Our 2024 Season was phenomenal
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We kicked off the year with our second ever King of the Hammers, as part of the Bailey Cole Racing team. Tackling the Desert Challenge, Every Man Challenge, and the Race of Kings.
Amy was lucky enough to get a spot as a Co Driver in a Spec Truck, while Jack was offered a bike to race King of the Motos in 2025! As a team we were able to bring home 1st place in the 4600 Bronco for the Every Man Challenge, and secure a sunset finish in the Race of Kings. It was also our first time having Jeremy join the team as Navi for Bailey in the rock race, and partner with SXOR in their 4400 car.
From Hammers, Jack and Amy headed home to prep the Trophy Ute for another attempt at finishing the Finke Desert Race. After 5 years of never seeing the chequered flag, it was overwhelming when the stars aligned and we made it there and back. Conquering a race on our sixth attempt with our dedicated crew was a huge achievement for all of us!
There wasn’t much time to bask in our success, as it was straight back to the USA for NorCal Stampede. An epic short course event, with gnarly rock sections and an exciting jump built by John Goodby. With Jack and Jeremy in the pits, and Amy in as Spotter, Bailey was well positioned to claim 1st place in the 4600 class after a fun battle with Ford Performance teammate Vaugh Gitten Jnr.
Following NorCal was Vegas to Reno, an incredible desert race run by Best in the Desert. We were able to put together an awesome crew and had a relatively issue free day and night. One major challenge was getting over Mount Como in 2WD in the dark! But with Bailey and Amy in the car for that final section, they turned the adversity into another fantastic result. Claiming our third top step for the season.
Here Jack and Amy flew back to Australia to prep and race in the Don River Dash, while Bailey finalised the 4800 Trentfab car that he was taking to Crandon. Despite being in different hemispheres and opposing time zones, Jack, Amy and Jeremy watched and cheered for Bailey as he claimed the Ultra4 race in the 4800 class.
Unfortunately, the Trophy Ute claimed two transmissions while we were in Bowen, QLD. This disappointing destruction was a symptom of larger geometry issue with the truck. Overall the Don River Dash was a great event, we were joined by six different Team Partners and their families, were able to participate in a Veterans activity, and had time to visit Lunatech and Durry’s Customs on the way home.
We wrapped up the year by taking the trophy ute to the Adelaide and Perth 4wd and Adventure Shows, while Bailey took the 4800 car from Crandon to LS Fest East, and then the Bronco went on display at Sema.
Now, in late December, we have already commenced pre-season preparations for King of the Hammers 2025. Flying in to the PRI show was a really cool experience, which we will share more about in another post.
What was your highlight for 2024?