King of the Hammers announced Griffin Radiator as its title sponsor and OPTIMA Batteries as its presenting sponsor for its 2026 event. Together, the brands will welcome tens of thousands of fans and competitors to Johnson Valley, California, for the annual off-road motorsports festival, taking place from Jan. 23 to Feb. 7.
Griffin Radiator
Longtime partner Griffin Radiator brings decades of motorsports innovation and performance to the King of the Hammers title role, company officials stated in a press release. As the first official title sponsor of King of the Hammers and known for its high-performance cooling solutions across off-road, racing and automotive applications, Griffin’s partnership underscores the extreme demands placed on both machines and drivers in Johnson Valley, the company said.
“Griffin has had a long-standing relationship with the King of the Hammers event,” said Tom Beebe, resident at Griffin Radiator. “The extreme conditions of KOH and Johnson Valley are the ultimate proving grounds for our products, and we’re proud to support an event where performance and durability are pushed to their absolute limits.”
OPTIMA Batteries
OPTIMA Batteries returns as presenting sponsor, continuing its long-standing commitment to off-road racing and motorsports, officials stated. OPTIMA Batteries has been a trusted name in high-performance battery technology for racers and enthusiasts worldwide for over 50 years.
“OPTIMA Batteries and King of the Hammers share a passion for performance under pressure,” said Cam Douglass, director of marketing at OPTIMA Batteries. “Johnson Valley is one of the most extreme environments in motorsports, and it provides invaluable real-world testing that drives the technology we deliver to our customers every day.”
King of the Hammers
King of the Hammers is the birthplace of the Ultra4 Racing series and a global gathering of off-road culture. From the high-speed Unlimited 4400 and Desert Truck classes to UTVs, stock-modified vehicles and emerging electric platforms, the event showcases the most capable 4×4 machines on the planet, event organizers said. Each year, more than 80,000 fans descend on the lakebed, with millions more tuning in worldwide.
“We’re excited to welcome Griffin Radiator as our title sponsor and to continue our long-standing partnership with OPTIMA Batteries,” said Mike Jams, CEO of Hammerking Productions. “Both brands understand that King of the Hammers is about pushing boundaries, embracing innovation and celebrating the off-road community that makes this event so special.”