The Boys Having Desert Fun

Each year, Means Dry Lake at Johnson Valley (SoCal), is overrun by 80,000 off-road enthusiasts. This was the second time the Haerr Men went. This time they were better prepared.

King of the Hammers is an off-road race that combines desert racing and rock crawling. Over the years, race week has expanded from one race to a series of five races that run throughout the week.

This was Steve's new desert transport, opening up the possibilities for viewing more of the races, up close, and being able to get around at night.

For the nine-day race week, the Lake bed turns into a temporary settlement nicknamed Hammertown, the gathering spot for the race teams and the tens of thousands of fans who don't mind the dirt.

Competitors start side-by-side, two vehicles every thirty seconds, and must complete the 165-mile course in fewer than 14 hours. Each team must pass through seven checkpoints and at all times while staying within one hundred feet of the centerline of the course. KOH is a no-chase-team race; repairs can only be done on the track by the racers or in the pit area. A last chance qualifier takes place before the race on a two-mile course with 35-50 teams attempting to qualify for the big race.