2023 Progressive King of the Hammers Powered by OPTIMA Batteries Race Preview
February 5, 2023
| January 27, 2023 (Johnson Valley, CA) – The 2023 Progressive King of the Hammers Powered by OPTIMA Batteries kicks off today. From its humble beginnings as a wager between a small group of friends in 2007, it has grown into the largest off-road motorsports event in the world and one of the largest to take place on public lands in the United States. It’s a must-attend event for any off-road enthusiast, but if you can’t be there, don’t worry. It’s easy to be part of the King of the Hammers action by joining the millions of fans watching the live event coverage online all week long. With nearly a dozen days of racing for off-road vehicles of every shape and size, and 897 teams entered from 37 states across the U.S. and multiple countries, the Progressive King of the Hammers (KOH) is bigger than ever before. The massive off-road motorsports event also brings tens of thousands of spectators to Johnson Valley in the Southern California desert for a week of exciting racing on and around the treacherous and challenging boulder-filled trails known collectively as “The Hammers.” Described using names such as Jackhammer, Wrecking Ball, and Sledgehammer, these obstacle-filled sections of the Hammers racecourse create intense action and fierce competition as teams battle to get through them in one piece and cross the finish line. Although King of the Hammers began as a one-day race for single-purpose rock-crawling rigs, the event continues to grow exponentially. Separate races for some of the world’s fastest and most capable UTVs, desert-racing trucks, buggies and motorcycles have been created and are now features throughout the week. The Holley EFI Shootout Presented by Action Sport Canopies and King Shocks and the Baja Jerky Class 11 Showdown Presented by EMPI for near-stock VW bugs (Class 11) driven by the sport’s top pro drivers has become a fan favorite. New to 2023 are short-course off-road races for trucks and buggies, a Youth 170 UTV class, and additional classes in the desert and Ultra4. The two-day 2023 SRT King of the Motos event on January 28th and 29th once again leads off the action-packed 2023 Progressive King of the Hammers. This extremely challenging hard enduro pits some of the best motorcycle riders against the toughest terrain, kicked off with a fan-favorite land rush start. The Nitto Race of the Kings caps the colossal off-road motorsports festival on Saturday, February 11th, and features the most potent Unlimited 4400 Class Ultra4 cars driven by some of the most talented drivers in the sport. Many of the Unlimited 4400 Ultra4 cars are custom-built by their drivers and co-drivers and include single-seat and two-seat designs with front or rear engines, and solid-axle or independent suspensions. Drivers attack the treacherous racecourse in a titanic battle that often sees attrition rates in the 50 percent range. At the center of all this action is Hammertown, the temporary city in the desert built on Means Dry Lake. It’s the beating heart of the 2023 Progressive King of the Hammers which includes race pits and over 150 vendors for parts, gear, food, and beverage. There are Jumbotrons for spectators to view the live race broadcasts, and Hammertown offers a festival-like atmosphere all day long, live music at night and many interactive experiences. The 2023 King of the Hammers is a celebration of racing and off-road culture, and Hammertown has become the place to be for off-road enthusiasts who come to enjoy the races and drive their own vehicles in Johnson Valley’s wide-open spaces. Live coverage and tracking of the 2023 Progressive King of the Hammers Powered by OPTIMA Batteries can be viewed at www.kingofthehammers.com/live. Or, subscribe to the new King of the Hammers YouTube channel to receive notifications. Upgrading to a premium membership gives access to even more features including multi-view, in-car cameras, bonus feeds and more. Subscribe now at www.youtube.com/@kingofthehammers_official. To see who’s racing and find event information, check out www.kingofthehammers.com. |
| 2023 Progressive King of the Hammers Powered by OPTIMA Batteries Schedule Friday, January 27, 2023 12 – 5 pm SRT King of the Motos Tech Inspection 6 pm SRT King of the Motos Riders Dinner, WARN VIP Tent 7 pm SRT King of the Motos Riders Meeting, WARN VIP Tent 8 pm Live Music at Hammertown Firepit Saturday, January 28, 2023 7 am SRT King of the Motos Tech Inspection 8 – 11 am SRT King of the Motos Prologue 12 pm SRT King of the Motos Race One Riders Staging 1 – 4 pm SRT King of the Motos Race One 7 pm Live Music at Hammertown Firepit Sunday, January 29, 2023 8 am SRT King of the Motos Race One Rider Staging, Chocolate Thunder 9 am – 3 pm SRT King of the Motos Race Two (ends at Chocolate Thunder) 5 pm SRT King of the Motos Awards in Hammertown Thursday, February 