King of the Hammers Royalty Joins the Adventure Ride: Meet Brad Lovell

The Build for Off Road Adventure Ride is about to get a whole lot more legendary with the addition of a multi-time King of the Hammers champion and Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Famer – titles that speak volumes in the world of hardcore off-roading. Powered by his long-time partners at AMSOIL, Brad Lovell is joining the Adventure Ride.

“It was Supercrawl down in Farmington, New Mexico,” he says. “And it blew my mind. I fell in absolute love with it.” That pivotal moment sparked a desire to not just participate, but to push boundaries.

“My whole challenge, just like a lot of us guys that came up through rock crawling, is just to see how far we can take this,” says Brad. “How far can we grow? What kind of different challenges can we find? And that’s what’s helped keep me motivated the whole time.”

That spirit of adventure and desire to push his limits is what makes Brad so excited to join the Build for Off Road Adventure Ride.

Now, let’s talk about the beast Brad will be bringing on the Adventure Ride: his 2007 Ranger Rock Racer. This is a machine with serious pedigree, having made its debut at the legendary King of the Hammers! As Brad explains, “This vehicle is really what helped us establish our team. And it’s won, I’d have to say, 43, 44 races, I think – whether it’s competition rock crawls, rock races, we even won an overall desert race down in Texas. We’ve won hill climbs with it. So, it’s been an extremely versatile and an iconic vehicle for us.”

This celebrated rig has been battle-tested across a spectrum of off-road disciplines, making it the perfect choice for the Adventure Ride, which will include some intense wheeling in Johnson Valley, the very heart of King of the Hammers (KOH).

“King of the Hammers is a big challenge,” says Brad, explaining that the event is sometimes as heartbreaking as it as alluring. “There are people who have chased it for many years.” It’s been a few years since the Rock Racer last competed at KOH, where it impressively placed second. Since then, except for an occasional weekend outing, the legendary vehicle has been in the background. But now, this iconic machine is being dusted off and prepped for a new kind of adventure in its old battlegrounds.

So how will Brad’s approach to a recreational off-roading adventure differ from that of a high-stakes competition?

“It’s always competitive,” he says with a laugh. “Is competition different than recreational four wheeling? I don’t know.” While the competitive spirit seems ingrained in Brad’s DNA, he also emphasizes a crucial aspect of recreational off-roading: the balance between challenge and camaraderie.

“Having a good time on a trail can sometimes be a hard thing to do, because we go to the trails to challenge ourselves to try new things,” says Brad. While he firmly believes off-roading is fundamentally about facing and conquering obstacles, he stresses the importance of being patient with fellow adventurers, staying open to advice, and keeping a positive attitude.

“I encourage my sons, I encourage people I go wheeling with to push it, or you’re not growing, you’re not excelling,” Brad says, “But it has to be at a measured rate.”

Adding a “like father, like son” twist, Adam will be bringing his own solid-axle, big-tired Ranger creation on the Adventure Ride!

“It’s low slung. It’s a really cool vehicle,” Brad shared proudly. “And it’s kind of neat for me, because I had a Ranger when I was his age. You know, I want him to live his own life, but it’s pretty neat to see him following in my footsteps!”

Having conquered King of the Hammers together, Brad and Adam bring a unique dynamic to the upcoming Adventure Ride.

“Your co-driver is kind of like your mechanic, your confidante, being able to help you fix things,” says Brad. “And I’m sure he’ll do a great job on the Adventure Ride.”

Their shared experience in navigating challenging terrain and working as a team will undoubtedly be a valuable asset to the entire group. We can’t wait to witness their camaraderie on the trails and see Adam continue to hone his skills alongside his legendary father. Powered by AMSOIL, their journey promises to be one of the highlights of this epic adventure.

As Brad himself puts it, “I’m really looking forward to seeing how my son Adam does on this trip and enjoying the time together, enjoying the time with new friends and new faces along the way. What I absolutely love about off-road is the sense of adventure. And that’s why I’m so excited to go on this ride.”

Images courtesy of Brad Lovell (@bradlovell44)

Are you excited to see their Ford Rangers tackle the trails? Let us know in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe for more updates!

Are you excited to see their Ford Rangers tackle the trails? Let us know in the comments below! And don’t forget to subscribe for more updates!

Want to see your brand featured on the ride? Reach out to us for details.

Want to see your brand featured on the ride? Reach out to us for details.