INSERT INTO `Northern_forum_posts` (`POST_ID`, `AUTHOR`, `ENABLE_SIG`, `ENABLE_EMO`, `IP_ADDR`, `POST_DATE`, `POST_ICON`, `POST`, `AUTHOR_TYPE`, `QUEUED`, `TOPIC_ID`, `FORUM_ID`, `ATTACH_ID`, `ATTACH_HITS`, `ATTACH_TYPE`) VALUES (1, '98-1064233388', 1, 1, '203.40.132.88', 1064234405, 0, 'wow, what an inviting introduction to the other half of the world. we do the same thing on our forums in australia. even though i drive a pommie 4x4, ijust can't relate to their forum. so i thought i'd give you guys a go to see how the other half lives. if you're interested in reading absolute rubbish from the arse (ass) end of the world, have a look at www.overlander.com.au and go to the forums page. i've got a land rover 110 ute with a new 4.0 litre engine, 2" suspension lift, 255/85/r16 BFG muddies on off-set rims. this time last year completed a crossing of the Simpson desert with some friends, 2 other landy's, 2 toyota's and a mitsubishi, 4 weeks, 7500km (1.6km to the mile)', 1, 0, 1, 1, NULL, NULL, NULL), (53085, '115-1034280637', 1, 1, '209.112.213.84', 1080162472, 0, 'hey i guys i trying to talk any crap. tell you the truth i dont really care where you buy your stuff. i make the same amount of money either way. but if you are looking to get a longer sping pack that you can build your own springs out of, go see sid glascock off of king street. He usally has pretty good prices on everything.', 1, 0, 3815, 1, NULL, NULL, NULL), (53826, '70-1037038076', 1, 1, '24.237.1.129', 1080508583, 0, 'You acn find pleanty of threads and a review on POR. Just don't be a dumbass and ask stupid questions there ok?', 1, 0, 3866, 2, NULL, NULL, NULL), (50178, '48-1032411197', 1, 1, '209.112.171.62', 1078871269, 0, '
| Quote (ODDBALL @ Mar. 09 2004,02:10) |
| I still build Jeep's and am proud to stay with my customer 110% to keep them happy. 00TJ can bite my pinky toe! |
| Quote (frosty @ Mar. 09 2004,09:17) | ||
Ive been following a lot of write ups on the irok, and it appears that they are doing fairly well in a variety of conditions. i was really interested in what guys around tellico and other east coast places had to say about them since their trail conditions are closer to what we have here. yeah they arent a bogger, but for those of us without 60s and 14 bolts they may be more forgiving on drivetrain components than the old boggerooo. |






\n\n
| Quote (rgrjeep @ Mar. 08 2004,10:59) |
| Can you get me a price on the ATV Interco Vampire EDL (extra deep lug) 28x10x12. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Mar. 09 2004,05:31) |
| Wiley- your Tierod is on the wrong side of your leave springs..... Can We get a thread or at least some pictures of your SAS? I always like to see what the local boys are up to. |
| Quote (Country Boy @ Mar. 09 2004,17:47) |
| Fags...... |
| Quote (ODDBALL @ Mar. 09 2004,09:20) |
| Looks to me that they have hacked a Warior CJ SRS front mount for your front cross bar/spring mounts. |
| Quote (RWC @ Mar. 12 2004,17:32) |
| this wasn't a "farmed" versus "wild" issue, it was a "wild" versus "hatchery-wild" issue. Hatchery fish are wild. They're just born in hatcheries before getting tossed into a holding pen in whatever lake they'll call home; then they swim out to the ocean with all the other fish and swim back to that lake/watershed to breed, just like all the other wild fish. My understanding is that farmed salmon spend their entire lives in captivity, except for the few that escape and spread disease to the wild fish. |
| Quote (StuPidGiRrl @ Mar. 09 2004,10:16) |
| lol I only show my piercings to hot guys |
| Quote (RWC @ Mar. 09 2004,12:02) |
| Shift-fork I understand, but what's a sliding clutch look like, and can I replace it without tearing apart the tranny? |
| Quote (00TJ @ Mar. 10 2004,00:38) |
| Alaska Towing and Wrecking..has a guy at the counter that is a total jack off.... |
| Quote (ODDBALL @ Mar. 09 2004,02:10) |
| Thank you |
| Quote (BadCo @ Mar. 09 2004,10:44) |
| I am not bashing anyone. I have had a problem in the past, took it back and it was better. Not perfect. I like perfect personally. Also, I know what bad u-joints are and what angle things need to be at, so that is not a factor. 6 States had a bit of turn-over last year and maybe their was a learning curve that had not been met at the time I had the rear shafts built. Having a shop in the Valley build stuff is not cost effective. |

| Quote (Overlord @ Mar. 09 2004,17:10) | ||||
Or those of us the DD our rigs. I don't think the Bogger will wear to well on a DD. |
| Quote (85toyflatbed @ Mar. 09 2004,20:59) |
| jerry you are one sexy bitch |
| Quote (aktazz @ Mar. 09 2004,08:36) |
| At those prices I might just get another one in case mine breaks, I would rather do that than sit on the trail repairing mine. You guys are right about the tree saver idea. I was confused. I was thinking of the extension idea. We all have our retard moments. |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ Mar. 09 2004,12:58) |
| That seems kinda stupid. Are you really wanting to shove a mud and rust covered shaft into your diff housing? Put the things inside and keep them clean. I just ubolted mine to my tool box. |


| Quote |
| I think I can add to this -- I am in my senior year studying wildlife biology. |
| Quote (BirdMan @ May 25 2004,09:25) |
| I was originally using the unloader port with my setup, but I had my colescing (SP?) filter after the check valve/presure switch setup and it would make a mess with the oil from the compressor, so I disconnected it. For an engine driven compressor I dont think you really need one, and the line from the check valve to the compressor should bleed off on its own through the compressor. Heres a few pics of my setup ![]() ![]() |
| Quote (BadCo @ Mar. 08 2004,22:04) |
| I recommend using a aluminum hawse with winch rope |
| Quote (Blackjack @ Mar. 12 2004,12:54) | ||
Its Cherokee hill goofball. |
| Quote (sledneck @ April 05 2004,16:51) | ||
so how many psi is in the tank. |
| Quote (Steph @ Mar. 11 2004,12:22) |
| That is fricken hilarious Frosty.....We love you Scott. |
| Quote (frosty @ Mar. 11 2004,10:44) |
| ah ha. i found an add in the for sale section. maybe it will help. |
| Quote (95 ZJ @ Mar. 12 2004,05:28) |
| and something that I can afford to fire just for fun as well. |
| Quote (00TJ @ Mar. 12 2004,09:52) |
| Well I could not sleep last night..so I got on pc..messing around on the web..My door goes right to the deck..which goes to my garage. I was sitting there was really quite..I kept hearing something outside, so I peeked out the curtin and saw this guy at my garage door. I went to get my baseball bat and opened the door really fast and yelled (What the fawk you doing ) he looked white as a ghost...(BUSTED) he started to run so I got to steps and swung bat and hit him in the back of neck.he fell and hit the nice ice patch and he got some nice ice burns on face |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Mar. 12 2004,06:11) |
| Nice weapon Oddball. You will not be sorry. Good aftermarket support. I leave my rifle stock on my mossy most of the time but if I know I am gonna be backpacking with it I will put a shorter fluted barrel on it and a fold down tactical stock. even with the extended tube and full load of 000 and Sabot rounds it is pretty light. Check out the Safari sling if you plan on packing it on your person. Or do like me and get a Camel Back Hydration system and pack the heat across your back. Mosseberg 500A. Light, when composite equiped and you can dip them in the mud and they will fire every time. That is my bear gun. They are also cheap so if I have to through it at the bear I am not out much..lol. Charlie put together a nice shotty gotta respect a tactical safety. What is it Charlie 500A barrel, 870 action......and something else right? |
| Quote (sledneck @ Mar. 10 2004,20:52) | ||
Damn i have such a good come back for this but i wont say it |
| Quote (nate379 @ Mar. 10 2004,21:22) | ||||
Let hear it. I promise I won't kick you in the nuts. |
| Quote (nate379 @ Mar. 11 2004,19:03) |
| Gas Station on base. |


', 1, 0, 3594, 2, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(59701, '108-1058927339', 1, 1, '131.37.206.6', 1082770485, 0, 'I thought on rocks you were suppost to use less go pedal.', 1, 0, 4331, 1, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(50398, '66-1031727621', 1, 1, '209.193.39.197', 1078962953, 0, '| Quote (00TJ @ Mar. 10 2004,15:44) |
| Me and Frosty are not disfunctional ..We are Unique..!! |
| Quote (BadCo @ Mar. 10 2004,11:24) |
| Homolope... |
| Quote (00TJ @ Mar. 10 2004,15:44) |
| Me and Frosty are not disfunctional ..We are Unique..!! |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Mar. 09 2004,04:29) |
| I bet I buy and destroy another entire vehicle before Jay finishes his bumper..... |
| Quote (OneTonCJ @ Mar. 11 2004,19:26) |
Those are little ![]() Of off a drill we use |
| Quote (sevenslats @ Mar. 11 2004,21:17) |
| Okay, I understand why you need a limiting [strap] in the rear. It's not for the springs or shocks, but for the driveshaft. What I don't understand is the front. Usually the [strap] is to retain the coils or prevent the shocks from over-extending. If your [strap] is in the center, it's not gonna help these situations. |
| Quote |
| (shhhh don't tell my troops thier LT is a dumpster Diver) |
| Quote (frosty @ Mar. 11 2004,10:49) |
| That is some good info. Why is it that the sutton area is so highly watched? |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Feb. 23 2004,07:46) |
| fabricating a new x member is easy man. Don't let it scare you. look at Bgreen engine x member. Simple and super effective. 20-30 dollats in bushings, 10 bucks in tubing and a afternoon and your in business. |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ April 23 2004,16:04) |
| Is that some kinda fancy go-cart axle? look at how tiny it is! Man that sucks.. Time to go get some ford axles |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Mar. 10 2004,06:30) |
| Go ahead. At least then I would have to walk around to find them. Would make killin em a lot easier that way. |
\n\n| Quote (Bronco85 @ Mar. 12 2004,10:31) |
| Better hope he doesn't press charges against you for assult. |

| Quote (ranger @ Mar. 13 2004,10:36) |
| Now all you need is a Toy to wheel in and your set! |
| Quote (Rowdy Red @ Mar. 13 2004,10:20) |
| What kind of freespool trouble does the 8274 have? |
| Quote (fatpaulie @ Mar. 13 2004,01:00) |
| i just carry my REM 300 ULTRA mag. and if that dont work smith and wesson 44. if that dont get them then ill just throw the dam guns and run like hell. oddball nice gun, like them alot just to much out of my price range |
| Quote (nate379 @ Mar. 13 2004,02:57) |
| Happy Birthday shrek |
| Quote (85toyflatbed @ Mar. 09 2004,20:59) |
| jerry you are one sexy bitch |


', 1, 0, 3613, 1, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(50500, '66-1031727621', 1, 1, '209.193.39.197', 1078962953, 0, '| Quote (00TJ @ Mar. 10 2004,15:44) |
| Me and Frosty are not disfunctional ..We are Unique..!! |
| Quote (BadCo @ Mar. 10 2004,11:24) |
| Homolope... |
| Quote (00TJ @ Mar. 10 2004,15:44) |
| Me and Frosty are not disfunctional ..We are Unique..!! |

| Quote (FireMedic @ Mar. 10 2004,15:39) | ||
Even funnier is that he was out playing with his dead animal parts instead of helping us cut firewood with two disfunctional chainsaws and at least as many disfunctional operators. Lazy ass..... |

| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Mar. 10 2004,12:44) |
| Homolope....that is classic. |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ Mar. 10 2004,11:33) |
| Whats this thread have to do with tech? |
| Quote |
| Opps dam put under wrong place..please put in general discussion...sorry |
| Quote (00TJ @ Mar. 12 2004,00:02) |
| Yea I think it's called Roll-Over hill.. |
| Quote (smikey2 @ Mar. 12 2004,02:44) |
| Yeap its a rifled ass kickin slug!! Rottweilers is the name of the round!!! I get mine from Boondocks inEagle RIver for @7 a box of 5 and packem full |
| Quote (smikey2 @ Mar. 12 2004,02:29) |
| As far as rounds go Check out the rottweiler's they are 600 grains of pure donkey punch!!!!!! |



| Quote (muddyalaskantoy @ Sep. 06 2004,20:26) |
| My vote goes towards some kind of wintergreen or spearmint scented. |
| Quote (Fix-It @ Mar. 10 2004,20:33) |
| i got 259.16 cents back this yr . if it wasn't for my school loans and child care credit i would be owing this yr . i hate the irs ... if i owe them they take it right then and there but if they owe me they take there sweet time .... i would like a print out of every dime i ever gave them and how it was used . i have too! why shouldn't they ? after all they work for us right ?once we see were all the money goes maybe we will stand up for ourselves . i hate socail programs that don't work but we keep paying for ... sorry enough ranting i just finished our taxes monday still mad ...i go back into my corner ... |


', 1, 0, 30, 1, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(50790, '77-1032767337', 1, 1, '64.4.225.227', 1079095330, 0, 'This is what I assume the "Nate3/16th trail look" is.. 

| Quote (95 ZJ @ Mar. 12 2004,03:10) |
| Yeah those rifled rottweilers are what I carried in my Wichester model 1300 Defender before I sold it, good stuff. |
| Quote (sevenslats @ April 13 2004,05:29) | ||
WTF does that have to do with anything? And BTW, my eyebrows are evenly spaced. |
| Quote (00TJ @ Mar. 11 2004,23:02) |
| Yea I think it's called Roll-Over hill.. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Mar. 11 2004,17:32) |
| Milemarkers are cheap because you get what you pay for. JUNK. And that is coming from first hand experiences with them. Save a couple extra months and get a Warn. You will never be sorry. |
| Quote (00TJ @ Mar. 12 2004,14:54) | ||||
I know it was cherokke hill..asslips..I was trying to mess with Brentt..Man dan everything shoots right by you dont it.. |
| Quote |
| Maybe I need to spell it out?? Last time I checked Oddball is in Anchorage. |
| Quote (Chainman @ Mar. 11 2004,22:32) |
| That pic is coming up the first good hill at King River...right. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Mar. 06 2004,06:19) |
| Badco's 36 TSl and my Q78's mounted on the same Rockcrawler 8 inch rims. Only way to tell the difference was the width. the 36 TSl is about 1 inch wider (half a inch on each side). AND the tread depth. (Q is significantly deeper) Height wise they looked the same to me. Oh and I bet the Iroks are gonna change the way tires are made. I took a lot longer look at the set here on base. Very well constructed. I bet they do better in the mudd than most will give them credit for. Rounded shoulders and scooped lugs= Good Go Go Juice IMO. |
| Quote (Sarge @ Mar. 03 2004,15:25) |
| Now I must admit, though, I didn't take the time to try researching it, but what the hell is ttb? |

\n\n
| Quote (SnowMan @ Mar. 11 2004,20:17) |
| We just burnt out 2 milemarker winches trying to pull a Hummer out of a draw...Crapola The real questions is: Which winch will winch best to pull wenches with....... |
| Quote (frosty @ Mar. 11 2004,13:09) |
| for the curtis version you need some 3x3x3/8th angle iron and an 8274 mount. very simple. good approach angle, but needs some added protection for lights.. |
| Quote (AlaskaToy @ Mar. 11 2004,21:13) |
My Warn HS9500i shit the bed on the forst day out, third or fourth pull. Best guess is too much muck got inside. It just quit. The solenoids were working fine, no motor engagement. Warn sent me some shims to shim back the motor endcap; they apparantly already knew of a rather common problem on my winch. I couldn't stop dicking with it while waiting for the shims and it started working again. when the shim showed up I decided to install them anyway. Here's what I found in the endcap:![]() ![]() My guess is the mud dried enough over the period of a few days, so whatever it was shorting out when wet was not an issue once it dried enough. Form my experience with warn the 8274 I used at work are all but bombproof, but I'm sorely disappionted with the lack of protection form the elements on the HS9500i. I have since RTV'd the motor endcap to the housing to keep muck form getting in there. There are drain holes where the motor meets the drum housing I left open. Soon I am going to pot the integrated solenoid housing with reenterable encapsulent to keep moisture out of there as well. If you buy a warn, buy one of the new high dollar sealed units, or spend some time sealing it up before you hit the muck. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Mar. 13 2004,11:48) | ||
you mean like my FJ40? Um no wheeling for that thing thank you. Much to nice. I don't have pics of it anymore since my old comp is dead. But I know that Bgreen or Birdman or Badco might....I know I put it's picture up somewhere. it is a late 74. With the 4 speed tranny and the 73 Tcase. Was a community college body shop project vehicle for 3 years. No rust. New 2F. It is just sitting at the Farm collecting Dust. Mom starts it every month and drives it to town once a year to have all the fluids changed. I am saving it for a special build present. Little Bro gets out of the Army in 6 months. He was in love with the old FJ and will get this one with a few mods.....Why may you ask? Well the fact that he spent a year in Afganistan and is the only person other than the wife to occupy both Family and Friend catagories in my hierarchy..... |
| Quote (95 ZJ @ Mar. 13 2004,14:45) |
| You could probably put 33's on that thing stock. |
| Quote (ODDBALL @ Mar. 11 2004,20:58) |
| SPill it hos! I had the first ones made here! |
| Quote (Badcop @ Oct. 01 2003,15:45) |
| ...stock 6cyl cleaned and close to running... |
| Quote (rgrjeep @ Mar. 12 2004,08:10) |
| Cheapest bidder everytime for the military. I have used ramsey, warn, and milemarker hydraulic. You definately need to do a good pre-inspection to make sure warn and ramsey are sealed tight. I have no experience with the milemarker electric. Bronco85 if you want to sell that milemarker shoot me an email. |
| Quote (95 ZJ @ Mar. 11 2004,00:12) |
| I hear ya on that one, I'm at work and everytime I try to open it here I get the "WARNING THE SITE YOU ARE TRYING TO ACCESS IS PROHIBITED" message. |
\n\n

| Quote |
| FYI warn m8000 with 80ft cable and hawse fairlead is selling for $519.00. |
| Quote (BadCo @ Mar. 11 2004,09:59) |
| Badcop, you look like you are in a wheelchair. And, you have gotten a lot uglier than the last time I saw you. |
| Quote (Gr8cjScrambler @ April 12 2004,21:12) |
| Why not try to make some revolver shackles from a tried design or purchase some? |
| Quote (98Taco @ Mar. 10 2004,15:12) |
| Have a good one, Brook! Need some work? I need a front crossmember and spring hangers sometime this spring... |

| Quote (sevenslats @ Mar. 24 2004,01:08) |
| That's ghey. |
| Quote (98Taco @ Mar. 08 2004,14:26) |
| Yeah, that's what the goal is: 4-6* of caster, basically pointing the pinion towards the t-case rather than at the rear axle. Should help with the front driveline geometry. |
| Quote (Kodiak Off Road @ Mar. 08 2004,14:38) |
| Just unspool your old cable and put the rope on in it's place. |
| Quote (deepmud @ April 05 2004,13:48) |
| If you air down, and therefor never sink to the axle or frame......... Isn't that the point? Not airing down leads to that "sinking feeling".......... IMHO, anyway. More to the post - isn't airing down done to keep from sinking in soft terrain? |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Mar. 10 2004,16:45) |
Here is a whole shitload of us.![]() Left to right Standing-Gary (95ZJ aka Meatgazer, can't drive for shit but is funny to have around), Rob (RWC, who would later purposly chop a finger off to test Ryans Driving and direction ability. First one Ryan passed, second he failed miserably), Scott (Little Giant aka Half Mast Hala), Lilly (Stephs HellChild), Steph (Got Hood?), Colton (short kid whose Giants hat I stole later that evening and am still holding as ransom Go Skins!), Kurt (Badco aka Homolope), Kennedy (Badco's ankle biter), Alice (Woman who puts up with my ass and keeps me straight), Seated- Dog (forget its name but its not a pitbull so who cares anyway), Denise (Frosty's Girl Nothing bad to say about her cuz she hooked my rucksack up), Ryan (Frosty who ate a MRE and never replaced it), Cyrus (my youngest and For Sale), Marvin (My oldest and comes free with the purchase of his little brother) |
| Quote (Trigger @ Mar. 09 2004,15:32) |
| Corey has plenty experience working a stick, let me tell you....well thats what i've heard Black Betty, what school are you attending down there? |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Mar. 10 2004,05:54) |
| Nak4af- You are Nubs Nubs friend right? Who was talking shit? Probably me about half the stuff that oozes out of my piehole is shit talking. Just blame it on the Infantry, that is how I cope with it. I didn't hear anyone talking trash about your rig, but I did hear a fair amount being talked about Alaskan Jack's.....I pulled him out o duh mud a couple times left/came back and he was still trying to get it in 4x4. No Biggy, I have been there and done that....shoot the next day I rolled over....I am sure I am still being badgered behind my back for that...BFD. So I guess my advice is to just grow some thicker skin about that stuff. It is a part of the 4x4 world man. I have never been in a group of more than 5 wheelers when someone's rig didn't get bagged on pretty bad. Some can handle it some can't. If your one that can't step up and say something, most people will recognize that the good natured shit talking is hurting your feelings and stop. Ask Macro how much I bag on him......It helps fill the hole where my heart used to be. |



\n\n| Quote (rgrjeep @ Mar. 12 2004,10:53) |
| I pack a 454 casull short barrel with 330g lead cast bullets. It takes practice to shoot double action 5 times in a row accurately but I do shoot alot. That gun is some serious whoop a**. |
| Quote (Nak4af @ Mar. 10 2004,17:36) |
| Yeah, I guess your right! Since the vehicle I'm talking about was an old CJ. It had axle shafts on both sides of the frame. |
| Quote (frosty @ Mar. 10 2004,08:18) |
| franky, you ever been wheeling out of ak? have you ever seen any of the trails in the lower 48???? I think youd be surprised at how similar the trail conditions are in some places... |
| Quote (95 ZJ @ Mar. 11 2004,03:23) |
| Damn you've already got pic posting capabilities? You've only been on the site for like a week you basterd. |
', 1, 0, 3613, 1, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(50584, '83-1078333557', 1, 1, '131.37.206.6', 1079012394, 0, 'I bet that pic will stir up some Shiz............ | Quote (Sarge @ Mar. 11 2004,04:27) | ||
Dat's cuz I rule! ![]() |
| Quote (frosty @ Mar. 11 2004,08:14) |
| Dont weld d-rings to the bumper. they are the most annoying noise in the world on the trail. You dont need any 1/4 either--way over kill. I would use 3/16 plate to completely box the end of the unibody framerails. Run it back far enough on the sides to include the steering box bolts.(make sure you install a steering box brace before you wheel it. trust me). use some 2x4x3/16 for the center section and make the sides out of tapered 2x4x 1/8. then throw a little hoop over the winch for added protection. Did you say 6.5 inches of lift? You even got drop down brackets on that thing???? that thing must ride like a tank. |
| Quote (AkWhtBst @ Mar. 31 2004,17:26) |
| Yes it grew very fast. Hopefully in the next couple weeks I'll have most of the smaller stuff done. Should be ready to wheel in a month at the most. Just gotta be easy on that little front axle. |
| Quote (Kodiak Off Road @ Mar. 08 2004,07:54) |
| Yes we can easily accomidate Leangths up to 500ft. Pm me for a pricequote on those leangths. I would also like to know the application just out of curiosity. KORE |
| Quote (00TJ @ Mar. 12 2004,09:52) | ||
Phildo Phildo Phildo....I would hope he would press charges on me for assult.. Take me a little vaction from work. |
| Quote (98Taco @ Mar. 12 2004,23:13) |
| The 8274 looks kind of ungainly. Is 8000 Lbs enough for my truck plus the solid front axle and 36" tires, and other crap? I heard somewhere that 1.5 times your vehicle's gross weight rating was a safe place to start with the winch's rating, so that brings me to around 7,300, but if you add on a vehicle I might be winching, at 9000 to 9,500 looks better. I really don't know much about this stuff, just the safety and basic use of the winch. 8274-50 What happened to the HS9500? No longer in production? |

', 1, 0, 3631, 1, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(74148, '85-1040364798', 1, 1, '131.37.206.6', 1088199577, 0, 'Hey this window is coming in handy...| Quote (racinghoss @ Mar. 08 2004,18:55) |
| Hi all. I guess I am the latest FNG. I will be moving to Anchorage in May or June this year. I grew up in Idaho and have lived the last few years in Illinois (hate this place). Looking forward to getting up there. I drive a 2000 TJ Sport. Haven't had it long so I am just starting to build it. Big plans...little money. Never been "recreational wheeling" but I have a fair amount of experience driving off road (hunting, fishing, sightseeing, research, etc). Looking forward to meeting you and learning from you. I will just monitor the boards for now. I'm a biggin' -- 275 lbs. |
| Quote (sevenslats @ April 12 2004,22:41) |
| That fairy-purple color matches your Type-R seat covers and "keepth my thenthitiff handth thoff" steering wheel cover! |
| Quote (RWC @ Mar. 12 2004,16:32) |
| [quote] They're just born in hatcheries before getting tossed into a holding pen in whatever lake they'll call home; RWC |
| Quote (sledneck @ April 13 2004,19:14) |
| 30 of you looked and 1 has the balls to say he fell for it |
| Quote (00TJ @ Mar. 10 2004,00:41) | ||
Gear box has to be torn apart...If you need someone to rebuild call Oddball INC. |
| Quote (Newbie2000TJ @ Mar. 10 2004,16:06) |
| Quote (nate379 @ Mar. 10 2004,20:46) |
| Mmmm, she sure's got a purdy mouth.. mmmm. |


| Quote (FireMedic @ Mar. 10 2004,21:34) |
| Got a bunch of silly detail work done to the bumper today. Nothing exciting to post a picture of but I'll get it done before next winter...I promise |
| Quote (Overlord @ April 02 2004,06:51) |
| Does Jim's Muffler have a mandrel bender? Maybe I should call. |
| Quote (Bob @ Mar. 12 2004,20:28) |
| True, the 8274 is a bit small for your Bronco, but it is the best winch available for smaller/lighter trail rigs. You can't tell me you wouldn't want one if they made a 10K version. |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ Mar. 12 2004,08:08) |
| Isn't the new 9500 supposed to be faster then the 8274? I read that somewhere... |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ April 12 2004,09:54) |
| what does Greg have to do with any of this? |
| Quote (BirdMan @ Mar. 11 2004,18:43) |
| and 1 1/2" sch 80 is even closer to 2"s... 1.90" ;) |
| Quote (Badcop @ April 23 2004,13:11) |
| we came to discover that we couldnt use the rubberized spacer on a zj in the rear, theres not enought post for the spring to stay seated. when we measured it with a measuring tape, its level in the front and rear. It just looks off because of the body shaping. Similiar to a for 6/4 lift, raise the front a little more than rear to level it out. Nate go look at it in person, doesnt look nearly as off as a picture makes it appear. Edit: Nate I see the picture your talking about, the one with the hood up, my driveways slanted towards the street..... |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ April 05 2004,18:17) |
| They gave me percoset and some other stuff. I never took any. That stuff makes me feel funny and I am kinda sick and figure if I am hurtin I am healin.... |
| Quote (Toyminator @ April 05 2004,17:52) |
| I'll definitely check out the blue stuff at the Parker store. |
| Quote (Chainman @ Mar. 11 2004,22:32) |
| That pic is coming up the first good hill at King River...right. |
| Quote (sledneck @ Mar. 11 2004,21:44) | ||
iv seen is some mags were milemarker is saying look the millitary is using our winch you should to. to bad they probly gave them all thoes winches and that the only reasone they used them. |
| Quote (aktinbinder @ Mar. 11 2004,23:14) |
| you mean there is a choice in what winch to get? go Warn. 8274-50 is about the best there is imo. aktinbender |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Mar. 12 2004,05:24) |
| But if your not a Native...I am all up for Greenland. |
| Quote (Newbie2000TJ @ Mar. 10 2004,21:19) |
| if tomorrow isn't better I'm going to set myself on fire like one of those monks |
| Quote (Fix-It @ Mar. 10 2004,19:33) |
| i would like a print out of every dime i ever gave them and how it was used . |
| Quote (00TJ @ Mar. 12 2004,19:39) |
| Utchaz..they have that shotgun at Sportsman Warehouse.... $1490.00..was smooth shot gun |


\n\n| Quote (00TJ @ Feb. 18 2004,20:03) |
| 5th gear 70 to 80 mph |
| Quote (Badcop @ Feb. 18 2004,12:51) |
| Cole Buried |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ Feb. 17 2004,22:43) |
| Shouldn't be doing solo runs PEROID It's just STUPID |
| Quote (gabes_jeep @ Feb. 18 2004,14:07) |
| that chart is way different than what mine is at.. i got 34s with stock 3.54 and i'm running at 2000 rpms at 60-65mph |
| Quote (95 ZJ @ Mar. 11 2004,19:14) |
| With all the native bums that Alaska has Shemya Island would be over populated in about a week. Tell them to find a job or we'll give them one... slave labor |
| Quote (RTCUL8 @ Nov. 01 2004,18:44) |
| 00ram, you NEED to have this thing out at the Meet and Greet next year, for those of us who wont see it till then! |
| Quote (87bronco @ July 01 2004,15:18) |
| I wasn't trying to start shat with anyone sorry to ruffle feathers.... and my DOS is supposed to be Oct,2006 but im getting booted under the force shaping program... |





', 1, 0, 373, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5266, '48-1032411197', 1, 1, '209.112.171.62', 1058121582, 0, 'great pictures..ill send them to when i get home..thanks\n\n| Quote (88bronco2 @ July 15 2003,13:53) |
| nice pics Brentt...Dan was crackin me up and lookin good in that boa....lmao |





', 1, 0, 373, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5271, '56-1039040315', 1, 1, '207.19.62.150', 1058306030, 0, 'nice pics Brentt...Dan was crackin me up and lookin good in that boa....lmao', 1, 0, 373, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5272, '110-1031620020', 1, 1, '24.237.128.253', 1055669404, 0, 'Looks like fun Frank! | Quote (Bronco85 @ June 16 2003,17:56) |
| Well I played football for 4 years. That probably helped alot. |




| Quote (nate379 @ June 16 2003,08:21) |
| I'm starting to get the impression that my 33s aren't all that big anymore What ever happened to the days when 31s where the shit?? |









', 1, 0, 374, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5285, '83-1032374396', 1, 1, '24.237.164.25', 1055801603, 0, 'The old guy is Jon. He legs are paralyzed but his rig gets him everywhere he needs to go. All hand controls. The camo bronco is devon. Both really good people.', 1, 0, 374, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5286, '70-1037038076', 1, 1, '66.58.203.42', 1055809568, 0, '| Quote (Bronco85 @ June 16 2003,14:06) |
| I graduate in 2000. |









| Quote (00TJ @ June 15 2003,10:34) |
| I thought that trail was off limits for a little while? Or is just part of it off limits? I thought we where working with the local folks on this? |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ June 16 2003,09:41) | ||
33's where never big. And 31s where the shit back when I was in Highschool. Now I know better and wonder when the day will come that I get to have some 39" boggers too |
| Quote (OneTonCJ @ June 16 2003,12:08) |
more!![]() ![]() |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ June 16 2003,14:06) |
| I graduate in 2000. |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ June 16 2003,14:06) |
| I graduate in 2000. |
| Quote (frosty @ May 13 2003,06:45) |
| Sledneck-you dont need big tires and lockers and all the fancy stuff to run the trails up here. Old blackjack runs all the same trails we do with 31's and an 8274. A winch, some good tires, and a little skill is all you need. Learn to drive a near stock rig and how to run a winch properly and the bigger tires and lockers will just add to the ease in which you can traverse a trail. Just get out, go prepared and do it! Thanks to Cole, Joey, and Franky for helping to make a local trail better! |
| Quote (aktinbinder @ May 14 2003,20:21) |
| Do hit the trails with out them. |







| Quote |
| I often see different lines that seem much less traveled because they are seemingly more difficult, and think that is the real trail. Often the bypass seems to be more commonly traveled, and therefore looks to be the main trail. |
| Quote (frosty @ Feb. 19 2003,03:55) |
| Fuck you Tim. You try pulling a bronco up hill, on ice, at 11pm on a Sunday night with a cherokee. How the fuck was i supposed to drive up that icey hill without getting on it! I sling my smelly shit at you |


\n\n| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Feb. 19 2003,07:53) |
| Well even attempting to recover a Ferd was your first mistake......You shoulda just pulled the axles and transfer and called it a day. You had all the good parts..... |



\n\n| Quote (NAW_T77 @ Feb. 17 2003,11:46) |
| BadCo Posted on Feb. 16 2003,22:35 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newbies... glad to see there is group comradery in here. We all made it out fine and took all our vehicles with us. I guess if your not part of the click your not a wheeler. |



', 1, 0, 377, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5371, '66-1031614806', 1, 1, '64.4.224.225', 1045533873, 0, '| Quote (BadCo @ Feb. 16 2003,22:35) |
| Newbies... |
| Quote |
| all it takes is money!!! |
| Quote (NAW_T77 @ Feb. 17 2003,11:46) |
| BadCo Posted on Feb. 16 2003,22:35 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Newbies... glad to see there is group comradery in here. We all made it out fine and took all our vehicles with us. I guess if your not part of the click your not a wheeler. |





', 1, 0, 377, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5379, '65-1031611916', 1, 1, '66.58.221.218', 1045498763, 0, 'That is funny. Glad everyone is OK. Shit happens (meaning the roll) live and learn.', 1, 0, 377, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5380, '85-1040364798', 1, 1, '209.112.213.233', 1045510895, 1, 'He has a locker and a winch... LOL| Quote (ODDBALL @ Feb. 17 2003,20:29) |
| Summer will be here soon and we all will have our select group's ... |
| Quote (ODDBALL @ Feb. 17 2003,20:29) |
| If you dont have a wich or the gear that is needed.... |
| Quote (AkWhtBst @ Feb. 18 2003,15:51) |
| Remember the rescue at knik at the end of jan... A bronco was getting pulled out and it got laid on its side when it wasnt even running. Trying to go to fast in the tight stuff because it was late. Now when that got posted no one said anything negative about that. But now that someone slid backwards and flopped it on the side smart ass remarks are made. Shows us all who thinks there shit doesn't stink. Thats my .02.... WhtBst |

