4WD Action News

New Laws for Fraser Island - Tue, 09 Mar 2010
Making your visit to Fraser Island safe

Driving on Fraser Island can challenge even experienced drivers. Research has shown that tourists, especially young tourists driving four-wheel drive hire vehicles, have a high crash risk.

Beach driving is more dangerous than driving a vehicle on a road and requires high levels of concentration and skill.

Among the most dangerous aspects of beach driving are dealing with the washouts caused by tides, which can result in deep ridges in the sand, as well as the need to avoid incoming waves.

Driving a rented and unfamiliar four-wheel drive on a beach makes it easy to get into trouble. Speeding or driving with a vehicle full of passengers and with a heavy load on the roof can cause a rollover, resulting in serious injury or death.



New laws
A number of new road safety measures are being introduced on Fraser Island to make your visit safer. You need to know and follow these laws to avoid a fine. Ignorance of the law is no excuse.

• Speed limit signs have been erected on the beach (80km per hour) and in townships and on inland tracks (30km per hour).
• Signs listing new hire vehicle requirements will be in place at all barge drop-off and pick-up points from April 2010.
• Police patrols will increase to enforce the new speed limits.
• Random inspections of four-wheel drive vehicles are being carried out by government officials on Fraser Island and on the mainland near the entry points to the island. These are to check that vehicles comply with the new laws and are not overloaded.

From 1 April 2010, all hire four-wheel drive vehicles must:
• not carry more than eight occupants (including the driver)
• safely secure luggage inside the vehicle (no loads are allowed on the roof).

Heavy loads on the roof can affect vehicle stability and increase the chance of rolling the vehicle, particularly when driving on sand. Although these laws do not apply to private (non-hired) vehicles, it is recommended that all drivers consider passenger numbers and the weight of loads on the vehicle roof while driving on Fraser Island.

Fines
A driver breaking these laws risks a $300 fine and (for Australians) 3 demerit points. These laws apply only to hire vehicles. Private vehicles are exempt.

From 31 December 2010, all hire four-wheel drive vehicles used on Fraser Island must:
• have no side-facing seats
• have a maximum of eight seats
• be fitted with seatbelts which meet Australian Design Rules.

This means that four-wheel drive hire operators will need to modify or replace troop carriers that do not comply with these laws. Enforcement activities will be increased to ensure that all four-wheel drive hire vehicles meet these new laws.

HUMMER IS NO MORE - Wed, 24 Feb 2010
DETROIT -- General Motors Co. will wind down its Hummer brand after a proposed sale to Chinas Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machines Co. Ltd. fell through.



Tengzhong was unable to complete the acquisition, GM said today in a statement. The Chinese company failed to win government approval of the sale, a source familiar with the negotiations said.

GM will honor warranties, provide spare parts and will support service for Hummers worldwide, the automaker said. GM has 153 U.S. Hummer dealers, spokeswoman Ryndee Carney said in an email.

The failed deal likely seals the fate of the last of GMs four unwanted U.S. brands. GM is winding down Saturn after its sale fell through in September. Pontiac is also being phased out. GM yesterday completed the sale of Saab to Dutch niche carmaker Spyker Cars NV.

GM is open to receiving other bids for Hummer as it winds down the brand, the source said. The sale of Saab arose out of a similar situation: Spyker entered a bid after a proposed sale of Saab to Swedens Koenigsegg Group AB fell through in November. The chances of resurrecting Hummer are viewed as slimmer than they were at Saab, the source said.

GM put Hummer up for sale in 2008, before the global financial crisis that dragged the automaker into bankruptcy.

In June of last year, GM said it expected to sell Hummer to the Chinese heavy machinery maker, which has no experience in the auto industry. Hummer's 67 percent sales decline last year was the steepest of any volume brand in the United States.

GM bought the brand in December 1999 from AM General, which has also continued to make versions for the armed forces.

Hummer entered the civilian market in 1992. Non government Hummer sales were averaging between 800 and 1000 units annually when GM bought the brand.

Hummers U.S. sales peaked at 71,524 in 2006, before demand was choked by gasoline prices that soared above $4 per gallon in 2008. Sales last year dwindled to 9,046.

