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King of the Hammers Rausch Creek Qualifer
Story and Photos by Lance Clifford and Camo

KOH Rausch Creek Qualifier

(05/14/2009)

5:11	The rain is winding down, but the clouds are still a threat. Hopefully tomorrow will bring sunny skies and no wind!

5:14

9:18	We are LIVE here in Rausch Creek, PA for the 2009 KOH Qualifer! Everyone is getting lined up. The weather has made a 110% change for the better, and it is sunny and warm. The course has surely dried overnight, and it should be an unbelieveable race.

9:18

9:30	And here is your official starting order, providing there aren't any no-shows.

9:30

9:39

9:39	Be sure to check out the live video stream of the race here - www.pirate4x4.com/trailreports/koh_rc09/live.php

9:44

camo checking in from RM 7 out on course at the obstacle simply know as the Hill climb. This looks to be the make it or break it spot on course and I predict we will have a small parking lot of broken rigs here during the race. And for the record... I am predicting a winning race time of 2:45 minutes. lets get ready to race!!!

9:52	Camo is thinking 2:45, all of the locals here are predicting 3:00+ I'm guessing sub 2:30, you heard it here first.

10:00

And they're off!

10:03

10:04

Bigelow is up next!

10:08

Some good racing at the start... Rob Unsick seemed to have some issues taking off with a sputtering engine.

10:12

Team Pirate4x4 Adam Woodlee is off the line near the back of the pack. He's got his work cut out for him.

10:14

#19 First through CP1

10:16

Clayton Walters is unofficially in the lead at this point.

10:16

And the last starters are off the line.

10:17

10:20

52x through cp1

10:21

Bottleneck through Jotters, some good action reportedly

10:22

19, 52x, 69, 000 through CP1

10:23

10 cars backed up on Jotters!!!

10:24

69 should be 609, David Smiley through CP1. My mistake

10:25

#14 Sean Rose is DNF'd with a broken link

10:28

Ken Mercer is reportly on the side of the course trying to repair a broken transmission line.

10:28

#25 through CP1

10:31

108 through CP1

10:32

#515 abandoned ship and is hiking back to the pits to get a replacement battery. There battery reportedly blew up.

10:32

I think I can hear a vehicle coming in the distance!!!

10:34

#19 through CP2!!!!

10:36

Your current leaders -
1) 19
2) 69
3) 000
4) 52x
5) 25
6) 108

10:37

Times through CP1:
1) 19 11min
2) 69 13 min
3) 000 15 min
4) 52x 15 min
5) 25 21 min
6) 108 24 min

10:38

Clarification, 5th place is 025 Dean Benner not Adam Woodlee

10:39

#52x Will Carter 2nd through CP2

10:40

#69 Melchner 3rd through CP2

10:42

#315 through CP2

10:42

025 through CP2

10:47

We are still waiting for the physical leader here at the Start/Finish

10:50

10:51

#19 Clayton Walters is first through CP3 and has completed lap 1

10:52

Lead time is 47:19

10:57

Will Carter and Charlie Melchner through CP3 and have completed their first lap

10:57

camo here checking in from RM 7 where the action is furious. the first 3 cars thru Clayton, Will Carter and Charlie Melchner made the climb with easy and left the pack in the dust...errr mud.

10:57

10:58

Melchner was only about 30 seconds behind Carter. Will he catch him?

10:58

10:59

the good line up seems to be clogged most of the time with a struggling rig , forcing other to take the less desirable lines and providing the crowd with great race action. At times 4 rigs are attacking the mud covered slabs at full throttle.. point and shoot at it's best

11:00

LEaders are:
1) Clayton 47:10
2) Melchner 49:36
3) W. Carter 54:39

11:02

sitting here blogging the portal axled jeep just did a full barrel roll down the hill and landed on his wheels and is now under way, meanwhile a drive shaft just exploded from the front of racer # 929.....let the bodies hit the floor !!!!

11:02

21 vehicles through CP1

11:04

Pics from the hill climb will be posted shortly. I am certain the drivers are doing their best to throw all the rocks and mud at me and I am certain I heard Broncolu even laugh at me as his roost made me run for cover

11:07

This is the strangest hill climb I have ever seen, perhaps we need Dustin Webster here to educate us on the correct technique to attack it. It seems even the best of rigs are struggling on the preferred line while stock mod jeeps take the hard way around them and laugh.... strange indeed... Dustin ?

11:09

Clayton is already through CP1 for the 2nd time!

