![Amanda Products [USA] Logo](https://www.amandaproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/aplogo_nonretina.png)
KING OF THE HAMMERS
2/7/14 SpeedHook™ had its race debut in the Mojave Desert at Ultra4’s 2014 Griffin King of the Hammers – “The toughest one-day off-road race on the planet.” Drivers race buggies that are custom fabricated for technical rock crawling AND ability to exceed speeds of 100 mph. When things break – and they DO break – repairs must be done on the track; or in the pit area.
We’d been told “if anyone can appreciate the usefulness of SpeedHook™, it will be this crowd.” They were right. We can’t put the best reactions in print, but we can share “Badass!” – “Solid!” and “Can’t break it!”
Drivers appreciated the speed and ease of SpeedHook™. They liked the idea of having a hook in front; said it’s far more useful than only having a receiver mount option. They would rather be pulled forward than yanked backwards. They liked the functionality and the aggressive look; but there was a hint of their wanting more than “just a hook.” They didn’t say what.
Clearly, we needed to establish a relationship with these people. We started with the racer who built the Ultra SS 4-seater chassis for our SEMA booth. Mike Klensin lives and breathes King of the Hammers. After starting 59th in a field of more than 250, this is how he rolled through to finish in 9th place.
The biggest surprise at King of the Hammers was finding we were genuinely hooked on off-road racing. We needed more Ultra4.
From corporate fan
to team sponsor
If you watched the video above, that was Mike Klensin at the wheel of John Brock’s vehicle. In March we became sponsors of the vehicle that now wears our logo. Both drivers are honored to promote SpeedHook™ – a product that helps drivers get back on course quickly.
John Brock races Dirt Riot and Dirt Riot Endurance Racing, a.k.a. W.E. Rock, the “World extreme rock crawling championship series.” Whereas the Ultra 4 series “combines desert racing and rock crawling into the world’s toughest one day off-road race.” Despite a rough year, Klensin and Brock beat a long run of bad luck to secure a seat at King of the Hammers 2015.
The sponsorship has turned us all – everyone from top management to factory staff – into race fans. And our ongoing commitment to covering the races on social media intensifies our connection with off-road enthusiasts.
EASTER JEEP SAFARI
4/12/14 While hundreds of worthy events take place across the country every year, we chose to begin with Easter Jeep Safari at Area BFE near Moab, Utah. Olaf Kilthau, a partner in the property, explained the mission of the park; “We bought the land to keep it open for free.” You have to respect that; so Amanda Products signed on as an Area BFE sponsor for 2014.
We met true Jeep enthusiasts who wouldn’t think of heading for Area BFE without the right recovery equipment. They’re out there driving, rolling and pushing the limits on trails that range from Strike Ravine – designated “beginner to intermediate;” to Helldorado – designated “expert,” along with the warning “Do not attempt alone!”
They appreciated the function and design of SpeedHook™. They told us they needed a heavy duty solution for heavy duty problems – like being stuck on a massive rock; winching is too much hassle. We learned that it doesn’t matter whether you’re an off-road racer or a weekend rock crawler; fast, easy recovery is your friend.
After Moab we crossed the country to meet another type of Jeep enthusiast.
JEEP BEACH: DAYTONA
INTERNATIONAL SPEEDWAY
4/27/14 Jeep Beach is an enormous annual charity event planned and managed by members of the Mid Florida Jeep Club.
Jeepbeach.com describes it as “an annual event of Jeep enthusiasts celebrating a passion for off-road vehicles.” It’s “five days of family friendly fun for Jeep owners.” There were about 8,825 people in the speedway when we were there. Despite all the things to see and do, we were glued to the obstacle course.
While you might not see these vehicles at Moab, you will see them on the trails and on the town. They were a parade of vibrant colors and perfect paint; skillful maneuvering kept them (mostly) intact.
Back at the Recovery Station attendees who walked up for free water stayed to take a closer look at the SpeedHook™ samples. One said it was “freaking ingenious.” Truck owners reached for their wallets in an attempt to buy the samples. (SpeedHook is a plug and play for F-150; two bolts and you’re done.)
Others held it out at arm’s length and curled it like a weight. SpeedHook™ is 6 lbs.; the receiver mount is 11 lbs. It’s manly, the kind of hook you hope someone has when you run into trouble.
That’s when we learned some were worried about the weight. SpeedHook™ is heavier than the standard Jeep tow hook; would a Jeep bumper be damaged or torn off in a tow situation? Discussion ensued. Maybe there was some way to improve their vehicle’s appearance while solving functional problems.
The most creative of the group said “I’d rather buy a whole new bumper and the hook should come with it.”
Others agreed.
AT JOURNEY’S END
We had learned from the honest input of the off-road community. Our association with Ultra4 and Dirt Riot racing gave us deep appreciation of the sport that produced the concept.
The hard core Ultra4 racing crowd acknowledged SpeedHook’s speed and ease, but it left them wanting something more. Area BFE/Jeep Safari types who get themselves into heavy duty situations welcomed SpeedHook™ as a heavy duty solution.
But it was the enthusiasts at Jeep Beach who gave us the most meaningful input. They prize form and function in equal measure and their vehicles are personal expressions of who they are as individuals. They told us they want “a whole new thing; build it!”
They inspired our product goals for SEMA 2014.