King of the Hammers: Grit and Glory

I’ve attended many incredible events in my life, but none will ever quite make this Jeep girl’s heart as thrilled as what was experienced at this year’s King of the Hammers event 🏁🚩🏎🏍🚗 in Johnson Valley, CA. A gritty, savage mix of burning man, meets mad max, this competitive Ultra4 race runs on 190 mile “trail” (It’s no trail, basically climbing boulders the size of cars, in the harshest terrain in the U.S. at speeds of 80mph+). This year, only 37 / 84 competitors reached the finish line (if this gives you an idea of how challenging this course is both physically and mentally on the drivers and their pit crews). Teams are tested in every way, and are given up to 14 hours to complete the course after months of preparation leading up to the race. King of the Hammers is held in Johnson Valley on 92,000 acres of remote desert land where a new city, named “Hammertown” sets up with pit crews ranging from 10-30 people per camp, OHV’s, campers, RV’s, and equipment galore (if i were to put a price tag on it, it’d be in the hundreds of millions of gear). It has been taking place every year since 2007. All food and water is self provided by the crews to last a couple weeks leading up to the main events. The event team went above and beyond to take every covid safety measure, requiring negative covid tests, temp checks, no live music, mask requirements etc. I came away from the event INSPIRED. My friend and his crew were unable to finish the course, but that was no matter. To witness their bravery, knowhow, grit, what they endured, and be graciously welcomed into their beloved community made them winners in my eyes. I couldn’t have been more proud of them and excited for them to make it as far as they did. It’s not all about winning, its about having the guts to even try, and they didnt just try, they SENT IT and pushed themselves and their vehicle as hard and far as they could go, this year. I’m certain next year they’re going to be even more pumped and even more ready to try to become “KING of the hammers” and I hope to get to support them again then. In this sport, its all about the ride, not the destination. KOH = EPIC