Both classes will have to follow JeepSpeed's existing rules governing wheelbase, track width, and wheel travel (all three limited so that the Cherokees retain their factory appearance), but modification restrictions will be more liberal for the Pro classes than Sportsman. For example, the external-bypass shocks legal in Pro will not be allowed in Sportsman.
The 2003 JeepSpeed Challenge schedule runs in conjunction with the Mojave Desert Racing (MDR) series and includes four races for Sportsman vehicles: Feb. 1 and Apr. 5 in Barstow, California; and Aug. 9 and Sept. 27 in Lucerne Valley, California. Pro racers will run those four events plus the Baja 500, May 30-31, and the Vegas-to-Reno race, June 27-29.
For more information on the series, contact JeepSpeed, 714/538-7434, www.jeepspeed.com.
Coolest Reading PlacesYeowch! We've heard of parking under a tree to get some shade, but we doubt Renee Bousquet had that in mind when this tree blew over on his '73 Bronco. Luckily the Bronc is "back to its restored self and on display at Donny's 4-Wheel Drive World in Kona, Hawaii," Renee tells us.
New Toyo Mud TerrainToyo has entered the mud-terrain tire market with its new Open Country M/T. Toyo says it designed the tire using a supercomputer to optimize traction under a variety of road surfaces, while minimizing the annoying tread noise that often comes with open-lug tires. The tire is being rolled out (no pun intended) in two beefy sizes: 38x15.50R18 and LT325/60R20, with other sizes on the way.
New Land Rover FreelanderNot to say "we told you so" or anything, but it was months ago that we shared the rumor that Land Rover would bring its three-door Freelander to the U.S. market. We were proven right at the South Florida International Auto Show, where LR debuted the Freelander SE3. The three-door sits on the same 101-inch wheelbase as the five-door and has the same mechanical components: 174hp V-6, five-speed auto tranny, full-time 4WD, four-wheel MacPherson strut suspension, and electronic traction control. Open-air 'wheeling is provided by twin removable sunroof panels and a detachable hard roof over the rear compartment.
The new Freelander SE3 went on sale in December with a MSRP of $26,995.
Calendar Of EventsMar. 7-9 California Off-Road Vehicle Association (CORVA) Convention, Bakersfield, CA. Information: 661/325-9700, www.corva.org
Mar. 7-9 South Florida Camp OffRoad, south Florida, by Palm Beach Adventures Association. Information: 561/964-8262, www.pbadventures.net
Mar. 14-15 California Rock Crawlers Association Rock Challenge Series, Wooden Nickel Ranch, Menifee, CA. Information: CRCA, 909/679-3879, www.californiarockcrawlersassociation.com
Mar. 14-15 17th Tecate/SCORE San Felipe 250, San Felipe, Baja California, Mexico. Information: SCORE, 818/225-8402, www.score-international.com
Mar. 14-16 Arizona Classic Bronco Stampede 2003, Florence Junction area, AZ. Information: Arizona Classic Bronco, www.azbronco.org
Mar. 28-30 CORVA Recreation & Off-Road Expo, Victorville, CA. Information: 800/42-CORVA, www.corva.org
Mar. 28-30 3rd Appalachian Spring Jeep Jamboree, Murphy, NC. Information: 530/333-4777, www.jeepjamboreeusacom
Environmental & Political WatchIs driving an SUV a "moral issue"? To the Evangelical Environmental Network it is. This affiliation of religious groups believes sport/utility vehicles are such a risk to the human population and the environment that it is meeting with various vehicle manufacturing representatives and asking them to produce cleaner, more fuel efficient cars and trucks. It is also taking its message to the airwaves with a television advertising campaign in Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, and North Carolina. The EEN's catch phrase-"What Would Jesus Drive?"-strikes to the heart of the matter, since "The Risen Lord Jesus is concerned about the kinds of cars we drive because they affect his people and his creation," the group said (as quoted by UPI). The EEN's Reverend Jim Ball, in an interview on National Public Radio, explained, "As evangelical Christians, when we confront a moral issue, we have to check in with Jesus." Transportation choices present these folks with a "serious moral issue," said the Reverend Ball, because of the vehicles' environmental impact, and so they ask the Lord, "What would you have us drive?"