King of the Hammers 2015

[KarlVP]

After a trailer tire pooped it's big boy pants, and stops at In-N-Out, we arrived at the lakebed. You will notice the Toyota hood is already up.


The sticker battle that has been proceeding through the years is still in full effect.


It appears someone tagged my jeep too.


Wasting no time, we headed out to Sledgehammer.


The rain earlier in the day made things interesting.

[KarlVP]

At the top of Sledge, we met the guy that oneshotted backdoor during the challenge last year.


The Sign we posted at the Mailbox last year is still year, but has faded away.


Heading down Sledge, view from my window on Saturday morning.


Anthony headed down plaque rock.


After running the trail, we headed into town to meet David Schneider and Team CRAWL whom we would be assisting in the pits.

[KarlVP]

Crappy fotos, but we ran up SOS on Saturday evening with some folks in a nice runner.




Sunday morning on the patio.


In town meeting up with the race team.


After BSing for a while, we headed up to trapdoor to watch the King of the Motos Race.


Kurtis driving like a boss.


Headed up Turkey Claw.


Ran into a group having trouble and stopped to say hi.

[KarlVP]

As a change for this year, we have 50 degree pants off guy.


At Kevins Tent (Big Ugly Racing) pregaming for the Super Bowl.






My seat to watch the game.


Kurtis' face describing the 'Hawks loss.

[KarlVP]

The obligatory view from the top of Starfish Mountain.


Anthony's failed shock mount. He didn't have enough bumpstop and this happened.


Getting it prepped for welding.


The guys at Ruff Stuff Specialties in Hammer Town had welding services available to anyone. I can't say enough for them, they worked their fannies off all weekend. Here we are getting the shock mount welded on.


Mobbing through the desert on the way to Chocolate Thunder.


We got about this far into CT before we got a call on the radio that Anthony was having trouble.


After turning around in the trail, we found that the other shock mount broke off. YAY@!!!11!!11!1


Saw the OG kid buggy on the way back.

[KarlVP]

Waiting on Doctor Anthony to fix his junk.


Yes please.


Finishing the fix on Anthony's heep.


Showing off for the crowd at Chocolate Thunder.


Anthony nailed this line. It gave many racers trouble.


At the top. We ran the trail in about 3 to 4 minutes. Dunno what gave those racer guys so much trouble.

[KarlVP]

Really neat series of Chad. The photos do this NO justice.












Looking at Anthony on the same line.


Fully getting it.


STOP. HAMMERTIME.


Mobbing back to camp before it got dark.

[KarlVP]

Most, if not all of my photos of the backdoor challenge turned out crappy. It was way to dusty.




You sir, are doing it wrong.


Picture of your winner lined up. If you haven't seen the video, it's pretty forkin' awesome.


It isn't a Tamers run until you have had a doughnut.


We met up with our neighbors from AZ and headed out to run Outer Limits and Sthingyers.


One of them was having engine troubles so we stopped to figure it out.

[KarlVP]

Chad at the top of Outer Limits.




Roll cages are important MMMMMk?


Kurtis driving my junk down.


I really like this picture. After I took it I ran as far as I could.


Mark's sammy.


Good shot.


Not sure if you saw it or not, but there is a rock there Anthony.


You want me to drive off what? I love this shot.


Poser.

[KarlVP]

Travis' Rig.


Valet parking anyone?


End of Outer Limits, headed to Sthingyers.


Entrance to Sthingyers.


Mark having a good time.


Dr. Anthony and NotDr. Chad.


Getting it fully.


Anthony's driveline wanted out.


Everyone heckling whilst we put it back together.


All ficksed with a fancy new drivline. Remember kids, carry spares. Especially on Outer Limits. It's a LONG way home.

[KarlVP]

Finishing up on Sthingyers. We had some "racer guys" we were holding up.


This fine gentleman whom we were holding up was out prerunning with his buddy. He asked me what the line was. I told him to follow Anthony.


Anthony's line. The "racer guys" did not follow. They took the line to the right.


Headed out of Sthingyers.


Looking down on what we had just run.


All done running trail, it's time for campfire shenanigans!!


You know s just got real when the lightsaber comes out.


Professor Fireball




The morning after pill hasn't been invented for fireball yet.


Kurtis sold some Buicks to this bush.

[KarlVP]

Watching a UTV burn to the ground in the distance. Everyone made it out okay. Bummer for those guys.


Cars lined up for qualifying.


Watching LCQ


More LCQ.








Crowd watching LCQ.

[KarlVP]

More LCQ.






Someone help! The helicopters are stuck together.


Someone tagged my jeep again.


After watching qualifying, we headed to dinner and then to the team meeting to discuss strategy for the race the next morning.


Pulling tires off the rental and getting spares for the car ready.


David letting us know what the plan was for the EMC race.


Discussing race strategy.


Passed tech and ready to go.

[KarlVP]

View of town from main pit.


Watching the start of the race from main pit.


General Lee impression anyone?


Setup at remote pit 2a.


And the end of our day after the head gasket went to the great parts store in the sky.


Bummer I didn't get more photos on EMC race day. We had a blast helping out in the pits, and actually did a silly good job until the car broke down on Jackhammer. It's a bummer. We were in 3rd overall and running 1st in our class. We had a silly good chance of winning.

Saw this in town when standing in line for a delicious burrito. It was in the big race but pooped a transmission during the race.


IFS Wrangler anyone?


After getting cleaned up and everyone back home to town, we went for a night run up clawhammer.

[KarlVP]

Morningish on race day. Anthony with a delicious sandwich.


I am 100% certain the owner of this vehicle is terrified of the dark.


Our race day vista above Jackhammer.


First place (at the time) Erik Miller coming through.


I have nothing professional to say about this fruit in the dodge. He was trying to drive up to where we were. In the process he broke his axle u-bolts. After he got out of his truck in his "RAM IT" T-shirt and declined help from the crowd, he proceeded to find the smallest rock he could and attempt to winch the rest of the way. It almost pulled the rock (about the size of a refrigerator) into the crowd. It was WAY sketch. Finally some spectators told him to stop and fix his s-box on the hill. Just ain't care if he's still up there now.


Panorama of the Jackhammer spectator area.


Bryan with Team CRAWL #4477 turtled on a very large rock.


After the backup on Jack ensued, we headed over to Chocolate thunder to watch the leaders come through. Miller still in first place.


Chad and Anthony found some shade.


Giggity.


This is the line Anthony was on earlier in the week. Just from a different angle.


Cody Addington. Used to drive the very mildly built 22RE powered Toyota pickup in the race. Finally got him some big boy pants.


Racing on the rocks.