Aussies tackle the toughest race on the planet, in a milestone year.
DURING the early hours, the dust from a week of tyre-to-tyre competition had settled and all was calm on the Southern California desert.
As the sun crested the eastern horizon, racers and support crews made last-minute preparations – checking fluids and GPS systems – and mentally prepared for the day ahead. It is a scene that has played out every February for the past decade and in a few hours teams would slip on race suits, secure their harnesses and begin one of the most punishing off-road events on the planet – the 2017 Nitto Tire King of the Hammers (KOH).
Waiting in a queue of more than 100 rock buggies were Aussies Ben Napier and Pete Antunac, ready to fight to the last piston stroke to bring home the coveted crown and sceptre. They weren’t strangers to Southern California’s Johnson Valley, as both had suited up for KOH in the past but neither had claimed a place on the podium for the Australian flag.
KOH has gained traction as one of the world’s premiere automotive venues, but few understand its humble beginnings. This year marked its 10th anniversary, and in addition to chasing Napier and Antunac around the track, we caught up with KOH cofounder Dave Cole for an inside scoop on the event’s successes and challenges.
THE FIRST DECADE
ONE NIGHT over a couple of stubbies, Dave and friend Jeff Knoll came up with the idea for an off-road race that would demand both supremacy in technical terrain and a mastery of desert racing. They scribbled their thoughts on a napkin and shared the concept with a few friends as a litmus test. A few months later they found themselves in Johnson Valley to test their theory.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MAXXIS CUSTOM OF THE YEAR
MAXXIS CUSTOM 4X4 OF THE YEAR IS BACK, AND YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO WIN BY VOTING FOR YOUR FAVE 4X4. GET ON IT!
ONE WITH THE LOT
THE VERSATILITY OF THE NINJA WOODFIRE ELECTRIC BBQ GRILL & SMOKER PUTS IT IN A LEAGUE OF ITS OWN FOR COOKING ON THE ROAD
LONELY HIGHWAY
A DRIVE ALONG THE NYANGUMARTA HIGHWAY IS AN ISOLATED AND SELF-SUFFICIENT JOURNEY THAT WILL TEST BOTH YOU AND YOUR 4X4 AS YOU CROSS THE GREAT SANDY DESERT
THE SOFT PARADE
BRIDGESTONE HAS LAUNCHED A NEW ALL-TERRAIN TYRE IT SAYS OFFERS BETTER RIDE AND HANDLING THAN TRADITIONAL HEAVY-DUTY A/T TYRES
WEIGHING HII IT UP
OUR FORD EVEREST HAS ITS TOUGH DOG SUSPENSION FITTED, INCLUDING A GVM UPGRADE. NOW WE CAN'T WAIT TO DRIVE IT!
BIG MIDDY
THE GWM CANNON ALPHA HYBRID OFFERS A STUNNING ALTERNATIVE IN THE 4X4 UTE MARKET
WORKING BEE
HOW DOES THE NEW MITSUBISHI TRITON COMPARE TO THE POPULAR ISUZU D-MAX? WE PAIRED UP THE NEW D-MAX X-RIDER WITH THE TRITON IN GLX+ GUISE TO FIND OUT
ROCK 'N' ROLL RANGER
LIMITED-EDITION TREMOR TAKES THE 4-CYLINDER RANGER UP THE RICHTER SCALE WITH MORE PURPOSE.
GMC YUKON HERE IN 2025
NEW YUKON REVEALED IN NORTH AMERICA AND IS COMING DOWN UNDER
2024 FORD EVEREST TREMOR REVEALED
FORD REVEALS ADVENTURE-BORN EVEREST TREMOR BOASTING OFF-ROAD-READY SUSPENSION SET-UP