Johnson Valley OHV transforms to host the epic King Of the Hammers event

UTV Weekly | August 3, 2013

Almost any week of the year Johnson Valley OHV area would resemble every other Off Highway Vehicle area in southern California. A collection of unimproved roads and random single or double track trails facilitate “travel” between dispersed campsites and dry lakebeds. Johnson Valley however is different, distinguished from other locations by a small range of mountains running along the eastern border of the OHV area. The canyons and hills of this range conceal something very special to the off-road community, a set of trails so unique that they have affectionately been name after a set of tools designed to deliver impact or force to an object (the Hammer). Wikipedia lists the common uses of a hammer as driving nails, fitting parts, forging metal and breaking up objects and that is exactly what Jackhammer, Sledgehammer and Claw hammer trails do.
It is because of these trails that one week a year Johnson valley transforms. Means Dry Lake Bed becomes Hammertown, random unnamed valleys become landing zones and remote pit areas, the collection of rock climbing trails combine with high speed desert roads to form a 60 mile course which when traveled over 3 laps make up the most grueling 1 day race event on the planet. Teams from across the globe flock to Johnson Valley for a chance to be crowned King of the Hammers bringing an estimated 30,000 people to the newly erected tent city known as Hammertown.

Some teams will arrive already qualified through the Ultra4 Racing circuit. A select few are the original Kings and have a guaranteed slot. 62 teams will battle it out during 2 days of qualifying for 15 coveted slots available known as Last Chance Qualifying. In total 129 teams will earn a chance at the big race, this year 3 won’t start and only 27 will finish. The other 99 will suffer catastrophic failure or be timed out of the race, a testament to the grueling course and significance of King Of the Hammers.

One driver will be crowned victorious, carried to the finish line by the blood, sweat and tears of his co-driver and crew. The victor in the ultimate test of man and machine who will likely spend the better part of the next 12 months preparing to defend his crown against the 120 something teams looking to take it from him. But at the end of the week the dust will settle, spectators go home and Hammertown will vanish on the backs of trucks and tucked away nicely in trailers. Only those who saw it would even know it was there.
I had a unique opportunity to experience KOH 2013 firsthand. Over the next few weeks I will share with you through this series of articles that experience and the impression it made. Hopefully next year we will see you in Johnson Valley when once again the desert transforms and another competitor is crowned king.

King Of the Hammers is an Ultra4 Racing event www.ultra4racing.com and is currently fighting for the survival of Johnson Valley OHV. Show your support anyway you can, for more information visit www.savethehammers.org.