Most Recent Blog Posts

• Baja 1000: Hour 12 Approaches

  • From: jburns
  • Description:

    With the motorcycles leaving the starting line at 6:30 a.m. this morning, we've officially passed the 12-hour mark. The good news is that BFGoodrich set up a great media center (right) for us journalists at the 1000 this year. Typically covering the 1000 means you're roughing it, but that's not the case this year. Everyone in the room has slowed down a little bit, and we're definitely starting to get a little groggy. But it's easy to stay awake when you consider your day doesn't involve grasping handlebars or a steering wheel and navigating through the Baja desert. 

    The bikes passed the 600-mile mark a little bit ago, so we're thinking they should near the finish line in the next one to two hours or so. We'll have radio silence for just a little bit as we run out there to catch the action of the first motorcycles crossing the finish line. The Trophy Trucks will probably be coming in closer to 1 or 2 a.m. Look at that: Red Bull reinforcements just arrived ... you know, maybe I'm not so tired after all.

  • Blog post
  • 2 days ago
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• "Pistol Pete" Shoots for Baja

  • From: Off_RoadRage
  • Description:

    “Pistol Pete” Sohren lives for days like this, so even when he experiences a minor setback such as a fuel pump failure just two hours before the 42nd running of the the Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, it fails to dampen his enthusiasm.

    While other teams were making routine final preparations at the start/finish line in downtown Ensenada, Mexico, Sohren and his crew were around the corner in the parking lot of their hotel, calmly but hurriedly seeking to replace the faulty pump in his Slime/Maxxis Tires Ford Trophy Truck, which failed with less than 100 miles of testing on it. Not the best way to start a day in which Sohren will start the race in the first position, giving him the opportunity to run in dust-free race conditions as the race unfolds. But despite the daunting task of having to fend off the 31 other Trophy Truck entries and a host of Class 1 buggies as well as the rest of the 347 entries from 39 states and 14 countries, Sohren said he intends to start out front and stay there.

    "I’ve spent $45,000 in race prep for this one race alone,” Sohren of Glendale, Arizona, said. “We put in a new dash, all-new wiring…and a fuel pump that already broke with less than 100 miles on it.”

    Not to worry, the team has plenty of spares and expected to make the start. Confidence is running high. Sohren will drive the first 400 miles of the 672.85-mile race before handing the truck over to Baja rookie Derrick Sproles.

    “We intend to lead it the whole way,” Sohren said. “I’ve got a great relief driver in Derrick. He’s never raced Baja before, but I’m confident that he’ll get the job done. Cameron Steele has already made a bet with me that I won’t get out of the truck if I have a 20-minute lead when I come to my final pit, but he’s gonna lose that one. If everything goes well, I’ll do my job and run for about seven hours, then hand the truck over to Derrick and let him bring it home.”

    Sohren and co-driver “Lil’ Rich” Klein made the start of the race as scheduled, getting underway at 10:40 a.m. As of 12:45 p.m., they were the unofficial leaders, ahead of the Class 1 buggy of Armin Kremer. All racers having 31 hours to reach the finish line back in Ensenada.

  • Blog post
  • 2 days ago
  • Views: 141
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• Christys Racing 2009 Baja 1000

  • From: Vtr_Racing
  • Description:

    Craig and his band of baja brothers are going for a repeat! Something that is very hard to do in desert racing. The ATV team races a very well prepared Honda TRX450r. Leonard Duncan from Duncan Racing does the prepwork for this championship team. His co-riders include Steve Abrego, David Scott, current BITD champ, GNCC racer Andy Lagzdines.  They have been down in Baja pre-running all week. Tommorow is contingency and tech inspection and hopefully some relaxing. 

