KOH2012

[napsta]

Quest for the Crown Will be Highly Competitive

January 11th, 2012– Johnson Valley, CA: On Friday, February 10th, 2012 more than 100 drivers are expected to compete in the 6th annual Griffin King of The Hammers. The level of talent and experience lining up at the start of this year’s race has never been seen before in Johnson Valley. The contestants vying for a chance to be crowned the 2012 King range from former kings, Dakar finishers, to international drivers and short course champions.

All former kings will be returning to reclaim their crown and the competition among them is expected to be fierce. Shannon Campbell is the only king to win the Griffin King of The Hammers twice in both 2008 and 2011 and his fans are hoping for a three-peat. Jason Scherer, the 2009 king, took 3rd place in 2011 as he and Campbell battled throughout the final lap until Scherer’s vehicle suffered mechanical issues. 2010 king, Loren Healy is returning to the lake bed fresh from a victory over both Campbell and Scherer in the 2011 Ultra4 Series finale at Glen Helen. Expect to see all three kings racing back to back for a starting position during the 4Wheel Parts Qualifying rounds on Tuesday night. The fastest time will determine starting position on Friday.

Several short course champions are already qualified for the race and will be joining the former kings on Tuesday competing for starting positions. Among them will be Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Champion, Greg Adler who finished 5th in last year’s King of the Hammers. He will be joined by TORC Racing’s Casey Currie and Brad Lovell. Both drivers have placed in the top 20 at prior King of the Hammers. Veteran desert racer, TJ Flores is another cross-over driver competing this year. This will be Flores’ first King of The Hammers and his co-driver will be Ultra4 veteran, Dave Schneider.

Perhaps the most anticipated cross-over driver competing in the 2012 Griffin King of the Hammers is racing icon, Robby Gordon. Gordon’s racing experience includes wins in NASCAR and off road racing, notably the Baja 1000. He will return to the states from the Dakar Rally with just enough time to prep and pre-run for his first ever Griffin King of the Hammers. Gordon will be driving the winning Jimmy’s 4×4 car that Healy drove to a victory in 2010. The car is being provided by Cancun Off Road.

Gordon will not be the only person traveling internationally to compete. Several international drivers are returning this year including Australia’s Ben Napier. Napier placed 10th in last year’s race and finished 2nd overall in the 2011 Ultra4 Series. Other returning international drivers include; Masanori Tsuda from Japan, Fabio Manno from Italy, Jose Manuel Ponce from Mexico and Curtis Warner from Canada. New international drivers making the trek to Johnson Valley will be Aussie Nick Finch and Belgium driver Axel Burmann.

This will be the first year that starting order will be determined by a qualifying race. Over the course of two days, 160 teams will be vying for the fastest time through the 4Wheel Parts Qualifying course. More than 70 Last Chance Qualifier contestants will be competing for one of 20 spots remaining in the Griffin King of The Hammers, while 90 pre-qualified racers will be competing for their starting order. Attached is a complete list of drivers competing in the 2012 Griffin King of The Hammers sorted by their qualifier starting position.

For a complete list of driver’s by day click here: http://ultra4racing.com/featured/2012-g ... ith-power/

[napsta]

I wouldn't suggest hiring a motorhome at all but it's a personal decision.

It doesn't work out to be cost effective or very comfortable for that matter, depends how many you're going with I suppose and how much personal space you are willing to sacrifice.

You will definately need a vehicle with clearance to get from track to track.

If you are considering sharing a room and driving to the event take a look at this one, this is where we stayed and it was very comfortable: http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern ... Code=05680" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Respectfully I disagree. I went the first time as a spectator in 2009 and then have been back for the next two years. staying on the lakebed and living the event is a huge part of it. Lets face it, if you really want to see the race from start to finish, buy the DVD in August 2012. If you want to see the living zoo that is King of the Hammers, well I'll see you there on Feb 4th.

[coilylux]

I wouldn't suggest hiring a motorhome at all but it's a personal decision.

It doesn't work out to be cost effective or very comfortable for that matter, depends how many you're going with I suppose and how much personal space you are willing to sacrifice.

You will definately need a vehicle with clearance to get from track to track.