From www.autonews.com

The Future of Firefighting by Ford - Sun, 21 Feb 2010
The Amatoya may be just a concept Warthog-inspired reconnaissance and fire-suppression vehicle, but with Apache-like seating and robotic water cannons it makes us want to see it douse some fires.



Designed by Liam Ferguson, the system is similar to an MRAP and is designed to fill in as a quick response vehicle smaller than currently used commercial trucks. We're not sure there's a large enough market to justify the creation of such a vehicle, but we dig the look and the ethos of reducing human vulnerability. Just swap out the water cannons for real ones and you've got a great assault vehicle.




Here's what the designer had to say,

Currently the role of site reconnaissance is predominantly carried out by light tankers or QAVs (Quick Attack Vehicles), typically these are modified single cabin commercial utility vehicles such as the Toyota Landcruiser. While the off road performance and maneuverability of such a vehicle is sufficient, its ability to actively suppress a fire threat is severely limited by the considerably small water supply (500lt) and distinct lack of survival engineering, fundamentally making it inadequate for its role.

CREW LAYOUT

Typically medium and heavy tankers require 5-6 crew members to be operated effectively. AMATOYA requires only 2. More military in its approach, reducing crew numbers per appliance will allow for greater dispersion of resources during a fire response.

Principal concerns when developing a vehicle of any nature are driver position, ingress/egress and vision angles. These elements become even more crucial in a vehicle purpose built for reconnaissance. A central, forward and high driver and ROSCO operator position akin to the Apache assault helicopter with generous down vision will assure functionality.

Access is via two gull wing doors, an optimal solution to accommodate the unconventional bodyside form. The distinct lack of a traditional b-pillar will provide uninterrupted views for the ROSCO operator situated above and behind the driver.

SURVIVABILITY

Cabin temperature and vehicle survivability are central to the AMATOYA concept. Existing approaches in survival engineering on fire tankers consistently appears as augmentation rather than integration. Methods are passive, typically reactive and often incapacitate the appliance when in use. A key example is the use of curtain heat shields, while effective, when employed render the appliance out of operation.

To create a homogenous directive towards survivability AMATOYA incorporates state of the art clear aerogel laminated insulation in the windows and bodywork, a dedicated auxiliary water supply to operate a highly efficient, intelligent temperature controlled spray down system, military grade sacrificial thermo ceramic intumescent paints, and a mechanically injected large displacement diesel engine specifically engineered for the unique conditions experienced on the fire ground.

These measures will assure that even in the case of an extremely prolonged and high intensity burnover the vehicle will not only maintain cabin integrity, but opposed to existing appliances AMATOYA will remain fully operational.

SUPPRESSION ABILITY

A Remotely Operated Suppression Cannon Outfit (ROSCO) coupled with a generous 1800lt + 400lt auxiliary water supply, offers a unique dynamic to vehicle operation. Current suppression techniques require large crew numbers (at least 5 per appliance) to perform through intermittent periods of strenuous labour to have any form of impact on a fire. The ROSCO system utilizing IFEX3000 impulse technology is not only a hugely efficient means of fire suppression, but vitally will eliminate crew members being subjected to the elements and stresses of extended high intensity work on the fire ground, while constantly maintaining vehicle mobility. A highly rated thermal imaging camera along with directional spot lights will assist in hotspot location to determine the most effective direction of attack.

OFF ROAD PERFORMANCE

AMATOYA represents the pinnacle of specialized performance in the fire appliance design field. Off road capabilities reflect enthusiast 4WD methods, including generous approach, departure and over ramp angles, suspension travel, ground clearance and minimized turn circle.

Central tire inflation (CTI) and run flat tire (RFT) technology coupled with beadlock tires will allow an extensive band of dynamic pressure control to aid in traversing the complex terrain often encountered on the fire ground.



MANUFACTURING

The vehicle adopts many conventional fabrication techniques associated with low production run specialized vehicles. The point of difference which separates this concept from existing appliances is the proposed monocoque steel body, comparable to military MRAP vehicles. A conventional fire tanker is built body-on-frame from a standard cab chassis truck base. While this approach is successful, the lack of integration results in certain performance issues. Body roll due to the on board water supply is an notable problem, however by creating a fully integrated solution, water reservoirs can be strategically located central and low in the vehicle to dramatically improve the centre of gravity.



from Jalopnik.com

A DAY OF HEARTBREAK FOR ISUZU DAKAR CONT - Fri, 15 Jan 2010
A blown turbo-charger has forced the retirement of the remaining Garland MotorSports Isuzu D-MAX ute competing in the 2010 Dakar Rally.

