Mean and ThirstyOh, you're gonna love this. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (don't you hate 'em already?) felt the need to score '02 cars and trucks on their tailpipe emissions and fuel economy. Their results, in a guide called ACEEE's Green Book: The Environmental Guide to Cars and Trucks, named some of our favorite vehicles the "meanest" to the earth.
Among the bottom of their barrel are the Ram 2500, Silverado/Sierra 2500, Suburban/Yukon XL, Mercedes G-Wagen, Lexus LX470/Toyota Land Cruiser, Chevy Avalanche, and Ford Excursion. One sports car made the list: the nearly $300,000 Lamborghini Murcielago. We keep good company.
Environmental & Political BeatThe California Association of 4-Wheel Drive Clubs is joining other recreation groups as well as elected and appointed public officials in opposing Senator Barbara Boxer's newly announced California Wild Heritage Act of 2002. The bill would close nearly 2.5 million acres of public land used by 4x4 and other off-highway-vehicle enthusiasts, including mountain bikers. Boxer's bill would designate huge chunks of California as wilderness area, which means the land would be off-limits to any mechanized (not just motorized) vehicle. The closures would affect acreage in the Inyo National Forest, Mendocino National Forest, Sequoia National Forest, and Tahoe National Forest. California's off-highway enthusiasts are already denied access to some 21 percent of California's national forest lands and 25 percent of the land overseen by the BLM. If you hate this as much as we do, contact Boxer (senator@boxer.senate.gov) or another member of the Senate or House of Representatives to voice your opposition.
In a positive development, the Hollister Hills SVRA in northern California can finally move ahead with an expansion plan that's been in the works for 10 years. A lawsuit that was slowing the process has been settled, so more than 3,000 acres can now be added to the park. California off-roaders need the room; studies have shown that attendance at the state's six main State Vehicular Recreation Areas increased by 52 percent between 1985 and 2000.
Calendar of EventsOct. 4-6 9th Annual Gateway to the Cumberlands Jeep Jamboree, Williamsburg, KY. Information: 530/333-4777, www.jeepjamboreeusa.com
Oct. 4-6 13th Annual Maine Mountains Jeep Jamboree, Bethel, ME. Information: 530/333-4777, www.jeepjamboreeusa.com
Oct. 4-6 Ramsey National Off-Road Challenge Series, Badlands Off Road Park, Attica, IN. Information: 800/556-2801, www.sportsintherough.com
Oct. 4-6 Victor Valley 4 Wheelers Fun in the Desert, Johnson Valley, CA. Information: 760/240-1954, mike.mich@verizon.net
Oct. 6-9 Bill Burke's on the Road...Moab 2002, driver training course, Moab, UT. Information: 970/858-3468, www.bb4wa.com
Oct. 8-12 Fall Fling at Moab, hosted by NAXJA. Information: Dan Riggs, jriggs@lorettotel.net, www.naxja.org
Oct. 8-12 United Rockcrawling and Off-Road Challenge World Supercrawl, Farmington, NM. Information: 435/864-3199, www.uroc4x4.com
Oct. 11-13 19th Annual Appalachian October Jeep Jamboree, Murphy, NC. Information: 530/333-4777, www.jeepjamboreeusa.com
Oct. 11-13 10th Annual Monster Truck Thunder Drags, Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, Springfield, MO. Information: 317/236-6515, www.familyevents.com
Oct. 12-13 6th Annual Carolina 4-Wheel Jamboree Nationals, Anderson County Fairgrounds, Anderson, SC. Information: 317/236-6515, www.familyevents.com
Oct. 18-19 California Rock Crawlers Association Rocktoberfest 2002, Menifee, CA. Information: tonya.knoll@californiarockcrawlerassociation.com, www.californiarockcrawlersassociation.com
Oct. 18-20 13th Annual Mohawk Trail Jeep Jamboree, Charlamont, MA. Information: 530/333-4777, www.jeepjamboreeusa.com
Oct. 18-20 4th Annual Sea of Cortez Jeep Jamboree, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico. Information: 530/333-4777, www.jeepjamboreeusa.com