MESA 4 WHEELERS HORN NEWSLETTER JUNE 2014 Mesa 4 Wheelers, PO Box 107, Mesa AZ 85201 http://mesa4wheelers.com MESA 4 WHEELERS STAFF President Lee Coppage 623-695-4583 Vice President Amy Mihailov 602-810-7226 Secretary Pat Jenkins 480-834-0517 Treasurer Ray Jenkins 480-834-0517 Corres. Secretary Steve Ezzyk 480-629-4054 Membership Lori Moore 480-924-9287 REMEMBER WHEN? 30 years ago Editor Mike Drawsky 480-502-9507 June 1984, M4W 30 years ago... Remembrance Gert Leible 623-869-8434 Trophies Clete Hruska 623-695-4583 “Steak fry” Pumpkin Center to Sunflower Safety Chairman Nate VanKeuren 480-836-1926 It all started in our little Club paper, the Horn, which stated Publicity OPEN there was a trip planned by our now famous aerial navigator, Next Meeting Mr. Gary Keller. June 20, 2014 Well, let me say, it all started this way, being a little behind Third Friday of every month, 7:30 PM. schedule, I was driving towards Pumpkin Center, our meeting NEW LOCATION: Chapman Scottsdale Autoplex Jeep place, when just past Sunflower, I met the Morehouses going 6601 E, McDowell Rd the wrong direction. Giving a shout on the CB, I advised them PRESIDENT'S CORNER to follow me to the turn off and on into Pumpkin Center. Hello all, Arriving as we did, we all headed out a bit dubious of our trip leader. Boy, we were in for a surprise! We traveled up the side Wishing all the Dads out there a Happy Father's Day!!! of a huge hill up and over Reno Pass. What a beautiful view and some very pretty country. Once we reached the saddle of Sitting here on Father's Day I was thinking how we as a club Reno Pass, we took a mysterious route, which our fearless could we really make a difference in the community around us. President (Willard Kodatt), said would end up at a heli pad, Maybe we can get to know some of the clubs around the valley which it did.We then backtracked to our original road and to see where or how we can help out. What do you all think of headed down into Sunflower arriving at a cool area with big that idea? Are there any community help projects which we cotton wood trees. We settled into a routine of preparing steaks could help out? Just trying to think of a way we as a club can and chicken and our always-wonderful pass around. We had make a difference! If you have an idea let me know or come to an excellent meal and lots of laughs as we all had fun picking the meeting and bring it up to the club. on Keller for really leading a trip; one that actually started at Well we here in the desert are now firmly in the heat of the one point and ended at another. Gary, this was an excellent summer! We need some people to lead some runs that could trip and well chosen for the heat of our valley. What a relief to be a steak fry run, a run up on the rim in the cool country (For get out of town and ride along among the pine trees. Hats off maybe an overnighter!!!) or even a meet up for beer and brats, Gary, now we expect more trips like this one. Maybe if I keep just a thought on that one. We will also need someone to step bugging Pat and Ray they will learn to show up on time so they to the plate to host the Ice Cream Social in August or too can enjoy some beautiful scenery instead of just meeting September. I hope we will have volunteers for all of these. us at the end of the trip for the meal!
See you out on the trail, Hope everyone had as much fun as Brian (Gary’s son) and I had. Brian told me he wanted to feel like he was a four- wheeler so he left his Dad’s Bronco for a ride in a good old CJ.
Thanks, Gary and Dean, Lets do it again! Signed Hec Ramsey
Lee Coppage (Lonewolf) President
Ray Jenkins IN MEMORY OF LEONARD (DOC) STAFF On May 13, 2014, the Mesa 4 Wheelers lost their oldest and most loyal member, Doc Staff.
Doc was an inspiration to us all.His long time devotion to the club was admired by everyone and is one the reasons why the Mesa 4 Wheelers have the desire to carry on in his honor.
Nate took a break from the cleanup to sit with Doc and shared in the pleasure of the cool February weather.
This photo of Doc was taken during our 2013 Adopt-A-Ranch Cleanup. After the cleanup the club did a videotaped interview of Doc's 46 years as a Mesa 4-Wheeler. (To view the video go to: www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7INjD7q3Mo)
The club's longest active members Ray and Pat (42 years) and Doc was presented an appreciation plaque from Troy Doc (46 years), pose for a photo at the end of the 2013 Adopt- Christenson of Game & Fish, thanking him for his 20 plus years A-Ranch Cleanup of service to the Adopt-A-Ranch program. To the right, is the owner of J-Bar Ranch, John Fowler. IN MEMORY OF LEONARD (Continued)
A birthday cake with the names of some of Doc's favorite trails.
