The iconic location of Walter’s Arena in Wales hosted the Terrafirma King of Britain 2023 from 4 to 6 August, valid as the second race for both the European and British Championships. The weekend was full of action, adrenaline and surprises which, with the addition of heavy rain on day 1, made the event epic by adding a further challenge for the competing teams. Mark Dean won the race in the Unlimited class.
The Terrafirma King of Britain race is part of the European Ultra4 Europe championship which has four races. The year started with Rallye Breslau in July. The other competitions will then take place in France (8-10 September) and Portugal (4-7 October).
The Ultra4 is an off-road discipline in which there are different categories of vehicles. From the simplest in the Stock class with almost standard 4x4s, through the more elaborate and well-prepared Legend class to the larger machines in the Unlimited class, often simply called Ultra4. On the Unlimited, everything is possible, engine, suspension, rigid axles or independent wheels. In recent years, there have also been SSVs and WRRs (Winch Rallye Raid, which are prototypes usually made to participate in trial races where winching is used to get out of difficult areas).
Spread over three days in Wales, on the off-road area of Walter’s Arena, 36 crews from four countries (United Kingdom, Belgium, France, Germany) lined up for the King of Britain Terrafirma. On the starting line 13 Ultra4 (#4400), 6 Stock classes (#4600), 7 Legend classes (#4800), 7 SSV (#4900) and finally 3 WRR machines.
Terrafirma King of Britain 2023 List of Teams in Race:
4400 Unlimited Class
105 Mark DEAN / Matthew HOWARD – TEAM PHEONIX
68 Axel BURMAN / Tom OLIESLAGERS – OFFROAD TERROR RACING
2812 Bernd SCHAFER / Alex SCHOENBRUNN – THE CRAZY GERMANS
7 Terry FURLONG / Dylan COLTMAN – KIRKBY SIGNS
181 James AYRE / Michael BROWN – BLACKBIRD INDUSTRIES
48 Antoine REUL / Benoit – REUL REULSPORT
15 Marc GOVAERTS / Glenn GOVAERTS – GREEN TEAM
321 Keiran DUNLOP / Mick SAGAR – JS CUSTOMS RACING
45 Duncan SMITH / Domonic OREGAN – TEAM HYBRID
69 Jim MARSDEN / Joe Seymour SMITH – GIGGLEPIN RACING
57 Ryan DUNN / Corrilie DUNN – SHORT CIRCUIT RACING
662 Sam AHMED / Dan THOMAS – A662 RACING
4600 Stock Class
3453 Adam BORRILL / Emma HOLLINGS – TEAM FIELD FABRICATION
47 Richard HOPKINS / Chelsea HOPKINS – SCAPEGOAT RACING
4657 Joseph LANDER / Oliver FIELDING – TEAM MPR
7224 Chris MORGAN / Molly LAW – TEAM HOBBIT
6666 Scott BERESFORD / Alez JONES – SMALL TOWN RACING
666 Ryan BERESFORD / Tom PENNY – SMALL TOWN RACING
4800 Legend Class
230 Tom JOLIFFE / Mark FOSTER – JB EQUIPMENT RACING
508 Luke WAKELEN / James WATTS – MIGHTY 90
22 Andrew BEECROFT / Ty BOOTHROYP – BEACROFT TYRES RACING
416 Darren BROOKS / James PILBEAM – TEAM DATUM
885 Tom BRITTEN / Ellie NORTON – BBS RACING
522 Holly EVANS / Zac DAMBRUSKAS – GOON RACING
229 Matt RICHMOND / Andy BROOKS – MAC ATTACK RACING
4900 SSV Class
60 Paul ROWLANDS / Liam DUDLEY – PAR HOMES RACING
142 Noah JACQUET / Flavien BEADET – TEAM PACMAN
12 Peter JACKSON / Giles HIRST – THE JACKSONS
505 Rob TUNNAH / Austin JAMES – ART MOTORSPORT
646 Shabs PIERCY / Si SAGAR – TSR
50 Julien GUERTON / Theodore GUERTON – JHR TEAM
20 Max AHMED / Toby RUTTER – A662 RACING
WRR Winch Rally Raid Class
212 Jack BRADSHAW / Coral DUAYLE – TEAM DB RACING
415 Johnny JOHNSON / Paul JOHNSON – TEAM JOHNSON
960 Allen SHARP / Alex WILSON – TEAM SHAR
Terrafirma King of Britain Mac Tools Prologue
The first day is traditionally devoted to technical checks of 4x4s to comply with strict safety rules as well as administrative checks. As in any motor sports competition, the Ultra4 publishes very strict regulations every year which take into account the various possible modifications according to the classes of vehicles and the safety standards which may concern the roll bar, the tank, the safety elements for pilots like harnesses, bucket seats.
