VOLUME 06.02.08 THE CLUB, INC. ® 2 AZIMUTH Club News CONTENTS 5 President’s Message

M AY 2008 6 Club News

8 HOPE: Australia

9 HOPE: From Behind The Lines

10 Do You Have HOPE? Land Use Advocacy

12 The Collaborative Process Event Information

14 2008 Event Schedule & Announcements

Features 16 The Texas Hummer Adventure 2008

18 Team Hummer

24 Dealer Kudos

25 Silver Lake Clean-up

26 It Had To Be A HUMMER!

28 The Missouri Boys

Tech Tip 30 Wheel Alignment Check

COVER PHOTOGRAPH PROVIDED By Trackside Photo To see more great racing images,visit www.tracksidephoto.com

AZIMUTH 1 Club Directors Marshall Henderson Glen Peck President Chief Financial Officer 289 Rolling Hill Road [email protected] Mooresville, NC 28117 704-663-6510 (home) Mike Morris 704-309-9427 (cellular) Director – HOPE Program [email protected] PO Box 2288 South Bend, IN 46680 Bob DeVore 2500 Green Tech Drive Events - Co-Chair South Bend, IN 46613 8390 Cappy Lane 574-232-6000 (work) Swartz Creek, MI 48473 [email protected] 810-691-5087 [email protected] Rick Grucz Director David LaMarca 6446 Sober Rd. Events - Co-Chair Fowlerville, MI 48836 404-932-4701 (home) 517-223-4885 (home) [email protected] 517-223-8551 (fax) [email protected] Sam Wallis Secretary 8140 Rock Elm Road Fort Worth, TX 76262 817-994-7056 [email protected]

2 AZIMUTH The HUMMER Club, Inc. is a non-profit mutual benefit corporation organized under the California Nonprofit Mutual Benefit Corporation Law. We are a national organization dedicated to promoting the safe use of the HUMMER in a family oriented atmosphere. We emphasize responsible four-wheeling and are serious about safety and environmentally correct off-roading. We encour- age our members to be active in land use advocacy and community service and to use both vehicles and land resources safely along the guidelines set forth by Tread Lightly! and the United Four Wheel Drive Association. Both regional and national events run by member volunteers are sponsored throughout the year where members can drive trails with levels of difficulty ranging from moderate to extreme. These events, our website and the publication of a quarterly magazine also offer an opportunity for exchange of information to develop a better understanding of Photograph of Barnwell Texas Event the HUMMER vehicle and its safe use. As the only recognized national HUMMER orga- nization, the Club enjoys excellent relationships with AM General and HUMMER/ Corporation and frequently has factory technicians and parts support at major events. The Club welcomes all HUMMER vehicles. It is a strong, established organization that will only get better with your help. Join in, support the HUMMER Club. With your participation, the Club will contin- ue to grow for the benefit of HUMMER owners. H

©Copyright 2008 - The HUMMER Club Inc.

All Rights Reserved for all original material herein. HUMMER trademarks used with the written permission of General Motors.

For membership information visit www.thehummerclubinc.com

For Advertising information contact Sean Hunter at The Field Group (800) 446-4718.

Azimuth is designed by: The Field Group 1402 West Yakima Ave. • Suite 102 Yakima, WA 98902

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For permissions and reprints of this magazine, contact The Field Group.

AZIMUTH 3 Photo courtesy of the Midwest Hummer Group

4 AZIMUTH CLUB NEWS

The best news is for the event coordinators Please join me in thanking David for all of and directors who will have easy access to his efforts over the years. Going forward data about their events and the membership bills will be paid by Director Glen Peck. in general. Glen is coordinating the transfer of all ac- tivities from David to his office in Maryland. Current articles from Azimuth will be avail- To be sure, mail any club business to Mr. able on line as well as back copies of the Glen Peck, 191 Main Street, Annapolis, magazine. Want to search for a trail report MD 21401. or tech article, you will be able to. All this and with a lower cost to the club, since we One hindrance to everyone in traveling to have built the membership management fea- Club events is the cost of fuel. Oil is now tures into the web site and database. over $120 per barrel and while there is no underlying reason for it going as high as it GFG Publishing will no longer be managing has, there is also no outlook for it dropping the Club’s membership. This function grew much anytime soon. Here in North Carolina from something that one volunteer member diesel is now $4.15 to $4.29 per gallon. handled into a fairly large responsibility. Gas is in the $3.50 - $3.60 range. The Club moved the membership manage- ment to the professionals at GFG Publishing Depending on the distance you travel to an and has paid for their services for the past event, you could easily spend a couple of PRESIDENT’S several years. hundred dollars on fuel in addition to the hotel, meals and registration costs. But MESSAGE With the new web site and database, we where else can you take your vehicle out have built in the welcome letter, dues renew- into the elements within an organized event P. Marshall Henderson al letters and other functions. Membership atmosphere and share common experiences reports are easily available and membership in the parking lot, or at the banquet dinner? communications are greatly facilitated. We Darn day job. It keeps getting in the way are allowing the power of the web and the Drive safely and have fun. I will see you on of play and unfortunately, I am one of those wide spread use of the web to replace the the trails, who needs to keep the day job pay to be many functions of membership management. able to go out and play. I am getting stir Marshall crazy though, because it has been awhile Just as on line registration has greatly since I took my HUMMER off the roads. Are helped us set up and run events, the new [email protected] you feeling the same way? Let’s get out to a membership functions will help the Club HUMMER Club event and have some fun. manage its affairs more effectively. Speak- ing of on line registration, have you signed The new web site is almost here. It should up for a 2008 event yet? If not, do so be up well before this issue gets published immediately, you NEED the break from the and I have previewed the site. Director daily routine and NEED the great camara- Glen Peck and the web site guy he is using derie found at Club events. are doing a terrific job. I cannot wait to see the site in action. A big part of the new On a sad note, long time member and for- site will involve you. mer director of the Club, David Smee, has parted with his and will no longer You will be able to create personal areas be a member of the Club. David has been to post pictures, videos, messages, etc. You invaluable to the Club acting as the CFO will be able to interact with other members, and for the past two years as Treasurer set up get together events and more. All handling all of the financial affairs. David club activities will be handled by the web has been a big help and his contributions site, new memberships, renewals, notices, will be sorely missed. vehicle information, event registration, etc.

