Photo Credit: Desk to Glory

Everyone’s favorite Ultimate Desert Race: King of the Hammers 2020 just ended after hosting hundreds of race teams and thousands of spectators! VIAIR is a leader in the off road market offering a complete line up of Onboard Air kits tailored for various applications including: powering air tools, tire inflation, air lockers, and train horns. Here are the top highlights of the King of the Hammers 2020 show, featuring a handful of VIAIR-equipped vehicles!

Photo Credit: King of the Hammers

King of the Hammers is a popular 10-day off-road race held in February on Means Dry Lake in Johnson Valley, CA. This extreme event blends desert racing and rock crawling activities that are broadcast live on the Internet at www.ultra4racing.com each year. King of the Hammers race week expanded from one race, Nitto King of the Hammers, to a series of races held throughout the week. Tens of thousands of spectators come out to watch the more than 400 teams race dirt bikes, UTVS and all other four-wheel drive vehicles. Attendees are generally allowed to run their own rigs around the course in the evenings when it is not being used for an official race.

Photo Credit: King of the Hammers

History

Jeff Knoll and Dave Cole first came up with the idea for King of the Hammers in 2007. The first official non-spectator race began in 2008 with 50 drivers. They ran in 30-second intervals from Means Dry Lake Bed through the desert on a 50-60 mile race.  

Photo Credit: Hoonigan

Race Vehicles And Rules

Vehicles participating in King of the Hammers are known as Ultra4 vehicles. These specially built rigs are capable of speeds over 100 miles per hour for the desert racecourses. Challengers begin side-by-side and must complete the 165-mile course in fewer than 14 hours. Each team must pass through seven checkpoints.

Photo Credit: Diesel World

VIAIR Equipped Vehicles

Hellwig Suspension Products, a high-quality suspension manufacturer that helps vehicles handle loads and control sway, attended the King of the Hammers again this year. They brought along their VIAIR equipped Ford F-350 “The Hellwig Operator.” This recon adventure vehicle features a bed mounted Textron Wildcat UTV to easily navigate the grounds. Take a look at what they had to say about their experience this year:

“Starting with the rare opportunity to test your own vehicle on the same challenging obstacles as those racing for money and glory, KOH opens course sections like “Backdoor,” “Chocolate Thunder,” and “Guacamole” to attendees, bridging the gap between spectator and participant.
 
But it doesn’t end there. The vendor midway, known as Hammertown, is populated with a unique mix of hi-tech gadgetry including the Jumbotron TV that streams live racing action and features grassroots displays that offer face-to-face expertise and interactive elements. Consumers are able to touch, see and feel the differences made by the thousands of products on display – a first-class open-air showroom in one of the coolest race environments imaginable.
 
Last, but not least, KOH boasts multiple pop-up neighborhoods surrounding Hammertown where attendees, vendors, manufacturers, and racers can gather to talk about the day’s highlights. Whether staying in tents, campers, trailers, RV’s, truck campers or rooftop tents, the common ground that KOH creates is a community enjoyed by all.”

Photo Credit: LGE CTS Motorsports

Another VIAIR equipped sponsor, LGE CTS Motorsports, attended King of the Hammers with their 2020 Ford Super Duty, “Baja Forged.” VIAIR’s Gen. 2 Dual 485C Onboard Air System installed on the truck assisted with quickly inflating tires while out on the trails. This Ford Super Duty recently displayed in the Ford Booth at the 2019 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. LGE CTS motorsports is a family owned and operated business best known for specializing in truck accessories, suspensions and custom fabrications since 1982.

Photo Credit: Driving Line

A New King is Crowned

Josh Blyler took the first-place trophy for King of the Hammers 2020. He began racing in Ultra4 four years ago with the goal of only finishing the race. This year, Blyler conquered the 212-mile course and won the coveted title of King.

If you missed the 2020 King of the Hammers show this year, you can watch the broadcast on Ultra4 Racing’s YouTube channel here. Whether you’re a racer, a crewmember, or an Ultra4 fan, you don’t want to miss this exhilarating coverage!