February 23rd, 2012
2012 King of the Hammers Official Scoring Correction
After reviewing comments from the Bureau of Land Management, Course Officials, and competitors; and with support of video coverage, the Competition Review Board (CRB) for the 2012 Griffin King of the Hammers has announced time penalties for seven drivers as a result of an illegal line that afforded both competitive advantage and created increased risk to course workers and spectators.
It was announced at all drivers meetings that drivers must stay in the bottom of the rock canyons, specifically at the entrance of the rock trail known as Chocolate Thunder. The Bureau of Land Management approved the nearby spectator areas to be inside of the 150’ setback standard based on the natural topography mitigating risk and providing a natural barrier from race car incursion into the spectator area. By taking the illegal line on the high left side of the rock ‘gatekeeper’ that natural barrier was eliminated and risk was increased. As such, the seven drivers who took the aforementioned line on Chocolate Thunder will be assessed a 30 minute time penalty added to total elapsed time.
The CRB also deliberated a similar line used just past the gatekeeper but determined that the lack of inherent risk coupled with conflicting instructions given by onsite course workers made assessing a time penalty impractical and punitive.
Hammerking shares with all its competitors the responsibility of maintaining the safest environment possible for all course workers and spectators. A review is currently underway to determine if there is a more effective way to mark illegal course bypasses and the method which specific course details are communicated.
The Competition Review Board consists of KOH Race Director, Event Director, Tech Inspector, Operations Director, and Driver Liaison. There will be no further sanctions based on this specific incident. Updated list of official finishers listed below:
Official Finish | Race Driver | Car # | City/State | Elapsed Time | Penalty | New ET
1 KOH Erik Miller 4421 Cumberland MD 6:03:51 | 6:03:51
2 KOH Rick Mooneyham 554 Lake Havasu City AZ 6:16:48 | 6:16:48
3 KOH Shannon Campbell 5 Gilbert AZ 6:33:40 | 6:33:40
4 KOH Derek West 4420 Springfield MO 7:20:24 | 7:20:24
5 KOH Loren Healy 4428 Farmington NM 7:22:05 | 7:22:05
6 KOH Brad Lovell 232 Colorado Springs CO 7:26:23 | 7:26:23
7 KOH Brian Shirley 18 Dodge City KS 7:31:53 | 7:31:53
8 KOH Rusty Bray 4498 Richmond KY 7:31:54 | 7:31:54
9 KOH Mike Klensin 4431 Tucson AZ 7:40:58 | 7:40:58
10 LCQ Ben Dinkins 4403 Annopolis MO 8:24:49 | 8:24:49
11 KOH Jon Cagliero 27 Paso Robles CA 8:27:17 | 8:27:17
12 KOH Brandon Watson 4488 Carbondale CO 8:32:54 | 8:32:54
13 LCQ Jeff Russell 4427 Shadow Hills CA 8:39:10 | 8:39:10
14 KOH Ivan VanOrtwick 4466 Whittier CA 8:41:08 | 8:41:08
15 KOH Ben Napier 4461 Sydney AUS 8:42:00 | 8:42:00
16 KOH Casey Currie 2 Anaheim CA 8:16:04 | +30 | 8:46:04
17 KOH John Webb 4468 Concord CA 8:50:28 | 8:50:28
18 KOH Levi Shirley 81 Dodge City KS 9:03:20 | 9:03:20
19 KOH Jason Scherer 76 Danville CA 9:05:36 | 9:05:36
20 KOH Jason Blanton 966 Kirkland WA 9:27:33 | 9:27:33
