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THE ART OF SLEEPING IN YOUR VEHICLE
Overlanding & Stealth Camping DIY – 30-minute video by TrailNewbie
Greg filmed this video 1/1/24. He’s one of the few overlanders ‘with a channel’ who does not have a rooftop tent. “If you’re just starting out, you can sleep inside your vehicle; just about whatever vehicle you have, you can find a way to have a good sleep setup.”
WHY I STOPPED USING PAPER MAPS AND SWITCHED TO THIS
“What I’m using, why I like using this and why I kind of keep coming back to this”
TEN STATE PARKS THAT RIVAL NATIONAL PARKS
16-minute YouTube Video by Exclamation Destination; includes key locations, activities and park fees.
#10 – Letchwork State Park in New York, “The Grand Canyon of the East”
“The park’s rugged cliffs and numerous trails offer a range of outdoor activities for hikers and nature enthusiasts.”
$10 parking fee per vehicle during summer; off-season is free.
#9 – Emerald Bay State Park on the shores of Lake Tahoe
“This California State Park encompasses approximately 1,533 acres, offering you a diverse and immersive experience in one of the most iconic locations in the Sierra Nevada region.”
Small parking fee.
#8 – Watkins Glen State Park in the Finger Lakes region of New York
It captivates with “stunning landscapes, deep gorges and cascading waterfalls.”
Entrance fee is $10 between May and October; camping is available.
#7 – Smith Rock State Park in central Oregon
“This iconic Park stands as one of Oregon’s Seven Wonders, captivating you with its breathtaking landscapes and thrilling recreational opportunities.” Skygazing is a key feature.
Parking pass is $5, camping is available.
#6 – Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah
“Offers an awe-inspiring vantage point overlooking the majestic Colorado River, providing you with an immersive experience into the heart of Canyon County.”
$20 fee per vehicle, or $10 if you’re on foot.
#5 – Waimea Canyon State Park in Hawaii
“A stunning geological masterpiece” – known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, it offers “a scenic escape into the heart of the islands.”
No fee to access the park.
#4 – Ecola State Park, 80 miles NW of Portland
This park encompasses diverse ecosystems that “seamlessly blend dense tempered rainforests with dramatic Cliff cliffs overlooking the vast Horizon of the Pacific Ocean.” Enjoy the Lewis and Clark Discovery Trail that retraces 14 miles of footsteps and ultimately rewards with incredible views of Tillamook Rock Lighthouse.
Parking is $5 per vehicle.
#3 – Anza-Borrego Desert State Park 90 miles NE of San Diego
This is California’s largest state park. Its unusual landscape “creates a mesmerizing Tableau that captivates all who venture into its depths.”
This park is free.
#2 – Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada – 50 miles NE of Las Vegas
At over 40,000 acres, this is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park. It’s “a distinctive gem within the state’s park system.”
$10 daily fee for out of state vehicles, $8 for Nevada residents. Overnight camping is available.
#1 – Custer State Park in the Black Hills of South Dakota
One of the largest state parks in the country, it features rolling prairies, granite peaks and dense woodlands. It’s located near the Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
$20 entry fee per vehicle gives you access to the park for 1 to 7 days.
https://youtu.be/uW4EPUdmxWA?si=xKFtKt75XbfXmWmq
CAMPING IN ALASKA’S DEEPEST SNOW
Building a snow cave as a dugout survival shelter; 25-minute YouTube Video by Outdoor Boys
BEFORE WATCHING – REMEMBER.
“Don’t run off and do things you see on the internet without thinking it through. I’m just some dude who’s doing a bunch of stuff outdoors and hasn’t managed to kill himself yet.
“If you’re ever up in the mountains and you need to get out of the nasty weather, you dig down.
“The point of snow caves is to protect you from wind and extreme cold. If you build them right, they usually stay about 20 degrees Fahrenheit no matter what the weather’s doing outside.”
SO HE TAKES A FLIGHT TO JIUNEAU, ALASKA
The video opens with him walking towards Mendenhall Glacier. Per traveljuneau, “Mendenhall, one of the most beautiful and accessible glaciers in North America, is just 13 miles from downtown Juneau and a few minutes from the airport.”
DOUGLAS ISLAND; Avalanche Danger Zone
Eagle Nest Ski Resort is closed, so he puts his skis on to explore on his own. Brushing the snow off the Avalanche warning sign, he jokes that ‘danger’ is his middle name.
“Avalanches are a major concern, so I’m sticking close to the trees. Trees act like an anchor, they keep the snow from sloughing off the side of the mountain. If you stick close to the trees you’re less likely to hit an avalanche.”
Trees look small because he’s only seeing the top. They’re buried in snow.
“Snow’s kind of hard up here, makes it a lot easier to walk, Made it up to the top in a little less than two hours.”
HE HASN’T BEEN SKIING IN A LONG TIME
Skiing downhill was harder on his legs than going up.
He goes back to a cabin for the night and will set out early in the morning.
It’s a gorgeous, sunny day and he takes the lift to the top of the mountain; It “saved me about an hour and a half of hiking.”
ALMOST 11’ OF SNOW ON THE GROUND
“That’s why I came here, I wanted to try camping in some of the deepest snow in Alaska.
“When I was a kid we used to camp in snow caves all the time.” They were about the size of a coffin, “They were just miserable.” The ones he builds now are far more comfortable.
He uses his avalanche probe to measure the snow. Variations in depth can be significant.
HE FINDS THE PERFECT SPOT
“The snow is deeper than my probe plus look at the scenery here!”
The good news is the snow is so strong it’s good for building. The bad news is it’ll be more work to dig it.
BUILDING THE DUGOUT SURVIVAL SHELTER
It’s amazing to see how he marks, measures and smooths. It looks like he’s working with Styrofoam but the snow is heavy.
He digs to the tops of some pine trees.
“There’s just tons of trees down here. Dealing with these trees is the worst.”
The sun sets around 4:30. “I better get to work.”
SETTLING IN FOR THE NIGHT
Thirsty, he needs to melt some snow.
Dinner is bacon wrapped chicken shish kebabs and couscous.
Two stoves help warm the space.
He’s making brownies and whipped cream for dessert??? See how.
HE WAKES EXHAUSTED
Building the shelter was grueling work.
The sleeping bag is warm, the air is not. “Time to put on cold pants.”
He makes Scottish Steel Cut Oatmeal for breakfast.
Stepping outside, he’s delighted to see ptarmagin tracks at his entrance.
ALWAYS CONSIDER WORST CASE SCENARIO
“You know, growing up we did a lot of winter camping and more often than not we’d build snow caves and I couldn’t help but notice that if my snow cave collapsed on me in the middle of the night, I’d probably just die because – you know – unless somebody digs you out really quick, it’s not gonna end well.”
How does he deal with that possibility?
“I just kind of dig these holes in the snow and you know, kind of eyeball it and sleep in it and hope it doesn’t fall on me.”
TESTING THE ROOF
He’s going to see what it takes to collapse his snow cave. Which sounds dangerous.
The cave is big in terms of him being 6 ½’ tall with his boots on; and the cave is about 6’ wide.
”I think I moved about 12 cubic yards of snow to dig this thing.”
Enough to fill a full-sized dump truck.
“There’s not more than a foot or two of snow on this roof, so it’s pretty thin. This has been a really nice snow cave.”
He stands above the entrance and it holds his weight “no problem.”
He thinks that’s because he built with strong snow, not fluffy powder.
“THAT WAS A GOOD SHELTER”
He takes a look back and skis all the way down; which – with all the equipment on his back – is tougher than it looks.
THIS WAS A FASCINATING VIDEO.
Note the link to ‘Survival Camping Videos’ on Outdoor Boys’ page and please subscribe.
‘GUIDE TO THE BEST OVERLAND TRAILS’
Inspiration for a fresh new year
By Taxaoutdoors
“The allure of discovering uncharted terrains is irresistible. In this guide, we’ll delve into what makes an overlanding trail truly captivating, catering to both experienced enthusiasts and beginners.”
This article helps you choose:
- Best destinations by location/climate (Midwest, Northwest, Southeast, Southwest – Pacific Coast and Atlantic Coast)
- Type of route – from remote locations to scenic beauty and historical/cultural landmarks
- Optimum time of the year
- Best trails for beginners
- Recommended trip duration
- List of essentials
- And more
“The trails we’ve discussed, from the serene beauty of Valley of the Gods in Utah to the historic Mojave Road in California, are just the beginning of what overlanding has to offer.”
#bestoverlandtrails
Best Overland Trails Across the US: Ozarks to Georgia | TAXA (taxaoutdoors.com)
ENGINEER PASS COLORADO – A BUCKET LIST TRIP
AT ENGINEER PASS
Eric is clearly blown away. “We just came over the hill … it’s pretty awesome, you get to see both sides of the pass. It feels freaking great.”
Jason feels he’s been waiting ten years to do this. “It was wild, definitely had to pay attention. At one point I was driving along with my GoPro recording off the hood of the truck out of the windshield; and I was holding my cell phone out the window; but it’s also a thousand-foot drop.”
WHEN THANKSGIVING BECOMES ‘FRIENDSGIVING’
‘Thanksgiving campout on the Manistee River in Northern Michigan’
YOU FORGOT WHAT?
Their daughter introduces the YouTube video and expresses initial disappointment that they forgot the Smores. All is forgotten when she wanders into the woods. “I found this stream and this kind of neat forest area… It’s really pretty. Gorgeous, actually. See, all you got to do is go in nature and just look and you’ll find beautiful things. Pretty neat, huh?”
Pretty neat indeed.
She examines the stump of a tree that’s been cut. She wants to learn more ‘nature facts.’
GAMES ENSUE
One features toilet paper and wieners. Quantity of wieners is a concern, so alternatives are discussed. Rules are explained. Followed by a game featuring candy corn and chopsticks. Dad struggles.
COOKING BEGINS
“So we are out here on the Manistee River camping, doing a Friendsgiving or early Thanksgiving celebration. We all brought some food to share and we’re just hanging out for the weekend.”
THE CASE OF THE GIANT PANCAKE
The following morning the Nature Lover sees a giant pan and suggests – what else – a giant pancake. It takes five people to flip it. No, wait – they have to call for backup.
Hesitation costs them the golden center, but the pancake survives intact.
AFTER BREAKFAST
Friends begin to leave. It’s a slow parade. Nature Lover is sad.
Blue Water Overland pulls out and everyone says goodbye.
Sunshine peeks through the Michigan woods as Adventure Overland heads for home.
“This was our first year doing an event like this with our friends and it’s definitely going to be a tradition now!“
TRAIL HERO 2023
Another Epic Jeep Adventure’ 17-minute video by BrainyHead – no narration, only breathtaking video
TRAIL HERO is all about community outreach programs and charitable efforts. This year’s action-packed event took place from 10/1 to 10/8 at Sand Hollow State Park in Hurricane, Utah. The off-roading event “focuses on trail riding and rock crawling across amazing landscapes with large mountainscape backdrops.”
Learn more at thetrailhero.com
Learn more about Sand Hollow State Park at stateparks.utah.gov
‘HOW HARD CAN IT BE?!’
Things get messy on the Kentucky Adventure Tour
47-minute YouTube Video by Ozark Overland Adventures
The group consists of 12 rigs on a on a four day trip with Brad from Goxplorusa.
Their plan for this day will include gorgeous water crossings. Matt’s looking forward to it.
It’s free to get in and not far from the KAT.”
Brad’s group leaves camp. They will continue for at least half a day.
“But he’s going to give it a go I guess.”
No problem with the water challenge. Then the terrain begins to change.
The KAT begins changing back and forth from trail to rural.
Gauging the clearance under a tree and navigating deep ruts.
At the top, the trail narrows, and trees make it “quite sketchy for us long wheelbase people.”
Matt wants to come back sometime, finish the trail and “hit more hard spots!”
The overlanders say their goodbyes and split off to various destinations.
HITTING JEEP BADGE OF HONOR TRAILS
At Rubicon Ridge; 11-Minute You-Tube Video by #dirtybunchjeepclub and #bestlifeadventurechannel
In this video you’ll learn what Jeep Badge of Honor Trails are all about and enjoy:
- The Rubicon Ridge Jeep Badge of Honor Trail.
- Hot Springs Off Road Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas; “If you’ve not seen the Hot Springs Off Road Park before, be prepared to be impressed, it is a great place. If you are familiar with the park, we think you are really going to enjoy our take on it.”
Learn more at hotspringsoffroadpark dot com
You can get trail maps at the park entrance, store or website. (They used Gaia GPS to track the trail as they moved along.)
“TRULY A BADGE OF HONOR”
Jeep Badge of Honor Trails are trails where badges can be earned from Jeep Corporation. Use the Jeep Badge of Honor app to check in at the trailhead. When you’ve completed the trail, Jeep will send your badge. Find details at Jeep dot com.
ABOUT RUBICON RIDGE
Rubicon Ridge has a trail rating of 3-6 – which is “roughly in the moderate rating area.” The difficulty depends on weather and ground conditions. “Loose gravel can make this interesting.”
“As you near the end of the trail, it climbs steeply upward. The last quarter mile or so is all uphill” and requires some climbing.
STOP TO ENJOY THE OVERLOOK!
“This has been a great day. We’ve earned three Jeep Badges of Honor; those are going on the Jeep as soon as we get home! We’ve ordered them, they should be there shortly.”
https://youtu.be/XDKPlk8BwfY?si=_0ZNPD-Mn0aVNGPR
THE BEST BUDGET CAMPING SLEEPING SETUP
‘Deep Sleep 4 Jeep!’
7-minute YouTube Video by #dieseJL
We’ve talked about tents vs. rooftop tents … but we haven’t talked custom mattresses. We heard good things about DEEPSLEEP4JEEPS and found a video where dieseJL tested one in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. He describes it as:
“THE BEST BUDGET OPTION for camping in your JL”
During his personal test, dieseJL said:
- “I’m 6’ tall and my feet don’t touch!’
- “Doesn’t take long to blow up with the air pump!”
- “Provides maximum sleeping area!”
“THE COOLEST THING IS THE PRICE.”
“You can have a good sleeping situation in your JL for under $200. That’s incredible. And it’s super easy to set up – 15 or 10 minutes to set up. Roll it out, blow it up, put your screens up.”
“Super comfy, super cheap. Any decent sized human being can sleep like a king.”
ABOUT STORAGE
He suggests finding a safe place to store your gear. In the comments, a viewer suggested “You may be able to add a roof rack for about $200 or so and something to put your cargo there, that should be a good alternative to a Roof tent. which would be somewhere around $2k-$4k.”
Bottom line –
“THIS THING IS PRETTY EPIC”
It’s not big enough for them and their two dogs, but he feels for two people, it’s the way to go.
Please see the comments with questions and answers on his YouTube page.
ARE ROOFTOP TENTS WORTH IT?
They spent 6 nights in the desert to find out.
Article by Kai Burkhardt of CNN Underscored
June 28, 2023
Kai is a long-time tent camper who wanted to know: Rooftop tents “promise a more comfortable sleep experience and ultimate convenience, however, with a price tag of thousands of dollars … Are rooftop tents worth it?”
He mounted a Thule Approach M to his vehicle, drove from Boulder to Moab and camped in the desert to find out. He begins his review by explaining the general advantages of rooftop tents:
They’re engineered to handle highway speeds.
You sleep ‘up and away’ from the ground.
They’re often easier to set up and take down.
He discusses soft-shell vs hard-shell rooftop tents and ‘what to consider’ before clicking ‘add to cart.’
HIGHLIGHTS: WHAT HE LIKED ABOUT THE THULE APPROACH
“Assembling my ground tent took 7 minutes 20 seconds while the rooftop tent only took 2 minutes 25 seconds.”
“It was the best sleep I’ve ever had while camping. The Thule Approach and all other rooftop tents have a built-in mattress that you just can’t compare to an inflatable sleeping pad.”
“Another thing I loved about the Thule Approach was just how big its interior was… since it folds out past the roof of your car, there was tons of floor space. I slept in there with my partner and our 45-pound dog.”
“Taking down and packing up my traditional tent took 5 minutes 18 seconds and the Approach also took just a bit over 5 minutes.”
WHAT HE DIDN’T LIKE
“What I didn’t love about the Approach and rooftop tents, in general, was having to haul any gear you wanted in the tent up its ladder. If you’re just bringing a water bottle and a book up each night, this isn’t too troublesome, but I had to scoop up my 45-pound dog and carefully climb up the ladder, which required a fair bit of strength and balance.”
“… it’s kind of obvious, but you can’t go anywhere with the rooftop tent set up.” Pack, unpack, pack … “It doesn’t take that long, but it’s yet another task to add to the never-ending to-do list that’s inherent to camping.”
“… the prices for these things are exorbitant… $2,500 for a tent is no laughing matter.”
‘CUSTOMER TOOK HIS JEEP SWIMMING’
13-minute YouTube video by Matt’s Offroad Recovery
May 6, 2023
Matt reports a Jeep was ‘taking a bath’ on the Horseshoe Bend area of the Pipeline Road.
Jaymie tags along expecting a super exciting recovery.
“I had to come see.”
IT’S A TIGHT SQUEEZE GETTING OUT THERE IN THE WRECKER
Tom is on the left, Matt’s in the middle and Jaymie is in the driver’s seat; Lizzie is OUTSIDE ON THE TOOLBOX.
Jaymie gets “a little frisky on the throttle.”
She calls out – “You OK Lizzie?”
Tom pipes up “I don’t think you could throw Lizzie if you wanted to.”
“THIS THING IS BURIED UP TO THE WINDOWS IN WATER”
The customer sent Matt a picture. “It looks bad.”
Rhett follows in a support vehicle, wearing swimming trunks – ready to get in the water and hook it up.
“It’s cold!”
‘HOW DID IT HAPPEN?’
“My grandson said, ‘Drive it in the water Grandpa!’ I thought ‘That’s 16” deep … it was closer to 16 feet!”
“Someone already tried to kinetic it out, broke the back window and the light.”
Compared to a similar incident, Matt declares “George, somebody’s outdone ya I think! This is deeper!”
Rhett and Tom endure a soggy ride back to the yard.
Climbing a hill, Tom notes “The Morrvair would have struggled on that, but the wrecker just crawls up this stuff.”
Matt slips away for a ‘hair appointment’ as his crew handles another recovery.
ENJOY THE COMMENTS
One viewer writes “I don’t think there are any words to describe how versatile that wrecker is. It’s amazing.”
Another says “Matt’s gone Hollywood on us! Misses a recovery because of a ‘hair appointment.’”
https://youtu.be/JD0dstGsPco?si=6a3HfAJb0OBJki5T
TRAILRECON DRIVES JEEP CONCEPTS AT MOAB!
35-minute YouTube video by TrailRecon
Imagine being invited to take one-of-a-kind concept vehicles out on the trails. This video features conversations with Jeep Senior Vice President Jim Morrison, TFL Creators and Mark Allen, Jeep Head Designer.
DAY ONE – “A VERY SPECIAL TRAIL RIDE”
It begins with the Jeep Heritage Concept Drive. They’re on Porcupine Rim Trail driving the 2018 concept “Four Speed” – “one of Jeep’s previous year concept vehicles that’s super lightweight thanks to being stripped down and flanked in carbon fiber.”
Porcupine Rim is “Bumpy and lumpy but it’s a fun little trail.”
ON DAY TWO they’re at (Brad’s third) Jeep Concept Reveal, where they test drive 2023 Jeep concepts at Moab’s Wipeout Hill.
After an inspiring introduction, they “turned us loose and let us take ‘em out on the dirt.”
VEHICLES INCLUDE:
Sublime Green 392 Wrangler concept w/470 horsepower V8
Hot Pink Wrangler Rubicon 4xe w/AccuAir suspension
Grand Wagoneer Overland rig w/new 3.0-liter Hurricane Twin Turbo 510 engine
Wrangler Rubicon 4xe “Departure” concept w/innovative Mopar rear tube gate
Gladiator “Sideburn” Concept in “Solar Flash Yellow” w/added storage
Magneto 3.0 w/20% increased useable energy and range and 900 lb-ft of torque
And Brad’s favorite: “The 1978 Jeep Cherokee 4xe concept” complete with 8-track, ‘beverage kit’ and Gremlin gas cap.
“AND IF THAT WEREN’T ENOUGH”
Brad gets “the privilege of taking the wheel of a Jeep with a rich history, one that traversed the wilds of South America and the infamous Darien Gap…and it still bears the dents and scratches from that iconic adventure as badges of honor!”
https://youtu.be/u6Vw8K_66bU?si=sRYLRFGzkXe-TLtY
AT KOH PREPARING FOR THE WRECKER GAMES
39 minute YouTube Video by Matt’s OffRoad Recovery
(Event dates were March 9, 10 & 11)
Pre-preparation …
CAVING TO PEER PRESSURE
Matt drove the wrecker to and through an RV. “Stupid I know, but it was fun. My work here is done. It’s off to Hammertown.”
Video shows ‘not-so-solemn’ judges preparing for the event in their own special ways.
LIZZY EXPLAINS THE WRECKER GAMES
“Each contestant is going to pull an Isuzu Rodeo behind their tow truck going up the Triple 7 Trail.”
She gives a shout out to Ballard Auto Wrecking for donating cars and gets to the hard work of preparing them.
ROLLING INTO HAMMERTOWN
Matt – “We just found out that the trailhead was further than we had fuel for. Don’t judge us.”
Caught up with the group around 6:44.
Tom – “I know it seems strange we’re out testing our rig the very first minutes at King of the Hammers. We were just making jokes about how we don’t stage recoveries.”
Matt pipes in – “We’re about to stage a recovery.”
SOMETHING BREAKS AT 14:42
“Matt, you’re leaking something.”
He responds – “I’m very disappointed, I’m very sad, I’m upset, I’m chagrined. What are some other things I am?” After a successful recovery “I just ruined that with this. Winch me backwards.”
Color drains from the video, mournful music ensues.
They put a blast out on Instagram for necessary parts and headed to Hammertown to wait. The part Matt needs “isn’t super common anymore.” So they went shopping for other stuff they needed.
“The parts are supposed to be here in the morning. We’re making progress, we just need to be patient.”
Video goes to Adam’s Drive Shaft in Las Vegas “for parts.”
Lizzy gives an update from the shop.
Kelly makes it back with the drive shaft. Fortunately, they didn’t have to take the cab off to install.
Tom declares it’s “an awful, awful job.”
Matt: “Hey look, I’m in a metal band!”
THEY FINALLY GET IT TOGETHER
Tom gives an update at 2:30. “We’ve been doing this all day.”
Matt says “It went on with no trouble. If you can believe that… We came all the way down here to California to break the wrecker. We coulda done this at home. We were beatin’ her to beans when it happened.”
CRUISING NORTH OUT OF HAMMERTOWN – 29:57
“Looking for something else to climb.”
“Here we are at the top of Chocolate Thunder, but we didn’t go the course because it’s closed for racing.”
There’s a lot of sand. “It’s gonna do the dune just fine.”
NIGHT RIDING ON BAD TRAILS – 33:34
“All the good trails are being used so we’re on the bad trails.”
“Do you want to give that camera to somebody else and spot me?”
“I don’t know man, you gotta give it a bump.”
“Last time I did that I split my transfer case out…”
“YOU BROKE IT AGAIN.”
“We broke far less. We just broke the front this time. We can at least drive around on two.”