AZIMUTH 5 CLUB NEWS

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

NOMINATIONS Hummer enthusiasts alike have watched as Azimuth has flourished from its inception as a small newsletter, to what it has become now – a publication dedicated to producing the COMMITTEE highest level of Hummer content.

IT IS TIME TO GROW AGAIN! Our 3rd quarter issue is making an exciting leap – The Board of Directors has appointed Marshall increasing our circulation to 150,000 – all Hummer owners. Due out mid-August, this Henderson, Glen Peck and Da vid LaMarca summer’s Azimuth proves to be its best ever. to the nominating committee. The nominating committee is now accept ing applications for The summer issue is a great way to inform Hummer owners across the United States how four positions that will open on the board this much fun they can have as a member of our club. year. Terms will ex pire for Bob DeVore, David LaMarca, Mike Morris and Sam Wallis WE NEED YOUR HELP! Send us photos and stories of your Hummer adventures! We are looking for articles on topics related to off-roading, food, travel, vehicle electronics and The qualifications for the position of di rector outdoor lifestyles. We also want to start covering our on-road Hummer friends - not are to be a regular member of the HUMMER everyone wants to pit their Hummer against Mother Nature. If you know someone who Club for 18 months and agree to promote the has customized a Hummer street ride, we want to hear about it. goals and objectives of the Club as stated in our Bylaws. A copy of our bylaws, which in- WE ALSO NEED ADVERTISERS! National and local advertisers will benefit from cludes the duties of a director, is located in the advertising to 150,000+ Hummer owners. Our readers are the most bold and loyal “Members Only” section of our website. Log Hummer owners on the planet. Azimuth is the premier platform to market a bevy of in to your data page to access this section. products & services ranging from auto accessories to travel and lifestyle content. If you know a company or individual who would like to advertise in Azimuth, contact The nominations committee is seeking mem- Sean Hunter [email protected]. bers who are interested in serving the Club as a director. If you are a member in good The additional circulation will ultimately allow The Hummer Club, Inc. to sponsor more standing and are interested in volunteering events and training, as well as keep the HOPE program growing. If you have any ideas or your time to help manage the Club, contact thoughts that would improve Azimuth, contact Paul Jones at [email protected]. one of the present Directors for an applica- tion. You will be required to write a short biography explaining your qualifications and reasons for wanting to become a Director.

All applications must be received by July 1st. The nominations committee will meet and make recommendations to the board at its Annual meeting. Azimuth will publish the list of nomination committee recommendations in If you recently purchased your Hummer, you About HUMMER the August issue. Each member will receive a may have received a letter welcoming you mail in ballot and biography of each nominee HUMMER is a division of General Motors to the Hummer Community. In this letter GM by first class mail approximately 6 weeks Corp. (NYSE: GM), the world’s largest ve- has graciously acknowledged our club prior to the annual meeting date. hicle manufacturer, which employs about and the HOPE program. This may seem to 321,000 people globally. HUMMER is a some, a small gesture, but it is a huge step. Additional nominations for a Director’s posi- premium off-road vehicle manufacturer with Developing relationships with GM and AM tion may be made from the ‘floor’ of the An- sales in 37 countries and a product line-up General is a big part of making our club nual Meeting with the nominee present. Mail that consists of the H2, H2 SUT, H3, H3x, succeed and we would like to say “Thanks” in balloting will have been conducted but and award-winning H3 Alpha. to everyone at GM and AM General for members in attendance may bring their mail in their support! Information on HUMMER products is ballot and cast it at the Annual meeting. available at www.hummer.com.

6 AZIMUTH IT HAS ARRIVED! Learn More About The New Hummer Club Website By the time you read this article we hope that you have had a chance to visit the Club’s new website. There you’ll find new features, expanded information and much more. Perhaps the largest change, however, is under the hood. This new website allows members to communicate with other members via email. It will allow you to show off your truck to the Club and visitors to the site. If you’re working on putting together a local area event, or have an electronic document you’d like to share or comments you’d like to make, this new website makes it easier for us to facilitate that involvement. Poke around you’ll find all sorts of new things.

WEBSITE FEATURES AND HIGHLIGHTS:

Member Area - The first time you visit, you’ll notice Events Listings - Here you will be able that there’s a box you can use to log in located in the to review upcoming and past events upper right corner; please look at the details avail- both from the Club, affiliated and able on your personal page and complete all items member activities happening each at your pleasure; make sure to select whether you week across the country, but it has always been dif- would like to share your contact information with ficult for one person to try and compile these regularly other club members; this new website has special into a single list for our website. Now, any member can sections set aside for members. Let’s say you want to contribute an event easily to the Events Listings on the get a bunch of fellow members together for a family new website through a quick online form; members picnic or fishing trip or off road venture. You will be can also scan the calendar for events now. able to input your zip code and select members in a given geographical area, say 100 miles, and then Photo Albums - Got some great snaps email them your desired planning, invite them to the from a recent THCI event? You’ll now be event and get a response from those who would like able to upload them to the website for to participate. review and inclusion into the appropri- ate section to share with other members. Azimuth Library - It’s been a goal for Got some great snaps of your truck? You now have a awhile to have back issues of Azimuth chance to show it off. Just upload the pictures into your available on the THCI website; now it is a gallery section of your personal membership page. reality! In the long term, we are thinking about a completely digital library that will Other - These are just a few of the new features you’ll become a central repository for all man- find on the website. To get a better look at each of ner of digital documents — Azimuth articles, off them, go to the new website now and explore. As al- road handouts, useful technical tips, THCI-related ways, membership renewal and event registration can documents and publications-- there are many possi- be completed right on the website. We have changed bilities. Also, members will have the ability to submit from a traditional banking system to the PayPal sys- their own documents to the library, if they’d like to tem so you can use your PayPal account to make online share them with others. payments that may be required.