    Here is the Spot tracking link for Team Christys Racing.

    http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0sTDZsCDIuLD12ktoc2yglX4ypiqLGbGV

  • Blog post
  • 3 days ago
  • Views: 91
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• 2009 Baja 1000

  • From: jburns
  • Description:

    The 42nd annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000 is this weekend in Ensanda, Mexico. NASCAR racer Robby Gordon will look to earn the overall series title along with a 1000 victory, but there are a number of great teams that will be looking for that ellusive 1000 victory. Anyone planning on going this year? What are your thoughts on Baja in general with some of the security issues in recent years. I started a discussion on the message board here. Hop on and give your two cents on the race and Baja in general. I'm curious to hear what the off-road community thinks of this changing off-road locale.

  • Blog post
  • 4 days ago
  • Views: 41
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• Team Arctic Cat Baja 1000 2009

  • From: Vtr_Racing
  • Description:

    Jason Wade racing with Reid Rutherford on the ThunderCat at this years Baja 1000. Catch the pre running here.....via Spot GPS Tracking.

    http://share.findmespot.com/shared/faces/viewspots.jsp?glId=0hfzusXEpUjlFuM2WfdM08miPoOik52l4

    Other udpates to follow when they come in....

    Right now there are 50 plus pings on there......Looks jumbled.....I will hide the pre running data on race day, this saturday.

    Update 1117/09

     

    Prerunning went well. Jason says the course is a bit harder than he anticipated. Not sure if its the equipment he isnt used to ??? So far he is getting used to the Arctic Cat Thundercat. Handles a little different than the Can Am Renegae he has. The Mikes loop is tough and the road out of Matomi Wash is tougher than it has ever been.

  • Blog post
  • 5 days ago
  • Views: 84
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• Duhn Duhn Duhn

  • From: Younggun95
  • Description:

    I have no idea how you are supposed to spell that, hopefully you could tell the sound effect that I was going for in the title. lol

    Ive got a busy couple months ahead. Its technically my off-season right now from racing, but that just means that Im even more busy than before. Ive got races and riding planned for the next 5 or 6 weeks. But I dont even have a place planned to stay. Im in the dorms this semester and I have to be out of my room for christmas break by Dec 10... And I dont plan on flying home until Dec. 21. Gotta plan the important stuff first!

    But the Duhn Duhn Duhn was for the sort of "revealing" of my truck. I haven't seen it in months, but I hear that it has come a long ways. Im sure some of you have been wanting to see pictures of it finished. So I have! I was supposed to get it back about a month ago, but of course, some delays happened. Now Im planning on driving it back to Vegas on Jan 1 when I leave Boise. The last time I saw it we had just barely finished up the rear shocks and suspension. Ive been told that since then the rear fiberglass has been mounted, a bumper has been built, the bed has been customized so it is still removeable in the future with the shocks going through it ( I absolutely HATE the designs that everyone does that when you bend or break something, you have it cut it off. Why the heck would you just weld your front bumper to the frame! Spend just a little more time to make it bolt on!) Along with maybe some bed liner sprayed in there. And the biggest detail, that I think is delaying it the most.... something that no other pre-runner has.... a rack system for my quad. Im a professional racer, so there is no way I can have a truck that I can't load a quad into. So my truck will eventually have a system to pull the quad up and over the shock hoops. Stoked to see it!

  • Blog post
  • 2 weeks ago
  • Views: 94

• Hump 'N Bump

  • From: jeepndel
  • Description:

    Once again the Vegas Valley 4Wheelers "got it done right!"  The 29th Annual Hump 'N Bump was a tremendous success with over 200 rigs registered and several wonderful wheeling trails on the menu.  Stacie and I were able to recruit several new BlueRibbon Coalition members, and we represented BFGoodrich Tires in a tire give-away to support the raffle.  BFG kicked in five (5) tires up to 37's for one lucky winner.  Awesome.

    Hump 'N Bump supports the Southern Nevada Trail Fund which helps support groups like BlueRibbon Coalition and United Four Wheel Drive Associations and others.

    Some businesses supporting the cause at the event included Ted Wiens Custom 4x4 from Vegas, Genright Off Road, Go Treks, Superchips, Findlay Toyota, Olympic4x4 Products, Maximum OffRoad.com, OptimumGear.com, Magnum Ink, and others.  Tread Lightly (and BLM) were also on sight with a very nice display and friendly folks to help answer questions.

