Podium represents all three classes – Rubicon Express Modified, G2 Legends, and Pro Comp Stock.
Six hours and 136 miles after he left the startline in Hammertown, former desert racing champion Dan Fresh and co-driver Byran Crofts claimed their first Nitto King of the Hammer’s title during the Every Man Challenge (EMC). Fresh was just one of 12 vehicles who completed the course during the allotted time frame, an impressive feat considering 135 cars started the race.
“The course was just brutal,” said Fresh, who competed in the 4500 class. “When they send you across these rocks you’re like, ‘there is no way we’re getting through. It’s just not possible.’ I’m an off-roader, now that I’ve done this rock crawling thing, I can say these vehicles are amazing. They made an addict out of me.”
Results. 12 total finishers:
PLACE | NAME | CLASS | CAR | START | LAP1 | LAP2 | FINAL |
1 | DAN FRESH | 4500 | 88 | 8:02:00 | 2:00:48 | 4:14:59 | 6:15:47 |
2 | CASEY GILBERT | 4800 | 618 | 8:00:00 | 1:59:36 | 4:22:04 | 6:21:40 |
3 | JESSI COMBS | 4600 | 4618 | 8:29:00 | 2:28:26 | 4:29:58 | 6:58:24 |
4 | JEREN GUNTER | 4800 | 4809 | 8:06:30 | 1:59:12 | 5:37:59 | 7:37:11 |
5 | JOHN LAY | 4800 | 4834 | 8:02:30 | 2:08:54 | 5:43:45 | 7:52:39 |
6 | JOSHUA JACKSON | 4600 | 4608 | 8:28:00 | 2:56:08 | 5:23:16 | 8:19:24 |
7 | BRAD LOVELL | 4800 | 232 | 8:03:30 | 2:15:29 | 6:05:16 | 8:20:45 |
8 | MATT HOWELL | 4500 | 4510 | 8:03:00 | 2:21:58 | 6:28:55 | 8:50:53 |
9 | MIKE JOHNSON | 4800 | 43 | 8:17:00 | 2:59:35 | 6:20:05 | 9:19:40 |
10 | KYLE/JADE WICKHAM | 4800 | 4823 | 8:11:00 | 2:36:38 | 6:48:03 | 9:24:41 |
11 | DENNIS P LAPP | 4800 | 4840 | 8:04:00 | 2:07:02 | 7:18:46 | 9:25:48 |
12 | JIMMY JACK | 4500 | 63 | 8:01:30 | 2:25:28 | 7:09:20 | 9:34:48 |
EMC quick facts
- Vehicles in the Every Man Challenge must fit into one of the three classifications. The Rubicon Express Modified Class (4500) require a factory appearing body, partial frame, mechanical steering, two shocks per corner, and 37-inch DOT approved tires. The Pro Comp Stock Class, (4600) must have a factory engine, stock frame, full body, single shock per wheel, and 35-inch tall DOT approved tires.The G2 Legends (4800) class is the most modified. The only requirements are a front engine, two seats, solid axle, single shock per wheel, and 37-inch DOT approved tires.
- The Nitto King of the Hammers course is in Johnson Valley, CA, and combines some of the toughest rock crawling trails in the world, with miles of open desert. 137 competitors from 17 states took the green flag at this year’s event. 4500, and 4800 classes ran a staggering 136 miles. Despite a slight respite for the Pro Comp Stock class; they still ran 124 miles of nasty rocks, ruts, sand and boulders.
- Amazingly, the top three on the podium were all from a different class.
- Dan Fresh was driving a very special truck built by Savvy Offroad. Dan’s Jeep bodied 4500 has won every time it has competed, but 2018 was the first time Dan has raced in KOH. It won the 4500 class four years straight from 2012-2015. Dan’s victory made it five.
- Casey Gilbert was driving an Eric Miller chassis. Gilbert might not be a household name, but that’s the nature of the Every Man Challenge.
- Jessie Combs was the 59th truck off the line in the morning, and worked all the way through the pack to take the stock class victory and 3rd overall.