This video was shot at one of the “bounty hills” called “Cro Wall” at Crusher Ridge. $800 to the first person to successfully get over the top of it. Needless to say, there’s no fear of paying that money out anytime soon.

Note: If the video below is choppy during playback, you can turn off “HD” by hovering over the video and clicking the “HD IS ON” button. That will reduce the quality enough for your wimpy computer to handle it.

I will post some more details and videos from the event in the next couple of days.

The racing action was intense for these Last Chance Qualifiers.  Tuesday, 17 cars left the line, and 15 received a time.  Larry Gipson and Jonathon Terhune both DNF’d and packed up to head home.  The fast time of the day was Ritchie Keller with 12minutes 9 seconds.  The mid-pack group was around 20 minutes to complete the very difficult 6 mile course.

The racing action continued on Wednesday, but after a complete night of rain.  The course was now muddy and the rocks were slippery which made for much more intense racing action.  There were six DNF’s on todays course, with most of them being mechanical challenges that drivers had been plagued with for the last few days.

The top 21 will transfer into the main race.  There may be additional transfers depending on main race drop outs.

1         Ritchie Keller         12:09

2         Matt Peterson         13:40

3         Michael Feagins         13:51

4         Jason Feuilly         14:18

5         Loren Healy         14:18

6         Cottin Rodd         15:51

7         Gary Ferravonti         16:34

8         Michael Colville         16:45

9         Jack Childers         17:04

10         Joey Weber         20:05

11         Bill Kreisel         20:51

12         Les Figueroa         22:02

13         James Andrus         22:30

14         Jason Blanton         23:24

15         Carl Nielson         23:38

16         Brandon Davis         23:49

23         Robert Foster         24:49

17         Andy Gladen         24:55

18         AJ Condon         25:26

19         Matt Enochs         25:56

24         Brandon Johnson         27:32

25         Brian Tilton         27:37

20         Chris Garrison         29:28

21         Tim Emick         33:37

22         Shawn Fisher         35:05

26         John Goodby         47:51

27         Ian McGlynn         51:39

28         Larry Gipson         DNF

29         Jonathon Terhune         DNF

30         Chad Wheeler         DNF

31         Aaron Beckstead         DNF

32         Damian Layer         DNF

33         John Bennett         DNF

34         Mark Weel         DNF

35         Jose Ponce         DNF

2010 Griffin King of the Hammers Starting Grid for LCQ Finishers

3            LCQ 8

5            LCQ 1

9            LCQ 10

10            LCQ 2

14            LCQ 18

18            LCQ 16

19            LCQ 9

25            LCQ 14

26            LCQ 19

34            LCQ 11

53            LCQ 5

58            LCQ 3

60            LCQ 6

64            LCQ 21

75            LCQ 20

77            LCQ 17

82            LCQ 13

83            LCQ 15

84            LCQ 7

94            LCQ 4

99            LCQ 12

2010 Griffin King of the Hammers

4 Wheel Parts Last Chance Qualifier

Pit Bull Tires UTV King of the Hammers

Official Tire: BFGoodrich

Official Wheel: RaceLine

Official Light:  Vision X

Official Shock:  FOA

Official Suspension System: GenRight

Official Toyota Rock Crawling Parts Supplier: Trail Gear

Official Steering: PSC Motorsports

Official Oil: Royal Purple

Official RC Car: Traxxas

Hammerking Productions, Inc. created the “King of the Hammers” off-road race in 2007 (www.kingofthehammers.com).  The 2010 Griffin King of the Hammers will be on Friday February 12^th, 2010 where over 15,000 drivers and fans from around the globe will descend on the desert of Johnson Valley for over a week of off-road related activities.  The 2009 running of the King of the Hammers was featured on Spike TV and in the film “Second Crusade.”  In 2009, Hammerking expanded race action to include three additional regional qualifiers for the 2010 race.  In 2010, there will also be the addition of the Pit Bull Tires UTV King of the Hammers on Thursday February 11^th, 2010. More information can be found at www.kingofthehammers.com.

JOHNSON VALLEY, CA,   JANUARY 29, 2010:  The 2010 Griffin King of the Hammers has 21 additional spots available for the 42 competitors of the 4 Wheel Parts Last Chance Qualifier on Tuesday February 9^th and Wednesday February 10^th.

The 2010 4 Wheel Parts Last Chance Qualifier order has been determined by random draw.  Larry Gipson will be first off the line Tuesday morning to test his talents and attempt at qualifying.  “I am used to all the pressure and know what needs to be done,” said Gipson.  “I need to drive as hard as I can and be as smart as can be. I just need to finish it to get into the race on Friday.”