', 1, 0, 377, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5391, '85-1040364798', 1, 1, '209.112.210.187', 1045502242, 1, '| Quote (Topgun @ Feb. 16 2003,22:39) |
| Glad you guys are all right. And Nate, some people did make it up that hill last time |
| Quote (AK-Cruiser @ Oct. 06 2003,16:32) |
| i wish i could have stayed sounds like you guys had some more fun after the rest of us left. we all stop at the mud hole on the way out and steve finally got to pull out the toyota P/U and you guys should have seen steve in the mud hole it was funny sounded like he had his foot on the floor the whole time and alomst got stuck but made it after a few runs. it was a good trip, just wish that i didnt brake and could have hit the mud hole. |
| Quote (BadCo @ Oct. 06 2003,22:38) | ||
The old man at the counter thinks to himself, "This kid annoys the crap out of me." |
| Quote (Trigger @ Oct. 16 2003,11:20) |
| INTERESTING |
| Quote (nate379 @ Oct. 19 2003,20:53) |
| This topic is about a Ruby Lake trail ride.... lifting a YJ should be in Tech or General. |
| Quote (Overlord @ Oct. 06 2003,20:47) | ||
Your rigs a YJ, right? If so, putting in leaf spring lifts is easy, but time consuming. Just do a SOA, wish I did. My rig rides like a tank! |
| Quote (Mudrat @ Oct. 07 2003,23:48) | ||
Come on now! Just because I didn't buy the truck for it's looks doesn't mean anything. And the crack about the nut? Hey, thanks for noticing! It's nice to know I haven't lost my touch. |
| Quote (alaskaviper @ Oct. 06 2003,19:46) |
| Im gonna attempt to do it myself. If anyone is willing to help it would be greatfully appreciated. |
| Quote (nate379 @ Oct. 06 2003,23:27) |
| The older guy at the counter has a good way of annoying the crap outta me though. |
| Quote (Badcop @ Oct. 07 2003,20:34) |
| you guys saw his truck, what isnt damaged, like the nut behind the steering wheels been loose a long long time. |



', 1, 0, 381, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5463, '82-1053473053', 1, 1, '199.82.223.203', 1067814412, 0, 'Looks like fun! | Quote (Topgun @ Nov. 05 2003,16:22) |
| Ya, I hit that hill going about 30 to make it to the top when it's slick. I think Curtis was picking his jaw off the ground when I went up it last winter. Almost made it to the top and came down backwards about as fast as I was going up it. Not the smartest thing but it was fun |


', 1, 0, 381, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5475, '84-1049236157', 1, 1, '24.237.118.242', 1067814904, 0, '

', 1, 0, 381, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5476, '115-1055209700', 1, 1, '24.167.115.215', 1067819188, 0, 'Just wondering why none of the pictures are coming up?', 1, 0, 381, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5477, '84-1049236157', 1, 1, '24.237.118.242', 1067823326, 0, 'Not sure what to tell ya. They are working for most people.', 1, 0, 381, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5478, '79-1033840762', 1, 1, '24.237.54.106', 1067823722, 0, 'Thanks for the pics Toyminator. That was a nice trip and Im ready to go again. That'S a HILL! I was just going to feel it out for traction but ended up givin it a go. Next trip? | Quote (ODDBALL @ Nov. 02 2003,16:42) |
| Thanks for the pics Toyminator. That was a nice trip and Im ready to go again. That'S a HILL! I was just going to feel it out for traction but ended up givin it a go. Next trip? |
| Quote (nate379 @ Nov. 03 2003,17:43) |
| DAmb! That hill is steep. I remember running that area last winter and had thoughts about that hill. Didn't Topgun give it a try?? |
| Quote |
| Hei hallo blablablabla her kan det stå masse lurt,, om akkuratt hva du vil. Alt jeg skriver nå er bare for å fylle ut og vise fram.. |
| Quote (ODDBALL @ May 27 2003,08:17) |
| Bob, You and your crew have been run across in shit you know darn well you should not have been in! Boulder remind you at all? |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ May 27 2003,17:55) |
| No Brook I have no problem talking about it. Would just like to know what he's talking about! |
\n\n
', 1, 0, 383, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5525, '98-1031626171', 1, 1, '24.237.150.123', 1054089309, 0, '| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ May 27 2003,15:21) |
| Lets pin your arm under my heep for a bit and see if you come out unharmed? Got God? |
| Quote |
| From Bronco85: Um what exactly happened on boulder that we shouldn't have been in? PM Me We dont' need it all over the board. |
| Quote (Bob @ May 27 2003,22:29) |
| I'd imagine a DOT tire would spin a little, even on your rig. That "trench" your vehicle is pictured in didn't exist two years ago. |
| Quote (BadCo @ May 28 2003,23:32) |
| Drug the poor guy underneath the Jeep for at least 50 yards... |
| Quote |
| Hell I can only remember onces that you all have said anything negative about frank, Cole and Joey's pictures they post. |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ May 28 2003,17:55) |
| hey I can't help it if you all plan shit that is on the same days that we already have plans. You expect us to cancel our plans for you guys? Like you guys would cancel a run, because we had trailmaintence planned. |
| Quote (Bob @ May 28 2003,21:14) |
| Whatever. Just because you aren't there when other people work on trails, you think it doesn't happen? Just because we won't adhere to your particular schedule doesn't make us bad people. If I hadn't mentioned doing trail maintenance at that particular spot, would you have proposed a maintenance run in the first place or even have noticed it yourself? I might head up there in the middle of next week to do a little trail maintenance since I'm working this weekend. I'd prefer letting the trail settle a little before a large group runs through there, but do whatever you feel is the right thing. If I was off, I'd be running with the club on another trail, since the run was planned before this happened and it happens to be the last run of a very dedicated member who is leaving the state. If you're just busting Phil's balls, I'm sorry to take it out of context. Don't drag the clubs into it. I don't talk negatively about your club on this board, so don't trash mine. We all enjoy a little Phil-bashing from time to time, but there is a point where it becomes more than that. |
', 1, 0, 384, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5562, '97-1053383396', 1, 1, '131.37.206.6', 1056734907, 0, 'LFFW first did that part of the trail years ago. We in from the lower side. We only managed to get 1 vehicle all the way across, at that time most of the vehicles were completely stock. I've wondered if any had tried it since then.', 1, 0, 384, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5563, '56-1039040315', 1, 1, '66.58.202.14', 1056944734, 0, 'pics aint workin for me | Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Aug. 23 2003,22:25) |
| if you hit is at around 30-35 you will just about clear the bog....or at least the nasty portion......Wife was not at all impressed. |
| Quote (frosty @ Aug. 24 2003,15:44) |
| Chaz- I left a message with your wife friday night stating that I would meet you in sutton on Saturday at 945am because peter and I were going to camp out at ruby friday night. Part way in Peter broke a rear axle shaft. I didnt think you or your family would appreciate a call at midnight when we broke down. We had spotty cell coverage to boot and were lucky enough to get through to curtis and explain what parts were needed. (it took at least 10 calls to get the whole message through). If someone doesnt show at the alloted time, give them 10 minutes and then go. Id never leave someone behind that I went out with because they were broken. Peter gave me the go ahead to leave to meet up with you guys, but he had his kid with him and you know how weather and conditions can change up here so I decided to stay until the the parts showed up and the repair was complete. Sorry for my lack of "comraderie" but things change and you just have to go with the flow. |
| Quote (UtChaz @ Aug. 24 2003,15:33) |
| Curtis, Ryan said he was going. A simple message somewhere, be it on the board, PM, or even a phone call, would have been greatly appreciated. |
| Quote |
| Posted: Aug. 21 2003,20:47 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brain, My Chuggy had a couple problems today on the trail. I will not be going. I think my fuel pump is on the fritz and I do not want a repeat of last time. Sorry man. I think Frosty is going to go though. he knows where the trailhead is and that is all you need to know. |
| Quote (OneTonCJ @ Aug. 24 2003,08:58) |
| We do Eska all day... Raining or not with out winching hehe. Glad to see ya'll had fun on the trail! |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Aug. 24 2003,09:45) |
| Badcop, you have any days off this week? |
| Quote (FireMedic @ Aug. 25 2003,15:15) | ||
Isn't that illegal |
| Quote (AlaskaXJ @ Aug. 24 2003,14:28) |
| And Chaz- my milemarker comment was good natured ribbing. I don't even have a winch. Who am I to judge? It's slow and everyone knows it. But it has always done the job as far as I've seen. Lighten up a little. "Weren't good enough for you?" I am sorry you have gotten that impression. I've seen numerous times on this board alone of people coming to others aide. We don't always agree on everything, but hey it's an internet board. Ever seen a perfect one? Dan |
| Quote (Badcop @ Aug. 23 2003,21:07) |
| I agree, we had alot of fun, my wife and I had a Browneye Suctioning <-(board PC, hehe) experience at one little mud hole, I came in at a bad angle and the more I tried to correct it the more off camber I was getting. Going to be pulling fabrice for a couple days or so. Oh yeah the MileMarker is still chugging, well putting along, it got everyon through it all more than once. LOL. Slower than Nate drivin on the highway, but it gets there. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Aug. 24 2003,09:45) |
| IMO, the rigs that went were not really ready for Eska. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Aug. 24 2003,09:45) |
| The best set of tires were Nate's Uniroyals....And you had to deal with MTR's all day long.... |
| Quote (AlaskaXJ @ Aug. 23 2003,20:49) |
| So the milemarker is still pluggin away huh? |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Aug. 24 2003,09:45) |
| One winch for 3 vehicles. |
| Quote (UtChaz @ Aug. 25 2003,15:11) |
| Even heard a group of them organizing their effords over the FRS... |
| Quote (BadCo @ Feb. 13 2004,21:26) |
| Fine from what I hear. A couple of snow machiners were less than happy about Jeeps being on the "Young's Creek" trail. Public property no? |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Feb. 14 2004,16:40) |
| Homebrew! Time for some real axles under that sucker! Beau, you as well man. That is the second U joint in just a few months time. Did you have your Ox engaged? You need bigger joints at the least. Them little suckers ain't cuttin it. |
| Quote (sevenslats @ June 28 2003,11:27) |
| As the AF sees it, the thing is totaled simply because the upper C/A mount bracket is pulled out of the frame rail. Base Ops already has a replacement Exploder waiting to be put into service, so the XJ was going to DERMO anyway. " |
| Quote (UtChaz @ June 28 2003,19:58) | ||
Will they be shipping that down here to Elmendorf's DRMO or do they have an office up there? Do you know? That'd be worth a good lookin to making a bid... Chaz |

', 1, 0, 387, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5649, '65-1036297371', 1, 1, '24.237.125.92', 1056861609, 0, 'Who says the Air Force works......? Bring it on fly boys.', 1, 0, 387, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5650, '85-1040364798', 1, 1, '209.112.212.37', 1056863834, 1, '| Quote (AZ/CJ @ June 28 2003,19:40) |
| Who says the Air Force works......? Bring it on fly boys. |
| Quote (88bronco2 @ June 12 2003,11:01) |
| Oh and I'm leaving for Oregon 1am the 19th |
| Quote (ODDBALL @ Feb. 22 2003,17:09) |
| I just sat around trying to get thing's together for my next project. I will try to get out for a short sunday run. Chaz, you get them mount's done? |
| Quote (UtChaz @ Feb. 22 2003,16:21) |
| Lucky you, that hill at the pit is where Keith sat over on his side... Wish I could have gone along but still trying to find a welder to get these shock mounts done up. Looking forward to seeing your pictures though. Chaz |
| Quote (UtChaz @ Feb. 22 2003,21:25) | ||
No Curtis I didn't. Had cat problem all the last week. The vet finally diagnosed him with Leukemia and had to have him put down. So didn't feel much like doing anything... Gonna try to hook up with Nick tomorrow and see about doing it. Chaz |
| Quote (JeepinAK @ Feb. 23 2003,09:06) |
| Hey Birdman.. Up for a small project.. I have to cut part of my roll cage off and reweld it on a couple of inches from where it was.. I will have everything preped..it is just a matter of welding it.. |












', 1, 0, 392, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5710, '66-1031614806', 1, 1, '64.4.224.225', 1045433445, 0, 'Where'd you guys go??


| Quote (Bronco85 @ May 18 2003,10:54) |
| You want the whole thing to be bone dry or somthing? Leave some of it along. Those mud pits have been there as long as I've been running the trails I don't think they are hurting anything. |
| Quote (sledneck @ May 04 2003,19:54) |
| Quote (aktinbinder @ May 06 2003,21:28) |
| Hey frosty, good to hear ya had fun. Was gonna give you and curtis a call but the trotts set in and I've spent the last three days mooning the porclin gods. maybe next sunday? aktinbender |
| Quote (nate379 @ June 22 2003,09:48) |
| Me, Keith (in his TJ), Badcop and his wife (TJ), and Dan and his wife went out to Ruby. I would have liked to bring the ZJ, but it's still out of commission. Working to get it up and going though. Had a good time. Got to see 2 buggies running Ruby. I'm disappointed on how bad those things tear up the trail. Also a lot of 4 wheelers out... Keith had set his camera down while we were taking a break and some guys are 2 four wheelers decided to take it. We only noticied maybe 10 mins later, but Badcop took off after them and eventually caught up! Awesome stuff man Anyway, I'll post the pics once I get them off my camera. |






\n\n




\n\n| Quote (Bronco85 @ June 22 2003,15:58) |
| Ah looks like some fun stuff:). Howd the Z-turn look? |
| Quote (Badcop @ June 22 2003,12:30) |
| well since im not one to be slow about pics heres some.... |
| Quote (nate379 @ June 22 2003,10:48) |
| Got to see 2 buggies running Ruby. I'm disappointed on how bad those things tear up the trail. |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ June 11 2003,07:23) |
| A PAIR? Is that so when the first one breaks backing off the trailer ya still hae a chance to get the other one off? |
| Quote (00TJ @ June 11 2003,16:43) |
| You ever see nike commercial Just do it.. |
| Quote (bgreen @ June 09 2003,23:31) |
| Interesting lack of response. Did I offend someone? |
| Quote (bgreen @ June 11 2003,06:10) |
| Its not any worse than me towing my junk up there, on a trailer with no ramps, and no brakes. |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ June 11 2003,09:13) |
| Man atleast spell my name right. It's Phildo not Phil |
| Quote (nate379 @ June 22 2003,09:30) |
| Looks like you guys had fun. Apparently somehow I was thinking that a group was heading out from William's on Sat. I guess I didn't read what was on the board quite right or something? Anyhow, me and Keith show up and around 9:00, Badcop shows up with his wife in their Jeep. 9:30 rolls around.... Badcop says Chaz invited him on this run. So we call Chaz at home, wife says he's gone already.... Really... Call up Curtis to see what's going on. He has to work, but Dan is finishing up the locker install in his TJ and is on his way. Ended doing Ruby and Wishbone Lake. I will post pics in another thread. |
| Quote (frosty @ June 01 2003,13:16) |
| best for last! |
', 1, 0, 402, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5845, '65-1032938862', 1, 1, '66.58.134.207', 1053930881, 0, 'Phill-Next time you are going to cross get someone with a camera to take pictures of Sean's face the next time that happens.
', 1, 0, 402, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5847, '66-1031614806', 1, 1, '64.4.224.221', 1053974271, 0, '| Quote (AKBroncoII @ May 25 2003,22:34) |
| Phill-Next time you are going to cross get someone with a camera to take pictures of Sean's face the next time that happens. Jeff-You looked a little pale after climbing that hill. |


', 1, 0, 402, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5849, '84-1049236157', 1, 1, '24.237.125.224', 1053996333, 0, 'Chad on the ramp.





', 1, 0, 402, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5857, '84-1049236157', 1, 1, '24.237.125.224', 1053994789, 0, 'More pics of the Freak on the ramp.

', 1, 0, 402, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5858, '98-1031626171', 1, 1, '24.237.149.2', 1054007932, 0, '| Quote (BadCo @ Mar. 14 2003,21:42) |
| I would imagine that the XJ and ZJ unibody construction is remotely the same. Probably both 16 gauge steel. Frosty is running a Skyjacker drop steering arm, which has a lot of leverage on the box. A brace is a good idea, regardless of what kind of pitman arm you are running. |
| Quote (AkWhtBst @ Mar. 10 2003,17:19) |
| That cabin and the next cabin belong to a buddy of mine. Yes the public right of way runs through his property. Him and his family own about 250 acres up there. If I were you guys I wouldnt travel far off of the public right of way. WhtBst |
| Quote (00TJ @ Mar. 10 2003,18:13) |
| here are some pics I took from the homestead trail.. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Dec. 25 2002,10:44) |
| Although it is the birthplace to the nations largest woodproducing company. Potlatch Inc. |
| Quote (bgreen @ Jan. 12 2003,21:59) |
| Brentt isnt even around to defend himself. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Dec. 22 2002,16:45) |
| Yet another Reason to Hate and Stay FAR FAR away from the Knik. Glacier or not, that place is worthless...... Glad everyone got home safe. |
| Quote (frosty @ Dec. 22 2002,09:10) |
| great, another new person heading to knik to meet theyre fate. be careful out there nate and 7/64ths. the water crossings are very decieving and if it gets dark and youre still out there.....well, at least you wont be posting any more questions on here. have fun |
| Quote |
| I have taken my Heep to the Knik ONCE and that was one time to many! I cannot condone the abuse and use of the land like the people do around here. Funny as hell to watch everyone preach tread lightly and then condone the existence of the Knik. |
| Quote |
| Did you know that it is Federal Law to report EVERY time you contaminate any body of water? And that includes residual contamination from our Jeeps! I have not done a water crossing since I learned that, so I have not reported one, but I will next time I cross. |
| Quote (Blackjack @ Dec. 24 2002,08:40) | ||
Have you been out there in the winter? If you havent then you dont know what you are talking about. The silt is nonexistent and there is little risk of breaking unless you want to. The center pin on the 35 was a freak thing and could have broken anywhere. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Dec. 24 2002,10:13) | ||||
Yes I have been there in the winter..... And yes it is worthless. That place needs to have regulated entry. I have taken my Heep to the Knik ONCE and that was one time to many! I cannot condone the abuse and use of the land like the people do around here. Funny as hell to watch everyone preach tread lightly and then condone the existence of the Knik. Completly off the subject now, but a point of interest maybe: Did you know that it is Federal Law to report EVERY time you contaminate any body of water? And that includes residual contamination from our Jeeps! I have not done a water crossing since I learned that, so I have not reported one, but I will next time I cross. |
| Quote (Crazy5 @ Dec. 24 2002,18:19) |
| Hey brentt... I admittedly don't know as much about this as some, but if it is an OSHA regulation (Occupational safety and health administration), wouldn't that mean that the regulation is applying to commercial contamination? My understanding of OSHA is that they apply to businesses to keep their workers safe, rather than to private individuals. |
| Quote (nate379 @ Dec. 24 2002,17:51) |
| Sorry but the sand itself is not hazardous. I am good friends with the foreman (that's the head guy) at the State DOT branch at home (in Maine) and he explained this to me. The sand that your thinking of is a mixture of sand and salt. The salt, though technically not hazardous, is what the problem was. It causes a buildup on the sides of the road and attracts wildlife such as moose and deer, causing more accidents. They have stopped using sand and salt on the major highways at home and use a liquid Ethanol mixture. We had the same problem with using old cooking grease on the ATVs trails. Most of the trail system is an old railroad bed that has been graded and is very dusty. The cooking grease (not hazardous since it comes from plants anyway) keeps the dust down, but it again attracts animals. People started getting into accidents - hitting into bear, etc. so the town banned it. |
| Quote (UtChaz @ Dec. 24 2002,22:04) | ||
Hey Nate, I wasn't meaning the use of it on the road in the countryside. The sand is all they use in Colorado, Utah, and Wyoming... trust me the reason they had to stop using it in the cities was due to the contaminants it picked up and there for made it also hazardous. Have you heard how plain rain water is considered HAZMAT when its run off from a city area. Ask people from L.A. The L.A. river is fenced off for more than just safety from the waters, it also from the chemicals it picks up on the way in to the river. HAZMAT with POL, Petroleum Oils & Lubricants, is my main job. The little stuff sticks in my mind when it catches my attention. |
| Quote (Blackjack @ Dec. 24 2002,09:40) | ||
Have you been out there in the winter? If you havent then you dont know what you are talking about. The silt is nonexistent and there is little risk of breaking unless you want to. The center pin on the 35 was a freak thing and could have broken anywhere. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Dec. 24 2002,22:15) | ||
Mostly, but the reference to the specific EPA laws and NIOSH stuff covers everyone. I just put the OSHA reference out there to get everyone started if they want to, I knew that reference off the top of my head and know it will get you going in the correct direction. OSHA covers more than just the commercial sector as well. |
| Quote (AZ/CJ @ Jan. 17 2003,21:26) |
| Kurt, your just jelouse its not you he's showering with...... |
| Quote (UtChaz @ Dec. 24 2002,23:08) |
| Thanks Brent… I’m going to check in on it and talk to my buddy. They said it was interesting to hear it might be like you said. |
| Quote (AlaskaXJ @ Jan. 16 2003,22:26) |
| The run last weekend to Knik was not a AK EXTREME sponsored run. Please do not refer to it as such. Dan |
| Quote |
| BTW....everyone is invited to participate in club organised runs as well. They work just the same as the others. |
| Quote |
| Hmm AK Extreme member = AK Extreme run?? What did you guys Break, destroy or otherwise mess up that your trying to cover up?? |

', 1, 0, 405, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5983, '56-1039040315', 1, 1, '66.58.193.106', 1042438886, 0, 'looks like fun, but im sure I wouldnt have lasted. Maybe next time....', 1, 0, 405, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5984, '56-1031637436', 1, 1, '208.151.114.42', 1042447017, 0, 'Man i am pissed i was not able to go the old stock 85 toy would have had a blast out there glad you all had fun Trevor', 1, 0, 405, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5985, '102-1033711393', 1, 1, '24.237.127.21', 1042474868, 0, 'sexy flexy..', 1, 0, 405, 10, '374', 0, 'image/pjpeg'),
(5986, '48-1032411197', 1, 1, '24.237.196.163', 1042517500, 0, 'Cool...Huh | Quote |
| Who needs a modified rig?? |


', 1, 0, 405, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(5994, '79-1033840762', 1, 1, '209.165.147.145', 1042451213, 0, 'Anyone need ICE?', 1, 0, 405, 10, '370', 0, 'image/pjpeg'),
(5995, '102-1033711393', 1, 1, '24.237.127.21', 1042474936, 0, 'more flexy..', 1, 0, 405, 10, '375', 0, 'image/pjpeg'),
(5996, '102-1033711393', 1, 1, '24.237.127.21', 1042474992, 0, 'This is why you go prepared and run hard! well it looked brighter before i compressed it 
![]() | ![]() |
| Quote (AlaskaXJ @ Jan. 17 2003,19:01) | ||
|


', 1, 0, 405, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6003, '66-1031614806', 1, 1, '12.32.62.235', 1042437422, 0, 'Man that ice looks like fun! You guys got lucky and got a pretty nice day to do that..', 1, 0, 405, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6004, '79-1033840762', 1, 1, '209.165.147.145', 1042451626, 0, 'Some busted D-44 ACTION!', 1, 0, 405, 10, '371', 0, 'image/pjpeg'),
(6005, '97-1031819818', 1, 1, '24.237.55.199', 1042452656, 0, '| Quote (ODDBALL @ Jan. 13 2003,01:46) |
| Anyone need ICE? |

', 1, 0, 405, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6023, '79-1033840762', 1, 1, '209.165.147.145', 1042451696, 0, 'One more.', 1, 0, 405, 10, '372', 0, 'image/pjpeg'),
(6024, '79-1033840762', 1, 1, '209.165.147.145', 1042477848, 0, 'Clouds zuky! | Quote |
| Whoever tells you that 60's are to big for up here, means that they are not wheeling hard enuff. |

\n\n


', 1, 0, 405, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6032, '79-1033840762', 1, 1, '209.165.147.145', 1042452309, 0, 'Frosty has a taste for ATV'S! | Quote (Bronco85 @ Jan. 18 2003,12:04) |
| Dan and Curtis. It was a Joke, Do I need to have smily faces all over the post so that you realize that, or maybe say at the bottom "HEY IT"S A FUCKING JOKE"? And yes I know that most of the people on this messageboard know about the "MISTAKE" LF made on Boulder last year, and if I remember right all involved(Myself included) admitted that we made a mistake and we did out bed to fix it before it turned into big trouble. So this club is not the perfect club(JUST THE BEST). So Just wonder here. Say I go on 5 runs with all club members, but only 1 is an "organized run". Does this mean that I still have to go on 1 run before I can become a member of your club? |
| Quote (AlaskaXJ @ Jan. 17 2003,20:01) | ||||
| An AK EXTREME run has a Trailboss and a tail gunner. All vehicles are to be evaluated before the run. Conduct on the trail is to reflect the clubs direction. If you as a member of a club, go wheel with a few non member friends, is that a club run? Of course not. The Knik run was a gathering of people that went wheeling together. A reference to AK EXTREME, good or bad, is not needed or asked for. AK EXTREME is trying to hold itself to a high standard. Let it be judged by actual scheduled club runs and events, not by a group of people that happen to meet and wheel based on an internet discussion.
They don't function the same as a non club run, and that's the point I'm trying to make.
Phil you're a putz. I don't care if you are playing devils advocate or not. This club bashing is childish and un-called for. Individual ribbing is to be expected, and most times welcomed. Saying that a large group is trying to hide something, for which you have absolutley no basis, is wrong. Later, Dan |







| Quote (Bronco85 @ Aug. 16 2003,22:30) |
| Where is this john lake you speak of? |
| Quote (Overlord @ Aug. 17 2003,08:19) |
| What are the specs of those rigs? Sweat pics! |







', 1, 0, 408, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6068, '65-1031611916', 1, 1, '24.237.59.64', 1059960096, 0, 'Not a problem Grillman. Just drop that sucker off at 5 star next time your by there. I will get it.| Quote (OneTonCJ @ Aug. 03 2003,10:25) |
| That rock garden is a fun one. It is off the trail though. That is why we only go up there once to play on them. How was the trail overall? Dry? Or wet? |






', 1, 0, 408, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6074, '97-1031819818', 1, 1, '24.237.50.211', 1059971315, 0, '| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Aug. 03 2003,18:21) |
| That walk back up was a good one. Not as bad as having to put you in a body bag though (prolly be a real pain in the ass to get your lanky ass into a Hefty Bag anyway) . |
| Quote |
| Sucks you did not get to go all the way down man. Next time. |
| Quote (95 ZJ @ Aug. 03 2003,23:10) |
| Hey guys I appreciate you letting a newbie run with you, I had an awesome time except for that whole accident thing. That part definitely sucked. I can tell that I could learn alot from all you guys. Thanks for all the tips I got yesterday. Next time out I should have some D rings and a winch on the front so I won't be such a pain in the ass. That whole winching backwards stuff is no fun at all. |
| Quote (bgreen @ Aug. 04 2003,20:19) |
| Where are the wheeling pics? Awesome scenery shots Brentt! |
| Quote (muddyalaskantoy @ Aug. 14 2003,00:54) |
| I am wondering if there are any pics out there of the TJ that was recovered? |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ July 27 2003,08:24) |
| FUck around Fuck around and pretty soon you ain't gonna be around. Jim's Creek and the Knik are for loser's. The lowest of the low play there, enter at your own risk. Chaz I am gonna laugh my ass off when you lose your entire Jeep for a 400 dollar winch......lol.....that will be some good shit. Or better yet I will put a big Jackass sticker on your grave when your family is collecting your SGLI. Keep it up boys! Your at least good for entertainment. Call me if you need a trailer from the parking lot. I will gladly haul something back to town but the parking lot is as far as any of my vehicles are going. |
| Quote (UtChaz @ July 27 2003,19:53) |
| Dude, It’s all fine and dandy to see something wrong but that's what PM's are for. No sense in carrying on the typical attitude of the board and bringing up shit all based on two pictures, one fuzzy as hell (My fault sorry) and the other showing something you are pointing out. The situation doesn't warrant it, but if the concern is there just PM someone... I could have easily let ya know the whole story, and not the one frame you've seen so far. Take it easy Chaz |
| Quote (UtChaz @ July 27 2003,21:33) |
| Turning a simple report thread in to a pissing match shouldn't be a common occurance, but it is on this board. Hell, just about everything on the board turns in to a pissing match, so never mind... |
| Quote |
| Im pretty sure my ZR2 would beat a few of you guys! I know that for a fact because, few limits out on trails with it, I have done Rock Climbing, Practically Dragging the bottom of it a few times. i wouldnt own anything else other than a ZR2! another reason i bought it is because of the heavy snows we get here, and i get through it like a knife cutting butter! |
| Quote (JamesZR2 @ July 27 2003,10:19) |
| that knik place sounds like a hole that is not a specified wheeling spot. im not being mean saying your guys are a bunch of dummies, but i think there is better spots in alaska to wheel? |
| Quote (Badcop @ July 27 2003,12:07) |
| Aaae dont yah know, we have a sport on this board for ppl like you. How much you weigh? |
| Quote (JamesZR2 @ July 27 2003,10:19) | ||
exactly 1 reason i quit wheeling my 99 ZR2. no fuggin way will i go out and thrash it, Fun yes, but it can be very costly especially what i have. its in excellant shape, and its staying like that. that knik place sounds like a hole that is not a specified wheeling spot. im not being mean saying your guys are a bunch of dummies, but i think there is better spots in alaska to wheel? |
| Quote (00TJ @ July 28 2003,09:38) |
| Quote |
| Bulletin - Immediate Broadcast Requested Flood Warning National Weather Service Anchorage, AK 630 PM ADT Tue Aug 12 2003 Matanuska River Near The Old Glenn Highway Bridge. River guage At The Old Glenn Highway Bridge Is Reading One Tenth Of A Foot Below Flood Level Of 12 Feet At 6pm. |
| Quote (Maddening @ July 27 2003,17:58) |
| Who's in the white shirt in front of the red TJ, it looks like they're running the winch? And I don't see any winch weight, blankets, or even jackets or shirts on that cable. You already mentioned one cable snapped. I've see up close and personal what happens when a winch cable snaps, a 4" gash clear through the steel on the tailgate my Dad's F150.. that I had to pay to fix, since it was my fault.. :D That's a good way to lose the use of your lower legs, or worse, your "equipment", that hurts just thinking about.. |
| Quote (UtChaz @ July 27 2003,20:33) | ||
Kiss my ever lilly white butt Brentt. You know what I meant by saying what I said. Turning a simple report thread in to a pissing match shouldn't be a common occurance, but it is on this board. Hell, just about everything on the board turns in to a pissing match, so never mind... Shit Brentt, you just bitched a guy out because he wasn't there then turned around a pissed on my Cheeros for mentioning a better way of doing it. To tell the truth though, I didn't think about weighing down the cable because I'm not in the habit of it. Most everyone, including you, never does it. Without being in the habit it slips the mind. Chaz |
| Quote |
| The Recent Hot Weather Increased Glacier Melt Causing Water Levels On The Matanuska River To Rise Steadily Over The Past Week. The Matanuska River Went Above Flood Stage Tuesday Evening At The Gauge Along The Old Glenn Highway. The Reading At 4 AM This Morning Was 0.2 Foot Above Flood Stage. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ July 27 2003,20:02) |
| Choad- Shut the Fuck up. |
| Quote |
| im not being mean saying your guys are a bunch of dummies |
| Quote |
| Guess they don't call it metal creek for nothing. |
| Quote (frosty @ July 14 2003,12:35) |
| brentt, I wouldn't have the slightest clue how to send you pictures. Im just trying to be nice to dial up guys, like me... I still dont know how to post more than one photo on a reply.. computer literacy isnt my strongpoint.....thats why I have the halibut! |
| Quote (Country Boy @ July 14 2003,18:48) |
| Whatever Brentt. I have spent my fare share in MOPP 4. At least for AF. I aint gonna talk shit about the army cause I know you guys are in chem suits 10 times more than the average AF guy. |
| Quote (Country Boy @ July 15 2003,18:32) |
| Whats a few dents gonna hurt. I have several dents and dont even care. Hell it adds to the overall apperance. LOL |



\n\n| Quote (Country Boy @ July 15 2003,20:50) |
| ...its purpose served to improve the aerodynamic coenficency of the air flow over the veicle. It also acted as a deterient for Gyroscopic Assestion which is caused bye changing the rotational balance. Like when you have a spinning gyroscope and you turn it. Vibrations are felt for every rotation. So bye having the fender flap in the wind, it was in esence smoothing the air flow around the outer surface of the bronco. It also was preventing vibrations in case the rotational balance changed... |
| Quote (nate379 @ July 14 2003,02:56) | ||
|
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ July 14 2003,18:10) |
| Fuck the dial up guys. Infact...Fuck You! |
| Quote (Rowdy Red @ July 15 2003,11:31) |
| After I get some rocker protection I will run Ruby past the frogpond. |
| Quote (Country Boy @ July 13 2003,18:24) |
| Looks like fun wish I could have gone but I had to be here for exercise stuff. At least I dont have to wear my chem stuff. Got to love being EET! Nice Pics to all. |
| Quote (BadCo @ July 14 2003,18:43) | ||
My sentiments exactly...And I am dial up...mostly. You too Brook. |
| Quote (nate379 @ July 16 2003,00:41) | ||||
I have dial up and I just wait for the pics to load. It doesn't bother me unless they are stupid pics, like of someone's glasspack install or something |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ July 29 2003,08:27) |
| Question. Why did you not lower the TJ down first and then use a pulley or two connected to some trees to lower your ZJ down? If you made it down the steep hill above treeline you coulda made the rest of them IMO. I thought you were stuck above treeline. I am glad I decided to not drive out there. Good decision by Keith to go back out and spend the night with the rigs. Glad your all back and safe. Lesson learned I suppose. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ July 29 2003,09:27) |
| I am glad I decided to not drive out there. |
| Quote (nate379 @ July 29 2003,17:52) |
| Maybe I should have called Miss Cleo to see when it was going to rain |
| Quote (AlaskaXJ @ July 29 2003,18:25) |
| Not picking sides here- Maybe a lesson learned would be to carry a set of chains when heading up the Church Rd. trail. Or anywhere else for that matter. 1 set doesn't weigh that much, and may save your hide more than once. Dan |
| Quote |
| So why didn't you guys drive down the side of the trail? Looks like you had plenty of room to do so. |
| Quote (Badcop @ July 29 2003,19:26) |
| Nate - what broke this time, any noises, vibes, jiggys, anything? LOL Brian |






', 1, 0, 415, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6226, '97-1031819818', 1, 1, '24.237.55.199', 1044219047, 0, 'metal creek was passable then. Cool, havn't been to that side yet.




