February 1999 Drivelines - Off-Road News

Truck Fest/4xFun Fest Season Ends
Elsewhere in this issue, we've got explosive coverage of the Sandwich, Illinois, 4xFun Fest, the last event of the U.S. Truck Fest season. But that huge show shouldn't take anything away from the freshman Atlanta Truck Fest, pictured here. Of course, that show had all you've come to expect and love at every show this year-monster trucks, Extreme Truck action, and show-'n'-shine activities. For more information on next year's schedule, stay tuned to Drivelines, or call Petersen Events at 323/782-2341 or Pace Motor Sports at 630/963-4810, or visit www.ushra.com.

We'd like to thank Pace Motor Sports for all its help with putting together a mighty full season, as well as the year's official sponsors Chevrolet and BFGoodrich, presenter Ford, and Ruff Trux sponsor Trail Master. Other officials of the season were:

America's Funniest Foul-Ups
The National Directory of Environmental and Regulatory Victims is available for $15 from the National Center for Public Policy Research. It's full of examples of regulations it says have gone wrong. For instance, because of the Endangered Species Act, the city of Temecula, California, suffered more than $10 million in flood-related damages-they were protecting birds rather than maintaining a flood-control system. There's also info on water regulation, such as how Michigan's Department of Environmental Quality threatened sanctions against a property owner for not obtaining a permit for constructing dams; they were actually the work of beavers.

Plus what's not to love about zoning ordinances such as Fordham University in New York City's approval to build a radio tower for the campus radio station? Just before completion, the New York Botanical Garden demanded and won a suit that the tower be moved 25 feet so the Garden could still book wedding receptions.

To get a copy, contact the NCPPR, Dept. 4WOR, 300 Eye St. NE, Ste. 3, Washington, DC 20002, 202/543-1286, www.nationalcenter.org.

Campfire Talk
According to the October 26th issue of Fortune magazine, Toyota Motor Corp. was named world's most admired automaker for the second year in a row. Meanwhile, Family Circle mag has picked the Chevy Tahoe as the family and activity hauler.

Some of the '99 Cadillac cars feature massaging seats. Yes, like a motel bed.

The U.K. government is attempting to "curb" vehicle use. Plans being entertained include charging drivers to take their vehicles into urban centers, motorways, and off-road parking spaces that employers provide for their staffs.

Saab is now talking SUV.

Michelin has been ranked the top OE tire brand for light trucks (compact and fullsize sport/utilities and pickups) by J.D. Power and Associates for the third consecutive time. The vehicles are grouped together because of similar usage, including towing and occasional off-roading. Second Place on down went to BFGoodrich, Firestone, Uniroyal, Dunlop, Bridgestone, and Goodyear.

The 25th Annual Canadian River Sand Drags & Mud Bog will be hosted by the West Texas Outlaws, February 27-28, in Amarillo. For information, contact Steve and Linda Ellard, P.O. Box 19324, Amarillo, TX 79114, 806/373-1222, e-mail sellard@arn.net, or Will Hopkins, Event Chairman, 1960 Roosevelt, Amarillo, TX 79103, 806/376-6189.

The BLM has extended for one year the initial temporary closure of approximately 2,000 acres within Ward Valley, California, which "extended the closure to unauthorized uses of the Ward Valley lands to facilitate management of authorized activities, protect the desert tortoise, and prevent unnecessary damage to sensitive natural resources." It's effective until August 13, 1999. Write to Molly Brady, Needles Field Office Manager, U.S.D.I. Bureau of Land Management, 101 W. Spikes Rd., Needles, CA 92363, 760/326-7000.

Honda Motor Corp. has turned 50.

Hemmings Motor News has named the '66-'69 Alfa Romeo Duetto Spider one of 1998's best entry-level collectable cars-a mint '69 can fetch $10,000.

The Department of Transportation says 90 percent of travelers prefer driving long distances rather than flying.