Johnson Valley CleanupThe staff of 4 Wheel Drive & Sport Utility magazine, along with its magazine brethren Off-Road, 4 Wheel & Off-Road, Four Wheeler, and JP, will descend upon the California desert January 8 to host the First Annual Johnson Valley Cleanup. The event is designed to give something back to the off-highway vehicle area we use on the most consistent basis by collecting litter and illegally dumped items and raising awareness of the "pack it in, pack it out" mantra. A number of sponsors, including All-Pro Off-Road, Donohoe Racing, Currie Enterprises, Full-Traction Suspension, Calmini Manufacturing, and DriveTrain Direct, will be on board with the effort, not only donating time and manpower, but also an array of 4WD products for an evening raffle. Preregistered participants will also be eligible for a special early-bird drawing. Food and beverages will be provided throughout the day for all those attending, as will an evening barbeque and live entertainment. The Johnson Valley Cleanup will begin at 7 a.m. January 8 at Soggy Dry Lake, located off Bessemer Mine Road in the Johnson Valley OHV area. For more information, contact: Amber Pierce, (714) 939-2580, amber.pierce@primedia.com. Register online at www.4wdandsportutility.com.
2004 Off Road Expo a HitHeld September 15 at the Fairplex in Pomona, California, the Off Road Expo celebrated its fifth consecutive year of events with its largest show to date. Attracting more than 250 exhibitors spread out over more than 8 acres, the Expo drew more than 40,000 enthusiasts to see the latest and greatest in off-road and 4x4-related products. The show also served as a launching pad for Dust to Glory, the highly anticipated Dana Brown film documenting the annual running of the SCORE Baja 1000. The film's director and producers were on hand to discuss the making of the film and show special clips as a way of introduction. SCORE President Sal Fish was also present to conduct the drawing for starting positions for the 37th Annual Tecate/ SCORE Baja 1000. The 2004 Off Road Expo featured a number of raffles, including the Baja 1000 Racer's Raffle presented by Baja Pits and Locos Mocos, as well as offerings from Checkers and Goodyear. A freestyle motocross demonstration took place throughout the day as attendees ventured around the fairgrounds, witnessing innumerable display vehicles ranging from hard-core desert-racing Trophy Trucks and competition rockcrawlers to mildly, yet pristinely, built trail machines. For information about the 2005 event, contact: Off Road Expo, (626) 599-8622, www.offroadexpo.com.
CA4WDC 2005 Convention SweepstakesIt's that time of year again, when the California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs gets together for its annual convention. That means it's also time for another sweepstakes. Changing from its usual give-away vehicle selection, the association will present an '04 Jeep Liberty 4x4 to one lucky winner on February 5 at the convention in Visalia, California. Winners need not be present to win. Other sweepstakes offerings include a Premier Power Welder, a Super Liner spray-in bedliner from Jones Collision Center, and a Pull-Pal self-recovery system. Purchased in conjunction with Magnussen's Dodge and Jeep in Auburn, California, the Liberty is offered as the grand prize and includes a factory warranty and many aftermarket accessories, including Daystar and Rancho suspensions, a Warn 8000i winch, BFG All-Terrains, an Advance Adapters slip-yoke eliminator, a Truetrac limited-slip differential, a Wilderness Roof Rack from Garvin Industries, a Boulder Bars front bumper, IPF driving lights and an ARB portable compressor, Tom Woods custom driveshafts, American Racing wheels, a Borla exhaust, and much more. The winner will also receive a one-year memberships to CORVA, the UFWDA, the Blue Ribbon Coalition, and Friends of Oceano Dunes. Tickets can be purchased for $2 each by contacting CA4WDC [(800) 494-3866, www.cal4wheel.com]. You can also purchase tickets by sending a self-addressed and stamped envelope to Wade Ferguson, P.O. Box 877, Hanford, CA 93232.
Goodyear OE Tires Rank HighServing as the OE tire fitment on many SUVs, light trucks, and fullsize vans, Goodyear Tires received the highest customer-satisfaction ranking among buyers in the U.S., according to J.D. Power and Associates' 2004 Original Equipment Tire Satisfaction Study. Goodyear tires are original equipment on many vehicles from Acura, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, GMC, Honda, Infiniti, Isuzu, Jeep, Land Rover, Lexus, Mazda, Mercury, Nissan, and Toyota. Larry Mason, president of consumer tires for Goodyear's North American tire division, stated, "This is further verification that Goodyear is following through on its plan to lead the tire industry in technology and innovation. We have spoken of product leadership and quality as among the core strategies guiding Goodyear's business turnaround, and this achievement is reflective of that focus." For more information about Goodyear, check out www.goodyear.com.