Desert Racer vs. Rock Racer @ KOH

[Gadzooks2]

I understand why Rock crawlers have added an open desert section to their events but let's face it, it's still rock CRAWLING when you get to the rocks. From strictly a spectator standpoint watching a cluster f*** of cars lined up to go up the rocks is not interesting or exciting in any way. Rock-racers are optimized to climb rocks and haven't been successful at desert racing at the highest levels just as a desert racer can not pass over the ridiculous obstacles that the purpose built rock buggies can. They are two separate difficult sports and both require extreme skill.

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[ScottyA]

Has any rock crawlers won the 1000? As I watched the koh it was intertaining but I keeped humming the song from deliverance as I watched! kidding don't go rock crawling across my lawn now.

[sirhk100]

From strictly a spectator standpoint watching a cluster f*** of cars lined up to go up the rocks is not interesting or exciting in any way.

Some of the cars this weekend were clocked at 100+. Not saying they're TT's but that's pretty damn impressive. And if you were where we were at on Friday morning and weren't having a good time as a general motorsports fan I'd say there's something wrong with you. There was nothing boring about watching them virtually run each other over to get up that line! Robby Gordon was actually there spectating and I glanced over a few times and saw him with a hand in the air cheering once and smiling and laughing the other couple times. It sure looked like he was having a good time watching having just blown up his motor...

BTW, I'm not even remotely saying your wrong but I think if you're there in person watching it, your opinion would change. The event in general is pretty damn fun! Between the vendors, mix of rigs from TT's to rock crawlers to crap I can't explain, fun riding in the trucks and bikes, great atmosphere, etc... These guys put on an event that put any desert race I've been to look like a 5th grade project that's for sure!

[Gadzooks2]

I actually was out there after the event on Saturday when plenty of guys were taking on the rocks at chocolate thunder and some were unlimited rock buggies, others wildly modified trucks, some leaf sprung and some coilovers. After an hour and a half and seeing five cars move 100 yards up the canyon I only have two words...Paint Drying.

Now I've spent over 30 years desert racing most of it waiting for a particular car to come by so I know what bored is..but when the cars in the desert come by its spectacular in comparison. BTW, We rock crawled before we got into desert racing back when the best vehicles would be hung up on the first boulder of today's rock obstacles and the climbing ability today is un-imaginable until you see it done. For about the first hour and a half. If you are participating in the vehicle it's a completely different story, my comments are prefaced by being a spectator only. I think rock crawling today is awesome but they can do without the race sections with the same vehicle IMHO.

[JoeyD23]

^^^ You are nuts! But you are entitled to your opinion. KOH is the BEST race EVER when it comes to spectating. WHY? Because unlike a traditional desert race where you get to a spot and get to see your favorite driver for about 2 seconds as he flys by here at Hammers you can chase the race, in your own rig, all over the course and see them multiple times and in a fun, wild west type setting. I appreciate the bottle necks and the chaos that ensues while others try to find alternative lines. IMO, and I am a traditional off road racing lover, I think KOH is better than watching any other off-road desert race in the world. Its family friendly and you get to enjoy your own off-road vehicles while chasing the race. To simply put it, its like going to Glamis on Thanksgiving but getting to watch a race at the same time.

I hated rock crawling, frankly I thought jeeps were gay. Then I went to KOH a couple years back and gained a huge level of respect for what these buggies can do. Then I went to Moab and rock crawled for myself. Fast forward 2 years and a few rock crawling adventures later and now I am building a purpose built rock crawler UTV to go along side my "go fast" UTV's. I am hooked! There is something about going 1 mile an hour and knowing if you punch it too hard your gonna back flip or roll. Its a rush of a different kind. All it will take is for RG to catch the bug and commit to building his own rig and we will see what he is really capable of. I think desert racers would do awesome in the rocks, they just need the right "junk"! lol

[sirhk100]

I actually was out there after the event on Saturday when plenty of guys were taking on the rocks at chocolate thunder and some were unlimited rock buggies, others wildly modified trucks, some leaf sprung and some coilovers. After an hour and a half and seeing five cars move 100 yards up the canyon

But you weren't there on friday morning during the race when what you describe here is absolutely NOTHING like what we witnessed. Like I said, you had to be there. My guess is on Sat, those guys were being patient. Put a sense of urgency like a "race" to it and nobody is sitting around going slow that's for sure.

[sirhk100]

I will say though, whoever is naming those trails needs to stop watching so much porn! Chocolate Thunder? Backdoor? Sledgehammer? Jackhammer? Wreckingball? We can't be the only one that sees the trend here...

[JoeyD23]

lol... Love the names! Elvis is my favorite. Used to have a Guitar at the bottom but I guess its been smashed more than a few times now... lol Rock Crawlers always have the best trail names. In moab you have BFE which has trailed all named after bands... Green Day, Black Flag, Minor Threat, and my favorite Britney Spear..lol Yeah its the easy trail! lol

[Poisonous]

I will say though, whoever is naming those trails needs to stop watching so much porn! Chocolate Thunder? Backdoor? Sledgehammer? Jackhammer? Wreckingball? We can't be the only one that sees the trend here...

LMAO. The original few trails (Jack, Sledge, Claw, and Wreckingball) were named with no pun intended.

Chocolate Thunder and Spooners were definitely named after what the names insinuate.

[SuperRanger]

I think a top desert guy will be inclined to blow up the best rock racer. Not because they are junk but because they take a different stye of driving. We overalled the BRT 250 in our rock racer, Ellett overalled Cinco de Baja in a rock racer, Scherer out qualified Rick Geiser and Jesse James plus other TT's to take the poll last fall in Texas (a feat Pistol Pete witnessed). All solid axle purpose built KOH rigs...

Each vehicle is at home in its respective environment, but they are plenty advanced these days.