*Legislation has been introduced in the U.S. House and Senate to designate another 2.5 million acres of public land in California "wilderness areas." The bill is a threat to off-highway vehicle enthusiasts and the related business communities since motorized vehicles are denied access to lands designated as wilderness. Fourteen million acres of land in California already have the wilderness designation. SEMA has initiated a grassroots effort urging its membership to oppose the measure.
*In more California news, SEMA's anti-scrappage work with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) has begun to pay off. CARB has set up a system to notify hobbyists of vehicles destined for scrappage so that parts can be obtained prior to crushing. Those interested in scrapping their vehicles will contact an authorized dismantler and bring the vehicle in for inspection. A list of the scheduled appointments will be compiled daily by the dismantler and e-mailed to members of the public who sign up to receive it.
You, too, can take part in this sort of activity. Visit SEMA's enthusiast Web site, www.enjoythedrive.org, and click on the "Your Car and the Law" link for more legislative goings-on, as well as information on how to become a part of the SEMA Action Network and help protect our hobby.
Quote/Unquote"It's like anything else with fuel economy: We build it, but if people don't buy it, the numbers don't go up."
-Alliance of Automobile Manufacturers spokesman Eron Shosteck, quoted in the Detroit Free Press. Shosteck's complaint is a common one among auto and truck makers regarding CAFE standards: They're based on vehicles sold, not vehicles made. So it won't do the OEs any good to build 30-mpg compacts if the American public buys only 15-mpg trucks and SUVs.
Low-Buck Contest WinnerWondering which loser-er, clever soul-won our low-buck contest? Only at www.4wheeloffroad.com/lowbuck will you be able to delight in your fellow enthusiasts' clever and cheap fixes, mods, and upgrades, plus you can check out a few photos that will either inspire you or make you shake your head in disgust. And wait until you read the tale that won! Pathetic!
Jeep Goes Postal-AgainJeep announced that it is once again building right-hand-drive vehicles for the U.S. Postal Service. The '03 Wrangler Postal Units are built with hardtops, full metal doors with roll-up windows, and removable rear seats to make room for bulky packages. The Postal Jeeps are powered by 4.0L I-6s mated to automatic transmissions and have heavy-duty Dana 44 rear axles with Trac-Lok differentials. MSRP on these Jeeps is $20,253, and Jeep says they're available in "all 10 colors." We're not sure why. Don't all USPS vehicles use that stylish white-with-red-and-blue-stripes paint scheme?
Calendar of EventsMar. 28-30 3rd Appalachian Spring Jeep Jamboree, Murphy, NC. Information: 530/333-4777, www.jeepjamboreeusa.com
Apr. 5 Mojave 250, Barstow, CA, (includes JeepSpeed race). Information: Mojave Desert Racing, 626/442-9320, www.mdrracing.com.
Apr. 5-6 Colorado Off-Highway Expo, National Western Complex, Denver, CO. Information: 800/457-2434, www.bigasalloutdoors.com.
Apr. 10-12 Goodyear/Skyjacker Extreme Rockcrawling Nationals, Reno, NV. Information: Rock Crawlers Association of America, 801/288-2574, www.rockcrawler.org.
Apr. 11-13 6th Land Between the Lakes Jeep Jamboree, Marshall County, KY. Information: Jeep Jamboree USA, 530/333-4777, www.jeepjamboreeusa.com.
Apr. 12-13 Fourth annual Arizona IH Rendezvous, Prescott Valley, AZ. Information: Sonora Desert Scouts, 480/451-5331, www.geocities.com/Baja/Mesa/3653.
Apr. 18-20 International Harvester Western Region Nationals, Tulare, CA. Information: Scouts West, www.scoutswest.com.
Apr. 19 California 4x4/Sport Utility Drivers Education & Training, Hungry Valley SRVA, Gorman, CA. Information: 818/370-3582, www.4x4quest.com.