If you are considering sharing a room and driving to the event take a look at this one, this is where we stayed and it was very comfortable: http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern ... Code=05680" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Respectfully I disagree. I went the first time as a spectator in 2009 and then have been back for the next two years. staying on the lakebed and living the event is a huge part of it. Lets face it, if you really want to see the race from start to finish, buy the DVD in August 2012. If you want to see the living zoo that is King of the Hammers, well I'll see you there on Feb 4th.

Now where do i find that "LIKE" button????

[MogLux]

I wouldn't suggest hiring a motorhome at all but it's a personal decision.

It doesn't work out to be cost effective or very comfortable for that matter, depends how many you're going with I suppose and how much personal space you are willing to sacrifice.

You will definately need a vehicle with clearance to get from track to track.

If you are considering sharing a room and driving to the event take a look at this one, this is where we stayed and it was very comfortable: http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern ... Code=05680" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

X2 got to love the Zoo.... think iill fit in perfectly
Respectfully I disagree. I went the first time as a spectator in 2009 and then have been back for the next two years. staying on the lakebed and living the event is a huge part of it. Lets face it, if you really want to see the race from start to finish, buy the DVD in August 2012. If you want to see the living zoo that is King of the Hammers, well I'll see you there on Feb 4th.

Now where do i find that "LIKE" button????

[Mr DJ]

Live coverage again this year
http://ultra4racing.com/live/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[bazooked]

I wouldn't suggest hiring a motorhome at all but it's a personal decision.

It doesn't work out to be cost effective or very comfortable for that matter, depends how many you're going with I suppose and how much personal space you are willing to sacrifice.

You will definately need a vehicle with clearance to get from track to track.

If you are considering sharing a room and driving to the event take a look at this one, this is where we stayed and it was very comfortable: http://book.bestwestern.com/bestwestern ... Code=05680" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

X2 got to love the Zoo.... think iill fit in perfectly
Respectfully I disagree. I went the first time as a spectator in 2009 and then have been back for the next two years. staying on the lakebed and living the event is a huge part of it. Lets face it, if you really want to see the race from start to finish, buy the DVD in August 2012. If you want to see the living zoo that is King of the Hammers, well I'll see you there on Feb 4th.

Now where do i find that "LIKE" button????

likewise, only just seen this thread been away for a while lol, ive been for the last 2 years and unfortunatley missing this year , last year cost me about 5k that was all up, spent a week in vegas aswell, this is what we hired, had a blast and i would highly recomend the experience!, will be there next year with bells on ,




and of course vegas

[alexcliffo]

Nick and Mal qualified 20th

Ben Napier must have had some issues, he is down the list no. 83

From the Live Chat:

The official 2012 King of The Hammers Starting Order is now complete:

