By STEVE COLLINS
At the Age of 64, Bill Baird of Sturgis, Ky, finished third overall in the “Toughest One-Day Off-Road races in the World”, the 2014 Griffin King of The Hammers race held Friday, Feb. 8, 2014, in Johnson Valley, CA.
Marked the 8th annual Griffin King of The Hammers (KOH) race, presented by Nitto Tire. 156 drivers from 31 states and eight countries competed in this year’s event. Of the 156 drivers that started this year’s race, only 31 drivers were able finished the brutal 194 mile off-road course, located in the desert of Johnson Valley, California. The 2014 course was the toughest KOH race yet, punishing competitors and their Ultra4 vehicles.
The winning driver, Loren Healy had a course time of 08:03:26, Tony Pellegrino took 2nd with a time of 08:18:42 and Bill Baird’s time was 08:23:37 for a 3rd place finish.
During the race, Bill’s car performed better than could be expected for an eight-hour race, only having to deal with three flat tires and a transmission oil cooler leak on the last lap. Bill was able to make it to the pit areas for the needed repairs, handled by his pit crew. The transmission oil cooler was bypassed and oil added, but the overheated transmission cost Bill valuable time.
Bill stated, “It is the best feeling ever to take a checkered flag knowing you have finished the toughest race in the world. Even after almost eight and a half hours of racing, I must have been high on adrenalin, because I really didn’t feel that tired. Over the years, my racing experience has taught me how to control my breathing and heart rate. I owe all the success of this race to my crew; they have worked extremely hard to prepare for this race.”
At the finish line, Bill was informed that unofficially he was in fourth place. Later in the evening, a driver that had finished in front of Bill was penalized for cutting the course, which moved Bill up to a third place finish.
Bill Baird is the owner of Bill Baird Motorsports Off-Road Center in Sturgis, Ky. To learn more about the Ultra4 Racing Series, visit www.ultra4racing.com.