At the end of the afternoon, the Mac Tools prologue took place. It is a race of a very short format, a 2.5 km sprint, which will make it possible to determine the classification for the start of the competition the next day. This year the Ultra4 inaugurated a new format, a bit like in Formula 1, where drivers can take to the track for three hours and try to set the best time. Previously, there was only one lap per vehicle, but with this new prologue, the challenge is more interesting and adds suspense. A crew can try to snatch up precious seconds and improve its positioning.
Jim Marsden – Team Gigglepin Racing
Mac Tools Prologue Winners:
4400 Unlimited Class
1. 69 Jim MARSDEN / Joe Seymour SMITH – GIGGLEPIN RACING
4600 Stock Class
1. 22 Andrew BEECROFT / Ty BOOTHROYD – BEACROFT TYRES RACING
4800 Legend Class
1. 230 Tom JOLIFFE / Mark FOSTER – JB EQUIPMENT RACING
4900 SVV Class
1. 505 Rob TUNNAH / Austin JAMES – ART MOTORSPORT
WRR Winch Rally Raid Class
1. 960 Allen SHARP / Alex WILSON – TEAM SHARP
Terrafirma King of Britain Day 1 and Super Sprint
Saturday the day rises but not the sun. Waterspouts are falling. The terrain is soggy, visibility is limited and mud litters the track. Despite everything at Walter’s Arena which is a former coal mine, there is grip because the ground has a lot of pebbles and small rocks which allow you to keep a certain grip.
However, you will have to be careful and manage your trajectory well to avoid a bad step. The start is finally given. Two by two in a roar of engines, the pilots compete in audacity to place themselves in the lead and take the lead. It is better to avoid being second and take all the splashes of mud, stones thrown by the vehicle in front.
The teams have four laps to complete over a period of 5 hours, they will have to manage their race intelligently and cleverly. If a car has a breakdown and is repaired on the course, it does not lose the benefit of the current lap. On the other hand, if it is repaired and towed to return to base camp, the turn is lost and cannot be recovered.
The track is about 48 km long. There is an alternation of very rolling paths where the pilots will be able to drive fast, very narrow forest paths where you have to be careful not to get off the track and several rocky areas, extremely difficult and demanding, at the same time for machines and crews. The winch is sometimes used there. It is above all a function of the capacities of the 4×4 but also of the driver who must know how to find the right trajectory. These very technical and difficult stages are at the heart of the Ultra 4 discipline and constitute its true DNA. It is not for nothing that the Ultra 4 is renowned as the toughest and most selective off-road discipline in the world.
In this little game everyone will not complete the four necessary turns. At the end of the day we have 8 crews in Unlimited who will have done the 4 laps, 1 alone in Stock class, 3 in Legend, 3 in SSV and none in WRR. Suffice to say that the game will be very difficult for those who are already late detours. On the other hand, the pressure and the adrenaline rises, especially in Unlimited to fight for the second special.
At the end of the afternoon the Ultra4 launched a mini race called Super Sprint which will allow on a track like the prologue, but on a single lap, to have bonus points for the championship. Despite the tired pilots put on a show to the delight of the spectators who braved the weather, we were treated to sometimes unorthodox tricks, jumps with 4 wheels in the air, more or less controlled skids. Note the fantastic performance of the Range Rover Classic in Stock class, the driver of which had to unplug his brain. He amazed everyone by taking all the risks to have a good time. Leaving like a rocket, he embarked on the descent at full speed bouncing in all directions and leading to the extreme limit. Arrived on the esplanade, he made an incredible jump for such an unprepared machine. The reception was violent and everyone was afraid that the 4×4 would go to pieces, but the Range Rover continued on its way without taking its foot off the accelerator pedal. Amazing !! The visitors present applauded the performance.
It should also be noted that there were a lot of breakages. The German crew is experiencing transmission problems, plus reverse gear. Jim Marsden after hitting a large rock blew out the front differential. Rare are the times that have not had mechanical problems. The end of the day and the night will make it possible to repair everything that needs to be repaired and to be present for the departure the next morning.
Terrafirma King of Britain Day 2 and Mini Monarch’s
Sunday morning the weather is finally more lenient. The sky clears a little and the intense rain gives way to clouds and clearings but almost no more rain. The terrain is still very slippery because a film of mud covers the entire course.
Before the start of the second special, the Ultra4 had prepared a short course dedicated to children. This mini competition called “Terrafirma Mini Monarch’s” allows the youngest to discover the joys of racing on small SSVs. Their young age does them. Not prevented from taking the little race very seriously. You could read the concentration in their eyes. Over the laps they gain confidence and push their here SSV into their last entrenchments. Jumps and skids were on the program under the benevolent eyes of their parents and the various spectators, including experienced pilots, who came to support the future succession of the Ultra4.
