Anyone who's driven the fabled Northern California rock route knows that's not news. What is news is that the Rubicon was recently added to BFGoodrich's Outstanding Trails Program. Two years ago, BFG, with partners Tread Lightly! and the United Four Wheel Drive Associations, began a process to identify and help preserve the best trails in the U.S. As part of the honor, BFG donated $4,000 to Friends of the Rubicon (FOTR) to go toward trail preservation and maintenance.
FOTR put the funds to good use during a recent work weekend. In just one day, FOTR moved more than 200 tons of rock to fill huge mud holes over a 4.5-mile section of Wentworth Springs Road using towed utility trailers and some heavy equipment from Eldorado County Department of Transportation.
"The volunteers who work to keep the Rubicon maintained and open to all of us are setting the example worldwide for other trails and riding areas," said Del Albright, FOTR trail boss (and BlueRibbon Coalition ambassador). "We have our own Trail Patrol providing user information and outreach, as well as a massive Internet outreach program designed to educate users on responsible use of the trail so we can have it forever."
The good news doesn't stop here. FOTR also received a recent grant of $5,000 from Hummer to provide materials, tools, and food for the volunteer workforce.
"The Rubicon Trail is extremely important to Hummer," said Martin Walsh, Hummer's general manager. "Our owners use it for recreation, while our engineers use the trail to test the capabilities of our products. It is our responsibility to ensure that off-roading remains a viable hobby for enthusiasts around the globe."
Tech Editor Fred Williams recently rode shotgun in a JeepSpeed Cherokee raced by Lance Clifford and Eric "Camo" Linker of Pirate4x4.com in the Mojave Desert Racing McKenzies/Vision-X California 200 outside of Lucerne, California.
The three-lap California 200 starts at dusk, so when Fred climbed in at the start of the second lap, most of the field was racing in the dark. Fred called the ride "abusive, but with five-point harnesses, a full cage and a kidney belt, it was a safe and exhilarating trip."
Lance and Camo had experienced some electrical and wheel-stud problems in the first lap, and by mile 32 of the second, the right rear tire busted loose and passed the Jeep, leaving Fred and Camo sitting on three wheels. Luckily their chase crew from Shaffer's Off-Road was right around the corner and had them going in no time. They continued that way until well into the third lap, when the left rear wheel and tire left the vehicle. By then it was so late no one else was on the track, so they called it a night and headed back to camp.
"It was fun until the wheel fell off for the third time, then it was just funny," said Fred. Even funnier was how the Pirate team started calling him the tech editor of 3-Wheel & Off-Road. Special thanks to the Shaffer's Off Road team for helping to keep the Jeep moving, and to Pirate4x4.com for inviting Fred to ride along.
Isuzu has made some tweaks to the equipment available on its Crew Cab pickup and Ascender sport/utility for the new model year. The 3.7L five-cylinder engine standard on the i-370 pickup, which is based on the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon, brings the truck's tow capacity from 4,000 pounds to 5,500. A new, optional Comfort Package (which replaces the Limited trim level) includes a high-end audio system and leather-covered, heated, power seats.
The Ascender SUV, based on the TrailBlazer/ Envoy, now has standard head-curtain side-impact airbags on all models. Also, its 4.2L inline six has been recalibrated to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions; its output is now rated at 285 hp and 276 lb-ft of torque.