Swedish duo Pelle Wallentheim and Olle Ohlsson started the 12th stage of the event in 51st place after a disappointing day yesterday but had made up ground to 23rd after 21km of competition.



However around the 40km mark, with absolutely no warning, the turbo blew, relegating the crew to the side of the track until other competitors had passed and they could crawl safely to a checkpoint.

We had been going so well and then this happened, said Wallentheim, admitting he was feeling quite empty.

It was a new turbo. The team changed it on the rest day over the weekend as part of a planned maintenance schedule for the second part of the event, so it shouldnt have been a problem, but we dont know what has caused it. We are just devastated – so much hard work for all of us and no result.

Wallentheim and Ohlsson returned to the 21km checkpoint, which was where the special stage met the local highway. Several members of the Garland MotorSports team were there, taking charge of the stricken D-MAX to transport it through to the overnight camp.

It was heartbreaking news for the crew after a solid year of work, especially as team boss Bruce Garland and co-driver Harry Suzuki had to retire from the competition this time last week when a freak accident smashed their radiator.

Obviously well be trying to work out what happened with the turbo, said Garland, because we’ve never had a problem like this before.

A few days back the guys got a lot of dust through the engine. That may have had something to do with it, but I honestly dont know, and wont know, until we’ve had a chance to strip it down.

For now, well just clean up, pack up and head back to Buenos Aires. Its beyond disappointing, given how well we did last year, but this is Dakar and things happen. Its a cruel sport and this is the toughest event of them all.

Stage 12 was a massive stage, 790km in total, including the special (competition) section that was 470km long. Just 59 cars of the 134 that started the event in Buenos Aires (of a total field of 362) started today.

When it finished, it was the VW Touareg trio at the top of the order: Carlos Sainz, Nasser Al-Attiyah and Mark Miller. The same trio are leading the event, with two stages remaining before the official finish in Buenos Aires on January 17. Of last years podium, (Giniel De Villiers, Miller, Robby Gordon), defending champion De Villiers (VW) is seventh and Gordon (Hummer) eighth.

The Garland MotorSports/Tubus Racing teams have contested the 2010 event in Isuzu D-MAX 4x4 utes, built in Garland’s Sydney backyard. The standard 3.0-litre turbo-diesel production engine has been slightly tweaked for better performance, especially for the high altitude sections of the event. It has maximum torque of 600Nm – up 66 per cent on the standard roadgoing D-MAX ute – and peak power of 180kW, which is 50 per cent more than the standard vehicle. They were competing in Class T1.2, which is modified 4WD diesel.


There are regular event updates on the SBS website (www.sbs.com.au/dakar) every night at 6:00pm AEDT to January 18 and then a one-hour Dakar review from 11am to 12noon on Sunday, January 24.

SOFT SAND A TRAP FOR ISUZU DAKAR CONTEND - Tue, 12 Jan 2010
Sand, dunes and heavy-duty camel grass combined to make the last stage in Chiles Atacama Desert a tough day for the remaining Garland MotorSports Isuzu D-MAX ute competing in the 2010 Dakar Rally.

Stage Nine from Copiapó to La Serena originally included a 338km special (competitive) section but that was reduced to 170km because of fog (a safety issue for medical and event observation helicopters). The transport section at the end of the stage was 209km for a total distance of 379km but the reduced distance didnt make for an easy day.




On the whole we went quite well, all things considered, apart from losing 20 minutes at the start of the stage, said D-MAX driver, Pelle Wallentheim.

Our tyres heated up very quickly once we got into the stage and we got bogged. Once we sorted that out, we were okay, but it was a tough stage. Lots of sand, lots of dunes, and lots of camel grass.

That stuff is so tough to drive on. Its like rocks. You want to drive around it if you can, but in some places it was too close together. And in some places it was up to a metre high, and you just could not avoid it.