Mini Monarch’s Overall:
1. 48-G Lily REUL / Emy REUL – REULSPORT JUNIORS
2. 505 Freddie TUNNAH – ART MOTORSPORT
3. 48 Harry REUL / Camille REUL – REULSPORT JUNIORS
4. 10 Charlie AGUTTER – RAC PARTS
Finally comes the time for the start of the second special. This time the crews have four hours and three laps to complete. The tension is palpable. In the Ultra4 Unlimited class, Jim Marsden with his Miller Motorsport chassis vehicle will start in the lead. On paper, it is not only a super efficient vehicle but also Jim, with a well-stocked competition record, is a quality driver, he is even the favorite. On the other hand, behind him four pursuers, Duncan Smith #45 is at minutes, Axel Burman #68 at 29 minutes,
Mark Dean at 33 minutes and Bernd Schaffer #2812 at 35 minutes. These crews, present for many years, are also experienced pilots. The challengers do not intend to let it go and will do everything to maintain their ranking or even compete for the lead of the race. Let’s not forget the Reul brothers, who even if they are a lap behind, intend to perform well in this round.
It’s finally gone and a few kilometers after the start line it’s the first disaster, Jim Marsden exploded his suspension. The previous day’s shock on the foredeck must also have weakened its shock absorbers. It’s over for him, he goes to the pits and won’t be able to repair. The race suddenly takes on another aspect. The pretenders to the throne will compete in strategy and skill to get out of the game. In the second lap Duncan Smith is forced to retire after damage. He who could claim a podium will ultimately not see the finish line. The carnage continues, Ryann Dunn and Marc Govaerts will not finish their third round. The Reul brothers, with sometimes aggressive driving, rose to the forefront and took the lead in the race. Behind, Mark Dean is boosted and will finish second, followed by Bernd Schafer and Axel Burmann. These 4 crews, on this round, are held in less than 16 minutes, that is to say if the race was disputed. And hold on tight, there is only a 43 second difference in overall time between Axel and Bernd!!!
Terrafirma King of Britain Winners and Podiums
At the end of the day, the traditional prize-giving took place. Prizes were awarded to the first three in each category and prizes, including a Terrafirma winch, rewarded the crews who presented the best of themselves during the race.
The Ultra4 has once again lived up to its reputation. A difficult and demanding race, adrenaline, twists and turns, suspense. All the boxes have been checked to make this weekend a great off-road celebration and a great party.
The various teams unanimously praised the quality of the organization, layout and management of the race. Let’s not forget that the competitions could not take place without a solid and efficient team and without the various sponsors. Lee Craighead at the head of Ultra4 Europe and Chris Bowler, race director and his whole team invite you to the next stage which will take place in France.
Terrafirma King of Britain 2023 Podiums:
4400 Unlimited Class
1. 105 Mark DEAN / Matthew HOWARD – TEAM PHEONIX
2. 68 Axel BURMAN / Tom OLIESLAGERS – OFFROAD TERROR RACING
3. 2812 Bernd SCHAFER / Alex SCHOENBRUNN – THE CRAZY GERMANS
Mark DEAN / Matthew HOWARD – TEAM PHEONIX
4600 Stock Class
1. 3453 Adam BORRILL / Emma HOLLINGS – TEAM FIELD FABRICATION
2. 47 Richard HOPKINS / Chelsea HOPKINS – SCAPEGOAT RACING
3. 4657 Joseph LANDER / Oliver FIELDING – TEAM MPR
Adam BORRILL / Emma HOLLINGS – TEAM FIELD FABRICATION
4800 Legend Class
1. 230 Tom JOLIFFE / Mark FOSTER – JB EQUIPMENT RACING
2. 508 Luke WAKELEN / James WATTS – MIGHTY 90
3. 22 Andrew BEECROFT / Ty BOOTHROYP – BEACROFT TYRES RACING
Tom JOLIFFE / Mark FOSTER – JB EQUIPMENT RACING
4900 SSV Class
1. 60 Paul ROWLANDS / Liam DUDLEY – PAR HOMES RACING
2. 142 Noah JACQUET / Flavien BEADET – TEAM PACMAN
3. 12 Peter JACKSON / Giles HIRST – THE JACKSONS
Paul ROWLANDS / Liam DUDLEY – PAR HOMES RACING
WRR Winch Rally Raid Class
1. 212 Jack BRADSHAW / Coral DUAYLE – TEAM DB RACING
2. 415 Johnny JOHNSON / Paul JOHNSON – TEAM JOHNSON
3. 960 Allen SHARP / Alex WILSON – TEAM SHAR
Jack BRADSHAW / Coral DUAYLE – TEAM DB RACING
Ultra4 Europe 2023 European and British Championship
The European Championship is aimed not only at drivers who can go racing in different countries and take part in the whole season, but also at those who only wish to go and ride in part of the races. From North to South, from East to West, there is bound to be a race near you, take your seat in the 2023 Ultra4 Europe Championship.
