This Just In
• Our chief honcho, Source Interlink Executive Vice President Doug Evans, was given the 2011 Lee Iacocca Award for his service to the automotive hobby community. At the National Parts Depot All-GM Oktoberfest car show in Ocala, Florida, Evans was recognized for his work overseeing more than 46 automotive magazine titles, two TV shows, and 35 events, as well as his work with SEMA. The award was established to recognize outstanding car enthusiasts and is linked with the Iacocca Family Foundation, whose mission is to find a cure for diabetes. No word if the prize comes with a Dodge Aries K-car.
• Last month we reported that Chevrolet will sell a new Colorado compact pickup truck in the U.S. that’s based on the model going on sale overseas later this year. Now Chevy unveiled a ’13 TrailBlazer, built on the Colorado platform, at the Dubai International Motor Show. The SUV will go on sale in Thailand later this year. Will we get one? So far GM isn’t saying.
• The HDRA is back. A group that includes off-road racer Roger Norman has bought the rights to the High Desert Racing Association name and plans to promote races in Nevada, Southern California, and Arizona. Longtime desert race fans will recognize the HDRA as Walt Lott’s sanctioning body that put on the Mint 400, Firecracker 250, and other events. “Cost reduction to racers is the long-term goal of this HDRA organization while providing racers with quality events that are cost-effective, safe, and innovative,” said Norman. “We are actively soliciting major sponsorships to help offset event costs and to provide sponsors a highly visible platform to showcase their products.”
Earth Watch
• Our friends at SEMA tell us legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives requiring the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to seek independent scientific analysis on the effects of 15-percent-blend ethanol gasoline (E15) on vehicles and engines. The review would include an evaluation of the short- and long-term environmental, safety, and performance effects of E15 on both on- and off-road vehicle engines. Last January the EPA decided to allow the use of E15 in vehicles manufactured after 2001 based solely on a limited study by the U.S. Department of Energy. SEMA opposes the introduction of E15 into the marketplace due to concerns that the additional content will harm automobiles of all ages, including special-interest collector and historic vehicles. In addition to the potential harm of E15 on engine components, the EPA has no procedure in place to ensure that misfueling does not occur or any plan for ensuring regular gasoline continues to be available for older vehicles.
• BFGoodrich Tires has honored the Dusy-Ershim OHV Trail in Sanger, California, as one of the 2011 Outstanding Trails. For the first time ever, fans in the off-road community were given the power to vote for their favorite off-road trail, and Dusy-Ershim came out on top. Off-road enthusiasts and members of the Four Wheel Drive Club of Fresno attended as BFGoodrich Tires presented a grant of $4,000 to the club. The grant will be used to preserve the scenic trail and continue conservation efforts for one of America’s most beautiful areas for off-roading. The Dusy-Ershim OHV Trail in the Sierra National Forest offers 33 miles of meadows, creeks, six natural lakes, unique granite mountains, cliffs, and panoramic views at 10,200 feet.
Troy “MilTroy” McClintock gives wheelchair-bound vet Roy Lucas a ride of a lifetime over t
Wheelers for the Wounded on the Rubicon Trail
For the third year running, Dan Hiney of Chico, California’s NorCal Crawlers conducted the Super Run of the Wheelers for the Wounded (WFTW) on the Rubicon Trail. Some 23 vets, ranging from the Vietnam era to modern-day warriors, rode with volunteer drivers and experienced what the Rubicon has to offer, on the rocks and around the campfires.
The whole event took place at the Crystal Basin Mountain Resort near the Rubicon Trail. Camping and chow were provided as part of the thank-you as well. The Rubicon Rockheads, a local club, provided the food and camp cooking. Off-road businesses kicked in to thank the vets and their drivers. Gifts came from BFGoodrich Tires, MetalCloak, Axial Racing, F-O-A Shock Absorbers, and more.
Saying thank you to wounded vets can never be done enough, and we love the way Wheelers for the Wounded does it, with real rides on real trails.
Del & Stacie Albright
New Home for Whopper Jr.
Remember Whopper Jr., the replacement Ford pickup from Ultimate Adventure 2009? Clint Carter of Inner Air Locks offered to auction the famous ’98 F-250, with the proceeds going to the BlueRibbon Coalition. The bidding went on during this year’s running of the UA, and when the hammer finally fell, Josh Parrish of Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, was the winner. Parrish picked the truck up from Carter and made the 566-mile trip home in about 10 hours. “He made it with no problems,” Carter told us, “but he was going a little crazy with no radio.”
TDS Celebrates 50th Anniversary
Tierra Del Sol celebrates a milestone this year. The San Diego–based 4x4 club is putting on its 50th Desert Safari March 2-4 in the Truckhaven Hills area of the North Ocotillo Wells SVRA in Southern California. TDS, as the safari is called by local wheelers, has become a must-do event in the area, and this year’s bash will be even more special. Already the club has gathered more than $150,000 in prizes for the raffle. All proceeds from the event are used by the club to fight land closures. For more details, go to www.tds4x4.com.
Calendar
• Feb. 3-5: Bluewater Resort & Casino Parker 425 desert race, Parker, AZ, by Best in the Desert. Info: www.bitd.com
• Feb. 4: Tire Repair Mini Clinic, Corona, CA, by Badlands Off-Road Adventures. Info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
• Feb. 10: Redline At Stateline desert race, Primm, NV, by HDRA. Info: hdrarace.com
• Feb. 10-11: Griffin King of the Hammers, Johnson Valley, CA. Info: ultra4racing.com
• Feb. 10-11: 4Wheel Parts Every Man Challenge, at the King of the Hammers, Johnson Valley, CA. Info: ultra4racing.com
• Feb. 11: Getting Started Off-Road Driving Clinic, Hungry Valley SVRA, Gorman, CA, by Badlands Off-Road Adventures. Info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
• Feb. 12: Advanced Beginner 4WD Clinic, El Paso Mountains, Mojave, CA, by Badlands Off-Road Adventures. Info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
• Feb. 18: Dog Party, Twisted Trails Off Road Park, Copemish, MI. Info:www.twistedtrailsoffroadpark.com
• Feb. 18: Sand Driving Clinic, Oceano Dunes, Pismo, CA, by Badlands Off-Road Adventures. Info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
• Feb. 19: Winch & Recovery Clinic, El Paso Mountains, Mojave, CA, by Badlands Off-Road Adventures. Info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
• Feb. 22-25: Chile Challenge Trail Event, Southern New Mexico Fairgrounds (west of Las Cruces), by the Las Cruces Four Wheel Drive Club. Info: www.chilechallenge.org
• Feb. 24-26: California Association of 4WD Clubs convention, “A Tribute to Johnson Valley,” Hesperia, CA. Info: www.cal4wheel.com
• Feb. 24-26: Battle at Primm desert race, Primm, NV, by SNORE Racing. Info: www.snoreracing.net
• Feb.25: Frost Bite at Kansas Rocks Recreation Park, near Mapleton, KS. Info: www.ksrockspark.com
• Feb. 25: Rocks Driving Skills Clinic, Johnson Valley, CA, by Badlands Off-Road Adventures. Info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
• Note: If you have a 4WD event you want us to publicize, please send the date, location, a description of the event, and contact info—phone numbers and/or email/website address—to Calendar, 4-Wheel & Off-Road magazine, 831 S. Douglas St., El Segundo, CA 90245; fax 310.531.9368; email 4wheeloffroad@sorc.com. Please submit your info at least four months in advance due to our press lead times.