Where is Woodlee and Bigelow??!?!!??!

11:10

I have not seen anybody come thru with a flat yet but I am certain that the tree stumps are going to factor into this at some point as I see many of the top teams not running a spare.

11:11

Clayton Walters just came thru for lap 2 and is being held up by a rig winching the climb.

11:12

Clayton's patients has worn out and he is on a bad line....this could go very wrong

11:13

cooler heads prevailed and Clayton has made the top and is on his way

11:16

025 just came through the start finish with a flat but still going

11:16

man I have to tell you, If you love the sound of 3 LS2 v8's all bouncing off the rev limiters then this is the place for you...... wheeling east coast style rules !!!

11:17

Racer # 013 just rolled down the hill during a full throttle attack. back on his wheels now surveying the damage.. driver and spotter are OK

11:18

025 through with a flat

11:19

# 52x will carter running in the top 3 is now on the hill climb and picking his way around the carnage... looks like a full throttle attack has left him short

11:19

Adam Carter and Adam Woodlee through CP3 really tight!

11:20

seems to me the slabs have been coated in mud as carter is on nearly his same line as lap on and struggled hard to find traction. but he made it as is chasing the rig in front of him down

11:23

racer 007 is parked at the bottom of the hill climb partially blocking the left lane. seems the front drive shaft didn't agree with the RPM range required to make it to the top.

11:23

So far we have had 2 front shafts broken and 2 barrel rolls. the carnage mounts as lap 1 comes to a close

11:24

11:25

Whoops, wrong picture. haha

11:26

team #13 co driver which was involved in the recent barrel roll down the hill has just set out on foot to run the 3/4 mile to a pit and get some tranny fluid. that doesn't sound like fun to me, but them is the rules and this guys intend to finish this race

11:26

11:33

Barry Beadle rolls right before CP3 goes through, and then almost rolls just past CP3! What a maniac!!!

11:35

024 Just BLOWS through CP3 without stopping!!!

11:35

11:39

Bigelow on his lid!!!

11:41

11:44

11:46

11:47

Adam is fucking peeling the fuk out with rage
Course is sloppy bad...backed up....adam denied
3 rigs on winch...total blockage
Adam out of car

11:48

Leader just came through CP3 for 2nd time lapping everyone!!!

11:50

Leader's 2nd lap time is 58 minutes

11:50

#92 broke a knuckle/steering at CP3

11:50

The hillclimb has become a parking lot... broken junk, stuck rigs and just carnage

11:51

Kim Sears through CP3

11:53

Racer #007 is trying to find a 1350 tcase yoke for his atlas
Adam Woodlee is just denied and cant get up the slipper slab. he is relentless on the rev limiter with bost axles steering looking for any traction
I suppose trying to dodge all the winch cables is a bit of an issue forcing him to take what is a really bad line

11:54

Another racer has just tumbled down the hill doing a double barrel roll...that might actually give woddlee and escape rout and a clear shot to the top

11:56

woodlee has cleared the top of the hill as the tam Billavista does a barrel roll down the hill

11:56

Right now there is 2 rolled rigs , 1 stuck rig and 1 broken rig on the hill.... we are having a great time in the woods !!!

12:03

Melchner is broke about 50 feet from CP3

12:03

12:04

12:05

12:13

Adam Carter through CP3

12:15

12:18

#617 through CP3

12:19

12:20

It's amazing how spread out the field is. Clayton Walters is still the reported leader at this time. Charlie Melchner is still broke with unknown engine problems.

12:32

Sitting here at the hill climb with Jeff knoll. jeff what do you think of the race so far ?

12:32

Jeff....INTENSE !!

12:34

Lots of close racing and great sportsmanship.
The corse has turned out to be more brutal then we through it was yesterday during prerun. but that is making for great action and the Spirit of the King of the Hammers is being upheld. This is not easy or for the meek

12:35

camo here... the action on the hill was out of control for the last 30 minutes, at one point there was 10 rigs all struggling for traction.

12:35

Charlie Melcher and Billavista have fixed there issue and have made the climb and are back to racing

12:36

Woodlee just came through CP3 with a flat left rear.

12:37

the all girl team of Bunny and Kat Bigelow are still stuck on the hill and have busted out the winch.

12:38

12:39

#19 is still in the lead

12:39

Adam Carter sporting his BFH Koh tires 315 is attacking the hill but this isn't the desert. he finally finds the slab and away he goes

12:39

Adam Woodlee is broken down about 200 yards past CP3

12:40

Tim Smoluck has just rolled his Jeep. driver is OK and goes to work getting it back on all 4

12:40

Official update:
Ckpt 2 on lap 3:
Clayton has 5 minute lead on Will Carter.

