What is King of the Hammers? The Ultimate Off-Road Challenge
In any genre, there is a singular event that sets the bar for all that follow. In music, it was Woodstock. In sailing, it’s the America’s Cup. But when it comes to extreme off-road sports, the undisputed champion is King of the Hammers (KOH).
This adventure story is produced in conjunction with Hankook Dynapro MT2, @HankookTireUSA
Like many novel ideas, KOH was born over a couple of cold beers, a few notes penciled on a napkin, and a handshake. SCORE International had high-speed desert racing locked in, and there were a half-dozen rock racing series in place, but each was content to stay in their respective lanes.
The year was 2006, and Jeeping buddies Dave Cole and Jeff Knoll conspired to create an event that combined the adrenaline-charged thrill of SCORE with the technical acumen required for extreme rock crawling. The resulting notes would be the opening page of a chronicle that would capture global attention.
Introducing Hankook Tire Racing Teams at KOH 2025
Flash forward to 2025, and more than 600 competitors are in Hammertown, USA, in the Southern California desert, ready to test man and machine against some of the harshest off-road conditions in the world. Among them are two teams testing the rugged durability of Hankook Tire’s Dynapro MT2. Covering each end of the KOH spectrum, Team 1 is running in the grassroots Stock Class, while Team 2, with over a decade of KOH experience, is entered in the high-horsepower 4800 Class.
Team #1: Joel Dulac – Dulac Motorsports
Joel Dulac represents the essence of grassroots racing. At just 26 years of age, he began dreaming about 4x4s in grade school and followed that dream into the Oregon backcountry in his family’s Jeep YJ. Having read about King of the Hammers in various magazines and websites, he set his sights on competing one day.
Prepping the YJ for competition was cost-prohibitive, but his dream began to materialize when he found a used Suzuki Samurai race vehicle on Facebook Marketplace. His first off-road race was in October 2024, and with a learn-by-fire methodology, he scraped together funds and registered for KOH. His navigator is his brother, and his pit crew includes his parents, grandfather, and siblings—a true family affair.
- Dulac Motorsports Car #4629
- Driver/Navigator: Joel Dulac, Kevin Dulac
- Crew Chief: The entire family
- Chassis: 1989 Suzuki Samurai
- Engine: 1.3-liter 4-cylinder, Holley Terminator fuel injection
- Output: 62 hp
- Wheels & Tires: Raceline beadlocks, 35x12.50R17 Dynapro MT2 tires
- Transmission: stock 5-speed
- Transfer Case: stock 2-speed, Trail Gear 6.5:1 low-range gears
- Drivelines: Flexout Motorsports
- Fuel Cell: Jaz Performance 8-gallon
- Axles Housings: Ruffstuff 8-in. Toyota, RCV axle shafts
- 3rd Members: welded front, Yukon Zip Locker rear
- Winch: Warn 10k
- Suspension: 2.5-inch YJ springs, Liberty Mountain Fab tuned Fox 2.0 shocks.
Team #2: Jacob Pacheco - VP Racing
From go-kart racing as a kid to sprint cars in his 20s, Jacob Pacheco has always been drawn to speed. His first KOH experience was in 2009 as a pit crew member, which later transitioned into forming VP Racing in 2012 with friend Ben Varozza. Together, they secured multiple podium finishes and championships across the Western U.S.
- VP Racing Car #4812
- Driver/Navigator: Jacob Pacheco, Mike Murphy, McKinzie Pacheco
- Crew Chief: Henry Medel
- Chassis: Trent Fabrication Top Shelf
- Engine: Chevy 454 LSX V-8
- Output: 627 hp, 586 lb.-ft. torque
- Wheels & Tires: Raceline beadlocks, 37x12.50R17 Dynapro MT2 tires
- Transmission: ATO built Turbo 400
- Transfer Case: Atlas II
- Axles Housings: Trent Fab/Spidertrax housings
- 3rd Members: Axle Pro’s/Gear Works differentials
- Suspension: multi-link, Altech/Fox bypass coil-over shocks
Why the Dynapro MT2?
Both Pacheco and Dulac recognize that tire durability is a key factor in conquering King of the Hammers. With aggressive tread blocks and reinforced puncture protection, the Hankook Dynapro MT2 is built to withstand rock-crawling terrain, high-speed desert sections, and extreme off-road conditions.
Joel Dulac on the Dynapro MT2:
“I learned from my years of wheeling in Oregon that King of the Hammers would require a really tough tire. I don’t have a big budget or sponsors, so I was happy to be introduced to Hankook Tire. They were looking for KOH race teams to sponsor, and I needed great tire. It was perfect timing and the perfect match. Our initial testing was positive, the Dynapro MT2 did everything I asked it to do. Its tread block design is aggressive, and puncture protection on the shoulder will lessen any concerns about damaging a tire during the race. We will be pre-running over the next couple of days, and I’m looking forward to testing the Dynapro MT2 some of the toughest conditions available.”
Jacob Pacheco on the Dynapro MT2:
“I was introduced to the Hankook team and did some research on the MT2. Reviews from other users were good, I liked the tread block design and the tire’s build specifications. We came out after Christmas for a week of testing, and the tire performed well. It had good grip on the rocks, did great in high-speed desert sections, and didn’t have any punctures or sidewall damage. This is what I need in a race tire.”
Join the Action!
Follow @HankookTireUSA or #HankookTire on social media for real-time updates and race results. Check out the Hankook Dynapro MT2 to see why it’s built for the toughest off-road challenges on the planet.
This adventure story is produced in conjunction with Hankook Dynapro MT2, @HankookTireUSA
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