    Notably, we found nearly NO trash on the trails and EVERYONE was courteous and smilling the entire event.  I did manage to scare my better half (Stacie) with a few tail-walking airborne Jeep episodes, but no damage was done and my Jeep is ready for another adventure.

    See the video of some bodacious rock crawling, and get more info here on my website:
    <a href="http://www.delalbright.com/Articles/hump_2009.html" target="_blank">http://www.delalbright.com/Articles/hump_2009.html</a>

    Del

  • Blog post
  • 2 weeks ago
  • Views: 62

• Boostbunny 2009 TOP 13 Finalis

  • From: honeybearz1978
  • Description:

    Thanks to all of my friends and supporters for voting me into the TOP 13 in the Boostbunny Competition!
    
    I will now be in Orange County Diesel's 2010 Boostbunny Calendar! How awesome is that, HOT CHICKS and HOT TRUCKS! Click here to order yours now: http://www.ocdiesel.com/Boost-Bunny-Calendar-Apparel-s/789.htm  The best part is that with every purchase made, 10% ot the total cost will be donated to the Children's Cancer Research Fund.
    
    I had some photos taken for the calendar a couple weeks ago and they turned out amazing!
    
    I need your help one more time...in order to help Orange County and all of the Boostbunny Sponsors decide on which of the TOP 13 Finalists should be named Miss Boostbunny 2009, they are asking for members input on their member forum.
    
    Please log onto www.boostbunny.com/forums and Sign up for a username and password (its free and you dont have to own a diesel (although I think you should ;)) Please post in the forum titled: http://boostbunny.com/forum/index.php?board=16.0
    
    Please hurry! They are choosing the winner on 30 November!!!
    

  • Blog post
  • 2 weeks ago
  • Views: 129
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• Hump 'N Bump with Vegas Valley

  • From: jeepndel
  • Description:

    Hump 'N Bump by the Vegas Valley 4Wheelers was a great success; probably 200 rigs; great food and fun camping; awesome wheeling; and $25,000 in raffle stuff including the 5 BFG Tires that Stac and I gave away with our BlueRibbon smile on. 

    This is a great way to spend a weekend or end your visit to SEMA in Las Vegas.  We tie the two events together and it sure makes for a productive and fun week. The Vegas Valley 4Wheelers do a nice job with Hump 'N Bump, and the wheeling is everything from mild to wild.  Give it a shot next year.  You'll not be disappointed.

    Del

  • Blog post
  • 2 weeks ago
  • Views: 35
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• Halloween

  • From: Younggun95
  • Description:

    I was a little bit of a failure this weekend in the way of Media. I have no video or pictures to show from my weekend in Dumont. I dumbly forgot my helmet cam... and so did a couple other friends that have them. And its just too hard to carry my camera out when I go ride.

    I found a few jumps. Nothing spectacular. A couple of the same jumps from last year. Spotted a dirtbike doing a 130+ ft double with a gap in the middle. I didn't have the cajones to even make a run at it.

    One night we spent a while watching a group of drunk people try and get their trucks un-stuck behind competition. First a Toyota dug in and decided to just keep spinning the wheels until they were completely barried. They brought another truck, broke the front driveline and barried that one also. One more truck and tried to pull the second one out at an angle instead of straight... no surprise, another one stuck. Somehow found another truck and pulled the third out. Then get that one stuck again trying to turn around to give another pull. Found an even bigger truck, managed to pull a few of them out, then broke the driveline in that one also. At one point, had 4 trucks stuck plus another pulling. One vehicle of every major brand stuck, a few too many beers, no real tow straps, and all in the middle of the night.

    Seemed like there wasn't all that many people out there...

    Anyone else got any good stories from the desert, sand, snow, or mountains during Halloween?