Doc, 2008 Adopt-A-Ranch Cleanup
Happy 89th birthday Doc, October, 2009
In 2009, to commemorate Doc's 89th birthday and 40+ years as a member of the Mesa 4 Wheelers, President, Darrel Wallace presented Doc with a personalized camp chair, club shirt and honorary award certificate. With help from members, Mike Drawsky gathered together photos and stories of Doc's life in the club, and placed them in this photo album. IN MEMORY OF LEONARD (Continued)
Doc & Mike enjoyed dinner together at the 43rd annual M4W Fun Days, 2010. This year the event was held off Cottonwood Doc enjoyed a lunch break, while riding with Mike on Upper Canyon Road, at John Fowler's "Two Flying Cowboys" ranch, Woodpecker , the 2010 Fun Days, Sunday main run. near Florence.
Doc scarfed down Walter & Gert's gourmet dinner.
2010 Mesa 4-Wheelers Fun Days Dinner Menu 2010 turned out to be Doc's last Fun Days. Free range chicken breast infused with rosemary, Grilled over Mesquite, drizzled w/extra Virgin California olive oil
Fusilli pasta with Italian sausage In fresh marinara sauce, baked and finished w/parmesan cheese
Homemade meat loaf with mushroom sauce and mashed potatoes
Castle Hot Springs, October 2011. Standing next to Doc is Jean, the caretaker, who was kind enough to share historical photos of the resort in its heyday. IN MEMORY OF LEONARD (Continued)
Doc participated in the club's annual Log Corral run, 1975. From Castle Hot Springs, Mike and Doc led the group through (Notice back then that the corral was intact.) Minnehaha Flats, along Wagoneer Road, north to the Senator Highway then east to the town of Crown King.
Doc waited patiently while Mike went into the Crown King store to buy two ice cream cones.
Doc, at the 1996 Lost Dutchman Days, with banners announcing the dedication of the first section of trail (Bulldog Canyon) to be made part of the Great Western Trail.
The first Lost Dutchman Days were held in 1965, the same year M4W officially became a club.
Doc on a club run through the Apache Indian Reservation in the early 1970's. IN MEMORY OF LEONARD (Continued)
Doc's 2012 Snow Run at Milk Ranch Point on the Mogollon Rim.
Doc's 2012 Annual Snow Run. He had just finished breakfast at the Strawberry Lodge Inn. This would be Doc's last snow run and the lodge's last year in business.
This photo was taken in August 1973, filling up for a club run to Canyon de Chelly over Labor Day weekend.
Wendi chatted with Doc while taking in the view along Milk Ranch Point on the Mogollon Rim. IN MEMORY OF LEONARD (Continued) TRIP REPORTS Wickenburg Scenic Run Trip Leader: Lee & Bev Coppage Date: May 17, 2014 Members in attendance: Trip leader: Lee & Bev Coppage, John & Hazel Hart & Mike Drawsky. Guests in attendance: Becky Antle & Rheal Tetreault, and Malcolm & June Leslie
John, Hazel and Mike met up with our trip leaders, Lee & Bev at around 9AM at the McDonald's in Wickenburg. After a couple of breakfast Mc Muffins and Burritos, we were ready to hit the trail! for the day's itinerary, a short 2 hour run up the Hassayampa River (Destination, Box Canyon), then meet up with Ray and Pat at the ASA4WDC Quarterly Meeting, in Wickenburg at around 1:00.
Following Rincon Road and Scenic Loop Road, we arrive at the Hassayampa riverbed, just a 15-minute drive away.
M4W 2013 Annual Christmas Party Doc displayed his flashlight and lantern he picked up during the "Gift Exchange"
Debra & Darrel Wallace presented Doc with this quilt that Debra made for him from photos taken during his 46 years as a Mesa 4 Wheeler.
"The Box", Hassayampa River
After airing down, for a smoother ride and better traction in the sand, we headed up river to a spot on our topo map identified as "Box Canyon".
Knowing this would be Doc's last M4W event everyone gathered together for this 2013 Christmas photo. Wickenburg Scenic Run (Continued)
In "Box Canyon" the waters of the Hassayampa appear for the first time.
Hazel shot a photo of their TJ Rubicon after it successfully got them across the 2 1/2 foot deep water hole!
When Lee & Bev started making their way across this water hole, no one imagined it would turn out to be this deep!
Next, it was John & Hazel's turn to brave this deep water hole! By their hesitation and expression of concern on their faces, it looked as though this was their first deep water crossing experience.