1 KOH Rick Mooneyham 554 Lake Havasu City AZ 4.41.25
2 KOH Nick Nelson 4404 Las Vegas NV 4.46.87
3 KOH Shannon Campbell 5 Gilbert AZ 4.57.06
4 KOH Erik Miller 4421 Cumberland MD 4.58.87
5 KOH Robby Gordon 77 Orange CA 5.06.47
6 KOH Greg Adler 210 Manhattan Beach CA 5.08.59
7 KOH Tony Pellegrino 4485 Simi Valley CA 5.09.56
8 KOH Randy Slawson 4448 Colton CA 5.09.74
9 KOH Ivan VanOrtwick 4466 Whittier CA 5.13.72
10 KOH Brian Shirley 18 Dodge City KS 5.20.69
11 KOH Scott Ward 4438 Lake Havasu City AZ 5.24.91
12 KOH Rusty Bray 4498 Richmond KY 5.29.47
13 KOH Derek West 4420 Springfield MO 5.30.35
14 KOH Gary Ferravanti Jr 4475 Paso Robles CA 5.35.97
15 KOH Nick Campbell 8 Gilbert AZ 5.36.48
16 LCQ Chris Garrison 4494 Rancho Cordova CA 5.38.81
17 LCQ Jason Fish 117 Louviers CO 5.43.62
18 LCQ Rob Lynch 4463 Spokane WA 5.46.05
19 LCQ Dave Bovich 50 Shasta Lake CA 5.48.18
20 KOH Nick Finch 2228 Dean Park NSW 2761 Australia 5.49.03
21 KOH Craig Ross 4138 Montrose CO 5.49.34
22 KOH Kevin Sacalas 4435 Riverside CA 5.52.94
23 KOH Jon Cagliero 27 Paso Robles CA 5.53.91
24 LCQ Ben Dinkins 4403 Annopolis MO 5.55.53
25 LCQ Joey Archuleta 127 Aurora CO 5.56.25
26 LCQ Chris Hoyt 53 Castle Rock CO 5.58.41
27 KOH Les Figueroa 4478 Henderson NV 6.05.16
28 LCQ Ritchie Keller 202 Elkland MO 6.05.41
29 LCQ Mike Nappi 4490 Idaho Springs CO 6.08.81
30 LCQ Jeff Rector 4505 Rangely CO 6.11.38
31 KOH Brad Lovell 232 Colorado Springs CO 6.11.84
32 LCQ Scott Morris 4492 Sunman IN 6.12.59
33 KOH Levi Shirley 81 Dodge City KS 6.14.32
34 KOH JT Stephens 4454 Little Rock AR 6.15.37
35 LCQ Nathan Unruh 63 Clovis CA 6.18.06
36 KOH Brandon Watson 4488 Carbondale CO 6.18.37
37 LCQ Shawn Inman 187 Fredericksburg TX 6.20.93
38 LCQ Paul Hoffman 4483 Victorville CA 6.23.46
39 KOH Jesse Haines 4499 Sparks NV 6.26.28
40 LCQ Sam Stienman 97 Phoenix AZ 6.26.69
41 KOH Harold Fijman 777 San Ramon CA 6.27.16
42 KOH Mike Colville 4418 Fenton MI 6.29.00
43 LCQ Tony Arledge 595 Austin TX 6.30.43
44 LCQ Larry McRae 4581 Banning CA 6.32.15
45 LCQ Chad Wheeler 4423 Denver CO 6.32.65
46 LCQ Greg Lundeen 701 Broomfield CO 6.34.25
47 LCQ Dustin Isenhour 4472 Northglenn CO 6.35.41
48 KOH Larry Anderson 742 Dixon CA 6.36.18
49 KOH Lucas Murphy 816 Easton MA 6.37.06
50 KOH Andy Brown 4455 San Diego CA 6.43.19
51 KOH Gary Ferravanti Sr 4446 Paso Robles CA 6.44.28
52 KOH Matt Peterson 212 Colorado Springs CO 6.44.44
53 KOH Jim Brown 101 Ukiah CA 6.48.72
54 LCQ Paul Garner 4409 Queen Creek AZ 6.53.00
55 KOH Cottin Rodd 4407 Cortez CO 6.54.38
56 KOH Doug Bigelow 4413 Emmitsburg MD 6.56.34
57 LCQ Jeff Russell 4427 Shadow Hills CA 6.59.94
58 KOH Alan Woodson 86 Charlottesville VA 7.03.25
59 KOH Mike Klensin 4431 Tucson AZ 7.04.68
60 LCQ Hunter Sparrow 72 Arvada CO 7.05.28
61 LCQ Robb Kaufman 22 RockyView County CAN 7.07.24
62 KOH Alex Hardaway 4481 Santa Rosa CA 7.07.31
63 LCQ Phil Pasciak 7 Minden NV 7.12.13
64 LCQ Lance Hamilton 4442 Folsom CA 7.12.37
65 KOH BJ Allen 4426 Dallas TX 7.20.63
66 LCQ Matt Moore 4436 Silver Spring MD 7.29.56
67 LCQ Aaron Beckstead 1911 Clear Lake CA 7.38.93
68 KOH JT Taylor 13 Fountain CO 7.43.47
69 KOH Eric Brown 502 Las Vegas NV 7.43.87
70 KOH Richie Carter 4474 Simi Valley CA 7.46.87
71 KOH Stan Haynes 4408 Ft. Wayne IN 7.47.68
72 KOH Jose Manuel Ponce 9009 Morelia MEX 7.48.06
73 KOH John Sweet 366 Union KY 7.55.69
74 KOH John Webb 4468 Concord CA 7.56.71