  • Blog post
  • 3 weeks ago
  • Views: 180

• Go US Trucks and Suv’s

  • From: markmonin
  • Description:

    Go US Trucks and Suv’s

     Trucks, SUVs, and Off-road represents the most mainstream of the show sections as trucks and SUVs now outsell passenger cars.  Light trucks were once considered only working vehicles; pickup trucks for farmers and contractors, vans for delivery trades and SUVs for those whose work required a vehicle that was a cross between a pickup and a van.  Today, they represent approximately half of all new vehicles sold in the U.S.  In fact, the Trucks, SUVs, and Off-road section of the market contributes the largest amount of market revenue to the $31 billion automotive equipment aftermarket industry. 

    Much like the light-truck market, off-road vehicles now take on a more personal or recreational context.  In fact, many off-road vehicles, and the automotive specialty equipment purchased for them, never venture off paved streets and highways.  But they all present that durable, rugged image associated with the necessities of off-roading.

    The SEMA Show is the most powerful business tool anyone in the off-road community has today; it is the nexus for new ideas and new relationships.  This year’s improved show layout, centralized displays, workshops and educational outreach.

    The section highlights the full breadth of the off-road industry between the extreme and the mainstream, between the novice off-roaders and the all-star daredevils, and between the calmer ride/drives and the outrageous rock crawling performance demonstrations.

    Ford Motor Company and GM will again recognize significant design achievements at the 2009 SEMA Show with their annual design awards.

    The Ford Motor Company Corporate Design Awards are given annually to those vehicles that make significant contributions to vehicle design and stand apart from others at the SEMA Show. Awards will be presented for the most significant accomplishments in the following vehicle categories:

    ·         Best of Show

    ·         Best of Show on Ford Corporate Display Stand

    ·         Best Ford Heritage Vehicle

    ·         Outstanding Achievement(s)

    Ford's formal award presentation will be Tuesday, November 3, at 11:00 a.m. inside the Ford Motor Company Show stand, located in the Racing & Performance section of the Center Hall (the Ford Motor Company press conference will follow at 11:40 a.m.).
    
    Ford's Corporate Design judging team will review all Show vehicles on display during setup on Sunday and Monday.

    General Motors will present its design awards to the builders of inspired versions of various GM models. Categories will be divided into two groups:
    
    A) Vehicles: cars, SUVs, trucks, hot rods, restored vehicles
    B) Component/system designs

    You can copy the application form and apply for more than one vehicle or component award. You can also forward the form to any suppliers with a new/innovative component design that contributed to your GM Show vehicle.

  • Blog post
  • 3 weeks ago
  • Views: 80
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• School of Rocks: 4x4 Training

  • From: DezertScorpion
  • Description:

    

    I had the good fortune to meet professional 4WD Trainer Tom Severin from Badlands Off-Road Adventures this year. When I found out there was a school for people to learn how to become better off-road drivers, I signed up and was on my way to 4x4 U.

    It was a lot of fun I even learned a thing or two about rock crawling!

    Check out the full article School of Rocks

    
    

  • Blog post
  • 4 weeks ago
  • Views: 112

• Control Arms

  • From: dpace7
  • Description:

    As some of you know, i just lifted my jeep 6 inches...I put the lift together with induvidual parts rather than buying a 3,000 dollar kit, which is a lot cheaper BTW.  I got some lower control arms, but i've been told i won't need new UPPER control arms, at least for now, is this true, or should i scrounge up some $$ and get some?? Thanks.

  • Blog post
  • 4 weeks ago
  • Views: 144
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• i need help

  • From: hannoush94
  • Description:

    hey, if i have a stock 1999 jeep cherokee what can i start to make it offroad accessible.

  • Blog post
  • 4 weeks ago
  • Views: 102
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• SEMA in the Land Use Game

  • From: jeepndel
  • Description:

    SEMA Offers Helpful Land Use Guide

     

    A “Guide to Land Use Policies & Off-Road Recreation” has just been added to our arsenal of information to help us fight back to keep our public lands open and our sports alive.  Released by our friends at SEMA (Specialty Equipment Marketing Association), this guide offers some helpful stuff:

     

    o   some insight into major laws that dictate land use;

    o   a look at the federal agencies who control our public lands by administering these laws;

    o   a listing of the some of the organizations that SEMA works with to protect the rights of off-road enthusiasts; and

    o   provides SEMA’s position on these issues.