MATT REVIEWS THE EXPERIENCE – 37:07
“We’ve done everything we wanted to do and needed to do down here in Johnson Valley. We did break the wrecker twice … but it’s still going strong.”
They had to borrow Paul’s Rocky the Roadrunner magnet at one point.
Rocky the Roadrunner’s image has earned a place on the wrecker.
MATT’S FINAL WRAPUP – 39:12
‘That was a long and arduous trip. We found out a lot about the wrecker; we have a lot to do, but it’s going to be awesome.’
2023 WINTER 4X4 JAMBOREE
Presented by Desert Roads and Trails Society – Desert RATS
9 minute YouTube Video by Casey’s Off Road Recovery
February 12, 2023
Casey joined the last day of Jamboree to guide the Toquerville Falls loop.
“There’s a big group today – 20 or so rigs… We’ve got crisp cold air this morning after that snowstorm yesterday.”
And plenty of wind.
TOWER ROAD
“The Tower Road is pretty torn up this morning … really, really wet with lots of clay.” He wants to get the group off the tower before the frozen mud and clay starts to defrost.
He’s looking forward to showing them the sights from ‘up top.’
“LOOK AT MY OFFICE”
Casey’s Off Road Recovery frequently finds themselves at this location. They’ve hauled ‘dozens and dozens of Jeeps and side by sides and VW cars and you name it out of the Toquerville Falls Road.’
It was a nice change to be there for a leisurely trip with a group.
“These Southern Utah Jeep events are something we have been involved with as a family for over 25 years.”
THE WINTER JAMBOREE EXCEEDED EXPECTATIONS
Desert Roads and Trails Society is grateful for the support of volunteers, sponsors and participants.
“This year we will be donating $45,000 to Utah public land alliance $15,000 to Search and Rescue $12,000 to Utah 4 wheel drive association, $3,000 to blue ribbon, and $14,700 to an upcoming project on Sand Mt. ohv area.”
SEARCH AND RESCUE AFTERMATH
24-minute YouTube video by Matt’s Offroad Recovery
January 21, 2023
THE PREVIOUS NIGHT
“We had 18 kids up there at 2 a.m. last night.”
These are the people who got stuck in the dark. “It was slick. It was a mess. It was super bad.”
“Getting them all off the hill was an ordeal but we got ‘em off perfectly fine.”
GOING BACK FOR THE JEEPS
They have a long drive and don’t exactly know the way. So imagine … what’s about the worst that could happen?
Tom confesses “We don’t have keys for any of the Jeeps. They’re all back at the shop.”
A PILE OF KEYS THE SIZE OF A SOFTBALL
They need a cell signal to coordinate assistance; they arrange to meet someone halfway with the keys.
Matt explains where the keys are; ‘There’s a pile of keys the size of a softball’ – and explains the driver should drive “as fast as you safely and lawfully can; you need to get there.”
They’ll be about an hour and a half behind.
“WE ARE RACING NIGHTFALL”
Matt remembers other epic times they didn’t have the keys. It makes him feel a little better.
Matt’s vehicle finally reaches the Jeeps. “Yeah, they are blocking the route for sure.”
There’s still one more. They go looking for it.
LOOKS ARE DECEIVING
“I don’t see anything that would be hard to drive up.”
They’re in phone contact with Jefe. “He’s getting close. We’re coming to the sketchy part. There’s a trick to it.”
It’s steep slickrock, covered with ice and snow. He’s going to walk Jefe through the obstacle so it can be handled ‘without wrecking the Banana.’
“THE PROPER PROCEDURE FOR COMING UP THIS IS TO HANG HIGH AND RIGHT!”
“Uh, I’d like out.”
“If you slide down it’ll roll.”
“Keep one end pointed uphill.”
SLIDING SIDEWAYS
“How was that ride?!! (That was pretty cool.)”
“We gotta get the Jeeps down this.”
“If you fall, I’ll catch you.”
Matt falls at 12:53.
“THIS IS KIND OF AN ADVANCED MANEUVER.”
It’s complicated. Various angles are attempted. “Next victim is…”
“The game plan is to hang up high, point it down and ride the lightning.”
Chad is not super excited about it. “That’s why I wanted the rental.”
“It’s kinda like riding a roller coaster.”
BOOM
“Uh oh!”
“What was that?”
“Chad.”
“What did he hit?”
“The other Jeep.”
“Alright, let’s get outta here.”
NEW YEAR, NEW ADVENTURES
Ice, Snow and Mud – 28 minute YouTube Video by #4WDAdventureCrew
January 16, 2023
It’s been raining for the past few days, but they’re doing Eagle Lake Loop – it’s short but difficult. Another group is out doing a vehicle recovery. They expect to cross paths.
“SOME OF THE PUDDLES ARE WAY DEEP”
There are six cars in this group. “Should be cold and interesting.”
“I was expecting to have a lot more snow here and less water and exposed rocks. I deflated a bit way too much for this kind of road.”
“We still haven’t caught up with the group recovering the Jeep.”
They catch up with them, just ahead.
There is fresh powder – then the lake.
“THIS IS CRAZY”
“The road is all covered in water.”
Then fresh powder with ice underneath. They’re wondering if they’ll be able to cross the river.
They arrive at the campground, which is close to the river. They’ll see how passable it is.
“YEAH, WE GOT SOME FLOW IN THAT RIVER.”
“We’ll see where our getting out angle is at.”
It’s called Pebble Beach. They’ll have to drive through a deeper spot to get out.
They stop to build a fire and start making lunch; then the river crossing is a success.
THE TRAIL GETS TRICKY FURTHER ON
With challenging ruts. One big puddle and they’re nearly to the highway and groomed road; they cross the river and they’re headed back to Sacramento.
‘This trail is really close to the freeway, you can go in and get out quick; you have cell service the whole way.’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhuUkdptxiU
SNOW CAMPING AT HOT SPRINGS
34 Minute YouTube Video by 4WD Adventure Crew
December 25, 2022
“THERE WERE A FEW SKETCHY PLACES.”
“This is the California/Nevada border right outside Carson City. The trail is a lot softer with snow on the road.”
WORRIED ABOUT THE COLD
They’re a little concerned about staying warm overnight, temps are supposed to be in the teens. He’s hoping for mid-20s and looking forward to enjoying the hot springs.
They made it to the old ranch house and continued through the fields and into the forest.
THE PROBLEM WITH A STEEP INCLINE
Going down the steepest incline he notes it could be difficult getting out. “You can see the hill, you can go up right behind the hot spring” – and there’s nobody there.
They’ll have the place to themselves.
There’s another crossing before they get there. “We’ll see if we break ice as we’re driving across!” No problems.
CHRISTMAS EVE WITH FAMILY
They chose a bath they could set up next to.
The night is cold, as expected; but the water is nice and hot. “It’s better than a Jacuzzi and it’s all natural.”
THE NEXT DAY
They enjoy breakfast, and clean and restore the site before leaving.
Other baths are explored. (Google ‘Carson River Hot springs.’) They note that the further they go upstream, the hotter the water. “Not bad, camping in the winter!”
GETTING OUT IS AN ADVENTURE
“A day can make a big difference. Today the snow is wet and melting. Hopefully we’ll be able to get up those hills.”
“There’s a big deep puddle over here and I AM STUCK! Can’t break through the ice. I need to get pulled out backwards.”
“Well, we tried to cross the river” and take another trail; but he didn’t like it, the depths were a problem.
Enjoy the beautiful scenery on their footage out.
“WORST DAMAGE EVER” – The Hell Trail
The Hell Trail in Wellsville, Ohio – 31 minute YouTube video by Ohio Offroad
December 3, 2022
“Exactly my kind of trail.” Rocks, rocks and more rocks.
Ashley claims she was left unsupervised. Jeff makes things look easy. “He’s a danged good driver.”
Things aren’t so easy for the others. Doors are mangled.
In a tricky spot … “It might be OK. Come on slow.”
“It’s just a hinge, you’re OK.” Sort of.
“Pivot dammit, pivot! It’s going to feel really, really crappy!”
“Work it so it can pull itself off; OK, you might be turtled. Yeah, I think we gotta winch ‘em off.”
“BIG DROP COMING!”
Ashley is accused of ‘ruining the whole jeep.’ She retaliates, claims her spotter led her astray.
All in all, “It was a fun time.”
ABOUT WELLSVILLE
Per Where2wheel dot com, “This is the place to go riding! Otherwise known as Wellsville, Yellow Creek, and the Pitts. Riding is open to all Trucks, Jeeps, Buggies, Quads, and Motorcycles fit for the mud and rocks. The parks are open 24hrs a day 365 days a year. It is a ride at your own risk environment. Off Roading riding areas include creek beds, smooth hills, rough rocky hills, some very hairy hills, and some flat trails.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BM8drvA3eoE
THE SNIPER X9 STAND UP CAMPER
‘The Camper that Lives Large’ – 11 minute YouTube video by Playing With Sticks
‘Playing With Sticks’ is all about sharing their passion for small campers. In this video they do a full tour of a stand up camper that fits in the garage. “This is a unique camping trailer that will get you almost anywhere you want to go.”
AUSTRALIAN ROOTS
The Sniper X9 by Offroad RV is sold in North America but manufactured in Australia. “Because of its origin this micro camper has a different approach to overland and off road travel. Check out the fenders, the sides, and the wheel base of this trailer and you will understand what I mean.”
The overall camper is 14’ long and 1,800 lbs. dry, so it can be towed by most mid-size SUVs and small trucks.
FEATURES INCLUDE:
Fast, easy setup – about three minutes
(Side awning takes longer)
Plenty of storage
Plexiglass windows on both sides for great ventilation
200 watt solar panel
Foldable shower enclosure
Hot water on demand
QUEEN SIZE BED THAT FOLDS OUT OF THE WAY FOR SEATING
“The quickest move from a bed to a seating area I’ve ever seen.”
Redarc battery management system
Articulating hitch
AN HONEST ASSESSMENT
After the walk-around he shares three things he likes, three things he’s not a fan of – and five other campers you may want to consider.
HOW-TO GUIDE FOR THE OVERLANDING FAMILY
Sean Mack explains, “My family and I have been traveling full-time for the past year and have learned to cultivate the gear that we bring including what we put within arms reach of the kids.”
Sean’s tips include …
A CHEAP CLOTH BOX
Placed between the seats, it offers two benefits:
- ‘Gives them a place to keep their things’
- ‘Limits the amount of stuff they can bring’
JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAMS
They entertain and engage passengers with short attention spans.
Per the National Park Services, “Interested youth complete a series of activities during a park visit, share their answers with a park ranger, and receive an official Junior Ranger patch and Junior Ranger certificate. Junior Rangers are typically between the ages of 5 to 13, although people of all ages can participate.”
See NPS ‘Kids in Parks’ Junior Ranger programs for online activity guides, Junior Ranger books and more.
[https://www.nps.gov/…/parks-with-junior-ranger-programs…]
SEPARATE BACKPACKS ARE HELPFUL
They give kids a place to keep “their journals, pencils, and other books. The backpacks are also where they attach the badges and patches that they’ve earned through the Junior Ranger programs.”
BEFORE YOU HEAD OUT
Plan what you’ll take. Sean’s article includes a free packing list “to help you get ready for your first trip as an overlanding family or to help you refine what you already bring.”
“I DON’T THINK THIS IS LEGAL”
Fourteen minutes of humor and heroism
by Matt’s Offroad Recovery
They got a call that a CanAm was stuck in a canyon near Goblin Valley. “I can only assume they’ve got goblins here, why else would they call it Goblin Valley.” He suspects goblins may have been involved in the CanAm problems.
THE CANAM WAS 72” WIDE ON A TRAIL RESTRICTED TO 52” WIDE
They hoped to retrieve it with The Banana, which is 72” wide.
They reached the vehicle after 4.7 miles of rough road. “So here’s the problem. The back end of this has slid over really bad. We need to pull the back end over.”
Matt didn’t bring any tools because they took them out for Easter Jeep Safari. So “we’re improvising using stone tools.”
“THIS IS HOW PEOPLE HAVE GOT THEIR RAZORS OUT FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS.”
“Buckle up Buttercup.”
“I won’t get far if I fall but it will still hurt.”
THE TIRE CHANGE
“We used science so to make it so we could change this tire.”
“Let’s go!” “Keep it on all fours!”
They got the CanAm dropped off and were headed for Moab Easter Jeep Safari when they got a call to retrieve another Razor.
“WE ARE REALLY LATE IN THE SEASON TO DO A SNOW RECOVERY!”
“I’m willing to risk it. I’m willing to risk it all.”
They were stuck for a bit, but they got to the Razor and it started right up.
THEN THE TRUCK GOT STUCK.
THEN A WOMAN IN A SUBARU GOT STUCK AND GOT A T-SHIRT.
Upon completion of rescues, the crew used Rock Scissors Paper to choose a lunch destination.
Trevor won, but was outvoted anyway.
Arm wrestling ensued.
“I’m just gonna sit here ‘til he tires out.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u1_3-8oa2qk&t=614s
#mattsoffroadrecovery
#offroadrecovery
“NEXT THING I KNOW I WAS ROLLED OVER.”
“During Easter Jeep Safari 2022, I went in my 1948 Willys CJ2A, Grampa’s Jeep up on the Moab Rim trail where we had a little accident.”
Rollover and recovery by Stan Fuller, 5 minute video
The video starts on Hell’s Revenge, with Stan climbing Escalator like the Willys was made for it. From there it was Moab Rim, where the first obstacle was The Devil’s Crack. “Took me a couple tries.”
Stan says he was “driving up to go watch the other guys climb The Crack when I miscalculated on that little step. Next thing I know I was rolled over… Everything was OK, no problems, a little bump on the head. All the safety equipment worked as designed.”
RECOVERY AND ASSESSMENT
They got Grampa’s Willys up on its side and re-rigged the winch lines. The windshield was broken, hood and grill supports bent. Once they got to a flat surface, Stan let his friends check it out more thoroughly. They “got it up and running and drove it down the hill.”
THE FOLLOWING MORNING
“This is my kind of body work.” [[[Watch Stan drive over the hood to straighten it out!]]] Once they had everything bolted back together, they climbed Gatekeeper to continue their adventure.
A FEW VIEWER COMMENTS
“Jeeping at its purest”
“I think it’s amazing that people spend $100,000 on a pretty jeep to rock climb and you guys are doing it in those old jeeps. Hats off to you guys.”
“Thank goodness for roll bars, and good friends.”
“Nothing like knowing how to trail fix and get back on the trail. Old guys rule!”
#1948Willys
#MoabRim
#DevilsCrack
#HellsRevenge
#Escalator
AUTORAMA 2022 AT THE MILAN DRAGWAY BOOTH
Coverage by WXYZ-TV Detroit, Channel 7
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3LxOozuvSM
At a little less than 1 minute in Faraz Javed introduces Brian Davis and John Quick. “You would have seen them on Street Outlaws Show. FANTASTIC show, a top hit show – you’re also from Detroit. I have to ask you, how’s it feel to have the show come back.”
Faraz Javed introduces Brian Davis
Brian; “Johnny and I as kids, we always came here and we always walked around. Never in our wildest dreams did we ever think we’d actually have a car in this… It’s very surreal and very humbling and it’s great for our city to be able to come here and support ‘em.”
Faraz Javed with John Quick
John; “This was the Super Bowl, this kicks off the season for us. As soon as the snow’s gone Autorama starts – right around the block is racing. Our whole lives revolve around racing. It’s an honor to be here in the Milan Dragway booth – these guys always support us, we try to support them as much as we can. This is great!”
Faraz asks about customizing. John replies “Our main focus is on drag racing. Street Outlaws is street racing; we try to be as fast as we can. This is one of the fastest cars in the world on the street. 0 to 200 mph in 4 seconds. It makes approximately 3500 horsepower.”
0 to 200 mph in 4 seconds.
Amanda Products’ SpeedHook™ is a proud sponsor of John Quick, Merillat Racing LLC and Blain Brothers Racing.
#BrianDavis
#JohnQuick
#streetoutlaws
#autorama2022
#milandragway
HELPING NEIGHBORS THROUGH THE STORM
“Jeep people are family” – Lynchburg, VA, (WDBJ) – 1/16/22
Two local Jeep groups saw to it that the staff of Lynchburg General Hospital made it in safely.
Check it out: https://www.wdbj7.com/2022/01/17/lynchburg-jeep-groups-provide-safe-transportation-healthcare-workers-during-winter-storm/?fbclid=IwAR0jYm73qjCw7r-TzWI0GHqPs9h7-Jp8dAlXbWdctnUpMdyG8ckcuqgo-sQ
“We know that the nurses and the hospital workers and different people can’t get to work with the bad ice on the road, and the snow, and we love our community and the Jeep people are family, so you know, we want to help out as best as we can,” said Jason Morris, Hill City Wranglers president.
#JeepFamily
LAST DAY OF SEMA 2021: A 32 MINUTE VIDEO TOUR
Mike from Last Line of Defense takes us on a 32 minute video tour, pausing at rigs and gear that grab his attention. He’s into “gear and good times; most of my videos revolve around those and general preparedness.”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y9XnlpzgMHw
This video includes:
- Rigs owned by Brad from Trail Recon and Mylo Fowler, a Navajo photographer from National Geographic
- Builds in the Overland Experience area
- Cars that have been tricked out for adventure
- New iKamper sleeping systems, bags, mattresses, freestanding annex, awnings and more
- Pausing to appreciate Magnaflow
- Admiring ‘Tacozilla’
- Declaring Toyota Treadpass “some of the craziest vehicles at the show”
- Classics Reborn
- Chevy Beast Concept
- And much more.
Last Line of Defense is a good YouTube page to like and subscribe to because Mike LIVES it. “I like to spend a lot of my free time in the outdoors, and I live in Colorado up in the Rocky Mountains.”
#Overlanding
#OutdoorPreparedness
#SEMA2021
OFFROAD BEATDOWN on COLLATERAL DAMAGE
27 minute video by RockstarGarage
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zr-_GbOYJk4
“We turned things up for our last trail on the Great American Crawl. We were in beautiful Table Mesa, Arizona wrapping up the Terminator trail. The whole afternoon ahead of us, someone thought it would be a good idea to start Collateral Damage, ONE OF THE TOUGHEST ROUTES AROUND.”
The whole trail is only about a mile and a half long.
They thought they’d ‘make quick work of the trail and be back in time for BBQ before sunset.’
“Should be done in an hour and a half.”
OVERLY OPTIMISTIC
“We had great guides, we had people that knew what they were doing and knew where to put us.” But “You don’t get a break between obstacles. The rocks out here are very sharp and some locals had told us they tear up tires; which it happens to everybody sooner or later.”
“You got a big old hole right here.”
“I got poked, yes I did.”
“Mitch’s mishap was probably the first issue we had on the trail.” But it was by no means the last.
Note how they handled that patch – ground the T on the tire down to “Mickey hompson.”
AND THEN THERE WAS THE WALL
“You don’t see it, but that thing is undercut. It just swallowed my whole 46.”
“Hats off to whoever broke this trail!”
Someone broke a rear drive shaft; and they needed to do a food run. ’If you can’t go around a vehicle, go over?’
CARNAGE ENSUED
Daylight was fading. “We were getting short on time.”
Fortunately, Arizona locals pulled together to help.
“It was a long day” but “Arizona was one of my favorites – if not my favorite – for 2021.”
“A great way to cap off the Great American Crawl, last one of the season”
#RockstarGarage
#GreatAmericanCrawl
#TableMesaArizona
#CollateralDamage
#TerminatorTrail
VETERANS BOND WHILE REBUILDING A DONATED JEEP
Photo by SpectrumNews1
Shelbyville, KY, September 20, 2021; 50 veterans came together to transform a 1997 Jeep. “When we first saw this thing, we thought there’s never in a million years were we going to get this to where it is to this point in the amount of time we did.”
https://spectrumnews1.com/ky/louisville/news/2021/09/19/veterans-involved-in-project-signed-inside-of-jeep-s-hood?fbclid=IwAR2Fgk2DcpUtGItBYwnbKRUapEfZJt7sJa4IJyXGCDs7SCnnHeunzaw_wKA#
Russell Blumer, United States Air Force veteran and aircraft mechanic, was one of the leaders of ‘Operation Jeep Build.’ “If someone didn’t know how to do something, I would step back, let them even possibly make a mistake and have them learn, and they had such a sense of accomplishment from that.”
Photo by SpectrumNews1
Veterans signed the inside of the Jeep’s hood.
There’s also a sticker to Blumer’s mother, who lost her battle with cancer before the project was finished. Blumer said “Her sacrifice in all of this was allowing her child to join the military and for her to see this and be a part of it and put her hands on it meant the world to me.”
The transformed Jeep will be enjoyed off-road by veterans and used to help promote the program at various events. Blumer says “Come get your hands dirty, learn something, who knows. You never know what could happen. We could put you on a path to wherever you’ll end up and hopefully it’s a good spot.”
Their next Jeep rebuild will begin in November or December.
#OperationJeepBuild
#VeteransRebuildJeeps
OVERLAND ADVENTURE TO KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARK
‘One of the best overland camping spots in North America’
By Unwinding Roads – 20 minute video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrDtVREqQyo
“We took our overlanding Jeep Gladiator build on an expedition deep into the mountains to one of the best overland camping spots in North America.” It was a four day trip featuring great vehicles and an enthusiastic crew. They:
- Drove 10 hours
- Stopped to meet Clint from Dirt Garage
- Endured haze from the B.C. wildfires; It “felt like we were on another planet”
- Arrived at a VOR tower
- Enjoyed great food
- Continued up the mountain
- Wrestled/sawed their way through limbs and branches
- Replaced a valve stem, swapped a tire …
- Continued on to paradise, where they took time to appreciate the natural beauty and relax; “Wound up in one of the most beautiful places we had ever seen.”
- Kayaking … “This lake is gorgeous. You can see all the giant boulders like 10-20 feet down.”
- The trip ended with much needed rain.
VEHICLES INCLUDED
2020 Jeep Gladiator Rubicon
2021 Jeep Gladiator EcoDiesel
2021 Jeep Wrangler EcoDiesel
Toyota 4Runner
Toyota Off Road Pickup Truck
Ripp Supercharged Jeep Gladiator Mojave
ABOUT KOOTENAY NATIONAL PARK
Located in southeastern British Columbia, this park “consists of parts of the Kootenay and Park mountain ranges, the Kootenay River and the entirety of the Vermilion River… the Kootenay River has its headwaters just outside the park boundary, flowing through the park into the Rocky Mountain Trench and eventually joining the Columbia River.”
(Learn more at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kootenay_National_Park)
#UnwindingRoads
#JeepOverlanding
#KootenayNationalPark
HORRIFYING MOMENT ON THE MOAB RIM TRAIL
20 minute video of 2021 Easter Jeep Safari by Crawler Utah.
It came close to beginning with a catastrophic end. The driver’s iPhone showed a heart rate of 156 as he nearly slid back over the rim.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4_WBCWUh8xk
Experience:
- Heart pounding excitement
- Incredible scenery
- Shorty short Saturday
“Moab Rim provides incredible views of the Colorado River and amazing four wheeling. This is one of the best 4×44 trails in Moab. This was run as part of the Moab Jeep Safari and Kevin was the trail guide.