Technical Tips Library – The biggest changes are under the hood of this new We have extracted from past site, hidden from view. That means that in the future issues of Azimuth the technical we will be able to continue to offer new sections and tips section for your perusal. This will continue to be services to our membership as we install new “modules”. expanded as new issues are published. Have a techni- Keep your eyes peeled. cal topic that you would like to see information on then just email a Board of Director and tell us what you are interested in finding out about. Have some technical information or just a tip you would like to share just submit it directly from the technical tips section of Comments, questions and suggestions are always appreciated. the website. Please forward them to: [email protected].

AZIMUTH 7 Australia by definition is the driest continent on the Waiting for the goods in Mackay was John Farrington from planet. Well not this year. The call went out to H.O.P.E North Qld Cleaning and Paint Supplies. John Farrington and Australian Branch for assistance during the latest bout his assistant Kate Thompson had organized for the local of flooding. The coastal city of Mackay in Queensland FM radio station 4MK to alert the public that much needed was the victim of flooding as the years of drought broke items to help them clean up after the muddy waters subsided in this part of the State. In a 24-hour period Mackay were available for collection at North Qld Cleaning and received 625ml (25 inches) of Torrential rain that had Paint Supplies. The radio station broadcast hourly the left the Central Queensland city isolated in the worst details and that the goods were donated by H.O.P.E and disaster in the area for 50 years. This torrential rain the many organizations that had given generously. was the end result of a monsoon trough from the north joining up with a low-pressure system from the Coral The simple tools to be able to clean up their homes and Sea to create the “Perfect Storm”. start the long process of salvaging what they can from the muddy piles that were once their treasured possessions is John Bramich the leader of H.O.P.E in Australia, together indeed a gift that was appreciated by the recipients of the with another team member John Rea, got the call for H.O.P.E rescue. The co-ordination and logistics involved in assistance when the river and king tides isolated the getting the donated items out to those who needed it most city. As is the case with H.O.P.E members, they quickly was a credit to John Farrington and his team. contacted their network of business associates and got together a relief package that had donations in excess With having completed another successful mission the of the 24 pallet capabilities. All this was ready members of H.O.P.E return to their normal lives and await within 24 hours. Whilst Johns’ assistant Lesley Bowerman the next call for assistance knowing that Hummer Owners co-ordinated the donation of the products, John Bramich Prepared for Emergencies can accomplish anything. loaded up the H.O.P.E truck and prepared to start the 1000 odd kilometer trek on flood damaged roads to get the supplies where they were needed most. With John Bramich and volunteer Adrian Matthews sharing the driving they were at Mackay within 12 hours.

8 AZIMUTH local chapter offers additional classes such Disaster Action Team members (DAT TEAM) as Damage assessment etc. that you may also usually meet monthly at their local chapter find of interest. – a great time to work on table top disaster exercises that show how things will and The Chapter also has a few additional classes wont work during an actual deployment. that you can take in addition to your HOPE A great goal would be to have your local classes to obtain your DSHR certification and chapter know you by name and come to you PHOTO ID. The DSHR allows for NATIONAL for HOPE HELP. DEPLOYMENT within the Red Cross along with the opportunity for the possibility for Michigan Snow Run Report reimbursement for certain costs as outlined by the Red Cross. With the hard work of directors Rick Grucz, and Bob DeVore the Michigan Snow Run is just The more you become involved with your local a pleasant memory with lots of new friends Mike Morris chapter, the more the opportunities for you and and another group of HUMMER owners joining your HUMMER to be involved with disaster the HOPE program and completing their Trail Director response and other chapter events such as; Endorsement certification.

National Coordinator-HOPE Program • Using your HUMMER in static displays at I would like to welcome these new members “It’s all about being prepared.” Red Cross public awareness events. to the HOPE team. • Help transport ARC personal during floods, tornados, blizzards etc. HOPE Trail Endorsement certification is • Help with HOPE training at your chapter available at ALL HUMMER Club events. Check for new HUMMER owners along with the the new look at www.thehummerclubinc.com Red Cross personal involved with donated for the 2008 event schedule. . • Attend parades, and public functions DEPLOYMENT: supporting the community. Automatic Trail Certification is also available I’m ready why aren’t they? • Transport supplies for the chapter and or to ALL HUMMER Driving academy graduates, pull the chapters Disaster Response Trailer. Rod Hall 2007 Reno event attendees, and select HUMMER dealerships that support The question that I get the most often is The great benefit of being an active part of The HUMMER Club Inc. More dealerships “How can I deploy at a time of disaster” your local chapter is you get to know your are being added each year, check with your nobody called me? fellow local HUMMER owners and build dealer about HOPE in a BOX. your local team into a responsive group of Let me offer the following information. volunteers. You get out of the HOPE program what you put into it. Tip of the day The HOPE program’s mission is designed to help the HUMMER owner trained in 3 Another opportunity at this time is that Giant zip lock bags are great for keeping basic skills that will allow them to become the American Red Cross nationally is blankets, towels and clothing dry in you a valuable member of their local Red Cross completely reorganizing their management HUMMER during deployment. chapter in time of need. and how responses are handled, and allowing local chapters to take more • Basic First Aid. control of their responses. • CPR/AED Training • Basic knowledge of your HUMMER and That means this is a wonderful opportunity to introduction to the skills needed to drive take the lead and make the HOPE program, your vehicle in an off-road or disaster you and your HUMMER a valuable part environment. of the American Red Cross local disaster response plan. Then it is up to you to integrate into the functions of your local Red Cross chapter. Your

AZIMUTH 9 www.thehummerclubinc.com Visit the newly revised club website and click on the HOPE link.

10 AZIMUTH The desire to assist the American Red Cross began at the Country Roads 2001 event when we arrived shortly after devastating floods ravaged West Virginia. We felt helpless because the relief agencies didn’t know us. After contacting various agencies to offer our services, we were told that liability issues prevented us from assisting. We went home resolved to setup a program with the Red Cross so we would be ready for the next disaster.

We have now established a statement of understanding with the American Red Cross in South Bend who will coordinate our interaction on a national level. This means that whether you live in California or Maine, you can be a part of this new program and assist the American Red Cross in your area during times of need.