Ultra4 Europe European Championship where 3 out of 4 European events from the season count towards the European Championship.
– Rallye Breslau (25-30 June)
– King of Britain (4-6 August)
– King of France (8-10 September)
– King of Portugal (4-7 October)
Fans of Ultra4 racing style and offroad competition in the UK will be delighted to have three races on the schedule for 2023. The Genesis will open the 2023 season while The Redemption will be the last race of this campionship and will close the Ultra4 Europe season. In between, the King of Britain (also part of the European Championship) will take place in the Walters Arena (Wales) where it all started in 2012. Rich in emotion and adrenaline, this third edition of the British Championship will see the best UK drivers compete on three different terrains. From Stock cars to the big Unlimited and without forgetting the Winch Rally Raid, all are welcome!
Ultra4 Europe British Championship where all 3 events of the UK events count towards the British Championship.
– The Genesis (28-30 April)
– King of Britain (4-6 August)
– The Redemption (20-22 October)
About Ultra4 Europe
In 2009 videos, pictures and stories from King of the Hammers started to arriving in Europe and immediately a large number of European off-road enthusiasts was in love for this kind of race. In the following years many drivers from Europe went to compete at KOH.
2012 was the year of the first Ultra4 race in Europe; the race took place in Wales and was called King of Valleys. For 2 years the King of Valleys represented Ultra4 in Europe.
In 2013, King of Portugal was added and in 2014 Ultra4 Europe was born with its championship composed of 3 races: King of the Mountains (IT), King of Valleys (UK) and King of Portugal (P).
Today, Ultra4 Europe is a huge reality in the European off-road world. Every year there is a championship and even if the race course is different from that in the Johnson Valley, Ultra4 Europe, it offers to its drivers very difficult and demanding terrain.
Due to the diversity of the competition terrain (rocks, mud, water, forests and dusty-fast tracks) it can be said that the Ultra4 Europe races are one of the most complete in Europe. As for King of the Hammers, the categories of Ultra4 Europe are: 4400 Unlimited, 4800 Legend, 4600 Stock, 4500 Modified and 4900 UTV. In addiction in Europe there is also the Winch Rally Raid class.
Official websites: www.ultra4europe.com
About Hammerking and King of the Hammers
The founders of Hammerking are the force that founded the National race series, Ultra4 Racing, and the toughest week of one-day, off-road races in the world, King of The Hammers. This amazing event takes place at the beginning of the year, on public lands in Johnson Valley, California.
The race has evolved from 12 teams racing for bragging rights and a case of beer, to more than 1000 team entries competing in front of more than 80,000 fans in person and 2 million viewers online. Due to the incredible success of King of the Hammers, Hammerking Productions created the Ultra4Racing Series, which has grown internationally. Each National Ultra4 series race is a qualifier for the King of the Hammers race for the upcoming year.
Hammerking was the establishing series of the Unlimited class, as we know them, the Ultra4 or 4400 race car. The defining characteristics of this class are the sturdy 4-wheel drive and unlimited builds. These cars come in all shapes and sizes, are capable of speeds over 100+ mph and contain gear ratios as low as 100 to 1 for technical rock crawling. Additional classes in Ultra 4 include the: Every Man’s Challenge which encompasses 4600 Stock, 4500 Modified and 4800 Legend’s cars. The fastest growing class is the 4900 UTV class and newest is the Electric Vehicle (EV) class. Motos and a Rock Bouncer’s Shootout are also held at KOH.
Ultra4 series drivers can showcase their unique capabilities, whether the driver has dreams of building a racecar in their garage during free time, or with factory-backed support. The series challenges drivers to compete in a wide variety of terrain from endurance desert racing, competition-style rock crawls, short course racing and more.
Currently Ultra4 has races in the US, Europe, Australia and New Zealand. These races take place on both public lands and on private property around the world. Hammerking Productions has produced eight, full-length feature films chronicling King of the Hammers races, as well as the KOH live show yearly with all production in-house. These award-winning movies have helped shine a spotlight on the racing discipline around the world.
Official websites: www.kingofthehammers.com
Photo Credit: Nicolas Mailfait Stevenin and Tiana Walton