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View Full Version : Another FNG! (Where's the dirt?)


DR1665
06-30-2008, 04:47 PM
Hey there! I've been seeing AZVJC decals around the valley for a while, but it was only recently that a friend informed me you guys are open to other makes showing up for meets and talking shop. Hope that's true because here I am.

What we've got:
Back in 96, I went into the local Jeep/Eagle dealership to order my new Wrangler. All I wanted was a 5-speed, hardtop and AC, but I bumped into this new Eagle Talon on the showroom floor. Multiple test drives and months of memorizing the Wrangler brochure went right out the window. Almost 12 years later, I still have the Talon, but I still adore the Wrangler and I find myself checking out every one of them I see on the road.

My wife owns a 99 Isuzu Amigo. Its the V6 4x4 and pretty much stock. I don't think she's interested in any kind of SAS or hardcore trail running right now, but I do my homework on PlanetIsuzoo.com to make sure it's always running right. From time to time, the 'Migo has served as our service rig, carting us up and out of the roadway so Vanessa can photograph rally cars flying past at speed out in the desert. It's a nice rig and we're hoping to meet up with some of the locals to learn more about what it can (and can't) do.

My currently down project is a 91 Mitsubishi Galant VR4 which I'm slowly building into a rally car. Tarmac is for wienies if you ask me, so while the GVR4 isn't much for crawling over and around, it's my turbocharged, all wheel drive weapon of choice for Arizona's "Primitive" roads.

Why I'm here:
There's only a couple "local" Isuzu guys that I've spotted on PlanetIsuzoo, but word is that, if you want to put the pavement behind you, AZVJC is the place to be. I'm also hoping to get some insight from members with regards to places where people who like to drive cars on dirt might find places to do so.

As a member of the regional rally community, I am familiar with the concerns we all have with the hippies wanting to lock us out of as much of the countryside as possible, while severely limiting the freedom to enjoy what little they leave for us. Tread Lightly and respect for the environment where we play is paramount to our continued use of locations and trails.

With that in mind, would any of you be able to point me to anything like a dry lake bed where a smaller number of people in cars might be able to set up some cones and get a little sideways on occasion? Meticulously guiding your rig up and over whatsoever might get in your way is something I hope to experience before too long, but for right now, I have this addiction to opposite lock throttle steer on silt. To race down narrow public roads at high speed is not only illegal, it's dangerous as hell. If there are any suggestions for wide open spaces we might consider playing where we won't disrupt the environment or otherwise injure the reputation of the OHV community in Arizona, I'd love to know about it!

Hope to get out there and see what's beyond the horizon from the highway!

Thanks for the read!

EDIT: Pictarz.

The 'Migo - Way back up and off Hovatter during the Desert Storm Rally.
http://www.dr1665.com/gallery/main.php?g2_view=core.DownloadItem&g2_itemId=372&g2_serialNumber=1

The Galant - Rallycross out in Johnson Valley, CA.
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/209/499566173_92ca42535c_o.jpg

arczech
06-30-2008, 05:16 PM
Wow I do not know what to say.
Welcome here and hope you get the info you deserve.

DR1665
07-01-2008, 03:18 PM
Thanks! Appreciate the welcome.

Maybe I was bit too winded...

BushDawg
07-01-2008, 03:50 PM
.

Fire Ball
07-01-2008, 04:50 PM
Not much dirt driving around here due to dust concerns. Maricopa county even has no OHV days durring high polution days. Good thing we are a bunch of rock hounds :D

My Green Jeep
07-01-2008, 05:36 PM
Welcome to the jungle :aagh:
glad to have you with us...

ummm... its too dusty around here for hot rodding down the
washes... sorry :)

HvyHau8272
07-01-2008, 09:58 PM
Welcome to da club....Wow I think the EPA and ADAQ would love that 2nd picture.

On a method 9 (Opacity) scale it's about an 100+ .......FAIL. :pinch:

Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales
07-02-2008, 07:52 AM
Welcome, Buy a jeep...you will have more places to go!!

Just kidding, I am sure the amigo does fine!

Jason