After an hour playing in the Hassayampa River, we headed back to Wickenburg for lunch before attending the ASA4WDC quarterly meeting. With limited knowledge of what restaurants served the best food, we took a chance on the Mecca Sports Bar & Grill. Wickenburg Scenic Run (Continued)
After the meeting, Lee & Bev offered to lead an evening run, back through "Box Canyon". Taking them up on the offer were Pat & Ray, Becky & Rheal, Malcolm & June and Mike. We all ordered a burger with different toppings and they were all quite tasty! The service was good too! We will be back!
Entering "Box Canyon" late in the day, made it the right time to catch mountain goats enjoying an evening meal. Chatting with Pat, during a 10 minute break. Because we were enjoying our lunch so much, and were not exactly sure where the meeting was taking place we arrived at the ASA4WDC quarterly about 45 minutes later than planned.
Box Canyon, seemed to be a popular evening hang out for the young local 4-wheeler's. There were about a dozen vehicles parked at the entrance to the deep water hole crossing. Here, Lee was making his third crossing of the day.
Ray and Pat made the right decision not to drive their stock On the right, directing the meeting was ASA4WDC President 2014 Jeep Cherokee across this deep water hole. Instead, they and Environmental/Legislative Advocate Becky Antle. Taking decided to wait there while we made a quick run up and back down the minutes, ASA4WDC Secretary and Wheeldust Editor through the 1/2 mile long canyon. Joan Beck. Becky & Rheal with the Tuscan Rough Riders, and Joan & Phil with the Bullhead 4 Wheelers, attended M4W's "Thanksgiving in Death Valley" run last year. It was pleasure to meet up with them again. Wickenburg Scenic Run (Continued)
Consecutive shots of Malcolm & June's, TJ Rubicon Unlimited The kids were playing in the water wanted us to make waves as we crossed, so Becky and Rheal in their CJ7 obliged them!
Consecutive shots of Malcolm & June's, TJ Rubicon Unlimited Malcolm & June, members of the Tuscan Rough Riders, created the biggest wake and the kids loveed it!
Lee & Bev slowed down a bit to take in the beauty of the Canyon.
Consecutive shots of Malcolm & June's, TJ Rubicon Unlimited, as it raced through the shallower pools in Box Canyon. Wickenburg Scenic Run (Continued) MEMBERS TRIPS & EVENTS Hi Mike, thought I’d give you a 4x4 update. As I mentioned the Rubicon is on July 15th. I have now signed up for Fordyce Creek run with Sierra Trek group. My club here is cooking breakfast for the gang so we get a huge discount, preferred camping spots and are doing the creek run backwards (not in reverse,...haha) from Meadow Lake (camp area) to the creek then back. I am a bit worried as some of the winch hills (now 5 of them) are impossible for me. There are by passes but several I have been told are worse than the hill itself. Experienced folks have mentioned that Sierra Trek goes in and really fills gaps and holes with rocks in preparation for the event. Also they have “professional” spotters all along and 4x4 vehicles with winches stationed at close intervals. We’ll see. I do recall being nervous about the Rubicon (before Shortly after passing through Box Canyon Lee & Bev turned us we ran it) but now am just plain excited and looking forward to around and lead us back through one more time. the fun. With the Terra 4-1 low and rear locker daunting areas 2.5 years ago should be much less.....daunting.
Here is the really great news. Our local club has been given permission to build an off road course of our design to be used for skills challenges and machine testing. The area is mountainous and deeply wooded with huge lava boulder piles, slick rock faces and modest grades. Also, a small creek and nearby lake. We have roughly laid out a course about .5 miles with several bail out areas leading to a very close road. The plan is to have it open to all, a beginner portion becoming more challenging finally ending with a very tough section then a gentle return to the road. It can be done both ways as well. Construction (by hand and the club) begins today. The first chore is winching fallen trees and trimming up branches. Small boulders and rocks will be moved to fill in very low areas and the “easy” section hand groomed. The tough part, unsure, Next it was Becky & Rheal's turn to make some waves! depends on what everyone wants.
Take care.....
Steve Fleming
STEVE'S UPDATE ON NEW OFF ROAD COURSE
Today, Dad’s Day we did a run and more work on our new trail....Actually it is a creek bed with small doable rocks, boulders, etc. at first, then growing into monsters as the creek climbs up a deep canyon. My YJ is quickly out matched and I bail to an old haul road where Maggie and I found a terrific field of lava boulders, round and smooth to play on.