“Two weeks after the Jeep nearly backed off the cliff in this video, two men unfortunately rolled off the edge near this same spot. ”
#CrawlerUtah
#EasterJeepSafari
#JeepOffRoading
#MoabRim
ECODIESEL PROS AND CONS by Cars.com
ROOFTOP CAMPING AT PADRE ISLAND NATIONAL SEASHORE
By Epic Family Road Trip, YouTube video: 18 minutes
It was their first time camping in the new Jeep. “The National Seashore is the longest stretch of undeveloped seashore in North America. We’re going to see if we can drive all the way down.”
The park charges $25 per vehicle for a 7-day pass with no charge for camping. “As you start coming in you get into deep sand and definitely need a 4 WD vehicle with high clearance.” Past mile 10, “It’s so quiet aside from the sound of the ocean and the waves. It’s an incredible place, incredible birds/wildlife here.
“Definitely check out Padre Island National Seashore – It is wonderful for overland camping.”
JEEP RECREATES ‘GROUNDHOG DAY’ FOR SUPER BOWL 2020
Photo of Bill Murray from CNBC.com
Fiat Chrysler Chief Marketing Office Olivier Francois says “What is incredible here is that obviously we got Bill Murray to say yes to do it. This is totally a miracle,” he told CNBC. “It’s the same kind of miracle having Super Bowl Sunday falling on Groundhog Day.”
“To keep the ad as authentic as possible, it was filmed in Woodstock, Illinois, where the movie was filmed. It features the same locations as the movie as well as appearances by Murray’s brother, Brian Doyle-Murray, who played the city of Punxsutawney’s mayor, and Stephen Tobolowsky as “Needlenose Ned” Ryerson. The ad also was released at 6 a.m., when Murray woke up each day in the movie.
“Much of the ad, according to Francois, was unscripted. It was Murray, known for his improv and impulsiveness, doing what he wanted. Murray’s personality is exactly why Francois said he wanted him for a commercial for Jeep.”
FIAT CHRYSLER TO FEATURE ELECTRIC VEHICLES AT CES
Photo by Freep.com
The Consumer Electronics Show is a critical event for for manufacturers.
Per CNN, at this year’s CES in Las Vegas, “companies hope to impress reporters, investors, and ultimately consumers with a flashy mix of smart assistants and smart cars, giant TVs and, of course, robots. Some of these products may make waves in the year ahead, others will likely be forgotten by the time the conference wraps up next week.”
FREEP reports FCA is “promoting its electrified offerings as ‘”efficient and responsible’ at the same time it touts their capabilities.” FCA reported “Jeep electric vehicles will be the most efficient and responsible Jeep vehicles ever, providing absolute and quiet open-air freedom while taking performance, 4×4 capability and driver confidence to the next level. With greater torque and immediate engine response, Jeep electric vehicles will offer an even more fun-to-drive experience on the road, and more capability than ever off-road.”
Learn more at https://www.freep.com/…/ces-fiat-chrysler…/2776763001/
The show runs from Tue, Jan 7, 2020 – Fri, Jan 10, 2020
TRUCKS.COM PICKS BEST GEAR FROM OVERLAND EXPO EAST
Editor’s Picks from Overland Expo East
The event showcased the latest products from more than 150 vendors. Trucks.com‘s picks include:
GO TREADS tire traction mats that “also function as recovery boards and leveling blocks. Compared with the commonplace, rigid extraction products, Go Treads fold up into a compact package you can carry inside your vehicle…One pair retails for $120.”
CELEBRATE THE PARK SERVICE’S BIRTHDAY ‘FEE FREE’
National Parks are ‘fee free’ on 103rd Birthday
Please note … “The entrance fee waiver for fee-free days does not cover amenity or user fees for activities such as camping, boat launches, transportation, or special tours.”
AUTOBLOG DRIVES 2020 GLADIATOR IN MOAB
Jeep Gladiator Overland Video Review by Autoblog
https://www.autoblog.com/…/2020-jeep-gladiator…/
They took Gladiator on an 800 mile ride through Moab. “We chose some routes that simulated the kind of stuff we would expect a Gladiator Overland owner to actually try to tackle — rutted dirt tracks with small washouts and steps, the kind of trail you’d take to get to a semi-remote fishing hole or campsite. Stuff that a crossover couldn’t clamber over, but a Rubicon would laugh at. The realistic middle ground, you might say. We even folded down the windshield.”
OVERALL?
“The Overland surprised us — in a good way. You’ll have to watch the video to find out exactly how, but let’s just say we’re still in agreement with our colleague Jeremy that the Gladiator is one hell of a truck.”
#JeepGladiator
#AutoblogReviews
TOLEDO WORKERS ARE ON A ROLL
Photo from The Toledo Blade
The Toledo Blade declares “Toledo is Jeep!”
Every day about 5,000 men and women pass through the gates of the Toledo Assembly Complex.
- They started making the all-new Wrangler in April
- In November it set an annual sales record with more than 220,000 sold
- Workers cheered when MotorTrend Magazine named 2018 Wrangler SUV of the Year
- Now they’re looking forward to building Jeep Gladiator
- When Gladiator production is ramped up this spring, the complex will employ about 7,000
Per the Toledo Blade, “Heritage and hot-selling Jeeps keep Toledo Assembly on the map… Locals also buy the Jeeps they make. It’s common for Fiat Chrysler dealerships in the area to sell better than 75 percent of all vehicles to customers who are either Jeep employees or family members of Jeep suppliers.”
#ToledoBlade
#ToledoAssembly
#JeepWrangler
Experience 2018 TENNESSEE MOUNTAINS JEEP JAMBOREE USA
Tennessee Mountains Jeep Jamboree, Oliver Springs, TN
They say it has “The best offroad trails in the south!” Windrock Park is a 73,000 acre off-road vehicle recreation area and campground in Oliver Springs, Tennessee. Trails include easy, moderate, difficult and EXTREMELY DIFFICULT – as in “You sure about this?”
“The best off-road trails in the south!”
Learn more about Windrock’s trail system at windrockpark dot com and enjoy 7:35 minutes of YouTube video courtesy of the Wrangler Forum.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h_VTRyAvEmU
THE JOURNEY TO OVERLAND EXPO 2018
A journey from Truckee, CA thru Sedona AZ to Flagstaff AZ!
Overland Journal defines ‘overlanding’ as “self-reliant adventure travel to remote destinations where the journey is the primary goal.” Here Jordan Kepler and friends share video of their journey from Truckee, California thru Sedona Arizona on their way to Overland Expo in Flagstaff. They enjoy trails on foot and by truck, noting places they want to return to and explore when they have more time.
Enjoying trails by foot and by truck.
YouTube Video by Lost Sasquatch: 4.50
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVGu09Z1mOU
#Overlanding #OverlandJournal #JordanKepler #OverlandExpoWEST
VIDEO HIGHLIGHTS OF MOAB EJS 2018
Video by Ronin Offroad
YouTube Video – 11:22 mins.
Easter Jeep Safari ended Sunday, April 1, but this YouTube video was just published today. Enjoy white knuckle drama without jeopardizing your Jeep!
MUST-SEE CONCEPTS FROM EASTER JEEP SAFARI 2018
Mike Manley, Head of Jeep and Ram Brands and Mark Allen, Head of Jeep Design North America tested concepts and talked to enthusiasts at Moab this week.
YouTube Video by Stellantis North America – 2:42 minutes
MAKE MOAB PART OF YOUR EXCITING NEW YEAR
“Me doing Escalator” in Moab
If you crave excitement, DiscoverMoab.com is ready with a comprehensive calendar of events for adventurers, offroaders and overlanders. It includes everything from music, movies and tours to parades, festivals, EASTER JEEP SAFARI and MUCH more.
WHET YOUR APPETITE!
Kick back and enjoy Jeff Perkins’ exciting YouTube video from Easter Jeep Safari 2017. Nicely done with titles, it features Kane’s Creek, Area BFE, Suicide Hill, Hell’s Revenge, ‘Me Doing Escalator,’ Metal Masher, Potato Salad, Pritchett Canyon, Rocker Knocker, and Mickey’s Hot Tub [a must-see].
As an admirer said, “Looks easy when it’s done right!”
HAPPY HALLOWEEN 2017
From the hounds of hell to Wranglers in shrouds, watch the video for creative ideas from OFF ROAD N Chill’s Jeeptober Jeep Show / Halloween Special in Miami, 2016.
Vehicles were judged and trophies awarded for Best Built Off Road Machine, Best Classic Jeeps (Jurassic Park Jeeps), Best Wrangler JKU, Best Wrangler JK and more.
Coming Soon – OVERLAND EXPO 2017 EAST!
Sept 29 – Oct 1, 2017
NOTE: All tickets must be purchased in advance.
Overland Expo East is a celebration vendors, products and place at the incredible Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina. ServoMedia Productions captured the enormous appeal of last year’s event – check it out.
#Overlanding #OverlandExpoEast
TOP US OFF-ROAD DESTINATIONS
Top US Off-Road Destinations from The Travel Channel
Enjoy an interesting mix of recommendations for “some of the best places in the US [and B.C.] to go mudding or off-road driving with an ATV, 4×4 truck or tricked-out rig.” Suggested destinations are:
- Hollister, California for Hollister Hills State Vehicular Recreation Area
- Moab, Utah, the country’s iconic off-roading destination
- Marseilles, Illinois for the Cliffs Insane Terrain Off-Road Park
- South-central British Columbia for Whipsaw Trail – Winner of the BFGoodrich Outstanding Trails Award
- Punta Gorda, Florida for the 800 acre Redneck Yacht Club Mud Park
- Alto, Texas, where Shiloh Ridge is home to the Texas Redneck Games
- Azusa, California for the only state-owned-and-operated mud mecca in Southern California
- Mt.Morris, Michigan for The Mounds – a large complex with soft, sandy soil and small- to medium-sized ponds
- Brookfield, Ohio for some of the most challenging bogs in the U.S.
Check ’em out.
JEEP BEACH MAIN EVENT BEGINS TOMORROW
April 28 at Daytona International Speedway!
The obstacle course will be open from 9:30 to 4:30 P.M. Friday and Saturday.
There’s a great selection of videos from last year on YouTube. Start with these highlights by NLB74; “At the 00:24 mark we were teetering on the right front and left rear tires.”
Video highlights by by NLB74
JEEP BEACH 2017 BEGINS NEXT WEDNESDAY
This 19-minute video by Exdirt features last year’s event – everything from parties and products to the main event, obstacle course and parade.
See Jeep Wrangler concept vehicles, KC HiLiTES, Inc., BFGoodrich Tires, SpiderWebShade and CRAWL Magazine. Meet the Mid Florida Jeep Club and their charities, including BlueRibbon Coalition and more.
Find details for 2017 at jeepbeach.com
WHAT ARE YOUR PLANS FOR 2016?
Jeep Jamboree, Drummond Island, Michigan
Whatever you decide – from rock crawling to mudding – SpeedHook™ tow hooks are the fast, easy way out of whatever you get yourself into. Speed Hook™ is compatible with Jeeps, Ford F150s, buggies, and any vehicle with a 2” receiver hitch; choose from black, chrome and raw. (Take advantage of 10% discount for veterans and active duty personnel.)
Inspired by off-road racing, SpeedHook™ won a Global Media award upon introduction at SEMA 2013. 100% #Americanmade, they’re manufactured by our sister company Amanda Manufacturing in Logan, Ohio.
SpeedHook(TM) – Ready for anything!
Change of Plan; Interview with Frank Ledwell of OutdoorX4
Frank Ledwell is Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of OutdoorX4 Magazine – an overland adventure lifestyle publication.
Frank knows the overland space: it changed his life.
Houston born and raised, he says “I went off to college in fall of 1996 but went to Colorado during the summer of 99 with four or five of my best friends. That experience was when my passion for the outdoors truly began.
When I finished my undergrad degree in economics, I was going to go to Colorado and do economic development. I swore I was never coming back.”
But he did.
That Summer in Colorado
“In the summer between my junior and senior year we had an opportunity to all work together in Colorado at YMCA of the Rockies in Estes Park, Colorado – in the foothills of Rocky Mountain National Park.
It was the most memorable summer I’ve ever had. It was labor intensive for grounds and maintenance. We picked up trash at the cabins and worked outside building fences and an irrigation system on the property.
When we weren’t working we were out hiking. We had another good friend who had an old Jeep YJ that he had bought before we all went off to college. We used that Jeep to get everywhere, especially up into the mountains for hiking. That summer I really developed this love for being outdoors.
It was memorable because it was 3 months immersed in the mountains. I’d never experienced that. I belonged to the Boy Scouts, but this was different. It was best friends working together – a really, really fun experience. That summer in Colorado was the catalyst that created this passion for what I’m doing now.
The following semester I had to take economics and fell in love with it. I liked numbers, so I was very much intent on an economic career in Colorado; but I also liked writing. I was on the yearbook staff and had tinkered with the idea of getting a journalism degree.
A couple months before I got ready to graduate, my father started to get sick. I’d always had a close relationship with both parents. When he got sick the best decision was to move back to Houston to be with family and spend as much time as I could.
Over time, crunching numbers refueled the interest in writing.”
Just for fun: JPFreek Adventure Magazine
“In 2005 I bought a white Jeep TJ Rubicon. I and one of my best friends – a graphic designer – wanted to start doing something for fun to take a break from the daily grind of our day jobs. I love to write, he loves design and we both love photography. We decided to tell the different stories of adventures we go on.
A few months later – In January 2006 – we launched the world’s first fully digital Jeep lifestyle magazine. JPFreek Adventure Magazine was small, a 16 page digital magazine intended to capture the aspect of getting out and having adventures in Jeeps – about hiking and mountain biking, things we enjoy doing. It went out to 20 people, friends and family.
After the first issue we decided to launch a second, maybe 20 or 24 pages. We put it on Jeep forums to gauge interest and gather feedback and it EXPLODED. People were completely engaged in the idea of the adventure lifestyle and all the things people do with their jeeps.
We continued to publish bi-monthly up until I left in 2012. By that time this little digital Jeep magazine had an email database of 20,000 readers in all 50 states and over 60 countries worldwide. It was certainly the largest digital Jeep magazine available. It was the catalyst that led me to OutdoorX4.”
Taking a Chance: OutdoorX4
“I started working on OutdoorX4 in the third quarter of 2012. The first year was tough because the publishing realm is a pretty tricky business to get into. When you’re an unknown on the print side, it’s very costly. I paid expenses out of pocket to be able to continue publishing; but I felt strong about what we were doing.
By 2013 I was sure we were going to go forward with it. I spent all of 2013 getting the work done. We released the first issue in January of 2014. Last year that expense turned into a tremendous investment financially and emotionally. It’s a testament to the quality of the people that are working with me. I couldn’t have done it by myself.
When you can relate to what you’re publishing, it gets people engaged. They can identify with it.
A Unique Perspective
“There are so many publications on the market, but they’re either off-road or outdoors; nobody brought the two together. It’s a natural fit to attach the vehicle to the recreation aspect. It makes us unique.”
What’s the difference between off-roading and overlanding?
“The two are interrelated to a degree. Off-roading is more general, things anybody would do if they have a 4 x 4 vehicle. It’s typically about getting in a Jeep and being off pavement, going over big rocks and through the mud. With overlanding, it’s not so much about the off-road aspect, although that’s certainly part of it.
Over the past 5 to 7 years, overlanding as a whole has grown to become the fastest growing segment within the off-road market.
You don’t have to have a big built up vehicle to get out and have an adventure. The vehicle is a tool to get out and enjoy the off-pavement element of being away. It’s also a tool to enjoy the other aspects of being out, from hiking and mountain biking to kayaking and more.
Overlanding is about getting out there and being self-sufficient when you go, with the right clothing, food and equipment. It’s about the experience. It’s something anybody can do.”
Plans For the Future
“The big mission has been for us to create solidarity between the off-road demographic and the outdoor recreation group. There has been a division between the two. People who enjoy all outdoor recreation have been anti motorized vehicles for recreation because of the bad apples who destroy public lands. We’re here to show that – through responsible recreation – enthusiasts can have a memorable experience.
We promote responsible family friendly oriented adventures to the broadest demographic possible. Anybody who reads an article can identify with it and say ‘this is something we can do.’ They don’t need a $100,000 vehicle with huge tires and a special suspension to get out and do these things.”
Something in Common
“The companies that we’ve worked with thus far are passionate about the products they build. They create products that our readers are engaged with and interested in. These companies share our values. They love what they do and the quality of what they do is seen in the products that they create.
I know Amanda Products is a company that’s passionate about producing and building quality products. We’re all about supporting people that come up with genuine ideas that are created here in the U.S.”
In Conclusion
“If I had moved to Colorado, the whole situation would have been very different. I met my wife and had children. Now I have a family that shares my passion. We enjoy getting in our Land Cruiser and taking week-long trips to the mountains. They really enjoy that.
I’m grateful for the sequence of events that got me here. It’s been a fun ride and a tremendous learning experience. It’s a true testament to how you can find something you really enjoy and do that.
It’s very rewarding. I couldn’t be happier.”
***
Our thanks to Frank for taking the time to share his story.
Subscriptions to OutdoorX4 are available in Print plus Digital and Digital only.
https://outdoorx4.com/product-category/magazine-subscribe/
TrailHammer™ Bumpers and Doors for Jeep® Wrangler JK Launched at SEMA 2015
At SEMA 2014 TrailHammer™ bumpers and doors were mere prototypes to touch, admire and covet. This year they’re available for purchase.
Designed for 2007-2015 Jeep® Wrangler JK models, the front bumpers feature:
- Hinged Amanda Products SpeedHook™ tow hooks for fast, easy off-road recovery
- Enclosed winch mount
- KC HiLiTES 4″ round LZR LED single lights for enhanced visibility
- Removable end caps to help enthusiasts negotiate obstacles
The rear bumpers feature:
- Hinged Amanda Products SpeedHook™ tow hooks for fast, easy off-road recovery
- Receiver-ready design
- Removable end caps for added tire clearance
The premium hand-welded doors feature bold design, enhanced views of trails and terrain, and beefy construction for a safe/secure feel.
How solid are they?
Enthusiasts say shutting them ‘sounds like closing a bank vault.’
The SEMA show takes place at:
The Las Vegas Convention Center
3150 Paradise Road
Las Vegas, NV 89109
Attendees can find Amanda Products at Booth #37149, in the Trucks, SUVs & Off-Road area of South Hall Upper. (Lower middle of this floor plan.)
http://www.expocad.com/host/fx/SEMA/sema15/uppersouth.html
Please note that SEMA is a trade-only event, not open to the public.
Follow Amanda Products’ launch on social media
ABOUT AMANDA PRODUCTS
Amanda Products’ SpeedHook™ and TrailHammer™ lines are produced by parent companyAmanda Manufacturing in Logan, Ohio. Both companies are divisions of the Deshler Group. Based in the Detroit area, Deshler offers global solutions, from IT, supply chain management, manufacture and assembly to storage, packaging, distribution and transport.
CONTACT
Amanda Products
info@amandaproducts.com
The Final Dirt Riot Race of the Season; Grand Junction Motor Speedway
The W.E. Rock site promised “a very fast course with a lot of technical areas as well. Looking at the Series and National points standings, there are heated battles in most classes in each series. A few drivers that don’t typically race in the Mountain or Southwest series are making the trip to maintain their National standings.”
Mike Klensin, Mike Florian and Mat Carpentier on their way to …
A Double Points Spectacular
Mike Klensin and co-driver Mat Carpentier expected strong competition in the battle for double points, but the track was a surprise.
“We got up there and it’s a dirt bike track modified into a track for razors, modified again this weekend for us. So it was a little bit twisty and tight. The jumps were set up for a shorter wheelbase car, not ideal for us.
Qualifying; photos by Matt Moga
We did good in practice, qualified second – 1 second slower than the fastest qualifier. But the car was hiccupping in qualifying, so we spent the rest of the time before the race trying to find out what was causing that. We didn’t figure it out, but we were able to pass that #1 qualifier in the second lap.
Airborne; photo by Matt Moga
We were running really good for 5 laps; after that the car was sputtering and not running hardly at all. At that point we wanted as many points as we could get – we wanted to keep our lead for the Southwest Series. So that’s what we did – kept sputtering around the track and managed an 8th place finish out of 14 cars. I think that was enough to keep us in lead, but we won’t know for sure until later this week.
We’re working on the car right now; we don’t have much time to get it fixed because we need to head off to Fallon, Nevada for the desert race.”
Follow the Team
Like Ultra4 Driver Mike Klensin on Facebook
Like ColeCar Motorsports on Facebook
Amanda Products: Title Sponsor of ColeCar Motorsports
Amanda Products is home of SpeedHook™ tow hooks – as seen on the team’s Ultra4 IFS race car and chase trucks. The ingenious off-road recovery device is priced from $79; it’s compatible with Jeeps, F150s, buggies and any vehicle with a 2” receiver hitch.
Our Jeep Wrangler bumper and door prototypes have been enthusiastically received at SEMA 2014, Jeep Beach 2015, MakerFaire in Detroit and the Woodward Dream Cruise.
Stay tuned for updates – ‘like’ Amanda Products on Facebook!
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The Woodward Dream Cruise; good times and a great cause
On August 15, 2015, Amanda Products was proud to be an event sponsor at The Woodward Dream Cruise – ‘the world’s largest one-day celebration of classic car culture,’ featuring ‘more than 40,000 muscle cars, street rods, custom, collector and special interest vehicles.’
An Annual Rite of Summer
In 1995 a group of Detroit area visionaries decided it would be cool to recreate the 50s and 60s – a time when ‘youth, music and Motor City steel roamed Woodward Avenue, America’s first highway.’
Participation at the first cruise was 10 times what they expected; 250,000 people. These days it attracts over 1 million local, national and international visitors.
While rare and classic cars would capture the imaginations of many, we were there to show off our Jeep Wrangler prototype bumpers and doors and Ultra SS 4-seater chassis; all are designed for people who prefer to play OFF the pavement.
We liked that a substantial portion of our sponsorship dollars would benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Royal Oak. The organization provides support programs and services for youth from 6 to 18 years of age.
We also liked that we had a primo spot – at 13 & Woodward, next to the Firestone store. The U.S. Army had a recruiting tent nearby. Soldiers stopped to say ‘hi,’ posed for pics and told us they could have ‘a lot of fun with those vehicles!’
Prize Drawing
Participants were invited to take pics of either vehicle, tag Amanda Products and share on social media for a chance to win one set of SpeedHook™ tow hooks for Ford F-150, a 2″ SpeedHook™ receiver mount or a gift card to the Vinsetta Garage restaurant in Berkley.
Selfies and candid shots ensued.
The chassis stayed at the tent while the Wrangler cruised Woodward most of the day. Despite traffic, the winner managed to capture this profile.
He said “Somebody told me about the drawing, then I saw the Jeep on the road. I tried to take the photo from the front, but the light turned green!”
An avid off-roader, he chose the 2″ receiver mount.
Mission Accomplished
The Woodward Dream Cruise was great fun – an exceptional opportunity to meet enthusiasts and promote our unique vehicles while supporting the Boys and Girls Club of Royal Oak.
If you’ve never attended Dream Cruise, this video recap by WXYZ TV might persuade you to be there next year.
About Amanda Products
Amanda Products is title sponsor of ColeCar Motorsports and home of SpeedHook™ – as seen on the team’s Ultra4 IFS race car and chase trucks. The ingenious off-road recovery device is priced from $79; it’s compatible with Jeeps, F150s, buggies and any vehicle with a 2” receiver hitch.
