times!​

After catching a few solid hours of sleep, I shoved out of Battle Ground, 3:30am Saturday morning with a bit of a drive ahead.​

The first few hours were a bit sketch making my way out of Portland under a torrential down pour. I was looking forward to leaving the PNW weather behind. First fuel stop was in Ashland, and then it was up and over Siskiyou pass. Little bit of snow on the sides, but the roads were clear.​

One cool thing I enjoy about these "pilgrimages" is the variety of other travelers you pass along the way. I passed a four truck convoy in Oregon all loaded with buggies, and caught this guy just outside Sacramento. All of us were Hammer bound.​

Stopped for some groceries outside Fresno (that was a cultural experience), and grabbed some dinner. On the last leg of the trip, I hit some thick fog while heading over the pass on 58 outside Bakersfield. The few cars heading that way were forced to slow down to 25mph, and even then it was white knuckle on the corners. Eventually after dropping elevation the fog weakened, and I was on the home stretch. Arrived at Hammer Town shortly before 10:00pm, iron-manning the drive down.​

For the first night I quickly set up my tent, and crashed for the night. Woke up the next morning, and took in the beauty of the desert.​

While killing some time before some friends arrived, I took a walk through Hammer Town where vendors were still setting up, and people were arriving.​

I got word some friends had arrived and were set up outside Hammer Town. I tossed the tent in the Jeep, and joined them to camp out for the week. View from camp as I unloaded the Jeep.​

As Paul and Kevin pulled their coil overs for some valving changes, Rod and Mike arrived on the lake bed. Just as they unrolled their tent, we saw this monster coming right for us...​

Rod and Mike bailed on the tent for the time being as it looked like this storm wasn't going to pass through anytime soon. Goggles on, light stuff stored away, and fingers crossed my tent would hold up to the desert winds.​

After awhile we decided to venture into Hammer Town for a change of environment. Ran into a blast from the NWC's past, IXNAYXJ. Matt was helping pit for a 4400 team, and showed us their car. TrentFab "top-shelf" IFS build, for D-squared Racing.​

Continuing with our stroll through Hammer Town we tracked down the crew from Piston's Wild who was racing their 4542 mod class YJ this year. It was good to see some other familiar faces down there, and check out their hard work in getting their car ready.​

Back at camp with a little break in the weather, we took a drive up to Chocolate Thunder.​

A few guys were out on the trail getting in some rec wheeling, and practice runs. Chocolate Thunder is a trail that some people one shot without slipping a tire, while others need a recovery crew brought in. I look forward to putting some tires on the trail one day.​

4600 stock class MJ out practicing. Pretty well put together rig, and with the long wheel base, it get's it pretty good.​

The clear conditions didn't last long with another wave on the horizon.​

Once we got back to camp the winds were not holding back rocking the Jeep, and sand blasting everything in their path. It was only 6:00pm, but we called it a night to just take some shelter. Rod and Mike slept in their Jeep, while I stayed in my tent with my fingers crossed it wouldn't rip apart. For the next 12 hours the winds didn't let up. I'd fall asleep only to get woken up by a gust nearly flattening my tent in it's path. After I could hear the sand raining down on everything inside.​

Hunkered down inside my mummy bag, I had to wonder how long this was going to last. After all, this was suppose to be a vacation.​

 

[TORX]

Re: King of the Hammers 20116

After spending 14 hours in my tent, I layered up and ventured outside. I managed to cook some breakfast and coffer with only minimal sand topping. Paul was busy finishing some final touches on his rig before heading out for some pre-running with Larry from CRAWL Mag / Team Yukon. With an open seat and nothing better to do, I geared up for a ride along.

We found Larry in his pit getting strapped in. Larry is racing his LJ which has been built into a 4500 mod class racer. Powered by a built 6.0l, Rock-jock 60's, 14" FOX suspension, and some 37" Nitto's, it scoots along nicely. Paul and Kevin would be pre-running with Larry the first lap of the EMC course, which consists of ~62 miles of mostly desert.

We chased Larry out of the pits, around Back Door, and across Melville dried lake. The head winds were so strong Paul was topped out at 60mph, while Larry was still pulling away. We lost site of Kevin, and pulled over to wait. He caught up a bit later after replacing a PCM fuse. At this point we lost track of Larry and were on our own to find the course. Holding Paul's phone loaded with the course map, I made sure we stayed on course as Paul focused on the desert ahead.

