The tire works so well in the rocks, according to BFGoodrich, because of its "huge, aggressive lugs" for traction and resistance to punctures, a four-ply nylon carcass to aid in puncture resistance, two steel belts to give the tire flexibility over the rocks, and a "specially formulated tri-polymer tread compound" for grip.
BFGoodrich spent last year "real-world testing" the Krawler at our own Ultimate Adventure and at rockcrawl events, where competitors fitted with the tire captured the top three spots in the Unlimited Class at the inaugural SuperCrawl World Championships in Farmington, New Mexico.
In other BFGoodrich news, the company has added three new sizes to its All-Terrain T/A line-LT305/70R16, LT285/ 70R17, and LT285/65R18-aimed primarily at fullsize truck and SUV applications.
More information on the All-Terrain and the Krawler is available on BFGoodrich's revamped Web site (www.bfgoodrichtires.com).
2003 RCAA Schedule AnnouncedThe Rock Crawlers Association of America (RCAA) has announced its '03 event schedule, as well as changes in its rules to separate competitors into two classes-Modified Stock and Super Modified. The Modified Stock vehicles will be upgraded versions of OE vehicles, while the Super Modifieds will include purpose-built buggies and highly modified stock trucks. The primary points of difference between the two classes concern the hood, grille, fenders, tub/cab, hydraulic steering, and suspension.
The RCAA 2003 event schedule looks like this: April 10-12 Reno, Nevada; May 22-24 TBA; July 10-12 Cedar City, Utah; Oct. 4-11 Farmington, New Mexico. For more information on the RCAA events and rules changes, contact RCAA at 801/446-5337 or www.rockcrawler.org.
Isuzu Leaving U.S. Joint VentureIsuzu is giving up its stake in a joint venture under which it manufactures SUVs for the North American market. The firm will sell its 49-percent share in Subaru-Isuzu Automotive Inc. in Lafayette, Indiana, to its partner, Fuji Heavy Industries. (General Motors is part owner of both Isuzu and Fuji Heavy.)
As part of the restructuring, Isuzu will stop importing the Japanese-made Trooper and replace it at the top of Isuzu's lineup with the Ascender, which is based on the same platform as the TrailBlazer, Envoy, and other midsize GM SUVs. The other three Isuzu SUVs currently sold in the U.S.-the Axiom, Rodeo, and Rodeo Sport-will still carry Isuzu badges as part of its deal with Fuji Heavy. Total sales volume for the SUVs will drop next year from 100,000 units to between 30,000 and 40,000.
Another part of the deal calls for GM to reduce its ownership stake in the company, from 48.5 percent to 12 percent.
Though the changes will probably give Isuzu a smaller presence in the U.S., it frees the maker to concentrate on restoring its profitability by focusing on its truck business. From the looks of Isuzu's financial news it's a much-needed move, as the company forecasts a $1.38-billion loss for the fiscal year that ends March 2003.
This Just In...*GM is voluntarily undertaking a recall of nearly 600,000 '00-'02 Chevy Tahoe, Cadillac Escalade, and GMC Yukon and Denali trucks because of a head restraint that has pinched some fingers when being folded. Suburban/Yukon XLs, Avalanches, and Escalade EXTs are not affected by the recall.
*Auto Meter Products is recalling some of its "short sweep" fuel pressure gauges because of premature failures of the sending unit, which can result in fuel leaking out of the sender. Contact Auto Meter at 815/895-8141 for more info on the recall, which affects gauges made between October 1999 and March 2002 with the following model numbers: 2659, 3309, 3509, 4309, 4409, and 5709.