The annual Optima King of the Hammers presented by Ford Performance has transformed Johnson Valley, California, into a bustling off-road racing destination. This prestigious event combines desert racing with rock crawling challenges, attracting competitors and spectators worldwide to the legendary "Hammertown."

Key Events Schedule:

Weekend One (Feb 1-2):

• Saturday: Limited classes race the 64.9-mile "Red Lap" course
• Notable UTV competitors include Dakar Rally winner Brock Heger, Wayne and Kristen Matlock, and CJ Greaves
• Sunday: Trophy-Truck categories compete, featuring champions Luke McMillin, Cameron Steele, and Ryan Arciero

Mid-Week (Feb 3-6):

• Qualifying sessions for specialized KOH machines
• Youth classes compete on Hammertown's short course
• Thursday: Can-Am UTV Hammers Championship featuring Pro Open and Pro Mod categories

Final Weekend (Feb 7-8):

• Friday: Yokohama Tire Every Man Challenge for production-based vehicles
• Saturday: Race of Kings finale showcasing Class 4400 unlimited machines
• Defending champion JP Gomez faces 85 competitors including past winners Randy Slawson and Josh Blyler

Notable Features:

• Live coverage available on KOH's YouTube channel
• Next-day coverage on MAVTV network
• Multiple racing disciplines throughout the week
• International competitor lineup
• Various vehicle classes from UTVs to Trophy-Trucks

This event represents the pinnacle of off-road racing, combining speed, technical skill, and mechanical innovation across multiple disciplines and vehicle categories.

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