Can-Am celebrated a successful 2026 King of the Hammers event, highlighted by Jeff Martin's overall victory in the Can-Am UTV Hammers Championship. The race, celebrating its 20th anniversary, took place in Johnson Valley, California, and proved to be as challenging as ever, according to utvguide.net.
The 2026 Can-Am UTV Hammers Championship saw a high attrition rate due to the course's demanding rock trails. Only 25 of the 122 starting teams managed to finish the race, showcasing the extreme difficulty of the event.
Jeff Martin, a privateer racer, secured the win in his Can-Am Maverick X3 with a finishing time of 4 hours, 54 minutes, and 30 seconds. According to utvguide.net, Martin's victory is particularly notable as a privateer effort, finishing more than seven minutes ahead of the second-place finisher.
Martin described his race strategy, emphasizing the importance of machine preservation. He stated that after pit two, he reduced his speed on the "Aftershock" section to avoid damage. After allowing Cole Clark to pass, Martin focused on driving smart and managing his vehicle's temperature. When Clark encountered a problem, Martin seized the opportunity to secure the win.
Other Can-Am racers also achieved success at the 2026 Can-Am UTV Hammers Championship:
- Hubert Rowland won the Sportsman class in his Maverick R.
- Kurt Mackie took first place in the Pro Stock Turbo class.
- Freestyle motocross star Brian Deegan and co-driver Terry Madden finished second in the Pro Stock Turbo class.
Can-Am's strong performance at the King of the Hammers provides momentum as they prepare for the Mint 400 on March 7th. Fans can follow Can-Am Off-Road's social media channels for behind-the-scenes content and race coverage, according to utvguide.net.
BRP Inc., the parent company of Can-Am, is a global leader in powersports products. Their portfolio includes Ski-Doo and Lynx snowmobiles, Sea-Doo watercraft, Can-Am on and off-road vehicles, and Rotax engines. BRP is committed to responsible growth and is developing electric models for its existing product lines.
