Much of the year, Means Dry Lake is a lonely, quiet place that either bakes in the summer sun or silently shudders in winter’s windy chill. Then there’s King of the Hammers week, where Means Dry Lake’s population jumps from zero to tens of thousands. Like prospectors swarming a new gold strike, off-roaders flocked to Means to be part of King of the Hammers. For a chilly week in February, Means Dry Lake became Hammertown, USA. Ice skating in the Mojave? The two-lane highway between I-15 and Hammertown crosses a dry lake just west of Lucerne Valley. Recent rains filled in the basin, and temperatures in the teens froze the surface. A rare sight indeed.Ice skating in the Mojave? The two-lane highway between I-15 and Hammertown crosses a dry The chill and the wind meant that enclosed pits were the best way to prep a race rig for the miles ahead.The chill and the wind meant that enclosed pits were the best way to prep a race rig for t King of the Hammers started out as an underground invitation-only trail run. The concept was simple: to see who could run the Hammer Trails the fastest, as well as the open desert sections that separated them (the trails). The winning rig wouldn’t be an old-school creepy-crawly rock buggy, and it definitely wouldn’t be plucked from any traditional desert racing class. Instead, a successful KOH rig needed to combine the two disciplines into a package that was rock-tough and desert-fast. KOH 2011 included a couple of firsts, and a significant second. Perhaps the biggest "first" was the christening of the main pit area as "Hammertown," an RV-and-tent city complete with signed streets. That shows just how big KOH has become. Even with the street signs, it was still easy to get lost in Hammertown, a place so extensive that it grew its own suburbs. The next big "first" was that the winning rig of Shannon Campbell didn’t have a solid front axle. There were A-arms and CV joints leading the way. What’s the big "second?" This is the second time Campbell has worn the KOH crown. After a couple of frustrating years, Campbell put together a run that bested second place by a big fat half-hour. Campbell may be King of the Hammers, but he’s also Hammertown’s first mayor. Nicely done! OR In light of the deadly California 200 accident the BLM had an armada of rangers on site to keep things safe and civil. Remembering the California 200 victims, off-roaders were happy to keep safe distances from the race course. From what we saw, BLM rangers and off-roaders got along quite well at KOH.In light of the deadly California 200 accident the BLM had an armada of rangers on site to What’s a Hammertown without a shopping district? Synergy Suspension was among more than sixty companies who displayed their wares.What’s a Hammertown without a shopping district? Synergy Suspension was among more than si Broadsword Racing’s YJ waits its turn in the tech inspection line. Broadsword’s Adam Arsenault and Scott Siska are both active-duty Marines and veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan combat tours. Who’s afraid of a few rocks and hills? Not these guys.Broadsword Racing’s YJ waits its turn in the tech inspection line. Broadsword’s Adam Arsen “I’ll meet you at the corner of Bestop Lane and Genright Street in ten minutes.” Every team got an interview with kilted emcee Tim Lund during tech inspection. This was a chance to thank sponsors, tell a little about the team’s background, and spill the details on the KOH rig. Fourward Momentum’s Sean Rose and Pete Jackson took advantage of the spotlight.Every team got an interview with kilted emcee Tim Lund during tech inspection. This was a The day before the KOH main event there’s a UTV race that’s mostly open desert, but includes a rock trail or two for good measure. Daystar’s Mark Turner and Trent McGee leadfoot their way off of the starting line. Days after KOH, Turner was seriously injured while racing another UTV event. As of press time, we’re not sure how Turner is doing, but we wish him the fullest, speediest recovery possible.The day before the KOH main event there’s a UTV race that’s mostly open desert, but includ Remember the part about “rock-tough and desert-fast?” Go-fast hardware is becoming more and more common on KOH rigs, and the difference was remarkable even from one year ago. Coilovers have long been used on rock rigs, but bypass shocks and hydraulic bumpstops are establishing their worth on the multi-tasking KOH rigs.Remember the part about “rock-tough and desert-fast?” Go-fast hardware is becoming more an Race day traffic was very aggressive in the opening miles. Desertfab’s Todd McCullen accelerates while a media chopper hovers close above the deck.Race day traffic was very aggressive in the opening miles. Desertfab’s Todd McCullen accel The Torchmate buggy was the first time we’d seen a full-custom TTB (twin traction beam) front end. Fabrication quality was immaculate, and as good as anything we’ve seen on the