Why throw the doors open to just anybody? "People really have to see Camp Jeep and experience it for themselves to believe it," explained Jeff Bell, vice president of Jeep Division. "We want to show non-Jeepers what the fuss is all about!" They'll have a day to soak it all in, as the general public can attend only on the Saturday of each show.
This year's Camp Jeep events will include the popular Jeep 101 off-road driving courses, lifestyle and family activities, and live music. Jeep owners will also be able to visit an Engineering Village and speak with Jeep engineers during roundtable discussions.
For more information about Camp Jeep 2003, call 800/789-JEEP (5337), or go to www.jeep.com and type in "campjeep" in the keyword section.
Smith and Ashley Set Records in BajaLet's see if we can put this accomplishment in perspective: Dan Smith and Dave Ashley's Optima/Ford F-150 Trophy Truck was first overall among four-wheeled entries at the 35th Tecate/SCORE Baja 1000 off-road race. This was the third consecutive Baja 1000 victory for the team, the ninth overall for Ford, and the 17th for BFGoodrich.
What makes the win spectacular is that Smith and Ashley finished within 1 minute and 35 seconds of the First-place motorcycle team (Steve Hengeveld, Johnny Campbell, and Andy Grider each astride a Honda XR650R), a nearly unheard-of feat in Baja that happened last in 1993. Smith and Ashley covered the 1,017-mile course down the Baja peninsula in 16 hours, 19 minutes, and 3 seconds, setting a record average speed of 62.34 mph.
Here's another bit of perspective: Off-road racer Rod Hall celebrated his 65th (!) birthday co-driving his AM General Hummer XLCZ with sons Chad and Josh to victory in the Stock Full class. This was Hall's 17th class win at Baja, and he is the only driver to have competed in a four-wheel class in every one of the 35 Baja 1000s. Rodney, you da man!
New Cadillac SUVsIt seems hard to believe, but Cadillac (yes, Cadillac) will have no fewer than four distinct '03 sport/utility vehicles to sell. Joining the Tahoe-based Escalade and Avalanche-like Escalade EXT is the Suburban-esque Escalade ESV, a $56,000 "large luxury SUV" with amenities that include eight-passenger seating on Nuance leather surfaces, a premium Bose audio system, StabiliTrak, a "road-sensing" suspension, and the high-output Vortec 6000 V-8 powering an all-wheel-drive system. Escalade ESVs roll onto showroom floors late in 2002.
The newest Caddy SUV, which debuted at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, is the '04 SRX you see here. The SRX is a crossover sport/utility that sits on GM's Sigma platform, which is also under the Cadillac CTS sport sedan. Cadillac considers the SRX a "medium luxury utility" that will compete against the likes of the BMW X5, Acura MDX, Lexus RX300, and Mercedes M-class. It will seat five (or seven with the optional third-row seat) and will be powered by either the new-generation, 315hp Northstar 4.6L V-8 or an all-new, 3.6L, 260hp V-6. A choice of rear-wheel or all-wheel-drive powertrains will be offered, and the SRX will sit on a fully independent suspension fitted with GM's new Magnetic Ride Control shocks.
Political & Environmental WatchOur friends at SEMA have been busy watching over-and fighting-proposed legislation that could negatively affect what we drive and how we use our vehicles. Among the battles won recently:
*A Georgia bill threatening to include trucks in a law that bans altered suspensions more than 2 inches above or below the factory recommendation has died in the state legislature. SEMA thanks the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association and the Georgia Bounty Runners Four Wheel Drive Club for their efforts in defeating this legislation.