The purpose of this agreement is for Club members to provide transportation with their HUMMERs on a volunteer basis during times of disaster. Qualified Club members may be asked to provide HUMMER vehicles for transportation of necessary Red Cross individuals and/or supplies into areas that are not accessible with normal vehicles.

If you are interested in creating a local presence for HOPE in your home town please take the time to contact the Club and begin the process! This program is a great way for us to give back to our communities and meet other Hummer owners at the same time.

Our club is committed to making a positive difference in the communities we live in - we need your help!

AZIMUTH 11 LAND USE ADVOCACY

By Del Albright, BlueRibbon Ambassador

ollaboration (the collaborative process) is Cgetting more and more popular with gov- ernment agencies stuck with tough political decisions involving public lands. Rather than unnecessarily ending up in court, or wad- ing through countless repetitive hours of NEPA meetings, the collaborative process seeks to find cooperation where competition has previously existed. We should be fully pre- pared when our chance comes to participate in the collaborative process. But here are some things to consider carefully before you invest your time.

These efforts go by many names, depending on the agency and the area – focus groups, collaborative committees/groups, community groups, citi- zen’s committees, etc. It boils down to bring- ing all interested parties to the table to solve a problem before it becomes a big problem.

First off, I have to admit that investing 10 years of my time in one National Forest’s “collaborative process,” and watching a part- ner of mine commit 10 or more years in a different Forest, has made me a bit cynical. However, we need to be there, be at the ta- ble, with smiles and hopes, and be part of this process. And yes we might win some ground. I just caution to not put too much faith (or hope) in a process that cannot solve all the issues.

The basic premise is that all sides must be willing to work together and compromise. So is col- laboration just one big group hug? To answer that, let’s start by examining the basic defini- tion of collaboration. One description means

12 AZIMUTH simply to work together; the other means to a facilitator to help orchestrate a better and BlueRibbon also published some good cooperate with an enemy invader. Ouch. But more productive meeting. Ensure that every- resources for more on collaboration. Here by definition, the collaborative process brings one affected by the outcomes are at the ta- are links: all sides of an issue to a common table to find ble. Keep the meeting real – authentic – and COLLABORATIVE PLANNING . . . WHAT equitable solutions steeped in compromise. transparent. Hide nothing; talk about every- YOU NEED TO KNOW: Now that’s a mouthful. There’s a lot to this. thing. Agree to disagree; and commit to the www.sharetrails.org/magazine.cfm?story=626 process. Then follow through! Abide by the And: To me, collaboration is a formula that group’s collaboration. COLLABORATIVE PLANNING IN looks like this: Trust + Faith + Respect = CYBERSPACE Solutions. Trust = confidence in the hon- BlueRibbon Coalition has a tool called www.sharetrails.org/magazine.cfm?story=627 esty and integrity of those involved. “Collaboration Checkboxes.” Faith = belief that those involved will Much like the 20-year-old process the carry through and stick to their word. Brian Hawthorne, BRC Public Lands Director, Japanese invented called Quality Circles Respect = treating others with dutiful regard, contends: “A well-conceived collaborative – where the factory workers develop the and to treat the process with authenticity. process should include a “check” for each of best delivery solution for the factory -- we, these key points below. If any are missing, the users of the land can develop the best My experience has shown that this works we still advise considering participating, but solution for managing the land, if only we just fine for solving the easy stuff and making with caution.” can work together with something like a plans and shaking hands when the controversy collaborative process with all sides of the scale is relatively low. So yes, I hang in there Here are the BRC Collaboration Checkboxes: issues working together in the spirit of true and keep trying. I have just learned to not fall 1. All stakeholders at the table in proper cooperation. Get it right from the start apart and break open the tequila bottle when representation. and it’s worth your time. collaboration finally breaks up and resorts to good old NEPA (and/or court). Every stakeholder group who has an interest in the planning process should be participating. The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recre- ation group that champions responsible use of When you can solve a problem such as 2. Professional facilitator. public and private lands, and encourages indi- developing a travel management map for a vidual environmental stewardship. It represents large chunk of land by using the collaborative A formal process should hire the services over 10,000 individual members and 1,200 process, you are likely to get a better of a professional facilitator, such as organization and business members, for a solution that has fewer court challenges later those selected from the roster of the combined total of over 600,000 recreation- on. Heck, you might even build some new National Environmental Conflict Resolution ists nationwide. Call 1-800-258-3742 and relationships out of this process that help Advisory Committee, not “forced” upon the visit BRC online at www.sharetrails.org. This other projects down the road -- yea, I’m participants. article copyrighted ©2008 by Del Albright, talking about motorheads having an espresso 3. The “product” of the process should be www.delalbright.com, available for use by with radical protectionists. (smile). clearly identified at the beginning. permission only. Whatever it is the process is going to If you can find a group with which to collabo- produce should be clearly identified at rate that embodies the trust, faith and respect the very beginning of the process (e.g. an formula, you are likely to get a committed alternative to be considered by the land solution – one that lasts, makes sense, and management agency during their public avoids a lot of wasted time (and meetings) NEPA analysis). later on. On the other hand, you may have to be tenacious. In my 10 year example men- 4. The “decision process” must be identified tioned earlier, the woman who was leading at the beginning. this charge was fighting for her kids to be Whatever process that will be used for able to ride their mini-dirt bikes in the Forest formal decision-making, i.e. majority adjacent to her home in the mountains. During vote, consensus, majority/minority the collaborative process, her kids out-grew report, etc should be agreed to at the bikes, grew up, and went on to join the the very beginning of the process working world. Like I said earlier, you may and adhered to throughout. have to engage this process with the under- standing that it might take a while and solve 5. Agency must clearly state only the easy stuff. how it will utilize the “product.” The federal land management On the other hand, there are some things we agency must clearly state how can do (or shoot for) to make collaboration it intends to use the “product” of work. Try to get the formula in place. Have any formal Collaborative Planning ground rules and open meeting agreements Process at the very beginning. H where folks put their cards on the table. Use