Like Amanda Products on Facebook
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Dirt Riot Tucson, 5/16/15
Mike Klensin, Mat Carpentier and the ColeCar Motorsports team were happy to be racing the home track but – like Mike says – “Timmy does better at high speed on an open desert.” The only thing they were counting on was a good time.
As it happens, WINNING is a good time; but it wasn’t easy.
Fuel problems
“We weren’t as fast as we could have been. We had some bad fuel and didn’t realize it until we started racing. Some guys run aviation fuel or 110 octane or alcohol. We wanted to run pump gas, so we just use 91; but the car was cutting out on us the whole race.”
Cactus concerns
“The track’s real twisty and turney and they added two straightaways where we could build up speed; that was kind of neat. Except that this track has a lot of cholla cactus; if you were to miss a turn and go straight, you’d run right into one.
You don’t want to hit one of those. They call it ‘jumping cactus’ because it’s so easy to get it on you. It comes off in little balls of needles.” Removal is brutal; we found video of a hiker’s cholla encounter. We might have shared it, but the expletives were over the top.
Photo by Dave Pape, Associate Professor, Department of Media Study at University of Buffalo
Tire problems
“It was a timed race, 2 hours, as many laps as you could do. I think we did 12.
On the second to the last lap we noticed the left rear tire was getting low. We just went ahead and drove. By the last lap I knew we had a flat, but I didn’t want to stop.”
Timing issues
“We qualified first, started first, so if somebody started a minute and a half behind us in 30 second intervals, they could technically come in faster and beat us. We wanted to give ourselves at least a couple minute margin.
We were going to take the easy line through the rocks, but somebody rolled over. We had two choices – take the quarter pipe or wait until they’re done recovering.
We didn’t know how close second was. We had radio communication between the car and Mikey and his dad Jim Florian in the pit. They were standing next to the time and scoring table to give us updates; but those numbers aren’t official.
We wanted to make sure that we had a little bit of margin for error on our timing. I didn’t want to lose the lead so I decided to take the quarter pipe.
We drove up that quarter pipe with a flat tire.
It’s 90 degrees up and down. When you go up you have to go hit the brakes or the car would go straight up and come back drown in drive; or the car will stop on the rear wheels and roll over; that would be no good. It’s dug out and down – about a 14′ drop from bottom to top.”
Watch the upper left corner of this video by Chris Cook.
We finished the whole last lap on a completely flat tire.”
Why they won
“I think one of the big reasons is we’re comfortable in the rocks. Before we were racing we were rock crawling, so I’m not scared to go up that quarter pipe. Coming from the rock crawling background combined with how well our car works in the rest of the terrain made it way faster for us.”
“We had a good weekend all around. Mat ran his UTV and Mikey ran his Cherokee; Mikey took first and Mat took second in his class.
We had a ton of people there, all of my family, Mikey’s family and Mat’s family – and all our friends. I actually drove home after the race, but the crew stayed out there.”
Left to right – Mike Klensin, Mike Florian, Jerome Curtis, Acacia Pinnell, Sam Verbridge, Taylor Brown, Shelbie Kellogg, Jim Florian, Melissa Verbridge and Mat Carpentier.
“Our next race is Glen Helen, we’re looking forward to that. There’s more prepping to do on the car, make sure everything is working good – and do some new air intake stuff on the motor side.”
Amanda Products: Title Sponsor of ColeCar Motorsports
Amanda Products is home of SpeedHook™ – as seen on the team’s Ultra4 IFS race car and chase trucks. The ingenious off-road recovery device is priced from $79; it’s compatible with Jeeps, F150s, buggies and any vehicle with a 2” receiver hitch.
Like Amanda Products on Facebook
Follow the Team
Like Ultra4 Driver Mike Klensin on Facebook
Like ColeCar Motorsports on Facebook
Ultra4 MetalCloak Stampede, 5/9/15
It was a long drive from Tucson to Prairie City. Mike Klensin says “It took us almost 16 hours to get up there; the speed limit in California is 55 if you have a trailer.
When we finally arrived, I was pretty excited. For the last two years
There’s good reason for the outcome.
‘Timmy’ after prelim Friday, 5/8/15; photo by ColeCar Motorsports
“This year we’re putting a lot of hours into race prep. That way, if we lose a race, it’s not for lack of trying. Even the engine builder – Jim Murphy from Calypso Automotive – takes one night before each race to go through the car again, just to make sure we didn’t miss anything.”
Mikey as spotter
Klensin drove #4431, Mat Carpentier co-drove and Mikey Florian acted as spotter. Mike explains, “I wouldn’t want to be racing without a spotter on these kinds of races. The way it works in these races where you can see the track is he tells us what’s going on with all the other cars via radio, so we have a real-time, third look at what’s going on on the race course. That’s a fun job; you’re saying ‘speed up’ or ‘slow down,’ ‘you’re going too wide on this turn – two cars are coming up on you,’ ‘lap time is a little slow.’
After mid-point in the heat race, we got a right front flat; it slowed us down a bit – and there were faster cars. We could have pushed harder to get second, but Mikey was saying ‘you guys can take it easy because fourth place is half a lap behind you.’
We stayed in it for a third place finish; we were a solid third.”
‘The actual race was chaos.’
Klensin said he expected a lot of competition and was excited about “seeing where we can end up with the top guys;” but things didn’t exactly go as planned. “The actual race was chaos. I didn’t realize we were going to start as far back as we did. I expected further forward because of how well we did in our other races. I was a little bit disappointed.
Photo by Corey Osborne
We talked about it as a team and decided we had to hit the rocks hard on that first lap. There was one burned-in line for the fastest line thru the rocks; if you wanted to pass somebody, you had to go through a less used section of rocks.
We pushed hard, passed a bunch of cars and that put us in a good position; we were fourth or fifth after the first lap. Then we tried to go fast enough to stay in front of those young kids, Wayland Campbell and Levi Shirley. Eventually we got passed by those guys, but not too far off of ’em.
We came in sixth. We get points for entering, points for finishing the heat races and points for how we do in the main race. So this race definitely helped us out for our season points.”
Photo by ESAB Welding & Cutting Products
‘We’re still getting used to the car’
“This was our first race on a groomed track with Timmy; everything else has been on actual desert. We’re still getting used to the car, weren’t sure how far we can hit the turns and push through stuff. So we weren’t quite as fast as we could have been. We’ll only get better when we get more seat time on actual tracks.
So we’re excited. This weekend it’s Dirt Riot in Tucson. It’s our home track, even though we don’t go out there often. It’s tight and windey and Timmy does better at high speed on open desert. But we’re still going to go out there and do our best and have a good time.”
Looking forward to Glen Helen
“We’ll be getting the car ready for the next Ultra4 at Glen Helen in July. Being a motocross guy, it’s one of my favorite tracks – one of the oldest motocross tracks in California. It’s got features you don’t see at other races – jumps, turns and berms. Some of the turns are banked, close to 90 degrees; it’s like riding a wall when you go around it. We should do real well.”
Amanda Products: Title Sponsor of ColeCar Motorsports
Amanda Products is home of SpeedHook™ – as seen on the team’s Ultra4 IFS race car and chase trucks. The ingenious off-road recovery device is priced from $79; it’s compatible with Jeeps, F150s, buggies and any vehicle with a 2” receiver hitch.
Like Amanda Products on Facebook
Follow the Team
Like Ultra4 Driver Mike Klensin on Facebook
Like ColeCar Motorsports on Facebook
From Dirt Riot/Moab to Ultra4 MetalCloak Stampede in California
Last month the ColeCar Motorsports Race Team headed to Moab for Dirt Riot Mountain Round 1. We didn’t post a recap for good reason. Race Driver Mike Klensin explains; “We weren’t able to do much. We broke in practice and went back and – with the help of a few other teams – we got the car back to the start line.”
The ColeCar MotorSports Race Team getting assistance from other teams; Photo by Acacia Pinnell
“We qualified OK – mid-pack; but then during the first lap of the race we broke a bolt on our suspension. There wasn’t much to say after that. We were done. So we didn’t have much luck at Moab, but I feel real good about this next race.”
MetalCloak Stampede; Prairie City, CA – Saturday, May 9
Mike called en route; it’s 13 hours from Tucson to Prairie City. He’s grateful they had plenty of time between races. “The whole team’s put a lot of work into getting the car ready. We’ve gone through it extensively and replaced all the bolts. It should be in good shape.
MetalCloak Stampede is the first one in the series for Ultra4 West, one of the bigger races we do throughout the year. There will be a lot of competition, so we’re excited to see where we can end up with the top guys.”
Ultra4’s video describes it as an ‘insane short course filled with jumps and punishing rock obstacles.’ Check it out:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=habmIGv5Spo
A great event for spectators
MetalCloak promises to be a great spectator experience as 100+ cars battle it out for the win! Ultra4racing.com tells us “The course will consist of a 2 mile lap all visible to spectators filled with rock obstacles, tight turns and go fast sections.”
Find directions and details at: http://ultra4racing.com/category/2015stampede/
Amanda Products: Title Sponsor of ColeCar Motorsports
Amanda Products is home of SpeedHook™ – as seen on the team’s Ultra4 IFS race car and chase trucks. The ingenious off-road recovery device is priced from $79; it’s compatible with Jeeps, F150s, buggies and any vehicle with a 2” receiver hitch.
Like Amanda Products on Facebook
Follow the Team
Like Ultra4 Driver Mike Klensin on Facebook
Like ColeCar Motorsports on Facebook
Timmy Heading to Moab for Dirt Riot Mountain Round 1
Photo by Acacia Pinnell
Coming off their recent Win at the Mint 400, Mike Klensin was excited about changing the setup of the car “for rocks and heightened technical in the next race – Dirt Riot during Easter Jeep Safari in Moab.” (Easter Jeep Safari began 3/28/15; it runs through Sunday, 4/5/15. )
The ColeCar Motorsports team is headed to Area BFE outside Moab as we write; qualifying is late afternoon, the Drivers’ Meeting is at 8 tomorrow morning and the Ultra4 Pro 4×4 4400 Heat 1 Race is at noon tomorrow – 4/4/15.
Photo by Acacia Pinnell
Timmy (the team’s new Ultra4 IFS race car) did his first rock crawling at King of the Hammers 2015; but Mike explains this course is different. “This is a mostly rock course, not a high speed desert race; more rock crawling and trail.” Mat Carpentier will be Klensin’s co-driver. Mike says “We’ll see what happens. We’re just going to go out and have fun.”
Both Razors will be racing as well. Mat Carpentier will drive with Jimmy Curtis as co-driver; and Mat’s sister Taylor Brown will drive with Mike Florian as co-driver.
Photo by Acacia Pinnell
Amanda Products: Title Sponsor of ColeCar Motorsports
Amanda Products is home of SpeedHook™ – as seen on the team’s Ultra4 IFS race car and chase trucks. The ingenious off-road recovery device is priced from $79; it’s compatible with Jeeps, F150s, buggies and any vehicle with a 2” receiver hitch.
Like Amanda Products on Facebook
Follow the Team
Like Ultra4 Driver Mike Klensin on Facebook
Like ColeCar Motorsports on Facebook
See team photos on Instagram
Win at the Mint 400
Photo by Tbars4
The ColeCar Motorsports team only had two races under their belts. The first was King of the Hammers 2015 and they had just completed Dirt Riot Round 1 in Congress, Arizona. Timmy, their new Ultra4 IFS race car was performing well. We expected they’d be heading to Fredericksburg, Texas for Dirt Riot March 14; but Mike Klensin called to say there was a change of plan. He was on his way to Las Vegas for the legendary Mint 400. Mat Carpentier and Mikey Florian were already there.
The Mint 400 was Mat’s idea. He says “I’ve always wanted to race the Mint; I’ve seen pics and videos on Facebook. I talked to Mike and said ‘do you think we could race the mint?’ He said ‘I don’t see a problem with it.’ We signed up the day we talked about it. It went from there. It was a bucket list thing for all of us to do, like Baja 1000 and Vegas to Reno.”
Mike says he “really wanted to race this race, but I thought next year we’d be way more prepared.” They would encounter a number of hurdles before they hit the finish line.
The essential Mint 400 tech sticker
Pre-Race Friday
Friday was crazy with details – tech and contingency, driver registration, the customary roll down Fremont Street and the drivers meeting at 7.
Mike was a bit nervous going through tech. “If they don’t like what they see, they won’t let you race. We went through without issues, they were happy. That’s a relief as a builder, getting our tech sticker. ”
Tech and contingency took place at the same time as driver registration – creating a last minute panic for Mat. “You had to have certain paperwork filled out before you went through contingency. Mike and Mikey were registering for driver’s passes; they had the paperwork that needed to be with me for contingency. That was a nightmare; they got there just in time for us to go through.”
Mike says “Contingency was really fun. We took the car down Fremont Street and people were coming up, wanting to see the car, asking about Amanda, how long we’ve been racing, etc. People were excited about the car; they really liked the look of it.” Mikey noticed “people really liked Timmy because it was different; they haven’t seen a 4wd buggy like that before. It really turned heads.”
Rolling down Fremont Street; photo by Jerome Curtis
Mat had mixed feelings. “It was a nightmare and fun at the same time. Just because there’s so many cars going through and you had to push your vehicle. Without power steering on Timmy, it was very difficult to push through a crowd. Almost had to start the vehicle and turn the wheel a certain way to not run anyone over. Seeing all the vendors and thousands of people; it took us about 4 ½ hours to get through.”
Last Minute Fix
The team had been told they’d be in the afternoon race; that was good news and bad. Mike explains “That’s the premier class race, 3 laps instead of 2; unfortunately, we broke the lights off Timmy’s big light bar in Congress. So we needed to get that light fixed.
Will and Nate from Artec Industries drove up to Rigid Industry LED Lighting in Phoenix and waited there while they fixed it so we’d have it the next day for the race.”
Will with the light bar
That night the team slept on cots in the trailer. Mat says “It was in the 50s at night and 83 in the day; nice sleeping at night, but the minute the sun hit it was brutal.” In a perfect world, he would have been co-driver. Unfortunately, “The doctor told me I couldn’t race for a little bit, so I didn’t want to push it.”
Mikey would be co-driver; the Mint 400 would be his first time in Timmy.
Race Day Strategy
Mike knew “There was a time limit to get done with the race. It wasn’t whoever gets done first, it was whoever finishes a very long race within a certain amount of time.” His experience with KOH helped him devise a strategy.
“I know the attrition rate from King of the Hammers; I knew we’re talking a very long race, close to 400 miles. Our car had 100 miles going into it; four times the car’s life already. Our strategy was to just stay within 5 to 10 minutes of the leader the first two laps; and then about halfway through the third lap, start pushing hard to get in front, close enough to strike. That way we’re turning a 400 mile race into a 60 or 80 mile race.”
Physical endurance is an issue. He says “It’s easier to hold your concentration for 60 miles than 400.”
Photo from Ultra4 Racing
First Lap: Challenging Terrain and Near Tragedy
The course took Mike by surprise. “I thought that the terrain would NOT be as rough as it was. I knew there would be sections, but there was a whole lot of rough.” Mikey says “I’ve never experienced that rough of desert before. There’s a lot of deep sand, silt, 3 to 4′ sections of whoops … big bumps that went on for like 5 miles. Consistent whoops and big sandy washes with big rocks thrown everywhere.”
It wasn’t easy to accept getting passed. Mike says “Mikey and I were driving on the first lap and a guy would pass us and he’d be sitting on the side of the road and we’d do a fist bump and say ‘stick to the plan!‘ Then we’d see them on the side of the road again – that happened several times throughout the race.”
They were about 32 miles into the race when the race was stopped by Best In the Desert officials. Mikey says “We knew somebody was really, really hurt. A lot of times they’ll just flag you down and show you a way around.”
Photographer Ted at Shots by Tbars4 explains “Hearing this meant serious injuries. The Off Road race community is a large family and everyone pretty much knows everyone. We have all shared sleepless nights, tools, parts, stories down the road and meals. This accident took place right in front of the #4400 class Mike Klensin was part of.”
They sat and waited and wondered. This is what they didn’t know:
“Jordan Poole was riding with Ryan Hancock in the Alexander Racing Class One Car, around race mile 31 Ryan & Jordan rolled; while attempting to get out, the vehicle was struck by another race vehicle. Jordan & Ryan both were transported via flight for life to UMC Trauma shortly after. They determined Jordan suffered a Spinal Cord Injury and had scheduled surgery right away to repair the damage.”
(From Jordan Poole’s donation page)
The race restarted at 4:45 p.m.; time was short. Mike says “That’s what made it down to the hour for all of us to get to the finish line.”
Photo by Tbars4
Second Lap; Wheel Balance Issues
At the end of the first lap, Mike says “Air pressure was too low in our tire balls and they clumped up at one end of the tire; it’s like having really bad wobble on the tire, it shakes the tire real bad.” Mikey thought they had a flat. “I wasn’t exactly sure what it was at the time. We kept pushing to get to the first pit, to not get out of the car but radio to see if we had a flat and needed to stop.”
Mike explains “There’s nothing really wrong with it, it’s just out of round and you just can’t take the car over 60 mph. In the lake bed sections the car’s only doing 60 where most guys are doing 100. That kept putting us back into the mix of guys who had mechanical issues – even though we didn’t have any. We didn’t push too hard. We were comfortable with where we were time-wise.
The other two drivers, second and third place, were pushing real hard the whole race. They would get way out in front of everybody. Driving hard is hard on equipment so they were blowing tires and changing belts and having to stop and fix the car.
We kinda knew that we were in pretty good shape, but those guys don’t give up. At the end of the second lap, it just happened to be we were in the lead. We had heard on the radio that the car that was in second place was not going to go through the pit, was just going to keep going. We were ok with that and took a really long pit stop. Had a couple of guys underneath the car checking bolts, fluid to make sure everything was perfect on the car.”
At this point Mat was invited to co-drive. Mikey says “Coming into the 3rd lap I asked him if he wanted to come in.” Mat knew racing all three laps would be tough on Mikey. “I felt bad for him, but I didn’t want him to get out of the car and take more time. It would have taken at least 5 minutes. There was three people behind us, so it was a time cruncher. We needed to get it done.”
Photo by SNM-Media.com
Third Lap – Getting it Done
Like Mike strategized; “That third lap was the start of our race.”
Andrew McLaughlin and Tim Diekmann were in a fierce battle for first. Mike describes the scene; “Leaving the pits, the guy that was in second – now in first – had about 3 minutes on us. So it didn’t take long, about 20 miles to get past him again. And then we really turned it up because we heard the third place guy was right there too. Worst case scenario – if we couldn’t catch the leader, I was sure we could catch the second place guy. We stuck to that plan.
We were going 60 – the second place guy said he was doing 109. By then second and third were struggling with mechanical problems from pushing hard. We drove just hard enough to stay close to the front. That saved the car so that we could really push hard the second half. We had zero flat tires, we had zero mechanical problems; the only issue at all was we lost a CV boot/dust cover for one of the axles. It worked out really well.”
Towards the end they entered a restricted stretch where they’d have to drop to 25 mph. “We made it through all the checkpoints and right before entering the restricted race course they stopped myself and another trophy truck, they said ‘take this route to bypass the 25 mph section.’ They told us ‘you’ve got your finish right here.’ At that last checkpoint they ended our race.”
Andrew McLaughlin of LetzRoll Offroad Racing took second and Tim Diekmann of Molten Motorsports took third; Mike says “He probably had from six to eight lead changes throughout the race. They were pushing harder than we were. We weren’t running at lap speed, we were just pushing hard enough to stay with. Like Nate from Artec said, ‘all three battled hard.’”
The Physical Toll
Mike says “We lined up at about 12:30 in the afternoon for 2:00 and I didn’t get out of the driver’s seat until 1:30 in the morning, when we got off the stage.”
They had CamelBak bladders for hydration, external catheters for relief and “In the pits we would just grab a granola bar.” OK, many granola bars; it was a grueling race. “You’re using your entire body when you’re racing. You’re using your abs to keep you sitting where you want to be sitting and legs to hit the gas and the brake and both arms to steer and shift. So you’re using your entire body the whole time.”
Mikey started feeling it in the second lap. “It was a 117 mile loop and about 20 miles into the second lap I could feel it was beating the heck out of me. By midpoint in the race I was really tired. By the end of second and starting third we started picking up the pace, pushing harder – that brought me back to life.”
Mike says “In some sections of the race we were actually breathing hard because it was hard to get the car to go where you want it to go as fast as you want it to go. There are a bunch of twisty turns and ruts and broken ties. We had to dodge tires, half wheels, drive shafts, rocks – a bunch of stuff that you’re constantly moving around at speed. Your reaction time has to be real quick and hard to stay concentrated that whole time. Again, it’s why we did the strategy the way we did and started racing the third lap.”
Mikey learned “It definitely takes a toll on your body. It’s not just a Sunday drive. It’s a physical sport though the car’s doing all the work. By the time we got done with the race I had no clue what time it was.”
Photo by Matt Moga
Hearing They Won
For Mikey, “When we heard we won it was like a burst of energy. I don’t think I actually calmed down to go to bed until 5:30 a.m. – after eating dinner and telling stories.” Mike “celebrated for 20 minutes after the race and then went to bed. It was a really long day.”
Dave Morganthall covered the race for themint400.com; he happened to catch Mike after the race. He wrote:
“Some of the last cars to cross the line belonged to Class 4400, the Ultra4 Racing series cars that braved the desert race course in their solid axle, shorter wheel based, machines. After the race Michael Klensin (#4431) said ‘after the first lap we couldn’t get the car over about 60’ adding ‘the whoops from the Trophy Trucks were just beating us up.’ … I asked Michael if we’d see him next year, as he laughed through his words he said ‘ask me again in a month.'”
(From Racers Battle to the End at the Polaris RZR Mint 400 Presented by General Tire – Official Results)
Photo from Artec Industries
Thanks to the People and Companies That Made It Happen
The ColeCar Motorsports team wants to thank “all our pit support and crew; being such a long race, those guys were out there for hours. Without them and the people in the pit keeping everybody informed, we couldn’t have done it.”
Thanks to:
Will Periman and Nate from Artec Industries for getting the light bar fixed. “There was no way we could have raced without a light bar, so we owe a huge debt to Rigid Industries LED Lighting and Artec Industries.”
Mike Kellogg of Greer Brothers Racing for his guidance. Mike says “He was out there to help us as well as another trophy truck team. He walked us through how everything works and helped us set up our pit and held our hand through the race.”
Jerome Curtis for helping the team get to and from the race and managing Pit B.
And mostly “Thanks to Mat. It was 100% his idea to race. So of course we went and we’re really grateful we did.” Mat’s sorry he wasn’t able to race this one, but he’s looking forward to Moab.
Thanks to the Sponsors
Amanda Products – title sponsor – is home of SpeedHook™. The ingenious recovery device came in handy at Congress, but Mat says “We didn’t need to use SpeedHook™ during this race. It was sand desert, no major rocks and no flips unless someone accidentally clipped you. It was there if needed; there are two on Timmy. We also have it on Taylor’s truck and my truck.”
Other fine sponsors include:
Artec Industries
ADS Off-Road Racing Shocks
Calypso Automotive
Wild West Off Road
Raceline Wheels
Crossed Up Customs
What’s next?
Mike’s looking forward to the next race. “So we’re excited now, have to change setup of the car for rocks and heightened technical in the next race, Dirt Riot during Easter Jeep Safari in Moab.”
