King of the Hammers - 2009

  Interview with Monster Energy Driver Shannon Campbell.
ORA: As the winner of the 08' KOH, how is this different than a short course rock crawling event?
Campbell: It was by no means short course and it was the roughest 86 miles I have ever ran.

 

ORA: With numerous series championships, you are one of the big names on the track. Who are your sponsors and how do those partnerships work out?
Campbell: I was fortunate to be introduced to Joe Parsons of Monster Energy. It's a great partnership. Having Monster as my title sponsor has allowed us to better our race program and do things I wouldn't have been able to do. Also, BFGoodrich tires, Currie Enterprises, Hughes Performance, Turnkey Engines, Fox, Howe Steering, Walker Evans Racing, Warn, Advance Adapters, ARB, Ron Davis Radiators, Wilwood, Mastercraft, Powertank and Southwest Ground Control--most have been with me since I started. I owe them a huge thank you for their support.

ORA: You passed us at mile marker 2.5 like a banshee with its hair on fire. Were you keeping track of the number of cars you passed? Then we saw you coming back in on the end of a strap, what happened out there?
Campbell: I would guess twelve cars. This car puts so much power to the ground that we twisted the center out of the forward drum on the tranny. We have never had tranny failure but we're getting it together.

ORA: You have a lot of big sponsors like BFGoodrich, Monster and ARB, and many of the fans wanted to see you run, did that have anything to do with your decision?
Campbell: Yes, before I knew a friend was going to lend me his tranny, I was ready to give up. Sponsors and friends standing there said, "Lets get this thing back in, the race isn't over."

ORA:  On sledgehammer there was a bottleneck at a big obstacle. A guy rolled over and you drove up and over him to pass. Tell us what goes through your mind in a situation like that?
Campbell: I tried to pass this guy on the flat before the bottleneck and he pinched me off. So I figured I would follow him.  He had a chance and rolled over on his own and it was my turn to go.  If there was another way out I would have taken it.

ORA: For King of the Hammers 2010, will you be here and will you do anything differently?
Campbell: A year is a long time and if I'm around I'll be there and my junk will be a lot better!