Trick Toy Fab Race Team has strong finish at 2012 KOH
For the first time in the King of the Hammers six year history, racers were required to qualify for start position. For Rick Mooneyham of Lake Havasu City, this proved to be an excellent opportunity as opposed to random draw for start position. Rick pulled up to the qualifying start line at the base of Chocolate Thunder trail. With the green flag he launched off the start line through the soft sand and lined up to The Gatekeeper obstacle. With no lack of power, Rick shot up over the boulders and continued skipping up over the remainder of the rocks. He dropped over the backside of the hill and flew across the desert finishing the course with the fastest time of all 161 competitors. With the fastest qualifying time, Rick started on pole position for the main event on Friday. Using a strategy to allow Nick Nelson (who qualified 2nd) to take a slight lead off the line and then push him in the desert, the first row starters disappeared over the first mountain. The new Trick Toys Fabrication car soaked up the whoops and glided effortlessly across the desert at speeds in excess of 100 mph. The strategy worked as Nick Nelson was sidelined near mile marker 19. In the lead at the first rock trail, Rick’s car easily climbed over boulders taller than men. Without knowing where other racers were on course, Rick pushed the car to its limits. Due to the sharp rocks and blunt force encountered on this grueling coarse, several tires were lost throughout the day causing Rick some significant down time. Goodyear’s pit crew along with the TTF crew worked tirelessly to get new tires to the locations where they were needed. This led to a struggle all race long between the top three cars for the number one position. Rick and co-driver Brian Smith regained first place less than 15 miles from the finish line and stretched out their lead.
Less than five miles from the completion of the 170-mile course, Rick was forced to give up first position in order to change yet another tire. Back on course and functioning smoothly, the team encountered Greg Adler of 4-Wheel Parts, driving another TTF car, rolled over on the final obstacle of the day. Less than one mile from the finish line Rick helped Adler roll the car back over in an effort to get the 4Wheel Parts sponsored car to the finish line. Leaving the righted Adler, Rick went on to finish the race in 2nd place. This strong finish maintains Rick’s status as the Ultra 4 racer with the most top 5 finishes in King of the Hammers since its inception. Scott Ward and co-driver Craig Ward of Lake Havasu City qualified 11th and finished 29th in a twin TTF car to Rick Mooneyham. Les Figueroa, now in Henderson, NV, qualified 27th and finished 36th.