Follow the Team
Like Ultra4 Driver Mike Klensin on Facebook
Like ColeCar Motorsports on Facebook
Change of Plans; Racing the Legendary Mint 400 in Las Vegas!
They promised more races in 2015 – and they meant it! The ColeCar Motorsports team made a last-minute decision to participate in ‘the greatest off-road race in America!’
Mike Klensin called Thursday to say “We’re off on our way to the Mint 400; it’s not on the schedule. Mat
‘Timmy’ heading to tech early Friday morning; photo by Jerome Curtis
A race series with history
Mike explains “It’s a really old desert race – definitely the premier desert race in the U.S.” In the 60s it began as a promotion for the Mint Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas. Promoters sent matching dune buggies across 600 miles of desert from the Mint to the Sahara Hotel in Tahoe. It was an instant hit that remained popular for two decades. Celebrity drivers included Mel Larson and Parnelli Jones; movie stars included James Garner and Steve McQueen.
When the Mint was sold in 1988, the series became a memory. In 2008 it was resurrected by SNORE Off Road Racing with help from General Tire.
Enjoy a video history of the Mint from the Red Bull Signature Series:
http://www.redbullsignatureseries.com/event/mint-400-2015/mint-400-history-race
Mike Klensin, Mat Carpentier and ‘Timmy’ on Fremont Street
‘The Superbowl of off-road racing’
Mint 400 CEO Matt Martelli says “We’re building the Superbowl of off-road racing one year at a time.” One of this year’s improvements is a longer race course. According to race-dezert.com, “The new 126-mile Mint 400 race loop is designed to allow all twenty classes of race vehicles to race a full three laps of the ultra-technical race course – provided they can make the six hour cut-off time. The loop is longer and more technical than previous years and will allow limited classes to get more seat time as they attempt to finish the notoriously brutal race.”
Mat and Mikey will be co-drivers. Mikey Florian is “excited to experience the mint 400 – racing it and seeing the history behind it. It’s a bucket list race – like Baja 500 and the Baja 1000. I haven’t co-driven Timmy; the Mint will be the first time in the new car.” Mike says “Mat might drive the second half of the race.”
The 2015 Polaris RZR Mint 400 is presented by General Tire
The 2015 race happens Saturday, March 14th; the Red Bull Signature Series broadcast will air on NBC Sunday, June 28. Tens of thousands of spectators showed up last year. According to the Mint official trailer, “The Red Bull Signature Series brought us into 140 million homes nationwide, prime time.”
Watch the 2014 Mint 400 online; the complete NBC Broadcast is free.
http://themint400.com/2014/07/watch-the-2014-mint-400-nbc-broadcast-here/
Learn more about the race online at themint400.com
About Amanda Products
Amanda Products is TITLE sponsor of ColeCar Motorsports LLC, including ‘Timmy,’ the new Ultra4 race car and two UTVs.
Amanda Products is home of SpeedHook™ – as seen on the team’s Ultra4 IFS race car and chase trucks. The ingenious off-road recovery device is priced from $79; it’s compatible with Jeeps, F150s, buggies and any vehicle with a 2” receiver hitch.
Like Amanda Products on Facebook
Follow the Team
Like Ultra4 Driver Mike Klensin on Facebook
Like ColeCar Motorsports on Facebook
See team photos on Instagram
Race Recap: Dirt Riot Southwest, Round 1, Congress, AZ
Sunday, March 8, 2015; Congress was the race that opened the Dirt Riot season. Mike Klensin was pleased because “We had a whole crew there; it was really neat.”
The group included Mike Klensin, his daughter Alyssa and their boxer Bailey. Mikey Florian was there with his parents; Mat Carpentier was accompanied by his dad and his sister Taylor Brown. John Brock entered his car and co-drove with Beau Matthews as driver.
Family and friends were part of the action at the diverse venue. Mike explains, “The Dirt Riot series has all different classes, the razor class, the stock class, the trail class and the 4400 class.”
Mike Klensin, Driver; Mat Carpentier, Co-Driver
“We drove the 4400 class. We did good in qualifying, were the fastest qualifier; we got to start up front, but then we had a front end issue – a CV axle break; I didn’t know it at the time and that contributed to me rolling over on the fourth lap.”
It was Mat Carpentier’s first experience as co-driver. “The part where we rolled was pretty fun, I could count the seconds ‘til we hit the ground. I had to get out of the car to help Mike get off a rock and almost got hit by the car behind us.
John Brock helped us out. We used the Amanda Products SpeedHook™ to get us back over. Those things make it quick and easy to hook the line up and get the car back over in no time.”
SpeedHook™ captured the attention of Josh England, Dirt Riot’s rescue specialist – so Klensin gave him one. Mike says “So now SpeedHook will be at all Dirt Riot races across the country.”
Mat enjoyed the whole experience. “It was fun, a whole ‘nother ball game because of the car and my first time co-driving in the race.” Mike sums it all up; “We had a rough start but expect to do very well throughout the Dirt Riot season. We’re really excited about how the car’s working, we just have a few little bugs to work out.”
Taylor Brown, Driver; Mikey Florian, Co-Driver
Mat’s sister Taylor wasn’t there to watch; she was there to race the Razor.
The team approved. Mikey says “Taylor did really good. I’m looking forward to future Dirt Riot races with her.” Mike says “She did really good in qualifying. We just had a little unfortunate luck with the hub … it broke.”
Mike is certain “We’ll be able to fix it, no big deal. But we couldn’t fix it and finish the race, it was only an hour long race.”
We thank Alyssa Klensin for taking all the photos and Acacia Pinnell for sharing them.
About Amanda Products
Amanda Products is TITLE sponsor of ColeCar Motorsports LLC, including ‘Timmy,’ the new Ultra4 race car and two UTVs.
Amanda Products is home of SpeedHook™ – as seen on the team’s Ultra4 IFS race car and chase trucks. The ingenious off-road recovery device is priced from $79; it’s compatible with Jeeps, F150s, buggies and any vehicle with a 2” receiver hitch.
Like Amanda Products on Facebook
Follow the Team
Like Ultra4 Driver Mike Klensin on Facebook
Like ColeCar Motorsports on Facebook
See team photos on Instagram
Preparing for Dirt Riot Southwest, Round 1, in Congress, AZ
Pre-race interview with Mike Klensin
This weekend Mike Klensin and the ColeCar Motorsports team will be heading out to Congress, Arizona for Dirt Riot Southwest Round 1. It’s a four hour drive from Tucson to Thompson’s Ranch. Most of the team will arrive Friday; qualifying begins Sunday, March 8 at 9 a.m.
‘Timmy’ at King of the Hammers 2015; photo by Patty Pinnel
Pre-Race Prep
“After every race we have to tear the car down and look for broken or worn parts – and more so after KOH, due to how long the race was. We also knew that we had an overheating issue and fuel pressure issue that we needed to fix. We’re doing shock tuning on Wednesday and we think we got the overheating issue figured out.”
“We’re race prepping the car right now, have our RCV CV joints rebuilt and we’re putting those back in the car. Checking bolts and fluid levels and replacing worn parts from KOH so that we’re ready for the Congress race.
Compared to Dirt Riot, KOH is totally separate animal, a lot longer. For these shorter races the car doesn’t have to carry as much junk and gets prepped differently. We’re making some other adjustments, tire pressure and adjusting the suspension. Pretty standard pre-race stuff.”
(Read our blog from KOH2015; it was Klensin’s first race in the new Ultra4 IFS car.)
The Spectator Experience
Mike expects it Congress will be a lot of fun. “It’s a lapped race, you do as many laps as you can in a certain amount of time. It is fun for spectators and there’s a few areas to watch. There are bathrooms and probably a food vendor. And then there’s dry camping if somebody wanted to go camp there. The weather should be good. We’re getting rain today and tomorrow I think, but the weekend is supposed to be sunny and probably 75.”
If this is your first time at a Dirt Riot race, W.E.Rock tells you what to expect.
Find maps, ticket prices and other details at W.E.Rock Live.
About Amanda Products’ Role
This year Amanda Products is TITLE sponsor of ColeCar Motorsports LLC, including the new Ultra4 race car and two UTVs.
Amanda Products is home of SpeedHook™ – as seen on Timmy in the photo below. The ingenious off-road recovery device is priced from $79; it’s compatible with Jeeps, F150s, buggies and any vehicle with a 2” receiver hitch.
Like Amanda Products on Facebook
Follow the Team
Like Ultra4 Driver Mike Klensin on Facebook
Like ColeCar Motorsports on Facebook
See team photos on Instagram
KOH 2015: Klensin’s first race in the new Ultra4 car
What’s it like taking an all-new, untested Ultra4 IFS vehicle to ‘the ultimate desert race?’ Mike Klensin needed a minute to think about it. “Challenging, demanding, stressful and fulfilling at the same time.”
Mike and Mat Carpentier endured many sleepless nights getting ‘Timmy’ ready in time. “Mat and I finished the car Saturday night about 1 a.m., got a one hour power nap and headed off to Johnson Valley so we could make tech inspection on Sunday.
The trip up went good – it’s an 8 hour drive. We got there about an hour before tech inspection and we hadn’t driven the car at all. Went through tech, there were no issues, it was pretty simple. The car looked good and everybody was happy with it.
Monday we went out to do some tuning. That afternoon we had a little problem with one of our front CV joints. Tuesday we were able to get RCV Performance to come over and help us get the CVs figured out; unfortunately, we missed our qualifying run on Tuesday because of that.
So we had to do qualifying on Wednesday. It went OK except that there were more new car issues; floored it and it was choking, starving for gas. We didn’t have enough fuel pressure. So that cost us a slower time, we could have been considerably faster. But overall we were somewhat satisfied with how the car was working. It went pretty good for having zero miles in the dirt.
On Thursday Mat and Mikey took the car through a contingency. Meanwhile Justin Reece and I raced the Every Man Challenge. Justin Reece was the driver, I was co-driver of 4619 of Rusty Nail Racing. I built the truck last year, just before KOH 2014. We did pretty good except we got stuck in traffic and ended up timing out. In fact, there was only one car in our class that finished that race.
Thursday night I worked on the car some more, got the fuel pressure fixed and sent my parents to find a fuel pressure gauge. They had to drive all the way to Kartech, which is about 4 hours into California – but they were able to get one. I was able to get the fuel fixed for Friday morning.
We were fairly happy with the starting position. We were in the 15th or 16th row, so that was pretty good considering there were 70 rows.
The start went real good.
We passed several cars in the desert, but into lap 1 we had a flat and came into the main pit to change a rear tire. Then we headed off to our second lap and that’s where I made the crucial mistake. I decided to go up Back Door; that was an optional line, you have to do at least one time during the race. I made the mistake of going then.
By the time we went back to the main race course, we were mid pack instead of up front. What that did was cause us to get stuck in that traffic jam in Jackhammer.
Trapped at Jackhammer
If I had stayed in the lead group, I would have been ahead of that congestion and been able to finish the race.”
For those of us who watched online, Jackhammer looked like a parking lot. Mike says “You winch from the car ahead of you, the car behind you uses you to winch … it’s very time consuming. I think it took us two hours to get through there and the car was overheated.
By the time we were done, it was late in the afternoon.
We were trying to make up time on other rock trails and it ended up that I could never get the car to cool back down. So finally it overheated to where I had to stop and let it completely cool down. Had to send Justin to get water from our pit, so he did a 2 ½ mile jog to get water for the car.
By the time he got back and got the water in the car, it was way too late in the afternoon to finish before 10 at night. So we ended up calling it. I didn’t want to risk overheating the car again to finish at midnight with an unofficial timing.
The car is going to be great.
As soon as we get some shock tuning and the overheating figured out, we’ll be good to go for the season. Congress is next, at the beginning of next month.”
Mike thanks everyone on the support list, including Media Team Patty Pinnell and Acacia Pinnell, Pit help Jerome Curtis, Sam Verbridge, Mike Kellogg, Tristnie Evans, Shelbie Kellogg, Kourtnie Kellogg, Ryan and Michele Stewart, Taylor Brown, Matt Carpiter, Mikey Florian, Fran Klensin, Alyssa Klensin, Diana Klensin, John Brock, Georg and Garret Esterer, Dominic Desent, Nick Toste, Cameron Reece, Kelly Reece, The SORD race team, Robert Hutcheson, phone tech line help, Jimbo Murphy, The Roberator, Tim and Dallas Lund.
Photos courtesy of Intrepid Off Road, Ultra4 Racing, Acacia Pinnell and Patty Pinnell
Follow the Team!
As of January 1, 2015, Amanda Products became title sponsor of ColeCar Motorsports LLC, the new IFS Ultra4 race car, two UTVs and a full race schedule.
Support the team by following DriverMikeKlensin and ColeCar Motorsports on Facebook
On Instagram at colecarmotorsports
A New Team and a NEW ULTRA 4 RACE CAR for King of the Hammers!
Last year you knew us as ‘a’ sponsor of Mike Klensin and Team Crossed Up Off-Road. This year Amanda Products is TITLE sponsor of ColeCar Motorsports LLC – including a new IFS Ultra4 race car and two UTVs.
The new IFS Ultra4 race car at Crossed Up Customs in Tucson. (Mike’s dog Bailey in foreground.)
The team’s 2015 race schedule includes the Ultra 4 West Coast Series and other opportunities, including Lucas Oil regional short course off road racing and other local and regional desert races. All three vehicles will race the Dirt Riot series. Select events will feature Amanda Products’ SEMA 2014 Jeep Wrangler with its innovative new bumper and door prototypes. The race and prototype vehicles will be transported via 38′ trailer. Custom wraps for the race vehicles and trailer are in the design phase.
About the new team
Last year Mat Carpentier of ColeCar Motorsports offered to help Mike build a new state of the art Ultra4 race car; today Mike and Mat are partners in a new car. Mike explains, “We’ve been kicking around ideas and brainstorming since August, came up with the idea of what we want to do and created an outline. We actually started putting tubes together and building the chassis this past December.”
Naming the car
Mike says “We were just thinking of different names, wanted a fun name, not too serious and kept thinking about Timmy from South Park. Yeah, we’ll call it that. A lot of people name their cars aggressive and medieval things, we wanted something fun. We all agreed on Timmy pretty quick.”
Will Timmy be ready in time for KOH?
“We’re wiring the car and doing final assembly as we speak. Hopefully we will have a week to tune the car. In about 14 days we leave for the lake bed. Most of the work is being done by Mike, Mat and Mikey – Mike Florian. Our motor builder is Jim Murphy. He owns Calypso Automotive in Tucson. He’s also helping with a lot of mechanical aspects of the build, making sure the belts and alternator fit, stuff like that.
Jim and I will get the wiring done. That’s a big job. The Roberator is our wiring expert; he’s a big help, helping us get the right switches and relays – but he’s not able to participate as much as he’d like, he has a lot of stuff going on. Everyone is taking time off their day jobs – and businesses – to get the job done. The only downside is we won’t be able to get a tuning session in before the race.”
Mat likes that “We have three of the cars; that’s going to be a plus for the whole team because each person has a vehicle to drive.” The race car and chase trucks will be equipped with SpeedHook™ “to make it easier to help fellow competitors in need of assistance.”
Mat says “Being involved with the build is great, words can’t describe how happy I am to be a part of the team with Mike and Mikey. Right now we’re putting all the components on the car. Getting it prepped.”
Were there any surprises in this build?
Mat responded; “Going from solid axle car to IFS car has been a big surprise to all of us. When you have a solid axle car you don’t have that much travel – with IFS you have 24” of travel in the rear and 17” up front. It’s a totally different ballgame. We’ll have more clearance and the ride will be a lot smoother.”
Mat already knows how tough the ride can be. He was Mike’s co-driver at the Ultra4 American Rocksports Challenge in Tooele, Utah. He says “The ride last year was fun. My neck hurt after the race because I didn’t have the right neck restraint; but it was very entertaining.”
John Brock spotted from the pit on that race. Mike says “John offered to come over and wrench on the car. He’s been ordering parts for us too. He’s going to be camped with us at KOH.”
What to expect for 2015
Klensin says “It’s really exciting for me, the next coupla years are going to be huge. It’s a new car, a new team, we’re expecting to do really well. We’re grateful to have Amanda Products as title sponsor and couldn’t ask for a better group of people to work with. Not only are their products top of the line, but the quality of the people they have in their organization is top notch.”
Follow ColeCar Motorsports on Facebook
On Instagram at colecarmotorsports
Our First Featured SpeedHook(TM) Testimonial
This unsolicited testimonial came to us from central Florida last month. “Just wanted to say your Speedhook is exactly what I have been looking for. Design concept and execution is perfect! The quality is absolutely amazing. Thanks again for an excellent product.” Jimbo T.
We contacted him for pictures and he readily complied.
He told us “My Jeep’s name is Copper; I’m building it up for rock crawling at Moab. Hopefully we – me, my wife & son – can go out to Moab next Easter.
When I saw your ad in Crawl magazine, I was immediately struck by the design of the SpeedHook. After reading about Amanda Products history and experience in the automotive parts industry, I decided to pull the trigger and buy one.”
“Installing the SpeedHook into the trailer hitch receiver is as easy as pie! Very clean, easy to attach my Red Eye Bubba rope; I haven’t had a chance to use it yet.”
(Yeah, there’s a good chance he’ll be needing SpeedHook(TM) at Moab.)
“When I received the SpeedHook I was really taken by the quality of construction. Amanda Products, had a great concept, design, and executed the product with quality in mind. Amanda Products has a real winner with the SpeedHook design!”
This is our favorite shot; nice work Jimbo. Find YOUR SpeedHook(TM) at Amandaproducts.com
A PROUD MEMBER OF THE ORLANDO JEEP CLUB
Jimbo takes great pride in his club. He said “They are a very active and an amazing group of people who are always watching out for each other on & off the trails. They have Wednesday rides & 1-2 weekend trail rides during the month. They love to get together and talk about anything Jeep! They meet weekly at a local Sonics on Thursday nights rain or shine.”
Sounds great – check them out on Facebook at Orlando Jeep Club !
SUBMIT YOUR SPEEDHOOK(TM) STORY
If you already OWN SpeedHook(TM), we want to know about it. What did you buy, why did you buy it, how do you like it and where do you go?
If we like your story, we’ll ask for photos and you’ll see ’em here.
Write us at info@amandaproducts.com
Meet the Crossed Up Customs Media Crew
It’s a family thing. The Pinnells have been following their favorite drivers – Mike Klensin and John Brock – for almost eight years. The relationship began when Rob Pinnell started wiring Mike’s race car.
Rob’s daughter Acacia has been taking photos of off-road racing and posting to social media for two years. What makes that impressive? The fact that she’s only 16 years old.
Klensin says “She’s been hanging out at the races since she was little.”
She got hooked on photography when Mike first started racing. “He was jumping a big gap. I got a photo in mid-air. It was the coolest thing ever.”
Her mother Patty is “a major inspiration.”
Photo by Patty Pinnell – Ultra4 American Rock Sports Challenge at Miller Motorsports Park
Acacia says “She has always taken pictures for Mike; she got a nice camera and started taking really awesome photos. I wanted to do the same. I love the racing atmosphere and wanted to capture the moments and share them to the world.”
Patty shoots a Canon EOS 700D/Rebel T5i.
She sends her photos directly to Mike or Acacia; “She’s been my right arm.”
Patty is serious about her craft. She works full time while pursuing an Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design and Photography.
Photo by Patty Pinnell – Ultra4 American Rock Sports Challenge at Miller Motorsports Park
As busy as they are, the Pinnells manage to attend all the races – Ultra 4, Dirt Riot and King of the Hammers. The furthest (last month) was Cortez, Colorado.
Patty says “When it’s fun like that, we make it happen; we squeeze it in.”
Acacia takes photos with her iPhone.
One of her friends described her selfie as “beyond gorgeous.” So you might expect her goals would include modeling or photography; you’d be wrong.
“I want to race. I’d leave the photography up to my mom. She supports me. She thinks it would be really cool if I became a female rock crawler.” She says there are “a couple” female rock crawlers, but not many.
Photo by Acacia Pinnell – Ultra4 American Rock Sports Challenge at Miller Motorsports Park
What do you admire most about Mike?
“I admire that even when times are tough, he pushes through and finishes with a smile.”
What keeps a fan enthusiastic during the tough times?
“As a team we rely on each other; I take photos, they keep the car alive and keep it together. Then we give each other high fives.”
What do you love about racing?
“When people start rolling, breaking and crashing, that’s when it gets exciting.”
The dogs make it fun too. “John never goes anywhere without Pudo and Mike has Bailey.”
Pudo watches as John sits & fixes; from the (AWESOME) Discount Tire American Rocksports Challenge Highlight Video
What’s your favorite recent photo?
“Tooele, in the evening – 5 minutes before we left the park. Dirt was still stuck on the gate.”
Photo by Acacia Pinnell – Ultra4 American Rock Sports Challenge at Miller Motorsports Park
Where do you go for racing information?
“I like to look at the Ultra4 page or KOH sites because they keep updated; and other racers to see what they’re up to – or crashes. I like Crawl magazine and Dirt Sports.”
Are your friends obsessed with racing?
“They think it’s cool, but they don’t know anything about it. They’re more girly girls.” Except for her best friend Melissa Verdugo “who drives a jeep and isn’t afraid to get dirty like me.”
What do you drive?
“I have a Jeep Grand Cherokee. I am obsessed with Jeep. I sometimes off-road, mostly drive to school and home. I really would want a blacked out four door lifted but I am actually in love with my 5.9 V8 Grand Cherokee. It’s a ’98 with about 140,000 miles. It’s running perfect.”
Acacia does some of her own maintenance. “I check my own tire pressure, fill up the tires, put my own fluids in. If something’s not working, my dad finds the parts and I help him.”
What do you WANT to drive?
“Something like Mike has. Mike is my idol. I don’t have the money right now, so I just take the pictures and fantasize.”
Most fans can relate.
Photo by Acacia Pinnell – Ultra4 American Rock Sports Challenge at Miller Motorsports Park
Big thanks from an appreciative audience
Acacia and her mother enjoy being able to “capture the moments and share them to the world.” We’re glad they do.
Follow their work:
On Instagram @Crossedupcustoms
On Facebook at Team Crossed Up Off Road
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Crossed-Up-Off-Road/255556821123771
Ultra4 American Rock Sports Challenge, August 2014
The Ultra4 American Rock Sports Challenge took place at Miller Motorsports Park in Tooele, Utah Friday, August 22 and Saturday, August 23, 2014.
Post-race interview with Mike Klensin
“The last time I raced there we had 4th in the main; we were right on track to do the same this time around.”
Miller Motorsports Park’s website says it’s as if the seven acre rock crawling course adjacent to the off-road short course “was custom-designed for Ultra4 racing.”
The Ultra4 American Rock Sports Challenge requires that drivers do “six laps of the Off Road Short Course as well as two circuits of the Rock-Crawling Course. After the first lap is completed on the Off Road Short Course, the drivers can choose when to switch over to the Rock-Crawling Course. To combine the high-speed, big-air action of the Off-Road Short Course with the low-speed, high-torque, very technical driving required on the big rocks places a premium on both driving talent and mechanical engineering.”
Photo by Acacia Pinnell
Mike says “I usually race faster than I qualify; that was the case here – mid pack in the qualifying lap.”
Mat Carpentier was co-driver; he’s a UTV racer exploring new styles of racing – like Ultra 4. Mat posted to Facebook “Glad I get the privilege to co-drive this race.”