There were also some very steep dunes made of very soft sand that were hard to get through. There are a lot of cars and trucks still stuck out there.

Aside from the general difficulties of the stage, Wallentheim and co-driver Olle Ohlsson had no problems. They say their Australian-built and serviced Isuzu is running perfectly.

The Swedish duos Australian teammates, Bruce Garland and Harry Suzuki are now part of the service crew, having been forced out of competition late last week when a freak accident smashed the radiator, causing the engine to overheat. Because the Australians left the desert rally route to reach camp safely, they were excluded.

Todays stage was won by Nasser Al-Attiyah ahead of Carlos Sainz with defending champion Giniel De Villiers in third, all three members of the VW Touareg factory team. Overall, though, its still Sainz in first with Al-Attiyah second and Mark Miller, also in a VW, in third. Stephane Peterhansel (BMW) is fourth and De Villiers seventh. US NASCAR star Robby Gordon (Hummer), who shared the podium last year with De Villiers and Miller, is 10th.

Tomorrow (tonight, Australian time), the Garland MotorSports/Tubus Racing team will tackle a 238km special stage between La Serena and the Chilean capital, Santiago. The day starts with 112km of liaison (transport), before the 10th competition stage winds its way along narrow agricultural-type tracks. Theres a second lengthy (236km) liaison to the overnight halt.



Santiago is located in Chiles central valley at an elevation of 520m above sea level and is one of Latin America’s most modern commercial centres.

Only 211 vehicles started the ninth stage, of the 362 vehicles which left Buenos Aires on New Years Day. Tomorrows stage is the last in Chile before the cavalcade turns east to return to Argentina for the last four stages and the official finish in BA on January 17.

Wallentheim and Ohlsson are driving an Isuzu D-MAX 4x4 ute, built in Garlands Sydney backyard. The standard 3.0-litre turbo-diesel production engine has been slightly tweaked for better performance, especially for the high altitude sections of the event. It has maximum torque of 600Nm – up 66 per cent on the standard roadgoing D-MAX ute – and peak power of 180kW, which is 50 per cent more than the standard vehicle. They are competing in Class T1.2, which is modified 4WD diesel.

In 2009, the Swedes finished 44th outright. Their Australian colleagues had finished 11th outright and were first amateur (non-factory team) home. They also claimed bragging rights as first diesel ute and first production chassis car. The Swedish duo is now chasing those honours for the Isuzu team.

The Dakar Rally is the worlds premier off-road endurance competition. First staged in 1979, it was traditionally run in Europe and Africa, but moved to South America in 2009 because of safety concerns. The 2008 race – the last to be held in Africa – was cancelled on the eve of the start after the deaths of four French tourists. Their killers had links to the Al Qaeda terrorist network and threatened Dakar Rally organisers and competitors.

There will be regular updates on the teams performance on the official Isuzu Ute Australia website (www.isuzuute.com.au) and also on the SBS website (www.sbs.com.au/dakar); SBS ONE will show daily highlights of Dakar 2010, every night at 6:00pm AEDT to January 18 and then a one-hour Dakar review from 11am to 12noon on Sunday, January 24.

TIMES: STAGE NINE (all correct at time of writing)

1. Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW): 1h 59m 18s
2. Carlos Sainz (VW): + 6m 09s
3. De Villiers (VW): + 7m 48s

24. Pelle Wallentheim/Olle Ohlsson: + 1h 55m 04s

TIMES: OVERALL (all correct at time of writing)

1. Carlos Sainz (VW): 33h 33m 40s
2. Nasser Al-Attiyah (VW): +8m 26s
3. Mark Miller (VW): + 27m 17s

26. Pelle Wallentheim/Olle Ohlsson: + 23h 17m 24s

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Jeep Aholics

CJ5 Conversion to YJ Tub
Okay, I'm taking on a mod on my CJ5. My tub is complete junk on my 5. I've grown pretty tired of seeing the prices on tubs. I recently heard that it is possible to stretch a CJ5 frame to fit a YJ or 7 tub. Has anyone heard of this or done this? Any help would be great. Thanks.