21 KOH Harold Fijman 777 San Ramon CA 9:38:50 | 9:38:50
22 KOH Alex Hardaway 4481 Santa Rosa CA 9:40:59 | 9:40:59
23 KOH Lucas Murphy 816 Easton MA 9:47:20 | 9:47:20
24 LCQ Ritchie Keller 202 Elkland MO 9:47:24 | 9:47:24
25 KOH Cottin Rodd 4407 Cortez CO 9:47:48 | 9:47:48
26 KOH Alan Woodson 86 Charlottesville VA 9:20:43 | +30 | 9:50:43
27 KOH Scott Ward 4438 Lake Havasu City AZ 9:57:40 | 9:57:40
28 KOH Nick Finch 2228 Dean Park AUS 9:46:51 | +30 | 10:16:51
29 KOH John James 28 Fresno CA 10:17:58 | 10:17:58
30 LCQ Jason Shipman 4414 Farmington MO 10:22:00 | 10:22:00
31 LCQ Hunter Sparrow 72 Arvada CO 10:23:20 | 10:23:20
32 KOH Mat Noualy 328 Mt Albert CAN 10:32:45 | 10:32:45
33 LCQ Dave Bovich 50 Shasta Lake CA 10:51:37 | 10:51:37
34 KOH Les Figueroa 4478 Henderson NV 10:59:24 | 10:59:24
35 LCQ Chris Garrison 4494 Rancho Cordova CA 10:45:50 | +30 | 11:15:50
36 KOH Fabio Manno 100 Rome Italy 11:21:07 | 11:21:07
37 LCQ Doug Evans 4457 Hayfork CA 11:24:58 | 11:24:58
38 KOH Larry Anderson 742 Dixon CA 11:52:39 | 11:52:39
39 KOH Matt Peterson 212 Colorado Springs CO 11:54:41 | 11:54:41
40 LCQ Robb Kaufman 22 RockyView County CAN 12:05:17 | 12:05:17
41 LCQ Paul Garner 4409 Queen Creek AZ 12:21:57 | 12:21:57
42 LCQ Brandon Heyes 4558 Rancho Cucamonga CA 12:52:45 | 12:52:45
43 KOH Bart Dixon 26 San Diego CA 12:57:47 | 12:57:47
44 KOH Curtis Warner 4410 Armstrong BC 12:59:03 | 12:59:03
45 KOH Jesse Haines 4499 Sparks NV 13:05:48 | 13:05:48
46 KOH Warren Thomas 257 Morro Bay CA 13:19:25 | 13:19:25
47 KOH Tom Wayes 321 San Jose CA 13:33:45 | 13:33:45
48 KOH Stan Haynes 4408 Ft. Wayne IN 13:39:25 | 13:39:25
* LCQ Jeremy Dickenson 4419 Cedar Park TX DNF
LCQ John David 333 Fountain CO DNF
LCQ Hal Deschamp 4445 Whittier CA DNF
LCQ Steve Norton 737 Floyd Knobs IN DNF
LCQ Barry Cherneske 4502 Edmonton CAN DNF
LCQ Ryan Atkins 928 Parker AZ DNF
LCQ Brian Whitford 711 Oakley CA DNF
LCQ Kevin Gamble 4476 Chula Vista CA DNF
LCQ Doug Kahlstrom 927 Lampasas TX DNF
LCQ Jason Weidhuner 968 Washougal WA DNF
LCQ Nicholas McGaha 505 Ridgecrest CA DNF
LCQ Cody Addington 4680 Foresthill CA DNF
LCQ Michael Feagins 929 Batesville IN DNF
LCQ Dustin Sexton 4437 Kamas UT DNF
LCQ Brian McCarthy 415 San Rafael Ct CA DNF
LCQ Ian McGlynn 123 Seattle WA DNF
LCQ Joe Bunker 864 Monroe WA DNF
LCQ Andrew McLaughlin 4493 Mesa AZ DNF
LCQ Troy Stone 4429 Winton CA DNF
LCQ Darren Batt 82 Woodward OK DNF
KOH Kevin Yoder 4434 Grass Valley CA DNF
EMC John Currie 4688 Anaheim CA DNF
KOH Sean Rose 914 Miamisburg OH DNF
KOH Brad Falin 457 Fernley NV DNF
KOH Brett Porter 4460 Colorado Springs CO DNF
KOH Bill Kreisel 407 Citrus Heights CA DNF
KOH Darren Henke 4441 Golden CO DNF
KOH TJ Flores 4471 Henderson NV DNF
KOH Bunny Rose 812 Frederick MD DNF
KOH Brent Goegebuer 4473 Corona CA DNF
KOH Axel Burmann 68 Antwerp BEL DNF
KOH Mike McClure 733 Ness City KS DNF
KOH Dustin Emick 85 Orangevale CA DNF
KOH Masanori Tsuda 51 Naira JPN DNF
KOH Mel Wade 4451 Long Beach CA DNF
KOH Eric Anderson 66 Apple Valley CA DNF
KOH Bill Baird 5252 Sturgis KY DNF
KOH Casey Beach 4484 Herriman UT DNF
KOH Aaron Robinson(William) 3006 Sparks NV DNF
KOH Matt Messer 17 Fresno CA DNF
KOH Andrew Hoit 4497 Fontana CA DNF