Mike says “It rained real hard Friday night; a torrential downpour made it super muddy.”
In order to see the course, Mat had to spend part of the race with his visor up.
Photo by Patty Pinnell
You’ve got to see this.
The Discount Tire American Rocksports Challenge Highlight Video shows the effect the thick, slick mud had on the rocks. Heavy and slippery equals the potential for dramatic rollovers. (Catch John Brock under the car at about :24 and Brock and Mike Florian at about 1:01.)
The video will help you appreciate what happened next. Mike says …
“Things were going great.”
“We were the first solid axle car in our heat race; the first, second and third were IFS cars. On this course they typically do better than the solid axle cars.
Second heat race started around 8th off the line and finished fourth, which is really good. We were happy.
Photo by Patty Pinnell
Going into the main we had expectations of finishing top 5.
That was very realistic, we wouldn’t have any problem with that.
The main race started and we had to go one full lap around the short course; on the second loop we headed into the rock section. They do that to spread out the cars, so the faster guys are out front. It works good because we were able to move up a few positions before entering into the rock section.
Photo by Patty Pinnell
We followed a couple fast lines through the rock section; but the car in front of us got hung up in the second obstacle. Which isn’t a big deal, you just have to back up and move over a foot and then go again.
We tried to go around and got stuck ourselves – which would have been no big deal except the transmission and reverse stopped working again.
If we had reverse we would have just backed up and went ourselves. We would have been more cautious if we’d known reverse didn’t work. We had to wait for the entire team of 25 cars to go through before we could get a tow from the course workers and back off the obstacle.
Photo by Patty Pinnell
So once we got towed back we were good to go and just drove our race and were able to make back 9 positions to finish 16th.
It was about a 30 minute race. We could have gotten the top five; but that’s racing.”
What’s the next race?
“The official season is over, but the nationals race is coming up. I have to talk to John.”
Stay tuned.
Support Mike Klensin on Facebook at Team Crossed Up Off Road
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Crossed-Up-Off-Road/255556821123771
On Instagram @Crossedupcustoms
Mark A. Smith: Celebration of Life
The Father of Modern Four-Wheeling passed June 9, 2014 at the age of 87. The public is welcome to a Celebration of Life service Sunday, August 31 at 10:00 a.m. at Henningson Lotus Park, 950 Lotus Road, Lotus, CA 95651.
If you can’t make it to Lotus, we invite you to celebrate his life here by learning more about his adventures and accomplishments. (You’ll find a short list of our favorite articles and remembrances at the end of this blog.)
A Dog Named Jeep
Smith was born in Globe, Arizona and grew up in Kimberly, Nevada – an old mining town. As a boy he enjoyed waking early to explore the outdoors with his dog named “Jeep” – named after Eugene the Jeep, a popular character on Popeye the Sailor cartoons. (This one’s from 1938 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aWLJd99TIg )
Mark’s father was a mining engineer and his mother – a buyer for Macy’s – was a history buff; Mark shared that passion from childhood. He studied ancient history in school and – as an adult – wanted to know the history of the places he visited.
In the U.S. Marines
In 1944 he joined the United States Marines and was accepted for Sea School training. Fate was kind; he was part of an invasion force headed for the Panama Canal and South Pacific when the Japanese surrendered. His platoon was reassigned to a Goodwill Tour that took them to Europe, Africa and every major port in South America.
The Goodwill Tour fueled his passion for travel and the Marines gave him the skills he’d need to organize and lead future expeditions. The Father of Jeeping drove his first Jeep in the Marine Corps.
After WWII
After the war he moved to Georgetown, California, bought a surplus military Jeep for $500 and made several trips to the Baja peninsula in the time before pavement.
In 1950 he married Irene; over the course of their 63-year marriage he was a miner, airport manager, owner of a lumber company, El Dorado County Deputy Sheriff, real estate developer and broker. Chris Collard – Editor-in-Chief of Overland Journal – interviewed his friend in 2012. He wrote that Smith has “juggled a dozen careers: some sequentially, some simultaneously.”
Breathing new life into an old town
Georgetown was originally an encampment during the California Gold Rush. Gold was discovered at the base of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in 1848 and in nearby Georgetown in 1849. The rush peaked in 1852, followed by a gradual decline.
By 1953 the area was depressed. A small group of Rotarians met at the Smiths’ house to discuss the possibility of organizing a trip across the Sierras via the Old Rubicon Trail. They did a few preliminary scouting trips and the first event (from Georgetown to a camp at the Rubicon Springs) took place that August. It was a big success and the town’s economy improved.
Mark told Collard “The second year of the Jamboree, people from Willys Motors Company, including a few top executives, started coming with us. We were actually showing them what their vehicles were capable of.”
In the sixties he started dreaming of the ultimate challenge.
(Photos are from the video Expediciones De Las Americas.)
Conquering the Darién Gap
The Darién is a dangerous stretch of marsh and jungle that prevents the Pan-American Highway from connecting South America with North America. For centuries military organizations and adventurers have tried and failed; some perished. Mark told Collard “A major British Army unit was the first to cross the Darién. There were 250 men involved, including British Army engineers, Colombian Navy, and Panamanian Guardia. It took them 100 days to take two vehicles through. They lost eight Columbian Marines in a river crossing.”
Mark conducted exploratory trips in ’76 and ’77 and pulled it all together in ’78, leading a 21,000 mile off-road expedition from South America to Prudhoe Bay, Alaska.
AMC Jeep provided five stock CJ7s and fourteen men were chosen for the journey; they ranged in age from 19 to 60+. Mark felt they had the “men, equipment, knowledge and background to do something like this.” Some were in it for adventure, some to see the land and others for the love of Jeeping. They left homes and families and paid their own way; there were no sponsors to provide special equipment or help with expenses.
In late November the group set out from the southernmost tip of South America; the weather was cold and foggy. It would grow warmer as they headed north. Early on they drove between 400 and 600 miles every day and slept at the side of the road every night. On the thirteenth day they crossed over into the snow capped Andes.
On the twenty-first day they drove through scorched and barren desert – then back into the Andes where they separated to see the sights. Some went to Lake Titicaca, others to Machu Picchu, the lost city of the Incas. By the time they reunited in Bogota, Columbia, they had covered 10,000 miles of mountains and desert.
On January 15, 1979 they reached the Darién Gap.
A barge dropped them off in a hot, hostile swamp full of danger and mosquitoes. Anti-venom was at the ready.
They plunged forward with “not even a game trail to follow.” Cutters went ahead to hack vines and small trees with machetes. The Jeeps followed, their wide tires crawling forward through “logs, rocks and oozing decaying swamp.”
One day they only advanced 500′ – but a routine emerged, a pace that was slow and constant. The men manufactured their own water with filtration equipment. They ate what they brought – freeze dried meats, vegetables and fruit.
The Darién Gap was proving grounds for everything they used. Specially built ladders helped them deal with landscape that was all up or down; they became expert bridge builders.
After 20 days they had it down. After 31 days they crossed the last river. Mark said “We had an unbeatable team. Yankee ingenuity and men to match the Darién.”
They pressed on to Panama City, up central America through Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras and Guatemala; then into Mexico, the Yucatan and – after 84 days – back into the states, from California through British Columbia and into the Yukon where they encountered snow storms, fierce winds, heavy drifting snow and a wind chill factor of 50 below.
During the whole of their journey – from the bottom of the world to the top – they endured temperature spreads from 105 degrees to 50 below.
The video’s narrator sums it up as “122 days, 21,000 miles, 5 flat tires, a busted axle and enough memories to last a lifetime.”
Mark celebrated the victory by getting “Jeep” tattooed on his bottom.
Experience the full length version of amazing journey – Expediciones De Las Americas – on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O84MWXBEc3Y
The 80s
In 1980 Mark was inducted into the Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame. In 1983 he founded Jeep Jamboree USA and took the concept nationwide. He led international Jamborees in Europe, Canada, Mexico and Australia. (He loved Australia and visited about 25 times.)
In 1986 he was recognized as “Four Wheeler of the Decade” by the United Four Wheel Drive Association.
To Madagascar for Camel Trophy ’87
In 1987 Reynolds Tobacco retained Mark to lead their thousand mile off-road adventure through snake infested jungle on the coast of Madagascar. Preparation included three trips to England, a two-month scouting trip, training and selection of teams. 28 men from 14 nations and four continents would set forth on the first north to south crossing of Madagascar’s jungle terrain.
Mark told Collard “The actual event was a series of forced deliberate hardships.” He said “At one point, the vehicle I was in crossed a swampy area. Water was up over the headlights and up to my waist. The vehicle was still running because of the snorkel and being a diesel. I kept looking down to see if there was anything swimming with me in the vehicle.”
This journey of 1,500 miles (1,000 off-road) took the men 18 days. You can enjoy the expedition in just an hour on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecxN5hOE1X4
In 1989 he was inducted as a member of the Explorer’s Club of New York.
Smith’s enduring relationship with Jeep
Mark spent more than 60 years helping Jeep develop the off-road capabilities of their vehicles. He told Collard “I worked with Jeep on the introduction of the CJ-7, Cherokee, Wrangler, and Comanche, and built more than 100 driving courses around the country, including a mini Rubicon at their proving grounds in Chelsea, Michigan. I continued to work as a consultant for many years.“
He worked with Jeep engineering to test and evaluate suspensions, transmissions, engines – “a little bit of everything – and comfort.” He said “The Rubicon model itself was worked on probably for from 8 to 10 years before Engineering was satisfied.”
Mark believed “Jeep has no competitors. All the Jeep vehicles, you can drive them off the floor and take them almost anywhere, depending on the difficulty of the trail.”
According to Mark, the Rubicon “was always considered the ultimate and final test of their vehicles.”
In this video Mark talks about the Rubicon Trail, Jeep engineering and off-road testing.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9NprkxboCAY
In 1992 he gave up positions as “Jeepmaster” and board member for Jeepers Jamboree to become a consultant/ambassador for Chrysler Corporation’s Jeep Division. That same year he told the Sacramento Bee “People ask when I plan to retire from four-wheeling and my reply is ‘Probably when I die.’”
In December of 2013 he went to Death Valley with actor Perry King. It would be his last off-road trip.
Loss of a legend
Mark passed June 9, 2014. He told Collard “When I’m gone, if there is another world out there, I’ll probably be exploring it with my dog in my Jeep.”
Mark is survived by his wife Irene, children Robert, Patti, Greg and Jill, three grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
His tradition continues
Today Jeep Jamboree USA is the world’s largest Jeep adventure company; and Mark’s daughter Jill is President and CEO. Watch them share their love of the Rubicon in this heartwarming video. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrH6An1BTHQ
Pearse Umlauf, Vice President of Jeep Jamboree USA told the Sacramento Bee “Mark created the sport of Jeeping. Before him, people just had their four-wheel vehicles and would go out by themselves. He created a community.”
Recommended Reading
THE PASSING OF A LEGEND: MARK A SMITH
By Smith’s friend and colleague, Chris Collard, Editor-in-Chief of Overland Journal
This is a must-read! Collard shares an exceptional interview (and photos) from the Winter 2012 issue of Overland Journal.
http://expeditionportal.com/the-passing-of-a-legend-mark-a-smith/
SMITH WAS LARGER THAN LIFE
By Roberta Long: the Mountain Democrat says good-bye to one of their own.
http://www.mtdemocrat.com/news/larger-than-life/
Long’s work features wonderful photos of Smith’s activities from 1953 to 2013.
http://www.mtdemocrat.com/media-posts/mark-a-smith-larger-than-life/attachment/mark-pix-copy_page_06w/
REMEMBERING MARK A. SMITH
By Jeep in News
Featuring favorite memories of Pearse Umlauf, VP of Jeep Jamboree USA
http://blog.jeep.com/news/remembering-mark-smith/
MARK SMITH 1926-2014
By Mark Vaughn of AutoWeek
A fun look at the life of a man who “always saw the humor in things.”
http://autoweek.com/article/car-news/mark-smith-1926-2014
Join us at the Tenth Annual Cantina for the Con – August 30 and 31, 2014
Make Labor Day extra special – escape to Cantina for the Con at the Loon Lake Spillway!
(Photos of 2013 Cantina for the Con by Bower Motorsports Media)
Plan a weekend getaway by car, make it a trail destination by 4 x 4 or camp out in your RV.
Find directions at http://www.rubicontrail.org/rtf-cantina.htm
Any way you get there, this family friendly event is your chance to meet great people (including the Amanda Products crew), eat the best tacos on the Rubicon and tour the Vendor Manufacturer Show.
This event is FREE
Don’t miss the drive-in movie Saturday night.
Participate in contests! Bring your RC car and compete in the Recon G6 event. See how fast you can saw in the log-cutting competition.
Receive a Cantina Coupon Book worth thousands in discounts; they’ll be available near the raffle tickets.
BUY RAFFLE TICKETS for your chance to win thousands in prizes.
Wait and buy them in person, or call 888-6-RUBICON to purchase now; $1 buys 1 ticket, $10 buys 15, $20 buys 32, $60 buys 100 and $100 buys 200. You need not be present to win.
The list of raffle items for 2014 continues to grow; check it out at www.CantinaForTheCon.com
Bring the kids; there are plenty of activities for them too!
Stop by to say “hi” and hydrate.
We’ll be passing out free water at the Amanda Products Spectator Recovery Station.
(Introducing SpeedHook™ at Jeep Beach 2014)
This is your chance to check out our new SpeedHook™. See why attendees at Jeep Beach said it was “freaking ingenious.” Jeep Beach was a good time; check it out on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3xPgNjuylk
Amanda Products is proud to participate in worthy events. The proceeds from Jeep Beach went to local charities while Cantina for the Con helps support this epic trail. (We worked to capture the Rubicon’s essence in our own experiential marketing piece.)
(Photo by Amanda Products)
How Cantina for the Con proceeds are used
Donations from this event help support the Rubicon Trail. The foundation’s mission is “To enhance the future health and use of the Rubicon Trail, while ensuring responsible motorized year-round trail access.” It’s a big job.
Over the past nine years they’ve raised nearly $200,000.
The money is used to:
- Educate trail users via mid-trail staff
- Enhance the health of the trail
- Buy supplies needed to maintain the trail
- Support Rubicon work projects
- Access private property for public enjoyment
- Ensure responsible motorized year-round access
- Monitor important legal issues
- Deter those who would close or restrict use of the Rubicon Trail System
They ask all of us to help them make this year the biggest yet!
Donations are tax deductible.
The Rubicon Trail Foundation is a 501(c)3 – a federally recognized non-profit organization.
For more information on getting involved with or supporting the Rubicon Trail Foundation, please call them at 1-888-6RUBICON or visit their website at www.RubiconTrail.org
For the latest news, like the Rubicon Trail Foundation on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/RubiconTrailFoundation
See you on the Rubicon Trail Labor Day Weekend!
From Dirt Riot SW #3 to Ultra4 American Rock Sports Challenge
Racing has been back to back this month, from John Brock driving Dirt Riot Southwest #3 on August 16 to Mike Klensin driving the Ultra4 American Rock Sports Challenge on August 23.
Dirt Riot Southwest #3 – Cortez, CO – August 14
Photo by Brian O’Day, HigherGround4x4.com
The W.E. Rock site announced “37 Teams Pre-Registered for Dirt Riot Double Header at Cortez Putting a Very Competitive Group of Racers on the Track.” They wrote “This weekends Olympus Offroad Dirt Riot 4×4 Endurance race will conclude both the Mountain and Southwest Series and leaves only one race to determine the 2014 National Points for all 7 classes of racers. The gloves will be off.”
Photo by Brian O’Day, HigherGround4x4.com
John Brock finished 9th of 16. “It went ok. It was extremely dusty.”
Photo by Brian O’Day, HigherGround4x4.com
John continued, “Cortez is the last of the western series; we still have a nationals event in Bridgeport, Texas. It’s the big race of the year – and the last. Dirt riot racers from all over the country will be there.”
Dirt Riot National Rampage will take place September 27 in Bridgeport, Texas. Find details at http://www.werocklive.com/events/dirt-riot-national-rampage-2/
A slight delay between races
Mike said John would be heading straight to Tooele after the race, so I was surprised when he called in from Cortez. “The car ran good, but the transmission is still giving us problems. We’ve been going through a transmission every race, so we brought an extra knowing we’d need to change it.”
Photo by Brian O’Day, HigherGround4x4.com
This will be their 14th or 15th transmission.
John’s having it changed in a local 4 x 4 shop; then it’s on to Tooele, Utah to meet Mike at Miller Motorsports Park.
Photo from Miller Motorsports Park Facebook Page – “Ultra4 Racing on our Rock Crawling course!”
Ultra4 American Rock Sports Challenge – Tooele, Utah – August 23
John said “Mike won’t need a co-driver on that track. It’s a short course track with a man-made rock section. It’s a lot of fun, I drove it last year. It’s very spectator friendly, you can see virtually all of the track from the grandstands.”
Mike Florian and Ruben Aguilar will be on hand to help them in the pits.
We wish the best of luck to Mike Klensin and the crew.
Find race details on the Ultra4 site:
http://ultra4racing.com/event/american-rocksports-challenge-822-823/
Follow Ultra4 Racing on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/Ultra4Racing
Support John, Mike and the crew on Facebook as follows:
John Brock – Rocking J. Offroad
https://www.facebook.com/RockingJOffroadRaceTeam?ref=br_tf
Mike Klensin – Team Crossed Up Off Road
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Crossed-Up-Off-Road/255556821123771
John Brock to Race Dirt Riot #3
John Brock will be racing his #777 Saturday, August 16 at Dirt Riot Southwest #3 in Cortez, CO; Mike Klensin will be co-driver. John left early, so Mike called during the nine hour drive from Tucson to Colorado. He sounded enthusiastic. “It’s a double points race, includes the mountain series as well.”
Mike hasn’t raced this course in a while. He expects some jumps, a small rock section and a desert loop. “The weather should be OK – upper 80s and lower 90s.”
This photo is from 2013 Dirt Riot Southwest & Mountain #3.
Photo by Moranton Media / Joel Moranton. 2013 Dirt Riot Southwest & Mountain #3 – Battle Rock Offroad Cortez, CO
Fixing everything that broke during the LAST race
When John was ready to quit Glen Helen, Mike joked that “Whatever’s broke is already broke.” His determination would pay off in the end.
During qualifying they had problems with the pickup tube inside the fuel tank; and the horn broke. During the heat race they lost third gear and reverse … “then we broke the front sway bar.” During the main race the rear ring and pinion “let go and broke.”
Despite being forced to drive the course in one wheel drive, they finished 16th to earn a KOH qualifying spot.
Glen Helen was an exciting race; check it out at http://amandaproducts.com/klensin-and-brock-glen-helen-the-hard-way/
Since then, “It’s all been fixed. We got the whole list – the car should be in good shape.”
Mike and John are in good shape too. Mike says “We’re feeling good, looking forward to finishing out the dirt riot series this weekend.”
Back to back races; from Dirt Riot in Cortez, CO to Ultra4 in Tooele, Utah
After the race, John will head to Miller Motorsports Park for the Ultra4 American Rock Sports Challenge – the third race of the Ultra4 series. Mike says “Miller Motorsports Park is a fun track with a man-made rock section and a short course. It’s one of the nicest race track facilities in the U.S.”
He adds “We brought spare parts. So hopefully we won’t have to work on the car after this one. As long as it’s something reasonable to fix, we’ll do it.”
Learn more about Dirt Riot Southwest #3:
http://www.werocklive.com/events/dirt-riot-southwest-round-3-2/
Support John Brock on Facebook at:
Rocking J. Offroad
https://www.facebook.com/RockingJOffroadRaceTeam?ref=br_tf
Klensin and Brock: Glen Helen the Hard Way
The 4 Wheel Parts Glen Helen Grand Prix – organized by Ultra4 Racing – took place at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California Friday, July 11 and Saturday, July 12, 2014.
Photo by ShutterRev
Mike Klensin and John Brock were looking forward to it. They know the course; they’ve done well there in the past.
Before the race Mike explained “The goal for us is to finish top 10 of non-qualified KOH drivers; that gives us a guaranteed driver’s seat at King of the Hammers.” He added “Our chances are good. As long as we don’t break the car in the morning session, we should be in the afternoon session.”
Like he said …
“As long as we don’t break the car”
“We went out to qualify and started having fuel issues. Turns out the pickup tube inside the tank was deteriorating; it was closing up when we tried to accelerate. We couldn’t get enough practice laps in because we kept having to mess with the car. We spent most of that time putting in a makeshift pickup tube. The disadvantage to that was we could only use three quarters of the tank.
For only getting a couple practice laps in, we qualified pretty good; 18 out of about 70 drivers.”
They also broke their horn during qualifying. “Not having a horn was a big issue; trying to pass people in the heat race and main race was going to be hard because they wouldn’t know I was there.”
The Heat Race
“They split the heat races into two groups and we started 9th off the line. The heat race went pretty good except we lost third gear and reverse due to the heat; it was about 102 degrees. Then we broke the front sway bar.
We started ninth and ended up fourth out of about 34 cars in the heat race.”
The Main Race
“We started 8th out of 40 in the main race, but we had a few more issues. We couldn’t use all our gas tank and something inside the tank was clogging up filters for the pumps. We switched between the two fuel pumps to make it run.
And we didn’t have the front sway bar. When you have body roll, you can’t turn quite as sharp – which slows your track times. We were a minute slower in the main race than the heat race because of the sway bar.
We didn’t have third gear or reverse. We were in pretty bad shape, but we talked to the LetzRoll Offroad Racing Team and they were nice enough to pit for us. The plan was to stop halfway through the race and get some gas. We stopped once – but we had to stop again because it was cutting out on us.
And then we were just cruising along and driving the race. We were passing two lapped cars at a time – in one sweeping turn – when the rear ring and pinion let go and broke. We ended up with only front wheel drive after that.
Then the front air locker broke and we ended up with one wheel drive.”
John was ready to quit; Mike wasn’t.
“I told him we were going to go anyway. I didn’t want to quit because I knew – before our rear ring and pinion problem – we were doing really well, easily in the top 10. I knew we were going to get pushed way out of the top 10, but I didn’t want to get knocked out and not get points to qualify for KOH.
I told him ‘I think I can make it around the course in one wheel drive. Whatever’s broke is already broke.’
So we drove around the course in one wheel drive.
The rest of the course was fine until this real steep hill.
It was just out of the turn; you can’t get speed built up and there’s no room to get a run at it. I started driving up trying to get momentum but we didn’t make it to the top. So we backed the car down again – using gravity for reverse. Tried a couple more times, didn’t make it up the hill.
And then Dave Cole came over and he tried to encourage us. He said ‘why don’t you try in reverse?’ I said ‘I would, but I don’t have it.’ He said ‘give it a few more shots if you want’ – so we did. He said ‘make a big loop, jump the berm and drive up it.’ And so we did that; in two more tries we made it up the hill so we could complete the next laps.
I already knew what to expect. I was able to just barely make it up the second time. And then that was the end of the race.
We started 8th out of 40 and ended up finishing 16th.
We had our KOH qualifying spot.
I’m happy we got the KOH spot, but disappointed we had so many problems. We could have finished in single digits.”
Photo by ShutterRev
The Aftermath
“It was definitely interesting. The final break list goes like this – the horn, the pickup tube inside the fuel tank, third gear and reverse, the front sway bar, front ARB, and rear ring and pinion.”