12:41

Adam Woodlee ran out of gas!

12:42

I assure you will carter knows right where he lost that 5 minutes on Clayton....sitting in traffic with no clear line at the hill climb. tensions were running high but what are you gonna do.

12:45

Pretty sure Adam used up all that gas with his 5 minute long peel out up the rock slabs... hey adam...how about a bigger fuel cell buddy

12:48

Bigelow FINALLY makes it through CP3!

12:49

I just ran into Bailey Cole , son of race promoter Dave Cole. Bailey what do you think of the race ?

12:52

Bailey..... I think the trees are weird...it makes for a whole different race and the course is tight. this hill climb is one of the hardest I have ever seen. the Hammers and KOH race tradition have upheld.

12:52

Bailey sez this hill climb reminds him of backdoor at the Hammers. just pure carnage and great action

12:54

Will Carter is now current leader and through CP3!

12:54

A rig just came by on BFG crawlers and made everybody look silly... walked right up the hill and said peace out chumps...remind me to get that guys name...he was cool

12:55

Clay is not far behind Will!

12:55

12:56

Official Lead:
Clayton is still in the lead by 1 minute

12:56

JT Taylor is here with me and helping race with race control. JT what do you think of the action so far

12:57

JT...... having a blast...wish I had my racer here. these guys peel out !!!

12:58

Charlie Melchner FINALLY got his car going, and is back running.

1:00	So far... 1) Clayton (4th lap) 2) W. Carter (4th lap) 3) A. Carter (3rd lap) 4) Woodlee (3rd lap) 5) Stone (3rd lap) All on 4th lap

1:02	disreguard the "all on 4th lap" comment.

1:02	As we approach the 3 hour mark the guess from last nights smack talk session have all gone to hell. Jeff Knoll, JT and myself all had sub 3 hour estimates

1:02	609 through

1:04	the # 025 racer of 5th place stone is stuck on the hill climb and has busted out the winch

1:06	JT remarks that today seems to be BFG Krawler day.... I never thought of them as a mud tire but they are certainly proving to be up to the task

1:08

1:08	The action is INSANE!

1:09

1:09	Jeff Knoll just gave me a race report that gave me goose bumps.. DAve Cole is going to the start finish line and will broadcast on the audio feed... stay tuned

1:09

1:10	Will carter... approaches the hill climb and is talking to race officials.

1:11	seems a broken rig is on his preferred line and I just heard Jeff tell him to peel out. LOL

1:12	So peel out he did...but he rolls it.

1:12	spectators are flipping him back on his wheels and he looks to be OK

1:15	racer 129 Travis watford comes thru looking calm and stylish,,,,attacks the hill and rolls into the carter...causing a big scramble and carter is now pinned against a tree and upside down

1:16	This is definitely a game changer as the recovery is on a steep muddy slipper slab.

1:22	Pics coming of second place Will Carter rolled and rolled onto....in the mayhem Clayton and Woddlee passed him as he sat helpless

1:23	Bother rigs back on 4 wheels and driver are mounting up and ready to go... Carter lost about 5 minutes to his rivals

1:23	Adam Carter is through CP3

1:25

1:26	Charlie Melchner and our Own Billavista are back at the Hill climb looking for a clean run after last laps rollover... they spank the climb and the crowd goes crazy...one of the cleanest runs of the day

1:26

1:27	speaking of crowds..I have been so busy that I didn't really take notice until just then.... a huge crowd has gathered and it looks like everybody is enjoying what has turned in beautiful wether and a awesome race.

1:28	The crowds must all be at camo's location, because it's almost a ghost town here at the start/finish.

1:29

[Live Video]

USTREAM: Play Live Video

1:30	Racer # 52 Berry Bettle from Texas pulls into the slot and finds the loud peddle... throws grace right out the window and is giving it every RPM that motor has to offer.......try as he might he is sliding backward as smoke pours off the tires.... a great day of racing

1:35	Who is going to win??? W. Carter ( 47% ) c. Walters ( 31% ) A Carter ( 13% ) Woodlee ( 7% ) Stone ( 3% )

1:35	well the action has slowed here at the hill and I am about out of lap top battery. I am going to look for somebody with an inverter and will report via blackberry where lance can post up.... isn't technology grand

1:42	Clayton Walters and Will Carter are BATTLING!!!!!