By Wednesday afternoon the 42^nd and final driver will be Tim Emick, who some argue will have the best opportunity after watching the 41 drivers before him complete the course. “I think this is the first time I am happy to go last,” said Tim Emick, whose brother Dustin Emick will be co-driving.  “Only time will tell if we are really lucky though, it all depends on what the tracks are like after the 41 people before me.”

The Last Chance Qualifier has a lot of names that are familiar with King of the Hammers. Ian McGlynn, Cottin Rodd and Larry Gipson all raced in the 2009 Griffin King of the Hammers main race last year and are still trying to qualify for this years race.  There is also a group of seven that competed in last years LCQ who are trying their luck again including Brandon Johnson, Troy Bailey, James Andrus, Brandon Davis, Loren Healey, Jose Ponce and Josh Patt.

There are 33 names on the 4 Wheel Parts Last Chance Qualifier list that have never competed in the event before.  Trophy Truck driver Curt Leduc and NHRA Pro Sportsman Drag Racer Les Figueroa are included among them.  Les comments, “This is a huge challenge not knowing what to expect, it’s the most homework I have ever done for a race, it’s a lot different than going really fast, and trying to stay straight!  Luckily, we will be going in the first day and if we do well that will give us an extra day to prepare for Friday’s race and be successful.”

There is quite a bit of strategy that will go into the qualifying process.  Drivers will not only want to be in the qualifying group, but will be conscious of what position within the 21 they end up.  As part of the Main Race starting draw, the LCQ starting positions were determined as well.  For example, the Last Chance Qualifier that finishes in the 8^th place, will take the 3^rd position on the Main Race starting grid.  Whereas, the driver that gets a better time in the LCQ and finishes 4^th has a Main Race starting position of 94^th!  David Smiley who will race on day two said, “we will watch for times and try to position us the best as possible, although we know there are still a lot of drivers behind us that could throw it off.  We will watch on Tuesday and change and firm up our strategy depending on what we see during Day 1 Qualifying.”

The course this year is a grueling 6 miles.  It starts by zig zagging up and around Means Butte and then increases speed through some fast desert to the Back Door obstacle that was the center of attention last year.  Once the driver clears Back Door, they have a stretch of fast yet large whoops to handle and then go down Trap Door.  As Back Door is a vertical climb, Trap Door is a vertical fall.  Competitors will finish off the course with a very fast and fun desert section that has some serious potential for overdriving.  As a spectator, it is good that there are two days of qualifying so you can move to different locations to see all the action.  See the entire course rolled out at http://vimeo.com/9059027.

Every spot in the Griffin King of the Hammers has been earned, but those that qualify through this final process could be called Knights of Armor.  They are attempting to race two of the most challenging races back to back with only a day in between.