75 KOH Jason Carter 16 Birmingham Alberta 7.56.91
76 KOH Jason Picket 4444 Ft. Collins CO 8.08.84
77 KOH Andrew Hoit 4497 Fontana CA 8.12.54
78 KOH Fabio Manno 100 Rome Italy 8.19.09
79 KOH Bart Dixon 26 San Diego CA 8.28.69
80 KOH Matt Messer 17 Fresno CA 8.29.03
81 KOH Casey Beach 4484 Herriman UT 8.42.50
82 KOH Aaron Robinson(William) 3006 Sparks NV 8.51.12
83 KOH Ben Napier 4461 Sydney AUS 9.09.12
84 KOH Bill Baird 5252 Sturgis KY 9.40.82
85 KOH Casey Currie 2 Anaheim CA 10.08.66
86 KOH Eric Anderson 66 Apple Valley CA 10.17.00
87 KOH Mel Wade 4451 Long Beach CA 10.18.47
88 KOH Tom Wayes 321 San Jose CA 10.29.40
89 KOH Masanori Tsuda 51 Naira JPN 10.57.72
90 KOH Bill Phillips 4480 Whittier CA 11.25.59
91 KOH Dustin Emick 85 Orangevale CA 11.56.56
92 KOH Jason Scherer 76 Danville CA 12.12.66
93 KOH Warren Thomas 257 Morro Bay CA 14.53.84
94 KOH Loren Healy 4428 Farmington NM 15.38.97
95 KOH Travis Carpenter 4405 Orangevale CA DNF
96 KOH Mike McClure 733 Ness City KS DNF
97 KOH Brent Goegebuer 4473 Corona CA DNF
98 KOH Axel Burmann 68 Antwerp BEL DNF
99 KOH TJ Flores 4471 Henderson NV DNF
100 KOH Bunny Rose 812 Frederick MD DNF
101 KOH Darren Henke 4441 Golden CO DNF
102 KOH Curtis Warner 4410 Armstrong BC DNF
103 KOH Jason Blanton 966 Kirkland WA DNF
104 KOH Bill Kreisel 407 Citrus Heights CA DNF
105 KOH Dean Bulloch 4411 Cedar City UT DNF
106 KOH Mat Noualy 328 Mt Albert ONT, CA DNF
107 KOH John James 28 Fresno CA DNS
108 KOH Brett Porter 4460 Colorado Springs CO DNS
109 KOH Sean Rose 914 Miamisburg OH DNS
110 KOH Hobie Smith 10 Burbank CA DNS
111 KOH Brad Falin 457 Fernley NV DNS
112 KOH Kevin Yoder 4434 Grass Valley CA DNS
113 KOH Jeff Knoll 4470 Menifee CA DNS
114 KOH Roger Lovell 4432 Colorado Springs CO DNS
115 EMC John Currie 4688 Anaheim CA EMC
116 EMC Mitch Funk 4515 Roosevelt UT EMC
117 LCQ Troy Stone 4429 Winton CA 7.49.15
118 LCQ Darren Batt 82 Woodward OK 8.23.75
119 LCQ Jason Shipman 4414 Farmington MO 8.26.25
120 LCQ Michael Anderson 21 Auburn CA 8.32.60
121 LCQ Matthew Lee 4479 Ft Collins CO 8.33.75
122 LCQ Andrew McLaughlin 4493 Mesa AZ 8.40.28
123 LCQ Ian McGlynn 123 Seattle WA 8.54.09
124 LCQ Joe Bunker 864 Monroe WA 8.59.22
125 LCQ Dustin Sexton 4437 Kamas UT 8.59.65
126 LCQ Brian McCarthy 415 San Rafael Ct CA 9.08.60
127 LCQ Michael Feagins 929 Batesville IN 9.26.00
128 LCQ Doug Evans 4457 Hayfork CA 9.50.59
129 LCQ Brandon Heyes 4558 Rancho Cucamonga CA 9.58.25
130 LCQ Mitch Funk 4515 Altamont UT 12.15.22
131 LCQ Cody Addington 4680 Foresthill CA 12.54.88
132 LCQ Daren Runion 669 El Paso TX DNF
133 LCQ Jason Weidhuner 968 Washougal WA DNF
134 LCQ Nicholas McGaha 505 Ridgecrest CA DNF
135 LCQ Kevin Gamble 4476 Chula Vista CA DNF
136 LCQ Doug Kahlstrom 927 Lampasas TX DNF
137 LCQ Ryan Atkins 928 Parker AZ DNF
138 LCQ Brian Whitford 711 Oakley CA DNF
139 LCQ Jeremy Dickenson 4419 Cedar Park TX DNF
140 LCQ Jeff Miller 80 Lake Elsinore CA DNF
141 LCQ Barry Cherneske 4502 Edmonton Alberta DNF
142 LCQ Hal Deschamp 4445 Whittier CA DNF
143 LCQ Steve Norton 737 Floyd Knobs IN DNF
144 LCQ John David 333 Fountain CO DNF
145 LCQ Shane Gilroy 380 Mayerthorpe Alberta DNS
146 LCQ George Kane 4514 Long Beach CA DNS
147 LCQ Jack Childers 4469 Nunn CO DNS
148 LCQ George Styrc 140 Rio Rancho NM DNS
149 LCQ John Scheidhauer Memphis TN DNS
150 LCQ Greg Davis 4458 Kaysville UT DNS