Regrouped, and took a quick pit stop.

Back on course we chased Larry through some canyons and washes. It was clear how valuable pre-running is, as you can find the short cuts, and danger areas out ahead of time. While not running at full race speed, we were having a blast hitting the whoop sections at 50mph trading off passes with one another.

Once back from pre-running I grabbed some lunch, and then headed up to Chocolate Thunder to meet up with Rod and Mike for the "SRRS vs Ultra4 Shootout". We were curious how this years shoot out would be since the location change from Backdoor. People heading across the lakebed.

As I sat BS'ing with the bros, a Mexican dude walks up awkwardly and says, "excuse me, can I use the restroom?" :laugh:

As the start time got nearer the more people headed our way.

Crowds gathered.

With the canyon lit up, the action got started. It was a bit disappointing though. In years past it's been a true contest between the southern "rock bouncers" vs the west coast "ultra4" styled rigs. This year seemed to be more average joe rec wheelers, who just weren't bringing the intensity. Not to mention Chocolate Thunder was pretty mild compared to Backdoor.

After watching about half the field run, we decided to head back to HammerTown and watch the jumbotron. However the winds were still pretty gusty, and only two dudes were brave enough to pull up chairs and watch.

Shelter.

On our way back to camp we huddled around the security dudes fire at the gate. Feeling the need for a fire of our own, we decided to get an "arm full" of firewood for $5. This guy somehow got suckered into being the pack mule with his gorilla arms. Ended up being a pretty good deal! A campfire was life saver, and really took the edge off the winds that night.

The next morning we woke up to sunny skies, and nearly no wind. After two days and nights sleeping in the Jeep, Rod and Mike finally began to set up camp.

About mid day we ventured up and watched some qualifying for the 4400 cars. View of the Hammer Town.

 

[TORX]

Re: King of the Hammers 20116

First heat of 4400 cars lined up, and waiting their turn.

The qualifying course ended with an optional waterfall drop finish.

If the team wasn't up for the drop, the other option was around the side, and through the gate, which was the slower but safer option.

Sometimes things didn't pan out.

Media guy put some miles on that bike that week.

IFS/IRS Australian car.

Relaxing day in the desert.

Caught red handed with the course markers wrapped up under the car.

Some cars were still out pre-running trying to get things dialed for the big race.

The Gomez's had three cars in the race, two of which were brand new IFS single seaters. Both of which put up the top two fastest times of 2:03 and 2:05!

4:00pm brings the start of "Power Hour," where fastest of the field run their qualifying runs.

Casey Currie dropping the falls.

Erik Miller dropping down Short Bus with the helo in chase.

It wasn't the fastest run, and you could tell he didn't run the car at 100%. I believe the tactic was have a conservative run, and finish near the front. He can then pick the front runners off on race day.

 

[TORX]

Re: King of the Hammers 20116

Crews conversed with their drivers.

Andrew McLaughlin of LetzRoll endo'd coming down the first hill, only to land on the wheels and peel out like it didn't even phase him. Still managed to end strong coming off the falls a little crooked.

New LaserNut IFS/IRS rig. It was smooth.

Tom Wayes and the Yoda Racing boys on deck to wrap up the first day of Power Hour.

Rob Maccachren in the 4415 PSC car.

-1 BFG.

Something about a chopper chasing a Ultra4 car.

Tom Wayes got the green flag and was on it 110% as usual.

...and over drove the car as usual. All or nothing for him.

Since he already was qualified for the main race, he'd have to settle on a starting position at the back of the pack on Friday.

The east coast guys of Yoda Racing had a strong run. Come to find out we'd end up at their pit party later in the week.

Wednesday morning I woke up and ventured into Hammer Town to watch the start of the UTV race.

Ready for take off.

Starting line.

 

[TORX]

Re: King of the Hammers 20116

And they're off!

Golf carts catching some air.

After the start I took a stroll through HammerTown to see what was new.

Stopped and chatted with the Piston's Wild team. They wasted a KM2 prer-running, but seemed to be all set for race day the next morning.

Esab Welding was on site offering up their services for the week.

RuffStuff Specialties is always busy repairing cars all week. 4600 XJ getting some early morning attention.