\n\n






', 1, 0, 415, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6238, '85-1040364798', 1, 1, '209.112.214.172', 1044209082, 1, 'On the big blue ice





', 1, 0, 415, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6239, '56-1039040315', 1, 1, '66.58.193.106', 1044226565, 0, 'I had a blast, my first trip was a success. Soooo much fun, I lost a windshield wiper and 3 "beauty rings". Nothin major. It was fun. Id like to thank everyone that participated for all of their help in making this such a great first trip. Thanks guys.\n\n| Quote (UtChaz @ Feb. 04 2003,11:01) |
| I'm fairly comfortable when water isn't visible through the clear ice. |




', 1, 0, 415, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6245, '85-1040364798', 1, 1, '209.112.214.172', 1044212974, 1, 'I don't know the screen names but those two medics from Ft. Rich, just PM me. I'd like to get those pic's. Also I can e-mail these ones in better format, just send over your address...| Quote (IMNAKD @ Feb. 08 2003,10:31) | ||
The title topic says it all.....
Don't worry, we know all about ice funerals for tourists. |
| Quote (Badcop @ Aug. 31 2003,05:35) | ||
"Just the good ole boys, never meanin no harm, been in trouble with the law since the day they was born. straightnen the curves the only way they know how......." |
| Quote (Fix-It @ Sep. 03 2003,08:15) |
| what i want to know is why there always has to be a critic for every move in a pic instead of taking it for what it is worth . and that guy was standing there till the winch cable got tight and did promply move out of the way .the jeep was on a good angle away from the cruiser and he was making sure it started spooling on right once it was straight and tight he did move . |
| Quote (Toyminator @ Aug. 31 2003,10:02) |
Another![]() |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Sep. 01 2003,21:44) |
| IMO no skill to run mud. |
| Quote (Chainman @ Sep. 02 2003,02:00) |
| I'm in the process of buildin my rig to do that kind o' mud cause they are some really good trails with mud like that. If u git thru that stuff ya get to do the rest of the trail. looked like good fun to me...sorry I missed it |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ Aug. 30 2003,22:16) |
| Joey thinking he's in the General Lee. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Aug. 31 2003,16:56) |
| Quote |
| I was wondering more why there is someone standing where that winches wire rope could cut him in half? If you are not going to put a weight on the wire rope, at least make sure there is little possibility of someone getting hit with it if it breaks |
| Quote (bgreen @ Sep. 04 2003,20:41) |
| Gabe has got to be the most calm person I know. Look at his face. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Aug. 31 2003,17:56) | ||
Trail? |





', 1, 0, 417, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6311, '82-1053473053', 1, 1, '209.165.147.145', 1061532978, 0, 'Great pics Brentt! I am having a few problems with the camera. The computer doesn't want to recognize the software. 





', 1, 0, 417, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6316, '65-1031611916', 1, 1, '24.237.59.64', 1061656419, 0, 'Wish you could have gone as well. I still want to get to the top of either side of the valley. We would have made it if Beau had not bought a POS shacle reversal. lol





', 1, 0, 417, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6319, '115-1038111897', 1, 1, '64.4.226.82', 1061531925, 0, 'great pics brentt!! | Quote (Bronco85 @ Aug. 22 2003,09:19) |
| How where the trail conditions on Ruby? |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Nov. 03 2003,06:15) |
| Ender, How about you get Brian to show you some trails? Hell you could even bring Nat 3 and 3/32nds along and he can test out that red pile o parts he is continually building...... |
| Quote (Badcop @ Nov. 02 2003,22:46) |
| IVE SAID IT ONCE ILL SAY IT AGAIN, WHATS THE POINT OF GOING TO FT RICH??? |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Nov. 03 2003,05:15) |
| FU Nate lol |
| Quote (BadCo @ Nov. 02 2003,23:59) |
| your engines days could be numbered |
| Quote (enduro47 @ Nov. 03 2003,18:35) |
| sorry was pre ocupied. my jeep seems to be running ok.Now i have to replace all fluids.Just wanderin what gear oil holds up the best here. |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ Aug. 12 2003,09:18) |
| Why where you guys running down the middle of the creeks? |
| Quote (85toyflatbed @ Jan. 07 2004,17:40) |
| i will send them soon my scanner is not workin right now |
| Quote (White TJ-97 @ Aug. 14 2003,00:25) |
| nate and i were driving behind jerry here. i haven't seen nate run so fast since i've known em! all of us climbed on the drivers side for support... |
', 1, 0, 419, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6388, '110-1031620020', 1, 1, '24.237.121.81', 1072522686, 0, 'It was good going with the dry condition and 4 rigs. With more rigs or wetter conditions I'd be a 3 day run easily.| Quote (nate379 @ Dec. 27 2003,02:58) |
| It was good going with the dry condition and 4 rigs. With more rigs or wetter conditions I'd be a 3 day run easily. Oddball... what was the name of that Lodge on the highway?? Some good eats. |
| Quote (85toyflatbed @ Jan. 03 2004,19:17) |
| i have some pics from this run if any one wants to post them for me |
| Quote (bgreen @ Aug. 12 2003,21:13) |
| VERY SWEET!! More Pics!!! |
| Quote (EnderUSAF @ Dec. 26 2003,16:54) |
| Maybe in the summer when I'm a little less stock. That place looks great. |
| Quote (BadCo @ Jan. 07 2004,19:19) |
| You need to delete your double posts there Mr. I can't type for shit...... |
| Quote (ODDBALL @ Feb. 07 2004,20:42) |
| I will post more pics of the 03 Hicks run........... |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ April 19 2003,19:20) |
| Wishbone lake and Buffalo Creek |
| Quote (ODDBALL @ April 20 2003,02:05) |
| Did you guy's fill those rutt's back in on the way out? |





\n\n| Quote (ODDBALL @ April 20 2003,14:18) |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ Oct. 05 2003,13:25) |
| What happened to Kink? I thought Curtis was going to do that...??? Whats up with not being able to trun your rig off? |
| Quote |
| Ok brentt Whats that last picture all about?? |
| Quote |
| And upon further review it was discovered that 3000 pounds pivoting on a RE front trackbar will indeed bend it. |
| Quote |
| while the rest of us tried everything we could think of to repair the bent track bar. After awhile we cut it with a 2 dollar hacksaw and Frosty rewelded it with the Ready Welder. We were back in buisness. |
| Quote (AlaskaXJ @ Sep. 14 2003,18:21) |
another :![]() |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Sep. 14 2003,17:01) |
| Last one that I have. I was to busy scaring the crap out LG....lol |
| Quote (sledneck @ Sep. 14 2003,22:59) |
| whos red jeep is that? i saw some one washing it in north woods out here in peters creek wanted to stop buy and introduce my self but didnt have time. BTW Nice jeep |
| Quote (AlaskaXJ @ Sep. 14 2003,18:25) |
| Last one of the bog that had been chewed up by early season hunters. We winched through this one. |
| Quote (Fat B*@terd @ Sep. 15 2003,07:10) | ||
Its mine... |
', 1, 0, 423, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6494, '82-1053473053', 1, 1, '199.82.223.203', 1063646425, 0, 'I would have liked to go, had to work, I can't build up the jeep without money.
\n\n| Quote |
| the 26DEC56 crash of KB-29P #44-84149 differs from the crash report I obtained from the Air Force. They give the cause as lost navigation on a flt from Elmdrf to Eielson. The crew were Patton-AC,Dellinger-P, Reid-N, Lamm-RA, Pylant-R, Hodgson-Z, Rainer-BO, Meldams-E, all from SAC,2AF,31st SFW,508ARS Turner AFB GA. |
| Quote (91_xj_2dr @ Aug. 07 2003,01:37) |
| I allready broke the bronco. had lots of fun w/ it though. |
\n\n
', 1, 0, 424, 10, '1232', 0, 'image/pjpeg'),
(6508, '85-1040364798', 1, 1, '209.112.209.176', 1058680280, 1, 'More as we came out of the bog... Brentt got stuck shortly after I did, but the W's had to winch all the way out just to meet his winch cable... He came out fairly easy though.', 1, 0, 424, 10, '1239', 0, 'image/pjpeg'),
(6509, '65-1031611916', 1, 1, '24.237.59.64', 1058683014, 0, 'Here we go.




| Quote (91_xj_2dr @ Aug. 05 2003,00:35) |
| Are you thinking a plaque at the trailhead or at the site? |
| Quote |
| If he sells that POS Jeep and buys a bronco he can run 33s stock. No need for a lift:) |






| Quote (AlaskaXJ @ July 20 2003,19:35) |
| USAF serial numbers Plane is indeed a KB29. Crashed on Dec.26th 1956. All I know right now. Someone should call the historian at Elmendorf and Eielson to see what happened. Tail # is 484149. Dis-reguard the first number for identification purposes. Dan |

| Quote |
| This is George King of the 2nd AREFS standing behind KB-29P 44-84149 |
| Quote (UtChaz @ July 21 2003,21:04) |
| I thought now that we've gotten the true tail number I'd send in a request for a crash report. If they're able to send us anything I'll pick it up and post it also. I guess in checking it out I'm more curious to the fact of if there were any killed in the crash and if so who were they...??? In learning about this I know of one thing I'd personally enjoy doing. Perhaps a plaque for the crash site... Its really early to start to think about it in much detail but not to early to ponder it non the less. Food for thought. Chaz |
\n\n| Quote (AlaskaXJ @ Aug. 06 2003,16:17) | ||
But then the only thing he would have worth anything would be the 33" tires... |

| Quote (Bronco85 @ Aug. 06 2003,14:02) |
| If he sells that POS Jeep and buys a bronco he can run 33s stock. No need for a lift:) |

| Quote (Bronco85 @ July 24 2003,08:57) |
| I went to a couple of the Military Cemetaries(sp) while I was in Minn. and South Dakota last week. IT's really sobering when ya walk in and all you see is white for miles. I read a lot of the dates on them, Gave me more respect for the military guys out there. I was amazed at the dates lots of 18-19 year olds in there. |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ Aug. 06 2003,11:02) |
| Not everyone can read grid coordinates.. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ July 22 2003,09:00) |
| I think the valley is missing a vital part of essential DNA when it comes to thinking and respect in general so it will prolly get all shot up and possibly lit on fire. |
| Quote (00TJ @ Nov. 10 2003,15:41) |
| Man sorry I missed that trip...Ohh and by the way..I taught ODDBALL everything he knows |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Nov. 10 2003,06:43) |
| Man Ryans XJ just looks funny when I know it's not him slinging insults around the trail.... Why did you all take the easy route through house rock? washina? Nobody make it up the ledge at the Z turn? Nice paintjob Sage ??? |







| Quote (BadGirl_4x4 @ Nov. 10 2003,18:32) |
| Now all he needs is to figure out how to get the broken bolt out of the steering box. Any suggestions??? |
| Quote (nate379 @ Nov. 17 2003,23:54) |
| Mmmmm, brake cleaner. |
| Quote (Chainman @ Nov. 11 2003,17:05) |
| I was thinkin bout being "sic" for the run but I really can't take my ride on the trail. Been to long since I've gone over it. Wouldn't want to be a liability on the trail. Been workin many hours to pay for axle swap stuff. Damm catch-22. Need OT to pay for crap...can't wrench cuz I'm workin OT. So Oddball, it was 00TJ that taught ya the "wax on, wax off" stuff bout 4wheelin? |
| Quote (BadCo @ Nov. 17 2003,23:36) |
| I believe we left off with Jerry wanting to have ODDBALLS baby. Said something about man-milk shooters....what a sick f*ck. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Nov. 16 2003,06:52) |
| I said your a brown noser and like to sniff Oddballs Tain't...I said you like man milk as well...lol. Bring on the bashing you little toad....lol:D :p |
', 1, 0, 426, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6621, '98-1031626171', 1, 1, '24.237.148.162', 1068841469, 0, 'Thanks
', 1, 0, 426, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6625, '79-1033840762', 1, 1, '24.237.54.106', 1068830864, 0, 'Nice TR. Good to see you guys out haven fun.
', 1, 0, 426, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6637, '98-1031626171', 1, 1, '24.237.149.242', 1068812687, 0, 'I pulled over and let Gus drive by to go help the Toyota. As he wiggled his way around the toy, he got sucked into another very deep hole. His tires cocked to the pass side, so as we winched, things just got worse. Eventually he broke his 3/8" steel cable, I broke my 3/8" Plasma, and his drivers steering knuckle.

| Quote (alaskaviper @ Dec. 20 2003,22:13) |
| well I went to schucks amd got a clutch kit and im doing that sunday. I probly need help so if anybody could help it would be appreciated. I would be willing to buy lunch or pay or something.Ill be at the ft. rich crafts shop. |
| Quote (Mudrat @ Dec. 28 2003,22:56) |
| the best (and cheaper) machine-shop? |
| Quote |
| Posted:Nate/902103245 Dec. 18 2003,21:46 -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I'd like to go, but I won't be able to bring the ZJ. New gears are ordered for the 8.8, but it won't be for a bit till they're here. If there is a group going out and someone's got an empty seat, let me know. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Dec. 21 2003,16:26) |
| This is a trip reports section not a "I'm a fuckin lame homo with shitty equipment" section. |
| Quote (AlaskaToy @ Dec. 24 2003,09:58) |
| Start getting parts for a 4.3 swap |
| Quote (enduro47 @ Dec. 20 2003,19:58) |
| to bad mudrats engine was sour. I found out swampers sucked in powder today.Good winching experienc today. |
| Quote (nate379 @ Dec. 23 2003,00:52) |
| It makes a Japananese version of clunk clunk clunk Ft. Rich wheeling is ok - there are a couple mud holes, but otherwise, nothing really challenging. |
| Quote (Overlord @ Dec. 02 2003,16:38) |
| [/quote] So, did you buy Brain's MM? If so, have you mounted it yet? |
| Quote (Rowdy Red @ Dec. 02 2003,15:30) |
| I heard only Jeremy and Dan showed up. They decided to cancel because of not enough people and I believe Jeremy said trail conditions were poor. Oh, and Jeremy broke a u-joint in his front axleshaft. |
| Quote (BadCo @ Dec. 02 2003,22:56) |
| It's more than a U-joint...Trigger, come see me when you get a chance. |
| Quote (Rowdy Red @ Dec. 03 2003,13:18) |
| Yea, I have mounted. The day I mounted my friends dad in his 1ton chevy in a ditch. It is slow but works very well. |
| Quote (SOLIDTACO @ April 21 2003,10:34) |
| Oddball, thanks for the help saturday. I waited all F-In day for you to call or stop by. I guess unless your a friend of yours help is no where to be seen. |
| Quote (JeepinAK @ April 21 2003,09:27) |
| Hmm. I had a run in last year on the Chickaloon with some of the locals. I called DNR and had talked to them on the cell phone. Handed the cell phone to the local and let them talk to DNR and they must have said something along the line of what they were doing was illegal, because they let us by. We did not stay because they were looming behind us the whole time. I just wanted to hike in and glass the mountains. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ April 21 2003,15:33) | ||
Take your shit someplace else it is stinking up the place. How about a PM or start a topic and don't mess this one up. |


', 1, 0, 430, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6717, '65-1032938862', 1, 1, '66.58.134.207', 1054017878, 0, 'That hill got kinda steep at the top Jeff. The way you took didn't even look that bad when we were coming down it. You should have just gunned it up the hill behind us. You could have made it.', 1, 0, 430, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6718, '66-1031614806', 1, 1, '64.4.224.221', 1054086777, 0, 'Reason I ran that run was because I'm having starter issues and didn't have a chance to make a heat sheild for my starter. I didn't want to hold everyone up because every time I my engine is off I have to wait for the Starter to cool down.

', 1, 0, 430, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6721, '84-1049236157', 1, 1, '24.237.118.148', 1054016939, 0, 'George and his bone stock Dakota on street tires at the glacier! 

', 1, 0, 430, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6722, '48-1032411197', 1, 1, '209.112.171.62', 1054085038, 0, 'Phil..I dont mean to be a dick..But what the hell where you doing running the stock run? | Quote (bgreen @ May 27 2003,20:51) |
| all I see is red x's |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ June 09 2003,07:00) |
| He Choad......didn't they teach you to disconnect your sway bar in Moab? |
| Quote (White TJ-97 @ July 08 2003,10:34) |
| Flamer, eh? hah! The ride out to Captain Cook was nice and the weekend weather was down right perfect. The sand was soft in some places but no match for 4 wheel drive. |
| Quote (AK2AZ @ July 07 2003,10:14) |
| Good photo Chaz... |




\n\n
', 1, 0, 434, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6848, '66-1051076078', 1, 1, '131.37.206.6', 1053336561, 0, 'Looking at the pictures, I'd keep the wide rigs off of the Permanente ledge. It looks a little soft on the edge to hold anything wider than that XJ. A little work could probably widen it sufficiently, and we've gotten more than one big Bronco through there. It really depends on what the group is willing to do.| Quote (Bronco85 @ May 19 2003,08:04) |
| Pussy? Why yes I am.....Big Hairy and stinky. I just don't want to end up rolling down the side. I am afraid of my own shadow..... |







', 1, 0, 436, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6878, '84-1031627444', 1, 1, '24.237.91.37', 1044246375, 0, 'Frank








', 1, 0, 437, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6887, '56-1039040315', 1, 1, '66.58.193.106', 1043047583, 0, 'nice pics, looks like you had fun. What was the damage this run?', 1, 0, 437, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6888, '79-1033840762', 1, 1, '209.165.147.145', 1043053550, 0, 'That was a fun trip and we made it home in good time. PICS!', 1, 0, 437, 10, '426', 0, 'image/pjpeg'),
(6889, '79-1033840762', 1, 1, '209.165.147.145', 1043211819, 0, 'Easy with the info. Call me and I will fill you in. 

', 1, 0, 437, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6894, '85-1040364798', 1, 1, '209.193.49.86', 1043044089, 0, 'The little Samari that could!!!








', 1, 0, 437, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(6896, '85-1040364798', 1, 1, '209.193.49.86', 1043047875, 0, 'No noteable damage. Nate bend up part of his steering linkage a bit but nothing serious. Everyone made it home and most of us made it as far as the furthest vehicle did. Hats off to the Samari and Piff, they made it up the last hill that none of us did...| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ July 06 2003,11:32) |
| Quick pull with the 9.5 Ti and I was on my way. |
| Quote (Little Giant @ July 06 2003,22:42) | ||
I remember it differently than that... I had a good time as well, thanks all. My pics are on 35mm, I'll post after they are developed and scanned. |



| Quote (sledneck @ July 07 2003,00:17) |
| damn brentt how are you able to put such big pics on here? |
| Quote (88bronco2 @ July 07 2003,19:19) |
| man looks like you guys had a blast...I WANT TO WHEEL WITH YOU GUYS!! geez |
| Quote (69travelall @ Nov. 24 2003,00:45) |
| Shifting into 4 high keeps the front tires spinning while breaking, not pulling. Steering does no good with locked front tires. I don't have studs on the F250 and unless I am on the highway, its one hand on the wheel and one hand on the transfer case. I've done mad dash stops on the highway too, just gotta remember to throw the lever BEFORE you stomp on the brakes. :) |
| Quote (nate379 @ Nov. 24 2003,19:58) |
| To be honest, I really don't find myself needing long arms. Wanting, yes, but I think my setup does decent. |
| Quote (nate379 @ Dec. 05 2003,03:19) |
| Naw, I think it was around 20* that day. The next morning was around 10*. Not too bad. Was pretty cold earlier this week though... with wind -37* according to base weather. Ambient was around -10*. Blew the return line on my power steering cause the fluid was nearly ice. |
| Quote (aktinbinder @ Dec. 05 2003,08:36) | ||
well most of use use power steering fluid rather than water to help prevent this. aktinbender |
| Quote |
| a state cop was sitting in my lane and i could not stop so i putt my jeep in 4 hi and hitt my brakes and stopped |




| Quote (95 ZJ @ Aug. 28 2003,20:16) |
| You guys are crazier than me cause damn that looks like alot of damage to Paco's four runner. Not to mention money that I don't have for repairs, I'll say it again E3 pay sucks. I guess any trail can be interesting if your willing to get a bit crazy. |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ July 27 2003,20:51) |
| Joey- You Need a set of my Bomber Goggles.....they work slick for keeping the goo out of the eyeballs. They have interchangable lenses Clear, Amber and Smoked. They don't fog very easy and I can wear them all day without a care. |







| Quote (Bronco85 @ June 27 2003,06:03) |
| Don't you guys have a club email list? Doesn't it get a little boring running the same trail every time? 8 time? I've only run in 3 times in 3 years. |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ June 21 2003,22:51) |
| Thought you all where doing the Ruby maintance? What happened with thaT? |









', 1, 0, 443, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(7015, '79-1031590842', 1, 1, '12.21.211.63', 1056301813, 0, 'Couple more


| Quote (nate379 @ June 27 2003,12:01) |
| Phil I'm not a member because I haven't been on 2 club runs with my ZJ. |
| Quote (00TJ @ June 27 2003,18:26) |
| The reason it is eating at me DAN is I take pride of these trails and I dont want anything to happen to our trail system. Im gonna be here in alaska a long time and i plan on running these trails a long time.Im very careful on these trails and the people on this last trail run where also careful..so when when someone is saying something that we did something out there I wanna know what the hell they are talking about. dont bother calling its all good i found from others Have a good day Dan Ps take the dam lace of your pantys |
| Quote (frosty @ June 21 2003,22:43) |
| This morning after the campers headed back to town Jerry, Mike, Chainman, Peter, land myself left Palmer to meet up with the W's and run boulder. We met up at long lake and headed into the trailhead. The ground was surprisingly dry considering the weather. We had no problems on the way in until we hit the rocks and swamp area. All of the rain had definitly changed the terrain around a bit. I was leading the group and was trying my best not to get stuck, so of course when i did it made for some good photos. I tried to winch perpindicular to my rig and snapped my winch cable which caused my rig to teeter on two wheels as everyone laughed at the sideways grocery getter. We all made it to the creek, which was extremely high, and had some lunch. Because of our late start and the high water we headed back into the slop. The trip out wasnt nearly as bad because we were able to pick the better lines out. Our Only hold ups were some minor winching and chainman broke a tire chain. We were almost at the trailhead when jerry began to complain that his rig wouldnt turn right. A quick assessment revealed a cracked and ripped off trackbar mount. Some fancy bottle jacking and a few welds and we were on our way. We made it out unscathed and all had a good time. Cant wait to do it all again next weekend!!! Enjoy the pics. |













| Quote |
| Sage is the man on the recovery action. |
| Quote (AKBroncoII @ Sep. 26 2003,19:36) |
| People who aren't elite members should fork over some cash so Toydozer doesn't have problems paying this months bill. It's not all that much anyways. Pitch in whatever you can. I did my part, Now do yours. |
| Quote (sevenslats @ Sep. 27 2003,09:54) | ||
Or you could delete the worthless posts like this one. Isn't there some way to keep "members" from posting to certain threads? |
| Quote (sevenslats @ Sep. 27 2003,08:54) | ||
Or you could delete the worthless posts like this one. Isn't there some way to keep "members" from posting to certain threads? |
| Quote (AKBroncoII @ Sep. 27 2003,12:45) |
| Or you could lick my balls. |
| Quote (AlaskaXJ @ Sep. 22 2003,22:56) |
| As for all the rest of the chest puffing, me-wheeler-you-stupid stuff that is floating around here... Some people sure pick odd things as their "defining moment..." AlaskaXJ |
| Quote (enduro47 @ Sep. 29 2003,05:04) |
| is there real mud in tx :p |
| Quote (BadCo @ Sep. 28 2003,09:15) |
| I estimated 41 hours worth of work on Josh's truck. It will take me the better part of October to get it road worthy. |
| Quote (Badcop @ Sep. 21 2003,00:13) |
| Chris, was the Yota guy with the FJ on this board, unknown screen name. |
| Quote (Maddening @ Sep. 21 2003,04:05) | ||
Don't remember too many people saying it couldn't be done.. What I remember was people saying it wasn't worth the trouble. You dug a POS piece of scrap Jeep out of the river, that the insurance company owns.. Nice job. |
| Quote |
| We where told by people that this jeep was impossible to recover from the Kink river. Because when they where last up there 2 months proir you couldn't even get to the Jeep. We where told we where stupid, retards, and all those other insults that you can think of. That we could be killed hurt someone or loss our rig as well if we tried to get to it. We told them we just wanted to go up and look to see if it was possible to recover the jeep. But still these few people who consider themself smarter then us felt the need to insult us and thinking that saying we where stupid SOBs would make us think that it couldn't be done. |
| Quote (smikey2 @ Sep. 23 2003,10:20) | ||
Spit or Swallow? |
| Quote (BadCo @ Sep. 27 2003,23:29) |
| I will be working on the other casualty from this incident, starting this week. |
| Quote (Maddening @ Sep. 22 2003,21:15) | ||
Well I read the write up.. and this is what I found:
I mean, seriously, what the fuck? Posting that kinda crap on a national website? You act like you're some god of all that is Jeep extractions, and putting shit like that in your write up makes you look like a total arrogant dick.. |
| Quote (Hiapo @ Sep. 29 2003,10:40) |
| This is the kind of mud we have here. Check this link may take a little bit to laod. Texas Mud |
| Quote (AK-Cruiser @ Sep. 21 2003,00:15) |
| o ya one more thing if you have non auto locking hubs.... make sure you have them locked in befor wheeling |
| Quote (scotty @ Sep. 28 2003,07:46) |
| does that mean an effort to rescue the nissan? or youll be working on joshs truck? |
| Quote (AKBroncoII @ Sep. 27 2003,11:45) | ||||
Or you could lick my balls. |
| Quote (Josh @ Sep. 21 2003,15:57) |
| Nissan stuck: July 3rd- Forever... |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Sep. 23 2003,08:01) |
| Thank you Winni's for finishing up someone else's work...Again! |
| Quote (smikey2 @ Sep. 24 2003,08:40) |
| PASSED 20,000! So who are all you people that are viewing? SPEAK UP!! |
| Quote (sevenslats @ Sep. 29 2003,14:09) | ||
ever hear of momentum? or lockers? or not getting Old Glory muddy? |
| Quote (enasni900rr @ Oct. 30 2003,19:50) |
| This thread made it all the way to www.stuntlife.com a sportbike stunter site lol. Good job on the salvage.. |
| Quote (Josh @ Sep. 21 2003,16:57) |
| AWSOME JOB! how far out was the jeep from the bank? Ram stuck: july 3rd - 4th Jeep stuck: July 3rd- September 20 Nissan stuck: July 3rd- Still Stuck... :) |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ Sep. 22 2003,09:53) |
| Brian email me your pics. I'll add them to the small write-up I did. |
| Quote (Badcop @ Sep. 23 2003,08:28) | ||
Thats a little harsh, dont you think? I ran around like a chicken with its head removed, and jumped through hoops to get a flatbed tilt trailor to remove the jeep. I even PM'd Murdock asking him to contact the insurance company so we could get the title for the junkyard. (even found one that wanted it). Phills mom last night offered up their cherry picker so we could lighten the load. Chaz, Mike, and some other guy went up last night to disassemble into little ole peices. Granted after it was all done and said we got wind that the insurance was going to pick it up, and when Chaz and Mike got back they told me of the Winni's, but Damn Brentt, its not like we were just abandoning the freakin job half assed, we still have other requirements of us.!!!! |
| Quote (enduro47 @ Sep. 23 2003,16:24) |
| hey bad cop those wheels look good on your jeep. I am up for geting another vechicle out of there just say when. I was wandering when i could get those tires and wheels off of ya give me a call tommorrow. If we pull another vichicle out i hope there is not all this arguing and political shit. |
| Quote (GWFord @ Sep. 24 2003,19:45) |
| That's funny, cause I've always heard/known that everything's better in Texas! |
| Quote (BadCo @ Sep. 27 2003,22:29) |
| Phildo, your story on superford sucked. You need to spend more time thinking about what you are going to say, then check your grammar. |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ Sep. 21 2003,12:06) |
| I think the frame is spoken for. Doors are toast. Someone mentioned you wanted the seats? But we kind a stuck a hole in one putting a hole in the floor to drain it..oops. |
| Quote (AlaskaXJ @ Sep. 22 2003,22:50) |
| I was told that the job was finished tonight. The "W's" came and got it. Good 'ole "W's" |
| Quote (Badcop @ Sep. 21 2003,00:13) |
| Chris, was the Yota guy with the FJ on this board, unknown screen name. I would like to add that, IN YOUR FACE!!! Too all who thought it couldnt be done. |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ Sep. 20 2003,23:53) |
| Chris pushing the Jeep out of the hole. |
| Quote (Maddening @ Sep. 21 2003,14:42) |
| You guys do understand that you don't own any of it? Don't you? The insurance company might have something to say about taking the frame and whatnot. |
| Quote (AK-Cruiser @ Sep. 23 2003,18:46) |
| hey i just found out that when i do lock my hubs in they will slip out and unlock them selfs..... any one knoe why they would do that? and i did lock them in on the trip but by the time i got to ju\im creek they had undid themselfs......... so there!!!!!!!! lol |
| Quote (AKBroncoII @ Sep. 23 2003,21:37) |
| Who the hell is viewing this thing so much? That is just crazy. Now we now how to get publicity for events. Have someone bury there jeep and everyone will go dig it out. |
| Quote (smikey2 @ Sep. 24 2003,06:40) |
| PASSED 20,000! So who are all you people that are viewing? SPEAK UP!! |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ Sep. 29 2003,16:29) |
| That doesn't look like anything special anyways. Just a deep hole full of water. YAWN!! |
| Quote (Maddening @ Sep. 21 2003,14:42) |
| The "Good job" was sincere, I think you guys did an awesome job gettin that sucker outta there. Now go do the Nissan! |
| Quote (nate379 @ Sep. 23 2003,09:56) |
| I don't think you fell though Brentt... I mean your leaving in a few days, so it's not like you wouldn't have stuff packed on it and shit. |
| Quote (UtChaz @ Sep. 21 2003,00:47) |
| We tugged at it from all directions... |
| Quote (nyxis @ Sep. 25 2003,18:02) | ||
'sup ... Kalamazoo, Michigan here... i picked this thread off of Jeepsunlimited.Com and researched as many previous threads as i could find .. the stuff that happened 3 mos ago and such .. crazy .. the video made me sick to my stomach when i saw it .. now i have this extreme fascination with seeing the KNIK first hand .. .. my girlfriend isnt to keen on the idea of going up there however ... not to mention it would be a huge PITA to get any of my rigs up there .. but some of the pictures ive seen of the glacier ... WOW looks awesome and im jealous of some the wheeling you guys have ... (MI is too flat for my taste and i have no trailheads near enough to me) -Mike |
| Quote (tx91xj @ Sep. 29 2003,18:25) |
| I think it's a good thing you guys recovered a rig that was buried. That would have been a nice project for a 4x4 club to rebuild and make a scrapbook about. So it does go to shaow there are a few good 4wheelers out there that will clean up a 4wheelin place. it's better to remove it then to later run over it could tear up someone elses rig or even cause some seriuos bodly injury. I always pack out more then i carry in. I've recovered afew vehicles buried in the sand (beaches) down here in the Tip-O-Texas beaches. people would get stuck leave them where they where. i would go out serf fishen see them stuck .. recover them leave the at the road... |
| Quote (Mean Green @ Sep. 21 2003,12:21) | ||
Chris was the guy in the yota. I'm Mike, the one who pulled the jeep to the trailhead. If any one needs to get anything unstuck, just tell me that it can't be done. I love to prove people wrong on there own stomping grounds. Good job to everyone else that was out there. |
| Quote (Bronco85 @ Sep. 23 2003,08:07) |
| I beleive if that last thread was not deleted there where people in there that said it was impossible to remove. Hence the paragraph in the write up!. If you don't like me I don't give a fuck. |
| Quote (OneTonCJ @ Sep. 23 2003,23:35) |
| Hey guys, thanks for all the thanks :) We were just glad that we were able to help clean the Valley, and Jim Creek up. Now, I cant except all the thanks. You guys should be thanking or best friend Jason (AKA Blazin76) if it had not been for him that Jeep would still be setting out there. We called him up, and asked him if he would help, and bring his trailer and he was there! So most all the thanks go to him! |
| Quote (Redneck @ Sep. 24 2003,15:46) |
| the link is up on www.island4x4.com the link to the jeep floatin, and the story on those runs (nissan stuck, etc.) was posted awhile back too. |
| Quote (OneTonCJ @ Sep. 21 2003,10:49) |
| Hey Phill, and others. When you guys are done taking what ever you want off of it. Is anyone taking the frame? Or the tub? Dont just take the rest of it off the the Junk Yard. We would be more than happy to take the frame, and the tub. And we would have to agree that you guys get top recovery honors for the year! That is just great that you guys got that out of there. You proved us wrong. We thought that you would need the NodWell....... And of course when you are done stripping it I am just up Knik:) and wont charge to take it in :) |
| Quote (Maddening @ Sep. 23 2003,16:30) | ||
Nah man.. it's no big deal.. Can't say I don't like you, I don't even know you, I've never met you. All my point was is that there could have been a more tactful way to present the South Central Alaskan wheeling community to the rest of the world. One way would have been to not even include that stuff about "insults and stupid SOB's" and all of that. Why is it there at all? It puts a bad light on everyone, including yourself. It's read as boasting by anyone who reads that write up, when they could care less about the squabbles on this board. I mean hell yeah, you could include a "Many people were doubtful that this Jeep extraction could even be performed, but with some effort and the majority of the day, we got the job done." That would have been a 10x better way to write the introduction. Oh well.. It's all good. |
| Quote (ODDBALL @ Sep. 25 2003,20:14) |
| If you come out this way, you can run trails all week long and not hit the same one twice. Alaska is the Best state for all around skill building! Slick Hill's,Big rock wash's pouring from the jagged mounains,Thousand's of water crossing's,Ice,snow,sand,rock,mud,swamp,peet bogg's,Big GAME,& mILE'S of old time History. |
| Quote (00TJ @ Sep. 22 2003,19:32) |
| ...it cant be done... |
| Quote (Trigger @ Dec. 18 2003,22:09) |
| im curious, what time did you leave the trailhead, and what time did you get to Final destination. Just curious on the time it took you guys. Nice pics by the way. |
| Quote (Per @ Dec. 20 2003,14:25) |
| Looks like fun??? |
| Quote (Overlord @ Dec. 20 2003,20:26) |