[Mr DJ]

From the vid on line, Ben had a bit of fun at the start of Chocolate Thunder for the qualifying run, but he picked up some time after that so he must have hauled ass on the rest of the track.

[MogLux]

The race was awsome... Nick and mal lost high range at the 42mile marker and had to do the 130miles in low range.. making it top out at 41miles not the 100+ mark...

They finished 25th and under the time limit so

[DUDELUX]

Give the guys my congrats please Matt. I sat up and watched the race, apart from about an hour towards the middle(a guys gotta sleep sometime), they did really well.

Now wheres all your pics.

[MogLux]

Now wheres all your pics.

iv got videos only

[DUDELUX]

Now wheres all your pics.

iv got videos only

Even better!!

[MogLux]

Now wheres all your pics.

iv got videos only

Even better!!

OK here is Ben driving Chocolate thunder as practice 2 days before the race, ill upload more when im back in Aus next week...
I have Nick at on the same track in practise and the race, nick getting pitted when we did an alternator change and the start of the race....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4yIX9fU ... ture=plcp

[locktup4x4]

I was good seeing you at KOH. Sorry I didnt get more time to hang out, I was busy working on our car.

Jason

[MogLux]

I was good seeing you at KOH. Sorry I didnt get more time to hang out, I was busy working on our car.

Jason

We were flat out to mate... good having that 10min chat thow.... i sore you saturday wheeling in the old rig but we were broken down in the rhynos we hired.... not happy.. 4 in 6 days we went through,,, never hirethrough them again..

[zukIzzy]

It was a good time racing with the Aussies. Nick,Mal and the crew really did well. They should all be proud. Ben and I had to fight thru some pretty big set backs like a fire in prerunning and a few broken mounts that shouldn't have. As well and a drive line and oil pan break during the race that cost us time. But we were able to push on to a 16th place finish. Not what we wanted but I'm proud to have earned that one with lots of help from our friends.

Wayne

[vanbox]

OK here is Ben driving Chocolate thunder as practice 2 days before the race, ill upload more when im back in Aus next week...
I have Nick at on the same track in practise and the race, nick getting pitted when we did an alternator change and the start of the race....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4yIX9fU ... ture=plcp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4yIX9fU ... ature=plcp" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[RMP&O]

I was there for the week. We cheered for you Aussies as much as anybody. It was fun, job well done by everyone!

I would post pics and video but it is not really all that great, plenty of better stuff out there then I shot.

[MogLux]

I have finally pulled my finger out and made a trailer of Nick and Mal journey to Koh 2012...
It was the best holiday I've ever been on and to be part of the 2nd Aussie team was awesome..

http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=S81gELXIlRs" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;