Sounds like a lot of work, but Mike says “We should have the car fixed within a week. The only thing we’re waiting on is parts for the differential. I think we can fix the transmission in the car; if that doesn’t work we have a spare transmission.”
Coming Soon
John Brock – owner of the car – will be racing at Dirt Riot Southwest #3, August 16 in Cortez, CO.
See the Dirt Riot schedule at: http://www.werocklive.com/2013/2014-event-dates-revealed/
Support Mike and John on Facebook:
Mike Klensin – Team Crossed Up Off Road
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Crossed-Up-Off-Road/255556821123771
John Brock – Rocking J. Offroad
https://www.facebook.com/RockingJOffroadRaceTeam?ref=br_tf
Klensin and Brock: The Return to Glen Helen Raceway
Interviews with Mike Klensin, Driver of #4431; and John Brock, Co-driver/Owner
The 4 Wheel Parts Glen Helen Grand Prix – organized by Ultra4 Racing – will take place at Glen Helen Raceway in San Bernardino, California Friday, July 11 and Saturday, July 12, 2014.
Check the ULTRA4 schedule here: http://ultra4racing.com/event/4-wheel-parts-glen-helen-grand-prix-2/
From King of the Hammers, 2012; photo by Patty Pinnell
“I look forward to that track. Last year we did really well – finished seventh – so we’re hoping to finish single digits again.” Mike Klensin
Mike and John had problems during qualifying laps at Metalcloak Stampede last month. Mike explained, “We were just about to try and make a fast lap when the rear drive shaft U joint broke, causing the drive shaft to bind up against the chassis; it resulted in a major shock load that threw the drive train and broke the trail housing on the transmission, ending our run.”
Since that time, “We got a new transmission housing. We went out again this past weekend, put another 50 miles on it, everything seems to be running good. We should be good to go.”
About Glen Helen Raceway
For Mike, the place is full of memories. “For a dirt bike guy, it’s a very well-known track that’s been around forever. It’s kind of neat to race there as well. I used to race dirt bikes so it’s kind of cool.
The track is really nice – partially short course and partially a short desert loop. There are a lot of jumps and turns. Most of the track is real smooth flowing so you don’t have a bunch of abrupt stops; a lot of flow makes it fun to drive.”
John continues to deal with the physical consequences of a serious accident; in 2003 his back was shattered when he was run over by a 12,000 lb. tractor. “The last track was so rough and brutal – all it was doing is tearing me up.”
Hopefully, Glen Helen will be better. “The track gets torn up pretty good during the race. It starts out nice and smooth and by the end of the race you’re getting beat to a pulp. The corners get torn up where everybody’s sliding through the corners; that digs it out, digs up rocks that are underneath – especially in sharp corners where we have to slow way down and accelerate out of it.”
Another concern for John … “There’s quite a few jumps in the track. If we land correctly it doesn’t bother me. If they build the jumps right, you come down on all four wheels, which makes for a soft landing. If not, the back tires are pitched up in the air so you’re coming down harder, slamming down.
Typically, on that track, most of the jumps are built very well.”
The Main Event
The ULTRA4 Main Event takes place at 5:30 Saturday; it’s two hours straight with 40 cars on the track.
Will they make it to the Main Event? Mike says “Our chances are good. As long as we don’t break the car in the morning session, we should be in the afternoon session.”
What’s it like? “It’s fun! You have to be careful with open wheels – if you hit each other, someone is going for a bad ride. But most people are considerate of that because if you hit there is a 50/50 chance it crashes them too.
The goal for us is to finish top 10 of non-qualified KOH drivers; that gives us a guaranteed driver’s seat at King of the Hammers.”
See the full Glen Helen schedule at: http://www.glenhelen.com/events/ultra-4-road/
How will heat affect the driving experience?
This week temperatures in San Bernardino have ranged from 96 to 101 degrees. Saturday it’s supposed to be about 100. Imagine racing in the heat, covered from helmeted head to fireproof boots.
John says “It gets really hot in the helmets; but we have filtered air supply that brings fresh air into the helmet. It almost feels like air conditioning.”
Full multi-layer fire suits are something else again. “They’re quilted like a pair of insulated overalls a mechanic might wear in the middle of winter.” That sounds HORRIBLE! He agrees. “It is – but once you get going, you don’t think much about the heat.”
A great track for spectators!
Mike is looking forward to “a good turnout of fans. It’s a real popular area for offroad enthusiasts – outside San Bernardino, not a real far drive for anybody.”
John says “This track I think is one of the most fun races that we have. It’s a very spectator friendly track; probably close to being the most spectator friendly track that we have.”
Glen Helen Raceway has grandstand seating, concessions with food, soft drinks and beer, real rest rooms and more. Check it out at: http://www.glenhelen.com/about-us/
Join us in wishing them “single digits”
Cheer them in person at Glen Helen Raceway; support them online …
On Facebook at Team Crossed Up Off Road:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Crossed-Up-Off-Road/255556821123771
JEEP BEACH 2014: The Lasting Benefits
Everyone who attended, sponsored or in any way participated in Jeep Beach 2014 has reason to be proud; but the Mid Florida Jeep Club? They’re heroes.
Before the event, club president Jason Martin told us most people don’t realize Jeep Beach is “a total nonprofit; 100% of what we bring in goes back out to local charity.”
Imagine how much work is involved. He said “The biggest challenge is pulling it together. We have about 100 members and – as big as the event has gotten – it takes more and more manpower every year.” Most members work full-time jobs and dedicate precious free time to planning and managing the event.
Their hard work has been paying off.
In the past few years, results have gone from good to great. In 2012 they donated $30,000 in proceeds to local charities. In 2013, they nearly tripled that amount, donating over $85,000 to the Volusia/Flagler Boys and Girls Clubs and the BlueRibbon Coalition, which champions responsible use of public lands for recreationists.
But how would they do this year?
Charity proceeds nearly doubled!
On May 1, 2014, the Jeep Beach Facebook page declared the event a “smashing success” with record numbers of spectators, participants and vendors.
This year the Mid Florida Jeep Club will be donating over $150,000 to charities, including “The Boys and Girls Club of Volusia/Flagler Counties, Blue Ribbon Coalition, Hope Reins, Volusia County Sheriff’s Youth Ranch, Ronald McDonald House, Pawsabilities and some additional local charities.”
The club wanted to thank their vendor partners; but this vendor wants to thank them.
Vendor Benefits
Vendors had the benefit of outstanding exposure. On Friday and Saturday there were about 8,825 people in the speedway.
Amanda Products was there to gauge reactions to the new SpeedHook™. We set up our Spectator Recovery Station, complete with free water, complimentary charging station and sample SpeedHooks and receiver hooks.
Off-road enthusiasts handled the samples and marveled at their simplicity. Our favorite response was “That’s freaking ingenious.” Some had ideas for further product development. Others dug into their pockets and asked “how much?” We had to explain that we couldn’t sell the samples, but they are available for purchase online – http://amandaproducts.com/shop/
A few asked if we would be offering a discount for veterans and active duty military. We hadn’t thought that far ahead, but yeah, absolutely. Amanda Products are AMERICAN products – engineered, tested and manufactured by parent company Amanda Manufacturing in Logan, Ohio.
How proud are we? See the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrSmU2NS_C8
Veteran Benefits
We were on a mission to get that discount live as soon as we could. It took a little longer than expected because we learned veterans who apply for online discounts are at an increased risk of identity theft; we needed to find the right verification service.
Research led us to ID.me. All of their employees and data centers are located in North America. We also like that they:
- Were founded by two army rangers
- Have the essential databases and best-in-class digital verification technology required to ensure secure transactions
- Serve major organizations like Under Armour, Overstock and the United States Department of Veterans Affairs
Veterans will appreciate that ID.me offers discounts by popular retailers, from Best Buy and Target to Lowes and Petco.
Click here for the list of partners – https://www.id.me/partners
Learn more and/or sign up at https://www.id.me/
Amanda Products Veterans’ Discounts went live Fourth of July weekend: http://amandaproducts.com/shop/
In Appreciation
We applaud the Mid Florida Jeep Club for the monumental effort it took to generate $150,000 for local charities.
As a vendor, we appreciate having been part of an exciting, well-planned event that drew passionate, knowledgeable enthusiasts. Their input led to the implementation of Amanda Products’ new Veterans’ Discount Program – as well as concepts for exciting new off-road products. (More on that later; stay tuned.)
Jeep Beach 2015
Their Facebook page says they’re discussing dates for 2015 and will announce them as soon as they can. They added “2014 results will be difficult to top – but we will do our best!”
We have no doubt they’ll get the job done.
* * *
Recommended Facebook pages:
Follow Jeep Beach at
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeep-Beach/199715702396
Like Mid Florida Jeep Club at
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mid-Florida-Jeep-Club/137051086322689
Follow Amanda Products at
https://www.facebook.com/AmandaProductsUSA
Read our Jeep Beach blogs:
Our pre-event blog was based on the interview with Jason Martin, President of the Mid-Florida Jeep Club:
http://amandaproducts.com/jeep-beach-brought-to-you-by-the-mid-florida-jeep-club/
Our post-event blog shares our real-world experience at Jeep Beach:
http://amandaproducts.com/amanda-products-introduces-speed-hook-at-jeep-beach-2014/
Watch our Jeep Beach videos on YouTube:
We had a local video crew on site:
http://www.youtube.com/user/AmandaProducts
Metalcloak Stampede: Getting there was half the adventure.
Post-race interview with Mike Klensin, Driver of #4431
Metalcloak Stampede took place Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 at Prairie City SVRA in Rancho Cordova, California.
Photo by Acacia Pinnell
Hopes were high despite long-standing transmission issues. Before the race, Mike told us “We did some testing last weekend, put about 40 miles on the car and it worked real good. We made sure it’s shifting properly and didn’t overheat. So we’re definitely excited.”
If you were following Mike and John Brock on Facebook the day they drove up, you were among the first to suspect things wouldn’t go well. Our first clue was this photo on John’s Facebook page.
John wrote “We got a whole 40 miles out of Tucson before blowing the first tire on the trailer. Then a second tire around 200 miles out! Anyone want to guess how many tires we will go through on this trip?”
Then a third tire blew.
John posted “The last tire that blew may have had a slow leak even though it was brand new two days before, they put in new metal stems when the tires were changed.” The weather was unusually hot for California. “Every time we stopped to check the tires all 4 tire temps felt the same.”
One Facebook fan suggested they talk to the tires because “Tires having feelings too.”
It took a day and a half to get to Prairie City SVRA.
“We left Wednesday morning, got there on schedule Thursday afternoon and set up our Amanda Products pit tent.
Then we took time to look the car over again.
Friday morning we went out and ran laps for practice as well as a qualifying time. To get a qualifying time you need to run two laps, which was a challenge; our first time out we ran one lap and got a red flag for track maintenance.
Photo by Acacia Pinnell
The second time out we managed to get a qualifying time, but had to finish with a yellow flag at a reduced speed due to a rolled car in turn one.
Photo by Acacia Pinnell
The third time out it was very busy, with lots of cars trying to get a qualifying time before the drivers’ meeting.
We were stuck in lots of traffic, rubbing tires and trying to pass. We were just about to try and make a fast lap when the rear drive shaft U joint broke, causing the drive shaft to bind up against the chassis; it resulted in a major shock load that threw the drive train and broke the trail housing on the transmission, ending our run.
Dave Cole offered up a friend’s transmission so we could swap it out in time to run the LCQ on Saturday. We spent the rest of Friday pulling the transmission out, only to find an oil leak at the crank shaft. A bit leery about ruining a built 6.2 LT motor, we decided to call it quits for the weekend. ”
Photo by Acacia Pinnell
Fortunately, the drive back to Tucson was uneventful.
“We are disappointed about the results of an 1,850 mile round trip – especially considering the prep that went into this race – but that’s racing. We look forward to Glenn Helen, where we’ll be ready to battle again.”
The 4 Wheel Parts Glen Helen Grand Prix takes place at Glen Helen Motorsports Park in San Bernardino, CA from 8 a.m. July 11, 2014 to 5 p.m. July 12, 2014. Learn more at http://ultra4racing.com/category/glen-helen-grand-prix-2/
Photo by Acacia Pinnell
Mike signed off with “Thanks to our sponsors; Amanda Products, Artec Industries, ADS race shocks, Crossed Up Customs and Rocking J Off Road; also, my thanks to John Brock (car owner) and Mike Florian, our crew chief at most events.”
Support Mike and John on Facebook at Team Crossed Up Off Road:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Crossed-Up-Off-Road/255556821123771
Klensin and Brock heading north for fan-friendly Metalcloak Stampede
Interview with Mike Klensin, Driver of #4431
Metalcloak Stampede will take place Friday, June 6 and Saturday, June 7 at Prairie City SVRA in Rancho Cordova, California. (Gates open at noon Thursday for folks who’d like to camp.) Check the schedule here: http://ultra4racing.com/featured/schedule-of-events-ultra4-metal-cloak-nor-cal-stampede/
(Mike calls this Facebook photo “Selfie Seat-time Sunday”)
“We’re definitely getting excited, this is our first race of the west coast series.”
Mike Klensin, driver, and John Brock, owner of the car, will be driving from Tucson, Arizona to Rancho Cordova, California; it’s about 1800 miles round trip. Mike’s daughter Alyssa won’t be able to join her dad this time – but Bailey their Boxer might.
There’s sure to be a lot of reminiscing along the way. Mike’s especially proud of his experience at the 2012 King of the Hammers. “We finished 9th and barrel rolled off the finish. The car was about 1 season old. We had just worked all the bugs out of it, spent a lot of frustrating finishes through that year getting the bugs worked out. We finished real well and showed people we could do it.”
TailgunnerMedia posted the “Spectacular Crash/Finish” to YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5YxT-ouBDU
2013 didn’t go so well.
John put it this way. “What we had happen at King of the Hammers last year was a fluke. We raced about ten races and had a lot of problems; had 8 transmissions we went through, along with other stuff.”
That “other stuff” is a reference to an ordeal that lasted nearly twelve hours. Mike told us about it a few months back. “We got 29 miles into the race and one of the rear axle spindles sheared off the axle housing and we were done. We watched our tire wheel hub and brake bounce past us in the car. Broke down at 9:30 a.m. and another driver set out in a little buggy to make sure we had water and food; he broke down. The truck and trailer from my crew got a flat tire. They had to leave the trailer in the middle of the desert while coming to get us; when they got back, they had a flat. Another driver was stuck trying to get us. We didn’t get done fetching people and vehicles until 9 p.m. at night.”
Fortunately, that can’t happen at Metalcloak Stampede.
“This is a closed track, a designated park for off-roading – not like King of the Hammers where you’re in the middle of the desert.” He likes that “people don’t have to travel through the desert to find you. They can watch all the racing from the bleachers, they won’t miss anything.”
John won’t miss anything either; he’ll be in the stands telling Mike what to expect. “Sometimes if we’re not on a desert race, if we’re on a closed area track, it’s better to have your co-driver as a spotter, in the stands with the radio where he can see what’s going on in the course and tell you.”
Ultra4racing.com gives us the details. “The course will consist of a 2 mile lap all visible to spectators filled with rock obstacles, tight turns and go fast sections. The event will be run grand prix style. The driver with the most laps after a specific time will be the winner. The top 10 finishers from this race will be qualified for the 2014 Griffin King of The Hammers Presented by Nitto Tire.” http://ultra4racing.com/category/mcncstampede/
(“Test and Tune,” Sunday, May 25)
Mike and John should be off to a solid start this year. Mike says “We did some testing last weekend, put about 40 miles on the car and it worked real good. We made sure it’s shifting properly and didn’t overheat. So we’re definitely excited.”
So are we.
Support Mike and John on Facebook at Team Crossed Up Off Road:
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Team-Crossed-Up-Off-Road/255556821123771
Amanda Products Introduces SpeedHook™ at JEEP BEACH 2014
On Friday, April 25, 2014, the Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL wrote there were so many Jeeps on the roads it was starting to “look like a remake of ‘M.A.S.H.'”
The Amanda Products brand crew was at Jeep Beach to support the off-road community and gauge response to the ease and simplicity of the Amanda SpeedHook™; it’s compatible with Jeeps, F150s, buggies, and any vehicle with a 2” receiver hitch.
We arrived early, in a cool morning fog as the Mid Florida Jeep Club directed vendors and participants at the gate. A few weeks back I interviewed Jason Martin, President of the club, so we appreciated how much effort goes into this – their most important annual event.
(Read the whole interview at http://amandaproducts.com/jeep-beach-brought-to-you-by-the-mid-florida-jeep-club/ )
Most members work a regular 40 hour week. One volunteer told me his wife – a nurse – was helping out after a ten day shift. Like Jason said, “We have a great club that really bonds together during this time of the year.”
Why? For charity. Last year they raised $85,000 for the Volusia/Flagler Boys and Girls Clubs and the BlueRibbon Coalition.
The Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL reported that “This year, the club added two additional charities, the Hope Reins therapeutic horse riding center in New Smyrna Beach and Pawsibilities, a national no-kill animal rescue organization with operations in Central Florida.”
Read the whole article at http://www.news-journalonline.com/article/20140425/NEWS/140429557/0/search?tc=ar
At the entrance to Daytona International Speedway
Saturday morning started out cool and foggy, but temps were expected to climb to the 80s.
Soon Daytona International Speedway was abuzz from all angles. The Richard Petty Drive experience had thrill-seekers hitting the 2.5 mile tri-oval (with 31 degree banking) in 600 HP NASCAR race cars. That roaring track made a dramatic backdrop for the Jeep Beach Obstacle Course.
Participants lined up as far as the eye could see
Jason told me “We have about 100 members and – as big as the event has gotten – it takes more and more manpower every year.”
That was obvious from the rail at the Obstacle Course.
It was one thing watching the vehicles go through their paces; it was another to watch club members as they guided participants through – and liberated them from – the hills and boulders.
Club members – and recovery straps – got a workout keeping all the vehicles in the action.
Many photos were obscured by pointing fingers and other peoples’ cell phones. Fortunately, we had a video crew on site and they were able to gain access to the course; more on that later. Meanwhile, enjoy this great YouTube video by Drive With a Purpose. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D2myouvD-Lk&feature=youtu.be
Day two at the Recovery Station
Saturday was day two for Amanda Products’ SPECTATOR RECOVERY STATION, where brand ambassadors offered product information, cold water and a charging station for electronics.
The Amanda Products Spectator Recovery Station
We had a mountain of free water and the inside joke was we’d never give it all away. We were wrong; you could nearly tell time and rising temps by the diminishing height of the stacks.
Brand Ambassadors Lori and Andrea
Amanda SpeedHook™ on display
Many attendees stopped in for a closer look and the reactions were phenomenal. Our favorite was “THAT’S FREAKING INGENIOUS.”
Some dug into their pockets and tried to buy the sample hooks on the spot. We directed them to the store on on the Amanda Products website – http://amandaproducts.com/shop/
How hot was it?
So hot the food vendors ran out of water; but we didn’t. We gave our last bottle away at 4:30.
Our thanks
The Amanda Products brand team thanks all the fine people who stopped by the Amanda tent.
And we applaud the Mid Florida Jeep Club for an amazing Jeep Beach 2014; like Jason said, “somehow it all comes together at the end.”
It most certainly did.
Visit Jeep Beach on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeep-Beach/199715702396?fref=photo
Learn more about the Mid Florida Jeep Club at http://www.midfloridajeepclub.com
Like Mid Florida Jeep Club on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mid-Florida-Jeep-Club/137051086322689
Jeep Beach: Brought to you by the Mid Florida Jeep Club
Interview with Jason Martin
President of the Mid Florida Jeep Club
It wasn’t easy reaching Jason Martin the week prior to Jeep Beach 2014; this is the club’s main event.
“It’s amazing, when you think it’s so far from where it needs to be. We have a great club that really bonds together during this time of the year.”
Who joins the club?
“We have everybody from families of 5 or 6 all the way to single adults. We do monthly events – trail rides, dine outs, putt-putt golf, or beach days.
We ride out near Ocala national forest. It’s mostly sand, mud and hard-packed dirt.
We also do some out of town trips and support a lot of other nonprofit events for other Jeep clubs.”
How did the club first get involved?
“When Jeep Beach first started out it was run by the city on a piece of property they had called ‘City Island.’ The city asked the club to take it over and we’ve been running it since about 2006.”
What’s the most difficult part of organizing Jeep Beach?
“The biggest challenge is pulling it together. We have about 100 members and – as big as the event has gotten – it takes more and more manpower every year. Fortunately, we have a committee of about 15 people that make most of our important decisions for Jeep Beach. It’s a great committee that’s dedicated to the success of Jeep Beach.”
What do people not know about the group?
“This is a total nonprofit; we don’t make any money off of it. The club has always been a nonprofit. 100% of what we bring in goes back out to local charity.”
The Jeep Beach event grows every year – as do the proceeds. Last year the club donated over $85,000.
Accepting the 2014 Volunteer Group of the Year Award from the Boys & Girls Clubs; Milli Rice, Director of Jeep Beach (center) Jason Martin, club president on Milli’s left and Wayne Mintel, club VP on her right.
“Our two main charities are the Volusia/Flagler Boys and Girls Clubs and the BlueRibbon Coalition.”
The mission of the Volusia/Flagler Boys and Girls Club – as expressed on their website – is “To inspire and enable all young people, especially those from disadvantaged circumstances… The idea is to engage young people in activities with adults, peers, and family members to develop the confidence and self-esteem that will enable them to reach their full potential.” Learn more at http://www.bgcvfc.org/
The BlueRibbon Coalition champions responsible use of public lands for the benefit of all recreationists. Per their site, “The BlueRibbon Coalition was born in 1987 shortly after Clark Collins, Founder and first Executive Director, was told by then Idaho Governor John Evans that recreationists were not politically significant and implied that Wilderness was more important than motorized access to public lands. Clark gathered and worked with other recreationists in a huge undertaking to educate all users of public lands in Idaho just how our resources were not being preserved FOR the public, but rather FROM the public. Thus, we have the seeds of what would ultimately become the BlueRibbon Coalition.” https://www.sharetrails.org/
One more thing people don’t know
“I would say 95% of the people that help put this on work a regular 40 hour week job. We have everyone from mechanics to machine operators and salesmen. People don’t get the concept of we’re not emailing back in 5 minutes.”
Don’t I know it; he was only available to talk while driving home from his full-time sales job. Days later, last minute edits were communicated via text.
What are you most proud of?
“How the club can come together and become one at that time of year, no matter what struggles are out there. And be able to pull off this big of an event without a lot of falls or hiccups.
It’s like ‘this was easier than I thought it would be.’ You’re very proud of yourself when it’s all done.”
Who do you want to thank this year?
“None of this would be possible without a great leader like Milli Rice. She’s in her fifth year as director of the event.
She’s just giving countless hours to make sure this is possible.
And I want to thank everybody that helps us as far as our volunteers and a HUGE thanks to the committee members. We do a summer picnic/Jeep Beach party afterwards to thank the volunteers. So the committee can really get out the appreciation to the club members that helped us.”
___
Amanda Products applauds the Mid Florida Jeep Club for their commitment to Jeep Beach.
Like Jeep Beach at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jeep-Beach/199715702396?fref=photo
Learn more about the Mid Florida Jeep Club at http://www.midfloridajeepclub.com
Like Mid Florida Jeep Club on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/Mid-Florida-Jeep-Club/137051086322689
Round 2 in Tucson; Finishing Fifth WITHOUT Second Gear
Interview with #777 owner/driver John Brock.
