Quick Facts:
- Event: Ultra4 Nationals, the 2026 Ultra4 USA championship finale.
- Dates: Event week runs October 14 to 18, 2026.
- Racing days: Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17.
- Venue: Thunderdome, 1696 KY-80, Hazard, KY 41701.
- Green flag: Friday at 7:30 AM.
- Weekend admission: $50, or $25 with a Kentucky ID.
- Spectator cap: 5,000 tickets.
 5 min read
In This Article
Ultra4 Nationals Overview
The Ultra4 Nationals decide the 2026 Ultra4 USA championship this weekend in Hazard, Kentucky. Specifically, racing runs Friday, October 16, and Saturday, October 17, on the new Thunderdome racecourse along KY-80. Event week began Wednesday, October 14, and ends Sunday, October 18.
Notably, this is the first Ultra4 race in Hazard, Kentucky. Ultra4 Racing and Hammerking Productions call it the first chapter in a long-term plan for Eastern Kentucky. They want the region to become a top destination for off-road motorsports. The plan includes a multiyear partnership with Backroads of Appalachia, Perry County and Leatherwood Off-Road Park. In addition, Ultra4 USA is establishing a new East Coast headquarters in Booneville, Kentucky.
Founder Dave Cole said about 70 or 80 racers in the national series live within six hours of Hazard. Therefore, the Thunderdome is a home event for those drivers, on an all-new course built for the event. Cole also said the eastern United States has a deep and passionate Ultra4 racing community.
Race engines fill the Thunderdome amphitheater with noise, so spectators need ear protection. For example, the Howard Leight Impact Sport Earmuffs mute loud bursts while keeping voices audible. Meanwhile, the 3M Peltor Optime 105 Earmuffs block noise without batteries. Eargasm High Fidelity Earplugs also slip into a jacket pocket for fans who prefer plugs.
Hearing protection for race day
Race Week Schedule at a Glance
The organizers’ event page lays out the week this way.
| Day | What happens |
|---|---|
| Monday to Wednesday | Reserved one-hour practice blocks for racers. |
| Thursday, October 15 | Organized practice and qualifying, then the Parade to Downtown Welcome Party at 6:00 PM. |
| Friday, October 16 | Racing starts at 7:30 AM. |
| Saturday, October 17 | Final day of racing, with the national champions crowned in the evening. |
| Saturday night | Championship awards ceremony in town after the final checkered flags. |
Inside the Thunderdome Course
Along KY-80, on the road toward Knott County, the Thunderdome course sits in a natural amphitheater. Organizers built it inside a repurposed high-wall mining site. Because of the setting, fans see the entire course from several vantage points. The organizers call this view rare in off-road racing.
Each lap blends high-speed sections, technical rock features and elevation changes. Because spectators see the whole layout, you follow a car through a full lap instead of catching one corner. However, this is the first race here, so no past race results exist for the venue.
Also, organizers plan to bring more of the surrounding Leatherwood Off-Road Park terrain into the event over time. Separately, to see how one team builds for the series, read RTR’s Ultra4 Bronco Raptor program. The program runs Bronco Raptors in two Ultra4 classes.
Ultra4 Nationals Tickets, Parking and Camping
Weekend admission costs $50. In contrast, Kentucky residents pay $25 with a valid Kentucky ID. Since organizers sell only 5,000 spectator tickets, buy through the official Ultra4 Nationals event page for ticket sales.
VIP weekend parking costs $100 and puts your vehicle inside the Thunderdome, although overnight parking is not allowed. Camping inside the Thunderdome with VIP access costs $500, and only 10 spots exist. Finally, spectator camping and racer camping each cost $100.
For example, a Kentucky resident who buys one ticket and one $100 campsite pays $125, while an out-of-state visitor pays $150. Both totals exclude fuel and food.
What This Means for You
First, buy tickets early. Organizers cap spectator attendance at 5,000, and they estimate about 5,000 visitors in year one. Once the tickets sell out, organizers sell no more.
Next, know the Thursday schedule. Race cars roll into Hazard for the Parade to Downtown Welcome Party at 6:00 PM. The green flag drops Friday at 7:30 AM. Therefore, a Friday-morning drive from far away leaves little margin before the start.
Then pick Saturday if work or travel limits you to one day of the weekend. Organizers crown the 2026 national champions Saturday evening, and the awards ceremony follows in town. Friday still matters, since the championship uses a two-day format in which drivers compete across both days.
Finally, pack for cold. A $100 spectator campsite in the mountains of Eastern Kentucky puts you outdoors overnight in late October. So check the Hazard forecast before you leave. Our guide to cold weather camping gear for fall trips covers what to bring. Another read, shoulder-season overlanding in fall, explains what changes on the road.
Late October nights in the Appalachian mountains turn cold quickly at a campsite. For example, the Coleman Portable Camping Chair gives spectators a comfortable seat at camp. The Coleman Classic Rechargeable LED Lantern lights the tent area after dark. Also, HotHands Hand Warmers keep fingers warm during the early Friday start.
Cold-night camping comfort
Final Thoughts
Because this is the first race at the Thunderdome, no past results exist to compare against. Every finish this weekend is a first for the venue.
If you love Ultra4 racing, the course gives you a clear view of a championship finale. The organizers built the venue for spectators, and the ticket cap limits spectators to 5,000. In short, buy early, pack warm and arrive early if you are able.
Not every fan will make the drive to Hazard Kentucky. If you stay home, follow the Ultra4 event page through the weekend. Meanwhile, our Rebelle Rally 2026 teams guide covers the crews in another fall event this month. Ultra4 leaders say they are building a long-term East Coast home for the series.
FAQ
When are the Ultra4 Nationals?
The event runs October 14 to 18, 2026. Racing takes place Friday, October 16, starting at 7:30 AM, and Saturday, October 17. Organizers crown the national champions Saturday evening.
Where is the race in Hazard Kentucky?
Racing takes place at the Thunderdome, 1696 KY-80, Hazard, KY 41701, in Perry County. The course sits along KY-80 on the road toward Knott County.
How much are Ultra4 Nationals tickets?
Weekend admission costs $50, or $25 for Kentucky residents with a valid ID. Because organizers limit spectator attendance to 5,000 tickets, buy early. Parking and camping cost extra.
What is the Thunderdome course in Hazard Kentucky?
It is a purpose-built racecourse inside a natural amphitheater and a repurposed high-wall mining site. Spectators see the entire course from several vantage points, according to the organizers.
What is Ultra4 racing?
Ultra4 is an off-road racing series with a national championship each season. The 2026 Ultra4 USA Championship Series ends with this event in Kentucky.