If they had an off-road race on the moon Monster Energy’s Shannon Campbell would be the hands-down favorite to win it. Not only is he the best at the toughest type of off-road racing now – the Griffin King of the Hammers (to which Campbell finished 3^rd this past weekend, and remains the only driver to win the win the event’s overall title twice) - he’s got the baddest moon buggy on the planet

The defending Ultra4 Series champion, which the Johnson Valley, Calif., KotH is the cornerstone event, Campbell battled valiantly in this year’s competition – coming from behind to make the overall podium.

Through the excellent help from Campbell’s ace marketing department, i.e. his wife, Tammy, we managed to get Shannon to swap a wrench for a cell phone just long enough to hit him up with a few questions on last weekend’s Hammers event.

Monster Energy: OK ... Griffin King of the Hammers. Toughest event you do all year?

Shannon Campbell: YES!

Monster Energy: You´re the only guy that´s won KotH twice – 2008 & ‘11. How hard is it just to finish this event, much less win it?

Shannon Campbell: It’s tough! Imagine not being able to see your hand in front of your face, driving 20 miles as fast as you can trying not to hit rocks, trees and anything else in the desert.  Every year it gets longer, cars are getting faster and there’s more traffic. This year 134 cars started and only 49 finished!

Monster Energy: So at first glance folks will see you finished 3rd this year - and (that you) didn´t defend your ´11 title. Tell us what went down that kept you off the top of the KotH podium in 2012.

Shannon Campbell: I got the hole shot right at the start and was following the course markers and glanced at the GPS and realized I was off course. Not wanting to be DQ´d I circled the mountain a couple of times until I was back on. Driving hard to rail it back to the front I lost my rear brakes and had to stop to cap them off, lost a rear tire with one rock section between me and the next pit. After a couple of fuel stops and tire changes I made up some time and positions and crossed  the finish line for a 3rd place finish. Not bad considering.

Monster Energy: You played some come catch up during the race, from as far back as 13th. How hard it is to pass on the KotH course?

Shannon Campbell: I think I was in the 30´s, it was damn near impossible the first 20 miles but after that I just started getting them one at a time.

Monster Energy: Did you run the same vehicle at this year´s KotH that you did last year? Break down (explain) your rippin´ ride, bumper to bumper. Suspension, drive train/differential, engine, tires, wheels, brakes - everything.

Shannon Campbell: Yes, this is the car I built in 2009.  I have been running it for 4 years. I built it at my shop - Campbell Enterprises in Gilbert, Arizona. It is equipped with the best products in the industry:  TurnKey LS3 motor, Fox Shox, Hughes Turbo 350, Atlas 3.0, Currie 9", ProAm Racing IFS suspension, Goodyear 40" tires, Ron Davis Radiator, Howe TT steering, Mastercraft Safety Equipment, Warn winch, Walker Evans wheels, Driveshafts by Arizona Driveshaft, KC Hilites, Dynomax exhaust, Tireballs, Powertank air systems.

Monster Energy: We noticed a number of LOORS and TORC series guys competing this year, including Monster Energy´s TORC PRO Light class racer Casey Currie. How was that having those guys in the field with you?

Shannon Campbell: For the last 5 years Casey Currie has used one of our cars for KOH and has done very well. Every year someone new comes over and it’s a whole new game. I´m sure there will be a lot more and Robby (Gordon) has already threatened me with a good time. This is why they call King of the Hammers - the toughest one day of-road race!

Monster Energy: Nice. How are things looking to defend your 2011 Ultra4 Series Championship?

Shannon Campbell: Last year I DNF´d one race, won 2, placed 2nd, 7th & 11^th and won the championship.  Most racers think different than me … they take it easy and play the game. I drive 100% and take what I get. Sometimes it’s 1st and sometimes it’s last. I´ll melt my car to the ground to get 1st and won´t give up till it’s over. That’s probably why people enjoy watching me.  It’s either get it or go home.  This is only the first race of the season and I´m going to try and win the rest of them and if I don´t win the championship at least everyone knows I tried.

Monster Energy: Right on. We´ll best of luck this season from Monster Energy HQ and we´ll look forward to seeing the just plain insane photos and video from your events!

Shannon Campbell: Thank you guys for your support, wish everyone could have been here!