A Day In the Desert With Off-Road Legend Rod Hall

Apr. 18, 2012 By Jaime Hernandez

Email
Print
Discuss

A Day With Rod Hall Continued

We drove about one hour outside of Reno to an area known as Nixon, Nev.—near Pyramid Lake. This is a favorite off-roading spot of Rod Hall, and we can see why. “This is Hummer Country,” Rod Hall said. It offers open desert roads wide enough for an H1 Hummer. In the distance, we could see Pyramid Lake to the Northwest.

JP takes a gander up this rock waterfall, giving us the first real taste of what the H1 Hummer can do with the right driver behind the wheel.

Cruising down open roads, with amazing Nevada desert vistas in every which direction, we started to head into the hills. This was our first time off-roading in an H1 Hummer, and we were really curious how it would do on tight trails. We know they were capable from talking to our previous Hummer editor Manny MacMillan, but we had no idea how much more impressive they would be in the flesh.

Chad Hall knew his limits with the H2 Hummer, but he worked every inch to maneuver this big SUV up and over the rocks. (Photo Beth Hernandez)

Rod Hall knows this county like the palm of his hand. He took us into some pretty gnarly stuff that I would have never guessed an H1 Hummer could maneuver without body damage. Driver and machine fuzed into one, amazing the onlookers as they crawled over terra obstacles.

Carving roads to reach a bird’s eye view of Pyramid Lake, Rod Hall showed us around the Nevada desert. We drove up some impressive ridges with big drops at either side near Black Warrior Peak.

By midday, we took some time to ride with Tom in his Hummer H2. Both driver and vehicle were very capable off-road. Tom, a friend and team member at Rod Hall Racing, was a hoot. He was very funny, informative and knows his BBQ.

We followed Rod Hall into an area where the sand is so deep, if you stop you will get stuck. To not become a victim of the quicksand, Beth, now behind the wheel of Tom’s Hummer H2, kept her speed up to stay on top of the sand. Tom gave Beth off-road driving pointers that worked.

Heading northeast from Black Warrior peak, we came up to remnants of an old mining operation. Alex and I got out and explored the ruins on foot. I was not able to dig up any information on this specific mine located in Washoe County, so if you know anything, please leave comments. (Photo Beth Hernandez)

Switching drivers again, Rod Hall let me drive his Alpha H1 Hummer. WOW. This is one serious machine. Powered by the diesel 5.9l Duramax and shifted by the bullet-proof Alison transmission, the H1 was out of this world. (Photo Beth Hernandez)

Rod Hall coached us on driving an H1. The tires are set so wide apart that they actually ride under the driver pedals. You have to drive it using the left tire as a reference point and make sure to keep it further over to the left to not drive off the trail. Most people drive the H1 slightly over to the right when they first start, but this was quickly rectified as we had very little wiggle room in the tight washes and canyons.

Driving past a hippy commune made up of old school bus carcasses, we came onto an area the Halls call the “Bus Ride.” It features a rock waterfall obstacle with a hard 90-degree turn at the top with some off-camber outcrops.

The H1 Alpha Hummer climbs up rocks without breaking traction. The BFG KOs did amazing under this heavy beast. Hall was able to air down from inside the vehicle using the CTIS and lock the differentials as needed for added traction control. (Photo Beth Hernandez)

To finish up our day, Hall took us through a pole line road and winding sections of the VORRA Fireworks 400. Up until this point of the day, it had mostly been scenic vistas, hairy hill climbs and nerve-racking obstacles.

Pedal to the metal, Rod Hall gave us the ride of a lifetime. Hitting some big whoops and catching air, the Hummer H1 Alpha equipped with Hall Racing shocks rode beautifully and in control. Approaching an “S” turn, Hall worked his finesse and cornered that 8,000-pound tank on wheels like it was a Formula 1 car.

What a finale!

Rod Hall is kicking around the idea of offering another “Day in the Desert with Rod Hall and Friends” next year. If he does, make sure to jump on it. It’s a great way to discover the Nevada desert and also help out the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame.

Thanks to Rod Hall & Friends for a great time!