SCORE circuit.The Torchmate buggy was the first time we’d seen a full-custom TTB (twin traction beam) fr Thanks to increased use of coilovers, bypass shocks, and hydraulic bumpstops, KOH rigs are coming into their own on the high-speed sections. While most are still slower than traditional desert buggies in open terrain, they’re remarkably faster than the average trail rig. Murphy’s Law Motorsports hammers down between Hammer trails.Thanks to increased use of coilovers, bypass shocks, and hydraulic bumpstops, KOH rigs are The course was very well-marked, and the army of course workers appeared well-trained and well-informed. The spectators in the distance are behind a boundary ribbon for their safety. Photographers had to sign their lives away to be allowed on course.The course was very well-marked, and the army of course workers appeared well-trained and The course was very well-marked, and the army of course workers appeared well-trained and well-informed. The spectators in the distance are behind a boundary ribbon for their safety. Photographers had to sign their lives away to be allowed on course.The course was very well-marked, and the army of course workers appeared well-trained and Did we mention aggressive? Shannon Campbell blasts past Tom Wayes with inches to spare. King of the Hammers is a “no-chase” race, with mechanical help available only at designated pits. BFGoodrich’s pits are a common sight in Baja, but were also on hand for KOH. Independent pit services such as Baja Pits and Locos Mocos were also present to keep the rigs rolling along.King of the Hammers is a “no-chase” race, with mechanical help available only at designate Jason Spegal and Davin Plunkett had just a few short months to build their KOH rig from the ground up. The team from Demossville, Kentucky, made good on the opportunity, made the trip to Hammertown, and made it to the KOH main event starting line.Jason Spegal and Davin Plunkett had just a few short months to build their KOH rig from th Casey Currie had the skill and the experience to capture the KOH crown. He just needed some luck. Casey and co-driver John Currie had a 14-hour day as they fought fuel delivery problems. “It would run fine for a couple of minutes, and then start cutting out,” John said. The Curries finished at 9:59 p.m., one minute before the official cutoff time. Theirs was the only rig that finished with 37-inch tires; most other competitors were on 39s or bigger.Casey Currie had the skill and the experience to capture the KOH crown. He just needed som Offroad Design Racing’s day took a turn for the worse on Aftershock when a link end let go. The axle then rotated and took out the differential’s input yoke, and destroyed a sway bar end link. Pack it in? No way! The team immediately set about trailside repairs.Offroad Design Racing’s day took a turn for the worse on Aftershock when a link end let go Race traffic approached. With his injured rig blocking the main line, Stephen Watson showed a lot of class by spotting passing rigs down an alternate route. Outside assistance was not allowed, but competitors were permitted to help each other.Race traffic approached. With his injured rig blocking the main line, Stephen Watson showe Outer Limits proved to be a huge traffic jam as cars piled into the rocks on Lap 1. The horizontal tires here aren’t all buggy mounted spares. A couple of those tires belong to a competitor that took an untimely roll in the rocks.Outer Limits proved to be a huge traffic jam as cars piled into the rocks on Lap 1. The ho Co-driver Brandon Watson gave brother Stephen a few sharp commands as they winched past the crux of Aftershock. Teamwork (and patience) got them through.Co-driver Brandon Watson gave brother Stephen a few sharp commands as they winched past th The Bubba Rope buggy, driven by Matt Enoch, was one of the many new rigs to enter the race this year.The Bubba Rope buggy, driven by Matt Enoch, was one of the many new rigs to enter the race The second-place finisher, GenRight’s Tony Pellegrino, climbs to the top of Outer Limits and on his way towards the remote pit out near race mile 30. Tony made great time to the finish line, and we’re sure he’ll be gunning for first place next year.The second-place finisher, GenRight’s Tony Pellegrino, climbs to the top of Outer Limits a Sometimes the trail just isn’t wide enough. Larry McRae and Jerrod Jones give a competitor’s tire a friendly nudge on their way past. Jerrod will spill the full tale next month.Sometimes the trail just isn’t wide enough. Larry McRae and Jerrod Jones give a competitor Shannon Campbell snakes his way down Aftershock on the way to re-claiming the KOH crown and getting the key to Hammertown. Even with a flat front tire, Campbell’s command of the trail was undeniable.Shannon Campbell snakes his way down Aftershock on the way to re-claiming the KOH crown an By Jay Kopycinski, Kevin Blumer Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
