Key Race Information: Toyo Tires Desert Challenge

Race Course, Distances, Pits and Times:

The Limited Race on Saturday, January 31, will compete on a 50-mile lap.

• The 1450 / 1400 Rush will race 1 lap of the 50-mile course. Competitors wishing to race more distance can enter the T3 or T1 class to get more race distance. Check vehicle requirements for T3.
• T4 and B4 will race 3 laps for a 150-mile total distance.
• B3 and T3 will race 5 laps for a 250-mile total distance.

The Unlimited Race on Sunday, February 1, 2026, will compete on a 65-mile lap. All competitors will race 5 laps for a 305-mile total distance.

There is an emergency pit at the Rock Pile off Bessimer Mine Road that is accessible every lap at Mile 14. The main pit located in Hammertown at the Start Finish is accessible at the end of each lap.

The Limited Race will start at 10 am Saturday, January 3,1 with 2 vehicles every 30 seconds. Racers will run until 4:00 PM, plus an adjusted start time to complete the course (everyone has 6 hours). The start and finish will close for the last lap at 3:00 pm.

The Unlimited Race will start at 9 am Sunday, February 1, and racers will run until 3:00 PM, plus adjusted time to finish. Last lap closure will be at 2:15 pm.

More information will be given at the mandatory drivers meeting, 7 pm Friday, January 30, held at the Hammertown Firepit.

Trophies:

Trophies will be awarded for FINISHERS in Class Podium Positions plus Podium in All B3 Sub Classes – Pro Stock NA, Pro Stock Turbo, Pro Modified, and Open UTV. There is a guaranteed purse for the Desert Challenge.

T1 Desert Class to Feature Pro Desert Racers:

For the first time, elite Pro Desert Racers (PDR) competitors from the United States and Baja will line up within the existing T1 class. This integration places the fastest desert racing trucks in the world on one course, under one class structure, competing on a course that blends high-speed desert with the punishing terrain that King of the Hammers is known for. The race will be presented with cameras, data, and storytelling reaching deeper into the course than any race before it, delivering an unmatched view of the competition for fans, media, and partners.

To turn the pressure up even further, Ultra4 4400 competitors are being challenged to go head-to-head with the T1 unlimited desert trucks during the Toyo Tires Desert Challenge.

All Pro Desert Racer vehicles will feature enhanced technology streaming solutions featuring advanced streaming. To obtain your setup, follow this link for instructions: PDR Equipment Details

Race of Kings Qualifying Spots on the Line at the Toyo Tires Desert Challenge:

As well as the title of Champion of the Toyo Tires Desert Challenge, both Trucks and Ultra4s will be competing for the opportunity to qualify for and lock in top starting grid positions for the following weekend’s prestigious Race of Kings.

Details can be viewed at www.kingofthehammers.com/4400desertchallenge

Qualifying:

Drivers will battle it out over a gruelling 4-mile qualifying course, ensuring every top starting position is hard-fought and truly earned. Limited classes B2, B3 UTV Open, and B3 UTV Pro Modified will qualify on Friday, 30 January. Teams need to be in line for Tech Inspection at 7:30 AM. Following Tech Inspection, you will go straight to staging for Qualifying, so be ready to race with all your gear. You will be staged for a 9:30 AM Driver’s meeting on the short course, followed by a 10 AM qualifying start. We aim to finish qualifying by 1 pm to allow you time to continue pre-running in the afternoon if you desire. Limited qualifying action will be captured in a great highlights package to be broadcast after the conclusion of qualifying. Live timing and results will be broadcast.

All other Limited classes (including B3 UTV Pro Stock Turbo, B3 Pro Stock NA, and any T3, T4, B4’s + 1400/1450 Rush) will NOT be qualifying.

All Unlimited Classes will qualify at 8 AM Saturday, January 31, with staging required at 7 AM SHARP.

Qualifying is not mandatory and does not count towards race time. Any competitors electing not to qualify must inform Race Control and will start based on random draw order behind every competitor that attempted qualifying. Start orders for qualifying entrants will be based on qualifying time, fastest to slowest, regardless of class. Any classes not qualifying will be selected by random draw and in class groups.

Tech Inspection:

All entrants must undertake Tech Inspection on Friday, January 30. As above, B2, B3 UTV Open, and B3 UTV Pro must line up at 7:30 AM. B3 UTV Pro Stock Turbo, B3 Pro Stock NA, T3, T4 and B4’s must line up at 10 AM. 1400/1450 must line up at 1 PM.

All Unlimited Racers (T1, T2 and B1) must line up at 2 PM. Enter Tech through Hammertown Gate 3.