2, 2023 12 pm Pre-running opens and course map released to registered competitors (desert loop clockwise) 12 pm KOH Outpost Featuring Sonora Brewing Company, Big Bear Lake Brewing Company, and Tiny Pony Tavern Opens 6:30 pm Caiden Brewer performing live at the Monster Energy Stage 8:30 pm Hollywood Yates live at the Monster Energy Stage 10:30 pm Matt Farris live at the Monster Energy Stage Friday, February 3, 2023 Pre-running full course open (desert loop clockwise) 7 pm Toyo Tires Desert Challenge Presented by Monster Energy Drivers Meeting, WARN VIP Tent 8 pm Live Music at the Hammertown Firepit Saturday, February 4, 2023 Short course and desert closed to pre-running 7 am Toyo Tires Desert Challenge Presented by Monster Energy Tech and Contingency, Gate 3 8 am Toyo Tires Desert Challenge Presented by Monster Energy Prologue (all Desert classes: T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, B1, B2, B3 and B4) 8 am Terra Crew 1400/1450 Rush (following Prologue) 8 am Baja Jerky Class 11 Showdown Presented by EMPI – Land rush start on Melville Dry Lakebed (following Prologue and Terra Crew Rush) 6 pm Toyo Tires Desert Challenge Presented by Monster Energy Awards 6:30 pm TBA live at the Monster Energy Stage 8:30 pm A.D.D. live at the Monster Energy Stage 10:30 pm Guttermouth live at the Monster Energy Stage Sunday, February 5, 2023 Short course and desert closed to pre-running 8 am -12 pm Toyo Tires Desert Challenge Presented by Monster Energy for Limited Trucks and Buggies Race One (B2, B3, B4, T3, T4, Terra Crew 1400 and 1450) and all classes associated with the Triple Crown, or any applicable partnering series) 12:30 pm Toyo Tires Desert Challenge Presented by Monster Energy for Unlimited Trucks and Buggies Race Two (T1, T2, B1) 5 – 6 pm Registered KOH Rookie Program Mandatory Meeting, WIFI Tent in Hammertown 6 pm Toyo Tires Desert Challenge Presented by Monster Energy Awards 7 pm UTV/EMC/4400/GAS Drivers Mandatory Meeting, WARN VIP Tent/broadcast over jumbotron 8 – 11 pm Great American Shortcourse Powered by OPTIMA Batteries Practice Monday, February 6, 2023 7:30 – 10 am Great American Shortcourse Powered by OPTIMA Batteries Qualifying 8 am – 2 pm Can-Am UTV Hammers Championship Qualifying at Chocolate Thunder 2 – 3 pm Can-Am UTV Hammers Championship Power Hour at Chocolate Thunder 11 am – 5 pm Great American Shortcourse Powered by OPTIMA Batteries Main Events 6 pm: Pit Crew Challenge Presented by Pro Eagle & Buggy Whip at Pro Eagle Booth Tuesday, February 7, 2023 8 am – 2 pm 4WP Every Man Challenge Qualifying at Chocolate Thunder 2 – 3 pm 4WP Every Man Challenge Power Hour at Chocolate Thunder 6 pm Holley EFI Shootout Presented by Action Sports Canopies & King Shocks Wednesday, February 8, 2023 10 am Can-Am UTV Hammers Championship Tech & Contingency 8 am – 2 pm Nitto Race of Kings Qualifying at Chocolate Thunder 2 – 3 pm Nitto Race of Kings Power Hour at Chocolate Thunder 6 pm KOH Kids 170 Race on the short course 7 pm UTV/EMC/4400 Mandatory Drivers Meeting, WARN VIP Tent Thursday, February 9, 202 Pre-running closed, hot racecourse 8 am Can-Am UTV Hammers Championship Race Start 9 am King of the Hammers Overland Experience Presented by Shiftpod Opens 10 am – 4pm 4WP Every Man Challenge Tech & Contingency, Gate 3 6 pm Can-Am UTV Hammers Championship Race End 6:30 pm Local Anthology live at the Monster Energy Stage 8:30 pm Spray Allen live at the Monster Energy Stage 10:30 pm Sublime with Rome live at the Monster Energy Stage Friday, February 10, 2023 Pre-running closed, hot racecourse 8 am 4WP Every Man Challenge Race Start 10 am – 4 pm Nitto Race of Kings Tech & Contingency, Gate 3 6 pm 4WP Every Man Challenge Race End Saturday, February 11, 2023 Pre-running closed, hot racecourse 8 am Nitto Race of Kings Race Start 6:30 pm Mama Foxxy & The Whiskey Gypsy Rebels live at the Monster Energy Stage 8:30 pm Matt Farris with Jared Blake live at the Monster Energy Stage 10 pm Nitto Race of Kings Race End 10:30 pm Chayce Beckham live at the Monster Energy Stage Schedule subject to change. |
| SRT King of the Motos King of the Motos returns to the 2023 schedule and this year’s race will again begin with its dramatic land-rush, then take riders through a total of 40 miles of some of the most rugged terrain found in the rocky landscape of Johnson Valley. This year also begins a significant partnership with The AMA US Hard Enduro Series. The SRT King of the Motos will be the first stop on the 2023 US Hard Enduro schedule. The two-day competition takes place Saturday, January 28th, and Sunday, 29th. Featuring top riders, the 2023 SRT King of the Motos race is known for its no-miss land rush starts. Get ready for a wild show. Baja Jerky Class 11 Showdown Presented by EMPI The Baja Jerky Class 11 Showdown Presented by EMPI has become one of the most popular and exciting events of the Progressive King of the Hammers Powered by Optima