Some mil-sepc UTV's in town. Also, hot security guard was back again.

Back at camp, Trevin arrived Sunday night, and had been working on getting his Jeep ready to run all week after an in depth Eaton axle install. It was Wednesday morning and he was onto the last few details. Paul's winch offered some assistance in getting his caged aligned.

Back in HammerTown we found the EMC contingency going on. It was fun to check out the 4500 field and see what our future competition looked like.

Team Piston's Wild.

Nearing 4:00, we loaded up the Red Wagon and ventured up to qualifying for the second day of Power Hour.

This guy took the corner a bit high, and got stuck. One more King Shock's hoodie and they would have made it.

Somewhere in there is the 966 car of Jason Blanton.

Jason rolled off the side just before dropping off the waterfall. He recovered and went to drop it again, almost rolling a second time. Just goes to show these courses are not easy, and you need to be on your game.

 

[TORX]

Re: King of the Hammers 20116

Bailey Campbell starting her qualifying lap.

Solid run.

Wayland Campbell hitting it hard. He's really come a long ways in just a few years of Ultra4 racing. He was a top pick of mine on winning it all this year.

Dropping to the finish.

Levi Shirley in the Maxxis Tire car heading around the back side.

Former King Jason Scherer finishing his run and setting a new top time of 1:54! His dust cloud from the start wasn't even clear by the time he had finished.

Ultra4 champion and two time King, Loren Healy put up a 1:58. It's very clear why these guys are always at the top of the field, they give it 110% every time.

Shannon Campbell.


Randy Slawson.


Randy held back on his run, and finished with a conservative 2:22.

After qualifying was finished, we got an inside scoop that some rock bouncers were heading up to the waterfall to try and climb it. Hell yeah!

Shear power, but also a lot of finesse in controlling the rig.

To a point.

 

[TORX]

Re: King of the Hammers 20116

Knowing the line, the next buggy headed up, but ended up on his side after a few tries.

Hitman Buggy was last to try, and got really close to hopping his tires over the top. Really impressive to watch, and we're hoping the shootout will be here next year.


Later that night we walked into Hammer Town, and enjoyed the bonfire for a bit.

While making a pit stop at the bathrooms on the way out we ran into some dudes from the Carolinas. After debating differences between the west and the south (bro vs brah), we found ourselves in their pit drinking beer around their fire. Good times!

Thursday 0700, EMC race day.

Walked into Hammer Town to catch the start of the races. Pits were quiet.

Cars were staging.

MJ guys were strapped in ready to go.

Wonder how long they'll stay there?

Combs doing a pre-race interview.

Team Piston's Wild strapped in and ready to go.

Got a prime spot to watch the race atop the Monster Energy lounge. Looking out over the sea of pit tents.

Jessi piloting the Savvy/Currie car had the pole position. Green flag, and she was off.

 

[TORX]

Re: King of the Hammers 20116

The other 4500 class cars followed.

Piston's Wild about ready to start the 2016 Smittybilt Everyman Challenge.

Little bit of air time.

4800 Legends class starting. These are basically unlimited cars, with two restrictions, single shock per corner, and 37" tires.

Randy Slawson racing 4800 and 4400 this year in his Bomber Fab rigs. His 4848 car almost seemed like a Bomber-Lite version.


Start of the 4600 stock class. These guys have a long rough day ahead of them.

The Grand Cherokee's seemed to be a popular platform being linked front and rear, with a stock V8.


While walking back to camp after the start of the races, you could see a car on its side heading up Short Bus just after the start. It caused a massive bottle neck. Note to self, don't be that guy.

The bros and I packed up for a day of spectating, and headed up to Jack Hammer canyon.

 

[TORX]

Re: King of the Hammers 20116

Media dudes chilling out until the leader came through.

The desert landscape never gets old.

"Kelly, I want you to take a video of me with my truck in the back ground, and sun in my face, how is my hair?"

Ms. Combs leading the field, coming down Jack Hammer.

Brad and Roger Lovell on her heels in their 4800 Legends car.

Jessi got a bit hung up in the sand, and the Lovell's were able to close the gap. Brad and Roger ended up taking first place overall.

Jordan Pellegrino 4500 class.

Jordan coming through Jack, with a Legends are on his tail.