\n\n| Quote (Bronco85 @ Dec. 19 2003,15:33) |
| Damn frosty ya gotta be so negative? |
| Quote (Badcop @ Dec. 20 2003,04:36) |
| Thaught Beau was going to piss on himself.... |
| Quote (Crazy5 @ Dec. 20 2003,21:22) | ||
Why on earth would you want to see FB pissing on himself??? Sick world I tell you... |


\n\n| Quote (Fat B*@terd @ Dec. 20 2003,16:38) |
| F-U CRAZY you weren’t suppose to tell about my bladder problem. |



', 1, 0, 447, 10, NULL, NULL, NULL),
(7321, '76-1032161379', 1, 1, '24.237.47.251', 1042062580, 0, 'Good stuff Phil, thanks.| Quote |
| Below is the March 2003 email edition of the Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) Driving Force newsletter. As always, feel free to reprint any or all of the information contained within it. All we ask is for attribution if you choose to do so. If you need any additional background, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you do not wish to receive any future editions of the email Driving Force, please respond to this email with "remove." Brian Caudill Editor DRIVING FORCE Arizona Hobbyists Pursue Emissions Exemption for Older Vehicles Pro-hobby legislation (H.B. 2387) was introduced in the Arizona House of Representatives to exempt vehicles 25 years old and older from the state's mandatory emissions inspection and maintenance program. Existing law in Arizona only exempts vehicles manufactured in or before the 1966 model year from the emissions inspection. The bill would exempt pre-1979 vehicles upon enactment and would pick up an additional model year for each year the law is in effect. H.B. 2387 acknowledges the relatively minimal environmental impact of older vehicles, such as the 25-year-old and older vehicles targeted for this exemption. Arizona SAN groups like the Arizona Automobile Hobbyist Council and the First Generation Camaros of Arizona Car Club know the truth about vintage vehicles: They are infrequently driven, overwhelmingly well-maintained and contribute little to air pollution. "The idea behind exempting vintage vehicles from emissions testing is to reduce emissions testing costs to the public without affecting air quality," noted SEMA Director of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. "Many states have already enacted similar exemptions; the most recent was in Missouri in 2001, Virginia in 2000, Washington in 1998 and California in 1997. We hope to add Arizona to this list in 2003." Pro-Hobby Street Rod/Custom Bills Introduced To date in this new legislative season, New York (S.B. 615), Missouri (H.B. 283) and Rhode Island (H.B. 5487) have all introduced SEMA model legislation to create vehicle registration classifications for street rods and custom vehicles. These bills all mirror legislation recently enacted in Illinois that defines a street rod as an altered vehicle manufactured before 1949 and a custom vehicle as an altered vehicle manufactured after 1948. Each of these bills exempts street rods and customs from periodic vehicle inspections and emissions inspections and a range of standard equipment requirements. They also provide that replica vehicles will be assigned the same model-year designation as the production vehicle it most closely resembles and allows the use of non-original materials. SEMA Action Network Director Brian Caudill noted, "We are pleased that SEMA's model legislation is finding support across the country from both state legislators and from SEMA Action Network clubs like the Rhode Island Street Rod Association and the Show-Me Rods of Missouri. We are hopeful that hobbyists in other states that don't have proper and effective street rod and custom vehicle registration categories will pursue similar legislation. If you or your club is interested in pursuing SEMA's model street rod/ custom legislation, please contact Steve McDonald at 202/783-6007 or stevemac@sema.org Legislative Quick Hits West Virginia Light Bars: A bill was introduced in the West Virginia legislature that would allow only original vehicle manufacturer's equipment light bars in the state. This bill would effectively ban the sale, installation and use of aftermarket light bars equipped with aftermarket lighting equipment intended for off-highway use. The bill also mandates that the lights be installed or aimed by or at the direction of the vehicle manufacturer. SEMA and West Virginia hobbyists, particularly OHV enthusiasts, have written the state Senate Transportation Committee in opposition. Currently, the bill is bottled up in committee. Connecticut/Hawaii Greenhouse Gas: Following California's lead, the Hawaii and Connecticut legislatures introduced legislation to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide. Both bills provide that the regulations must be similar to California's laws and regulations and will apply to 2009 model year and later vehicles. The new California law prohibits regulators from reducing speed limits, restricting vehicle size or imposing new taxes or fees, but is still little more than a back-door effort by environmentalists to set fuel-economy standards, an authority exclusively reserved to the federal government. Because CO2 is given off whenever gasoline is burned, the only way to cut emissions is to make vehicles that burn less gasoline or vehicles driven by electricity or other means. Hobbyists in Connecticut and Hawaii were alerted to these bills. New Hampshire Exhaust Noise: New Hampshire legislators are considering SEMA-model legislation to create an enforceable motor vehicle exhaust noise standard for the state. Currently, New Hampshire deems illegal all modifications that increase noise levels above that emitted by the vehicle's original muffler. The SEMA model requires law enforcement authorities to prove that an exhaust system modification results in a noise level in excess of 95 decibels as measured by SAE test standard J1169 before issuing a citation. The New Hampshire House Transportation Committee has indicated it will conduct independent tests to determine whether the 95 decibel limit is fair to all vehicles before voting on the bill. SEMA would like to highlight the work of New Hampshire SAN club Team Modified in supporting this bill. TECHNICAL CORNER What You Need to Know About Smog Legal Equipment By Frank Bohanan Smog legal" is perhaps the most misunderstood and, unfortunately, misused term enthusiasts use. Most vehicle owners who live in areas with emissions tests know they have requirements they must meet. However, most aren't really sure what they are. Let's try to clear up some of the confusion. There are three basic levels of in-use emissions requirements that vehicle owners have to meet: Memo 1A, federal and California. Memo 1A. This refers to a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) memorandum that says it's illegal to remove, disconnect or disable a required emissions control device on any pollution controlled motor vehicle (PCMV), pretty much any 1968 (1966 in California) or later model year car/light duty vehicle used on public roads. What this means is that even if you don't have a local emissions-testing requirement, technically you can still break federal law by chucking/disabling your vehicle's smog equipment. Federal Emissions Requirements. If your area has emissions testing, almost certainly some form of underhood inspection goes along with it. Technicians will check to make sure that all required smog equipment is installed and functioning properly. This does not mean you can't change things! You just have to make sure changes you make are smog legal and comply with Memo 1A. Because you may need to prove compliance to an inspector, most product manufacturers offer documentation that states their products are at least "49-state smog legal," effectively claiming that their products satisfy the EPA requirements. One warning: Products that claim 49-state smog legality are not legal for use in California (or states that use California emissions standards) on PCMVs. California (CARB) Emissions Requirements. If you live in California or states that use California emissions standards, then Memo 1A/49-state smog legal isn't enough. Your product must have an Executive Order (EO) number issued by the California Air Resources Board to be legal for use on a PCMV, unless it can be considered a replacement part. That means the manufacturer of the product must obtain an EO number before the product can be advertised or sold in California. The manufacturer must also provide an underhood label with the part that inspectors can use to verify that it's appropriate for the vehicle it's on. Products that have EOs are often called "50-state smog legal" because having an EO satisfies both California and EPA requirements. This is pretty cut and dried except for some products like intake manifolds, which can qualify as replacement parts even though they're made by aftermarket companies. In these cases, many aftermarket companies include documentation explaining the status of these parts. The simple approach is this: 1) Non PCMVs (pre 1968/1966 in California, race cars, etc.) don't have to worry about much beyond state and local vehicle laws. 2) Outside of California, and other states that use California emissions standards, emissions-related parts for use on PCMVs don't need an EO for legal use. They only need to qualify as 49-state legal or as replacement parts. 3) In California, and other states that use California emissions standards, emissions-related parts for use on PCMVs must have an EO (qualifying as "50-state legal") or qualify as replacement parts. Have a follow up question or another topic for TECH CORNER? Send it to us at frankb@sema.org or SEMA, Attn: "TECH CORNER," 1317 F Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, DC 20004. EAGLE ONE Honors Car Clubs With Golden Rule Award For the 10th year in a row, appearance care products manufacturer Eagle One, a Division of Valvoline, has presented its Golden Rule Award to four regional car clubs for outstanding community service programs. The award program is designed to enhance the image of the car club movement in the United States. This year's winners for programs conducted in 2002 were: West, Big Bear Lake Antique Car Club, Big Bear Lake, CA; Midwest, Windy City Corvette Club, Orland Park, IL; East, Over The Hill Gang, Brookville, OH; South, Creepers Car Club, Marietta, GA. These clubs received a large supply of Eagle One waxes, polishes and wheel and tire cleaners, a large supply of Valvoline MaxLife motor oil, a custom-designed plaque and a donation of $250 by Eagle One to a charity designated by each club. Runners-up in each region were: Mountain Top Street Rodders, Prescott, AZ; Toppers Car Club, Kindred, ND; Street Cars of Desire, Baltimore, MD; Thunder Valley Mustang Club, Chattanooga, TN. These clubs received a generous supply of Eagle One and Valvoline products and an Award of Merit. SEMA and the SEMA Action Network salutes the efforts of all winning and runner-up clubs. Today, vehicle clubs are about more than cool rides and shows. Increasingly, they are also about community, charitable and political involvement. WE GET MAIL Our article that referred to the anti-SUV program, "What Would Jesus Drive?" ("Can You Believe?!" Driving Force, February 2003) generated a lot of response. I was impressed with the delicate way SEMA handled the "What Would Jesus Drive" matter in the February Driving Force. In these politically correct times, you run the risk of offending no matter what you say, and when there is the vaguest hint of religion, the risk of offending increases exponentially. Let me just say, I don't like SUVs. They're wasteful and generally unnecessary. I know SEMA disagrees. I just wanted to applaud the evenhandedness of the article. Name Withheld by Request I was just reading this month's Driving Force, and I came across the "what would Jesus drive" question. I have not seen any of those ads here in California. I guess all the environmentalists realize that the soccer moms who own them pay for their causes. I did give the question some deep, logical consideration. What would Jesus drive...hmmmm? Let's see, he lived in a rural area, they did animal herding and farming and, last but certainly not least, he was a carpenter. I suspect he'd drive an SUV or maybe a 4WD quad cab pickup. 'Nuff said. Steve Tudor Tracy, California SEMA Action Network Club Events ARIZONA April 4-5, Tucson 23rd Annual Southwest Unique Little Car Show Sponsor: Subaru 360 Drivers Club Information: 520/741-0336 CALIFORNIA March 14-16, Coalinga Molina Ghost Run Sponsor: California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs Information: 760/956-2783 ILLINOIS March 23, Wheaton Buick-Olds- Pontiac-Cadillac Swap Meet Sponsor: Buick Club of America, Chicagoland Chapter Information: 847/464-5933 MISSISSIPPI March 22, Madison 2nd Annual Show and Shine Sponsor: Antique Vehicle Club of Mississippi Information: 601/825-3344 PENNSYLVANIA March 9, Norristown 2003 British Car Flea Market Sponsor: Philadelphia MG Club Information: 610/356-4409 March 16, Hershey Annual Meeting Sponsor: Legislative Council of Motor Vehicle Clubs Information: 814/674-5301 VIRGINIA March 16, Cartersville Bodatious Off- Road Racing Sponsor: Virginia Four Wheel Drive Associations Information: www.geocities.com/od4wdc/ |
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| For a great model of an interagency trail program serving the urban/wildland trails of a city the size of Anchorage, check out Boise, Idaho's 200+ mile trail program at http://www.ridgetorivers.org For an up and coming volunteer program done through a partnership between a National Forest and a watershed center, see http://www.thewatershedcenter.org/voframe.htm For many great publications on how to run volunteer trail projects and programs, see the Volunteers for Outdoors Colorado at http://www.voc.org And last but not least, for an incredible example of comprehensive trail system development as an economic revitalization strategy, see the Mountain Bike Wales (United Kingdom) website; they've gone from one trail system built with 750 Pounds (UK $) and 19K visitors in the first year to 220K visitors last year, a 500K trail system, and trail use estimated to generate 5% of the Welsh GNP! See http://www.mbwales.com/ Oh yeah, and we've got a new Alaska NPS Rivers & Trails website that has good links and info like this at http://www.nps.gov/akso/riversandtrails ! (Pardon any construction glitches--we're still at it!) Kevin Keeler Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program National Park Service 2525 Gambell St. Anchorage, AK 99503-2892 |
| Quote (UtChaz @ Dec. 29 2002,08:20) |
| I think I'll give them a call tomorrow also. What I've found out about it on the web says its a rather large pubilication though. |
| Quote (UtChaz @ Jan. 10 2003,10:06) |
| Can you post some of the info here? I've not received mine, and have called two times now... |
| Quote (Alaska ZJ @ Dec. 16 2002,07:41) |
| Did you get a copy of this LG? I will call today and get my copy if it is worth it or if you have not gotten it yet. |

