Earth Watch
• We heard through Daystar, a member of the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA), that the association is making a concerted effort to “rally support for the lobbying of state and federal representatives for the identification, protection, preservation, and further utilization of America’s historic off-road trails,” says ORBA. ORBA, like SEMA and other organizations, advocates common-sense preservation of our lands, protecting those sensitive areas that would be harmed by OHV travel but leaving open existing roads and trails for responsible use. “Many of these natural trails, such as the Rubicon, whose travel history and significance predates the invention of the automobile, have yet to be identified and offered protection and enhancement under the law,” says ORBA. “These historic monuments are a key part of our environment, and our future economy, and deserve to be protected and utilized properly for the enjoyment of all.”
• BFGoodrich has opened nominations for the 2013 Outstanding Trails program, which awards grants to trails in the U.S. and Canada that are deserving of funds for maintenance and preservation. Now in its eighth year, the program—done in collaboration with Tread Lightly! and the United Four Wheel Drive Associations—has awarded more than $100,000 in grants to 30 off-road trails. Nominations can be submitted through January 31 to BFGoodrich’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/bfgoodrichtires) or Twitter handle @bfgoodrichtires. Winners will be announced at the Easter Jeep Safari.
• Our favorite press release title this month: “New California Study Finds More Particulate Emissions from Charbroiled Burgers Than Diesel Trucks.” Sorry, I’ll give up a lot of things for the common good, but not burgers.
New King Ranch F-150
Ford has freshened the upscale King Ranch version of the F-150 for 2013 with a new three-bar grille, new 20-inch wheels, the availability of an all-black interior (Adobe is still the standard interior color), and standard MyFord Touch system, which has been “optimized for truck owners,” says Ford, with bigger buttons you can press while wearing gloves.
Baja 1000 Start Order Drawn at Off-Road Expo
This year marks the 45th anniversary of the granddaddy of all desert races, the Baja 1000. To mark the occasion the race will travel the full length of the Baja peninsula, from Ensenada to La Paz.
Some 210 two- and four-wheeled vehicles are entered this year.
At the recent Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo in Southern California, SCORE held a drawing to determine the starting order. Pete Sohren’s F-150 will be the first Trophy Truck off the line, giving him a dust-free ride as long as he can stay in front. Nipping at his heels will be Chris Kemp and Rob MacCachren, sure to be serious challengers over the 1,121-mile course.
The drawing took place in SCOREville, a display area set up at the Expo that included vintage and current race vehicles and SCORE merchandise for sale. Among the old-time trucks in the room were the F-100 that Scoop Vessels drove to win Class 8 in the 1977 Baja 500 and 1000 (seen here), and a ’66 Bronco that won the 1969 1000 overall with Rod Hall and Larry Minor as pilots. Hall is the only man to have driven in every Baja 1000, and he was entered this year, too, running his Hummer H3 in the Stock Mini class with co-driver Emily Miller.
More Silverado News Leaks
Chevrolet has issued another “spy” photo of the upcoming ’14 Silverado pickup, this time undergoing validation testing at GM’s Milford, Michigan, proving grounds. The truck goes into production sometime in 2013, and those are all the details we’re getting from Chevy.
Unofficially, though, we’ve learned via Automotive News that a premium model, dubbed High Country, will compete with Ford’s various upscale F-truck trim levels—King Ranch, Platinum, Premium—and Ram’s Laramie Longhorn. Chevy dealers who have seen the new truck say it offers a “bolder” look and will be 3-4 inches taller than the current model. There will be more rear seat room in the crew cab models, and extended cabs will get rear doors to improve access. Crew cabs will also get 61⁄2-foot beds, longer than the 53⁄4-foot beds currently offered.
Colorado/Canyon News & Rumors
In addition to readying its next generation of fullsize pickups for 2014, GM is also planning to reenter the compact truck market with all-new versions of the Chevy Colorado and—as was just announced—GMC Canyon. Seen here is a concept version of the Colorado that made the rounds of overseas auto shows last year. We know almost nothing about how the trucks will be equipped, but we did hear that a diesel engine will likely be an option. That squares with what’s available overseas: 2WD and 4WD regular, extended-cab and crew cab variants with new 2.5L gas and 2.8L turbodiesel engines.
Calendar
• Jan. 5: Tread Lightly! Tread Trainer Certification, Hungry Valley OHV Area, Gorman, CA. Info: www.treadlightly.org
• Jan. 6: Winching Clinic by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, El Paso Mountains near Mojave, CA. Info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
• Jan. 11-13: Winter Fun Festival, Nevada County Fairgrounds, Grass Valley, CA, by the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs. Info: 800.4x4.FUNN, cal4wheel.com
• Jan. 12: Getting Started Off-Road Driving Clinic by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Hungry Valley SVRA, Gorman, CA. Info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
• Jan. 13: Advanced Beginner Off-Road Driving Clinic by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, El Paso Mountains near Mojave, CA. Info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
• Jan. 18-20: Bradshaw Trail ride by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, near Salton Sea, CA. Info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
• Jan. 26: Getting Started Off-Road Driving Clinic by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Borrego Springs, CA. Info: 310.374.8047, www.4x4training.com
• Jan. 26-27: Truckhaven Challenge, Ocotillo Wells SVRA near Salton Sea, CA, by CORVA. Info: www.corva.org
• Jan. 27: Sand Off-Road Driving Clinic by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Borrego Springs, CA. 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 of the event due to our press lead times.