KOH Jason Carner 16 Birmingham Alberta DNF
KOH Jason Picket 4444 Ft. Collins CO DNF
KOH John Sweet 366 Union KY DNF
KOH Jose Mnuel Ponce 9009 Morelia MEX DNF
KOH Eric Brown 502 Las Vegas NV DNF
KOH Richie Carter 4474 Simi Valley CA DNF
LCQ Aaron Beckstead 1911 Clear Lake CA DNF
KOH JT Taylor 13 Fountain CO DNF
KOH BJ Allen 4426 Dallas TX DNF
LCQ Matt Moore 4436 Silver Spring MD DNF
LCQ Phil Pasciak 7 Minden NV DNF
LCQ Lance Hamilton 4442 Folsom CA DNF
KOH Doug Bigelow 4413 Emmitsburg MD DNF
KOH Jim Brown 104 Ukiah CA DNF
KOH Gary Ferravanti Sr 4446 Paso Robles CA DNF
LCQ Dustin Isenhour 4472 Northglenn CO DNF
LCQ Chad Wheeler 4423 Denver CO DNF
LCQ Greg Lundeen 701 Broomfield CO DNF
LCQ Tony Arledge 595 Austin TX DNF
LCQ Larry McRae 4581 Banning CA DNF
KOH Mike Colville 4418 Fenton MI DNF
LCQ Sam Stienman 97 Phoenix AZ DNF
LCQ Shawn Inman 187 Fredericksburg TX DNF
LCQ Paul Hoffman 4483 Victorville CA DNF
LCQ Nathan Unruh 63 Clovis CA DNF
KOH JT Stephens 4454 Little Rock AR DNF
LCQ Scott Morris 4492 Sunman IN DNF
LCQ Mike Nappi 4490 Idaho Springs CO DNF
LCQ Jeff Rector 4505 Rangely CO DNF
LCQ Joey Archuleta 127 Aurora CO DNF
LCQ Chris Hoyt 53 Castle Rock CO DNF
KOH Craig Ross 4138 Montrose CO DNF
KOH Kevin Sacalas 4435 Riverside CA DNF
LCQ Jason Fish 117 Louviers CO DNF
LCQ Rob Lynch 4463 Spokane WA DNF
KOH Gary Ferravanti Jr 4475 Paso Robles CA DNF
KOH Nick Nelson 4404 Las Vegas NV DNF
KOH Robby Gordon 77 Orange CA DNF
KOH Greg Adler 210 Manhattan Beach CA DNF
KOH Tony Pellegrino 4485 Simi Valley CA DNF
KOH Randy Slawson 4448 Colton CA DNF
KOH Nick Campbell 8 Gilbert AZ DNF
KOH Travis Carpenter 4405 Orangevale CA DNF
KOH Bill Phillips 4480 Whittier CA DNF | +30 | DNF+30
KOH Dean Bulloch 4411 Cedar City UT | DNF | +30 | DNF +30
KOH Andy Brown 4455 San Diego CA DNF | +30 | DNF +30
*Scoring error. Driver initially listed as finisher.
CONTACT:
Shannon Welch
949.295.2676
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February 22nd, 2012
E3 Spark Plugs and Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Are Fired Up for 2012
Lucas Oil Products Inc., enthusiastically announces the welcome return of E3 Spark Plugs as a sponsor for the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series for the fourth consecutive year and the fifth as a Team Lucas Partner. E3 has been a track side presence since the inception of the Series and a loyal, effective marketing collaborator.
Steve Joiner, Vice President Sales and Marketing, of E3 explains, "The audience for Lucas Oil Off Road Racing loves high performance. With our affiliation with Lucas Oil and this great series, we can build on our E3 spark plug high-performance product brand. The Team Lucas audience appreciates big engine power and nothing helps deliver that power better than our DiamondFire design spark plugs." Joiner further commented "Since the Lucas Oil Off Road Series and Team Lucas events attract a lot of families; we can also stress the family-friendly story of how we are helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and global warming by reducing fuel consumption. Performance with economy for a better environment-we think it's a message that will hit home with this audience."
