R.I.P. Isuzu USA
If all you know about Isuzu is that it sells face-lifted GM pickups and SUVs-and not many of those, at that-then you may not be surprised to learn that the company will stop selling light-duty vehicles in the U.S. by January 2009. But for those of us with fond memories of the sturdy, never-say-die Trooper, it's a sad passing. Maybe more of a mercy killing, actually. Today's Isuzu is but a shadow of a company that once sold more SUVs than Toyota. Isuzu was among the first to offer what was in the '80s a true innovation-a four-door compact SUV. The Trooper was our 4x4 of the Year in 1985, and in 1986 the company unleashed one of the most memorable car salesmen ever, Joe Isuzu.
The official reason for Isuzu's U.S. demise is "prospective cessation of production by General Motors Corporation of the Ascender...and the i-290 and i-370 pickup trucks," said the company. "It has always been our intention to remain in the U.S. market," said Terry Maloney, Isuzu Motors USA president and COO. "However, we were unable to secure any commercially viable replacements for these vehicles."
According to the press release, Isuzu will continue to honor vehicle warranties and service its vehicles here "for years to come." It will also continue to sell commercial trucks. But it just won't be the same. So long, Joe.
New Polaris Military ATV
Snowmobile and ATV maker Polaris has been making upfitted versions of its ATVs for the military since 2001. Its latest mil-spec ATV, the 4x4 MV800, has something different on board-a 760cc, 40hp spark-ignition engine that runs on JP8, the military's standard fuel. The engine, developed in partnership with Australian-based Orbital Corporation, develops nearly twice the horsepower of diesel engines that are similar size. Plus, in a pinch it can run on other fuel, including gasoline and highway diesel.
New Jeep Jamboree Challenge
Fun, family-friendly, and full of camaraderie and all the other things you love about Jeep Jamborees, the new Jeep Jamboree Challenge comes with the added thrill of competition. Whether your specialty is mudpit racing, rockcrawling, or all-around off-roading, you'll find a competition that suits your style. You'll also get a chance to preview upcoming Jeep models and testdrive current Jeep products in an off-road environment.
The Challenge will be held at the rugged Tire Vehicle Test Center (TVTC) near San Antonio, Texas. The TVTC is the place manufacturers take their products to see if they've got what it takes to handle the demands of serious off-roading. The facility is not open to the public, so the Jeep Jamboree Challenge is a rare chance to get behind the scenes at a real factory test site. In addition to awards and bragging rights, all class winners will be invited back in 2009 to defend their titles.
Two dinners and a special event T-shirt are included in this trip, and all drivers are required to have previous off-roading experience to be eligible for the Jeep Jamboree Challenge. Vehicles must be "street legal" with a valid DMV registration. For more information, log on to www.jeepjamboreeusa.com.-Sue Mead
Manny Esquerra Dies During Parker Race
Long-time desert racer Manny Esquerra, 64, died of apparent heart failure while at the wheel of a race truck at the Parker 425 in February. Rumors have circulated that he died as the result of an accident, but first-hand reports from his codriver at the time said Esquerra was fine getting in the truck to drive the second Parker lap and was racing "like the champion he was." He did complain about some tightness in his chest, and then at one point during the race, when the codriver tried to talk to him, "Manny just was not there anymore."
Esquerra first got involved with off-road racing in the mid '70s. He was a member of Ford's Rough Riders team from 1982 to 1992 (the photo here is from 1985). SCORE's Sal Fish told the Parker Pioneer that Esquerra won the Parker race "at least 10 times" when it was a SCORE event and was the Class 7 season points champion eight times.