The pics attached are the beginning of the creek’s “Kick Butt” spots and it just gets worse. The crawler is a Toyota pickup Just before the sun was about to set, Mike gathered our guests (hardly) and it does amazing things. Mark Pince would love this from the Arizona State Association together for a group photo. place as would most of our club members....So different from AZ desert runs. For one thing real dirty !!!! The dirt up here is Thank you Lee and Bev for volunteering to lead this dirt !!!!! Wickenburg Scenic run twice in the same day. Your last minute decision to lead members of ASA4WDC on an evening run Steve Fleming through Box Canyon was very thoughtful and well appreciated! STEVE'S NEW OFF ROAD COURSE PHOTOS
FUTURE TRIPS & EVENTS Payson Run Trip Leader's: Darrel & Debra Wallace Where: Payson . Meet: 8:00 @ Tiny's Restaurant 600 Hwy.260 in Payson Pullout: 9:00 Details: (TO FOLLOW) Rating:
OFF-ROAD MOTORSPORTS HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES The Off-Road Motorsports Hall of Fame (ORMHOF) announces today the 2014 Class of Inductees. Del Albright, David Ashley, Marty Fiolka, the late Nye Frank, and Bill Sanders will have their names added to the venerable list of those who have committed their lives to the off-road community. The five Inductees' widespread accomplishments cover a number of arenas in the sport including off-road racing, and acting as pioneers of the industry, journalism and advocacy. Their legacies will be celebrated and displayed for the public, in Gallery Four within the famed National Automobile Museum - the Harrah Collection- located in Reno, Nevada. They join names synonymous with the sport including Parnelli Jones, Malcolm Smith, Rob MacCachren, Larry Roeseler, Walker Evans, and Rod Hall, as well as many others who have worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make the sport prosper and grow. The Induction Class was chosen by an eighteen-member voting panel on the basis of significant contribution to off-road motorsports- beyond wins and sport affiliation. All nominees must have at least fifteen years of experience and involvement, as well as have built, designed, driven, maintained, owned, prepared, piloted, promoted, or ridden an off-road vehicle or supported the off-road industry. They are characterized by their desire to win, the mastery of their field, and their courage to innovate. Each Inductee has made a significant contribution to off-road motorsports in at least one of the following aspects: Business, History, Design, Engineering, Prestige of the Sport, and/or Growth of the Sport. HALL OF FAME INDUCTEES (Continued) celebrate the sport. This year's Induction Ceremonies will introduce a new venue, Nye Frank's successful career as a designer and car builder as the Inductees will be honored Sunday, November 2, 2014 in proved that he had a unique and comprehensive understanding Las Vegas, Nevada at the South Point Hotel and Casino. For of performance -from conception to completion- of not only further information, visit the ORMHOF website: vehicle development, but also the planning and strategy www.ormhof.org or email at [email protected]. needed to win races. His work with shock absorbers in the BIOS 80's was far ahead of its time. He is best known for his innovative use of air shocks with the Mazda program in Mickey Del Albright has shared 33 years of wisdom, knowledge of Thompson Entertainment Group and later with Rob leadership, and supervision to help keep public lands open to MacCachren in SODA and CORR. Many of the concepts Nye the public. He has spent time working on trails, attending created have now been adopted by the industry, such as his meetings, writing letters, joining and starting organizations, and approach to suspension tuning and the relationship between meeting with legislators to effectively save access to public springs and shocks to form a complete suspension. He also lands. While he is known for doing all of these things, in designed and built a Pro4 truck for MacCachren with an addition to being the ambassador for the Blue Ribbon Coalition, unheard of and unconventional four corner air-shock system; his most significant contribution to off-road motorsports sets the team was so dominating that CORR outlawed the him apart from others in land-use because he educates and suspension, after MacCachren's team captured three mentors the OHV community. His extensive background in consecutive Borg Warner trophies and several season leadership, supervision, and management has allowed him to championships. Nye was drawn to off-road racing because of mentor many other land-use advocates through Recreational the lack of overbearing rules that suffocate many forms of Leadership Training courses, as well as Volunteer Leader and traditional racing. He led the way in new concepts in all Land Stewardship classes. Del has also mentored smaller aspects of the sport. groups, such as 4x4 clubs, as well as "Friends of" organizations that have modeled themselves after the Friends Bill Sanders was one of the original editors of Four Wheeler of the Rubicon, which Del was a principal founder of many Magazine; he lifted the sport from obscurity to the public