The King of Hammers Off-Road Race is Returning This February
The King of Hammers is a unique sport dominated by off-road vehicles, experienced drivers, and thousands of fans. Now that it’s back, 2022's King of Hammers will be even more intense, challenging, and fun to witness.
, more time inside, and the holiday hangover still fresh. But to auto enthusiasts, this winter has given them something to look forward to—the King of Hammers is here! Come and join us in the desolate landscape of
as we witness drivers challenge natural barriers in their 4×4s.
Everything about King of Hammers is challenging
King of Hammers challenges off-road drivers by combining desert racing and rock crawling. Here, opponents start in pairs to showcase their driving skills in front of the formidable Californian desert.
This year's King of Hammers will be held from Jan 27 to Feb 5, with more than 400 drivers plus the previous champions. While fans are concerned about cold weather, journeying to the finishing line is tougher for drivers.
Since 2007, Johnson Valley has been King Hammer's home turf. Off-road experts must tackle rocky hills in the southern part of the riding area dubbed the "Hammers."
The sharp rock cliffs lead riders to the lowest point, 2300 feet above the sea level at Melville Dry Lake. Here, drivers meet unstable sand, which slows their progress. The track then leads them to a treacherous ascent to Hartwell Hills, 4600 feet above sea level and the highest point of the race.
Being one of the most demanding, off-road one-day races after Baja, King of Hammers often dominates news headlines before and after the event. This year was no exception; over 60,000 locals and visitors alike are expected to attend the competition.
Most locals joining us are from the Lucerne Valley, almost 30 miles away from Means, as hinted by
. To this humble community of gas stations, food hubs, and auto spare stores owners, King of Hammers is more than fun to watch. Visitors streaming into the region will also boost their sales.
Organizing bodies and authorities are prepared too. The Bureau of Land Management disclosed that they would temporarily close the Johnson Valley Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation Area. This is to develop a safe environment for visitors, as the Daily Press states.
However, the health sector has taken serious measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. The San Bernardino County Public Health Dept. has already issued a COVID-19 directive and is well-prepared for emergencies.
The King of Hammer's 14-year journey to the big-time
The King of Hammers started in 2007 at a bar as an idea to start an off-road race. Jeff Knoll and Dave Cole, the two founders, then sketched how the tracks would look on a napkin, which many brushed off as a drunk joke.
A successful trial run of 12 teams codenamed OG13 was held in the same year, and JR Reynolds and Randy Slawson became the first "Kings." Slawson won three other titles in 2013, 2015, and 2021.
A year later, the first official King of Hammers was held; 50 drivers and only a handful of fans showed up. The starting point was set at the Means Dry Lakebed, and a pair of competing drivers journeyed through rocky obstacles to and fro. Shannon Campell won the race and is among the 5 Hammer kings to be crowned more than once.
Don't forget to insure your off-road car
The design of off-road vehicles allows them to travel to the wilderness where conventional cars wouldn’t dare to. However, they are susceptible to mechanical destruction after unrelenting punishment from the formidable landscape. You need car insurance that will take care of maintenance costs.
, a qualified insurance broker, is here to help your car get the cheapest insurance policy. A licensed broker, Jerry does all the hard work of finding cheap quotes from the top name-brand insurance companies and buying new car insurance. Jerry will even help you cancel your old policy.
And to ensure you always have the lowest rate, Jerry will send you new quotes every time your policy comes up for renewal, so you’re always getting the coverage you want at the best price.
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