     

    While much of this information is offered on other websites or through enthusiast organizations, SEMA adds to our collective fight by putting these key topics in one place through their SEMA Action Network (SAN) that really assists off-road businesses.  I found this collection of key laws, government agencies, major land use groups and SEMA positions quite helpful as an enthusiast as well.

     

    The SEMA SAN also has quite a collection of legislative resources that compliment what the off-road organizations offer, including model legislation, a listing of federal legislators, and a guide to lobbying elected officials.   The SAN is free to join from their website.

     

    Go here for more on the land use Guide and SAN: http://www.semasan.com/main/main.aspx?id=62625

     

    Del

     

    Del Albright

    Save your trails (SaveMyTrails)

    BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) Ambassador

    Cal4Wheel (CA4WDC), Environmental Affairs

     

    Access Army

     

  • Blog post
  • 4 weeks ago
  • Views: 94

• X Games Medalist Young Takes a

  • From: lin.seasmoke
  • Description:

    X Games Medalist Young Takes a Dive

    From Killer Tabletops to Wrecks and Reefs

    by Margo Malcolm

     

    Since he was a kid, Gary Young, 2009 ‘X’ Games BMX Freestyle Bronze

    Medalist, has been defying gravity, hanging in the air twisting and turning on

    his bike. Now he is taking his love of extreme activities down under the sea.

    “Snorkeling was really like the gateway for me to get into diving.” said

    Young, 26. “I started snorkeling a few years ago and it really sparked my

    interest. I learned about sea life and hanging out under water was a new

    thing for me. It’s always been something I’ve been interested in but I didn’t

    really get hooked until I went snorkeling.”

     

    Young has started his diving certification through PADI (Professional

    Association of Diving Instructors). When he first expressed interest about

    diving to a friend he discovered that his friend’s girlfriend and her father both

    worked for PADI.

     

    “I was talking to him about getting into diving and he said his girlfriend had

    been trying to get him into diving for a while but he’d been scared,” said

    Young. “And I said let’s do it together. One thing led to another and now

    we’re on our way into diving.”

     

    

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Young began his diving training with PADI’s eLearning. PADI eLearning

    courses allow beginners to complete the classroom portion of certification at

    their own pace, whenever or wherever it’s convenient for them. The

    eLearning system consists of interactive presentations that include videos,

    audio, graphics and reading, and is available in seven languages.

     

    Since Young lives in southern California, he was able to go to PADI’s head

    office for his confined water dives. This is followed by two open water dives

    and completion of his diving certification.

     

    Another reason Young chose PADI certification was because he found when

    he did some research that PADI certification was accepted worldwide. This

    was important to him because Young travels a lot. The BMX circuit takes him

    all over the world, including some of the best diving places like Thailand,

    Singapore, New Zealand and Australia. PADI has over 5300 dive shop and

    resort members worldwide.

     

    Although Young spends most of his days on the road practicing and

    competing on his bike, perfecting his killer tabletops and 360s, he’ll be taking

    sometime to check out the local marine life.

    “I’ve been to so many places and now I’ll have the opportunity to go out and

    see what is underwater and check out the reefs and wreck ,” said Young.

    “Diving seems so cool to me.”

     

    

  • Blog post
  • 4 weeks ago
  • Views: 105
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• Weekend Off

  • From: Younggun95
  • Description:

    I planned on taking this week and weekend off from riding/racing. I deserve a weekend off after a season of racing right? Plus I was hurt and waiting for parts so I couldn't go to the Quadcross race anyways...

    So for my weekend off, I spent Friday working on my broken quad, and someone elses broken quad. I got up really early saturday morning and went to Dumont dunes. Since my quad was broken I drove a borrowed yamaha rhino. And today Im going to Red Rock to go hiking/ mountain biking for a work out...

    I guess I never really take any time off from quads or the off-road industry. My life is just so much wrapped up in it I dont know what else to do with my time. When I get bored and have nothing to do my first thought is always to go work on my quad...

