Go Off-Roading With The King Of The Hammers Can-Am UTV Race

The last time I climbed in a UTV, I was a mere child, and the boxy machine failed to leave much of an impression on me. Now, 15 years down the road, these vehicles are absurd pieces of equipment that can crest over 300 horsepower right from the showroom floor — and it really doesn't take many modifications to get them up to racing spec. I had a chance to really see these machines do battle during the 2024 Can-Am UTV Hammers Championship, one of the first events of this year's King of the Hammers.

I'll have some longer KOH stories coming in the near future — but for now, let's just revel in some photos of my new favorite motorsport event.

Full disclosure: Can-Am flew me out to Southern California to spectate the Can-Am UTV Hammers race during the multi-day adventure that is King of the Hammers. I have since decided to be returning for the full affair next year.

I was not present to see the big hammer lit on fire.

With the threat of rain toying with Johnson Valley, the start of the UTV championship race was delayed until it was clear there wouldn't be any surprise storms.

I was kind of surprised by how close you could get to the UTVs as they were on their way to the race start!

Max Gordon, who is approximately three years old (OK, 15, but who's counting?), is the son of off-roading icon and Stadium Super Trucks founder Robby Gordon.

Can I get that GoPro footage?

I have complete confidence that I could race one of these competitively with absolutely no training whatsoever, because I am built different.

I have grown increasingly obsessed with various aspects of KOH, including the naming conventions of some course areas. Such as Turkey Claw.

I also loved the freedom of being able to spectate from just about wherever. We just hopped in a Can-Am Maverick R and tooled out to the next locale.

I have complete confidence that I could fly through these rocky track zones with absolutely no problem. None.

Watching these UTVs fly over the sand was so impressive, but...

The rock crawling was an entirely different beast.

Just look at 'em go.

I was most impressed by the suspension travel on these UTVs, how they could just soak up whatever the desert threw at them with no issue.

Kyle Chaney absolutely dominated this event from start to finish. As soon as he hit the course, he built up a lead of several minutes — and even two flat tires couldn't stop him.

Chaney was the only racer to make it up Chocolate Thunder in one quick go, without needing to use a winch.

These guys? They all needed a winch.

Looks miserable.

Is anyone else made a little uncomfortable by the name "Chocolate Thunder," or is it just me?

I truly could have hung out at Chocolate Thunder all day — but I did duck out of there before the rain came in.

Wave goodbye, kids.