From the SELC (Southern Environmental Law Center) website:
10. Saving special places. The heart of SELC’s mission is protecting one-of-a-kind sites of particular beauty or exceptional wildlife, historic, or natural value.
This is the SELC’s number 10 accomplishment in their list of top 10 things they have done over the years.
Merriam Webster says: protect – to cover or shield from exposure
“Education, Conservation, Recreation” – The SFWDA (Southern Four Wheel Drive Association) motto.
Merriam Webster says: conserve – to maintain constant during a process of evolutionary change
While the SELC, and associated groups like TU (Trout Unlimited), like to promote themselves as conservationist organizations, SELC’s own web site lists as one of their top 10 accomplishments, “protecting” the environment. What they mean by this is, to shield the environment from exposure to human use. Their philosophy of activism is actually geared more toward a preservationist point of view than a conservationist point of view.
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by JC on October 24, 2009 at 10:28 am
in News
This is the appeals process 4wd users will be following for appeals filed under 36 CFR 251 (Title 36 Code of Federal Regulations Part 215). This is another step in our fight to Save Tellico and we must adhere to these administrative appeals rules if we hope to continue our fight into the courts of law.
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by JC on October 22, 2009 at 7:37 pm
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Hobart has introduced a self-contained MIG capable of welding in the field without an additional power source. The 52 pound Trek 180 has two thin plate pure lead (TPPL) batteries inside mated to an inverter-based welder. Together, the system is capable of up to 100 inches of weld with .030 flux core wire on 1/8″ base metal.
On battery power alone, the welder has a rated output of 120 amps at 17 volts DC with a 20 percent duty cycle. When plugged into a 115V receptacle the rated output jumps to 180 amps. This high output is possible thanks to a more efficient inverter-based power regulator.
If that’s not enough to fix your busted rig, the machine can be recharged from an automotive inverter (400 watt minimum). Hobart’s Autopower system monitors the incoming power and adjusts its draw to avoid overloading small inverters. The Trek will reach an 80% capacity quick charge in 20 minutes. Full charges take about 90 minutes.
The Trek 180 will have an MSRP of $1400. Look for it at farm stores and hardware dealers soon. Or check out www.hobartwelders.com for more information.
Via UTV Weekly
by shawn on October 1, 2009 at 11:38 pm
in News
Shannon Bushman has a nice piece posted at UTV Weekly on the Redrock Wilderness Act.
“Recently my father passed away. I think of things he said often. One of his sayings was “There is a difference between scratching your ass and tearing it all to hell”. It fits a lot of things we do in America. Seldom do we know when enough is enough.”
Read the whole thing.
by shawn on September 25, 2009 at 4:14 pm
in News
Ram is looking increasingly likely to become its own brand, producing light trucks, vans, commercial vehicles, and some SUVs under own name. Dodge would become Chrysler’s “performance” brand, focusing on affordable, sporty cars and wagons, while Chrysler would be positioned to compete with Cadillac and Lexus in the luxury market.
Dodge will also be dropped from the European line of Chrysler products, despite being introduced there in 2006.
Fiat plans to officially announce their plans for the Chrysler group in mid-November.
[Via Edmunds Inside Line]
by shawn on September 25, 2009 at 2:59 pm
in News
HeavyMetalConcepts has released the trailer for their forthcoming RCrocs DVD. Titled ‘Contention’, the video features footage from all three RCrocs 2009 rockcrawling competitions and both endurance races.
The DVD will be available in November. Check out the video below the fold.
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by shawn on September 25, 2009 at 12:54 pm
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Ford revealed their new Super Duty pickup truck line at the Texas State Fair today. While details of the new 6.7L diesel motor have been known for several weeks, this is the first time that Ford has shown off the body work and features of the new Super Duty line.
Among the new features for the 2011 model year are a first-ever factory installed gooseneck / fifth wheel hitch, a new 6R140 TorqShift six-speed automatic transmission, a Ford-designed rear electronic locking differential, a new 6.2L SOHC V-8 gas motor.
The 6.8L V-10 motor will no longer be offered on pickups, replaced on those models by the new 6.2L motor. The V-10 will still be available on F-450 and F-550 chassis cab trucks. Ford says the 6.2L motor is the right compromise of power and efficiency for the class 2 and 3 pickups, and will achieve significantly greater fuel economy when paired with the six speed than the old models offered.
