CYPRESS, Calif. (Feb. 6, 2013) — Nitto Tire U.S.A. Inc. returns for the second consecutive year to the Griffin King of the Hammers off-road challenge on Feb. 8 as presenting sponsor, and this year also will sponsor six teams participating in the off-road event in California's Johnson Valley.
Nitto said the 4x4 race will be the culmination of this year's week-long event, which features an expanded vendor show, additional entertainment and improved spectator areas.
The King of the Hammers is an off-road race in California's Means Dry Lake area that combines desert racing and rock crawling. The event has evolved from 12 teams in 2007 to more than 150 teams competing before thousands of fans both live and online.
Nitto-sponsored teams—running on Nitto Trail Grappler K-Spec tires—are:
- Nick Nelson, Nick Nelson Motorsports, Las Vegas—2012 Ultra 4 series champion;
- Cottin Rodd, Jimmys 4x4, Cortez, Colo.—the only female driver in Ultra 4; co-owner of Jimmys 4x4, top car fabricator in Ultra 4 racing;
- Loren Healy, Healy Racing, Farmington, N.M.—2010 King of the Hammers champion and third in the 2012 Ultra 4 overall champion;
- Derek West, Crush Motorsports, Springfield, Mo.;
- Jason Scherer, PSC Motorsports, Berkeley, Calif.—2009 King of the Hammers champion; and
- Mel Wade, Off Road Evolution, Long Beach, Calif.—the only stock body vehicle to race in KOH.
King of the Hammers week activities and racing will be streamed live online at Nitto's racing website.