years ago. recognition, by faithfully covering nearly every off-road race of significance from Baja to Las Vegas. When it came to the David Ashley as been engaged in off-road motorsports for 43 building of the industry, Bill and Four Wheeler offered story years. He has successfully raced motorcycles, buggies, off- after story on manufacturers struggling to gain recognition. He road trucks, and stadium vehicles. His career started as a worked on the human interest aspect as well, by doing feature young man, when he won a gold medal for the United States articles on the drivers who engaged in the major races, and (and his Yamaha sponsor), in the Six Day Trials in Austria. At promoting many who are now fellow ORMHOF Inductees. age 18, Dave was involved in a tragic head-on collision that Besides being involved with the monthly magazine, Sanders ended in a fatality. This accident inspired Dave to vow to make took time to become a real off-road racer. He was able to find off-road racing a safer sport. In his pursuit of safety, he chaired help to build a Toyota FJ, which he ran in the 1973 Mexican the drivers' safety meetings for many of his races, as well as 1000 resulting in a Class 3 victory; it was the first Toyota worked with race promoters to avoid hidden hazards. He also vehicle to win in the Baja. Bill helped to grow off-road worked with many less experienced drivers, sharing techniques motorsports into a sport with worldwide recognition during the to avoid problems. Dave took his passion for safety to vehicle early years of off-road racing, and provided a place for those manufacturers and, for the last 22 years, he has worked with who were also supporting the sport to showcase their work. the transmission, safety, engine, chassis development, motorsports and special vehicle teams of Ford Motor 2014 Induction Ceremony Company, as a consultant in their testing, research, and "Celebrate the past. Be part of the future." development efforts. Dave's current assignments include: test- driving for the Safety Rollover Airbag Sensor team, building the ORMHOF is proud to announce that this year's Ceremony will Raptor Race Vehicle for international competition, and working take place at a new venue, on a new date. Please contact for Roush, as the manager for Ford Off-Road Track Safety. Shelby Hall to find out more, [email protected] Marty Fiolka's involvement in off-road motorsports Event Info demonstrates a broad reach with his ability to intermix public Sunday, November 2, 2014 relations, marketing, journalism, broadcasting and other South Point Hotel expertise into one effective representation for the off-road 9777 S Las Vegas Blvd industry. Marty is well known for his ability to perform Las Vegas, NV 89183 extensive research, publishing his first book "1000 Miles to Glory", and writing countless articles for Dirt Sports magazine. Our Sponsors: He was also the Associate Producer for the movie Dust to Jackson Motorsports Group Glory and now Executive Producer for the Baja Social Club. 4 Wheel & Off Road He has been instrumental in preserving the history of the sport, National Automobile Museum in many areas like organizing a parade of historic race vehicles VORRA from Tijuana to Ensenada as part of the 40th Anniversary of 4 Wheel Drive Magazine the Baja 1000; helping to re-launch the legendary Meyers Rod Hall Events Manx, and supporting Mr. Meyers to race his final race in 2014; BFGoodrich and growing the new NORRA vintage rally movement. Marty Fox Racing Shox continues to build an off-road motorsports legacy, with a Lucas Oil Motorsports number of ongoing projects that will further document and Glen Helen Raceway REFRESHMENTS ARTICLE AND SUBSCRIPTION June Kevin & Diana Losey INFORMATION Darrel & Debra Wallace Articles will be accepted through the mail on disk or CDs in the same format. Articles or other submissions to the Mesa 4- July Wheeler Horn should be sent by e-mail or as enclosure in Ray & Pat Jenkins Word format. Jim & Wendi Kawa Send to Editor: Mike Drawsky BIRTHDAYS BUSINESS ADVERTISING June 6/18 Linda Drawsky
July 7/2 Jeri Liberman 7/19 Rory Moore CLUB ANNIVERSARIES Steve & Maggie Fleming 6/09 MESA 4 WHEELERS WEBSITE
To log onto the M4W website go to: http://mesa4wheelers.com What you will find on our new website: Photo Gallery (Club Runs & Events) Club Information (About Us, FAQ, Membership, Newsletters, Links) Desert Rat Locations Calendar (Posted Runs & Events) Forum (General Category, Travels, Marketplace) Contact Us (Contact form for new members) ITEMS FOR SALE M4W Flag $15.00 M4W Vehicle Plate $25.00 M4W 5” & 7” Logos $2.00 M4W Banners $5.00 State Decals $2.00 M4W Arm Patches $0.50 MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION Regular membership is $50.00. Regular members must attend minimum events and meetings. $25.00 for life members and $60.00 for associate members (no restrictions) Yearly membership dues are due in March. An additional $5.00 reinstatement fee will be charged if dues are not received by April meeting. THE MOST-EXPERIENCED HOOD LOUVER First time membership fees will be prorated based on the COMPANY IN THE WORLD! number of months remaining. www.HoodLouvers.com Ray Jenkins BUSINESS ADVERTISING