Amped Electric Games has crowned their first-ever King of the Motos champions, marking the launch of the first nationally sanctioned electric unicycle championship event in U.S. history. The three-format competition was held during the 20th anniversary of King of the Hammers in Johnson Valley, California. Matt Burt emerged as the overall winner, dominating two of the three races while riding a King Song F18 electric unicycle across some of the most challenging terrain in motorsports.
The inaugural USAEUC-sanctioned event marked a historic milestone for electric unicycle racing in the United States. Burt’s victories in both the Short Course and Chocolate Thunder Enduro secured him the first-ever USAEUC King of the Motos Overall Championship title, earning him a Brake Free helmet light and a Dragy Pro GPS tracking system.
Three Formats Test Elite Athletes
Amped Electric Games at King of the Motos challenged riders across multiple disciplines, testing speed, technical skill, and endurance. The competition featured three distinct race formats held on the legendary Johnson Valley terrain.
The Short Course race opened the weekend with a Le Mans-style start on the King of the Hammers infield, where athletes sprinted to their wheels before tackling loose dirt, jumps, and berms. Riders were required to manage tire pressure and riding technique to maintain control on the technical circuit. Justin Davis finished second aboard a Begode X-Way, while Josh Fagerness claimed third on a King Song F18.
The Chocolate Thunder Enduro sent athletes across open desert and up the iconic Chocolate Thunder hill climb, where riders signed a summit logbook before racing back to the start. The format paid tribute to the original King of the Hammers race from two decades ago, when competitors raced to a checkpoint, signed in, and returned. Burt’s familiarity with the terrain proved decisive, securing his second victory of the weekend.
The Short Bus Enduro concluded the competition with a brutal uphill ascent followed by a soft-sand return to Gate 4. Justin Davis claimed first place, Cooler Joe finished second, and Declan Kurant took third.
Historic Crossover with Motorcycle Racing
In a landmark moment for the sport, electric unicycles competed for the first time in the Jeremy McGrath Hole Shot King event. Justin Davis and Joshua Fagerness represented EUC racing in the motorcycle competition, with Davis winning both of his runs. Spectators witnessed electric unicycles performing alongside traditional motorcycles on one of off-road racing’s most prestigious stages.
“These racers did something that no other electric unicycle racers have done in some of the most extreme conditions you can imagine,” said Seth Johnson, USAEUC host and broadcaster, during the awards ceremony on the King of the Hammers main stage.
Champions Across Multiple Categories
Beyond the overall championship, titles were awarded across multiple divisions. Scott Chew claimed the overall Novice Championship, while Nikki Friel dominated the Women’s category. Friel also podiumed in motorcycle competition during the same weekend, highlighting the crossover athleticism of EUC racers.
In the Teen division, Gage Friend secured first place overall after winning both enduro races and the Short Course. Archer Chew finished second overall. The Chew family made history as Scott, his wife, and son Archer all earned podium finishes at the inaugural event.
Building a National Championship Framework
Building on the Ultra1 racing format introduced by Amped Electric Games in 2025, USAEUC’s sanctioning of King of the Motos represents the first step toward a unified national championship system for electric unicycle racing. The organization is establishing standardized formats, national standings, and professional pathways for athletes.
“Our athletes train hard and are committed to making EUC racing a mainstream sport,” Johnson said. “We bring the same level of excitement as other action sports while balancing on one wheel. These riders compete at an elite level and put everything on the line.”
USAEUC has seven championship events scheduled thus far for the 2026 season. It will be the first season to feature official national standings across multiple venues and disciplines. Last year, Amped Electric Games introduced more than 1,000 new riders to electric unicycles at King of the Hammers through training and demo programs.
The series is supported by partners including Brake Free, Dragy, Backcountry EUC, and eRideLife providing professional-grade equipment, prizes, and national exposure at premier motorsports venues such as King of the Hammers and Arizona Bike Week.
Looking Ahead
King of the Motos sets the benchmark for USAEUC’s 2026 championship season, which will include short course, off-road, enduro, oval, and potential on-road formats. Complete race standings, athlete profiles, and the full 2026 USAEUC championship calendar are available at usaeuc.com.
About USAEUC
The United States Electric Unicycle Championship (USAEUC) is the official sanctioning body for electric unicycle racing in the United States. Founded to establish professional competition, standardized formats, and national standings, USAEUC partners with event organizers to deliver championship-level events across the country, providing athletes with pathways to sponsorship and professional recognition while growing the sport into the mainstream of action motorsports.
Media Contact:
Seth Johnson
United States Electric Unicycle Championship
Website: usaeuc.com