Ultra4 Racing – What It Takes

07/09/2024

Tech

ULTRA4 USA 🏎
Founded by Jeff Knoll and Dave Cole, the King of the Hammers ran it’s first race in 2008, in Southern California. Since then, every year this race attracts thousands of spectators, and hundreds of competitors. Just this year in 2024, spectator count reached around 80,000, with approx. 1,000 competitors. Past competitors are invited back every year; including all past “Kings” and the “OG13″ from the very first race. With both a USA and a European Ultra4 (King of France!), makes this race accessible for racers all over the world.

With six long races across the USA, competitors in the 4400 Unlimited Class have 14 hours to complete a 165 mile course across desert, rugged terrain, and rocks. There are no pit crews available to these racers on course, they must fix what breaks on their own or limp back to the pits. Things break, it is expected, which is why the King of the Hammers has an entire vendor section related just to parts needed(Hammertown), with the option to have it brought in the next day if they don’t have it on hand. This makes last minute fixes easy and helpful for all racers!
The Ultra4 vehicles can do over 100mph in open desert, and climb almost verticle boulders. They have up to 800hp heavily modified engines that support this crazy race.

The next races in the 2024 series are the Casey Folks Vegas to Reno race in August, and the Ultra4 Nationals in October.

Now why does Rogue Fab care about the Ultra4? Not only has the founder, Joe, been multiple times, every single vehicle is equipped with a full roll cage and chassis – made out of: tube!
Depending on the weight of the vehicle, between 1.5″ – 2″ 1020 DOM is used with a 0.120” wall thickness.

“Roll cage main structure material may be CREW, DOM, WHR, or WCR mild carbon steel or 4130 chromoly alloy steel. All welds must be of high quality and craftsmanship with good penetration and with no undercutting of parent material.” 2.6.4 2021 Ultra4 Handbook.

You can view all of the roll cage (and other) specifications here: Roll Cage Specifications

There is some debate going on about Independent Front Suspension (IFS) or Solid Axle for these Ultra4 vehicles. IFS is more comfortable and has predictable handling, best for high speeds off road. The solid axle is stronger, but not as capable of the high speeds unless heavily modified. What is your opinion?

One of the best parts of the King of the Hammers race is when the daytime activities end, and all those spectators get their own rigs out and head out to night wheel. Everyone hangs out together and heckles, watching as spectators follow some fun trails that the competitors do during the day, such as Chocolate Thunder and Turkey Claw.

Rogue Fab has the perfect tools to get the cages and chassis built. The M625 is the way to go, with it’s capabilites to go up to 2.0″ tubing, easily bending the 0.120″ wall. The VersaNotcher with our Deep Hole Saws are the best combination for getting that cage bent, cut, and assembled.

Here are some of our favorite past winners of the 4400 Unlimited class!

Shannon Campbell