AZIMUTH 13 CLUB EVENTS

2008 DATES | Event | Mechanical Support | Location

May 15 - 17 | Kinzlow’s - Tennesee Strawberry Festival | Local | Daynton, TN Coordinator: David LaMarca

May 16 - 18 | Sedona, Arizona | Local | Sedona, AZ Coordinator: Ron Bomhoff

June | Rausch Creek | PAAM General | Rausch Creek, PA Coordinator: Jason Opplinger

July | Country Roads | Local | Beckley, WV Coordinator: Dan Eakins

August 1 - 2 | Drummond Island | Local | MI Coordinator: Rick Gruzc Dealer: HUMMER of Novi

September or October | Badlands | AM General | Attica, IN Coordinator: Roberto Rios

Sept 19-20 | Pre-Moab trails | AM General | Moab, UT

Sept 21 | Moab Registration

MOAB Sept 22-25 | Moab Trails | AM General | Moab, UT Coordinator: Ron Bomhoff

October | Windrock | AM General | Oackridge, TN Coordinator: Kenny Keiger

November | Homestead | Local | Hotsprings, VA

Tentative | Gray Rock | Local | Mount Olive, AL Coordinator: David LaMarca

www.thehummerclubinc.com

Mechanical Support is provided at all major Club events

At major HUMMER Club events, AM General sends technicians and a supply trailer with a complete tool and parts inventory to ensure that each and every HUMMER is able to fully participate in the driving activities and drive home. In almost every situation where a mechanical failure occurs, the HUMMER is fixed before trail time the next day. Factory and dealer technicians normally work each evening to assure that every participant is able to get on the trail the next day. Factory support at Club events means that no matter what the mechanical failure is, it will be fixed on site and sometimes on the trail.

This is factory support without equal in the industry and only available at HUMMER Club events! | ©2008 The HUMMER Club, Inc.

14 AZIMUTH CLUB EVENTS

This years THCI event schedule is already in Several years ago, before I was bitten by potential to be a vacation for anyones “BEST- full swing. Several events are just over the the HUMMER bug, General Motors picked OF” series...Providing an awesome off-road horizon & will be upon us before we know it. Drummond Island for showcasing their own experience for any skill level, as well as a This year, our new & VERY improved website cleanup/goodwill efforts. In the Mid-late recreational opportunity for almost anything will make registering for events much easier. 1990’s (before my HUMMER time) GM that one could think of outside of wheelin!! It Be sure to check your schedule and register partnered up with some HUMMER owners is a little off of the beaten path, & takes a early for this years events. Our expanding & I believe donated some funding for this little more effort than just driving around the partnership with GM/HUMMER & open arm clean-up effort. There is a lot of political block to get there...But... as was permanently policy for all types of HUMMER owners, will turbulence in the air around Drummond Island engraved into my memory...(maybe too much increase event participation substantially... & it’s trail systems. The more positive feed- so?) ”Nothing worth while ever comes easy”... numbers not previously known at THCI events back that our efforts receive, the better...Due Thank my mom for that one !! will make early registration a good idea. to our newly-rekindled working relationship with GM/HUMMER, we should be able to Come join us at Drummond Island & see what This year, we are again returning to the wilder- more easily continue expanding our positive everyone is so enthusiastic about...Get HOPE ness of Michigan’s Eastern Upper Peninsula...to image. Regarding the HUMMER impact on trail endorsement, Challenge yourself on experience the great wheelin’ on Drummond the communities in which we hold events: some difficult terrain, or relax & play a round Island. The first weekend in August was cho- When I first started driving a HUMMER on of golf...I hope to see you on the rocks!!! sen to accommodate the schedules of trail Drummond Island, the “one-finger-wave” was leaders & other THCI events on the schedule. a very common sight. As the time has passed, Rick Grucz, Director-THCI During previous Drummond Island events we I’ve noticed that most of the people now Photos courtesy of Cris Burkhalter removed quite a bit of trash & unsightly debris smile, & wave with their whole hand... www.cbphoto.com from the trails & the surrounding areas. We encourage everyone to help keep our trails & Drummond Island is just a beautiful experi- woods clean. Even though there is no orga- ence...From the Mackinac Bridge, along the nized cleanup effort planned during this years rocky shorelines that must be passed...onto the event, consider giving some individual effort, ferry, past the limestone quarry...regardless of every little bit helps... your trail experience, Drummond Island has the

By Stephanie Oplinger Opened to the public in 2003, Rausch Rausch Creek 2008 will be a 2-day event. creek off-road park has grown in leaps and Registration will be on Thursday June 26th Jason Oplinger, Len Witt, & Scott Freeman bounds over the past few years cutting new between 7 and 9pm, in the lobby of the are at it again, planning another knock your trails, installing new facilities, & creating brand new Hampton Inn in Pine Grove, which socks off, off-roading weekend! Known for their very own, man made, concrete rock is also pet friendly! The following 2 days, their previous events at Paragon off-road crawling competition course, which will be Friday the 27th and Saturday the 28th, will park, Rausch Creek 2008 should be nothing open to all Hummer owners to hone their be filled with mud slinging, rock crawling fun, short of spectacular. rock crawling skills. and will end with a banquet on Saturday night. You can find registration information Located just outside the small town of Pine From its 1/4 mile long glacial deposit, to it’s on the Hummer Club website. H Grove Pennsylvania. Rausch Creek con- hair raising hill climbs, Rausch Creek is sure to sists of over 1700 acres of shaded trails get your adrenaline pumping! If bending tie- with crisscrossing creeks, and challenging rods and snapping half shafts isn’t your thing, rock gardens. Rausch Creek also offers a wide variety of beginner and intermediate trails to accom- modate all driver experience levels.