| Quote (Little Giant @ Dec. 29 2002,14:54) |
| Thanks for sharing that link UTChaz, looks like a great resource for finding relevant publications, especially since they have material on specifically Alaska. I think I'm going to contact them about alot of the publications listed. |
| Quote |
| Driving Force - June 2003 Maine Exhaust Noise Bill Goes to Governor On the heels of similar laws enacted in California and Washington state, the Maine Legislature approved a version of SEMA-model pro-hobby legislation (LD 819) to create an enforceable motor vehicle exhaust noise standard for the state. Currently, Maine deems illegal all modifications that increase noise levels above that emitted by the vehicle's original muffler. Under the SEMA model an exhaust system modification is legal if it results in a sound level of 95 decibels or less as measured by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) test standard J1169. The Maine bill stipulates that all exhaust sound level tests be performed by certified inspection stations. "This bill is essential to helping protect those motorists who drive vehicles equipped with modified exhaust systems from being erroneously cited for exceeding noise limits," said SEMA Director of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. "Many of these citations are being written without regard to the practical intent of the law. The enforcement policy currently used by police officers is one in which nearly all exhaust system modifications are considered in violation, even when the noise levels are not excessive or unusual. This policy leaves exhaust system manufacturers, dealers and their customers without recourse." Aftermarket exhaust systems are preferred by motorists who modify their vehicles for durability, appearance and performance. If the exhaust has a more efficient exit route, more power can be attained without increasing pollution. This is especially critical for maneuvers such as passing, going uphill or merging onto a highway for vehicles with slow acceleration. Many aftermarket mufflers are made from stainless-steel for improved durability and offer a show car quality to a vehicle's appearance. "SEMA has a great deal of experience with the SAE test standard, both as a public policy matter and as an actual measure of exhaust noise," noted SEMA Action Network Director Brian Caudill. "Before crafting our model legislation, we did plenty of research including performing actual tests-complete with an acoustical engineer and a decibel meter-on a variety of modified cars. What we found was that the test was easy to understand, easy to perform and accurate." SEMA is working with the Maine Custom Auto Association, an organization composed of several SEMA member companies, as well as SEMA Action Network car clubs like the Central Maine Street Rods and the Fly-By Nights to seek enactment of this legislation. The bill now goes to the governor for his signature. SEMA's Model Exhaust Noise Bill - Eliminates subjective enforcement based on exhaust systems that are "louder than original muffler" or emit "excessive or unusual noise." - Forces compliance with an objectively measured decibel limit (95 dbA) under a fair and predictable test standard (SAE J1169). - Provides hobbyists who drive vehicles legally equipped with modified exhaust systems the ability to prove that they comply with the law. - Recognizes that aftermarket exhaust systems are preferred by motorists who modify their vehicles for durability, appearance and performance. - Challenges assumption that enthusiasts who equip their vehicles with modified exhaust systems are involved in street racing or other illegal activities. Interested in pursuing fair exhaust noise laws in your state? Contact the SEMA Government Relations office at 202/783-6007 or stevem@sema.org. Legislative Quick Hits California Regulators Approve ZEV Revisions: The California Air Resources Board (CARB) approved revisions to the states zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) rule. The revised rule calls for hundreds of thousands of cleaner gasoline burning vehicles, tens of thousands of gas-electric hybrids and 250 hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles in the next five years. The new rule also requires 2,500 fuel cell vehicles by 2011 and 25,000 by 2014. The revisions are partially in response to a lawsuit filed by General Motors and Daimler- Chrysler and joined by the Bush Administration. In June 2002, a federal court delayed enforcement of the rules for two years. The lawsuit accused CARB with regulating fuel economy, a power reserved for the federal government. Given the revisions, it is unclear whether the automakers will proceed with their lawsuit. California Replacement Tire Efficiency: SEMA has joined with the Tire Industry Association (TIA) to oppose California legislation that would require regulators to develop a replacement tire fuel efficiency program by March 31, 2005. The bill seeks to create a replacement tire rating system and specifically claims that original equipment tires offer fuel economy benefits that aftermarket tires do not. Should the bill pass, aftermarket tires, particularly those designed for high-performance and off-road enthusiast markets, will be specifically discriminated against in California despite their proven safety, utility and performance characteristics. Furthermore, tire manufacturers could be forced to redesign entire product lines simply to comply with California law. South Carolina Headlamps: SEMA convinced the South Carolina Legislature to abandon legislation that would have prohibited the operation of motor vehicles with colored or tinted headlamps. The bill failed to make an exception for certain lighting equipment including bulbs carrying a slight bluish tint that are certified to federal standards or federally compliant high-intensity discharge (HID) lamps that emit a bluish hue. U.S. Senate Debates CAFE: A provision to hike the CAFE standard was excluded from a national energy policy bill approved by the Senate Energy Committee. Nevertheless, some Senators want to insert a CAFE hike provision in the bill during Senate floor debate to create an identical CAFE standard for SUVs and passenger cars by 2011. SEMA supports a provision requiring the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to calculate appropriate CAFE numbers in the context of motor vehicle and passenger safety, technological feasibility, cost, consumer choice and impact on the automotive industry. The House version of an energy bill already contains this provision. U.S. Legislation Addresses Passenger Van Safety: Two bills are now in Congress to expand NHTSA's current dynamic rollover test program to include passenger vans designed to carry nine to 15 passengers. There is concern that many of the vans have an unacceptably high rollover risk when loaded with large numbers of people or luggage. Although not required under the legislation, the bill sponsors suggested some redesign possibilities such as adding dual wheels (an additional wheel on either side) to the rear of these vans, and installing electronic stability control systems and antilock brakes. Driving Force Wants to Hear Your Horror Stories. The automotive hobby, from street rods to lifted 4x4s and every vehicle type in-between, is subject to a nationwide hodge-podge of silly laws, weird regulations and chaotic enforcement. Most hobbyists have a story to tell about their experiences. Here are some regular occurrences: - A nosy neighbor peers over a privacy fence and reports someone to zoning officials for having a project car in the backyard. - Street rodders pulled over for being unsafe or for using non-stock parts. - Antique cars owners ticketed for not wearing seatbelts when the car was never originally equipped with them. - Import-performance riders pulled over and cited because they have a modified exhaust or it sounds too loud. - Lowriders ticketed for using hydraulics at a designated car show (not while driving). - Lifted-4x4 owners cited because, well, "Man, that thing is just TOO tall." - Garage owners forced out of business because of overreaching government regulations. If you have a similar tale to tell, we want to hear it! Write to SEMA with your experiences, tales of woe, accounts of silliness and narratives of the bizarre. Just make sure you weren't doing something illegal. We'll do our part by publishing them in a semi-regular column in Driving Force called "Can You Believe?!" Perhaps through some publicity, we can inject a little common sense into how vehicle laws are developed and enforced. Submit stories, pictures and background, etc. to "Can You Believe?!," Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), 1317 F St., NW, Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20004, 202-783-6024 (fax) or mail to brianc@sema.org. NHTSA Looks at Revamping Fuel Economy Rules The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) intends to request public comments later this year on how to restructure the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) program beginning in model year 2008. CAFE standards, currently set at 27.5 miles-per-gallon for passenger cars and 20.7 mpg for pickups, SUVs and minivans, have caused considerable controversy over the past few years. Automakers, forced to meet these standards or face penalties, actively oppose any CAFE hike, fearing that increases will force them to downsize or eliminate popular product lines like SUVs in order to meet fuel economy targets. Automakers produce plenty of fuel-efficient vehicles, but few are purchased. American consumers prefer larger, safer and more utilitarian vehicles, automakers argue, and federal regulation ought not force the OEMs to manufacture and market vehicles the public won't buy. Hardcore environmentalists counter that the CAFE standards have remained static for nearly a decade as America's love affair with less fuel-efficient light trucks/SUVs flourished. They claim that overall U.S. fuel economy is down and that automakers have the technology to make more fuel-efficient vehicles without sacrificing vehicle safety or utility. Environmentalist patrons in Congress have for the past several years attempted (and failed) to institute substantial CAFE hikes. Absent Congressional action, NHTSA determines what CAFE numbers are appropriate and feasible. While NHTSA is now considering numerical changes, it may also transform how the overall program operates as well. One major change would be to base fuel economy rules on vehicle weight rather than vehicle type. This could address automaker complaints that current CAFE structure negatively affects popular SUV/light truck product lines. However, new weight-based categories could still capture heavier SUVs/light trucks and subject them to higher fuel economy standards. NHTSA is also considering redefining as passenger cars those SUVs that have "car-like" characteristics. Obviously, these SUVs would then have to achieve higher passenger car miles-per-gallon ratings. The devil lies in the details: What vehicle design and manufacture characteristics does NHTSA intend to use in order to determine car-like SUVs? On behalf of consumers and our member manufacturers, SEMA has historically opposed unreasonable legislative CAFE hikes because they will affect consumer vehicle choice. The equation is simple: SEMA manufacturers make rational economic decisions to produce style, performance- and utility-enhancing products for vehicles that consumers buy. Not surprisingly, these vehicles are mostly high-performance passenger cars and multi-functional light trucks/SUVs, those most affected by CAFE standards. Unreasonably hiking CAFE would force automakers to stop producing large quantities of useful and fun vehicles. If this happens, consumers, automakers and SEMA member companies all lose out. We Get Letters California Old Car Emissions Exemption (Comments, Questions.and Answers) Just read the May Driving Force. Is it too early to say congratulations on your victory in eliminating that legislative item, S.B. 708, to smog test cars back to 1960? If it is, I'll write back to congratulate you all when the bill is officially dead! We all know how fast the worm can turn in California. Good job. Ernie Scheib Riverside, CA Hey guys, I looked over the Driving Force article mentioning that Sen. Florez has agreed not to go for legislation that eliminates California's 30-year rolling emissions exemption. Maybe you guys in Washington get a little hung-up on jargon. What on earth is a rolling emission exemption? Walter Butler Indianapolis, IN Jargon explained: A 30-year emissions test exemption means that whenever a car turns 30 years old, it is no longer required to undergo an emissions test. The exemption rolls in when an additional model year becomes exempt from testing for each year the law is in effect. For example, if all pre-1974 vehicles are exempted from testing this year, next year all vehicles will be exempted, with all pre-1976vehicles exempted the year after that and so on. In comparison, many states have static-year emissions test exemptions so all cars manufactured after a certain date have to be emissions-tested no matter how old they are.-Ed. Newly Introduced Legislation Note: The following state bills are not laws. They were recently introduced and are currently under consideration by the respective state legislatures: Emissions Colorado H.B. 1357-would exempt towing carriers and the police from obtaining emissions control certificates prior to selling abandoned vehicles Connecticut H.B. 6402-would establish vehicle emissions standards equivalent to California's. Indiana H.B. 1798-would exempt certain counties from emissions inspection requirements. Missouri H.B. 668-would require biennial emissions testing; requires vehicles failing onboard diagnostic tests to undergo a tailpipe test. New York S.B. 4040-would create a bureaucracy to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. New York S.B. 4044-would require regulations, similar to California's, for reducing vehicle GHG emissions. North Carolina S.B. 863/H.B. 1045-would create a new bureaucracy to reduce GHG emissions. North Carolina S.B. 763/H.B. 933-would establish emissions standards equivalent to California's low emissions vehicle program. Pennsylvania H.B. 1217-would stop emissions testing until the EPA issues rules for using onboard diagnostic vehicle emissions testing systems. Equipment and Inspections Hawaii H.B. 933-would exempt reconstructed vehicles from state inspection and certification requirements. Maine H.B. 1113-would prohibit vehicles equipped with nitrous oxide systems unless the vehicle is traveling to/from a racetrack, the system is disconnected and all containers removed. Maine H.B. 1149-would permit cutouts or bypasses on vehicle exhaust systems used in racing as long as they are inoperative when used on public roads. Miscellaneous New York S.B. 4523-would establish a tax credit for purchasing hybrid vehicles. Title, Tags and Registration Alabama H.B. 504-would permit issuance of antique/vintage motor vehicle titles on request. Kansas H.B. 2237-would require assembled cars, street rods, special interest vehicles and antique vehicles (1950 or later) to undergo inspections prior to titling. Texas H.B. 3106-would permit specially designed license plates; sets related fees. Wisconsin A.B. 282-would allow year of manufacture license plates. JUNE/JULY SAN CLUB EVENTS CALIFORNIA June 21, Sacramento Mopar Day at the Park X Sponsor: Capitol City Mopars Information: 916/685-3546 June 27-29, Pomona 6th West Coast Hot Rod Happenin' Sponsor: Goodguys Rod and Custom Association Information: 925/838-9876 COLORADO June 27-29, Pueblo 19th Annual Rocky Mountain Street Rod Nationals Sponsor: National Street Rod Association Information: 505/763-5771 CONNECTICUT June 22, Bridgewater 28th Annual Antique and Classic Auto Show Sponsor: AACA, Housatonic Valley Region Information: 203/743-2642 IOWA July 4-6, Des Moines 12th Heartland Nationals Sponsor: Goodguys Rod and Custom Association Information: 925/838-9876 ILLINOIS June 21, Bensenville 5th Annual Summer Kickoff All Buick Car Show Sponsor: Chicagoland Buick Club Information: 630/904-1950 July 8-12, Collinsville 31st Annual National Convention Sponsor: Pontiac-Oakland Club Information: 941/750-9234 INDIANAPOLIS June 13-15, Indianapolis 15th Hot Rod Nationals Sponsor: Goodguys Rod and Custom Association Information: 925/838-9876 MARYLAND June 21-22, North East 16th Annual Mid-Atlantic Chevelle Show Sponsor: Maryland Chevelle Club Information: 410/612-0173 MINNESOTA June 19-22, St. Paul Back to the '50s Sponsor: Minnesota Street Rod Association Information: www.msra.com NEBRASKA July 6, Fullerton 11th Annual Car and Motorcycle Show and Swap Meet Sponsor: Twin River Cruisers Information: 308/536-2054 NEVADA June 27-29, Carson City 19th Annual "Run What Cha' Brung" Car Show Sponsor: Karson Kruzers Information: 775/882-0829 OHIO June 14, McConnellsville 18th Annual Open Car and Truck Cruise-In Sponsor: Y-City Custom Car Association Information: 740/982-4213 TEXAS June 22, La Marque 2003 Summer Car Show Sponsor: Fifties Unlimited Information: 281/614-1417 July 4, Kerrville 5th Annual Open Car Show Sponsor: Hill Country Automobile Club Information: 830/377-8663 VIRGINIA June 6-8 Spring Fling and Grand Slam East Sponsor: Big Dogs 4WD Club Information: www.bigdogsoffroad.com WISCONSIN June 13-15, Warrens Wizards of Rods and Yogi Sponsor: Wizards of Rods Information: 608/378-4555 June 21, Wauwautosa 20th Annual Renner Oldsmobile Show Sponsor: Oldsmobile Club of Wisconsin Information: 262/966-3702 July 5, Grafton 13th Annual Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show Sponsor: Rods-N-Relics Information: 262/242-3834 |
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| FORWARDED FROM THE RABBIT CREEK COMMUNITY COUNCIL Grandview Subdivision (80 acres of tundra and mountain hemlock in Bear Valley) is slated to go before the Platting Board with their subdivivision plans (which include two variances and no trail right-of-ways) on Dec. 4. This area includes 4 major trails that are critical to traditional access to the northwest buttress of McHugh Peak (eastern most group of trails seen in map below): two trails start at the end of Honey Bear Lane (one along the eastern ridge and one along the western side of the Snow Bear Avalanche Path); a third trail starts at the end of southern end of Snow Bear Drive and traverses toward the western ridge; the fourth ascends the western ridge along its crest. Once this land is subdivided, these trails will be closed to the public. (Embedded image moved to file: pic22482.pcx) (Embedded image moved to file: pic25253.pcx) The stake seen in the foreground marks the north-south boundary between the proposed Grandview Subdivision and Chugach State Park. Because the stake points due north in this picture, all lands to the left of the stake (to the cul-de-sac's) are the private property proposed for the subdivision; all lands to the right of the stake are Chugach State Park. The Anchorage Areawide Trails Plan identifies a planned trailhead in the immediate vicinity of this proposed plat "to be determined through the individual project development process". The Municipality has made no specific recommendations to the Plat Board to provide for pedestrian access to the State Park access beyond the comments of the Parks and Beautification that "the subdivision design provide for adequate non-vehicular as well as vehicular access and circulation, within the development as well as to and from adjacent areas, and for emergency as well as general access purposes." If you want public access to Chugach State Park maintained through this area, please send your comments, including info on your history of use of the area to Jerry Weaver, MOA Platting Director, at WeaverJT@ci.anchorage.ak.us by Wednesday December 4. _ Here's a screen shot of the MOA GIS page with the proposed plat action and the Municipal link to the staff report: http://gisweb.ci.anchorage.ak.us/planning/staffcomments/S10811-1.pdf The staff report (from last winter and spring) focused mainly on geologic and avalanche issues; no mention was made of the trail access issues. (Embedded image moved to file: pic15000.pcx) Go to http://gisweb.ci.anchorage.ak.us/website....MNUM=36 for site/reports, etc. RABBIT CREEK COMMUNITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION REQUESTING PUBLIC ACCESS Nov. 22, '02 Platting Board, Dept. of Planning, MOA PO Box 196650 Anchorage, AK 99519 Resolution from Rabbit Creek Community Council on #S10811 Grandview Subdivision, Approved Nov. 14, '02 (Revised 11/22/02) Rabbit Creek Community Council supports the Parks and Beautification Division request of 2/06/02 regarding access in Grandview Subdivision that : "subdivision design provide for adequate non-vehicular as well as vehicular access and circulation, within the development as well as to and from adjacent areas, and for emergency as well as general access purposes." It is not clear if these interagency recommendations have been incorporated in the most recent staff recommendations. Policies 13, 54, 55, 56 of the Anchorage 2020 Plan provide direction for granting pedestrian facilities, neighborhood connectivity, and park access. Specifically, Rabbit Creek Community Council requests consideration of a non-vehicular trail easement east and south through Grandview Subdivision leading eventually to Chugach State Park along the north ridge of McHugh Peak. This easement would secure a long-standing traditional trail across Lots 1and 2 of the proposed subdivision at the end of Honey Bear Lane. Access to the southern perimeter of Chugach State Park is a need and concern of our Council residents. There are currently no reserved public access points to higher elevations of Chugach State Park south of Echo Street (near Flattop). The public has no reserved access along an estimated six mile stretch of the Park boundary because there are no public easements across private property. Honey Bear Lane is depicted as a trail route on the Anchorage Areawide Trails Plan but lacks a connection to the prominent destination of McHugh Peak in Chugach State Park. The trail connection from Honey Bear Lane into Chugach State Park for access to McHugh Peak is depicted as a desired trailhead the new Chugach State Park Access Plan (Fall 2002; trailhead S8) and received public comments of support during the public review of the access plan. There is a second traditional trail from Brewster's Drive (previously labeled Culhane Road) which crosses Lots 7 and 8 on the ridge top along the southern portion of the lots. This trail is more than ¾ mile by road from the Honey Bear Lane trail; a public easement may therefore be appropriate to meet the 2020 Plan policies for neighborhood connectivity to public open spaces. Sincerely, Nancy Pease, Board Member Dianne Holmes, Chair |
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| From Nancy Pease Please attend hearing to retain Bear Valley public access to Chugach State Park! Wednesday nite 6:30 PM Dec. 4 in the Municipal Assembly Chambers, the Platting Board will decide whether or not to provide to public access to Chugach State Park for traditional trails through a proposed subdivision from the public road seen below and the Park less than 500 feet away! (This view of Chugach SP boundary looking due north across Rabbit Creek. All lands to left of section line monument/stake are private; area for subdivision is just behind/below ridgeline in left foreground. All lands to right are Chugach State Park). (Embedded image moved to file: pic25897.pcx) There's a golden opportunity to secure permanent public trails from Bear Valley to McHugh Peak along the northwest ridge of McHugh Peak. Public comments will make the difference! Please read the following and do whatever you can to help! q attend the Platting Board hearing on Wednesday December 4, 6:30 pm, at Loussac Library (assembly chambers). q send an E-mail to city platting officers Margaret O'Brien and Jerry Weaver at Obrienmr@ci.anchorage.ak.us and weaverjt@ci.anchorage.ak.us. The E-mail should reference Case S10811 Grandview Subdivision. Ask the city to plat two public trail easements, one from Honey Bear Lane, and one from Brewster's Road (also called Culhane Road) toward Chugach State Park. Due to the holidays and short turn around time, the Municipality has only received one public comment regarding the subdivision--so if you can email now or come out Wednesday nite it will really help! A relatively short amount of time now to support these trails could secure a lifetime of public access! Background There are two traditional trails from Bear Valley onto the north ridge of McHugh Peak. One starts at the end of Honey Bear Lane, in a subdivision, where signs have recently been posted by landowners to keep hikers out. This Honey Bear trail climbs straight south up the ridge toward McHugh Peak (see photo above or attached). The other is a lesser-known trail used by local residents, from Brewster's Road (also called Culhane Road), heading east onto the same ridge. Both the Honey Bear trail and the Brewster's Road trail cross a private parcel that is proposed for a subdivision (platting case S10811 ? Grandview Subdivision). There is a community-wide need for better access to alpine areas of Chugach State Park. The public has no reserved access along an estimated six mile stretch of the Park boundary south of Flattop Mountain because there are no public easements across private property. The Municipality did not show either of these trails on the Areawide Trails Plan. A future trail is shown along Honey Bear Lane, but the connection to Chugach State Park was overlooked. However, several agencies have encouraged the Platting Staff and Platting Board to require public easements to connect to Chugach State Park: q Chugach State Park has recommended to the Municipality that both trails should be protected by platted public easements. The trailheads are over ¾ mile apart by road. The trailheads would provide neighborhood connectivity to Chugach State Park. The terrain is not well-suited for high-use trails or parking lots, so those facilities would be developed elsewhere. Neighborhood connections to Chugach State Park, such as these, disperse users, reduce the need for large parking lots, and add to the quality of life in the neighborhood. q Parks and Beautification Division recommends that the "subdivision design provide for adequate non-vehicular as well as vehicular access and circulation? to and from adjacent areas, and for emergency as well as general access purposes." q Rabbit Creek Community Council has requested these trail easements q Heritage Land Bank (a municipal agency) owns 190 acres adjoining the proposed subdivision that it intends to add to Chugach State Park. The HLB recommended in a 1999 study that "conditions of the final land transfer to State Parks should include a caveat that the future unpaved multi-use trail identified for this area in the 1996 Areawide Trails Plan be retained in Park plans and extended as part of future park developments in this area. The Culhane Road right-of-way (Brewster's Road) should be retained in perpetuity as a future formal park access corridor." q In addition, Anchorage Comprehensive Plan 2020, Areawide Trails Plan, and municipal Title 21 have policies for neighborhood connectivity to public open spaces, and specificy that trails are part of the intended transportation infrastructure. Thank you for any way you can help!!! |
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| PRESS RELEASE - For Immediate Release Contact ? Joe Westfall (907) 333-0739 State-wide trail group forms Anchorage - A diverse group of Alaska trail enthusiasts gathered recently for a three day work-session at Anchorage's Campbell Creek Science Center to create a state-wide non-profit trail organization. The new organization is aptly named "Alaska Trails". Their mission is to enhance the Alaska trail experience by supporting sustainable, world renowned trails through funding, facilitating, and educating. The group adopted the motto "We are known by the tracks we leave". The specific goals of the organization are to raise and provide funds for local trail organizations; to educate through training, forums, conferences and informational materials; to develop and provide technical expertise and project support; to promote the health, social and economic benefits of trails; and to foster cooperation among diverse groups through facilitation and planning. The Alaska Trails working board represents a wide range of Alaska trail user groups, geographic areas and trail interests. The board is putting the finishing touches on their by-laws and articles of incorporation. They plan to file for non-profit status and be officially incorporated by the end of the year. Alaska Trails' committees are already hard at work planning programs and raising funds to support their efforts. Over seventeen hundred dollars has been raised in initial pledges to help launch the trail organization. More funding and volunteers are needed to help the organization grow and become productive. If you are willing to help sponsor Alaska Trails or would like more information please contact Joe Westfall at (907)-333-0739 or email Joe@Westfalia-werke.us . Information is also available on line at http://wave.prohosting.com/aktrails/ Alaska Trails would like to remind everyone that June 7th is National Trails Day and wish you a safe and enjoyable day using or working on trails in your community. |
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| **February 27 Deadline for comments on PROPOSAL TO RENEW THE CASTLE MOUNTAIN COAL EXPLORATION permit by DNR to Hobbs Industries, Inc. The renewal would be for two years and in addition to the work authorized in the original permit it would allow routine maintenance on the Chickaloon-King River Trail for access to the permit area which may include installation of culverts where needed. For more information or to submit comments, contact 907-269-8603, 907-269-8930 Fax or justin@dnr.state.ak.us. |
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| EPA's Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) has created a new grants program called the "Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem Solving Grant Program." The grants program provides financial assistance to community-based organizations who wish to engage in capacity-building initiatives, and also utilize constructive engagement and collaborative problem-solving to seek viable solutions for their community's environmental and/or public health issues. Only not for profit 501 ©(3) organizations are eligible to apply. If they don't already have the 501 ©(3) status, be sure to obtain it before you apply (see information below). The grants are due September 30, 2003, and will be awarded at $100,000, for a project period of up to three years. The Request for Applications (RFA) for the new Collaborative Problem-Solving Grant Program can be downloaded from: Or, call 1-800-962-6215 or send an email which includes your complete mailing address to: Ms. Rosa Moore, US EPA/OEJ, MC-2201A, 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20460, to request a hardcopy of the RFA. A copy of the FACT SHEET above this program is included below. You can have either state certification or federal 501 © (3) Tax Exempt Status. The information on how to obtain federal 501 © (3) tax exempt status can be found at the link below. DON'T FORGET, you must show proof of this status in your application. Here is the official Internal Revenue Service website for organizations looking to file under 501©(3) tax exempt status: Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Grant Program Fact Sheet. In Fall 2003, the Office of Environmental Justice (OEJ) will review applications for the first Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem- Solving (CPS) Grant Program. The purpose of the Environmental Justice CPS Grant Program is for EPA to provide financial assistance to community-based organizations who wish to engage in constructive and collaborative problem-solving by utilizing tools developed by EPA and others to find viable solutions for their community's environmental and/or public health concerns. There will be 15 grants awarded by January 2004. All awards will be in the amount of $100,000.00 to be used over a three-year period. The Environmental Justice CPS Grant Program is managed by Linda K. Smith (Project Officer) and Marva E. King (Program Manager) of the Office of Environmental Justice. For more information, call the toll-free number 1-800-962-6215. Background EPA's Office of Environmental Justice, in coordination with the Federal Interagency Working Group on Environmental Justice (IWG), has developed an Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Model. A detailed description of each along with a sample can be found in the Request For Applications. These seven elements, which are the key factors to the success of this Model, must be included in your project application. They are: Issue Identification, Community Vision and Strategic Goal Setting; Community Capacity Building; Consensus Building and Dispute Resolution; Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships and Resource Mobilization; Supportive and Facilitative Role of Government; Management and Implementation; and Evaluation, Lessons Learned, and Replication of Best Practices. To Be Eligible For This Grant Program, you must be a non-government, nonprofit community-based organization currently exempt from taxation under 501 © (3) of the Internal Revenue Code or exempt under applicable state law and include proof of your status in your application. In addition, you must be working on or plan to carry out projects to address local environmental and/or public health issues. Universities are not eligible to apply for this grant program but they may be a member of the partnership. How Will Your Application Be Evaluated? In the grant application, you must address each of the seven elements described in the Background section above. The following items must be included in your application: 1. A Clear and concise description of the project. The project workplan narrative is one of the most important components of your application and (assuming that all other required materials are submitted) will be used as the primary basis for selection. Include whether or not your organization has received any grant/cooperative agreement from EPA in the last 3 years (35 points). 2. Adherence to the Environmental Justice Collaborative Problem-Solving Model. (25 points). 3. All standard forms as listed in the RFA. In addition to the forms, a detailed budget is required which shows how the funds will be specifically used in terms of personnel, fringe benefits, travel, equipment, supplies, contractor costs, and other costs. Funds cannot be used for construction, lobbying, or litigation against the government. The budget must list proposed milestones with deadlines, and estimated costs and completion dates. (10 points) 4. Statement of Qualifications of Principal Investigator/Project Manager as an appendix which describes why he/she is qualified to undertake this project. (10 points) 5. A Memorandum of Agreement signed by each representative of the collaborative partnership which identifies the roles and responsibilities of each partner. Each partner is valued at 2 points with a maximum possible total of 10. (10 points) PLEASE NOTE: A letter of support from an individual or entity does not qualify as a reflection of an agreement to participate in a collaborative partnership. Refer to the Grant Program Evaluation Criteria in Part IV of the RFA. 6. A set of evaluation criteria which reflect how you will determine the success of the project. These should include qualitative and quantitative measures. (10) Selection Process An EPA panel will review, evaluate, and rank the application of potential grant recipients. After the review process is completed, OEJ will compare the best applications and make final selections. Reporting Requirements Grant activities must be completed and funds spent within the timeframe specified in the three-year award. All grantees must participate in monthly conference calls with their OEJ technical advisor and provide quarterly reports to OEJ on the grant project's process. The OEJ technical advisor for each grant will be named at award. Other Information To download a request for application and additional information about this Environmental Justice CPS Grant Program, please visit the EPA's website at: Examples of community-based organizations involved in successful environmental justice collaborative problem-solving partnerships can be found at this EPA website: http://www.epa.gov/complia....ex.html For questions concerning examples of opportunities to develop collaborative projects, please contact your EPA Regional Environmental Justice Coordinator listed in Appendix F of the RFA. For issues concerning administrative and process questions, please contact the Project Officer, Linda K. Smith. Since this is a competitive program, in order to ensure that all potential applicants receive the same information, answers will be posted on the Web site. Therefore, all questions about interpretation or completion of the requirements, must be sent via e-mail to smith.linda@epa.gov or by fax to 202-501-1162. The questions with answers will be posted on the website. Application Submission Instructions Applications must be date stamped by courier service or postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service by 12 p.m. Eastern Time, September 30, 2003. Use the appropriate address below, depending on your method of delivery. Via U.S. Postal Service U.S. EPA/Office of Environmental Justice (MC 2201A) 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20460-0001 Attention: Linda K. Smith,Project Officer Via Federal Express, Airborne, United Parcel Service or other courier service U.S. EPA/Office of Environmental Justice Ariel Rios Building South, Room 2232 1200 Pennsylvania Ave., NW Washington, DC 20004 Attention: Linda K. Smith Project Officer Phone: 202-564-2602 |
| Quote (UtChaz @ Mar. 22 2003,14:25) |
| Looks like that trail is pretty much shut down now... |
| Quote (ODDBALL @ Mar. 24 2003,22:05) |
| To add to this. We passed by a few tree's that had no trespassing posted and yellow tape that once was tied across the trail! |
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| You Passed No Tresspassing Signs and torn down yellow tape? WTF Your part of the problem. You better stop pissing in your own house or the landlord will padlock the gate...... Turns out the signs were placed there unintentionally by a private contractor, but I am just about 100% certian you did not verify that with the proper officials before you violated the Sign. If you see a sign like that, STOP and turn around. Verify it's legality with the proper officials and resume your recreation. If you don't know who to contact, get intouch with the officers of Alaska Extreme, we have the organization and readiness to address these issues. This will get you there.......officers@akextreme4x4.com |
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| Scott, I understand that Eklutna wanted to post the property they own along the trail systems in the Jim Creek, Jim Lake and Mud Lake areas. They hired a contractor to erect some signs. The signs were mistakeningly put up along the Sexton Trail, which crosses mostly Mat Su Borough and State-owned lands. The No Trespassing signs were removed today, but will probably be put along the Maude Road Extension (Rippy Trail) where Eklutna owns land on both sides of the road/trail. These signs are intended to keep people on the trail which is a public easement, but off the Eklutna property which is private. |
| Quote (85toyflatbed @ Mar. 24 2003,22:56) |
| not to be mean or anything badco i know your intentions are good but that just does not work. i went to high school at palmer and i still live here i have seen more shit go on down there and people call the police and they dont ever do anything it is just so sad that there is such a nice place like there to enjoy the out doors and people mostly ones that live around there trash it. i would love to see that end up a park or somthing just my 2 cents |
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| Driving Force October 2003 Editor's Note: As some of you may know, Brian Caudill has departed SEMA. My name is Conrad Wong. I have been hired to replace Brian as the leader of SEMA's grassroots lobbying effort - the SEMA Action Network - as well as the new Director of Government and Public Affairs in SEMA's Washington, D.C. office. I want to maintain and build upon his close relationships with many of our car clubs, hobbyists, and enthusiasts. Please feel free to write me with any concerns that you or your club might have. My e-mail address is conradw@sema.org. I am a muscle-car enthusiast, having several '60s-era muscle cars, such as a 1967 Hemi Dodge Coronet R/T, and several late-model muscle cars, including a 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS. I also am an attorney by training, having been in private practice for five years, and in government with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office for ten years. After turning my own wrenches on my cars for many years, I decided to merge my personal interests and my professional background with the government-affairs position at SEMA, which I have long held to be the premier trade association for the automotive and truck aftermarket sector. I look forward to working with you, and hope to meet you personally! -Conrad Wong California Exhaust Noise Testing Program Open for Business The California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) has begun operation of the state's motor vehicle exhaust noise testing program. The program, the product of a SEMA-sponsored law, will equip California automobile hobbyists to fight unfair exhaust noise citations issued by state law enforcement officers. Motorists can now prove their vehicles comply with state noise standards. The law also allows courts to dismiss citations for exhaust systems that have been tested and for which a certificate of compliance has been issued. Approximately 40 Smog Check stations that provide referee functions are performing the test. These referee stations, located across the state, will issue certificates of compliance for vehicles when tests of their exhaust systems demonstrate that they emit no more than 95 decibels, under Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) test procedure J1169 (May 1998). However, only those vehicles that have received a citation for an exhaust noise violation will be permitted to submit their vehicle for the test. Later this year, BAR will issue a regulation to provide for the cost to consumers for performing the test. Tests performed prior to the official establishment of the testing fee will be performed at no cost to consumers. According to BAR officials, to have a cited vehicle tested at a state referee center, motorists must make an appointment by calling a toll-free number. Cited motorists should have the citation and vehicle registration available when calling. "The new law forces compliance with an objectively measured standard in a fair and predictable test," said SEMA Senior Director of Government Affairs Steve McDonald. "Through this procedure, cited motorists who drive vehicles legally equipped with modified exhaust systems can confirm that those vehicles comply with California's exhaust noise standards. "For years, the enforcement policy used by police officers deemed nearly all exhaust system modifications illegal, even where the noise levels were not excessive or unusual," McDonald added. "That policy left exhaust system manufacturers, dealers and their customers without recourse." Hobbyists who modify their vehicles for durability, appearance and performance "prefer aftermarket exhaust systems," McDonald said. "By establishing this evenhanded testing process, this program should serve to benefit consumers who favor these state-of-the-art products, the aftermarket industry which markets them, and even police officers who are charged with enforcing the law." It Happened to Me: Passing the Exhaust Noise Test "I could hear you coming down the street." That's the reason a LAPD officer cited Los Angeles resident Benjamin Chow for excessive noise coming from his 2003 Subaru WRX. Chow's WRX is outfitted with an aftermarket exhaust - a Blitz NUR Spec R cat-back system. He also has a blow-off valve under the hood, and Chow isn't exactly sure which component caught the officer's ear. Either way Chow got the ticket, and soon after he went on the Web to look for information about exhaust noise and whether there were ways to fight the ticket. The search engine directed him to SEMA's consumer Website, www.enjoythedrive.com, and an article about SEMA's efforts on behalf of California's exhaust noise testing law. Chow contacted SEMA, and the offices put him in touch with Steve McDonald, SEMA Senior Director of Government Affairs in Washington D.C., who worked with the state legislature to get the law passed. McDonald directed Chow to the Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) and its toll-free number for those who have received noise citations. As it turns out, Chow was a sound test pioneer. When he arrived at his local Smog Check referee station for the test, he found out that his was only the third vehicle that particular station had tested, and its staff was still being trained on the procedure. The process goes like this: The testing is done outdoors in a parking lot, with a decibel meter placed at a set distance away from the exhaust tip. (For you trivia nuts, the sound meter is placed 20 inches away from the source, at a 45-degree angle from the source, and 8 inches off the ground.) With the vehicle stationary, the engine is revved to a speed that represents three-quarters of maximum horsepower output (4,500 rpm for the Subaru), and a sound reading is taken. A total of three readings are taken during the test, and the car must pass all three readings for it to be considered compliant. If it fails just one of the readings, it has failed the test and must be repaired before being re-inspected. The California law set 95 decibels as the legal noise limit, and the test procedure allowed an error factor of plus or minus 1.5 decibels to account for ambient noise. Chow's Subaru emitted 88.4, 88.2 and 88.1 decibels. The actual testing took only about 10 minutes, though Chow said he was at the referee station about 45 minutes because "the staff was still new to the system." After passing the test, Chow received a "certificate of compliance" - a sticker that goes on the back of the citation. It lists data about the car (year, make, exhaust type) as well as information about the test and a compliance number. Presenting that certificate at his court appearance date should dismiss the citation. Should he be pulled over for noise again, he can show the officer that sticker as proof that his car is within the legal sound limits. Chow said he knew about SEMA prior to getting his citation, but he didn't know about its efforts on behalf of California motorists until he typed "noise compliance" into Google. "I was so excited about finding out that SEMA worked on this." Bill to Expand Use of Historic Vehicles Introduced in Michigan Legislation has been introduced in Michigan to amend the state's law that defines how historic motor vehicles can be used. Currently, vehicles registered as "historic" can be driven only during club activities, exhibitions, tours and parades. Because the regulations are so restrictive, many hobbyists whose vehicles would qualify for the program (vehicles that are 25 years old or older may do so) are instead registering them as "daily drivers." As a consequence, those owners are paying higher registration fees and also must pay a larger fee assessed by the state's Michigan Catastrophic Claim Association (MCCA). Historic vehicles, on the other hand, are only required to pay a $30 registration fee every 10 years and pay only 20 percent of the MCCA charges required of daily drivers (which are now $60 but could soon climb to $100). Two bills recently introduced in the Michigan legislature, H.B. 5040 in the House of Representatives and its identical Senate companion S.B. 663, would allow these vehicles to take advantage of "other occasional use," therefore loosening the restrictions. The bills were introduced by State Senator Jason Allen (R-37th District) and Representative Howard Walker (R-104th District). They came about as the result of Hagerty Insurance (a specialist in insuring collector cars) working with Senator Allen; Steve McDonald, SEMA Senior Director of Government Affairs; members of the SEMA Action Network in Michigan; and Hagerty customers who wanted to take advantage of the historic registration but felt too limited by the driving restrictions. "It does not make sense for these owners to pay what daily drivers pay," said Sydney McManus, Hagerty's director of public relations