"E3 was one of the first companies several years ago to realize the value of becoming a Team Lucas partner", remarked Off Road Series Director, Tony Vanillo. "Todd Ayers and the entire E3 family are the real deal, fantastic to work with, deeply committed to improving their product through racing, and highly ethical. E3 makes an excellent product and is a perfect fit for the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series."
About E3 Sparkplugs: Backed by a five year, 100,000-mile warranty, E3 Spark Plugs with its patented side-wire electrode projects the combustion spark in a way that more quickly ignites the air/fuel mixture, thereby creating a significantly faster and larger flame kernel. In effect, this burns more of the available fuel, resulting in increased combustion efficiency for improved power and fuel economy with reduced emissions. E3 Spark Plugs are available for most automotive, powersport and lawn & garden applications at automotive and hardware retail stores nationwide. For more information and complete test results, visit www.e3sparkplugs.com.
About the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series:
The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series is the evolution of the long standing support of short course racing by Forrest Lucas and Lucas Oil Products. Steeped in the Midwest tradition of short course off road racing infused with a West Coast influence, Lucas Oil Off Road Racing brings intense four wheel door to door action to challenging, fan friendly tracks. Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series: This is Short Course. This is Short Course. For more information please visit www.LucasOilOffRoad.com.
February 21st, 2012
Rockstar / Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series Partnership Renewed
It is with great pleasure that the Lucas Off Road Racing Series celebrates the return of key sponsor, Rockstar Energy Drink. When the green flag drops at the season opening Off Road Series race on March 31, it will mark the third consecutive year that Rockstar Energy Drink, the official Energy Drink and Consumable Product of the Lucas Off Road Race Series has returned to support the racing that they have been instrumental in evolving into the fastest growing motorsport in the U.S.
Mike Kelso, Rockstar Energy Drink's Marketing Manager, illustrated their passion for the Off Road Series, " Three years ago, Lucas had a vision for the sport of Off Road short course and they reached out to share it with Rockstar. Lucas is ahead of schedule in reaching our collective goals on our anticipated timeline." He further added, "The series has gained traction and moved forward a tremendous amount in such a short time frame. Rockstar Energy Drink is very excited where the sport of short course racing is today, how our brand has played a part and we are very confident in what the future holds."
Also returning for 2012 will be the signature Rockstar on-site marketing assets such as the fan-friendly product sampling area, the highly popular Rockstar models who officially signal the start of each race and interact directly with the fans, abundant traditional trackside presence along with inflatable infield signage.
All new Rockstar promotional additions for 2012 will be:
A "Ride Along" promotion where one lucky fan wins the opportunity to ride with a professional driver in a specially built two-seater race truck and will also receive a Rockstar Energy Drink gift pack
Title sponsorship naming rights for the Lake Elsinore Night Race Rounds, which will now be branded the "Rockstar Energy Drink Southern California Off Road Nationals"
"Lucas Oil has invested a tremendous amount of resources to develop the sport of Short Course Off Road Racing", states Lucas Oil Product's Executive Vice President, Bob Patison. "Carefully selected race venues, new innovative events and our award winning TV package gives the series undeniable credibility, while the awesome racing excitement appeals to the fans, racers and sponsors alike. We are constantly tracking the positive growth of the sport, and over the past three years, Rockstar has been a major contributor to the entire package. We head into 2012 highly energized by having Rockstar on board again."
About the Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series:
The Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series is the evolution of the long standing support of short course racing by Forrest Lucas and Lucas Oil Products. Steeped in the Midwest tradition of short course off road racing infused with a West Coast influence, Lucas Oil Off Road Racing brings intense four wheel door to door action to challenging, fan friendly tracks. Lucas Oil Off Road Racing Series: This is Short Course. For more information please visit www.LucasOilOffRoad.com.
About ROCKSTAR Energy Drink:
"ROCKSTAR is the world's most powerful energy drink. Enhanced with the potent herbal blend of Guarana, Ginkgo, Ginseng and Milk Thistle, ROCKSTAR is formulated to provide an incredible energy boost for those who lead active and exhausting lifestyles - from athletes to rock stars.
ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK is available in eighteen amazing flavors: Original, Sugar Free, Zero Carb, Juiced Mango Orange Passion Fruit, Juiced Guava, Juiced Pomegranate, Tropical Punched, Punched Citrus, Roasted Mocha, Roasted Latte, Roasted Light Vanilla, Roasted Espresso, Energy Cola, Recovery Lemonade, Recovery Grape, Recovery Orange, Pink, and 2X.
ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK is available at convenience and grocery retail outlets across the United States, Canada, Australia, Austria, Belgium, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Japan, Germany, Switzerland, Finland, Spain, The Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Greece, Mexico, the Philippines and throughout the United Kingdom.
ROCKSTAR ENERGY DRINK supports the active Rockstar lifestyle. In Motocross, Music, Supercross, FMX, Off Road Racing, MotoGP, Road Racing, Rally Racing, Rallycross, Snowboard, Snowmobile, Ski, Surf, Skate, Wake, MMA, Boxing, Bull Riding, BMX, and BMX Racing. Go to www.rockstar69.com or www.facebook.com/rockstar for athlete, music, and event updates. Check out videos, profiles, and product information.
February 11th, 2012
The Crown Goes East as Erik Miller Wins 2012 King of the Hammers
February 11, 2012 (Johnson Valley, CA) – On Saturday at at 2:03 p.m., Erik Miller crossed the finish line to be crowned the 2012 King of the Hammers. Considered the toughest one day off-road race, Miller beat out 134 competitors to win the coveted title and $25,000 prize purse.
“There are one thousand opportunities to make mistakes out there,” Erik Miller explained at the finish line, “and we just try to make as few as possible.” The humble Miller was describing the secret to his success at the 2012 Griffin King of the Hammers, where he finished the grueling 165-mile race in six hours and three minutes. “I could not have done this without the help of my friends. We have been in Johnson Valley for the past twelve days getting ready for this race,” the Maryland resident explained. Miller is no stranger to success; he was the 2010 International Endurance Champion and came in fifth at last year’s Griffin King of the Hammers. “I added Fox bypass shocks this year and they really helped me carry speed through the desert,” Miller revealed. He is the first East Coast competitor to win the prestigious title in the event’s six year history.
Finishing second was Rick Mooneyham of Trick Toys Fabrication, thirteen minutes behind Miller. “I just can’t seem to get this monkey off my back.” Mooneyham joked. The Havasu City, Arizona resident placed third in ’08 and ’09 and fourth in ’10, making him one of the most consistent Ultra4 racers of all time. Mooneyham qualified first in the 4Wheel Parts Time Trials, putting him first off the line. He was near the front of the pack for the entire race, but the two-lap format meant the frontrunner had to deal with traffic in the infamous Hammer trails regardless of starting position.
Third place went to last year’s King Shannon Campbell in his single-seat IFS buggy. Campbell overcame issues throughout the day and at one point was as far back as thirtieth, but he never gave up and finished in six hours and thirty three minutes. Like Mooneyham, Campbell drove a vehicle he fabricated himself. “I guess I am going to have to build something new for next year,” Campbell quipped. He is the only driver to have won two King of the Hammers and was the 2011 Ultra4 Series Champion.
This year, the crowd far exceeded expectations. Significant additions were made to the makeshift village known as “Hammertown” including a new short course and hot pit area. In an effort to increase safety and expand the race day experience for spectators, the promoters built a cutting-edge wireless camera to microwave system across the vast course to bring true live coverage to the fans in camp via jumbtron and a nine and a half hour webcast to fans across the country and globe.
About Griffin King of the Hammers:
Griffin King of the Hammers combines the multiple off-road disciplines of desert racing, rockcrawling, and short course into one event. The race has evolved from twelve teams racing for bragging rights to more than 170 teams competing before tens of thousands of live spectators and hundreds of thousands of online fans. Griffin King of the Hammers is the first event of the Ultra4 series, which takes place throughout the course of the year at locations across the country. The event is owned and managed by Hammerking Productions in Lake Arrowhead, CA. To learn more, log on to www.ultra4racing.com.