Round 2 of W.E. Rock’s Dirt Riot Southwest took place Saturday, April 5 at MC Motorsports Park; John Brock drove, Mike Klensin was co-driver.
After the race Mike Klensin posted this photo to his Facebook page and wrote: “Congrats to John Brock driver if the 777 UltraSS on a solid 5th place finish at Dirt Riot. Battling a rough course and fatigue he held it all together for the finish.”
If you’ve read 60-year-old John Brock’s bio, you know what he’s up against. In 2003 his back was shattered when he was run over by a 12,000 lb. tractor. “I’m lucky to have lived through the thing. I spent the first 3 years on painkillers, lying in bed watching TV; I thought ‘I gotta get on with my life, I can’t do this.’ Had to wean myself off the painkillers and get on with my life. The more I sit at home and worry about it, the worse it seems to be. I mostly work on the racecar.”
And boy does he. John was driving for last-minute parts when he called for our pre-race interview. He was frustrated by transmission problems and hoping for a good turnout. Ultimately, “I really want to do well at this race. It’s our home track.”
Except for the transmission, he got what he wished for.
“We had a fifth place finish, had transmission problems, but just took it a little bit easy on the car this time; could have been a little faster. Didn’t have second gear and on that course; we needed it 75% of the time.”
#777 obscured by dust; photo by Amanda Gonzales
HINDERED BY DUST AND NARROW TRAILS
“It was extremely dusty. At times we had to stop to let the dust settle so we could see. We slowed down to creeping along, what we were doing was slower than the other cars. There are very few places to pass on there. When we got someone behind us, we pulled over and let them go by.
Mike was a little bit frustrated because everyone was passing us. Mike is an extremely competitive person; he gets upset when things don’t go the way he wants them to. I said ‘at least we’re going to finish the race. I don’t know about them.’
There were two others that didn’t finish the race. One of ’em was just ahead of us, broke down on the last lap. What they do in that case is go back to his lap before that; even with that, he was still in front of us. They didn’t place as high as they would have if they had finished the race.”
He mentioned cactus concerns in our pre-race interview – but emerged unscathed. Others weren’t so lucky. “A lot of the guys were pulling cactus out of themselves when they got back. One of ’em rolled over into cactus.”
John figures they did 70 miles in just about 2 ½ hours. “It’s been a while since I’ve even finished a race because of all these transmission problems. I’d rather go a little slower and finish the race than tear up the car.”
But the race did take a toll on the driver.
Photo by Acacia Pinnell
“This course really beat me up pretty good. My back, my neck particularly is really sore.
I have a neck brace that clips to my helmet … that keeps my head from getting thrown around a lot. That’s a safety thing that we have to have. Unfortunately it came unclipped from the helmet part way through the race.
Actually I was surprised I felt as good as I did yesterday.
Klensin posted and described this photo pre-race. “Setting up the hot pit at the Dirt Riot Tucson event with Amanda Products Crossed Up Customs, MF Motorsport’s, Rocking J racing and ColeCar Motorsport’s.”
John’s happy with Daniel Stevens, the new member of the pit crew. “He worked out really well. A few of the other people who usually help didn’t show up this time. But we traveled an awful lot. I can’t blame them for being burned out.”
He’s also happy with the attendance. “We had a real good turnout. Sometimes we don’t, but they’re not always spectator friendly places. They’re hard to get to or a long way down dirt roads. I know that I personally took a lot of the flyers and discount coupons and distributed to a lot of the businesses around town.”
The next race will be the Ultra4 Metal Cloak NorCal Stampede in Prairie City, California (near Sacramento) June 6 and 7.
John says that “Gives us plenty of time to make sure the car is prepped and transmission issues taken care of. Turns out that we have two transmissions; we have a spare available but neither one was working right. We’ve been since last season trying to figure out why they’re not working right. We found an issue and isolated it down to where the problem is and so now I’ve just got the parts on order to get them fixed. So that should take care of our issues.”
Support John, Mike and the crew on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/RockingJOffroadRaceTeam?ref=br_tf
Check out the Ultra4 racing schedule at:
https://ultra4racing.com/
Area BFE Welcomes Easter Jeep Safari Participants
Interview with Olaf Kilthau
Owner and Managing Member of Area BFE
Olaf Kilthau and Chris Brunner will be standing at the gate of Area BFE all day, every day to welcome participants of Easter Jeep Safari. “It’s our biggest event. We introduce ourselves and talk to every single person who comes through that gate. There’s a certain kinship with the people who come in and visit us.”
The 48 year-old event runs nine days and covers 42 trails. Where the Strike Ravine trail ends, Area BFE begins; a hardcore 320 acre recreational park near Moab. “We bought the land to keep it open for free. We’re the only off-road park in the country that’s open 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year. That’s our original mission, so people would have a place to play without fear of getting kicked off.”
Olaf says three key elements work together to make Easter Jeep Safari the destination it has become.
1 – The outdoor enthusiasts – motorized and non-motorized – who come out to enjoy and support the place.
2 – The volunteers who come out to help take care of the area, establish trails and assist with maintenance. “Based on our finances, we could never afford to pay some of these people for the work they provide and the things they do; that includes the people who made our website and mobile applications.”
3 – The companies/corporate partners that basically give us the funds to support our mission.
Amanda Products is one of those corporate partners. As “the Official Tow Hook of Area BFE,” our banners will be up all year long.
HOW DID THE PARK GETS ITS NAME?
“It’s way out there, about 13 miles from town Moab, Utah. Moab is a small resort town, so 13 miles seems a long way away. While ‘BFE’ has different connotations, people are beginning to say it stands for ‘Big Family Entertainment’ and ‘Bought for Everyone.'”
Camping in Moab; photo by Srikanth Jandhyala
A BALANCED APPROACH TO LAND MANAGEMENT
Olaf felt his first connection with the land at Lower Helldorado. That section of land was sold off around the same time as this land. “The new owners are anti OHV and they closed the trail.” There is a long silence before Olaf resumes. “We believe there’s a place for everyone.
I’ve been working on promoting the non-motorized end of recreation – mountain biking, trail running, photography, camping and just plain hanging out. When you look at how I’ve managed the property, 60 to 70% of the property is only accessible on foot; it’s an opportunity to off-road to a destination, put on your backpack, hike, camp and explore.
When you compare us with public land, we’ve opened seven major trails on the property in the last ten years. Whereas you look at public land in the past ten years – I don’t know if any new trails have been opened, but I know a lot have been closed.”
Photo by Spidertrax Off-Road
AREA BFE AS A DESTINATION
“We’ve become the venue of choice for all kinds of events, from corporate encounters, media shoots and video productions to music festivals and one or two weddings. We’ve assisted in the facilitation of media events with companies such as BF Goodrich Tires and photo shoots for companies like 5.11 Tactical Gear.
We have the freedom to do all sorts of things, private events, product launches – and we’re very flexible. We’ve handled the logistics for bringing in everything from heated bathrooms and showers to dining facilities.”
(For information, call Olaf at 562-233-6523.)
Olaf, Dan (the Area BFE Complaint Department) and Chris
A HEAVY RESPONSIBILITY
Olaf has been a real estate professional for more than 20 years. He says each of the four partners “has some kind of specialty that lends itself to managing Area BFE.”
The first time Olaf drove through was in 2003. “In 2006 when I came back as a partner and Area BFE was Area BFE. I was one of the trail guides during a Jeep Safari. The trails I rode on that day skirted the whole circumference of the property. And I was somewhere along that trail driving and I got a sense of anxiety. All of a sudden it dawned on me that I have a huge responsibility – 320 acres – ½ mile by a mile and I needed to figure out a way to help manage and take care of it.”
Of the four partners, Olaf and Chris Brunner are the most hands-on. He says “I could not do it without Chris.”
Photo by Spidertrax Off-Road
WHY SO PASSIONATE ABOUT THE PLACE?
“I think what I love about it is it’s greater than myself. There is no other place like this. There are places that are larger, thousands of acres, towards the eastern U.S., but they are not open every day; they have schedules and they charge up to $50 per vehicle.
We’re the only park that doesn’t charge. We have a donation statue. Don’t have enough money to help out? That’s ok. That’s the nature of a donation. Go on, have fun, hit us up next time.”
YOU’RE INVITED
Come on out to Area BFE, Meet Olaf and Chris at the front gate during Easter Jeep Safari; or plan a visit sometime soon.
“If you have not been to Moab, you need to come out for at least a week. Then, at the end of the week, you’ll want to come back again because there’s so much that you didn’t see and do. I’ve been going for ten years, spending lots of time there and every time I go I learn about a new place.”
Rated “excellent” by community reviews on TripAdvisor; the general consensus is “BFE Rocks!”
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g60724-d3228000-r135181228-AreaBFE-Moab_Utah.html
Visit Area BFE online at http://www.areabfe.com/
Racing the “Home Track:” Round 2 in Tucson
Interview with John Brock, Owner of #777
Round 2 of W.E. Rock’s Dirt Riot Southwest takes place Saturday, April 5 at MC Motorsports Park.
“I know this track that we race on here in Tucson. I’ve taken first place before; hopefully we’ll do pretty well this weekend.”
Photo from Round 1, March 9, 2014 at Thompson’s Ranch, Congress, Arizona
John Brock driving, Mike Klensin co-driver; photo by Don Lawrence
THE PRESSURE IS ON
“I really like to have everything checked out well ahead of time and we’re not getting it done this time. Now we’re in the crush again.” He explained the situation as he drove out of town for parts.
“At the last race we had a transmission problem. The case was cracked and we replaced it with another transmission just last week; got it all finished up yesterday and it wouldn’t back up. Several times we’ve had this problem. Really disappointed, haven’t been able to figure it out; but I think we know what’s going on at this point.
So right now I’m driving up to Phoenix to get the parts we need. And I’m gonna get ’em put in this afternoon. One way or another, the transmission will be working this weekend. We did have to rebuild the drive shaft and replace a part on the transfer case after the last race. The engine is running fine, everything else seems fine.
Mike Klensin will be co-driver. We’ll be out there Friday morning to pre-run the course and then we race on Saturday around 1:00 or so. It’s a short track, probably going to be about 5 or 6 miles long, but we’ll run probably 3 hours. This is mostly desert race with a man-made rock crawling course. We’ll use part of that for the rock part of the race.
The biggest challenge is the track is narrow, with little place to pass anybody. And there’s a lot of cactus. Last time I rolled over into a cactus bush; fortunately, the only cactus that came close to getting me got stuck in my shoe.
NEW TO THE CREW
We’ve been a little bit short-handed, so we’ve got a new member to our pit crew, Daniel Stevens from Sierra Vista, AZ. Dan is brand new to this, we’ll make use of him any way we can. He’s been in four wheel drives for a while, but never been into the racing end of it. I think he’s excited to come.
HOPING FOR A GREAT TURNOUT
I’ve been working hard to get flyers and discount tickets out around town to get more people out there. The viewing at this track is spectator friendly; you can see the rock sections, start/finish line and they have food and drink vendors, bathroom facilities and grandstands.
Weather should be 70s and beautiful, hopefully not windy. What would be really nice is a gentle breeze to blow the dust off the track.”
Overall …
“I really want to do well at this race. It’s our home track.”
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Support John, Mike and the crew on Facebook at:
https://www.facebook.com/RockingJOffroadRaceTeam?ref=br_tf
Find directions and details for Round 2 of W.E. Rock’s Dirt Riot Southwest at:
http://www.werocklive.com/2014/dirt-riot-southwest-round-2-tucson-az/
Mike Klensin: “You always want to know how good you can be.”
Mike Klensin was born and raised in Tucson, Arizona. His parents were both elementary school teachers and he grew up watching his father do his own vehicle repairs. Those skills helped mold his future.
As a kid he progressed rapidly from riding bicycles to racing BMX bikes, then off-road desert racing on dirt bikes.
A passion for racing doesn’t come cheap, so an entrepreneurial spirit helps. He started generating income at 15 when he found there was good money in roof coating. Then he approached car dealerships and offered to wash their cars. How did he get to work? His first transportation was a 1948 Cushman Eagle motor scooter. “I drove that because at 15 you didn’t have to wait for a driver’s license.”
From two wheels to four
Retail jobs helped him pay for real cars. His first used vehicle was a ’68 VW bug and his first new vehicle came right out of high school – a 4wd Tacoma pickup truck. He was disappointed to find it wasn’t going to do what he wanted it to do. Rather than pay someone else to build the off-road vehicle he wanted, he decided to build his own.
His first off-road vehicle was a ’46 Willy’s Jeep; he upgraded the engine, changed the steering, put a lift on it and added a roll cage. Soon other enthusiasts were asking him to build vehicles for them.
In ’97 Mike landed a job doing vehicle repairs for a local dealership. “As far as learning how to work on cars, that came from my dad.” In the four years that followed he received brand-specific training and earned certifications, but “I couldn’t get paid enough there. They always saw me as an apprentice, even though I was training new guys. The dealership paid them double what they paid me.”
Growing his own business
In 2001 Mike and a coworker quit and opened their own auto repair shop. “It went really well for a year. We made a bunch of money. I worked the office and my partner worked in the shop. After about a year he started wanting to flip roles, so I bought him out.”
That same year he started doing rock crawling and began building rock crawlers for himself and others. By 2006 he was doing more 4wd work than auto repair; so he pursued off-road repairs and enhancements exclusively. “We did custom fab work and regular off-road; we used to do big builds – about 70,000 Jeep builds.”
When the economy changed, he adapted. “We closed our retail location and put the wholesale business online. Today we have customers all over the U.S., in Mexico and in Australia.”
In 2009 he took third at a rock crawling event that qualified him to race the 2010 King of the Hammers. By 2012 he was ninth out of the top ten at King of the Hammers.
Mike’s company is Crossed-Up Customs – “Artec industries is the #1 seller for our chassis.” Mike met Amanda Products through Artec. “The people at Amanda Products went to Artec and said ‘we want one of these chassis;’ and that’s how I met them. I built the 4-seater for their SEMA booth.”
Learn more about Amanda Products and the SEMA show: http://www.off-road.com/blog/2013/11/03/amanda-products-and-amanda-manufacturing-launch-new-websites/
Today Mike is 37 years old, divorced, with an 11 year old daughter Alyssa. “She goes to races with me when she can and is bugging me for a race car herself.”
Besides Alyssa …
What are you most proud of?
“In 2012 we were top ten at King of the Hammers; we finished 9th and barrel rolled off the finish. The car was about 1 season old. We had just worked all the bugs out of it, spent a lot of frustrating finishes through that year getting the bugs worked out. We finished real well and showed people we could do it.”
See the spectacular finish, video by TailgunnerMedia – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w5YxT-ouBDU
Any advice for enthusiasts who want to race?
“Be consistent and keep the car in one piece. Anyone can be fast on a certain track, but to be consistently fast without overdriving the car … if you don’t finish the race, it doesn’t matter how fast you are. In the end people don’t say ‘he was leading the race at mile 55’ – it’s how did you finish. People recognize finishes, not tries.”
What’s your next big thing?
“I’m in the process of building a new car for the 2015 season. John Brock owns this one. I built the chassis, he built the rest.” He promises to share photos as he goes.
Follow him on Facebook at Team Crossed Up Off Road
Post-Race Review – Round 1, Congress AZ
Interview with #777 owner/driver John Brock.
Round 1 of W.E. Rock’s Dirt Riot Southwest took place Sunday, March 9 at Thompson’s Ranch in Congress, Arizona: John Brock was driving, Mike Klensin was co-driver.
Photo by Don Lawrence
In our pre-race interview, John expected to blow out tires; but that didn’t happen.
“That’s because we have tireballs. They’re like little pillows inside the tire. If the tire gets cut or banged up, they keep the tire inflated and drivable. They are very expensive.” Between the tires and tools he needed for installation, they cost $4,000; but he feels it was worth the investment. “A cut tire wouldn’t have taken us out of the race. We’ve been taken out that way, that’s why we put those tireballs in. Because the cost to get to the race, entry fees and such, it’s way too expensive. It costs a lot of money to get there.”
He sounded tired and disappointed; he had good reason. “We arrived up there at Congress on Friday morning and got a chance to pre-run the course a few times, came in and made a minor repair on the car. Then we got back out to run it a couple more times. Thought we knew it pretty well. On Saturday it was all the rock crawling, not the racing, so we didn’t do anything.
Sunday morning we had to qualify for starting position; all seven cars qualified within about 6 seconds, which is phenomenal. We qualified sixth out of seven cars because I got hung up on something. We ended up starting in sixth position because of that.
The first lap was fairly uneventful, except for getting stuck on a big rock that ended up damaging the drive shaft; although we didn’t know it was damaged at the time.
Photo by Don Lawrence
We went another lap and a half after that and the rear drive shaft came flying out. This race the shocks were working much better and we were driving faster – but unfortunately, when that drive shaft came out it took us out of the race. At that point we managed to limp it off the course and back to the main pits. We surveyed the damage and decided to call it quits for the race.”
John is confident repairs won’t take very long; that’s good, because the next race is the first week of April. “We need to replace parts of the drive shaft and transfer case that broke. It’ll probably cost $500 or so, but we should be in good shape for the next race.”
He’s glad the next event is in Tucson, close to home. “So I don’t have to go traveling all over the place to get there. The area where the race track is is nothing as rough as what we just had at Congress. This is more of a desert race, not much rock crawling.”
Check back for John’s pre-race comments.
Dirt Riot Southwest #2 – Tucson, Arizona
April 5, 2014 at MC Motorsports Park
Tucson, Arizona
Directions: http://www.werocklive.com/events/dirt-riot-southwest-round-2-2/
Follow the racing action at Team Crossed-Up Offroad
https://www.facebook.com/RockingJOffroadRaceTeam
John Brock; Fueled by Cars, Competition and Camaraderie
“I’m 60 years old. I’m supposed to be retired.” But he’s not. John Brock has been racing for 40 years, everything from dirt track, stock cars and drag racing to tractor pulling and extreme rock crawling. He owns Rocking J Offroad, LLC, in Tucson, where he specializes in rock crawler chassis fabrication, modification, and drive trains.
John drives his #777 in the Dirt Riot races. He wishes he could race King of the Hammers; but he can’t.
“It’s like 200 miles; or close to it. It’ll be anywhere from 8 to 14 hours depending on how fast we can go.” Mike Klensin drives Brock’s car because the grueling distances are just too much; in 2003 John’s back was shattered when he was run over by a 12,000 lb. tractor.
“I’m lucky to have lived through the thing. I spent the first 3 years on painkillers, lying in bed watching TV; I thought ‘I gotta get on with my life, I can’t do this.’ Had to wean myself off the painkillers and get on with my life. The more I sit at home and worry about it, the worse it seems to be. I mostly work on the racecar.”
Mike built the chassis and John did everything else; the shock absorbers and seats make it possible for him to race. “This is a purpose-built vehicle, strictly for the combination between desert racing and rock crawling. I give up a little speed there so I can go quicker through the rocks.”
He’s proud of their record so far. “Since we’ve been doing the Dirt Riot and Ultra4 series I’ve had one first place finish, one second and one third place. In two years, that’s pretty good.” But success comes at a price. “It takes me three or four days to recuperate after these races. I’ll be sore for a week at least.”
So what keeps him racing? “I’m a fairly competitive person.” He paused and added, “There’s a lot of camaraderie between the drivers and organizers and all. It’s like if one guy’s car breaks down, all the pit crews will try to help it get going again. Or if somebody needs a part … last year we had a starter go bad and my co-driver had to run back to the pit to try to find someone who would loan him a starter.
He came back with two; the guys were just great about it.”
Follow the racing action at Team Crossed-Up Offroad –
https://www.facebook.com/RockingJOffroadRaceTeam
A Purpose Built Vehicle
John Brock owns the car he and Mike Klensin built and race.
They knew each other from being in the business. John owns Rocking J Offroad, LLC, in Tucson; he specializes in rock crawler chassis fabrication, modification, and drive trains.
(John Brock, Owner/Driver)
Mike owns Crossed-Up Customs, also in Tucson; he’s a chassis specialist who manufactures components for the off-road industry.
(Mike Klensin, Driver)
John explains, “Mike built the chassis for this car, I bought it from him. I installed the wiring, drive train, etc. This is a purpose-built vehicle, strictly for the combination between desert racing and rock crawling. Some of the vehicles are built more for desert, some for rock; mine tends to be built more for the rock crawling. It does better crawling through the rocks, but is not quite as fast on the desert. I give up a little speed there so I can go quicker through the rocks.
The suspension is triangulated 4-link suspension, front and rear. The engine is a Chevy LS3 motor. It’s been modified somewhat; not a whole lot. The transmission is a Chevy automatic transmission, a Turbo 400. And it is built specifically for this type of racing.
The front and rear differentials are prototypes that are made by Sixty9 Axle; they’re a brand new design that’s just come out within the last few months. I’ve been running these for two years, testing for them. I’ve been very happy with them, no issues. The tires are BF Goodrich, specifically for rock crawling. They are race-only, competition-only tires.”
The racing shocks are made by ADS out of Tucson, AZ. “The shock absorbers are what they call a four tube bypass and they are externally adjustable; we don’t have to disassemble to adjust, we can adjust per the track conditions.
It’s expensive to race this, but that’s what I like to do; and that’s why I do it.”
(John collecting the new buggy from Crossed Up Offroad)
Follow the racing action at Team Crossed-Up Offroad –
https://www.facebook.com/RockingJOffroadRaceTeam
Ready for Round 1 @ Thompson’s Ranch
Interview with John Brock, Owner of #777
Round 1 of W.E. Rock’s Dirt Riot Southwest takes place Sunday, March 9 at Thompson’s Ranch in Congress, Arizona.
John Brock, owner of the vehicle, has been racing for 40 years, everything from dirt track, stock cars and drag racing to tractor pulling and extreme rock crawling. He’s looking forward to the event. “The weather should be great – probably in the 70s. We’ll have qualifying on Friday; maybe ten minutes of running on the course. It positions where we start at the race, which will be on Sunday. The actual race will be about 2 to 3 hours long. I don’t know the distance yet.”
60-year-old John is unable to drive the long races. “I have a very bad back, I was run over by a 12,000 lb. tractor in 2003; I’m lucky to have lived through the thing. It shattered my back. But the shock absorbers and the seats make it possible for me to race.”
Mike Klensin will be co-driver. “What we set up this year is Mike drives Ultra4, while I drive Dirt Riot races.” Klensin will be watching the GPS to tell him where they’re going; the screen marks the danger spots, places where they need to slow down for whatever reason. “And Mike monitors the gauges because I’ll be too busy.”
They know what to expect from the terrain. “We’ve raced there before. It’s mountainous desert with lots of rocks. There’s a real good chance we’ll be blowing out tires. It’s very rough on driver and co-driver because you get beat around quite a bit.”
How’s the vehicle? “It’s in good shape. We had a lot of trials and tribulations last year, but this year we think we have them all worked out. What we had happen at King of the Hammers last year was a fluke. We raced about ten races and had a lot of problems; had 8 transmissions we went through, along with other stuff.
We’ll be doing a lot better this year than we have been. I’m really optimistic this time about this car.”
Dirt Riot Southwest – Round 1
Sunday, March 9, 2014
Thompson’s Ranch in Congress, Arizona
Follow the racing action at Team Crossed-Up Offroad
https://www.facebook.com/RockingJOffroadRaceTeam