Check out Jalopnik and Pickuptrucks.com for photos and extensive write-ups of the new Fords.
by shawn on September 24, 2009 at 2:29 pm
in News
Lil’ Rich has posted the dates for the W.E.ROCK 2010 competition schedule. They are as follows:
Western U.S. Nationals #1: March 27-28, Oroville, CA
Western U.S. Nationals #2: April 24-25, Tucson, AZ
Western U.S. Nationals #3: June 19-20, Reno, NV
Western U.S. Nationals #4: August 14-15, Utah
Eastern U.S. Nationals #1: May 22-23, Rausch Creek, PA
Eastern U.S. Nationals #2: June 26-27, Dayton, TN
Eastern U.S. Nationals #3: July 24-25, Hannibal, MO
Eastern U.S. Nationals #4: August 28-29, Dayton, TN
Grand Nationals: October 2-3, New Mexico
Extra Events:
Haulin’ or Crawlin’ October 16-17, Oroville, CA
Put Up or Shut Up Shootout December 11-12 Tucson, AZ
The Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance (SUWA) announced that the U.S. House of Representatives Natural Resources Committee will hear their Red Rock Wilderness Act on October 1, 2009. According to SUWA, the bill would designate 9.4 million acres of land managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) as wilderness.
If enacted as it stands, the bill would close 17% of the state, or more than 45% of BLM land in Utah, to mountain bikes and motorized travel.
[Via BRC]
by shawn on September 23, 2009 at 5:02 pm
in News
Ford has been hinting since June that there is some demand for a crew cab version of the SVT Raptor. It looks like there have been enough inquires to justify a four door test mule. Pickuptrucks.com spotted this wrapped-up Raptor, with its wide-track suspension, Raptor-only wheels and signature grille visible despite the body cladding.
Whether this turns out to be the mother of all chase trucks, or a (relatively) cheap prerunner for you and three of your friends, it looks like Ford is serious about their involvement in desert racing.
All the test mule photos can be seen at Pickuptrucks.com.
by shawn on September 21, 2009 at 12:02 pm
in News
Jalopnik has the inside scoop on ICON 4X4’s new model. Previously known for their custom-built FJ look-alikes, the guys at ICON are branching out into DIY kits. The idea is to take the simplicity of old Jeeps and Toyotas, combine them with modern technology, and offer it in a kit that you can assemble in your driveway with basic hand tools.
ICON’s CJ3B will use production Rubicon axles front and rear with coil and links, and mate Jeep-standard AX-15 and NP231 gearboxes to an Ecotec four cylinder. There’s also talk of an all-electric version using four in-wheel hub motors.
All the details and a few Solidworks images can be seen here.
by shawn on September 20, 2009 at 11:15 am
in News
The Capital City Four Wheelers are holding their annual salt water fishing tournament on the Outer Banks the weekend of October 17 -18, 2009.
Proceeds go to benefit the club’s activities and usually a Hatteras Island charitable need as defined by island leaders.
Registrations made before October 1 get a free t-shirt.
More details and registration information are available on their website.
Pickuptrucks.com got their hands on Toyota’s Tacoma Truck Concept from SEMA. Known to most folks as the “Back to the Future” truck, the old school Taco has an FJ80 front axle and a 2.7L four banger.
The tube bumpers look tacked-on, but the retro graphics and KCs are keepers.
Check out the full write-up at Pickuptrucks.com.
by shawn on September 11, 2009 at 9:07 pm
in News
Carolina Crawlin has posted the competition schedule for the 2009 WEROCK Southeast Regional Championship Series. Held on a man-made course at the fairgrounds in Spartanburg, SC, this four event series is a qualifier for the 2010 All Stock Nationals in Hannibal, MO.
There will also be a non-points demo during the fair weekend. This is a great chance for racers to meet fans and promote the series.
The competition dates are:
November 14, 2009
December 12, 2009
January 16, 2010
February 6, 2010
The demo weekend will be October 17-18, 2009. For more information, check out the Carolina Crawlin website.