1:42	They are neck and neck and headed into CP3 any minute.

1:43	Officials just reported that Clayton has about a 3 minute corrected lead over Carter.

1:51	The leaders should be approaching CP3 any minute. Where the heck are they?

1:57	Will Carter physically first @ 1:55 through CP3 on final lap! Clayton Walters 1:55 through CP3 on final lap is in the lead on corrected time. He is literally right behind Carter.

1:58	Adam Woodlee is broken with a broken steering knuckle.

1:59	His crew is looking for a Ready Welder to repair it.

2:00

2:02	Sean Rose and Charlie Melchner just came through CP3

2:07	Will Carter loses the lead to Clayton!

2:08	reports say that will was having a slight transmisison or transfer case issue, which caused him to slow down and give Clayton a chance to steal the physical lead.

2:12	1) Walters 2) W. Carter 3) A. Carter 4) Stone 5) Melchner 6) Woodlee 7) K. Sears 8) Beadle 9) Murphy 10) Smalloch

2:12	Leaders are on final lap @ CP1

2:16	Clayton Walters is stuck!!! Will Carter takes the lead!!!

2:25	Bigelow just came through CP3 and is on his third lap now

2:25

2:28

2:30	52x Will Carter is currently your leader through CP2

2:33	Will is leading Walters by 30 seconds on corrected time!

2:36	The leaders have to be getting close... I'm getting anxious!

2:45	Will Carter is the physical finisher... But here comes Clayton!

2:47	WILL CARTER IS THE OFFICIAL WINNER BY 18 SECONDS!

2:50

2:51	Clayton Walters comes in 2nd place, only 18 seconds behind Will Carter. What a race!!!

2:51

2:58	Melchner just crossed CP3 and is on his final lap.

3:00	Adam Carter just cleared CP2 en-route to the finish line for 3rd place.

3:12	Just got word Woodlee is out of the car broke again.. Not sure what he broke though.

3:16	Bigelow is on his final lap and just cleared CP3

3:16	Adam Carter finishes and takes 3rd place.

3:24	How many drivers will finish before the 6:00pm deadline? 10% ( 7% ) 20% ( 7% ) 30% ( 48% ) 40% ( 24% ) 50% ( 10% ) 60%+ ( 3% )

3:31	So now the question remains... Who is in 4th????? I'll see if I can find out.

3:40	Top 10 1) W. Carter (finished) 2) Walter (finished) 3) A Carter (finished) 4) Stone (on final lap) 5) Melchner (on final lap) 6) K Sears 7) Beadle 8) Woodlee 9) Somluk 10) Murphy

3:43	Melchner is 3 minutes behind Stone. They are past CP2 and headed to the finish.

3:45

3:46

3:47

3:49

3:50

3:51	Check out this awesome video of the carnage!!!!

3:56	Greg Stone finishes 4th overall and Melchner finishes 5th overall. Congrats to both!

4:03	302 just got stopped for a saftey violation. They are fixing the window nets. Apparently the driver of record Hullfish got out of the car earlier in the race and Stan Branik has taken over driving duties.

4:08

5:26	6) Kim Sears 7) Barry Beadle 8) Doug Bigelow 9) Eric Miller

5:29	Top 9 finishers 1) Will Carter 2) Clayton Walter 3) Adam Carter 4) Greg Stone 5) Charlie Melchner 6) Kim Sears 7) Barry Beadle 8) Doug Bigelow 9) Eric Miller

5:29	There's only 30 minutes left in the race. Who else will finish? There are still 2 open spots for KOH!!!

5:38	Lucas Murphy finishes 10th

5:49	tick-tock... tick-tock.....

5:55	There is only one driver left on the course that could possibly finish on time. Tim Smoluk has until 6:06PM EST. However he is reportedly broken. It does NOT look like he will finish.

5:56	That means that only 10 people will finish the 2009 Rausch Creek King of the Hammers Qualifier. Update!!! Rob Unsick is still moving, and has passed CP2. He might be able to finish!!!!!

5:57	The officials are checking the official time, and when his corrected finish time would be.

5:57	Rob Unsick has 15 minutes to finish!!!

5:57	If he makes it, he will qualify for the 2010 KOH race.

6:11

6:12	Will Rob make it??????

6:12	My guess is no... But we shall see.

6:15

6:15	Rob Unsick is going to 2010 KOH!!!!

6:18	And that wraps up our coverage of the 2009 KOH Rausch Creek Qualifier. Thanks for tuning in!

6:21

6:22