Batteries. There’s nothing like watching these near-stock VW Bugs – one of the original off-road race car types – go at it like Roman gladiators. The Baja Jerky Class 11 Showdown Presented by EMPI was held on the infield track in Hammertown last year. For 2023, the Class 11 race will begin with a land rush start on Melville Dry Lake and compete on a 40-mile-long desert course with no pit stops. Toyo Tires Desert Challenge Presented by Monster Energy The Toyo Desert Challenge Presented by Monster Energy is in its fourth year as one of the feature events of the 2023 Progressive King of the Hammers Powered by Optima Batteries. New for 2023 are expanded vehicle classes to now include even more buggy types and truck builds. Everything from three build levels of UTVs and basically any VW-based tube-chassis car to stock mini-trucks and 1000-horsepower unlimited race trucks that literally fly across the desert will be included for a total of 11 vehicle classes. The single-day 2023 Toyo Tires Desert Challenge Presented by Monster Energy features two races starting hours apart that include Limited Trucks/Buggies (B2, B3, T3, T4, Terra Crew 1400/1450 trucks, and all classes associated with The Triple Crown) and Unlimited Trucks/Buggies (T1, T2, and B1). Great American Shortcourse Powered by OPTIMA Batteries If you’re a fan of short-course off-road racing, then the Great American Shortcourse Powered by Optima Batteries (GAS) will be your favorite race of the 2023 Progressive King of the Hammers Powered by Optima Batteries. This is a points race for the Great American Shortcourse Series, and a special track will be built just for this event. The fast and furious fender-banging and door-slamming action will be a sight to see as the drivers go full blast over the jumps and around the corners in Hammertown. Holley EFI Shootout Presented by Action Sports Canopies and King Shocks The 2023 Holley EFI Backdoor Shootout Presented by Action Sports Canopies and King Shocks is a fan favorite event, taking place this year at Chocolate Thunder. This is where a “gentlemanly” challenge between southern rock bouncers and western rock crawlers competing for the fastest time up an infamous rock ledge turned into one of the most popular events of the week. The night event held under lights is a spectacle not to be missed. The Can-Am UTV Hammers Championship Presented by Progressive The 2023 Can-Am UTV Hammers Championship Presented by Progressive is a testament to the astonishing rise in UTV popularity. Today’s UTVs are powerful and fast, with superbly designed suspensions and excellent handling capabilities that have grabbed the attention of recreational users as well as racers. As a matter of fact, some of the hottest drivers from other vehicle classes (buggies and trucks) also compete in the Can-Am UTV Hammers Championship. This is a race to keep your eyes on. 4WP Every Man Challenge The 2023 4WP Every Man Challenge (EMC) will feature four different classes of Ultra4 race vehicles. These include the 4500 Yukon Gear and Axle Modified Class, 4600 Currie Enterprises Stock Class, 4800 Branik Motorsports Legends Class, and the Ultra4 EV Class Presented by Hypercraft and Dana Spicer. The Every Man Challenge was created to offer both upcoming and experienced talent a less-expensive pathway into Ultra4 racing through these limited-build classes. EMC classes run an abbreviated Unlimited 4400 racecourse and are defined by varying levels of build. The 4500 class has a factory-style body, partial frame, mechanical steering, two shocks per corner, and a maximum 37-inch tire. The 4600 class has a factory engine, stock frame, single shock per corner, and a 35-inch maximum tire. The 4800 class must be a front engine, two-seater, with solid axles, single shock per corner, and a 37-inch maximum tire. Ultra4 EV is a spec class made up of complete crate packages from Hypercraft and Dana Incorporated. Don’t let the Limited tag fool you, some of the best racing action comes from these 4WP Every Man Challenge teams. Nitto Race of the Kings The 2023 Nitto Race of the Kings is where this massive desert-racing event all began. It is the “OG” Ultra4 race. It’s populated with an anything-goes, whatever you can dream and build, limitless group of rock-racing vehicles now referred to as the 4400 Class. These unlimited Ultra4 race cars stretch the boundaries of what an off-road race car can be. The Nitto Race of the Kings tests the performance and strength of the 4400 cars, as well as the talent and perseverance of their drivers, against a racecourse that is widely considered to be the toughest in the world. To win the Nitto Race of the Kings, a team must possess a rock-solid race car, excellent drivers and support team members, cool heads to deal with a range of situations that may occur, and a dose of good luck. Many will try, a few will finish, but only one will be crowned “King of the Hammers.” |