KOH 2010, who's going?

[hilux-1983]

I was at KOH 2009 and had a blast. Hopefully I'll get to go again next year. I went all week. Didn't get time off work to do it since GM gave me a permanent leave of absence(company downsizing efforts). I'm in college again changing careers. From technician of 12 yrs, to Service Manager/Shop foreman, to Service Writer to Surgical Technician(Scrub Tech). I actually, by coincidence, work with a surgeon that is building a rig just to take out to KOH. http://board.marlincrawler.com/index.php?topic=63614.msg782582#msg782582  Here's some pics from last year. I've got lots. Enjoy:

















I even got to tow someones "heep" out of the desert too. This was the 1st of 2 that couldn't make it back to camp

[*** YELLER ***]

If all goes well Iwe will be there with Daves Offroad hangin' out

[Steve_925]

i went a couple weeks ago with out my truck, so ill be there for sure with it at KOH. probable gonna stay for a week then go down to fontana and party somemore at nascar.

[HDcruiser]

Without a doubt im going... i was there last year and the action was unreal!!!  I was talking to a guy i met this last weekend and he told me that they are going to raise the entry fee to 25K per person He told me that KOH is trying to weed out all the little guys and just keep the big name rigs in the race....   Has anyone heard of this rumor?

[steveco.]

25k is ridiculous. even Score Intl. doesn't charge that much for Trophy Trucks! i believe it's 1k?  anybody got a date for KOH this year?

[bigarms23]

im using some airline miles to go

[EarlKann]

Without a doubt im going... i was there last year and the action was unreal!!!  I was talking to a guy i met this last weekend and he told me that they are going to raise the entry fee to 25K per person He told me that KOH is trying to weed out all the little guys and just keep the big name rigs in the race....   Has anyone heard of this rumor?

This is partly correct, but very twisted.  I have two years of volunteering for KOH and I know one of the promoters, but this is all my personal opinion.

There are several opportunities for drivers to qualify for KOH, Rouch Creek Qualifier, Lands End Hill Climb, Vegas to Reno, Put up or Shut Up, and the Last Chance Qualifier, not to mention the top 20 from last year get invited back.  After a team/driver has qualified through one of these events there is an entry fee for the race.  I don't remember exactly what it was, but probably in the $1,000-$1,500 range.

There is another way to get into the race besides qualifying.  As race promoters, like it or not, they are a business.  They have several "marketing partner" positions that are basically for sale.  There are different levels of marketing that cost different amounts.   I'd bet that Griffin Thermal Products paid more than 25k to be the title sponsor of the race.  Part of that sponsorship includes an entry into the race without having to qualify. 

So yes, for 25k you can probably buy a mid level sponsorship and get an entry into the race, but it isn't necessary or the only way in.   

[EarlKann]

Oh, and the race is on Friday Feb 12, 2010.  Last chance qualifier is Tues and Wed the 9th and 10th and will probably be just as good if not better action than the race. 

There will be a few of us Rock Brawlers out there.   8)

[Steve_925]

how much can you wheel between tuesday and thursday

[EarlKann]

how much can you wheel between tuesday and thursday

It's an open area, they can't really stop you from doing anything.  It would be polite to stay away from the LCQ course (it won't be that big) till the end qualifying Wed night to allow the racers the opportunity to practice and race.  I expect that there will be people on the main trails on Thursday, again it would be polite to let the racers practice and I wouldn't try any late night runs which may result in broken rigs stranded on course, but there will be some wheeling and spectating to do Tue-Thur.   

[Steve_925]

thats what i figured. can somone post up the course if there is one yet

[EarlKann]

thats what i figured. can somone post up the course if there is one yet

Full race course probably won't be released until the week before the race.  They are talking about releasing the LCQ course early, but nothing yet.

[Rocksurfer]

If I can get the day off I'm going to be there, one of our club members is involved with mapping the race course and he won't even tell us what they are doing so don't expect to find out until they want us to know. He told me that he'd tell me but then kill me immediately after so as not to have it leak out.

[steveco.]

There is another way to get into the race besides qualifying.  As race promoters, like it or not, they are a business.  They have several "marketing partner" positions that are basically for sale.  There are different levels of marketing that cost different amounts.   I'd bet that Griffin Thermal Products paid more than 25k to be the title sponsor of the race.  Part of that sponsorship includes an entry into the race without having to qualify. 

So yes, for 25k you can probably buy a mid level sponsorship and get an entry into the race, but it isn't necessary or the only way in.   

makes sence. just not for the little guy. The best way to make a million dollars in desert racing is to start with two million.    either way i'll be out there! 

[Blingn]

I should be there this year.  Riding up with my buddy Lance and his team.

[KRT]

I'll be down there shooting the race.

[Joey88RUNR]

I want to Go to KOH SOOO bad....would it be worth the drive from fresno, if i left thursday night?
I know i red all the fun starts tuesday or so... but cant get the whole week off...

[iNfErNaL]

There will be a few of us Rock Brawlers out there.   8)

8)

[hilux-1983]

I'm still figuring out if "Belly Doc" is going to sign off on my clinical hours so that I can go and support him as the Essay Contest winner Co-driver. He hasn't officially won, YET!!!

[Slolyfe]

We will be there Tues till Tues. See yall

[hilux-1983]

Does anyone know i Marlin and the boys will be occupying one of the vendors tents? Selling parts?

[EarlKann]

Does anyone know i Marlin and the boys will be occupying one of the vendors tents? Selling parts?

They were not on the top secret vendor tent layout map that I saw.

[Steve_925]

i talked to one of the guys at the shaop and it sounds like most of them will be there just no vendor booth

[hilux-1983]

Looks like I'm heading out from Buckeye around 1 pm ish on sunday. I'll be cruising 70-75 so if anyone wants to go out together, thats when I'm leaving. I only posted my speed since a lot of you will be in tow rigs that will going down the freeway a lot faster than that.