Back in 2007, a couple of friends met up at a Chili's bar and planned out a race on a napkin. They invited 12 of their buddies to meet in Johnson Valley, CA but didn't tell them why. When they showed up in their garage-built rock crawlers, they were told they were going to have some fun and race Means Dry Lake for a case of beer. This race was the birth of King of the Hammers, which is now known as the biggest and baddest race in the world! They had so much fun, that the first official King of the Hammers race was the very next year. Interest in this extreme race grew quickly, as racers wanted to try this course consisting of everything from high-speed open desert to extremely technical rocky mountain terrain for themselves. Since then, King of the Hammers runners have evolved into racing high-speed, purpose-built racecars capable of speeds of 100+ miles per hour, and the ability to crawl over rocks larger than the cars themselves. Soon after, the Ultra4 class was born with the only requirement (at that time) being the vehicle must have 4WD. Today, the Ultra 4 Racing Series is comprised of 9 races across the country, with a chance to compete at the famous King of the Hammers. King of the Hammers, is now a week-long event attracting over 600 competitors, more than 80,000 spectators, and over 2 million viewers online! It is a 180+ mile course through some of the hardest race terrain in the world. The sport of Ultra 4 racing is one of survival, whether it's the heading race, King of the Hammers, or a short course race such as NorCal Stampede.
Speed Sport 1 describes Ultra4 USA as a national 4×4 racing series, a lifestyle, and a culture of extreme off-road racing. Often described as a cross between rock crawling and high speed desert racing, Ultra4 USA combines the most extreme elements of four-wheel-drive racing to create the ultimate off-road challenge. Typically long-distance and endurance events, with competitors covering hundreds of miles over the course of several hours or even days, Ultra4 racing requires a combination of speed, technical driving skills, and endurance, as drivers must navigate through challenging terrain while maintaining their vehicles’ performance. The series features a variety of different race formats, including rock crawling, hill climbs, and desert racing, making for an exciting and unpredictable competition.
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