Lazarus - Risen from the dead
**transplanting this from another forum, so the first couple posts timing is off a bit...** I could have swore i made a thread about this Jeep build already, but I have searched for an hour, and came up empty, so here goes. Picked this rig up from a buddy, who got it from another guy. It's been passed around like a $2 whore for a couple years, and it's tired..... Was a true basket case when it rolled my way, needing a lot of love. I was gonna build it for myself to have a streetable/trail jeep, but decided that i really didn't need that, so i sold it to my Mother in Law and her boyfriend Dave. Cool part is that i still get to build it, and that's what i really love, so all is good to go. Some specs... came to me partially assembled, parts flying off, hanging off, engine on a stand, etc.... Came with a 350 (unknown condition) as well as a tpi350 with Siamese runner and aftermarket throttle body, etc... If you know Uncle Holley, you know the motor. Yes, that one. 60 front, 14 bolt rear, Hummer wheels, 2" spacers all around, tub, grill, tube fenders, some awful seats, and that's about it. First order of business was compete tear down, and removal of all the stuff that was poorly done. Missed welds, outboarding not wide enough, poor anti wrap fab, etc.... Plans are reversed XJ rear springs, YJ fronts, new shackles, new outbarding blocks, front bumper to widen the outboard mounting area.... blah blah blah, paint it all, put it back together, etc... just another 1 ton jeep build i guess. How bout some pics.... How it came to me... [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Shop_Projects/Off_Road_Projects/Lazarus/lazarus001.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Shop_Projects/Off_Road_Projects/Lazarus/lazarus005.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Shop_Projects/Off_Road_Projects/Lazarus/lazarus007.jpg[/img] Tub takes a ride to get some love and paint from Dave [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Shop_Projects/Off_Road_Projects/Lazarus/lazarus011.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Shop_Projects/Off_Road_Projects/Lazarus/lazarus014.jpg[/img] Into the shop for tear down and rebuild... [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Shop_Projects/Off_Road_Projects/Lazarus/P1080046.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Shop_Projects/Off_Road_Projects/Lazarus/P1080047.jpg[/img] Some of the crap I am dealing with on this rig... [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Shop_Projects/Off_Road_Projects/Lazarus/P1080049.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Shop_Projects/Off_Road_Projects/Lazarus/P1080050.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Shop_Projects/Off_Road_Projects/Lazarus/P1080051.jpg[/img] Out with the old, with some help from Max.... [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Shop_Projects/Off_Road_Projects/Lazarus/P1080054.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Shop_Projects/Off_Road_Projects/Lazarus/P1080058.jpg[/img] Flipped to access the stuff to cut off easier... [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Shop_Projects/Off_Road_Projects/Lazarus/P1080059.jpg[/img] [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Shop_Projects/Off_Road_Projects/Lazarus/P1080060.jpg[/img] The axles... in need of some love as well.. [img]http://www.sigmamotorsports.com/ImageFolio4_files/gallery/Shop_Projects/Off_Road_Projects/Lazarus/P1080062.jpg[/img] So, stay tuned, this ones should move pretty fast.

My sister is in Baghdad
My 42 year old sister, Alison, joined the National Guard a year or so ago...no prior service, she just decided it was the thing to do I guess. She's always had a bit of a wild streak in her and she's tough as scrap iron. Anyway, she's arrived in Baghdad in the last week or so, thought I'd start a thread for folks to drop her a line, offer advice if you've been in country, or whatever. Thanks Sis!

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4×4 and Offroading RSS Feeds

SDORC Helping Get Young Rider Training Trail Ready at Corral Canyon - Tue, 09 Mar 2010

The San Diego Off Road Coalition (SDORC) is sponsoring the preparation of the new Young Rider Training Trail that will open in Southern California later this month at the Corral Canyon Off-Highway-Vehicle (OHV) park.

Corral Canyon was devastated in fires in 2006 and just recently re-opened. There are over 50 miles of slightly narrow OHV trails there and the scenery is fantastic.

The SDORC, as usual, is right in the middle of it and are supporting a great cause geared towards giving our kids a better, safer place to ride.

On Saturday, March 13 the coalition will perform trail grooming and trail preparation to get the riding area ready for the grand opening on March 27.

Image by Matt Finley

SDORC Helping Get Young Rider Training Trail Ready at Corral Canyon originally appeared on About.com ATVs / Offroading on Tuesday, March 9th, 2010 at 20:54:28.