and legislative affairs. "They are so well maintained and so infrequently driven. We wanted to pursue a way of changing the registration regulations, to do whatever we could to help our customers. "We love this hobby," McManus continued. "We want to make it easier for people to use their cars. The more expensive it is, the harder it is for people to participate." Currently, these bills have been sent to the Transportation Committees in both the House and Senate. SEMA, SAN and Hagerty insurance are encouraging enthusiasts to contact their local legislators in support of the bills. There is information about the bill on the home page of Hagerty's Website (www.hagerty.com), and clicking on the link there will take you to a page that includes information (and Web links) for those who need assistance in who their Senate and House members are. There are also links to the texts of the House and Senate bills. "SEMA has been immensely helpful with these bills," McManus said. "With these under way, I'm working with Steve McDonald to target other states that would benefit from this kind of legislation." If you think your state could benefit from legislation like those bills pending in Michigan, contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org. Legislative Quick Hits Tire Pressure Monitoring Rule: A federal appeals court overturned a rule issued by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that gave automakers the choice of installing "direct" pressure monitoring equipment in each wheel or "indirect" systems that estimate tire pressure by using the anti-lock brake system to analyze tire-spin ratios. The court wants consumers to know whether each tire is properly inflated rather than rely on indirect measurements that could fail if all four tires were underinflated or if two tires on the same axle were underinflated. SEMA recommended the use of direct monitors when NHTSA drafted the rule. NHTSA will now rewrite the rule to mandate such equipment. New Tire Performance Standard: SEMA is supporting a petition for reconsideration that if approved, would force the NHTSA to allow limited production radial tires to remain covered by current performance standards. Earlier this year, the agency established a new tire performance standard for most tires used on cars and light duty trucks. As a consequence, all mass production radial and bias tires will be subjected to greater speeds and heavier loads during testing. The new standard also applies to limited production radials as well, but limited production bias tires will continue to be covered under the current tire standards. Tire and vehicle manufacturers have four years to accommodate the rule changes, until June 1, 2007. A final decision on the petition will likely be made in early 2004. California ZEV Program: In response to revisions to California's zero-emissions vehicle (ZEV) rule, GM and Daimler-Chrysler have dropped their lawsuit against the California Air Resources Board (CARB). Earlier this year, CARB abandoned its effort to put electric vehicles on the road. Instead it will require hundreds of thousands of cleaner gasoline burning vehicles, tens of thousands of gas-electric hybrids and hundreds of hydrogen fuel-cell vehicles on a phased-in basis starting in 2005. The lawsuit had accused CARB with regulating fuel economy, a power reserved for the federal government. Pennsylvania Emissions: In response to a proposed regulation issued by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation, SEMA expressed concern to the agency that the state's planned visual emissions inspection would discriminate against the motor vehicle aftermarket. The proposal restricts regulated emissions devices to those installed by the motor vehicle manufacturers, or equivalent replacement components. In its comments, SEMA instructed regulators that U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) policy provides for the use of emission-related aftermarket add-on and modified products. The EPA also accepts aftermarket parts approved under the California Air Resources Board's aftermarket parts exemption program. By meeting the requirements of this program, a manufacturer can receive a certification, thereby permitting the sale and use of such exempted parts. Greenhouse Gases: The U.S. EPA ruled that greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles are not "pollutants" subject to regulation under the Clean Air Act (CAA). The EPA stated that the CAA did not provide it with clear-cut authority to regulate carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping gases, and that Congress needed to give direct guidance on such a major public policy issue. The ruling was in response to a longstanding petition for rulemaking filed by several environmental groups and supported by several Northeastern states. Last year, California state legislators passed a law directing the Air Resources Board to regulate greenhouse gases from California autos by model year 2009. Wilderness Lands in Idaho: Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho) is planning to introduce legislation this fall in the U.S. House of Representatives to designate 250,000 acres of Idaho's Boulder White-Cloud Mountain Range as wilderness. At present time, the scope of the bill would be limited to the single mountain range. Although Idaho has nearly 12 million acres of land that are eligible for wilderness designation, there has been little action to formalize the status. Off-road and all-terrain vehicles, motorcycles, snowmobiles and other mechanized machines have enjoyed unhindered access to these lands although they would be barred entry under an official wilderness designation. Road Closure in Utah's Canyonlands National Park: The National Park Service (NPS) has proposed closing the Salt Creek Canyon trail above Peekaboo campsite to motorized vehicles due to the large number of vehicles that break down or become stuck (thus requiring NPS assistance) and to protect a significant number of nearby archeological sites. Access to the off-road trail has been the subject of a lawsuit and previous NPS management plans. Tuner Revolution Safety Panel Meets in L.A. The Tuner Revolution Safety Panel, named for the sport compact car exhibit currently on display at the Petersen Automotive Museum, convened a group of law enforcement and racing experts at the museum in early August to discuss illegal street racing and the legal alternatives that are open to tuner enthusiasts. The panel presented some valuable information; unfortunately, it did so to a very small group of attendees. For those who couldn't be there, here are some highlights from the material presented: According to Officer Jon Samson of the California Highway Patrol, accurate statistics about deaths, injuries and property damage related to illegal street racing are difficult to gather in the state because responding officers can't always qualify an accident's cause as racing-related. Most street-racing accident reports list "speeding" or "speed-related collision" as the cause, so when the numbers are compiled, racing does not stand out statistically. Only when there's solid anecdotal evidence -- such as media coverage -- can the Highway Patrol attribute the accident to illegal street racing. Samson said in the wake of the "Fast and Furious" films there was an increased awareness of illegal street racing and a corresponding increase in citizens reporting incidents. But without solid statistics it would be hard to prove that the films actually increased the number of racing-related accidents. Only the San Diego Police Department has had the funding to accurately track accident results related to illegal racing. Through 2002 the city has reported 16 fatalities and 26 serious injuries from illegal street racing. The CHP and other law enforcement agencies are working through the state's bureaucracy to change the reporting structure, but Samson gave no time frame as to when those changes would be made. Eric Lotz of the NHRA, Doug Stokes from the Irwindale Speedway, and Toyo Tire public relations representative Jay Jones discussed their respective street-car and sport-compact racing programs. The NHRA encourages member tracks to develop street-legal racing programs and to publicize them so local enthusiasts are aware they have a safe and legal place to race. To Lotz, this generation of enthusiasts is not so different than those who pioneered drag racing, and the NHRA, 50 years ago. "They just a different breed of hot rodder with a different kind of car." Scott Kelley, a long-time drag racer who campaigns a 300hp 1969 Volkswagen fastback in the NHRA's Sport Compact series, does see one big difference. "Orange County, Riverside, Lyons, Colton, all those strips where we used to race closed in the Seventies. These days you can buy a 12-second car right off the showroom floor, but there's no place to race." At least, not as many as there were 30 years ago. But several southern California tracks, and many more across the nation, have begun street-legal race programs. Irwindale Speedway holds street-car races every Thursday night, and typically more than 200 cars and over 2,000 spectators will turn out for the night's racing. Irwindale is trying to recruit racers through its "speeding ticket" program, in which law enforcement officers from 24 local jurisdictions hand out what look like citations but are actually coupons for free race admission to tuner enthusiasts. Replicating the street-race experience on the track is helping some venues bring illegal racers into legal programs, said Stokes. Race tracks in Orlando and Las Vegas have replaced their Christmas trees with street-like stoplights, and several tracks are having good luck with "Midnight Madness" racing programs that take place during the hours when illegal street racing is at its peak. Irwindale would like to have such a program, Stokes said, but its curfew (enforced to appease residents near the track) won't allow racing to take place that late at night. Stokes also said that illegal street racers who run at his track appreciate its safety, but not in the way he expected. "When these guys race on the street they're not worried about crashing, or about hitting innocent bystanders. The street racers I've spoken to said their biggest fear is that someone is going to pull a knife or a gun on them and say, 'No, I won' at the end of the race." "We know we're not going to reach the hardcore racer," admitted the CHP's Samson. "Just like a hardcore drug dealer or gang-banger, they reach a certain point in the subculture and they won't change. But we're trying to reach the kids racing mom's Suburban or minivan, to let them know there's a safe alternative to racing in the street." Note: SEMA, through its Sport Compact Council, sponsors "Racers Against Street Racing" (RASR), a grassroots enthusiast group that promotes legal alternatives to illegal street racing. RASR has developed curriculum and a video to be used in driver ed classes and is also networking with local racetracks across the country to organize racing activities. Photo captions: California Highway Patrol Officer Jon Samson addresses the Tuner Revolution Safety Panel. Steph Papadakis, seen here in his FWD Honda Civic, is an active RASR member who speaks out often against illegal street racing. Letters to the Editor My name is Don Overlander and I'm the Chairman of the Minnesota Street Rod Association Legislative Committee. Minnesota has a great Street rod law on the books but I am interested in the Custom part of your Street rod and Custom legislation that Illinois has and Missouri just passed. Can I get a full copy of the model? Does the model have a cutoff year for customs? Thank you for your time and great job your doing for our Hobby Don Overlander (Chairman) MSRA Legislative Committee Don: The answer to both of your questions is YES. A copy of the model legislation has been forwarded to your e-mail address for your review. Under the model, custom vehicles are defined as any motor vehicle that: (1) Is at least 25 years old and of a model year after 1948; or was manufactured to resemble a vehicle 25 or more years old and of a model year after 1948; and (2) Has been altered from the manufacturer's original design; or has a body constructed from non-original materials. In addition, the bill stipulates that the model year and the year of manufacture that are listed on the certificate of title of a custom vehicle shall be the model year and year of manufacture that the body of such vehicle resembles. The SEMA Government Affairs office would be happy to explore with you and the Minnesota Street Rod Association the possible introduction of the "custom" component of this model in the 2004 Minnesota legislative session. This offer applies to any group that would like to undertake a similar effort in their home state (contact Steve McDonald at stevem@sema.org for further information). Thanks for your interest and support for the work we do in Washington, D.C. We look forward to working with you. OCTOBER/NOVEMBER SAN CLUB EVENTS ARIZONA November 15-16, Scottsdale 6th Annual Southwest Nationals Sponsor: Goodguys Rod and Custom Association Information: 925/838-9876 CALIFORNIA October 3-5, Sacramento 2nd Annual NSRA Golden State Street Rod Nationals Sponsor: National Street Rod Association Information: 901/452-4030 October 5, Anaheim 34th Annual All Ford Picnic Sponsor: Southern California Region Early Ford V-8 Club Information: 714/538-3957 October 5, La Palma 15th Annual Big Orange Chrysler Products Show Sponsor: The WPC Club, Orange County Region Information:714/538-0971 October 12, Huntington Beach Das O.C.T.O. Fest 2003 Sponsor: Orange County Transporter Organization Information: 714/891-4079 October 17-19, Ocotillo Wells Operation Desert Fun Sponsor: California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs Information: 760/789-8294 November 1, Glamis 3rd Annual Glamis Poker Run Sponsor: R&R Duners Club, Sand Sports Magazine Information: www.rrduners.com November 8-9, Pleasanton 14th Autumn Get Together Sponsor: Goodguys Rod and Custom Association Information: 925/838-9876 FLORIDA October 10-12, Tampa 16th Annual NSRA Southeast Street Rod Nationals Sponsor: National Street Rod Association Information: 901/452-4030 ILLINOIS October 4, Barrington 6th Annual Fall Car Show Sponsor: Buick Club of America, Chicagoland Chapter Information: 312/316-5435 INDIANA October 12, Bristow 15th Bristow Auto Oktober Fest Sponsor: Waynes Information: 502/937-9781 KANSAS October 10-13, Junction City 4th Annual Sunflower International Harvester Family Reunion Sponsor: Scout and International Motor Truck Association Information: 785/499-6650 MARYLAND October 12, Ellicott City 9th Annual Car & Truck Show to Benefit the Kennedy Krieger Institute Sponsor: Westside Cruisers Information: 410/480-5059 October 25, Stevensville 10th Annual Halloween Cruise-in and Car Show Sponsor: Kent Island Cruisers Information: 410/643-4582 NORTH CAROLINA October 24-26, Charlotte 10th Southeastern Nationals Sponsor: Goodguys Rod and Custom Association Information: 925/838-9876 PENNSYLVANIA October 1-5, Carlisle Fall Carlisle Sponsor: Carlisle Events Information: 717/243-7855, www.carsatcarlisle.com October 8-11 AACA Eastern Division National Fall Meet Sponsor: Hershey Region, Antique Automobile Club of America Information: 717/534-1910 TEXAS October 3-5, Ft. Worth 11th Annual Lone Star Nationals Sponsor: Goodguys Rod and Custom Association Information: 925/838-9876 VIRGINIA October 11, Hopewell First Fall Auto Show Sponsor: Corvette Club of Richmond Information: 804/556-6612 October 18, Norfolk All Ford Car Show Sponsor: Mustang & Ford Club of Virginia Information: 757/588-0632 |
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| Below is the February 2003 email edition of the Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) Driving Force newsletter. As always, feel free to reprint any or all of the information contained within it. All we ask is for attribution if you choose to do so. If you need any additional background, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you do not wish to receive any future editions of the email Driving Force, please respond to this email with "remove." Brian Caudill Editor ____ Michigan Insurance Bill Passes After a year of legislative wrangling, a bill that would substantially reduce fees charged to historic car owners by the Catastrophic Claims Association was signed into law in Michigan. The Michigan bill reduces the premiums charged by the association for historic vehicles by 80 percent. The SEMA Action Network partnered with SEMA member-company Hagerty Insurance and its thousands of Michigan customers to lobby in support of the bill. The association's fees, which are currently charged to all Michigan auto policyholders in equal amounts, enable the state to reimburse no-fault automobile insurers for amounts paid on personal injury claims in excess of $250,000. However, these fees have made it significantly more expensive to maintain cars of historical value in Michigan than in any other state. "Historic vehicles are by statutory definition maintained primarily for use in car club activities, exhibitions and parades and are rarely driven at all during hazardous winter driving months," said SEMA Government Affairs Director Steve McDonald. "This new law gives appropriate relief from an assessment that has been disproportionately applied to historic car owners whose vehicles are insured under policies that limit use and require the vehicles to be stored in a locked garage." For years this assessment has been paid by Michigan owners of historic vehicles who likely will never take advantage of the protections the association provides through this funding. "We at Hagerty Insurance believe it's ironic that this assessment has been levied in full on collectors of historical vehicles, especially in the state where the American auto industry got its start and remains rooted today," said Hagerty Insurance President McKeel Hagerty. "We are gratified that the Michigan Legislature saw fit to bring some degree of fairness to the methods by which these taxes are assessed and we applaud Governor Engler for signing the bill into law." Legislative Déjà Vu: Massachusetts Bill To Ban Aftermarket Exhaust Systems Reappears Last year, a coalition of Massachusetts SEMA Action Network car clubs, individual enthusiasts, custom exhaust manufacturers and vehicle supply companies helped successfully kill Massachusetts legislation that sought to prohibit the sale or installation of "an exhaust system which has been modified in a manner which will amplify or increase the noise emitted by the exhaust." Unfortunately, that bill's sponsor introduced identical draft legislation, H.D. 1882, for consideration in 2003. The problems with this legislation remain: Should H.D. 1882 become law hobbyists will be effectively prevented from replacing factory exhaust systems with better performing, more durable and stylish equipment. Worse still, H.D. 1882 would not provide Massachusetts police with a clear enforcement standard, allowing them to make purely subjective judgments about whether a custom exhaust is legal or not. SEMA hopes that the same coalition of clubs that knocked down this legislation last year will be equally successful this year. This coalition includes SAN clubs like the Bearing Burners, Massachusetts Cruisers Auto Club, Ty-Rods, Massachusetts Association of Automobile Clubs, Spindles Auto Club of Weymouth, Dominators Car Club, Massachusetts Cruisers Club and the Bay State Classic Chevy Club. With their help, custom exhaust systems will remain a legal option for Massachusetts hobbyists. Oh, Canada! Ontario "Street Racing" Legislation Overreaches The Ontario, Canada, Ministry of Transportation introduced legislation (Bill 241) that would ban certain automotive parts, substances and equipment that the Ministry claims are used in street racing. The bill is primarily directed at equipment that boosts engine performance, most notably nitrous oxide. Under the measure, regulations would be issued prescribing specific substances, parts and equipment covered under the ban. The regulations would also designate certain classes of persons or vehicles as exempt from the law and regulations. The bill provision of specific concern reads: "No person shall drive or permit to be driven on a highway a motor vehicle with a prescribed part containing a prescribed substance or equipped with prescribed equipment in prescribed circumstances." The biggest concern is that this language is purposely vague and could consequently result in the ban or limitation of a range of speed equipment. If signed into law as currently drafted, this language would allow Ontario authorities to write regulations not only for nitrous oxide equipment, but also for other "prescribed equipment" vaguely related to street racing. Hobbyists are already familiar with this type of poorly drafted legislation. Recent Nebraska legislation intending to eliminate nitrous oxide equipment was written so broadly that it could have also eliminated any product that boosted horsepower (superchargers, turbochargers, etc.). SEMA was successful in negotiating favorable compromise language to the Nebraska bill that only requires nitrous lines to be disconnected when a vehicle is operated on public highways. Our language also ensures that other power booster equipment remains legal. Ontario's Legislative Assembly reconvenes in mid-March at which time the bill will be considered. SEMA will work directly with the Ontario Transportation Ministry and the Ontario legislature to kill or mitigate this provision. We are also working with Canadian aftermarket associations to coordinate opposition and will rely on our growing Canadian SEMA Action Network presence, Canadian SEMA members and related U.S. companies to apply grassroots pressure as necessary. Roadless Rule Update Off-highway vehicle (OHV) hobbyists and related businesses should note that an appeals court has reversed a federal judge's decision to suspend the Clinton Administration's ban on road building in 58.5 million acres of Forest Service land, while the court determines the rule's legality. An Idaho judge originally ruled that the Roadless Rule would likely be overturned because the Clinton Administration had not provided sufficient opportunity for public comment and had violated environmental laws. The appeals court disagreed with this conclusion. This means the Roadless Rule potentially remains in effect while the Idaho court rules on the merits of the case. "This is a battle which is simultaneously being waged on several different fronts so it may be confusing for the outside observer to keep track of its status," noted Brian Caudill, SEMA Action Network director. "The rule is subject to change by the courts, Congress and regulators. It will be months and possibly years before the issue is resolved." The Idaho case has garnered the most attention but seven other lawsuits have been filed around the country. Cases in North Dakota and Wyoming are in trial while the other lawsuits are on hold pending an outcome in the Idaho case. In the latter instance, the Idaho judge has asked the entire appeals court to review the reversal decision that was issued by three members of the appeals court. If the full appeals court stands by its ruling, the Idaho court will have to rule on the merits of the case and the Roadless Rule will remain in effect. Meanwhile, legislation introduced last Congress to enact the Roadless Rule into law has died. Similar legislation will likely be reintroduced this Congress and, while it might garner attention, the legislation would be difficult to pass even in a Republican-controlled Congress. Finally, the U.S. Forest Service has been contacting conservation, recreation and industry groups to help draft mutually acceptable administrative changes to the rule. The Forest Service is expected to pursue this option in 2003. Any rule changes could effectively nullify the lawsuits. SEMA generally opposes the Roadless Rule because it unfairly locks OHV hobbyists out of public land. CAN YOU BELIEVE Anti-SUV Rhetoric Takes an Odd Turn Perhaps you've seen the newspaper stories or the television commercials. Two new media campaigns are taking unique aim at one of America's favorite vehicles, the SUV. The first campaign, sponsored by the Evangelical Environmental Network (EEN), asks the trenchant question, "What Would Jesus Drive?" Their basic message appears to be a version of the old environmentalist saw that SUVs use too much gas and produce too much pollution, only with a religious twist: When you make a choice to purchase a vehicle, you are also making a moral choice. The next campaign, called the Detroit Project, has a uniquely political flavor. This media crusade currently suggests to American consumers (and politicians), through a series of slick television ads, that people who buy SUVs are supporting terrorism. Their simplistic A+B=C style reasoning goes as follows: SUVs use too much gas. The money for this gas goes to countries that support terrorism. Therefore, Americans that drive SUVs support terrorism. The television ads are particularly chilling. At least one of them portrays average everyday Americans making statements like "I gave money to a terrorist training camp in a foreign country." In the interest of full disclosure, SEMA supports the American right to own a vehicle that suits the buyer's needs and desires, whether that is related to performance, fuel economy, safety, styling or other factors. We do not exclude SUVs from this social/consumer equation. This said, SEMA also supports the freedoms of religion, speech and expression. The EEN and the Detroit Project exercise these particular rights fully at their respective Web sites http://whatwouldjesusdrive.org and www.detroitproject.com. Newly Introduced Legislation Note: The following state bills are not laws. They have been recently introduced and are currently being considered by the respective state legislatures: Driver Distraction Texas HB 281 - relates to using telephones while operating a motor vehicle. Wyoming HB 59 - would prohibit the use of mobile communications devices while driving. Emissions Florida SB 88 - would allow certain energy saving vehicles to be drive in high occupancy vehicle lanes. New Hampshire LSR 349 - relates to reducing certain emissions. New Hampshire LSR 617 - relates to emission control equipment. Equipment Indiana SB 6 - would makes it a misdemeanor to install a defective air bag or another object that does not comply with federal safety regulations for the make, model, and year of the motor vehicles. Massachusetts HB 1882 - would prohibit the use of mufflers that increase or amplify sound. Michigan HB 261 - would mandate that headlights be used during precipitation. Mississippi HB 261 - would require headlights to be on during precipitation. New Hampshire LSR 860 - relates to the prohibition of certain automatic door locks. New York HB 100 - would require every motor vehicle registered in the state which is manufactured after a certain date and operated on highways to be equipped with a full sized spare tire. Inspections Michigan HB 190 - would repeal certain aspects of the current vehicles inspection law. Missouri SB 54 - relates to biennial vehicle inspections. Racing New Jersey SB 2186 - would enhance penalties for drag racing to $500 and loss of license for 30 days for the first offense and $1000 and loss of license for 180 days for the second offense. New Jersey AB 3103 - would enhance penalties for drag racing to $500 and loss of license for 30 days for the first offense and $1000 and loss of license for 180 days for the second offense. Miscellaneous New Hampshire LSR 469 - would prohibit the use of speed traps. Tags, Title and Registration Michigan HB 9 - would prohibit any motor vehicle for which a salvage title has been issued from being operated on the highways, with some explicit exceptions to the rule. Mississippi HB 18 - would authorize a special tag to be issued for replica motor vehicles. Utah HB 7 - would allow special group license plates for: unique vehicles, collectable vehicles, special interest vehicles, vintage vehicles, etc. Virginia HB 393 - would require that all salvage vehicles that are repaired or rebuilt for over the road use have titles permanently branded as "rebuilt." Virginia HB 1659 - would change the definition of "rebuilt vehicle." Virginia HB 1521 - would amend laws relating to salvage vehicles, branding of titles of repaired vehicles or rebuilt vehicles as salvage vehicles. Adds, among other items, a definition for "repaired vehicle." SEMA Action Network Club Events MISSOURI Feb. 15, St. Charles Sweethearts Dance Sponsor: American Roadhouse Car Club Information: 636/947-9508 OREGON Feb. 22-23, Medford 26th Annual West Coast Charity Benefit Rod and Custom Show Sponsor: Rogue Valley Street Rods Information: 541/944-2096 WISCONSIN March 2, Jackson 38th Annual Greater Milwaukee Swap Meet Sponsor: Model A Ford Club of America, Milwaukee Region Information: 262/255-4525 March 8, Wisconsin Dells Holiday Party and Auction Sponsor: Oldsmobile Club of Wisconsin Information: 262/886-9806 |
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| The next campaign, called the Detroit Project, has a uniquely political flavor. This media crusade currently suggests to American consumers (and politicians), through a series of slick television ads, that people who buy SUVs are supporting terrorism. Their simplistic A+B=C style reasoning goes as follows: SUVs use too much gas. The money for this gas goes to countries that support terrorism. Therefore, Americans that drive SUVs support terrorism. The television ads are particularly chilling. At least one of them portrays average everyday Americans making statements like "I gave money to a terrorist training camp in a foreign country." |
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| Hmm, lot going on in Maine. I guess someone realized that it's one of the 50 states |
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| SEMA Action Network--The Year In Review 2003 Legislative Victories For Automotive Hobbyists and Industry In 2003, cooperative efforts between automotive hobbyists and the aftermarket industry that form the SEMA Action Network (SAN) resulted in numerous successes in the fight against adverse and poorly formulated legislation and regulations across the country. The SAN's determined pursuit of its pro-active legislative agenda persuaded state legislators to overhaul existing statutes and create brand-new programs to safeguard and expand the specialty-equipment aftermarket. "The year 2003 brought a series of significant legislative and regulatory accomplishments for the industry and the vehicle-enthusiast community on issues ranging from equipment standards and registration classifications to emissions-test exemptions and hobbyist rights," said SEMA's Senior Director of Government Affairs, Steve McDonald. "On the federal side, the SAN acted on a broad range of legislative and regulatory issues critical to vehicle hobbyists. Our successes in 2003 once again demonstrated the benefits of active industry involvement and the grassroots potency of hobbyists across the country." The combined efforts of SEMA, the Specialty Equipment Market Association, and the SAN have addressed successfully a number of issues in 2003. They include: State-by-State and Canadian Update California Exhaust Noise Testing Program: The California Bureau of Automotive Repair began operation of the state's motor vehicle exhaust-noise testing program. The program, the product of a SEMA- and SAN-sponsored law, will allow California automobile hobbyists to prove they comply with state noise standards. California "Smoking" Vehicles/Emissions Exemption: Legislation to increase fines for violators of the state's current law that prohibits vehicles from emitting excessive smoke was signed into law. The bill was drafted by SEMA and supported by the SAN as an alternative to a measure that threatened to repeal the state's current rolling emissions test exemption for motor vehicles 30 years old and older. California Replacement Tire Efficiency: California legislation that requires state regulators to develop a tire fuel-efficiency program for passenger-car and light-truck replacement tires was signed into law. A SEMA-drafted provision to exclude "hobbyist" tires from the program is included in the new law. The SAN-supported provision exempts from the scope of the law and subsequent regulation limited-production tires (15,000 or fewer annually), deep-tread snow tires, limited-use spares, motorcycle tires and tires manufactured for use on off-road vehicles. Illinois Lamp Covers: The SAN succeeded in amending Illinois legislation that originally threatened to prohibit the installation and use of tinted lamp covers. Under the SAN's amendment, tinted lamp covers are permitted when the lamps are not required to be in operation. The bill passed in the House and is currently pending in the Illinois Senate. Maine Exhaust Noise: On the heels of similar laws enacted in California and Washington State, a version of SEMA-model legislation to create an enforceable motor vehicle exhaust-noise standard was signed into law in Maine. Under its previous law, Maine deemed illegal all modifications that increased noise levels above that emitted by the vehicle's original muffler. Under the SEMA model, an exhaust system modification is legal if it results in a sound level of 95 decibels or less as measured by the Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) test standard J1169. Maine Nitrous Oxide: SEMA and the SAN amended Maine legislation that originally threatened to prohibit the operation of vehicles equipped with nitrous oxide on public roads. The bill was signed into law. Under the amendment, vehicles equipped with nitrous oxide systems are permitted if all canisters of nitrous have been removed or if the vehicle is en route to or from a racetrack. Maine Inoperable Vehicles: SAN-supported legislation to exempt certain hobbyist vehicles and activities from the scope of the state's automobile graveyard laws was signed into law. The measure exempts from automobile graveyard laws those areas used to store, organize, restore or display a motor vehicle or parts of vehicles that are collected by an automobile hobbyist. Maryland Inspection Standards: Responding to SEMA's comments in opposition, the Maryland State Police withdrew a proposal to amend portions of the state's vehicle inspection regulations. The Maryland proposal was heavily weighted in favor of original manufacturer equipment and specifications for wheels and tires, exhaust systems, bumpers and lighting. Massachusetts Aftermarket Exhaust Systems: Last year, the SAN was successful in killing Massachusetts legislation that sought to prohibit the sale or installation of aftermarket exhaust systems. That bill's sponsor pushed identical legislation this year and enlisted the support of the Boston City Council. To date, the SAN has been successful in stalling serious consideration of the new bill by the Massachusetts Legislature and the City Council. Michigan Historic Vehicles: The SAN is working to amend the law in Michigan defining historic vehicles. Under current law, historic vehicles are permitted to be driven only in club activities, exhibitions, tours and parades. SAN-supported legislation recently introduced in both the House and Senate would allow these vehicles to also take advantage of "other occasional use" and lowered fees and state assessments. Nebraska Kit Cars/Street Rods: SAN-supported legislation in Nebraska to provide for the titling and registration of kit cars, homebuilt vehicles and street rods was signed into law. Under previous Nebraska law, registration classifications did not adequately provide for these vehicles. Ontario, Canada, Performance Equipment: Earlier this year, the SAN helped defeat an Ontario, Canada, bill that sought to ban certain automotive parts, substances and equipment used in racing. The bill was primarily directed at equipment that boosts engine performance. Recently, the measure was reintroduced as Bill 20. Heeding the recommendations of the SAN, the Ministry of Transportation redrafted the bill to focus specifically on the operation of vehicles equipped with nitrous oxide systems. The SAN persuaded the Canadian authorities to allow the presence of a nitrous system, if disconnected, while the vehicle was being operated on public roadways. South Carolina Headlamps: The SAN convinced the South Carolina Legislature to completely withdraw legislation that would have prohibited the operation of motor vehicles with colored or tinted headlamps. The bill failed to make an exception for certain lighting equipment, including bulbs carrying a slight bluish tint that have been certified to federal standards or federally compliant high-intensity-discharge (HID) lamps that emit a bluish hue. West Virginia Light Bars: SEMA and the SAN succeeded in amending West Virginia legislation that originally threatened to allow only original vehicle manufacturer's equipment light bars in the state. Under SAN's amendment, aftermarket light bars are permitted if used off-road, and if they are turned off and covered when the vehicle is being operated on state roadways. In addition, the lights are no longer required to be installed or aimed by the vehicle manufacturer. The bill was signed into law. Federal Update Federal Scrappage Legislation: SEMA and SAN efforts have, to date, blocked a U.S. Department of Transportation request to remove the ban that prohibits the funding of state vehicle-scrappage programs through the "Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality Improvement Program." The program pays for things like bike paths, carpool lanes and commuter parking lots. SEMA has received a pledge that the Senate will keep the scrappage-funding ban in place and is seeking a similar commitment from House leaders. Federal Tire-Performance Standard: SEMA successfully advocated that most hobbyist tires continue to be regulated under the current tire standards rather than a new, tougher standard that would have required unnecessary design changes and expensive compliance testing and could have potentially halted production of popular models. Limited-production bias tires are exempted from the new rule, and SEMA is supporting a petition asking for a low-volume radial tire exemption as well. Federal "Roadless Rule": SEMA and the SAN have successfully opposed legislation that would have banned road building on 58.5 million acres of U.S. Forest Service (USFS) land. The SAN supported USFS initiatives to modify the roadless regulation to allow more local input on land use and access decisions. Wilderness Areas: "Wilderness" designations have a far-reaching impact on the OHV industry and its enthusiasts because motorized vehicles are denied access to lands designated as wilderness. On the regulatory front, the Bush Administration's Interior Department intends to refer to a 1991 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) inventory of potential "wilderness" areas rather than a more inclusive 1996 inventory conducted by the Clinton Administration. This action would exclude from consideration millions of additional BLM acres beyond the 23 million nationwide acres identified in 1991 (unless Congress specifically directs the government to protect more land). In Congress, a number of bills to expand the nation's wilderness areas have been introduced. The most significant measures would cover millions of acres in California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. At the moment, none of the bills has enough support to become law. From the SAN Director I want to thank you all for welcoming me to the SEMA Action Network and to the Specialty Equipment Market Association. Many took the time to write to me and to wish me well in my new endeavors. I am grateful to each of you for making the SAN the effective grassroots network that it is. During the first week of November, the SAN received 1,043 applications for membership. The enthusiast response can be attributed, in part, to the television commercial that has been airing on Spike TV that promotes the SAN. Whatever the reason, the response has been overwhelming. Thank you all for your support! The SAN has accomplished quite a bit this year, as evidenced by our 2003 legislative accomplishments, which have been featured in this month's issue of Driving Force. When enthusiasts alert us to possible legislation that may harm our cars and our hobby, we immediately swing into action and contact legislators and state administrators on behalf of SAN members. We don't always play defense, though. We get ahead of the curve by working with legislators from various states who help introduce legislation helpful to hobbyists and enthusiasts, on issues ranging from exhaust-noise standards to overly broad restrictions on the use of vintage cars. The SAN represents all of us who love our vehicles and use them responsibly. Lastly, a personal note. The fall season is finally here. Like all of you, we're busy here at SEMA and at home. "Back to school" quickly has turned into Halloween and Thanksgiving. Christmas and Chanukah are right around the corner. The fall is a great time to run your car or rod one more time before letting it hibernate for the winter. Let's take a moment, though, and pause to remember our veterans, and active-duty, reserve and National Guard personnel who have given so much so that we can enjoy and cherish the freedoms we have. Have a wonderful and safe holiday season! - Conrad Wong Late-Breaking News: California Smog Standards May Be Tightened The California Air Resources Board agreed to a plan that it claims will reduce air pollution in Southern California by more than 1,200 tons each day in order to meet upcoming tougher federal standards. The plan includes tougher emissions tests for personal vehicles, and could consist of another attempt to repeal the rolling Smog Check exemption for vehicles 30 years old and older. Tougher emissions tests would include more stringent cut points and the upgrade of several "basic" test areas to "enhanced" areas. Other proposals could include the mandatory replacement or upgrade of several emissions-control devices, loaded mode testing for trucks between 8,500 and 10,000 pounds GVWR, low-pressure evaporative system tests and expansion of vehicle scrappage programs. Regulators are also considering a proposal to implement remote-sensing programs, which would require motorists to submit their vehicles to an out-of-cycle Smog Check if identified by a remote sensor as having excessive emissions. Longer-term strategies include more stringent new-vehicle emissions standards (LEV III) and a third-generation OBD system (OBD III), which would electronically communicate vehicle emissions system status to regulators. Halloween Spooktacular Members of the Mass Cruisers Auto Club celebrated Halloween in Burlington, Massachusetts, by joining in Paul Mannett's Magazine's 10th Annual Spooktacular. Automobiles and participants were appropriately attired. A "ghost trophy" was awarded to the club's latest project, the Hockamock Swamp Monster Ghoul Bus (in its former life, a 1977 International Harvester school bus). Lots of hands repainted the bus into a frightening entertainment machine. Inside, the bus had Halloween candy for the kids, along with ghouls, goblins and other surprises. (Thanks to John Buchanan, editor, Mass Cruisers Auto Club, for sharing the news and photos.) Newly Introduced Legislation Please note: The following state bills are not laws. They have been introduced recently and currently are being considered by the listed respective state legislatures. The list of active issues and matters that are still pending can be found online at www.semasan.com. Equipment Minnesota S.B. 631: Amends existing regulations to include a prohibition against installation of windows or window treatments on motor vehicles belonging to others that would cause the motor vehicle to be in violation of current tinting standards. New Hampshire H.B. 1167: Requires drivers to use headlights when continuously operating windshield wipers during inclement weather. New Hampshire H.B. 1184: Would require all vehicles to be equipped with mud flaps or spray or splash guards, effective January 1, 2005. Ohio H.B. 294: Requires use of vehicle headlights when windshield wipers are activated. Pennsylvania H.B. 2061: Would amend the vehicle code, making unlawful certain sound systems that can be heard outside a vehicle from 50 or more feet away. Emissions Kentucky BR 384 (Pre-file): A joint resolution that resolves to end Northern Kentucky Emissions Check Program on or before November 1, 2004. New Hampshire H.B. 1293: Modifies the exemptions from emission-control-equipment requirements to include "antique vehicles." Plates and Registration Michigan H.B. 5040/S.B. 663: Amends the Michigan historic-vehicle definition to allow historic vehicles to be used for "other occasional uses" but not general transportation. Pennsylvania S.B. 898: Amends the vehicle code to allow special plates bearing the designation "antique vehicle" for use on classic, collectible and antique vehicles. We get letters I am a charter member of the WNY Mopars car club. It keeps me close to the one thing I love doing: working on cars. The WNY Mopars meet every month. We have two chapters, one in Lockport, NY, and the other in Hamburg, NY. We are looking for speakers for our winter meetings. It is a good club with a lot of great members. We have over 200 members all around western New York State, Canada, Pennsylvania and Georgia. We host an annual two-day car show each June. We have put your SEMA literature in our registration bags. We do charity work to raise money to help children afflicted with spina bifida. Please feel free to check out the Club homepage at: http://www.wnyliving.com/wnymopars/index.htm Sandra M. Tomaszewski WNY Mopars Ms. Tomaszewski: Thanks for taking the time to write to us at SEMA and telling us about your background and that of the WNY Mopars. Thank you also for placing SEMA materials in your goody bags, which helps spread the word about the SEMA Action Network. SEMA applauds your efforts to protect our vehicles as well as your dedicated work with children afflicted with spina bifida. Please give us the dates on which your group meets. If our schedules mesh, we would be more than pleased to come out and speak to you all. Invitations to speak at club gatherings greatly help SEMA to get the word out to enthusiasts and hobbyists on the latest legislative, state, and federal proposals and laws that govern the use and operation of our vehicles. If your club or group is interested in having a SEMA representative speak to your members, like the WNY Mopars, please contact Conrad Wong at conradw@sema.org. DECEMBER 2003/JANUARY 2004 SAN CLUB EVENTS **edited, no events listed for Alaska** |