    Is anyone else so involved that they find themselves not knowing what to do when they can't ride?

  • Blog post
  • 4 weeks ago
  • Views: 144

• Waters Earns Top Ten for WORCS

  • From: hotseat
  • Description:

    Coming in to the final World Off Road Championship Series ATV Nationals in Mesquite NV, HotSeat Powersports/Yamaha rider Justin Waters sat 10^th in points – but in a tight battle. Six riders sat with only 7 points separating them. He knew he had to finish well to reach his goal of a top ten for his first season on the Pro circuit. And have some luck on where the other riders finished, so the points would fall his way.

    "Our goal from the beginning was a top ten this season. It seemed to be a realistic goal based on my lap times and the riders I know I can run with, but then as the season went on, several top national-level Pros also came out to try the series and the competition really ramped up. I’ve never worked this hard – on and off the track."

    The Mesquite race had all the excitement and drama fans could ask for, with several top GNCC and ATV MX pros coming out to shake up the mix in Sunday’s Main Event - but when the dust settled, Waters had the finish he needed, earning the #10 plate.

    "I'm even prouder of finishing with no DNFs. The companies I'm working with are turning out the best equipment in the industry. They understand the extra demands racing puts on their products. The Yamaha YFZ450R is a bike that anyone can get on and ride, you don't have to hire a master mechanic or pour thousands of dollars in to maintain it. Fox Racing Shox, Teixeira Tech A-arms and a Rekluse clutch were absolutely key to several of my best finishes this season. It was also great to have Maxxis support right at the track. I can’t thank them enough, and I’m anxious to work with them all again.”

    His sights are set even higher for 2010.

    “Now that we’re on the front row, I want to put my sponsors on the podium. Get a single-digit number for the year.”

    #95 Justin Waters (WORCS #10) would like to thank his 2009 sponsorship partners, including:

    Hot Seat Powersports, Yamaha, Teixeira Tech, Fox Racing Shox, Precision Racing Products, AC Racing, G4-Graphics, Rekluse, Spider Grips, Powermadd, GYT-R, MotoX Nutrition, Flexx Bars, MSR, Scott USA, Gaerne, DP Brakes, DWT, Maxxis, Motion Pro, Spectro Oil, Quadtech, Regina Chains, SkorBordz.

     

  • Blog post
  • 5 weeks ago
  • Views: 164

• THANKS EVERYBODY FOR HELPING!!

  • From: kristie23
  • Description:

    THANK YOU GUYS FOR SHOWING YOUR SUPPORT AND VOTING FOR ME! I AM NOW IN THE TOP 10 IN THE PROARMOR MODELING CONTEST!! I AM OFFICIALLY GOING TO BE IN THE 2010 CALENDAR AND HOPE TO MAKE THE FINAL CUT!! THANKS AGAIN FOR SUPPORTING ME!! YOU OFFROADERS ARE THE BEST!!!  

  • Blog post
  • 5 weeks ago
  • Views: 107

• 4Wheel Parts Partners with Blu

  • From: jeepndel
  • Description:

                                                         4Wheel Parts Provides Huge Membership Incentive
                                                               4Wheel Parts $25 Gift Card for Membership

    
    Join, renew or extend your current membership in BlueRibbon Coalition for $29, and 4Wheel Parts will give you a $25 Gift Card PLUS up to 15% off on all their goodies. AWESOME. This is a no-brainer. You can become a new member, or add to your existing membership for basically $4.00 for a year.
    

    
    
    
    BlueRibbon is all sports -- all trails -- for all people. It is our only grassroots umbrella national organization. We all should belong.   And for existing members, with this deal, there's no reason not to extend your current membership out a year for $4.00.  4Wheel Parts is "in the game" helping us to save trails.  Wow. 
    And oh, when you get in on this deal, you'll see how BlueRibbon is now doing video-based web programs.
    Learn more, get in on the deal, and see the video here
    Del 
  • Blog post
  • 1 month ago
  • Views: 150