Combining blazing-fast speed runs across flat desert with precise rock crawling over rugged terrain, the King of the Hammers race presents a wide range of challenges. (Image/Ford)

For off-road racing fans, the annual King of the Hammers competition is a really big deal. Taking place in Johnson Valley, California, it’s a weeklong festival of off-roading that attracts tons of enthusiasts, top-tier racers, and major sponsors.

The 2021 edition is actually going on now. The week is packed with events, and the main King of the Hammers race happens this Saturday, February 6. That final race, in which these Broncos will compete, stretches across a blistering-tough 90-mile course that combines high-speed desert runs with ultra-technical rock crawling.

While the racing is incredible, our focus is often on the vehicles. So we were pretty darn excited to see Ford pull the wraps off of three race-prepped Ultra4 4400 Unlimited Class Extreme Race Trucks modeled after the new Ford Bronco.

These new trucks herald the Bronco’s return to sanctioned off-road racing, and follow closely on the heels of the Bronco R prototype racer that debuted at the Baja 1000 last November.

Each Ultra4 4400 Ford Bronco features a one-off tubular roll cage, custom 4×4 drivetrain, massive wheels, long-travel shocks…basically everything a truck needs to be competitive in one of the toughest off-road racing events on the planet. (Image/Ford)

Ford also announced an all-star lineup of drivers, including champion drift racer Vaughn Gittin Jr., and multiple King of the Hammers winning drivers Loren Healy and Jason Scherer.

Fords has more details and Bronco pics in the press release here.

Better yet, you can watch the King of the Hammers events live online at Ultra4 Racing’s website.