Since 2011, the year of my first visit to Johnson Valley, I have never missed a King of the Hammers. This year, due to the pandemic, I will not be able to be there in the Lakebed to photograph the the best Ultra4 drivers. I will not miss a race like many others but a whole series of emotions that only those who have been in Lakebed can understand.

Photography and story by Paolo Baraldi

For over 10 years the King of the Hammers has represented much more than a race for me; KOH represented the beginning of a new reportage season!

 

The King of the Hammers has become a tradition in my calendar of events to follow, this year due to the pandemic I will not be able to live this incredible event in person once again in the Lakebed.

From 2007 to today, King of the Hammers has grown from a competition between a few friends for a case of beer to a huge week-long international event that hosts different types of competitions.

 

All this will be replicated again this year, despite the pandemic and with all the necessary precautions.

 

From January 28th to February 6th, Johnson Valley will be the center of the offroad world where the most beautiful and adrenaline-pumping races I have ever seen will take place.

Here is the schedule of this event that can only be fully understood if you see it in person.

 

- Friday, January 22, 2021

 

King of the Hammers main gates open

 

- Thursday, January 28, 2021

 

Pre-Running Full Course

 

12:00 PM Pre-Running Opens / Course Map Released – Must be Registered

 

- Friday January 29, 2021

 

Pre-Running Full Course

 

7:00 PM Toyo Desert Challenge: Mandatory Driver’s Meeting (All Classes)

 

- Saturday January 30, 2021 ~ The Toyo Tires Desert Challenge, Day 1

 

Pre-Running Closed / Hot Racecourse

 

7:00 AM Toyo Desert Challenge Contingency / Tech / Qualifying

 

11:00 AM The Class 10 / UTV Grudge Match

 

7:00 PM The EPMI Class 11 Showdown, presented by Baja Jerky

 

- Sunday January 31, 2021 ~ The Toyo Tires Desert Challenge, Day 2

 

Pre-Running Closed / Hot Racecourse

 

7:00 AM The B1 / T2 Battle on the Lakebed

 

12:30 PM T1 Toyo Tires Desert Challenge main event, presented by Monster Energy

 

7:00 PM King of the Hammers Qualifying: Mandatory Drivers Meeting

 

- Monday February 1, 2021 ~ Can-AM UTV King of the Hammers: Qualifying | The Holley EFi Shootout | The Lasernut Rock Coronation

 

Pre-Running Day (short course closed for pre-running & Shootout area closed for pre-running)

 

9:00 AM Can-Am UTV King of the Hammers Qualifying

 

4:00 PM Power Hour

 

6:00 PM Holley EFi Shootout Presented by King Shocks & Action Sports Canopies + Lasernut Rock Coronation

 

7:00 PM All Balls Racing King of the Motos Mandatory Riders Meeting

 

- Tuesday February 2, 2021 ~ 4WP Every Man Challenge: Qualifying  | All Balls Racing King of the Motos

 

Pre-Running Day (short course closed)

 

9:00 AM All Balls Racing King of the Motos Race 1

 

9:00 AM 4WP Every Man Challenge Qualifying

 

12:30 PM All Balls Racing King of the Motos Race 2

 

4:00 PM Power Hour

 

5:30 PM The Pit Crew Challenge, presented by Pro Eagle and Buggy Whips

 

- Wednesday February 3, 2021 ~ King of the Hammers: Qualifying + LCQ

 

Pre-Running Day (short course closed)

 

9:00 AM King of the Hammers: Qualifying

 

10:00 AM Can-Am UTV King of the Hammers: Tech & Contingency

 

4:00 PM Power Hour

 

7:00 PM Mandatory Drivers meeting (All Classes | KOH, EMC, UTV)

 

- Thursday February 4, 2021 ~ The Can-Am UTV King of the Hammers, presented by Progressive

 

Pre-Running Closed / Hot Racecourse

 

8:00 AM The Can-Am UTV King of the Hammers START

 

10:00 AM 4WP Every Man Challenge: Tech & Contingency

 

6:00 PM The Can-Am UTV King of the Hammers END

 

- Friday February 5, 2021 ~ 4WP Every Man Challenge

 

Pre-Running Closed / Hot Racecourse

 

8:00 AM The 4WP Every Man Challenge START

 

10:00 AM King of the Hammers: Tech & Contingency

 

6:00 PM The 4WP Every Man Challenge END

 

- Saturday February 6, 2021 ~ The 2021 OPTIMA Batteries King of the Hammers presented by Lasernut

 

Pre-Running Closed / Hot Racecourse

 

8:00 AM The 2021 King of the Hammers START

 

10:00 PM The 2021 King of the Hammers END

 

**Times subject to change** 

Since 2011, the year of my first visit to Johnson Valley, I have never missed a King of the Hammers. This year, due to the pandemic, I will not be able to be there in Lakebed to photograph the best Ultra4 drivers.

 

Due to Covid-19 I will not miss just a race and a job opportunity. I will not be able to experience in person all those sensations and emotions that I have only found in Hammertown.

 

I'll miss:

 

- The thrill of landing in Los Angeles where I will meet my travel mates from Ultra4 Europe

 

- The RV trip from Los Angeles to the Johnson Valley

 

- The thrill of taking Boone Road and arriving at the Hammertown gate

 

- The first walk around through the streets of Hammertown to meet and greet all friends

 

- Search for unique vehicles to photograph

 

- Fall asleep lulled by the noise of an electric generator

 

- Being awakened early in the morning by the powerful sound of an LS engine

 

- Experience sporting tension by crossing the pit line

 

- Waiting to see who the new KING will be

 

- The last sad minutes in Hammertown before leaving the Lakebed for Los Angeles with the knowledge of returning after a year

To be able to enjoy KOH Week at its best, it is clear that it would be better to be there in person. Not everyone can be lucky enough to be in Johnson Valley in person and this year is even more difficult.

 

Thanks to Live Streaming it is possible to follow all the races from home and from this year with the subscription to Ultra4TV it is possible to access much more content that Live Streaming does not offer.