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Turning an ATV Means Leaning Like You're on a Motorcycle - Sun, 07 Mar 2010

Just because your ATV has 4 wheels doesn't mean it's like driving a car. In fact, it's just as important to lean your quad when you turn as it is on a motorcycle. Perhaps more!

On a motorcycle if you don't lean, you don't turn. On a quad, if you try to turn without leaning, you stand a very good chance of flipping over. You have to use your body weight to keep the ATV on all 4 tires.

That's the reason the seats on an ATV are so big; so you can move around on it to use your weight to help control the quad as you turn.

While you do have to lean to turn the quad, you're not actually leaning the ATV over, you're just moving your body from side to side to hold the ATV down on all 4 wheels in a turn. This is one of the main reasons you're not supposed to ride a quad that's too big for you.

If you're not heavy enough to counter the weight of the quad while you're turning you're more likely to flip it over.

Turning an ATV Means Leaning Like You're on a Motorcycle originally appeared on About.com ATVs / Offroading on Sunday, March 7th, 2010 at 23:31:32.

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Why Are ATV Seats So Big? Not For You to Ride Double! - Sat, 06 Mar 2010

In a recent discussion about ATV Safety I was explaining how dangerous it is to ride double on an ATV. The usual response to my statement claiming that the manufacturers do not want you people riding two up was "so why do they make the seat so big?"

That seemed like an honest question that deserved an honest (and possibly un-expected) response. After all, it was a very valid point: The seats on most quads ARE huge. They seem to invite you to bring your friend along with you.

But the truth is they're not for you to carry passengers. The reason they make the seats so big on an ATV is so you can move around on it. In order to make an ATV go where you want, you have use your weight to turn sharp and keep the quad from flipping over.

ATVs are designed for one person. Riding two people on a quad will make it unstable and hard to maintain control, making it very dangerous.

Image by Matt Finley

Why Are ATV Seats So Big? Not For You to Ride Double! originally appeared on About.com ATVs / Offroading on Saturday, March 6th, 2010 at 22:44:34.

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California Outlaws High Octain Racing Fuel for Recreational Use in OHVs - Fri, 05 Mar 2010

The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has issued a tight restriction on the distribution and use of high octane racing fuel (race gas) for "recreational" vehicles.

There are thousands of people in California who have purpose-built motors on their off-highway recreational vehicles that are specially made to run on high performance race fuel. Going down to 91 octane fuel could cost thousands of dollars to convert the high performance motors so they will run on lower grade "gas station" fuels.

The notice says that retailers will be required to only sell race fuel for "sanctioned race events", and will keep a very detailed record of who buys race fuel. The Air Resources Board will require distributors to record the date, name, address and telephone number of the buyer, type of vehicles to be fueled, whether said vehicle is registered for off-road use, record their license and registration number of the vehicle that will be using the race fuel, the name, date and promoter of the "sanctioned" event, and more.

I see people being forced to stop recreating in California, or they'll simply get their race fuel from out of state. Unfortunately, that seems to fly in the face of logic because it means less revenue for California in fuel taxes and other money that comes in via food, lodging and repairs when people recreate in this state.

While the notice by the Air Resources Board to restrict racing fuel in California does mention a compliant "alternative" fuel that OHVers could use, they fail to mention what makes it compliant, or who makes it, or where you can get it.

If you have questions or comments about this restriction being imposed by CARB, feel free to contact Frederic Schmidt at 916-327-1522, or email him at fschmidt@arb.ca.gov.

Image by Matt Finley

California Outlaws High Octain Racing Fuel for Recreational Use in OHVs originally appeared on About.com ATVs / Offroading on Friday, March 5th, 2010 at 20:23:36.

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National Forest Service to Cut ATV Access to Public Forest Land by 90% - Sun, 28 Feb 2010

The National Forest Service is set to slash the amount of places that ATVs are allowed to ride by 90% this spring.

Seems like just more of the same as the OHV community is already on it's heals as attempt after attempt after attempt is made to close the places we ride.

The action will include motorized use restrictions, seasonal restrictions and massive road and trail closure by around 90% from what is available today.