Slawson.

Cars started filing in.

These guys lost a driveshaft coming through the rocks. Driver was walking back up to retrieve it. Ended up front burning all the way down the canyon.

Sometimes the codriver had to get out.

Stacking up a bit. It was fun to see what the drivers would do. Would they wait for it to clear, or try and find a way around the jam? It's a race after all.

4531 had a new driver/codriver team this year, and you could definitely tell in their communication.

It's bad when the driver has to get out of the car to explain what needs to happen.

 

[TORX]

Re: King of the Hammers 20116

4531 eventually made their way out of Jack and up the sand hill putting the V8 power to use.

Lindsay Gilstrap.

Wishing he had a rocket launcher.

Apparently this guy can drive pretty good around corners.

The car in front of Lindsay Gilstrap became high centered. The co-driver got out to hook up the winch, but Lindsay offered a bump to free them. Once the car was free Lindsay then became hung up. The codriver of the other car then proceeded to hook up Lindsay's winch. Awesome sportsmanship!

Mike Johnson's been racing 4500 for five years, and has managed to pull off a finish every year. Solid racer.

This Legends car took the alternate line down, and slid off the trail at the end. They must have been there for at least an hour trying to figure out how to get it free. For having entered the Legends class, you would think some racers would be a little more in check with how to pick lines, and self recover.

One part about KOH I like is just the people watching. This dude was perched on top of a rock looking down over the cars as they drove by. I bet he has some stories to tell.

Matzell Racing through Jack, and up the sand hill.

Hiked up top Jack Hammer canyon.

It was nice to get away from the spectators, and just watch the cars come down from Jack North.

Larry mid pack, making his way down to Jack Hammer. He was looking smooth, and gave the thumbs up as he passed by.

Go for the pass!

 

[TORX]

Re: King of the Hammers 20116

Choppa.

After seeing our share of cars come through Jack, we loaded up and headed over to Chocolate Thunder. The racers had to run CT before heading over to Jack. Little Red Wagon looking proud.

It's always fun checking out the rigs that aren't there to race. Nicely built Cherokee parked at CT. ORI's, RCV's, 39" Reds... mmm.

42" PBR's, front triangulated four link, and jungle gym on top.

Saw one car come through, and headed back to HT.

Meanwhile, back at camp.

We later walked into Hammer Town to see the last few finishers come across the line before the 6:00pm cutoff. This 4600 XJ was the only stock class rig to finish so far, and he crossed minutes after 6PM. Really cool to hear about their day, and see the family/crew cheer as they came in.

Later that night, (actually it might have been a few days prior) Rod had a little mishap while cooking dinner and sliced his hand open. While he probably would have been fine, we took him over to the EMS tent to have it looked at... "I smelled her hair."

Friday morning, start of the Nitto Tire King of the Hammers.

Tom was starting at the back of the pack after not completing his qualifying run. The car was on jack stands, warming up the rear diff fluid. He was going to be on a mission.

666 rig on 54" claws and Rockwells. Completely dwarfed all the other cars.

Jason Scherer had the pole position. Strapped in, and on life support.

 

[TORX]

Re: King of the Hammers 20116

Shannon all set to go, and try and secure a third title at King.

We wandered over to the start. It was packed with everyone wanting to see the start of the race.

Scherer and Healy lined up waiting for the green flag. While you had thousands of horse power idling, and race gas filling the air, it was oddly quiet as everyone waited.

Go time.

Erik Miller off.

The Beast is off. Imagine see that thing in your mirror.

Wayes and Pellegrino starting their race after rolling in qualifying.

After watching the cars launch, we headed back to camp to think of a plan for the day. Decided to check out Backdoor first.

Yoda Racing coming through the wash starting their second lap.

Backdoor was a popular spot. The racers had to run it one time, over the course of three laps.

Double fisting with an infant strapped to her on a hillside. Meh, what's the worst that could happen?

Two cars decided to run Backdoor on their second lap. Jeff Russell in the 4427 in the UFO IFS car tried to go for the pass at the beginning.

Most played it safe, and immediately hooked up the winch.

 

[TORX]

Re: King of the Hammers 20116

Majority of the cars were saving Backdoor for their final lap, so to go see some more action we headed back up to Jack/Sledge.

