Jay Obernolte is the representative for the 23rd district of California, which includes Johnson Valley where King of the Hammers takes place. He and Dawn Rowe from the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors visited Hammertown on Tuesday, where they experienced the day’s activities while Obernolte addressed the ongoing situation with the FAA and Marine Corps’ airspace plan for the area.

The Marines, who have a base at the nearby Twentynine Palms, and Federal Aviation Administration hope to designate a permanent Special Use Airspace over Johnson Valley. While this still allows the airspace to be used by civilians, the UMC would reserve the right to restrict it for activities like training.

Officially, the USMC states the proposal won’t impact civilian use. However, off-roaders have expressed concern that the SUA would make it harder for non-military pilots to fly over the area. Given King of the Hammers’ use of helicopters for media and evacuating injured competitors, it’s understandable that the plan is a major red flag.

Groups like SEMA have lobbied for the military to reconsider the plan. SEMA and Performance Racing Industry were also responsible for organizing Obernolte and Rowe’s visit, where they met with Hammers co-founder Dave Cole and BlueRibbon Coalition board member Shannon Welch.

A week before coming to Hammertown, Obernolte said he consulted with officials at the Department of Defense and the commanding officer at Twentynine Palms about the matter. A pilot himself, he explained the Pentagon is aware of the risks of making the SUA permanent, meaning the final plan will have to be a compromise based on the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center’s activities.

Obernolte had previously gotten an amendment added to the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act to protect Johnson Valley’s use for King of the Hammers.

“King of the Hammers is more than a world-class off-road event. It is a showcase of the innovation, craftsmanship, and community that define the High Desert,” Obernolte stated. “Every year, it brings jobs, tourism, and national attention to our region, supporting local businesses and highlighting the deep connection between motorsports and American manufacturing. It was a pleasure to join organizers, competitors, and fans at this year’s event and to witness that impact firsthand.”

OHV groups and the Marines previously clashed in the early 2010s over Johnson Valley, with the resulting Johnson Valley Shared Use Area being created in the end. It is jointly managed by the USMC and BLM.

Featured image credit: Office of Rep. Jay Obernolte