There are nearly 2 million acres of public land with restrictions that are set to limit ATV trail riding to a measly 118 miles of un-connected trails.

Not only will this make it harder for ATV enthusiasts to find a place to ride, it will also make the few places that remain open much more crowded and dangerous to ride ATVs. Not to mention the revenue that will be lost by the surrounding areas when people that go out for a weekend of riding are not buying gas and food in the areas they ride.

Image by Matt Finley

National Forest Service to Cut ATV Access to Public Forest Land by 90% originally appeared on About.com ATVs / Offroading on Sunday, February 28th, 2010 at 23:22:09.

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4×4 Offroad Pakistan

Expedition Poldat: The Laidback Show - Wed, 03 Mar 2010
In Eposide 17 of the Laidback Show, Dr. Awab Alvi and Faisal Kapadia head towards Hingol National Park for a three day Expedition with offroaders from OffroadPakistan to conquer a natural gorge called Poldat in the Hingol National Park.

Concordia: The world's greatest museum of shape and form - Wed, 02 Jul 2008
"The world's greatest museum of shape and form" is how Italian mountaineer/author Fosco Maraini described Concordia in his book, Karakoram. Galen Rowell called it the "Throne of the Mountain Gods". Come 2007, somehow or the other, 5 of us from Karachi ended up hiking to Concordia, and on to K2 base camp. "Click here to see the pictures of the hike along with captions":http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/k2_base_camp_hike/, and "go here to see the travelogue of the hike":http://offroadpakistan.com/travelogues/k2_base_camp_hike/.

Vehicle Preparations before and after a trip - Wed, 02 Apr 2008
Road trips don't require much preparation, but 4x4 trips off the beaten track are a different thing altogether. There is no help available off the highway, so the vehicle has to be in good shape and the driver must be well prepared to deal with any eventuality. Of course, the idea is to avoid breakdowns in the first place, so a number of things have to be looked at when setting out on a 4x4 trip out into the wild.

30 years after the Indus River Expedition - Sun, 30 Mar 2008
"!http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/indus_river_expedition_1978/scan0084-thumb.jpg!":http://offroadpakistan.com/pictures/indus_river_expedition_1978/ Sir, in December 2008 it will be the 30th anniversary of the historic "Indus River Expedition". This Expedition of three people started from Amb- Darband, upstream of Tarbela Dam, and covered 1,600 miles in 30 days right up to the _"city of lights"_ - Karachi.

Medical Camp at the Hingol National Park, March 14-17, 2008 - Fri, 07 Mar 2008
Our group has been approached by the Management of Hingol National Park to help them in organizing a free medical camp at Jhal Jhau for the villagers living along the Hingol River in the Northern Part of the Park. We are going for 4 days to Hingol, Baluchistan, March 14-17, 2008 and setting up a medical camp. Read on for the details.

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ExplorOz Trek Notes

ACT - Brindabella National Park - Mon, 24 Aug 2009
Close to Canberra, this trek covers an area riddled with steep zigzagging climbs and descents accessible only by 4WD. In fine weather, it's a fairly easy drive, but in winter it becomes more challenging with rain and snow.

NSW - Abercrombie River NP - Mon, 19 Nov 2007
This trek is located in the Central Tablelands region of New South Wales and offers the visitor some moderate four-wheel driving, and picturesque camping sites beside the Abercrombie River and Silent Creek. The area is also known for its trout fishing.

NSW - Barrington Tops - Mon, 04 Jan 2010
The magnificent Barrington Tops National Park boasts superb mountain top accommodation, excellent walking trails, suitable 2WD and 4WD routes and great camping spots.

NSW - Bendethera Valley - Tue, 09 Mar 2010
This cleared yet picturesque valley, right in the heart of the Deua National Park provides excellent camping grounds right beside the crystal clear waters of the Deua River. Bendethera Valley is possibly the pick of all 4WD camping destinations in southeast NSW.

NSW - Corner Country - Mon, 01 Feb 2010
Follow the Cobb & Co and Charles Sturt routes from Broken Hill, where the bitumen gives way to dirt as it heads deeper into outback NSW. Discover old towns like Milparinka and Tibooburra, before finishing where NSW, SA and QLD join at Cameron Corner.