Rivian in King of the Hammers: Possible or Dream?

[chaynes745]

After spending all of last week watching the King of the Hammers races for hours on end streamed on YouTube, I began to think about the possibility of a Rivian being able to enter and actually compete in an off-road race such as the King of the Hammers...

For context, the King of the Hammers is considered one of the biggest and toughest off-road weeks in the US. Racing includes both desert racing and rock crawling, which tests teams and drivers in both areas. Many of the vehicles that start the race, are not able to complete the race due to broken parts, mechanical failures, or not being able to finish in the allotted timeframe. The past two years (2023 and 2024) featured a Toyota Tacoma that was retrofitted with the drivetrain of a Nissan Leaf. We have also seen Rivian's compete in other races, to include the Rebelle Rally and Pike Peak Hill Climb, but no Rivian has been built for extreme rock crawling and desert racing to the extent of King of the Hammers (to my knowledge at least).

What do you think is the possibility of a Rivian being built for this kind of race? Or for simply a weekend offroad rig that is capable of some tougher trails?

Some AI generated pictures created with the idea of off-road racing in a Rivian...

Sponsored

 

[DuoRivians]

I don’t think a stock R1T or S will make it.

 

[WattTruckMatt]

With a large amount of money, anything is possible.
7k lbs + high speed + rocks = better have some proper tires.

Nice work on those AI shots. I've done a few but you must have the magic touch.

 

[Dark-Fx]

compete? sure. Finish? snowball's chance in hell

 

[chaynes745]

I don’t think a stock R1T or S will make it.

Most definitely not! Seeing as though some of the biggest names in Ultra4, with purpose-built vehicles were not able to complete this year's race. That alone says a lot about the difficulties and toughness of the race.

With a large amount of money, anything is possible.
7k lbs + high speed + rocks = better have some proper tires.

Nice work on those AI shots. I've done a few but you must have the magic touch.

Yes. Money is a big factor. Maybe I could get Nitto to create a set of tires that have a high enough weight rating and can withstand the speed and rocks. And maybe have everyone else pitch in a bunch of money to create something KOH worthy.

 

[ekiM]

compete? sure. Finish? snowball's chance in hell

Indeed. You can't get anywhere near the travel or tuck of a centrally pivoting axle that's required on those obstacles with independent suspension. Beyond that you can't reengineer an R1 to work that way without engineering an almost wholly different vehicle, it'd probably involve deleting two motors and attaching the remaining two to a couple of stick axles.

That being said, I like my R1T's chances against a Rubicon anything on any trail, and that's impressive given it's onroad chops.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

One thing for certain, a stronger tie-rod ain't gonna fix that. ^ Never mind completing just 1 lap of KOH.

 

[chaynes745]

One thing for certain, a stronger tie-rod ain't gonna fix that. ^ Never mind completing just 1 lap of KOH.

Haha. Didn't even notice that when I first grabbed the photo. We better get it in for an alignment or rebuilding...

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Haha. Didn't even notice that when I first grabbed the photo. We better get it in for an alignment or rebuilding...

What did you use? Midjourney?

 

[chaynes745]

Indeed. You can't get anywhere near the travel or tuck of a centrally pivoting axle that's required on those obstacles with independent suspension. Beyond that you can't reengineer an R1 to work that way without engineering an almost wholly different vehicle, it'd probably involve deleting two motors and attaching the remaining two to a couple of stick axles.

That being said, I like my R1T's chances against a Rubicon anything on any trail, and that's impressive given it's onroad chops.

I could definitely see a dual motor being used with upgraded suspension. Complete rebuild of the front and rear arms to create a long-travel IFS/IRS system. Some extra underbody protection. Front and Rear bumpers. Enough room to clear some 37" or 40" tires. The list goes on and on...

 

[chaynes745]

What did you use? Midjourney?

Not Midjourney. I've tried to play around with midjourney some without any success. These were created using IllustrateAI by DesignBundles. I subscribe to Design Bundles for laser cutting files and get AI included. It definitely isn't the best, but works for general things. And with repeated prompts and messing with some wordage, I have noticed that I can eventually get a handful of decent images.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Not Midjourney. I've tried to play around with midjourney some without any success. These were created using IllustrateAI by DesignBundles. I subscribe to Design Bundles for laser cutting files and get AI included. It definitely isn't the best, but works for general things. And with repeated prompts and messing with some wordage, I have noticed that I can eventually get a handful of decent images.

Ah so it's not one of the free-to-use sites? It's better than most I've seen.

I'm not familiar with KOH classifications or rules for each. But, if I were to build one just to run the course I'd ditch all of the body work and tube frame it all, with sacrificial plastic or composite body panels hung from the tubes. And no fenders. If I had to keep some of the body, the stripped cab is likely the only thing I'd keep. What's rendered is more appropriate for the stock or near-stock classes of Baja or Dakar. Not appropriate for "OMG, new pair of underwear please!" level of rock crawling that is part of KOH.

 

[chaynes745]

Ah so it's not one of the free-to-use sites? It's better than most I've seen.

I'm not familiar with KOH classifications or rules for each. But, if I were to build one just to run the course I'd ditch all of the body work and tube frame it all, with sacrificial plastic or composite body panels hung from the tubes. And no fenders. If I had to keep some of the body, the stripped cab is likely the only thing I'd keep. What's rendered is more appropriate for the stock or near-stock classes of Baja or Dakar. Not appropriate for "OMG, new pair of underwear please!" level of rock crawling that is part of KOH.

Absolutely. KOH actually has many classes, like most of racing. They specifically have a race that is called Everyman Challange. Different classes based on the modifications. Some limit the tire size or suspension setup to stock configuration. Other classes such as the 4400 class are a true unlimited class (limited to minimum 37" tire and safety guidelines).

Using a Rivian, and it still being a 'Rivian', you would be bound to the more stock or stock modified classes.

If interested, you could checkout part of the King of the Hammers Race of Kings from this past Saturday. Starting about 5:30 into the video, it shows many of the lead vehicles on the last of three 'laps'. A lot of excitement and changes in the lead vehicle. And a crazy finish from a Can-Am.

 

[COdogman]

Let me borrow your truck and let’s find out

 

[chaynes745]

Let me borrow your truck and let’s find out

We can use my truck and your money? I think I would be down for that. Just need to get it done by March. Any dents can be pulled out when it goes in for all of my hail damage.

Sponsored