Premium F-150
Following the trend of ever-more-luxurious trucks, Ford announced a new trim level, Premium, for the ’13 F-150. It will feature special monochromatic paint and 22-inch polished aluminum wheels on the outside, and a long list of standard amenities on the inside, including heated and cooled seats, leather upholstery, a sunroof, a navigation system, and a premium Sony audio system. A 365hp EcoBoost V-6 powers the truck. Pricing hasn’t been set yet, but the ’12 F-150 Platinum model has a starting MSRP of $44,635, and the Limited version will slot above that.
Changes Coming to Grand Cherokee
At a recent meeting, Jeep’s reps were cagey when we asked about diesel engine options. Now a story in Automotive News says the ’13 model year will be a short one for the Grand Cherokee, as the company needs time to retool its manufacturing facilities for a new eight-speed automatic transmission and, yes, a diesel engine for the ’14 model year. The trade paper says Jeep will use the 3.0L diesel already available in the Grand overseas. It produces 241 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque and returns 33 mpg on the highway.
Fast Nissans
Nissan has made headlines in off-road racing lately. Brad Lovell, piloting his Traxxas TORC Pro Light Nissan Frontier, captured a win during a rainy race at Crandon in June, overcoming a bad start and a near spin in the first lap. Not only did Lovell win his event, but he set a new Pro Light class record too.
Meanwhile, at the Toole, Utah, Lucas Off Road Racing Series (LOORS) race in June, Carl Renezeder broke a seven-month winless streak by getting his Titan past not one, but two LeDucs—Kyle and Todd—for a win in the Unlimited Pro4 class. The win marked Renezeder’s 98th career victory, and he’s shooting for the 100th this season. Check out his Facebook page to get in on a contest where you could win some laps with him in his Titan.
Calendar
Sept. 29: Wheelin’ for St. Jude’s by Ozark Mountain Xtreme Rock Crawlers, Flat Nasty Off Road Park, Jadwin, MO.
Info: http://www.flatnasty.com, www.ozarkmountainxtreme4x4.org
Oct. 4-6: French Lick Jeep Jamboree, French Lick, IN.
Info: www.jeepjamboreeusa.com
Oct. 4-6: Expedition Moab Jeep Jamboree, Moab, UT.
Info: www.jeepjamboreeusa.com
Oct. 5-7: Wounded Warrior 4x4 Fest by Ol’ Skool 4x4, American RV, and Camping World, El Paso, TX.
Info: www.olskool4x4.com
Oct. 6: Off-Road 101 Course, Kansas Rocks Recreation Park near Mapleton, KS.
Info: www.ksrockspark.com
Oct. 6: Night Run, Kansas Rocks Recreation Park near Mapleton, KS.
Info: www.ksrockspark.com
Oct. 6: Powder Puff desert race, Barstow, CA, by Mojave Off Road Racing Enthusiast.
Info: www.moreracing.net
Oct. 6: Getting Started Off-Road Driving Clinic by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Hungry Valley SVRA, Gorman, CA.
info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
Oct. 6-7: Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo Powered by General Tire, Pomona Fairplex, Pomona, CA.
Info: www.offroadexpo.com
Oct. 6-7: Iron Range Off-Road Driving School, Iron Range OHV Park near Minneapolis and St. Paul, MN.
Info: www.ironrangeoffroad.com
Oct. 7: Advanced Beginner Off-Road Driving Clinic by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, El Paso Mountains, Mojave, CA.
Info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
Oct. 11-15: Southern Cruiser Crawl, Superlift ORV Park, Hot Springs, AR.
Info: 501.625.3600, www.orvpark.com
Oct. 12-13: Operation Desert Fun by the California Association of 4WD Clubs, Truckhaven 4x4 Training Facility near Borrego Springs, CA.
Info: www.ca4wdc.com
Oct. 12-14: Bluewater Desert Challenge off-road race, Parker, AZ.
Info: www.bitd.com
Oct. 13: Mojave Road Adventure by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, near Needles, CA.
Info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
Oct. 18-20: Borrego Springs Jeep Jamboree, Borrego Springs, CA.
Info: www.jeepjamboreeusa.com
Oct. 20: CORVA Southern Jamboree by the California Off-Road Vehicle Association, Johnson Valley OHVA near Barstow, CA.
Info: www.corva.org
Oct. 20: Creepy Crawl Event, Kansas Rocks Recreation Park near Mapleton, KS.
Info: www.ksrockspark.com
Oct. 25-27: Ouachita Jeep Jamboree, Superlift ORV Park, Hot Springs, AR.
Info: www.jeepjamboreeusa.com
Oct. 25-27: Fall Crawl by Bay to Blue Ridge Cruisers, Rausch Creek Off Road Park, Joliet, PA.
Info: 540.850.6248, tlca.org
Oct. 26: Death Valley Adventure by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Ridgecrest, CA.
Info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
Oct. 26-28: SNORE 250 desert race, venue TBD.
Info: www.snoreracing.net
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 4wheeloff road@sorc.com. Please submit your info at least four months in advance of the event due to our press lead times.