King of the Hammers, the ultimate desert race

Ever wanted to go fast in a rock crawler?  Ever wanted to crawl a trophy truck?  Well that is what King of the Hammers is all about!  February 27th marks the 2nd running of the King of the Hammers race in Johnson Valley, CA.  It is a race, between 50-100 miles long, that blends rock crawling, rock racing and high speed desert racing into one 10 hours thrill ride.  The race is invitation only and Blackstar Motorsports will be there in full force!

So what does Blackstar have up its sleeve for this race?  Well we were hoping to keep it a secret but we are building an all new, Pro Modified based, race car.  We are taking some of the larger components off of Murphy but other then that, it’s a whole new beast.  Built by Joey Archuleta of Hazardous Concepts, we believe it will be the perfect blend of go fast agility and rugged rock crawling prowess.

This event is blurring the line between rock sports and desert racing.  I don’t think we can call rock crawlers, rock crawlers anymore.  So what do you call these new rigs?  Rock racers?  No, rock racers are designed to be quick on short courses.  Mini trophy trucks?  I don’t think that is fair, when was the last time you saw a TT drive over huge boulders?  Time will bring a name for what we (the KOH teams) are building.  Never before have we had to consider fuel cell sizes.  Or design a way to carry a full size spare, along with parts, tools and fluids.  GPS units would never find their way into a competitive rock machine.  Just the other day I ordered triple bypass shocks.  This race brings many new problems too.  Rock crawlers have huge fans on their radiators to cool them at low speeds but when we hit 100 mph (or even more) cooling is going to be a nightmare!  Why?  We have those huge winches hanging off the front of them.  Yes, it is not fair to call a 100+ mph rig a “crawler”.

Is this race the next big thing?  Maybe.  It is the only race of its kind that is bringing in many different drivers from different forms of racing.  Desert racers, rock racers, crawlers, motocross drivers, even a few rally drivers will be putting themselves and their machines up against the rigors of Johnson Valley.  Where else can such a diverse group of talent come to compete?  The well known and the unknown all have a chance at glory in the desert, all it takes is some skill, preparation and probably a little bit of luck.

But for us, its not about winning, its about finishing.  Last year we were taken out early, about 25 miles in, with a blown transmission.  This year things will be different.  We are more prepared, mentally, mechanically and physically.  We are going to set our pace in the desert, get passed by faster drivers but will probably pass just as many slower drivers.  Its all about thinking about the children’s tale of the tortoise and the hare.  Slow and steady might not win this race but it will get you to the finish line.

Our new buggy is coming along quite nicely and in the process we have gained a new ally, Hazardous Concepts.  Our race frequency will be tuned to his, this way we can stay in contact with each other in case either vehicle needs some support.  Alliances like these prove that these long distance races, like the Baja 1000 or Paris-Dakar rally, are not about the race itself, but instead, they are about THE race, the human race.  Racers, big and small, all have an alliance.  I will never forget last year as I sat on the hood of my dead race car.  All the teams that I had passed were stopping to make sure I was ok.  I appreciated the gesture but told all of them to get back in the race.  These races can be very stressful but its always calming to know that we are all looking out for each other, out there in the unknown.

I could go on and on about this race and probably get to the point of boring you but races like these are few and far between.  There is a magic though, something about driving across the desert, not a soul for miles except you, your co-driver (I have the best by the way) and your race car (if you believe these machines have souls).  If you break down, it could be hours, nay many hours before someone finds you or you get back to base camp.  Its scary but there is a bit of calmness that comes out of the fear.  A calmness of being able to leave the cluttered cites, the suburban developments and your claustrophobic office.  Trade in your three piece suit for a fire suit and sunglasses for some race goggles.  Go out in the desert and drive for miles, with the wind in your ears and dirt in teeth.

Hopefully we will see all of your at the lakebed.  Until then, keep the rubber side down.

Wes

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