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| Below is the January 2003 email edition of the Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) Driving Force newsletter. As always, feel free to reprint any or all of the information contained within it. All we ask is for attribution if you choose to do so. If you need any additional background, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you do not wish to receive any future editions of the email Driving Force, please respond to this email with "remove" and we will delete your email address from our list. Brian Caudill Editor __ DRIVING FORCE - January 2003 Driving Force Receives Awards During the past two months, the Driving Force received two awards from colleagues in the automotive publishing industry. For the second year in a row, the good folks at Old Cars Weekly News & Marketplace recognized Driving Force with their 'Golden Quill' award for "outstanding efforts in the communications field of the old car hobby." Also for the second straight year, Driving Force received a gold International Automotive Media Award from the International Automotive Media Conference in the newsletter category. We thank both of these organizations for their recognition and look forward to a continued partnership. The SEMA Action Network (SAN) staff is not prone to blowing its own horn. We do what we do for the love of the hobby. Brian Caudill, Steve McDonald, Stuart Gosswein, Frank Bohanan and Eugene Kim work hard to arm vehicle enthusiasts with information needed to successfully protect our vehicles from unnecessary government intrusion. We owe every SAN member a big "Thank You" for taking action and supporting your hobby and way of life. These awards are more for you than they are for any of us. Michigan Insurance Bill Brings Fairness to Collector Car Hobby After a year of legislative wrangling, a bill that would substantially reduce the fees charged to historic car owners by the Catastrophic Claims Association passed in the Michigan Legislature. If signed into law by the governor, the Michigan bill would reduce by 80 percent the premiums charged by the association for historic vehicles. The SEMA Action Network partnered with SEMA member-company Hagerty Insurance and its thousands of Michigan customers to lobby in support of the bill. The association's fees, which are currently charged to all Michigan auto policyholders in equal amounts, enable the state to reimburse no-fault automobile insurers for amounts paid on personal injury claims in excess of $250,000. However, these fees make it significantly more expensive to maintain cars of historical value in Michigan than in any other state. "Historic vehicles are by statutory definition maintained primarily for use in car club activities, exhibitions and parades and are rarely driven at all during hazardous winter driving months," said SEMA Government Affairs Director Steve McDonald. "This bill gives appropriate relief from an assessment that has been disproportionately applied to historic car owners whose vehicles are insured under policies that limit use and are required to be stored in a locked and enclosed garage." For years, this assessment has been paid by Michigan owners of historic vehicles who have never and likely will never take advantage of the protections the association provides through this funding. "We at Hagerty Insurance believe it's ironic that this assessment has been levied in full on collectors of historical vehicles, especially in the state where the American auto industry got its start and remains rooted today," said Hagerty Insurance President McKeel Hagerty. "We are gratified that the Michigan Legislature saw fit to bring some degree of fairness to the methods by which these taxes are assessed and we encourage Governor Engler to sign the bill into law the moment it reaches his desk." 2003 Agenda: What We're Working On (So Far...) January ushers in the legislative season nationwide and, no doubt, a number of new challenges. To follow is an update of our current legislative agenda. Within the next few weeks we anticipate pouring over hundreds of bills in our efforts to protect the vehicle hobbies. Don't be surprised if we add A LOT to this list in the coming days. Maine Custom Cars: SEMA is working with the Maine Custom Auto Association (MCAA) to seek legislation that would legalize certain motor vehicle modifications. This legislation will be drafted to allow hobbyists to drive customized vehicles without fear of harassment from law enforcement authorities and to ease restrictive equipment inspection criteria. The legislation will address upgrades to lighting, exhaust systems, wheels, tires and suspension equipment modifications. All Maine hobbyists interested in participating in this sweeping effort are encouraged to contact us immediately at 202/783-6007. New Hampshire Exhaust Noise: After a great deal of groundwork by New Hampshire SAN members like Ken Golden of Hampton, New Hampshire, Rep. Lawrence Artz (R-Nashua) introduced SEMA-model legislation to create an enforceable exhaust noise standard. Rep. Artz is also a SAN member and authored a pro-hobby inoperable vehicle bill that was signed into law last year. Currently, New Hampshire deems illegal all modifications that increase noise above that of a vehicle's original muffler. The model bill requires police to prove that an exhaust system modification results in noise levels exceeding 95-decibels before issuing a citation. In addition, the bill allows courts to dismiss an exhaust noise ticket if the defendant had reason to believe that the vehicle complied when cited. For more information, contact the SEMA office at 202/783-0865, Mr. Golden at toxiclown@yahoo.com or Rep. Artz at nashuarep@hotmail.com. New York, Rhode Island and Missouri Pursue Street Rod/Custom Vehicles: SEMA is working with New York, Rhode Island and Missouri rodders to pursue SEMA model legislation to create special vehicle registration classifications for street rods and custom vehicles. The model bill provides for special license plates, includes appropriate year-break definitions, allows use of non-original materials and creates tilting criteria that assigns these vehicles, including replicas, the year of manufacture that the body of the vehicle resembles. New York and Rhode Island SAN members have seen similar legislation before, only to have it defeated at the last minute. For Missouri, this is the first time the SEMA-model bill will be pursued. Hopefully, these states will follow Illinois's lead in enacting fair and reasonable street rod and custom legislation. For more information, or for a copy of our model legislation, contact Steve McDonald at stevemac@sema.org. Virginia Inoperable Vehicle Legislation: This month, SEMA will begin work with the Southwest Virginia Car Council and the Car Club Council of Central Virginia on a bill (S.B. 613) to create clear guidelines for the outside storage of inoperable vehicles and to repeal current law that allows localities to limit the number of vehicles maintained on residential and commercial property. The bill was held over from last year's session. Last year, we helped convince legislators to withdraw a bill that would have allowed localities to impose fines on property owners deemed in violation of inoperable motor vehicle ordinances. These ordinances create barriers for the maintenance of project and parts cars on private property. Car Club Council of Central Virginia Holds Legislative Forum By Fred Fann, President, Car Club Council of Central Virginia (CCCCV) The Car Club Council of Central Virginia held its first legislative forum on October 28. The delegates to the council decided a forum was needed to communicate our needs as car hobbyists to state legislators. We were unhappy with the passage of a remote emission-testing bill and the failure of a bill to allow hobbyists to keep unlicensed vehicles as parts or project cars during the last session of the Virginia General Assembly. The CCCCV decided that a forum would be a good way for us to hear from our representatives and for us to make our views known to them. We obtained the use of a local community center for free and sent letters inviting all of the state senators and delegates in the central Virginia area. After several agreed to attend the forum, we made sure clubs knew about the meeting. I spoke at several council member clubs meetings, the forum was listed on the CCCCV Web site (www.carclubcouncil.com) and flyers were distributed at area shows and cruise-ins. The day of the forum was a chilly, rainy day and we feared attendance would be low. However, car hobbyists in the area showed their concern for legislation by filling the building to its limit. The meeting started with me listing the concerns of car hobbyists to the assemblage. Five members of the General Assembly then spoke. All of them shared our views on emissions testing and the push-to-pass a pro-hobby inoperative vehicle bill in the upcoming legislative session. Overall, the legislators were very impressed with the number of hobbyists at the meeting, the manner in which the council organized the meeting and our command of vehicle hobby-related issues. Since the forum, several members of the Virginia Assembly have written the CCCCV confirming that they wish to work with us when the Virginia legislature convenes this month. The forum was one step in our plan to get what we need from our state government. It was a great success and we are looking forward to working with our representatives. Congratulations to the CCCCV. The politicians don't know what we want unless we tell them. - Ed CAN YOU BELIEVE?! Classic Muscle Car Languishes in High School Auto Shop Neverland The Washington Post reports that Jennifer and Peter Bertulaitis dropped off their 1967 Dodge Charger so students enrolled in the auto shop class at Osbourn Park High School (Manassas, Virginia) could do some engine work to it. That was in 1989. For 13 years and, presumably, 13 different auto shop classes, the couple's classic has moldered, rusted and withered in the high school parking lot, despite a written promise from school officials that the car would be repaired. According to the Post, neither the school nor the Bertulaitises aggressively pursued the matter until six months ago when school officials, responding to repeated inquiries from the Bertulaitises, countered with a legal threat: Get your heap off school property or we'll sell it! Lawyers interceded and the school has since relented on selling the car-probably hoping that the couple would simply make arrangements to take back the car. Problem is, they still want it repaired per the school's promise (and it is no longer driveable). "I'm kind of depressed about the whole situation," said Mrs. Bertulaitis. "It's a shame to see [the Charger] go to pieces." We agree. Meanwhile, while the owners and the school engage in circular arguments, a classic rusts into oblivion. If you have a outrageous or unusual story related to the automotive hobby or restrictions placed on hobbyists, send it to us at: brianc@sema.org or SEMA, Attn: "Can You Believe," 1317 F Street, NW, Suite 500, Washington, D.C. 20004. WE GET (lots of...) LETTERS Sports Cars? Imports? I am the president of the UpState "Z" Club in Greenville, South Carolina. I am a member of SAN and really appreciate all the work SEMA does to protect our hobby. My "Z" is my daily driver and my project is a 1947 Chevy street rod, hence my exposure to SEMA. At our monthly club meetings I give updates on some of the legislation that has been proposed or defeated in other areas, so our members can be aware of what might be heading in our direction. Now, since the "Z" car was introduced in 1970, many of our members could be affected by scrappage, noise or modification legislation. I don't know if SEMA has placed any focus on the sports car industry, but there are a lot of us out here, not just "Z" cars, that could be adversely affected by the type of legislation SEMA tracks. Thanks again for the hard work of everyone involved with SAN. Guy Seymour UpState "Z" Club Greer, South Carolina Thanks for the kind words. The short answer is... Yes! We have lots of folks in the sports car and vintage sports car niche: Datsun 510s, MGs, Zs, Healeys, Lotuses, Aston-Martins, Ferraris, Lancias, etc. are all represented in the SAN. Admittedly, we'd like more sports car club participation, as issues like scrappage affect 240Z owners just as hard as vintage Chevelle owners. Luckily our online sign-up option at www.semaactionnetwork.com is helping immensely in this pursuit. -Ed CAFE Confab I feel that SEMA should re-evaluate its position on CAFE standards. Taking the position that any kind of government regulation on CAFE is an infringement on free choice of automotive products is very short sighted and shows a poorly thought out, knee-jerk reaction. The oil cartels have a strangle hold on our energy policy, which is to use more and more oil. As everyone knows, all government inflation indexes exclude the price of energy. In reality our consumers' costs are greatly increasing. We need to keep the cost of energy down and reduce the outflow of American dollars to foreign companies. With a small increase in CAFE we all can benefit: We can enjoy smaller levels of inflation. We can afford to keep our "muscle cars" on the road. We can afford to fix up and maintain our 4X4s etc. I strongly support the actions of SEMA and enjoy your monthly newsletter. SEMA addresses many important issues such as scrappage; however, it needs to take the long view and support our mutual benefit. We need to work smarter by supporting the increase in CAFE. Al Gordon Littleton, CO Newly Introduced Legislation Note: The following state bills are not laws. They have been recently introduced and are currently being considered by the respective state legislatures: Driver Distraction California: AB 45 - would prohibit cell phone use while driving a car; permits use of hands-free cell phones. Ohio: H.B. 280 - would prohibit hand-held cellphone use while driving except in the case of emergency; prohibits any cell phone use, including hands-free units, by any person with a temporary instruction permit. Ohio: H.B. 281 - would subject a person who commits a moving violation while using cell phone to a fine double the usual amount. Pennsylvania: S.B. 1577 - would prohibit hand-held cell phone use while driving. Emissions Kentucky: BR 264 (Pre-File) - would prohibit enforcement of vehicle emissions testing program by an air pollution control district board that is required to terminate the program. Maine: H.B. 1746A - would reallocate funds from the clean air vehicle fund (pertaining to the High Pollution Vehicle Retirement Program) and the clean fuel vehicle project into the general fund. Ohio: H.B. 620 - would require residents in a county subject to motor vehicle emissions inspections who sell (or offer for sale) a vehicle to first have the vehicle inspected; requires the seller to make necessary repairs in order to pass inspection. Equipment Montana: D. 1667 (Draft) - relates to illuminated headlight requirements while driving. Montana: D. 1228 (Draft) - would require certain vehicles to have mud flaps. South Carolina: S.B. 17 - would repeal law relating to the sale or use of equipment that changes the original design or performance of a headlamp or other lighting equipment, unless the equipment has been approved by the department of public safety. Texas: H.B. 223 - relates to the authority of counties to enact noise regulations; prohibits the use of a motor vehicle that is unreasonably loud. Licensing, Titling, and Registration Montana: D. 185 (Draft Bill) - would authorize vintage license plates. Montana: D. 1046 (Draft Bill) - would define junk vehicle and abandoned vehicles. SAN Club Events CALIFORNIA January 17-18, Pomona National Board Meeting Sponsor: Early Ford V-8 Club of America Information: 760/242-2077 FLORIDA January 18, Lake Worth 3rd Annual Fords and Friends Meet Sponsor: Early Ford V-8 Club of America, Lake Worth Region Information: 800/330-1004 MICHIGAN January 26, Warren Winter Swap Meet Sponsor: Walter P. Chrysler Club, Great Lakes Region Information: 810/825-6707 Department of Corrections: Mr. Tom Cox noted that in the December 2002 Driving Force we misidentified the name of the organization on which he serves as President. The proper name is the Southwestern Virginia Car Council. We regret the error. |
| Quote (BadCo @ Jan. 12 2003,09:50) |
| I read through the document, it seems like this is a meeting about trails in the municipality. Trail Mix is a Juneau company started to coordinate trail maintenance? Touched on State Parks, but not on state land. Which is where we wheel primarily, correct? |
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| Who: Attendees of December interagency trail meeting with Juneau Trail Mix, Inc., community leaders, trail group reps,agency reps, and anyone interested in improving Anchorage areawide trails. What: Follow-up on Dec. meeting on feasibility of starting an interagency non-profit to maintain and improve Anchorage trails, update from agency and group reps on latest "trail news" When: January 15 Noon Where: NPS third floor conference room, 2525 Gambell St., Anchorage (across the street from Sorrento's restaurant; look for RAM building) Why: December meeting participants identified a common need for summer trail improvements/maintenance, and much more advanced interagency planning/coordination on cross-boundary land management issues, both of which might be accomplished by pooling resources. (See attached December meeting summary for details.) (See attached file: AnchTrailsNon-profitMeetingSummaryII.doc) Please pass this info on! Co-Sponsored by Anchorage Trails & Greenways Coalition and NPS Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program Kevin Keeler Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program National Park Service 2525 Gambell St. Anchorage, AK 99503-2892 voice (907) 257-2654 fax (907) 257-2591 |
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| Anchorage Parks, Natural Open Space and Recreation Facilities Plan Issues and Solutions The public is invited to help the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) identify issues, problems, concerns and potential solutions related to parks, open space and recreation facilities in the Anchorage Bowl at two "Public Issue" town-hall style meetings. Issue Identification Monday, April 7, 2003 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Spenard Recreation Center, Multipurpose Room 2020 West 48th Avenue Solution Brainstorming Thursday, April 10, 2003 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Scenic Park Elementary, Cafeteria 3933 Patterson Road These meetings are an important opportunity for the public to provide input early in the process of updating the Municipality's Park, Natural Open Space and Recreation Facilities Plan for the Anchorage Bowl. Participants in each meeting will be brought up-to-date on the planning process and will be asked to work in and/or rotate between self-formed breakout groups. These groups will brainstorm in a two-step process focused on issues, concerns and problems Monday night and potential solutions on Thursday. These meetings are one element of a multi-faceted public process to help the Municipality of Anchorage respond to residents' open space and recreational needs into the future. The plan update will reflect public involvement findings, current and future recreation needs, economic, demographic and land use trends, and Anchorage 2020 recommendations. The revision process is expected to be complete in March 2004. Additional public meetings will be held in late 2003. Information is available at the project website): http://www.muni.org/planning/index.cfm (click on Current Projects). Consultants on the project include Land Design North, the Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands, and Alaska Pacific University. Please call the Planning Department at 343-7921 for further information. Sue Susan Perry Comprehensive Planning Division Planning Department Municipality of Anchorage Phone: 343-7921; FAX: 249-7535 or 343-7927 E-mail: PerrySU@ci.anchorage.ak.us |
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Here is a very important opportunity for public involvement in what Anchorage parks are, how they will be managed and what they can become over the nest 20 years... please participate this Thursday!!!!!! Anchorage Parks, Natural Open Space and Recreation Facilities Plan ISSUES AND SOLUTIONS The public is invited to help the Municipality of Anchorage (MOA) identify issues, problems, concerns and potential solutions related to parks, open space and recreation facilities in the Anchorage Bowl at two "Public Issue" town-hall style meetings. Issue Identification - This one is past and drew about 30 very interested committed citizens with lots of ideas. Monday, April 7, 2003 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Spenard Recreation Center, Multipurpose Room 2020 West 48th Avenue Solution Brainstorming - This Thursday Thursday, April 10, 2003 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. Scenic Park Elementary, Cafeteria 3933 Patterson Road These meetings are an important opportunity for the public to provide input early in the process of updating the municipality's Park, Natural Open Space and Recreation Facilities Plan for the Anchorage Bowl. Participants in each meeting will be brought up-to-date on the planning process and will be asked to work in and/or rotate between self-formed breakout groups. These groups will brainstorm in a two-step process focused on issues, concerns and problems Monday night and potential solutions on Thursday. These meetings are one element of a multi-faceted public process to help the Municipality of Anchorage respond to residents' open space and recreational needs into the future. The plan update will reflect public involvement findings, current and future recreation needs, economic, demographic and land use trends, and Anchorage 2020 recommendations. The revision process is expected to be complete in March 2004. Additional public meetings will be held in late 2003. Who should be involved: Current park users of every sort Future park users Seniors Teens Parents and families Anchorage School District - School Board members Assembly members (I was there Monday and will be involved in two other park meetings this week but not Thursday) City Board & Commission members- Planning & Zoning, Platting, Parks & Rec, Animal Control Advisory, Senior, Youth, more.... Folks who live close to parks Anchorage Economic Development Corp.; Visitor and Convention Bureau; Chamber of Commerce Home Builders Realtors Pediatricians and others who work with youth Heart, Lung and Cancer Societies Foresters Trail users Team sports participants Economists Soloists who walk, meditate, run, horseback ride or .... in the parks Organized sports and culture groups Visionaries And most of all............YOU |
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| Feds ponder how to curb misuse of off-highway vehicles By BRENT ISRAELSEN Salt Lake Tribune 08-JAN-04 Calling off-highway vehicles one of the four "great threats" to ecosystems, the U.S. Forest Service is considering new rules that would clamp down on unregulated use. A special planning team of Forest Service officials met in Salt Lake City on Wednesday to begin planning strategies to better manage the exploding popularity of OHVs, particularly the ubiquitous all-terrain vehicle. The team _ led by Jack Troyer, the Ogden, Utah-based Intermountain regional forester _ was organized quietly last summer at the direction of Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth. "Jack has been charged by the chief to figure out how we are going to go about dealing with this issue," said agency spokeswoman Heidi Valetkevitch. In the near future, the Forest Service is expected to announce proposed changes to federal rules to virtually prohibit so-called cross-country OHV travel, in which vehicles depart from designated routes. The initiative is being met with cautious optimism by environmentalists and OHV advocacy groups, which still are trying to learn more about it. "There are few areas in the forest where open, cross-country travel is really appropriate," said Brian Hawthorne, director of the Utah Shared Access Alliance, an OHV group. "We want to see trail systems that are manageable, sustainable and enforceable." Forest Service officials say unauthorized cross-country travel has proliferated, causing management headaches. "Tens of millions of OHVs are now in use _ far more than even 10 years ago," Bosworth said last year in a speech on Earth Day. "With all those millions of users, even a tiny percentage of problem use presents us with a big and growing problem." Bosworth said "hundreds of miles of wildcat roads and trails" are created each year, damaging meadows, streambeds and other sensitive areas. Conservationists for years have complained about the rising tide of OHV use, but they say the Forest Service, like the U.S. Bureau of Land Management, has been slow to respond. The federal land-management agencies say they have too few resources to identify and mark appropriate trails or to enforce existing laws. But the recent statements from Bosworth and the formation of the Troyer-led team have encouraged environmental groups. "There appears to be a commitment at all levels in the (Forest Service) to get a handle on this problem," said Scott Kovarovics, director of the Washington-based National Trails and Waters Coalition. "They genuinely want to change how they've managed this situation." To date, supervisors of the country's 175 national forests, which cover 192 million acres, have generally been left with little national guidance or clout in tackling OHV issues. As a result, some forests are more strict than others in regulating OHV use. In Utah, the Wasatch-Cache and Uinta national forests, through newly revised management plans, restricted OHVs to designated trails only. The Ashley National Forest recently instituted an emergency ban of cross-country travel pending the revision of its management plan. While the environmental and OHV communities agree with the concept of cracking down on unauthorized OHV use in the forests, they may disagree over how the Forest Service should do it. Kovarovics said the agency needs to "start with a blank map," immediately closing unauthorized routes until OHV use has been determined to be benign to the environment. "There's never been an analysis of all the impacts of unauthorized trails," Kovarovics said. "If they say everything that exists now is legal and they're just not going to add to it, then that's not real reform." Hawthorne said he is nervous about a national rule change, arguing that OHV issues should be dealt with on the forest's district level. He also said he hopes reason will prevail when it comes to closing roads. Closing all unauthorized roads is not practical, he said. "You are going to make a lawbreaker out of the law-abiding fisherman who has always been driving down a certain road." Closing all the unauthorized routes also could overly concentrate motorized use on authorized routes, causing traffic congestion and road damage, which leads to environmental damage, he said. (Distributed by Scripps-McClatchy Western Service, [URL=http://www.shns.com.) |
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| What's a circuit?? Too much lawyer talk for me |
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| Lights Out: Feds Could Limit Motor Vehicle Lighting Choices This past summer, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration requested comments on two proposed policies governing aftermarket lighting equipment. The first deals with aftermarket equipment that shifts the location of the rear reflex reflectors for taillamps from the placement chosen by the vehicle manufacturer. NHTSA is proposing to reject this practice. The second deals with the practice of switching the type of color and wattage used in replacement lamps from that designated by the vehicle manufacturer. NHTSA is proposing to reject this practice as well. On behalf of the hobbyist community and member businesses, SEMA submitted comment letters to NHTSA challenging the legality of NHTSA's actions and highlighting technical and practical concerns. NHTSA's proposed reinterpretation of the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard applicable to lighting equipment, if formalized as agency policy, would prohibit replacement items that do not conform to federal standards in exactly the same manner as the original equipment and use the same light sources as the original equipment. "The broad scope of the proposals changes dramatically the long-standing policy of NHTSA and is of deep concern and significance to all hobbyists who seek the latest technology in vehicle lighting equipment," said Steve McDonald, SEMA Senior Director of Government Affairs. "If the agency is seeking to use these changes to force compliance with existing photometric standards for replacement lamps or to address safety concerns relating to fire hazards, NHTSA can simply use its existing authority to force a recall of noncompliant or unsafe products." SEMA agrees that when a manufacturer designs a lamp to which the federal standards apply, the lamp must comply with the standards. However, that doesn't mean the replacement lamp must be an identical match to the original equipment. Nevertheless, that would be the effect of NHTSA's proposed policy were it to be implemented. "When Congress authorized NHTSA to create the Federal Safety Standards, the lawmakers clearly intended that NHTSA's standards only establish performance levels for motor-vehicle equipment, not design standards," McDonald added. "Accordingly, NHTSA should continue to draw a distinction between complying and non-complying products, not differentiate between original equipment manufacturers and aftermarket products, since many aftermarket products upgrade or enhance the original lights." SEMA has requested that the agency withdraw the proposed policy changes and reaffirm its long-standing position that the Federal Safety Standards apply equally to both original and aftermarket motor vehicle equipment. NHTSA is expected to respond to SEMA's comments early this year. Farmer, Legislator, Car Enthusiast: Meet California Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa By Suzie Carroll, SEMA Research Coordinator California State Assemblyman Doug LaMalfa (R-District 2) is a fourth generation rice farmer who has lived in Northern California his entire life. He was first elected to the California State Assembly in 2002 to represent the nine-county 2nd Assembly District, which includes Redding, Shasta Lake, Yreka, Red Bluff and Yuba City, California. Assemblyman LaMalfa firmly believes that the government should first do no harm and should work to provide, through the most efficient manner possible, only those essential services that individuals and families cannot provide for them-selves. In addition to his duties in Sacramento and as an advocate for California's farming industry, Assemblyman LaMalfa is an avid auto enthusiast and collector. Like so many auto hobbyists, Assemblyman LaMalfa finds time in his busy schedule to pursue the all-American love affair with the automobile. Driving Force: We know that you are an avid automobile enthusiast. Tell us about your vehicles and your personal interest in the hobby. Doug LaMalfa: Well, like any true "car nut," I have several cars and "projects" including a Ford F-150 Lightning, which comes in handy around the ranch. Those who know me know that I am a big Ford man. I remember when I was in fifth grade and one of my friends was picked up from school in a brand-new Mustang Mach 1 with a 351 Cleveland. Just seeing it was enticing and then when it was started up and I heard the dual pipes, I was hooked. I still have my first car, a '68 Mustang California Special equipped with the 351 Cleveland, five-speed and four-wheel-disc brakes with handling suspension. I currently have some projects in the barn, including a nearly completed '69 Torino Talladega with 428 Cobra Jet, painted Petty Blue with fullsize replica Petty 43 numerals for the roof and other NASCAR-style cues. I hope to take it to the 30th Anniversary commemoration of Talladega Raceway. I also have a '65 fastback Mustang with a 289 and a five-speed, which awaits restoration. Perhaps we'll do it in a Shelby R-model style. Also, I have a '69 Cougar Eliminator awaiting a built 351 Windsor and a DeTomaso Pantera that needs cosmetic freshening but is roadworthy and really fun. DF: Last November you had the opportunity to attend the 2003 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, Nevada, as a guest of the SEMA Washington, D.C. Office. The SEMA Show is the premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world and drew more than 100,000 visitors from over 145 countries. Please share with us your experience and impressions from the Show. DL: The SEMA folks who showed me around were great, and I appreciate their time and hospitality. I was like a kid in a candy store. Everything automotive you could imagine is there. I had been to the Show back in the early '90's and it has grown a lot since then. I enjoyed meeting and chatting with Mr. Vic Edelbrock, an icon of the industry. I visited various exhaust, suspension and brake vendors, checked out crate engines and many other new products. The factory concept models of 4x4s and cars were intriguing, and the new stuff not yet released to the public was fun to see. My favorite was the new Ford GT [GT40] on display. It was incredible! And the Dodge Viper Truck looks like more fun than California regulators would ever allow. The vendors were very friendly and helpful, and the atmosphere at the Show was one of close friends and family. This fits with the importance of SEMA folks sticking together to thwart the constant assault by regulators on our right to choose the particular automobiles we desire to own. DF: SEMA has been fortunate to partner with pro-industry and pro-hobby legislators like you many times in the past on key legislative initiatives. This year, there was SB 708, a bill to repeal the emissions-test exemption for vehicles 30 years old and older, and AB 844, a bill to require regulators to develop a tire fuel-efficiency program for passenger-car and light-truck replacement tires. These bills were ultimately amended by SEMA to mitigate their negative effects on the industry and the hobby. Tell us why you worked to oppose these bills. DL: First of all, I am principally opposed to the relentless regulation of businesses in California, and these bills were part and parcel of that mentality. So, naturally, I was already against those bills. The marketplace will decide what tires are popular, not more labeling and needless testing. When a manufacturer develops a higher-fuel-efficiency tire, you can bet they will promote it heavily, and the public will decide if they want it, which is what I argued when we debated the law on the Assembly floor. I know many good, law-abiding folks who have restored or collected classic cars, and SB 708 would have added one more hoop for them to jump through. That is why I am proud to team up with SEMA to fight against legislation like this. SB 708 was stopped by SEMA and the auto clubs, working at the grass-roots level to make their views known. The people can take the credit for stopping that one. Belonging to these organizations and pressuring legislators does work, and this proves it. DF: Is there any proactive legislation you would like to see introduced to protect the rights of hobbyists? DL: The problem, at least in California, is not that we don't have enough legislation, but that we have too much legislation. Instead of trying to pass new legislation, I would rather repeal bad legislation that places a burden on hobbyists. One thing that has frustrated me is the smog-check program. Don't tell me what I need to do under the hood when it's the tailpipe where it counts. If it passes the inspection, don't worry about what parts I have on the car. Aftermarket parts, in many cases, are of better quality than original. Acknowledging that hobbyists take better care of their cars than most people, and drive their specialty vehicles only occasionally, it would make sense to not regulate them with overreaching smog rules. The vehicle-scrappage program makes me nervous as well, and I want to make sure it doesn't become a monster that dries up the availability of good used parts or scrap cars of collectible value. DF: What advice do you have for those involved in the hobby who want to take an active role in protecting their rights as enthusiasts from unnecessary government intervention? DL: Get involved and stay involved in the battle. Take the time to call or meet with your respective legislators, and let them know how legislation is affecting the industry. If you want to stop unnecessary government intervention, you've got to get out there and vote. We, the people, should control the government. Government isn't always right. It's a great hobby we have and a good family activity. And what red-blooded American doesn't get a smile or goose bumps at the sight or sound of a great classic or musclecar cruising by? Calling All Car Lovers! By Michigan State Representative Kathleen Law The New Year is a great time to reflect. Reflection is an interesting concept. It can refer to spiritual introspection or a resolve to improve, diet or change. But for me, at the start of this year, I am reflecting on Cobo Hall! Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan, has a unique light grid above the everyday convention center. It is immediately recognizable, and when I see those lights, I know exactly where my mind has wandered: Autorama. This is your personal invitation to experience your own special moment of reflection. For classic-car lovers like me, there is no better place to enjoy all of the chrome, glass and paint on hot rods, customs, motorcycles and lowriders from all over the country. It is truly a gathering of enthusiasts second to none. Over 600 cars and trucks (and an additional 200 in the used-car corral/swap-meet section) are pre-selected for exhibit. Ridler Award competition cars grace the entrance. These are the first shown cars with designer names, such as Alloway, Alexander Brothers, Anzalone, Barris Brothers, Foose and on and on. Motorcycle enthusiasts will be inspired by classic Harleys and custom bikes created by famous builders throughout the United States. This isn't your father's Oldsmobile. It has been chopped, tubbed, dropped and blown. Your grandmother wouldn't know how to get into her Buick with its shaved, flowing lines, trick wheels, big-block engine and flames. Your uncle would love the way you meticulously restored his Woody, and mom would love the flip paint on her old Mustang. I think back on the past 51 years of Autorama, and I can't wait to experience the sounds, lights, smells and excitement of the 52nd Autorama, February 27-29, 2004. The Michigan Hot Rod Association and Championship Auto have organized this event, and this driving hobbyist is grateful. You will be, too. Hey, Ford, Chrysler and GM: Come and see what we do with your cars when they are 30 years old! Mopar, Bowtie, Blue Oval, Willys, flat-head Windsor, Hemi, nitro, alcohol, injected, shaved, chopped, lowered, stretched, tubbed, sliced, lowrider, highboy, skirted, louvered, frenched: This is not just a hot rod car show; this is mobile art! Wait until you see the glow of the metallic paints, the shine of the chrome, the beautiful mural work and the fabulous, intricate pinstripe work. These are 600 one-of-a-kinds. My favorite time to attend is set-up day. As the cars come into their spaces, the big motors growl and echo. The exhaust fumes are quickly dissipated as the city's People Mover rumbles overhead, and men, women and kids renew friendships made at cruises across the region. Nothing beats laughter, old friends and old cars. You are invited to the 52nd Autorama at Cobo Hall in Detroit, Michigan, February 27-29. For more information, please call 586/771-7110 or go to the website: http://www.autorama.com/casi/detroit.htm. Tell them Mrs. '57 Ford sent you. Editor's Note: State Representative Kathleen Law, the author of this article, represents the 23rd District (part of Wayne County) in the Michigan House of Representatives. She and her husband are avid car nuts. Legislative Quick Hits Canada Exhaust Noise: SEMA members based in Canada have expressed interest in pursuing legislation to amend the current law in the provinces governing exhaust-system noise. As in many American states, most Canadian provinces require exhaust systems to "prevent excessive or unusual noise" without defining these terms. SEMA has offered its model exhaust-noise legislation as an alternative. The SEMA model, versions of which have been enacted in California, Washington State and Maine, forces compliance with an objectively measured 95-decibel limit in a fair and predictable test. Illinois Blue Dots: A bill has been recently reintroduced in the Illinois legislature that would allow antique vehicles to display a blue light of up to one-inch in diameter as part of the vehicle's taillights. Similar legislation was introduced in 2001. The bill recognizes that blue-dot taillights have no detrimental impact on safety; enables enthusiasts to modify their vehicles to recall in fine detail the glory days of the hot-rod era in America; and follows in the tradition of similar laws enacted in Minnesota and Montana. SEMA is urging Illinois members and hobbyist groups to contact their state legislators to support this bill. Missouri Bumper Heights: Legislation has been introduced in the Missouri legislature to add a new section relating to maximum bumper heights for motor vehicles. Under the new section, vehicles with a gross-vehicle-weight rating of 9,001 through 11,500 pounds would be authorized a front bumper height of up to 29 inches and rear bumper height of up to 31 inches. Missouri law currently makes no provision for vehicles of this size. The current Missouri bumper-height law applicable to all other vehicles is substantially similar to the model legislation currently endorsed by the American Association of Motor Vehicle Administrators, which SEMA supports. New Hampshire Exhaust Noise: The New Hampshire House Transportation Committee passed an amended version of a SEMA-sponsored bill to remove vague and subjective provisions from that state's exhaust-noise law. Currently, New Hampshire deems illegal all modifications that increase noise levels above those emitted by the vehicle's original muffler. The original SEMA-drafted legislation required law enforcement authorities to prove that an exhaust-system modification results in a noise level in excess of 95 decibels as measured by SAE test standard J1169 before issuing a citation. Deeming the 95-decibel limit too restrictive, the House Transportation Committee simply deleted provisions in the current law, which referenced the noise levels of the original muffler. We Get Letters How do I go about registering my kit-car Cobra as a 1965 vehicle in California? -Mark Marschlowitz Mr. Marschlowitz: You're in luck! A SEMA-supported California law enacted in 2001 enables kit cars to be registered as specially constructed vehicles. The law provides a more accurate model-year designation and emissions-system certification for these specially constructed vehicles. Under California's law, a smog-test referee compares the kit car to those of the era that the vehicle most closely resembles to determine the model year of a specially constructed vehicle. The vehicle's owner can choose whether the inspector will certify the vehicle model year or the engine model year. If there is no close match, it is classified as a 1960 vehicle. Only those emission controls applicable to the model year and that can be reasonably accommodated by the vehicle are required. The Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) registration program is limited to the first 500 specially constructed vehicles per year that meet the criteria. Contact the DMV for more information as to how you can register your vehicle under this classification. In years past, California kit cars were assigned the current model year for smog-inspection purposes. This policy unfairly subjected kit cars and other specially constructed vehicles to more stringent smog-inspection requirements. Thanks to this measure, engines and vehicles now are held to the standards of the model year they represent rather than the more sophisticated vehicles of today. The law was updated in 2002 to allow previously registered vehicles to take advantage of this classification as well. California exempts pre-1974 vehicles from the biennial and change-of-ownership smog-check requirements. Under the 2002 law, specially constructed vehicles designated with a pre-1974 model year are exempted from the test. As of 2003, all vehicles 30 years old and older are exempted. FEBRUARY 2004 SAN CLUB EVENTS **edited, nothing in Alaska** Newly Introduced Legislation Note: The following state bills are not laws. They were recently introduced and are currently under consideration by the respective state legislatures: EMISSIONS Kentucky BR 817: Prohibits vehicle-emissions-control programs from inspecting motor vehicles four model years or newer. Missouri SB 851: Extends re-inspection period after a failed test for vehicle emissions from 30 to 60 days; also establishes a fee waiver for owners age 65 or older. Pennsylvania HB 2283: Provides for a waiver amount for vehicles failing the anti-tampering visual-inspection test for emission equipment; also ends separate gas-cap tests if the vehicle is equipped with a gas cap approved by the department. EQUIPMENT New Jersey AB 3995: Prohibits the sale or use of any spray or cover used to make a license plate invisible to a photo radar, red-light camera or other imaging device. New York SB 5811: Requires inspection of a motor-vehicle audio system when the annual inspection is conducted. Pennsylvania HB 2257: Sets tinting at no more than 15% and a light-transmittance level of not less than 70%. Requires manufacturers and installers to provide a label with their names and percentage of light transmittance and reflectance with tint products. INSPECTIONS Vermont HB 485: Changes inspection requirements for exhibition vehicles from a yearly basis to once every five years or whenever sold. LICENSE PLATES AND REGISTRATION Maine SB 609: Exempts classic auto dealers from dealer plate restrictions. MISCELLANEOUS Indiana SB 131: Makes mobile-telephone use while operating a vehicle a Class B infraction with a fine of $1,000. Vermont SB 199: Prohibits use of a hand-held cellular phone while a vehicle is in motion. VEHICLE HEIGHT Missouri SB 894: Allows vehicles with a gross-vehicle-weight rating of 9,001 to 11,500 pounds to have a front bumper height of up to 29 inches and rear bumper height of up to 31 inches |
| Quote (Anchorage Daily News @ December 28, 2003) |
| Learn to speak out for the environment at free training The Sierra Club and the Alaska Center for the Environment plan volunteer activist training on Jan. 17. Volunteers will meet at 10am to 3pm at 807 G. St., No. 100, to listen to advice on how to influence the political process. Key conservation issues expected to be before the 2004 Legislature will be discussed. Volunteers will be given quick lessons in how bills become laws, how to testify effectively and how to coordinate volunteer strategies for the upcoming year. For more, call 274-3626 or email clare@akcenter.org |
| Quote (UtChaz @ Dec. 29 2002,19:22) |
| Here's the skinny that the Department of Natural Resources produced for OHV (Off-Highway Vehicle) use. Alaskan Trail and Public Access (DNR Resource Page) Its 7 pages and the rules and guidlines are pretty vague, as is govenment standard. As I gather it uses some common sense guidelines and we're not in any serious termoil with our water crossings. Unless you piss off IMNAKD and drain your diffs in the puddles... |
| Quote (BadCo @ Dec. 30 2002,21:31) |
| Chaz- You are new. Instead of posting links, go for a walk, go to the gym, or bombard JU with links. Damn that sounds harsh, but as a new "Alaskan" your posts don't have a lot of weight....yet. This is a polite flame, please enjoy. |
| Quote (UtChaz @ Dec. 30 2002,11:19) |
| I wish we had ourselves a lawyer wheeler, then we might know for sure!!! |
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On-line: Jack Mosby, Bill Overbaugh, Kim Kruse, Kevin Keeler, Lisa Holzapfel, Jim Riehle, and Paul Sandhoffer - Anchorage; Dixon Sherman - Cordova; James King, Ron Crenshaw, & Aneta Synan - Juneau; Alison Rein - Girdwood; and Dan Chagnon & Karl Kassel - Fairbanks. We discussed six broad topics as follows: 1. Brainstorm Possible Organization Names: AK Trails Association, AK Trails Stewardship, Trails Alaska, AK Trails Forever, AK Trails, AK Trail Works, AK Trail Mix, AK Trails Cooperative, AK Trails for Everyone, AK Trails Council, AK Council for Trails, TRAAK, AK Trail Assistance, AK Trails Forum, AK Trails United, United Trails of AK, AK Trails Unlimited, Trails United, AK Trails for Everyone, Multiple Access Trails for Everyone, Trails for Tomorrow, Coalition for AK Trails, Access AK Trails, AK Trails Coalition, AK Trails United, AK Trails Conservancy, AK Trail Alliance, and Trails Across AK. These names will be reviewed and the field narrowed down by the organizing committee. The name needs to be short and recognizable being careful what the initials might imply. 2. Setting Up Working Committees: James King reviewed his suggestion to lump the various committees into three broad areas with their associated responsibilities - this concept was agreed to by the group. The question of agency staff participation without a conflict of interest was raised and we agreed to be sure there is a section in the by-laws and/or operation materials that addresses ethics and conflict of interest. James will research how it was handled in Juneau as well. It was further agreed that each committee will need to research, synthesize, and prepare a fairly complete working draft in their area of interest as noted below and provide it to the group prior to March 5-7 retreat in Anchorage. The three committees and their areas of responsibility are: a. Organizing Committee: Organization Name By-laws, articles of incorporation, constitution, ethics, Forum-method to communicate Mission - Vision - Goal statements Board composition, nomination criteria/process Position description(s) - executive director & others such as a fund raiser & program/project administrator Membership Types-eligibility Application for nonprofit status Start Up Plan - how and where do we start? b. Operating Committee: Annual work plan Strategic Plan Business & marketing plan (with hooks) (include Political, trail caucus) Project list(s) & priorities c. Funding Committee: Funding sources & strategies & priorities both short & long term Recreation Tourism Growth, Build from Community Out Fiscal policies to ensure checks & balances Identify some funding sources prior to the March retreat Membership Strategy-increase numbers 3. Initial Committee membership: Anyone is certainly welcome to join the fun - please contact the chair or a committee member to stay/get involved. As work is finished on the organizing and operating committees, those committee members will have an opportunity to work on the funding committee as there is interest. Committee chairs are responsible to organize/set up their committee and the follow-up meetings to prepare for the March retreat. They can use the same teleconference/passcode numbers from the Jan 16 meeting for the time being. a. Organizing Committee Members: Ron Crenshaw (Chair), Karl Kassel, Jack Mosby, Kim Kruse, Lisa Holzapfel b. Operating Committee Members: James King & Kevin Keeler (Co-chair), Alison Rein, Dixon Sherman, Pat Owens, Jim Riehle; invite Paul Sandhoffer, Joe Parrish c. Funding Committee Members: Bill Overbaugh (Chair), James King will help; invite Joe Parrish, Bruce Friend, Howard Davis 4. Retreat Schedule: A facilitated retreat is scheduled for March 5-7 at the BP Energy Center in Anchorage (more information will follow as the site was confirmed today). The goal will be to bring the nearly finished materials from #2 above for final tweaking by the assembled group (it will be open to anyone interested). At this time we plan to focus on the organizational structure for the first day, followed by operations on day two, and funding on the last day. Jack, Pat Owens, and Lisa will look for facilitator(s) to assist us. 5. Websites: Jack is trying to get all the past materials and meeting info and notes located on a web site at http://wave.prohosting.com/~aktrails If possible, draft committee material may be posted on the web site for group review and comment. If anyone has web skills, please give Jack a call. Kevin suggested we use the aktrailgroups@yahoo.com as a way to distribute materials for discussion and a way to get the word out to others that may be interested in the nonprofit. 6. Next Teleconference Schedule: The next half hour teleconference was set for Wednesday February 19th at 9:30AM for a status report on the committee work. |
