Over the 14 year history, KOH has been won by a select few that have conquered Johnson Valley’s brutal terrain. KOH 2020 brings a first time King to a race won by a select few. Mutilple time winners include 3-time champions, Shannon Campbell (2008, 2011, 2017), and Jason Sherer (2009, 2018, 2019). Two-time winners Randy Slawson (2013, 2015), Loren Healy (2010, 2014), and Eric Miller (2012, 2016). Needless to say many have tried, but only a few have had ultimate success at King of the Hammers. Until now after several years of repeat winners, Josh Blyler is the new king winning the 2020 Nitto King of the Hammers Powered by OPTIMA Batteries.
New King not to Winning Ultra4
Josh Blyler is a first time King of the Hammers winner, but not to winning Ultra4 Races. KOH 2020 was no fluke, Josh Blyler won US Gear Tear Down in Tennesse in April of 2019 at Adventure Off-Road Park in Pittsburg, TN. He would also go on to win in July 2019 the KMC Battle in Bluegrass at the Dirty Turtle Off-Road Park in Bedford, KY. This ultimately propelled Josh Blyler to the current overall Ultra4 series champion. You will see a red plate on the number 41 of the new KOH 2020 champion’s race car. Josh and his Miller Motorsports chassis are not new to winning at the highest level of Ultra4 Racing.
KOH 2020
King of the Hammers continues to be a battle of building not just a fast race car but an indestructible one. Considered to be the toughest one-day off-road race in the world, pushing both man and machine to their breaking point. unlike some of the other Ultra4 Racing courses, KOH is long and brutal on race cars. Demanding a tough race car is an understatement these cars must endure both high-speed desert racing and rock-crawling.
IFS or Sold Axle for KOH?
KOH 2020 goes to the solid axle gang. There has and looks to still be ongoing for the foreseeable future debate on what type of car is best for KOH. Is a solid axle front end or IFS (Independent Front Suspension) better? King of the Hammers saw IFS dominate for three years straight (2017, 2018, 2019). IFS cars have a definite advantage in the fast desert sections of Johnson Valley. Once again King of the Hammers has a 50% attrition rate with only 44 of the 97 competitors completing within the 14-hour time limit. With heavier rock sections 2020 sees a solid axle back in the top spot. What will we see for KOH 2021? Let me know what you think in the comments below.
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