2010 4 Wheel Parts Last Chance Qualifier Starting Positions

1            Larry Gipson

2            Clay Eagan

3            Michael Feagins

4            Carl Nielson

5            Jonathon Terhune

6            John Goodby

7            Robert Foster

8            Willie Gray Roberson II

9            Jack Childers

10            Ian McGlynn

11            Brian Tilton

12            Mark Weel

13            Ritchie Keller

14            Brandon Johnson

15            Chad Burchik

16            Bill Kreisel

17            Michael Colville

18            Troy Bailey

19            Matt Burkett/Curt Leduc

20            Cottin Rodd

21            Les Figueroa

22            Jason Feuilly

23            Josh Patt

24            Shawn Fisher

25            Matt Enochs

26            Chad Wheeler

27            Andy Gladen

28            Brandon Davis

29            Aaron Beckstead

30            Gary Ferravonti

31            James Andrus

32            Jason Conover

33            Rob Klinger

34            David Smiley

35            Scott Morris

36            Damian Layer

37            Joel Withers

38            Joey Weber

39            John Bennett

40            Loren Healy

41            Chris Garrison

42            AJ Condon

43            Matt Peterson

44            Jose Ponce

45            Tim Emick

2010 Griffin King of the Hammers Starting Grid for LCQ Finishers

3            LCQ 8

5            LCQ 1

9            LCQ 10

10            LCQ 2

14            LCQ 18

18            LCQ 16

19            LCQ 9

25            LCQ 14

26            LCQ 19

34            LCQ 11

53            LCQ 5

58            LCQ 3

60            LCQ 6

64            LCQ 21

75            LCQ 20

77            LCQ 17

82            LCQ 13

83            LCQ 15

84            LCQ 7

94            LCQ 4

99            LCQ 12

2010 Griffin King of the Hammers

4 Wheel Parts Last Chance Qualifier

Pit Bull Tires UTV King of the Hammers

Official Tire: BFGoodrich

Official Wheel: RaceLine

Official Light:  Vision X

Official Shock:  FOA

Official Suspension System: GenRight

Official Toyota Rock Crawling Parts Supplier: Trail Gear

Official Steering: PSC Motorsports

Official Oil: Royal Purple

Official RC Car: Traxxas

Hammerking Productions, Inc. created the “King of the Hammers” off-road race in 2007 (www.kingofthehammers.com).  The 2010 Griffin King of the Hammers will be on Friday February 12^th, 2010 where over 15,000 drivers and fans from around the globe will descend on the desert of Johnson Valley for over a week of off-road related activities.  The 2009 running of the King of the Hammers was featured on Spike TV and in the film “Second Crusade.”  In 2009, Hammerking expanded race action to include three additional regional qualifiers for the 2010 race.  In 2010, there will also be the addition of the Pit Bull Tires UTV King of the Hammers on Thursday February 11^th, 2010. More information can be found at www.kingofthehammers.com.

There are over 80 vendors that will line the rows and fill the big 100×120 circus tent.  They range from vendors just showing their products, to massive outfits that have parts on sell for you to take advantage of.  You will just about be able to buy anything from nuts and bolts, t-shirts and hats, to some large bolt on items that you can purchase and walk out to install.  The best part of the Vendor show is you don’t have to wait to use your newest gadget!  You can use it that day!

The tent that you won’t miss is the King of the Hammers general store.  There you will find all the 2010 merchandise and programs.  These programs will make you successful during the week at the 2010 Griffin King of the Hammers.  It has the schedule of events, the drivers and numbers, the course maps and some great articles about the history of the King of the Hammers.

There are a number of manufactures that have stepped up to help out with any needs that may arise over the week.  There will be multiple shock support rigs here including King, Fox and Bilstein.  Torchmate CNC Cutting Systems has offered their services to cut anything that you need right on the lakebed.  ReadyWelder will have a welder that drivers can use to tack up a recent break.  4 Wheel Parts will have their semi out with a large assortment of items, but they will also be able to special order you products that will be delivered to the lake bed the next morning.  Butch’s Speed shop and PCI Radios will be on site to take care of your last minute racing needs. So don’t worry if something happens while you’re out there, our team of support vendors are there to lend a hand.

Traxxas is building an RC track that will be utilized for the Pro Driver race on Tuesday night and for anyone that brings their RC cars to play with during the week.  RC4WD will also have a rock pile inside the main tent to test their cars.

Tinaz Tacos and Funnel Cake will be out here the whole week to keep our tummies happy.  Don’t worry, Tinaz Tacos serves other dinner items for all of you wanting to eat there all week.  And if a hot cooked meal is not what you are looking for, there will be ice, snacks and dry package goods available at New Image 4×4.

We encourage you to stop by the Land Use Emporium where all the land use groups have bound together and united.  It is important that as 4 wheelers we all work together to participate with these groups.  Some will be doing raffles and others will just be handing out valuable information.

DownTown HammerTown will be where all the action is.  The Start Finish line is right here. Nightly parties will happen out of the Griffin Pirate4x4 Lounge with the campfire just walking distance away. Cars will fill the aisles for Contingency and Tech and stay in town for the Raceline Wheels Show and Shine.  And the Pirate4x4 TV Live! show will be running Live all week.

Bring your shopping list and increase your line of credit because I guarantee you there will be something here that you want!

To see all of the vendors and the map layouts go to: http://www.kingofthehammers.com/partners.php

2010 Griffin King of the Hammers

4 Wheel Parts Last Chance Qualifier

Pit Bull Tires UTV King of the Hammers

Official Tire: BFGoodrich

Official Wheel: RaceLine

Official Light:  Vision X

Official Shock:  FOA

Official Suspension System: GenRight

Official Toyota Rock Crawling Parts Supplier: Trail Gear

Official Steering: PSC Motorsports

Official Oil: Royal Purple

Official RC Car: Traxxas

Hammerking Productions, Inc. created the “King of the Hammers” off-road race in 2007 (www.kingofthehammers.com).  The 2010 Griffin King of the Hammers will be on Friday February 12^th, 2010 where over 15,000 drivers and fans from around the globe will descend on the desert of Johnson Valley for over a week of off-road related activities.  The 2009 running of the King of the Hammers was featured on Spike TV and in the film “Second Crusade.”  In 2009, Hammerking expanded race action to include three additional regional qualifiers for the 2010 race.  In 2010, there will also be the addition of the Pit Bull Tires UTV King of the Hammers on Thursday February 11^th, 2010. More information can be found at www.kingofthehammers.com.