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All the gnarly action from the King of the Hammers

From motorcycles to UTVs to four-wheel drive super-rigs, the King of the Hammers is one week of desert and rock racing that will blow your mind.

Emme Hall
I love two-seater, RWD convertibles and own a 2004 Mazdaspeed Miata for pavement fun and a lifted 2001 Miata for pre-running. I race air-cooled Volkswagens in desert races like the Mint 400 and the Baja 1000. I have won the Rebelle Rally, seven-day navigational challenge, twice and I am the only driver to compete in an EV, the Rivian R1T.
Emme Hall
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1 of 33 Kathy Durrett

The week of racing in Johnson Valley, California starts off with the King of the Motos race.

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2 of 33 King of the Hammers

The moto race is held over multiple stages, all featuring a land-rush start.

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3 of 33 Nicole Dreon

This year was made that much harder by the first ever night stage.

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4 of 33 Nicole Dreon

Each of the 107 moto racers exemplify badassery as they make their way over the roughest terrain California has to offer.

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5 of 33 Nicole Dreon

Only the strong survive. This year Colton Haaker took the King of the Motos crown.

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6 of 33 Kathy Durrett

After the motos had their fun, the UTVs take their chance. Here a vehicle finds itself ass over teakettle in a section of rocks known as Backdoor.

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7 of 33 Kathy Durrett

Co-drivers must get out and direct drivers through some of the roughest sections, even winching the UTVs over obstacles.

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8 of 33 Nicole Dreon

A bevy of co-drivers working in Backdoor. Finally Shannon Campbell, in his first ever UTV race, takes the first place trophy.

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9 of 33 Chad Jones

Thursday brings the Smittybilt Every Man Challenge. Stock-ish vehicles and limited yet still modified rigs all take their chances in the Hammers

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10 of 33 Chad Jones

In total 133 racers took the green flag, traversing not only rocks but also the open desert.

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11 of 33 Hammerking Productions

The winner of the Smittybilt Every Man Challenge is Brad Lovell, adding another trophy to his already full cabinet. This is his third win.

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12 of 33 Rockit West

The final race of the week is the big one: The King of the Hammers.

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13 of 33 Emme Hall/Roadshow

120 racers start two at a time, all hoping to complete the 181 miles of rocks, silt, sand and boulders.

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14 of 33 Rockit West

Speaking of sand... it gets soft out there.

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15 of 33 Nicole Dreon

Bailey Campbell, who became the first woman to finish in the top five in 2016, had some mechanical issues that put her down to 26th.

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16 of 33 Emme Hall/Roadshow

Crowd favorite Tom Wayes also had some mechanical problems. Many thought it was his year to win, but he finished 22nd.

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17 of 33 Hammerking Productions

Some folks crashed in the infield.

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18 of 33 Rockit West

Fan favorite JP Gomez took a respectable 5th place. I wonder how long he drove on that flat.

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19 of 33 Nicole Dreon

Last year's winner Erik Miller hoped for a repeat in his freshly built rig but ended up in 4th place.

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20 of 33 Rockit West

Third place Jason Scherer showing the world how it's done.

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21 of 33 Hammerking Productions

Wayland Campbell, who came in 2nd despite crossing the finish line first, getting it done.

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22 of 33 Nicole Dreon

Wayland Campbell in the #3 rig overtook Jason Scherer in a section known as Chocolate Thunder and held him at bay for the rest of the race.

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23 of 33 Chad Jones

Shannon Campbell took the crown for the 2017 King of the Hammers race. And yes, he's the same guy that won the UTV race earlier in the week.

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24 of 33 Nicole Dreon

Shannon Campbell crosses the finish line for his third King of the Hammers title. He's the only racer to win three times.

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25 of 33 Emme Hall/Roadshow

Shannon finished on a front passenger flat.

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26 of 33 Emme Hall/Roadshow

And was missing his driver's side front tire all together.

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27 of 33 Nicole Dreon

Shannon completed the 181-mile race in six hours, 46 minutes and four seconds, beating his son Wayland by a mere 28 seconds.

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28 of 33 Emme Hall/Roadshow

Though 120 racers competed, only 50 crossed the finish line in the 14-hour time limit. Click through to see some close-ups of the rigs.

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29 of 33 Emme Hall/Roadshow

Miller suspension

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30 of 33 Emme Hall/Roadshow
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31 of 33 Emme Hall/Roadshow
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32 of 33 Emme Hall/Roadshow
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33 of 33 EmmeHall/Roadshow

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