By Lisa Lynn Morgan

JOHNSON VALLEY, Calif. — King of the Hammers doesn’t build slowly. It detonates. And this year’s two-week takeover of the Mojave Desert announced itself the only way it knows how—straight up the rocks.

Motorcycles Lit The Fuse
The opening salvo came last weekend with the Motorcycles & Coffee King of the Motos, where Red Bull FMF KTM rider Trystan Hart once again reminded everyone why Johnson Valley fits him like a glove. After a punishing five-lap battle, Hart claimed his fourth King of the Motos victory, stopping the clock at 2:38.03.

Ryder LeBlond followed 7 minutes and 45 seconds back on his Rockstar Energy Husqvarna, while James Flynn rounded out the podium at 2:57.51.

“In a lot of ways, the course was easier this year,” Hart said. “I was dialed in. I made a couple navigation errors, and they caught me a couple times, then I opened up a gap. I had a crash and broke my shifter, so I was stressin’ for about 30 minutes—but I fixed it myself and was all good for the second lap.”

Photo Tiana Walton

Photo Tiana Walton

Photo Tiana Walton

Photo Tiana Walton

Photo Paolo Biraldi

Photo Tiana Walton

All 190 riders launched in a land-rush start from the base of Chocolate Thunder, charging straight into the rock garden like it owed them money. Only 42 finished within the time limit, surviving deep ruts, vertical climbs, and iconic trails like Sledge Hammer, Downtown, Rock Salt, Child’s Play, Bender Alley, Dead Blow, and Bloody Mary.

Six-time champion Cody Webb placed fourth in his debut run on a new Yamaha four-stroke, while expanded A, B, and C classes—including 30+, 40+, and 50+ divisions—kept competition fierce and the points chase wide open.

And that was just the warm-up.

The Biggest Race in Off-Road, Period

Running January 29 through February 7, King of the Hammers once again transforms Johnson Valley into the loudest, dustiest, most unforgiving arena in motorsports. More than 80,000 spectators will pass through Hammertown, with millions more tuning in online as drivers battle through a unique blend of desert racing and extreme rock crawling that has no equal.

Last year delivered everything KOH promises: mechanical heartbreak, last-mile heroics, and history-making performances. Kyle Chaney and co-driver Terry Madden made history at the 2025 Race of Kings, becoming the first UTV drivers to win the legendary off-road race. Chaney wheeled the No. 191 Can-Am Maverick R to victory on Saturday afternoon at King of the Hammers, braving the treacherous rocks and desert terrain to claim the crown.

One of the standout storylines was Kristen Matlock, who once again proved that the rocks don’t care about gender—only precision, patience, and nerve. Matlock’s consistency through the technical sections and her refusal to back down in the desert stretches cemented her place among the sport’s elite and set the bar for 2026.

The Map Drop: Where the Race Really Begins

One of the most electric moments at King of the Hammers happens before a single engine ever fires—the course reveal. This week, that tension snapped into focus as onX Offroad went live with the official 2026 King of the Hammers racecourse, now available directly in the onX Offroad app and built into the Johnson Valley basemaps.

As the Official GPS Mapping Partner of King of the Hammers and King of the Motos, onX Offroad provides racers and fans with critical tools: race routes, Hammertown streets, pit locations, mileage markers, spectator viewing areas, and start and finish lines—all in one place. Users can mark up the map with routes and waypoints for camps, meetups, and viewing spots, share plans with friends, and download offline maps to stay oriented even when cell service disappears.

In a race where terrain dictates strategy, timing, and survival, understanding the map isn’t optional—it’s the difference between staying in the hunt and watching your race come to a sudden stop against the rocks.

Honoring Service: Military Monday at the Hammers

King of the Hammers isn’t just about competition, it’s about community. That spirit takes center stage on Military Monday, presented by OPTIMA Batteries, February 2.

The Military Monday Parade rolls out at 2:00 PM, traveling down Barnes Road from the OPTIMA Oasis to Hammertown. Spectators are encouraged to line the route and cheer as original military vehicles make their way toward the main entrance. The parade concludes just outside Hammertown, where vehicles will park before attendees head inside for a mass enlistment ceremony on the Hammers Stage, currently expected around 3:00 PM.

It’s a moment of recognition and respect in the middle of race week—a reminder of service, sacrifice, and shared ground.

The Every Man Challenge: No Script, No Guarantees

One of the most anticipated events of the week, the Yokohama Tire Every Man Challenge, returns as one of the most unpredictable races on the lakebed. Yokohama once again leads the charge as title sponsor at the 2026 Griffin King of the Hammers powered by OPTIMA Batteries. History says the finish order won’t settle until the last rock, the last mile, and the last working part.

How to Watch the Yokohama Tire Every Man Challenge Live Friday, February 6 | 8:00am–6:00pm PST

To watch the Every Man Challenge at King of the Hammers, you can access the event through various platforms.

Live Streaming Options:

In Person Viewing Locations: If you are attending in person, check the event map for designated viewing areas.

Hammertown: Where the Week Never Slows Down

Between races, Hammertown remains the heartbeat of the event. As the Official UTV of King of the Hammers, Can-Am brings the action daily from 9:00am–5:00pm, inviting fans to test their skills in the Dust Devil Game, score exclusive swag, and grab complimentary coffee before heading back out to the lakebed.

Yokohama Tire is active throughout the week as well, connecting with fans and showcasing the GEOLANDAR® lineup trusted across the Hammers courses.

KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: KOH SPECTATOR ESSENTIALS

  • 📍 Download onX Offroad before you arrive and save Johnson Valley for offline use
  • 🗺 Search “Johnson Valley OHV” to access race routes, Hammertown streets, pits, and viewing zones
  • ⛺ Drop waypoints for camps, meetups, and spectator spots
  • 📶 Don’t rely on cell service—offline maps are critical
  • 🏜 Bring water, layers, sun protection, and patience
  • 🏁 Expect the unexpected—this desert rewrites plans fast

Why You Still Have Time to Be Here

King of the Hammers isn’t something you casually attend. It’s something you feel in your chest. Engines echoing off granite. Dust hanging in the air. A crowd holding its breath as someone commits to a line that shouldn’t work—until it does.

There’s still time to make the drive, pitch a camp, and witness it firsthand. Because in Johnson Valley, legends aren’t crowned quietly. They’re forged in the rocks.

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