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----- Original Message ----- From: Kevin_Keeler@nps.gov Sent: Thursday, December 05, 2002 1:02 PM Subject: [aktrailgroups] Sat. & Sun. Heartbeat AK TV show looks at ATV trails issues in rural Alaska Upcoming TV Program focuses on ATV trails issues in rural Alaska The popular Heart Beat Alaska television program will broadcast a segment this weekend on issues associated with All-Terrain (ATV) use in Bush Alaska. The half-hour program features segments from Nunivak Island, Unalakleet and the upper Copper River. It also features pilot trail rehabilitation partnership projects on state and federal lands near Homer and Glennallen by the National Park Service Rivers, Trails and Conservation Assistance Program (RTCA), in cooperation with the Alaska Department of Natural Resources, Homer Soil and Water Conservation District and the Bureau of Land Management Glennallen Field Office. The program airs on Friday night on the ARCS network at 7:00PM, and on Sunday night on KAKM channel 7 at 6:30 PM and KTUU channel 2 at 8:00 pm. More technical information on ATV trails rehabilitation and management can be obtained from NPS-RTCA by calling (907) 257-2584. Kevin Keeler Rivers, Trails & Conservation Assistance Program National Park Service 2525 Gambell St. Anchorage, AK 99503-2892 voice (907) 257-2654 fax (907) 257-2591 |
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| Below is the April 2003 email edition of the Specialty Equipment Market Association's (SEMA) Driving Force newsletter. As always, feel free to reprint any or all of the information contained within it. All we ask is for attribution if you choose to do so. If you need any additional background, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you do not wish to receive any future editions of the email Driving Force, please respond to this email with "remove." Brian Caudill Editor DRIVING FORCE - April 2003 California Legislation Would Eliminate Popular Emissions Exemption In what seems like a yearly battle to California's SEMA Action Network members, the California Senate reintroduced legislation to repeal the state's rolling emissions testing exemption for vehicles 30 years old and older. S.B. 708, sponsored by Sen. Dean Florez (D-Fresno), would repeal the current pro-hobbyist exemption and replace it with an emissions testing program for vehicles up to 45 years old, commencing Jan. 1, 2005. "California legislators and regulators are clearly feeling the heat from continuing failed efforts to meet air quality goals and are looking for a convenient scapegoat in older cars," noted Steve McDonald, SEMA director of government and technical affairs. "The old-car hobby should not carry the burden of their mistakes." SEMA alerted California SEMA Action Network clubs and enthusiasts, SEMA member companies and the automotive press about this bill. The campaign to stop the repeal of the pro-hobby emissions testing exemption is in force. Brian Caudill, director of the SEMA Action Network commented, "Can anyone imagine in 2005 subjecting a 45-year-old car like my neighbors' mint-condition '60 Chevy convertible to a smog test?" California hobbyists agree. Minutes after SEMA sent out the legislative alert on S.B. 708, hobbyists began to fax, e-mail and write their California state senators in opposition. We would especially like to thank the Association of California Car Clubs (ACCC), the South Bay AMX Club, the Southern California Gathering Car Club and the Sierra Mortorsports Club for their efforts to defeat this legislation. Why Exempt California Classics From Emissions Testing? * Current California law recognizes the minimal impact 30-year-old and older vehicles have on overall emissions calculations and air quality. * Older vehicles constitute a tiny portion of California's vehicle population, currently less than 3 percent of more than 23 million vehicles, and are a poor source to look for emissions reductions. * Antique and classic vehicles are overwhelmingly well-maintained and infrequently driven (about one-third the miles each year of a new vehicle). * Many states have enacted similar exemptions, the most recent was Virginia in 2000 and Washington state in 1998. Legislative Quick Hits California Exhaust Noise Limit: The California Assembly introduced legislation to repeal last year's legislation that allowed California enthusiasts the use of aftermarket exhaust systems that meet a 95-decibel limit. Despite this new bill SEMA remains in discussion with state regulators to discuss details, including prospective start-up dates of the state's new exhaust noise testing program that uses the 95-decibel limit. The repeal bill will have no impact on the test program's implementation, and the SEMA government affairs office is working to nullify this new noise limitation legislation. Illinois Lamp Covers: SEMA succeeded in amending Illinois legislation that originally threatened to prohibit the installation and use of tinted lamp covers. SEMA's amendment allowed for tinted lamp covers when the lamps are not required to be in operation. SEMA is particularly indebted to Sen. John Millner (R-St. Charles) for working with us in crafting amendments to the legislation that respect the rights of enthusiasts to customize their vehicles without sacrificing safety. Maine Exhaust Noise: Thanks in large part to the efforts of the Maine Custom Car Association, Maine became the second state this year after New Hampshire to introduce SEMA-model legislation to create an enforceable motor vehicle exhaust noise standard. Currently, Maine deems illegal all modifications that increase noise levels above that emitted by the vehicle's original muffler. The SEMA model requires law enforcement authorities to prove that an exhaust system modification results in a noise level in excess of 95 decibels as measured by a predictable Society of Automotive Engineers' test standard before issuing a citation. Similar SEMA-authored legislation passed last year in California, and we hope Maine will follow suit. Maryland Inspection Standards: Responding to SEMA's negative comments, the Maryland state police withdrew a proposal to amend portions of the state's vehicle inspection regulations. The Maryland proposal was heavily weighted in favor of original manufacturer equipment and specifications for wheels and tires, exhaust systems, bumpers and lighting and could have had a detrimental effect on vehicle customization in Maryland. The Maryland state police opted to withdraw the proposal instead of incorporating SEMA's recommendations. Michigan Insurance Law: Last year, SEMA and partner Hagerty Insurance helped to pass legislation that reduced the Michigan Catastrophic Claims Association's fees charged on historical vehicles. This 80-percent reduction to historical vehicle owners is now targeted for repeal. SEMA and Hagerty Insurance will again work together to override the repeal. New York Greenhouse Gases: New York became the third state this year after Connecticut and Hawaii to introduce legislation to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, including carbon dioxide. The bill provides that the regulations must be consistent with California's laws and regulations and will apply to 2009 model year and later vehicles. The new California law prohibits regulators from reducing speed limits, restricting vehicle size or imposing new taxes or fees. Many believe this law is a back-door effort by environmentalists to set fuel-economy standards, an authority the law's opponents state is exclusively reserved to the federal government. Because CO2 is given off whenever gasoline is burned, the only way to cut emissions is to make vehicles that burn less gasoline or vehicles driven by electricity or other means. This may potentially restrict sales of SUVs and light trucks, and products that increase vehicle performance at the expense of fuel economy. West Virginia Light Bars: West Virginia Gov. Bob Wise signed into law legislation regulating light bars. The original legislation allowed only original vehicle manufacturer's equipment light bars in the state. As introduced, this bill banned the sale, installation and use of aftermarket light bars equipped with aftermarket lighting equipment and mandated that the lights be installed or aimed by or at the direction of the vehicle manufacturer. SEMA succeeded in amending this legislation so that aftermarket light bars are permitted if used off-road and are turned off and covered when the vehicle is operated on state roadways. In addition, the lights are no longer required to be installed or aimed by the vehicle manufacturer. SEMA would like to highlight the quick work of members of the East Coast 4 Wheel Drive Association for their efforts in helping SEMA amend this fast-moving legislation. Federal Off-Highway Vehicle Legislation Introduced Closing Access to OHV Hobbyists The U.S. House of Representatives introduced a bill (H.R. 652) to create a National Forest Ecosystem Protection Program composed of existing wilderness areas and adjacent primitive areas. If enacted, the federal government would effectively treat the primitive lands the same as wilderness areas. This distinction and the designation are important to OHV hobbyists because the bill would close all unimproved, unmapped and non-system roads, and forbid all motorized recreation. The bill would also fund a program to purchase neighboring private lands to add to the ecosystem inventory. Although most wilderness areas are located in the West, New Jersey Rep. Robert Andrews (D-NJ) introduced the bill. His legislation tries to even the playing field a bit by directing the federal government to spend $100 million a year to purchase private property within primitive eastern areas and only $5 million for the West. The purpose of the legislation is to set aside large tracts of land in natural condition to "maximize wildland recreation opportunities for people, maximize habitat protection for native wildlife and natural plant communities and contribute to a preservation of water for use by downstream metropolitan communities." "It's hard to argue with these goals," noted SEMA Action Network Director Brian Caudill, "but we don't agree with the premise that responsible off-highway vehicle recreation harms the environment. In fact, OHV recreation is entirely consistent with the bill's goal of connecting people and nature." H.R. 652 is assigned to several House committees. There has been no action to date. Increased Fines for Off-Road Vehicle Damage Rep. Mark Udall (D-CO) reintroduced legislation (H.R. 751) to increase fines for improper use of vehicles that results in damage to public lands. The current maximum fine is $1,000. This number would be raised to $10,000 or the federal government's costs to restore the land, whichever is greater. Violators could also face up to 12 months of jail time. Rep. Udall acknowledges that most vehicle users are responsible and that the bill is aimed only at those few who don't respect the land. "The current $1,000 fine limit has not changed since 1976, and it may be hard to argue that this is sufficient in those few instances when violations may cost thousands to repair," said Brian Caudill, SEMA Action Network director. "On the other hand, the fines should be directly related to reasonable restoration of damaged property. They should not become a tool to shut down access to the back country or prejudice the public against off-highway vehicle enthusiasts." Aside from its introduction the bill has received no attention in Congress to date. Racers Against Street Racing Provides Legal Drag-Racing Alternatives By Gregg Guenthard News stories across the country have told tales of illegal street racing resulting in injury and even death when the racers' machines go out of control. This is bad for the hobby and bad for the young enthusiasts who love their cars. To address the problem, SEMA joined forces with Racers Against Street Racing (RASR), a coalition of auto manufacturers, aftermarket parts companies, professional drag racers, sanctioning bodies and automotive magazines, to promote safe and legal alternatives to illegal street racing on a national level. RASR seeks to be the conduit for all of the worthy, street-legal racing programs that currently exist across the country, Also, it aims to help disseminate information to those seeking to establish such programs. Since young street racers are digital mavens, the tool RASR intends to use the most is the Internet, with a Web site that supports racing programs, contests, driver and car galleries and has links to RASR sponsors. RASR also has an educational component that will soon go out to the future drivers of the United States. Using driver education courses, schools and automotive events, RASR has a video, produced by MTV's Flipped Video, named "Speed Demons." The video tells the tale of two street racers who go through real-life lessons of incarceration and death to understand they need to take it off the streets and onto a track. SEMA knows that public opinion of the vehicle hobby must remain positive for it to flourish, and getting illegal racers to a safe venue, while still having a good time, is essential. SEMA also sees this as an important industry endeavor, with companies such as American Honda signing on as a founding sponsor and American Products Co./APC and Reliable Automotive also signing on as sponsors. With these sponsors and more financial support from the performance industry, RASR can reach out across the country with its message: If you want to race, go to a racetrack. For more information or to get involved in RASR, contact Gregg Guenthard at SEMA, 909/396-0289, ext. 214 or greggg@sema.org or visit www.RacersAgainstStreetRacing.org We Get Letters The SUV Banter Continues A few days ago, a funny thing happened to a celebrity who was mouthing off about SUVs. One of the Kennedys (I forget who) was on the FOX network show Hannity and Colmes. He went after SUVs. Sean Hannity told him that he should not decide which vehicles people drive and then went on to ask how many gallons of fuel he burns by traveling in a private jet. The Kennedy came unglued, but it is a valid point. On the basis of pounds of fuel burned to get X people delivered to a destination, private jets could be called a waste. Yet, how many of the people who rail against SUVs travel by charted private jets or own them or have them provided by corporations that agree with their political stances? Terry Fitzgerald Boise, Idaho RE: March 2003 "Tech Corner" SEMA's Technical Guru, Frank Bohanan, Answers the Questions Just finished reading your "Tech Corner" article in the March 2003 issue of Driving Force regarding "Smog Legal Equipment." A couple of times you mentioned that PCMVs [pollution controlled motor vehicles] in California were any vehicles produced after 1966. For your information in 1997 the California State Legislature passed S.B. 42, which exempted 1973 and older automobiles from smog certification until the year 2003 at which time the exemption became a 30-year rolling exemption (i.e., in 2004 all 1974 cars and older will be exempt). You may wish to clarify this in your next "Tech Corner." Otherwise, it was a very good article. Keep up the good work. Cathi Seidler Huntington Beach, California Frank Responds: The 1966 through 1973+ models (it varies with the rolling exemption, at least for now) are still PCMVs. That they are currently exempted from emissions testing/smog check does not change the fact that they were required to meet emissions standards when they were produced; they had to be certified prior to sale. Therefore, it is still technically illegal both under California and federal law to remove, disconnect or otherwise render inoperative any required emissions control devices even though the vehicles will no longer be subject to inspection/testing. If a peace officer wanted to make an example out of such a vehicle, he/she could still legally cite the owner for violating California vehicle code section 27156. While SEMA was instrumental in getting S.B. 42 passed, and we will surely fight S.B. 708, which attempts to effectively repeal it, SEMA does not support illegally removing required emissions control equipment. There are numerous legal add-on and/or modified parts that may be installed, so removing the equipment is pointless as well as risky. Newly Introduced Legislation Note: The following state bills are not laws. They were recently introduced and are currently under consideration by the respective state legislatures: Emissions Alaska H.B. 81 - would require vehicles to pass emissions tests before registration. Georgia H.B. 535 - would create a tax credits for new low and zero emissions vehicles. Georgia H.B. 676 - authorizes the use of remote emissions system testing. Kentucky H.J.R. 134 - would eliminate the Northern Kentucky Emissions Check program. Maryland H.B. 373 - would establish a low emissions vehicles program. Nevada S.B. 189 - would provide for biennial emissions inspections in counties with populations greater then 400,000. Pennsylvania H.B. 123 - would require implementation of the zero emissions component of Phase II of the California Low Emissions Vehicle Program. Pennsylvania H.B. 708 - would prohibit creating an annual vehicle emissions inspection program. Inoperable Vehicles California A.B. 789 - would exempt vehicles with certificates of non-operation from ordinances that authorize the removal of such vehicles if the vehicle is lawfully stored and parked. Texas H.B. 1129 - would permit local governments to regulate or restrict vehicle storage on private property. Texas H.B. 1773 - would permit municipalities to adopt additional requirements that exceed the minimum standards for a junked vehicle. Inspections and Equipment California A.B. 1618 - would prohibit delivery of any vehicle without a front license plate bracket. Maine H.B. 595 - would establish standards for vehicle height. Maine H.B. 616 - would create the Motor Vehicle Inspection Advisory Board. Maine H.B. 641 - would permit any wheel/tire combination on ABS-equipped vehicles, provided the diameter of replacement wheel and tire is the same as OEM recommended. North Carolina H.B. 26 - would prohibit license plate covers that interfere with traffic control camera systems. Lighting Arkansas H.B. 1942 - would prohibit the use of any lamp or device that displays a red, blue or green light visible from the front of the vehicle. Arkansas S.B. 819 - would permit up to two ornamental white LED lights on the front of a vehicle. Kansas H.B. 2221 - would allow neon underbody lighting provided it is not red and no neon tubes are visible. Kentucky H.B. 262 - would prohibit the use of flashing or oscillating green light and the use of red, green or blue lights anywhere on, underneath, or in a vehicle if lights are visible from the front of the vehicle. Maine H.B. 807 - would prohibit the use of imitation high-density discharge (HID) bulbs. Missouri H.B. 389 - would require headlight use during adverse weather conditions. New York A.B. 3717 - would authorize reduced insurance premiums for vehicles with daytime running lights. South Carolina H.B. 3459 - would prohibit the use of colored or tinted motor vehicle headlamps. Miscellaneous Arizona H.B. 2386 - would prohibit cruising, street racing and illegal parking on highways. Georgia H.B. 302 - would allow localities to establish/enforce vehicle audio equipment noise control standards. Michigan H.B. 412 - would remove the provision that antique vehicles be charged an insurance premium that is 20 percent of regular insurance premiums. New York A.B. 3676 - would prohibit the forgery and illegal possession of vehicle ID numbers. New York A.B. 3695 - would require car audio system inspections during periodic vehicle testing; sets maximum sound level limits. Texas H.B. 223 - would prohibit the use of unreasonably loud vehicles. Texas H.B. 1326 - would prohibit street racing and knowingly attending a street race. Tags, Titles Registration Alabama H.B. 36 - would require a certificate of title for a vintage motor vehicle at the request of the owner based on a verified application or other proof of ownership. New York A.B. 3404 - would require initial historic vehicles registration fee; exempts historic vehicles from subsequent registration fees unless sold/transferred. New York A.B. 3705 - would permit historic motor vehicle registration with a one-time fee of $23. Texas H.B. 1374 - would require salvage vehicles to undergo safety and emissions inspections. Rhode Island H.B. 5487 - would create special registration/license plates for street rods/custom vehicles. Tennessee S.B. 875/ H.B. 1568 - would provide for titling/registration of off-highway motor vehicles (OHVs); requires the state to acquire/maintain land for OHV use. Washington H.B. 2049 - would define and establish inspection and registration standards for salvage vehicles. Window Tint Arkansas H.B. 2491 - would prohibit reflectorized or mirrored windows/window treatments. Minnesota S.B. 631 - would prohibit installing reflective material or window tinting on vehicles. New York S.B. 1640 - would require the inspection of tinted windows during vehicle inspections. New York A.B. 3387 - would require inspection of window tint for light transmittance during safety inspections. New York A.B. 3305 - would require examination of tinted or shaded windows during vehicle inspections. Pennsylvania S.B. 219 - would require that vehicle sunscreen material be examined during safety inspections. Rhode Island H.B. 6142 - would permit medical exemptions from window tinting laws. APRIL AND MAY SAN CLUB EVENTS CALIFORNIA April 25-27, Bakersfield 27th Annual NSRA Western Street Rod Nationals Sponsor: National Street Rod Association Information: 724/932-3747 April 25-27, Tulare 7th Annual IH Western Regionals Sponsor: Scouts West/Sierra Scouts Information: 661/245-3250 April 27, Buena Park 18th Annual Fabulous Fords Forever Sponsor: Ford Car Club Council Information: 562/862-9311 May 3, Antioch 5th Annual Show and Shine Sponsor: Diablo Valley Mustang Association Information: 925/685-3410 ILLINOIS April 27, Elmhurst 20th Annual Car Show and Swap Meet Sponsor: Walter P. Chrysler Club, Northern Illinois Region Information: 708/749-0115 April 27, St. Charles Spring Tune-Up Sponsor: Pontiac-Oakland Club, Illinois Chapter Information: 630/232-8372 MASSACHUSETTS April 13, Fitchburg 33rd Annual Flea Market and Car Show Sponsor: Early Ford V-8 Club Information: 603/778-4788 MINNESOTA April 29, St. Paul MSRA "Run to the Hill" Sponsor: Minnesota Street Road Association Information: 651/385-8641 OKLAHOMA April 11-13, Oklahoma City 20th Annual NSRA Southwest Street Rod Nationals Sponsor: National Street Rod Association Information: 724/932-3747 VIRGINIA April 26-27, Cartersville Bodatious Off-Road Racing Sponsor: Virginia 4 Wheel Drive Association Information: www.geocities.com/od4wdc |
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| THE DEVIL'S IN THE DETAILS... Dear Subscriber: Under the Clinton/Gore administration, the Forest Service revised its regulations regarding how they go about the process of revising their individual Forest Plans. The Clinton regulations were thought to be so cumbersome and unmanageable that even "environmentalist minded" Forest Service employees objected. Wilderness Advocacy Groups were delighted, however, at the prospect of ending nearly all active human management on most National Forests by using the new regulations in appeals, protests and lawsuits. The Bush administration, at the behest of many Forest Service professionals as well as multiple use recreation interests, began the process to revise the Clinton era planning regulations. The new revisions go a long way toward addressing some of the problems in the previous regulations. HOWEVER, the new regulations contain a few land mines that need to be corrected before made final. What You Can Do: Send a quick email, letter or fax to the Forest Service. E-mail address is planning_rule@fs.fed.us Letters or faxes to: USDA FS Planning Rule Content Analysis Team P.O. Box 8359 Missoula, MT 59807 Sample talking points: USDA FS Planning Rule Content Analysis Team P.O. Box 8359 Missoula, MT 59807 via e-mail: planning-rule@fs.fed.us via facsimile: (406) 329-3556 Dear Planning Team: Please accept my comments regarding the proposed planning rule published on December 6, 2002 in the Federal Register, Volume 67, page 72769. * Please adopt Option 1 in the final rule for Section 219.13(b). * All actions that constitute a plan, revision, or amendment must be subject to NEPA and its implementing regulations. * The public must be able to rely on a uniformity of process from unit to unit of the national forest system. Therefore, a uniform process for public involvement in planning must be provided in the final rule. * Do not permit any extension to the 1 year duration for Interim Amendments. * The proposed rule does not include a specified comment period for plan initiation. The rule should, at a minimum, require the Responsible Official to tailor the comment period for initiation of plan revision to the scope and complexity of planning issues and opportunities for the unit. ACTION REQUESTED BY APRIL 7, 2003! Please take just a moment and respond. This issue will have seismic repercussions. We'll need your help fighting this one so PLEASE take a minute to send a quick email! A NOTE OF THANKS Special thanks to Carla Boucher, United Four Wheel Drive Association's legal counsel (http://www.ufwda.org/2K/). Boucher has waded through the over 300 pages of new Forest Planning regulations and found the 'devil in the details' that may lead to ROAD CLOSED signs popping up in a Forest near you. Additional thanks go out to Brian Hawthorne of the Utah Shared Access Alliance for crafting the original version of this alert, and for bringing the matter to our attention! |
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| Driving Force - May 2003 SEMA, California Hobbyists Save Emissions Exemption After consulting with SEMA, California State Sen. Dean Florez (D-Fresno) has modified legislation (S.B. 708) that originally threatened to repeal the state's current rolling emissions test exemption for motor vehicles 30 years old and older. The bill sought to revoke the pro-hobbyist exemption and replace it with an exemption for vehicles 45 or more model years old commencing Jan. 1, 2005. The bill will be replaced by a SEMA- drafted alternative that beefs up existing California law prohibiting the operation of smoking motor vehicles. "California officials continue to develop strategies to address failed efforts to meet air quality goals. Old cars are often targeted as convenient scapegoats," said SEMA Government Affairs Director Steve McDonald. "Over time Sen. Florez became convinced that the antique and classic vehicles that benefit from the current emissions exemption are overwhelmingly well-maintained and infrequently driven. Forcing these vehicles back into the Smog Check program represented flawed environmental policy and created no real benefit to the quality of the air breathed by state residents. We are thrilled that Sen. Florez ultimately agreed with our assessment." When finalized, the alternative bill will likely increase fines and force smoking vehicles already required to participate in the Smog Check program into an out-of-cycle emissions test. This legislation also directs qualifying persons to the state's Smog Check Consumer Assistance Program, which offers financial repair and/or emissions system upgrade assistance of up to $500 for certain low-income citizens whose vehicles failed Smog Check. Exempted vehicles that are cited as violators, including those 30 years old and older, would have to demonstrate to authorities that the vehicle no longer violates the smoking vehicle provision of the law, but would not be brought back into the Smog Check program. "This alternative will result in real, verifiable emissions reductions that not only help eliminate a significant source of pollution but also does so without harm to consumers and hobbyists alike," said SEMA Technical Consultant Frank Bohanan. "The repair assistance provisions will likely reduce consumers' operating costs in addition to helping clear the air." In seeking this alternative, Sen. Florez acknowledged the thousands of phone calls and letters opposing his original bill that came from California vehicle hobbyist and related industry members. "California SEMA Action Network (SAN) car clubs and individual hobbyists did outstanding work in opposing the original S.B. 708. Within minutes after sending our legislative alerts, the phone calls, faxes and e-mail began pouring into Sacramento," noted SAN Director Brian Caudill. "California hobbyists provided the passion and the horsepower which enabled SEMA to make our arguments to Sen. Florez. This is exactly how our enthusiast- industry partnership is supposed to work." Legislative Quick Hits California Whistle Tips: SEMA successfully amended legislation that would repeal the law that allows aftermarket exhaust systems that meet a 95-decibel limit. The amended bill will only prohibit whistle tips attached to exhaust outlets that are solely designed to create a shrieking sound. The Assembly Transportation Committee passed the bill, which will have no impact on the Bureau of Automotive Repair's exhaust noise testing program. California Inoperable Vehicles: The California Assembly introduced a bill that exempts vehicles, which have a DMV "certification of nonoperation," from city and county public nuisance ordinances. The vehicle will have to be legally stored or parked on private property and not readily visible from the street. Nebraska Kit Car/Street Rod Bill: The Nebraska legislature passed SEMA-supported legislation to provide for the titling and registration of kit cars, home-built vehicles and street rods. Previously, registration classifications did not adequately provide for these vehicles. Oregon Lighting Bill: SEMA amended an Oregon lighting bill to allow for aftermarket styling alternatives for auxiliary and passing lights. SEMA also successfully removed a provision requiring added restrictions for brake lights that disallowed original design changes and added a provision to allow lens covers when certain lamps are not required to be in operation. Texas Inoperable Vehicles: The Texas legislature introduced two bills that may further restrict Texas vehicle hobbyists from maintaining inoperable vehicles on private property. The first bill allows municipalities to enforce land-use regulations that would affect vehicle storage and parking. The second allows municipalities and counties to adopt ordinances that impose additional requirements on junked vehicles. Currently, Texas law defines junked vehicles as those vehicles on private property with an expired license or an invalid inspection certificate and have been inoperable for more than 30 days. Congress, NHTSA Discuss Vehicle Compatibility, SUV Safety Issues The topic of a recent hearing before the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee was how to make cars and trucks more compatible on the nation's highways. Dr. Jeffrey Runge, chief of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and representatives for auto manufacturers, the insurance industry and consumer groups agreed that there's a need for certain improvements. In particular, these improvements include installing more head-protecting air bags and better seat belts in all vehicles. Congress appears to be willing to let the industry identify voluntary solutions before it considers imposing mandates. The automakers and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety pledged to diligently pursue voluntary safety improvements. Ensuring that bumpers and side door reinforcements for cars, SUVs and pickup trucks match better is one focus of attention. Reducing the stiffness in some truck frames is also under consideration along with reducing the rollover propensity for certain SUVs. Design changes are expected to happen incrementally and may first appear as early as model year 2005. "SEMA agrees with Dr. Runge's conclusion that a voluntary approach will achieve positive results quicker than government imposed regulations," said SEMA Director of Government and Public Affairs Brian Caudill. "The manufacturers who design and build these products are in a better position to rapidly respond to safety issues." Once the interested parties agree on the changes, NHTSA may decide to transform voluntary measures into permanent regulations that apply to all automakers. SEMA will monitor any new rulemakings. CA Exhaust Noise Testing Program Slated to Begin July 1 The California Bureau of Automotive Repair (BAR) begins operating the exhaust noise-testing program in July 2003. The program is the result of a SEMA-sponsored law that requires smog check referee stations to perform exhaust noise testing. The law as it stands now took months of negotiation between California legislators, regulators and SEMA. California referee stations will issue compliance certificates for vehicles when exhaust system tests demonstrate they emit no more than 95 decibels. Only those owners who have received exhaust noise citations must submit their vehicles for testing. The law also allows courts to dismiss citations for systems that passed the test and received a certificate of compliance. SEMA is working with BAR to publicize the program and will publish a list of testing sites and other critical details as information becomes available. OFF HIGHWAY VEHICLE NEWS The Bad News: Stakeholders Express Support for Clinton Roadless Rule A group called the Forest Roads Working Group (FRWG), comprised of a few conservation, hunting, timber industry and recreation interests, recommended implementation of the Clinton-era Roadless Rule, placing 58.5 million acres of national forest land off-limits to road-building and to off-highway vehicle recreation. The regulation is currently on hold pending the outcome of several lawsuits. The Bush administration, meanwhile, is considering its own version of the rule, but any proposed changes are not expected until this summer at the earliest. The U.S. Forest Service is contacting various interested parties to develop a consensus on roadless policies. The FRWG recommended several modest changes but also suggested that the current rule play out unchanged for a few years to better identify any flaws that need correction. Clark Collins, executive director of the off-highway vehicle advocacy group BlueRibbon Coalition, expressed disappointment that the FRWG did not take into account the needs and desires of off-roaders or understand the value in motorized recreation. "We definitely have a problem with their desire to implement the rule and then have us all hope that by participating in a collaborative process afterwards that our interests will receive some consideration," said Collins. "There's legal off-highway vehicle recreation taking place in those roadless areas. For them to totally ignore off-highway-vehicle recreation as a value worth protecting in roadless areas is a basic flaw in their recommendation." Anti-OHV Access Bills: Creating Lots Of Wilderness A Little At A Time California... Legislation to designate as wilderness areas another 2.5 million acres of public land in 77 different locations across California died in the last Congress. Another bill designating 57,000 acres of California coastal areas became law in 2002. The lesson anti-access lawmakers appear to have learned is to take the piecemeal approach: Turn federal lands into wilderness areas a little at a time. These bills are a threat to the OHV enthusiast and business communities because motorized vehicles are denied access to lands designated as wilderness. Fourteen million acres of land in California already have the wilderness designation. Last year's law, the "Big Sur Wilderness and Conservation Act," added more acreage to the existing Ventana, Silver Peak or Pinnacles Wilderness areas. Now, Rep. Mike Thompson (D-CA) and Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-CA) have targeted an additional 304,000 acres of California federal lands and 21 river miles in Humboldt, Del Norte, Mendocino, Lake, Napa and Yolo counties for action in this Congress. The bills (HR 1501; S 738) were referred to the respective Resources Committees in the House and Senate. "Last year, we were able to take a critical first step by protecting California wilderness in Big Sur and Monterey," said Sen. Boxer. "This year, we have an opportunity to build on our progress." "Lawmakers haven't gotten the message yet that the off-highway vehicle hobby is also environment friendly and a contributing part of the nation's economy," countered Brian Caudill, SEMA Action Network Director. "The wilderness designation is a clumsy tool to protect lands because it automatically assumes that any motorized activity is negative. We need to educate our friends in Congress." Rep. Hilda Solis (D-CA) and Sen. Boxer are also expected to introduce similar legislation to designate additional wilderness acreage in Southern California. ... and the Northern Rockies Rep. Christopher Shays (D-CT) introduced the "Northern Rockies Ecosystem Protection Act" (HR 1105) to designate as wilderness large tracts of land in Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. The bill has more than 100 cosponsors, very few from the American West, and would allocate more than 15 million acres of land as wilderness. A House Committee awaits the Agriculture and Interior departments to comment on the merits of the bill. ... and Utah Finally, the U.S. Senate has the "America's Red Rock Wilderness Act" (S 639) to vote on. This legislation seeks to designate as wilderness 9.1 million acres of Utah land, mostly red rock canyons and rock formations in southern portions of the state. Sen. Richard Durbin (D-IL), whose home state is more than 1,000 miles from Utah, introduced this legislation. S. 639 is with the U.S. Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. The Good News: Interior Department to Limit Wilderness Lands The Department of the Interior intends to refer to a 1991 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) inventory of potential wilderness areas rather than a more generous 1996 inventory conducted by the Clinton Administration. This action would exclude from consideration millions of additional BLM acres beyond the 23 million acres identified in 1991 (unless Congress specifically directs the government to protect more land). Utah implemented the new policy after a court settlement agreement with the Interior Department that will exclude up to 3 million acres of BLM land identified in 1996 as potential wilderness. In a separate action the Interior Department also established procedures making it easier for Utah officials to claim rights of way on thousands of dirt roads that run across federal lands, most of which were created between 1866 and 1976, when federal mining law encouraged western settlement. Newly Introduced Legislation Note: The following state bills are not laws. They were recently introduced and are currently under consideration by the respective state legislatures: Emissions Colorado H.B. 1340-would authorize the air quality control commission to revise vehicle emissions budgets by using the latest federal mobile emissions guidelines. Maryland S.B. 260-would exempt qualified hybrid vehicles that get at least 50 miles per gallon from vehicle emissions and inspection requirements. New York A.B. 7474-would permit clean low emissions vehicles to use HOV lanes at any time. North Carolina S.B. 763-would establish vehicle emissions compliance standards equivalent to California's low emissions vehicle program. North Carolina S.B. 863-would create a state climate action registry to monitor greenhouse gas emissions and suggest plans for reducing them. Equipment and Inspections Connecticut H.B. 5145-would increase the fine for the sale, installation or use of exhausts systems that create excessive, unusual or unnecessary noise to $150. Louisiana S.B. 854-would require fenders at least as wide as the width of the tires. New York A.B. 7248-would require a waste tire management and recycling fee to be added to the sales price of tires sold in New York. Nevada A.B. 416-would institute biennial inspections; exempts motor vehicles three years old or newer and vehicles with less then 36,000 miles. Washington H.B. 2236-would prohibit the use of daytime running lights. Inoperable Vehicles California S.B. 315-would prohibit vehicles reported as a total loss or dismantled from being reregistered until they pass safety and emissions inspections. Maine H.B. 1002-would define "automotive graveyard" as an outdoor area used to store three or more unregistered vehicles; exempt areas used to store, organize or display hobbyist vehicles. Miscellaneous Minnesota S.B. 850-would restrict the use of off-highway vehicles on state land. Michigan H.B. 4457-would remove the requirement that the parking brake be used whenever a motor vehicle stops on a highway. Title, Tags and Registration California A.B. 477-would allow special interest license plate programs established on or before 1/1/04 to continue to operate. Minnesota H.B. 1169-would permit collector vehicles to be used for general transportation. Minnesota H.B. 1381/H.B. 1319-would define classic cars; require the establishment of an advisory committee to help designate vehicles as classic cars. Montana S.B. 118-would requires license plates be conspicuously displayed and firmly attached to the front and rear bumper. North Carolina S.B. 558-would require vehicles declared a total loss to have their titles and registration marked and that a metal plate be inserted into the door jam. MAY SAN CLUB EVENTS ARIZONA May 10, Prescott 6th Annual Rod and Custom Car Show Sponsor: Mountain Top Street Rodders Information: 928/778-6397 CALIFORNIA May 17-18, Sonoma 15th Nitro Nationals Nostalgia Drags Sponsor: Goodguys Rod and Custom Association Information: 925/838-9876 May 23-26, Stoddard Valley Hi Desert Round-Up Sponsor: California 4 Wheel Drive Association Information: 760/751-9733 May 30-June 1, Pleasanton 10th Summer Get-Together Sponsor: Goodguys Rod and Custom Association Information: 925/838-9876 CONNECTICUT May 24, Waterford Planting Day Sponsor: Connecticut MG Club Information: 860/886-2158 June 1, Windsor Locks Auto Show and Aircraft Exhibit Sponsor: Connecticut Council of Car Clubs Information: 860/623-3906 FLORIDA June 7, Pensacola Mopars at Seville Square Sponsor: Pensacola Mopar Club Information: 850/478-2153 ILLINOIS May 10, South Elgin Drive Night Sponsor: Chicagoland Buick Club Information: skelly464@msn.com MISSOURI May 23-25, Springfield 20th Annual Mid-America Street Rod Nationals Sponsor: National Street Rod Association Information: 505/763-5771 June 1, Warrenton 5th Annual Car Show Sponsor: American Roadhouse Car Club Information: 636/946-4389 PENNSYLVANIA May 25, Lahaska 2nd Annual Spring Meet Antique Auto Show Sponsor: Professional Car Society, Northeast Chapter June 1, Schnecksville All Chevy Show Sponsor: Late Great Chevy Club, East Penn Chapter Information: 215/679-2626 June 6-8, York 30th Annual Street Rod Nationals East Sponsor: National Street Rod Association Information: 303/776-7841 TEXAS May 16-18, Fredericksburg 29th Annual State Run Sponsor: Lone Star Street Rod Association Information: 936/344-8710 May 29-June 1, Clear Lake 2003 South Central Regional Convention Sponsor: Vintage Thunderbird Club Int'l. Information: 281/438-3777 WASHINGTON May 17-18, Mount Vernon Northwest Overdrive Sponsor: Studebaker Drivers Club, Puget Sound Chapter Information: 425/745-0263 May 17-18, Monroe 30th Annual Seattle Auto Swap Meet Sponsor: Early Ford V-8 Club Information: 800/645-4997 |
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| UPCOMING WORKSHOPS Alaska Funding Exchange: Grantwriting with Competitive Edge This two-day workshop contains a complete overview of the preparing a successful grant proposal. The workshop includes a textbook in addition to ongoing technical assistance. January 23-24 Grantwriting with Competitive Edge, Anchorage. Co-hosted with Alaska Public Radio Network. Register through the AFE website. February 6-7. Grantwriting with Competitive Edge, Wasilla or Palmer. Co-hosted with United Way of Mat-Su. Register through the AFE website. February 15-16, Grantwriting with Competitive Edge, Anchorage in conjunction with the Alaska Statewide Special Education Conference. Register with Arthur at arthur@thecoordinatorsinc.com. Work the Plan: Grant Management and Administration This two-day class is an overview perfect for the new staff person or the experienced grant manager. The class covers the basic of grant management including relationships with funding sources, allowable expenses and reporting requirements. Register early! This class fills up fast! April 1-2, Anchorage. Register through the AFE website. Great Mission, Community Need, But Not Enough Resources: The Challenge of Running a Small Nonprofit Organization. Presented by The Foraker Group. Tuesday, January 21, 2003 -- Ketchikan Wednesday, January 22, 2003 -- Anchorage Thursday, January 23, 2003 -- Valdez Register at ktomlinson@ak.org or call (907) 263-2092. UPCOMING FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES Deadline January 24, 2003 National Park Service - Historic Preservation Fund Grants to Indian Tribes, Alaskan Natives, and Native Hawaiian Organizations Minimum requests are for $5,000. The maximum request is $50,000 except for a maximum request of $75,000 for Category 2.B. Grants are awarded to assist federally recognized tribes in preserving and protecting their significant cultural and historic resources and traditions. The long-term goal of the program is to assist tribes in building sustainable preservation programs. Grant categories include: 1) locating and identifying cultural resources; 2) preserving a historic property listed on the National Register; 3) comprehensive preservation planning; 4) oral history and documentation of cultural traditions; and 5) education and training for building a historic preservation program. Contact:Bob Ruff: 202-354-2068, tribalgrant2001@nps.gov. Website: http://www2.cr.nps.gov/tribal/grants.htm. |
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| The National Park Service has released a report on the effect of off-road vehicle use in Alaska's national parks. Federal law and regulations generally prohibit off-road vehicle use in national parks, but use in Alaska is sometimes allowed under provisions of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act [ANILCA]. The report describes how and where off-road vehicles are used in national parks and proposes several actions. The report followed increasing observations by park staffers that off-road vehicle use is growing and some trails are deteriorating. Off-road vehicle use was reported in 13 of the 16 national park units in Alaska, and the Park Service believes use is increasing. The impacts are not thoroughly documented, but staffers considered some areas severely degraded. A copy is available on the web at http://www.nps.gov/akso/orv/orv.pdf |