D-Squared racing coming through on their second lap. Jackhammer is ran twice on the second and third laps, where on the third lap they will then run up Sledgehammer.

14 Bolts doing what they do best.

You know you chose poorly when you have to rig the winch line clear up into the crowd.

Clay Gilstrap.

Jack was spotty as some cars had clean runs through, while others diffed out and high centered. I think this is where pre-running comes in and knowing which lines work.

Lasernut IFS/IRS crawling along.

The IRS was smooth, and seemed to be working well for them.

Erik Miller leading the pack overall coming through for his second time.

Erik high centered on a rock, the codriver was out within a minute (harness, air supply, coms, window net) and already running the rope out. Very quick and smooth team.

Car was still looking good as they made their way down Jack.

Raul Gomez chasing Miller down also high centered. His codriver hooked up the winch only to find out it wasn't working, or was spooled on wrong.

 

[TORX]

Re: King of the Hammers 20116

The 4138 car took a bad line down the center of Jack, and got a little too tippy. They hung out in this spot for a bit, probably not breathing, trying to figure out what to do.

A few seconds later gravity did it's thing.

Wayland and Scherer coming down Jack canyon.

Wayland took the center line down, which was partially blocked by the roll over. Scherer saw the opportunity to pass, and chose the alternate side line to the left. What he didn't know was it too was blocked. He was already committed at this point, and rather than wait out amateur hour, he chose to drive off the side of the bonus line which required a six foot drop back into the main canyon. Absolutely incredible to watch. After all that it didn't pay off as he was still trailing Wayland.

They eventually got the car righted, but since outside assistance was used, their race was over.

Bailey coming through for her final lap running a solid race.

Shannon had some issues earlier in the day, but was back in the race making up ground fast.

Levi Shirley.

These two cars were blocking the left side alternate line for awhile. As the first one dropped the exit, the second one got it's push bar locked in the first car's tire carrier. They tried jacks, winches, throttle, nothing was unlocking them. They ended up unbolting the second cars push bar to separate the two.

Randy Slawson on his final lap.

View from up top.

Car coming down from Jack North into the canyon below.

 

[TORX]

Re: King of the Hammers 20116

It was a bit of a hike up Jack Hammer canyon, and over the top of the ridge to drop down into Sledge, but I wanted to see it in person. Sledgehammer Canyon is no joke.

It's been eight years since they have ran it up, and looking at the size of the rocks I can see why.

The first big obstacle pretty much required every car to winch over it. Some of you might remember this as the rock where Cambell drove over another car to get up in ~08'. Keep in mind those are 40" tires.

Sledge wasn't open to spectator viewing unless you hiked in. Only a few of us were up on the canyon walls.

This team started up the rock far right hoping to stick a line.

Only to wind up in the hole.

Wayes and a few other cars made their way into the canyon waiting for their turn. I don't think the last car will have any cooling issues.

Supposedly this is the line needed to drive it. Far left and climb the wall.

Not going to happen this time.

Big ass rocks.

Tom got out an convinced the car behind him to help winch him up. Down side to a single seater on obstacles like these.

Team work. Sledge was a bit backed up, but everyone worked together to get through and keep the race going.

Hiking out.

Kevin Yoder making his way down into Jack. It was getting late in the day, but these guys weren't giving up.

 

[TORX]

Re: King of the Hammers 20116

With it getting late in the day we ventured back to Hammer Town to watch the finishers come in. Getting the itch for a WJ build...

Bit of a drive, eh?

Lots of people came out to watch the race. HT was busy.

Jumbotron had live coverage of the course streaming.

Jason Shipman crossed the line, and gave his post race interview.

19 year old Bailey Campbell finished 5th overall.

Scherer took second place overall.

We packed up camp Friday night, and prepared for the drive back to reality. Rod and Mike shoved off at 1am, and I hit the road 5am. Sunrise going through Mojave.

About twelve hours later I was watching the sunset in Oregon.

What a great trip!

Hope to see some of you bros down there next year!

 

[David_Bricker]

Re: King of the Hammers 20116

Stunning report! Thanks for all the work to post that. Made me feel like I was almost there.

David Bricker / SYR

 

[XJCasper]

Thank you for the report. Looks like a great time.

 

[Mtb Jak]

Looks awesome. was there in 2011 great times