Lightfoot Forms Cluba To Help Kids Tread Lightly
With the rise of motorized vehicle use among youth, the nonprofit Tread Lightly! and its squirrel mascot Lightfoot have introduced a free "Lightfoot's Kids Club" to help kids minimize their impact on the outdoors. Club members will receive periodic e-mails from Lightfoot with fun activities and tips on playing responsibly outdoors.
"Kids aren't just hiking and camping; they're biking, riding ATVs, and driving motorcycles," says Lori McCullough, Tread Lightly!'s executive director. "This group is the future of recreation, and we want to make sure the next generation learns early on how to tread lightly on the environment."
For more information, go to www.treadlightlykids.org.
Save Our Off-Road Lands
At its August 18, 2006, meeting, the California State Public Works Board (PWB) approved the purchase of a piece of property located northeast of the Ocotillo Wells State Vehicular Recreation Area (OWSVRA) known as Truckhaven/The Freeman Property or Desert Cahuilla. The Truckhaven area has historically been used as a family OHV recreation area. Also, the four-wheel-drive club Tierra Del Sol has held its annual Jeep Safari there for the past 44 years. John Stewart, resource consultant for the California Association of 4WD Clubs, states, "We are pleased with the actions taken by the PWB today and look forward to continued recreation opportunities in the future."
California's Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) should take ownership of the property in early September. The next step to be taken by DPR is to follow the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) process and form a general plan for the area.
Funds for this acquisition came from the federal government and the OHV Trust Fund. As a result, the future management of the property will likely be a partnership between Anza Borrego State Park and the OWSVRA. The final decision on how the property is managed will be a result of the CEQA process and the process used by the DPR to create its management plans. Both processes rely heavily on public input. In the interim, while an official management plan is created for the property, the DPR has agreed to protect the sensitive ecological and cultural areas, while at the same time respecting the property's historic recreation value. "The off-road community understands the value of both the cultural and ecologic resources located on this property. We intend to help the state ensure the protection of those resources," says Fred Wiley, executive director of the Off-Road Business Association (ORBA).
For more information, log on to ORBA's website, www.orba.biz.
A Welder's Web
Come along for the ride! Automotive enthusiasts and fabricators will be elated to hear that Miller Electric Mfg. Co. has rolled out a redesigned motorsports website specifically for gearheads. The site offers an extensive community forum and insight on welding topics and products across the motorsports industry from NASCAR and street rods to choppers, off-road, and drag racing. Enthusiasts are invited to browse topics such as "Who Uses Blue" and "In The News." Learn welding techniques from the pros or share your own by participating on the popular "Ask Andy Message Board." For more information, visit www.millerwelds.com/motorsports.
Money For Mud And Madness
Pit Bull Tires is proud to announce its official TRUCK OFF! #1 Home Video contest. U.S. and Canadian (some restrictions apply) recreational and professional off-roaders are invited to mail in DVDs of their most outrageous and funniest off-roading moments. Pit Bull will review the clips and the top three chosen will be posted on the company's website to be voted on by the off-road community starting March 1, 2007 (midnight CST), and ending March 31, 2007 (midnight CST). The final day for submitting an entry is Friday, February 2, 2007, which means Pit Bull must receive your entry during normal business hours (8 to 5 p.m. CST) by Friday, February 2, 2007.
With a First Place prize of $2,500, you need to break out that video camera and get wheeling! For more information, check out Pit Bull Tires' website, www.pitbulltires.com/contest.php.
Need A Little Advice?
Are you looking for a place on the Internet where you can talk with fellow enthusiasts about anything from spark plugs to your favorite local racer? Autolite has recently launched Man Tips Garage, and it might be just what you're looking for. The online blog allows you to read numerous tips from auto enthusiasts all around the world as well as hear from the experts. Users can comment on any of the tips and get feedback from others. For more information, log on to Man Tips Garage at www.mantipsgarage.com.
SnugTop Proves Better Fuel EconomyAs gas prices hover around $3 a gallon, pickup truck sales are continuing to suffer. In July 2006, only 269,134 light-duty pickups (GVWR classes 1-3) were sold in the United States, a sharp decline (35 percent) compared to the 412,563 pickups sold in July of last year. Specialty-equipment tonneau cover and cap manufacturers have often wondered whether their products, once installed on a pickup truck, have the ability to improve fuel economy. SnugTop, a manufacturer of tonneau covers and bed caps, conducted before-and-after fuel economy tests of its products installed on three different pickup truck models to measure any changes to gas consumption and found that, according to its methodology, SnugTop's products appear to improve fuel economy.
According to Bill Holland, president of Holland Communications, SnugTop's public relations agency that headed the study, the idea was, in part, a result of positive feedback from customers: "One thing that prompted this is that SnugTop gets back hundreds of warranty registration cards and in the 'customer comments' section there are occasional buyers who write about their fuel economy gains," says Holland.
To learn more about the study and view the test results, check out www.snugtop.com.