AZIMUTH 15 Article by Candi Angotti, 2007 Victory Red H3 Photos by Carl Haley

16 AZIMUTH It’s Monday morning, and I’m sitting in traffic on my way to I may have been a rookie on Thursday, but by Sunday I the office. I gaze reflectively at the thin layer of red dirt was able to talk with the “boys” about deflators, recovery covering my dashboard and think of Barnwell Mt., a place I straps, tie rods, GPS units, inclinators, and two-way radios. never knew existed a year ago, and now a place I can’t wait I quickly learned why to air down and how, and that all im- to get back to. Part of the Texas Motorized Trails Coalition, portant recovery strap! Barnwell Mt. located in Gilmer, Texas encompasses 1,800 acres of red dirt, rock, water, and 100 crazy trails that I The trails ran the gamut of the 1,800 acres. “Fun Coun- never knew could be so much fun! try” was more work than fun. “Binder Blvd.” is never the same twice. If you don’t have rear lockers (and I didn’t), It’s the Texas Hummer Adventure, March 13-16, 2008, and it can be very challenging. “Twister” the name says it a motley crew of all ages gathered together at Barnwell all. “Politician” can be downright scary and “Desi Way” Mt., having traveled from Illinois, Missouri, Texas, Okla- should be renamed “Recovery Way”! Then there was homa, and Louisiana for three full days of getting dirty and “Jeep Eater” – I was quick to notice there isn’t a trail having fun! No matter what the sleeping preferences – named “Hummer Eater”! tents, cushy motor homes, or the pampering Inn in Longview – we banded together like a bunch of kids with new toys. Cell phones may not always work at Barnwell but Onstar does! A very polite Onstar operator chimed in while an “Be safe, help each other, and have fun!” That’s the motto H3 was stalking up a steep incline. Not missing a beat, the that the crew teaches the rookies. And none of this ad- driver replied, “Just went up a hill, no problem we are fine” venture would have been possible without them. The spot- (trying to catch his breath)…if Onstar only knew! ters guided us over those perilous spots in the trail that looked virtually impossible from behind the wheel. They A horn is beeping behind me. Time to snap back to real- put their lives on the line directing us up the line of drive, ity. Sigh... beneath me is the asphalt with its painted lines, often having to jump out of the way! Our trail committee and flat, predictable surface. I know exactly where it leads, made the call on which trails would be the best fit for each there are no surprises at the end of this road. If I could just of the drivers. The numerous volunteers took care of all get into the right lane, climb over that cement curb, and the endless paperwork and planning such a super event. down that grassy embankment…a Hummer truly is “like We even had a mechanic who gave up his weekend so we nothing else”. H could be safe and have non-stop fun! And if these weren’t enough benefits, our sponsors were very generous in the door prize department!

AZIMUTH 17 TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAMBy George HUMMER R. Thompson • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER Photo By Heidi Mrkulic • TEAM18 AZIMUTH HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMERTEAM HUMMER • TEAM OPENS THEIR HUMMER 2008 RACING • SEASON TEAM WITH HUMMER WINS IN • TEAMSTOCK-FULL HUMMER AND STOCK-MINI • AT TEAM SCORE ‘LAUGHLIN HUMMER DESERT CHALLENGE’ • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER

• TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMERPhoto •By Heidi TEAM Mrkulic HUMMERLaughlin, NV - January 27, 2008: • TEAM For the sec- laps withHUMMER a mysterious electrical problem some •- TEAMfew of them but had HUMMER to deal with the majority ond consecutive year, Team HUMMER opened where in his wiring harness. Back at the main pit of the puddles making the event seem more their season with wins in both the Stock-Mini after the race the crew made repairs to the like an extended mud bog than an off-road • TEAMand Stock-Full classes HUMMER at The SCORE ‘Laugh- H3 Alpha • in preparation TEAM for Sunday’s raceHUMMER but race. Cars and trucks were • littered TEAM every- lin Desert Challenge’, held Jan.26-27, in the could not isolate the intermittent problem which where along the course adding the elements Southern Nevada resort town of Laughlin. Al- took the H2 out of competition on day one. of an obstacle course to the fray. On the face HUMMERthough this is the only closed • courseTEAM desert HUMMER • TEAMof it, Laughlin would HUMMER seem like an easy event, race on our schedule, Team HUMMER rose The weather turned bad sometime on Satur- considering that our trucks only had to run 5 to the challenge to win both Stock-Mini and day night and we awoke to steady rain and laps (30 miles) each day in their group, but the • TEAMStock-Full production HUMMER classes, duplicating their a washed • out TEAM race course. Off-road HUMMER rac- strategy of many racers is •to go TEAM wide open result from last year’s event, although in a dra- ing doesn’t stop for variations in weather so throttle from the moment the green flag drops matically different fashion. The action started all three Team HUMMER entries answered and not let up until the race is over, about HUMMERin Laughlin Events Park, where • the TEAMracing began the 9:00 HUMMER AM starting time wearing their foul• TEAMan hour later. This HUMMER sort of mentality, while it in a motocross style infield. The race wound weather gear. Chad Hall in the #861 H3 Al- may seem unavoidable in such a short race, through a variety of switchbacks and jumps pha left the line first among the Stock-Full class adds to serious carnage on raceday and is • TEAMbefore heading out HUMMER onto a six mile desert trucks and • jumped TEAM out to an early lead closelyHUMMER compounded by the fact that• five TEAM heat races course and ultimately returned to the grand- followed by Griffin’s #860 Ford and Josh Hall are contested over the same six-mile stretch stand area. A total of 17 different classes in the #862 H2 SUT, who was using Sunday’s of desert each day. The ditches and ruts that HUMMERof cars and trucks were divided • TEAM into five (5) race HUMMERin an attempt to determine the nature of • his TEAMbegan on Saturday HUMMER only 6” deep wound up groups. Team HUMMER had three entries in electrical problem. Just as on Saturday, the H2 on Sunday being three-foot deep pools of the production class group (#2) and ran five went 3 laps and the engine died, once again, slime. While it took the H3 Alpha just over • TEAMlaps of the course onHUMMER Saturday, Jan 26th and retiring the• truck. TEAM Rod Hall was next off theHUMMER line 52 minutes to cover the five • lap heatTEAM race on again on Sunday, Jan 27th. The total times for in the #760 H3 Stock-Mini but as he started Saturday, it took over 67 minutes to complete HUMMERboth days of racing were combined • TEAM to deter- up the HUMMER first hill to head out into the desert, •the TEAMthe same course on HUMMER Sunday. Of the 141 en- mine the winners in each class. vehicle was rocked by an exploding sound from tries that started the race, only 40 would fin- the transfer case and all forward motion on the ish which amounts to a 28% finishing rate. • TEAMThis was only the second HUMMER race for Chad Hall in truck was • abruptly TEAM halted, leaving Hall andHUMMER co- Even the toughest desert race• canTEAM expect a the new #861 H3 Alpha Stock-Full SUV, which rider, Emily Miller, stranded half way up the hill finishing rate of 50% or better. Winning at won the 40th Annual SCORE ‘’ last in harms way. He put it in reverse and was able Laughlin is more a question of survival than HUMMERNovember in it’s racing debut. • Saturday, TEAM Chad to back HUMMER it out of the path of traffic and after • TEAMof strategy. HUMMER Hall finished second, one minute, 38 seconds testing the various options to see if the truck behind John Griffin in the #860 Ford F-350 had any gearing left, found at least one setting • TEAMPickup. A broken weld HUMMER on a strengthening tube, that appeared • TEAMto be working. “We’re going HUMMER to • TEAM installed to support the upper shock mount, drive it as long as we can” radioed back Emily forced him to slow the truck down early in the Miller and off they went, in pursuit of the leader, HUMMERrace, to minimize any damage, • allowing TEAM Griffin Kovach HUMMER in the #761 Ford Ranger. • TEAM HUMMER to take the lead on the day and hold it. Starting in the same group, it was business as usual for The rain was falling in a light to medium in- • TEAMdefending champion, HUMMERRod Hall, as he breezed tensity and• the TEAMcourse was littered with HUMMER pools • TEAM to a win over Steve Kovach in the #761 Ford of slimy mud, causing the race cars to fishtail Ranger, winning by over 16 minutes. Josh Hall, wildly each time they blasted through one of HUMMERin the #862 H2 SUT was sidelined • TEAM after three the mudHUMMER pools at speed. You could avoid • a TEAMPhoto HUMMER By George R. Thompson • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER •AZIMUTH TEAM 19 TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM By the end of the second lap Chad Hall and to have the passenger side tie rod end fail TEAM HUMMER TAKES BOTH PRODUC- the #861 H3 Alpha had built up a 4 1/2 min- in a similar way about 20 miles further on. TION CLASS VICTORIES AT TECATE/ HUMMERute lead over Griffin’s #860 • Ford TEAM F-350. The There HUMMER was no apparent reason for either • of TEAMSCORE ‘SAN FELIPE HUMMER 250’ four-wheel drive and the more nimble footprint these failures and the replacement tie rods of the Alpha gave it a distinct advantage over lasted for the duration of the event. The tie San Felipe, Mex - March 15, 2008: On a • TEAMthe heavier two-wheel HUMMER drive Ford, particularly rod repairs • hadTEAM put the #8111 Team HUMMER HUM- wind-swept Baja California • day, TEAMTeam HUM- in the muddy pools. Chad extended his lead MER H2 about 30 minutes off the pace but it MER’s three entries ran a virtually trouble-free HUMMERto five minutes, 45 seconds • by TEAM the time they was HUMMER still early and the truck was running well,• TEAMrace at the Tecate/SCORE HUMMER ‘’, arrived at the finish line. After doing the math, once again. finishing first and third in the Stock-Full produc- it took Chad three minutes, seven seconds less tion class and also winning in the Stock-Mini • TEAMtime to cover the tenHUMMER laps, on both days, giv- Rod Hall • got offTEAM to a good start in the #3111HUMMER production class. After taking • anTEAM early lead ing the #861 Team Alpha the Team HUMMER H3 SUV and was enjoying in the Stock-Full class, Josh Hall led the race win at Laughlin. a comfortable lead until shortly before race- all day in the #861 Team SUT HUMMER • TEAMmile HUMMER 40 when the center bolt on the rear pas•- TEAMwith chief mechanic HUMMER Sam Cothrun in the navi- After building up a 16 minute lead on Satur- senger side spring pack sheared off, forcing gator’s seat. Hall gradually extended his lead day, Rod Hall merely had to stay somewhere the H3 to stop at Pit #2 (RM 54) where Jeff over the competition throughout the afternoon • TEAMon the same lap withHUMMER Kovach to win the event Buffmeyer • and TEAM Dave Williams were waiting HUMMER to and was out in front by eight • miles TEAM when he but Rod was determined to catch the # 761 make the repair. The fix was labor intensive, passed through Checker Pit #1 at race-mile Ford and beat him to the finish. By the end of requiring almost two hours to complete, be- 55. Other than a brief stop to take on fuel at HUMMERthe second lap, The #760 • TeamTEAM HUMMER fore HUMMER the #3111 H3 was back in the race.• TEAMRM 109, the only timeHUMMER he stopped came after H3 had trimmed the Ford’s lead down to 9 Rod stopped at the end of the first lap, almost he had drifted into a spiny bush which had, as seconds and passed him on lap #3 adding two hours behind the leader and Mike Win- it’s defense mechanism, golf ball sized clusters • TEAM27 seconds to hisHUMMER lead by the start of the kel took • over TEAMbehind the wheel. Winkel HUMMER ran a of needles on the tips of it’s • branches, TEAM several fourth lap. The #761 Ford turned in a good trouble-free final lap and brought the #3111 of which became embedded in Josh and his time on lap #4 and the two trucks went out Team HUMMER H3 SUV in for a second driver’s suit. This called for an immediate stop HUMMERon the 5th and final lap in• a deadTEAM heat. Hall place HUMMER finish shortly before 8:00 PM. • TEAMto carefully remove HUMMER the offending pin cushions, never backed off and brought the #760 Team left behind in the wake of the impact, before • TEAMHUMMER H3 SUV HUMMER across the finish line 33 Chad Hall• ran TEAM both laps, in the #4111 HUMMER Team getting on with his race. • TEAM seconds in front of Steve Kovach and the HUMMER H3 Alpha SUV, with Thad Stump in #761 Ford Ranger, winning the his second the navigator’s seat. Chad had no troubles on About ten miles back, Chad Hall and Thad HUMMERconsecutive ‘Laughlin Desert • Challenge’’TEAM and the HUMMERcourse but the new Alpha still needs some • TEAMStump, in the #863 HUMMER Team HUMMER H3 Al- both heat races. fine tuning to the running gear and suspension pha, were locked in a drag race with the before we can realize the truck’s full potential. #860 Ford F-350 driven by John Griffin and • TEAMTEAM HUMMER HUMMER DRAWS THREE OF A Marc Stein• in TEAMthe #4102 Ford Expedition HUMMER had the #878 Dodge Ram 2500 • driven TEAM by Kent KIND AT ’S SEASON a flawless race and beat us to the finish by Kroeker, both worthy adversaries. About ten OPENING BLUE WATER RESORT & CASI- 27 minutes. The H3 Alpha came away with a miles into the race, the #863 H3 Alpha de- HUMMERNO ‘PARKER 425’ • TEAMsecond HUMMER place finish which is a good start • to TEAMveloped an electrical HUMMER problem, causing many the BitD season. of the truck’s electronic and fuel systems to Parker, Arizona - February 2, 2008: Best in behave erratically. Thad Stump seemed to • TEAMthe HUMMER Association’s Blue Water Josh Hall • had TEAMmoved the #8111 H2 intoHUMMER sec- think it had to do with the onboard• TEAM computer Resort & Casino ‘Parker 425’ got underway ond place at race-mile 32, on the third and fi- so they pulled over and briefly disconnected for Team HUMMER shortly before 9:00 AM nal lap, just 12 miles behind the #8106 Ford, the battery, allowing the systems to re-boot. HUMMERon Saturday, Feb. 2nd. 295 • CarsTEAM and trucks driven HUMMER by Larry Tunnell, Jr. of Parker, Arizona. • TEAMAfter a short time, HUMMER Chad restarted the truck, left the starting line in Downtown Parker and The H2 had run perfectly since the tie rod which ran perfectly from that moment on and by the end of the day only 137 would finish, problems on the opening lap and was gradu- got back in the race. By Pit #1 (RM 55), the • TEAMwhich will give you HUMMER some idea how demanding ally reeling • inTEAM the class leading Ford, HUMMERcoming #863 H3 Alpha had caught • up withTEAM the pack it was to run multiple loops around this 138 within a mile of him when he passed through Pit and was running in fourth place. The battle mile-long stretch of Arizona desert. Class #4 (RM 104). Unfortunately the H2 had worn here was for second place since Josh, in the HUMMER8100 (Josh Hall) was scheduled • TEAM to drive three out HUMMERall the linings on the brake pads half way• TEAMH2 SUT, had an eight-mileHUMMER lead and was in laps around the course, while Class 4100 into lap three and although the H2 was faster apparent control of the Stock-Full race. The • TEAM(Chad Hall) and ClassHUMMER 3100 (Rod Hall) only on the graded• TEAM sections of the course, heHUMMER could #860 Ford, the #878 Dodge • and TEAM the #863 had to go around twice. The race got off to a not keep up in the rough terrain, where the use H3 Alpha were all within a mile of each other shaky start, with problems dogging two of the of brakes are critical. Equally unfortunate was and seemed evenly matched on this particular HUMMERTeam HUMMER race trucks • on TEAM the first lap of the HUMMERfact that the final 30 miles of the course • TEAMday. At the BFG pit HUMMER (RM 109) the #860 Ford the event. About 105 miles into the race, Josh was very technical (rough) terrain, so Josh had pulled in for fuel and a driver change but had Hall, in the #8111 H2 SUT suffered a bro- to slow it down and settle for our third 2nd some problem taking on fuel and the extra • TEAMken, driver’s side tieHUMMER rod end, a part that rarely place finish• onTEAM the day. HUMMERtime they spent in the pit allowed• TEAM the Dodge fails. It took about 15 minutes to replace the and the H3 Alpha to get by him. HUMMERtie rod assembly with our •onboard TEAM spare only HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM20 AZIMUTH HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM

HUMMERPhoto By Heidi Mrkulic • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER AZIMUTH• TEAM 21 TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM Chad had moved into third and was running HUMMERin the dust of the big Hemi • powered TEAM Dodge HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER but the Alpha had broken a leaf on his rear spring-pak early in the race and was having • TEAMtrouble getting by HUMMER him in the miles of sandy, • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM rolling terrain that made up most of the course between RM 55 and RM 149. Chad HUMMERstayed right on the Dodge’s • bumper TEAM and both HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER trucks were dueling it out until RM 136 when Team HUMMER sweeps production class- full-size SUV class by Chad Hall and Thad Spirkoff, now driving the #860 Ford, caught es with 2008 H2 SUT, H3 Alpha and H3 Stump. The pair piloted the vehicle across • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM HUMMERthe finish line with a final• timeTEAM of 6:18:52 up and passed them both. Shortly after mak- ing his move into second place, the driveline Emily Miller earns second place in Safari and an average speed of 39.98 mph. on the big Ford F-350 broke, relegating him Class in debut race HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM “The H3 Alpha HUMMER continues to demonstrate back to fourth place while he repaired the DETROIT - Team HUMMER earned first damage. The #861 H2 SUT remained in the the capability and reliability of Hummer’s place in every production class in Satur- lead and had extended his lead to 12 miles production trucks,” said Hall. “That truck is • TEAM HUMMER • day’sTEAM Best in the Desert Racing HUMMER Series Ter- • TEAM over the second place truck while all this a strong runner in every type of terrain.” rible’s 250 at Primm, marking the first time was taking place. the team has earned three victories in a Team HUMMER’s third victory came from HUMMER • TEAM HUMMERrace. In addition to the stock • class TEAM wins, team of Rod HUMMER Hall, Mike Winkel and John At this point, Rod Hall, with Damien Michelin in Emily Miller earned a Safari Pre-Runner Chapman in the #3111 H3. The trio com- the second seat, was running about 20 miles class second place finish in her inaugural bined to race the H3 to victory in the pro- • TEAMbehind the #861 HUMMERTeam HUMMER H2 in his • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM race, driving the Team HUMMER H2 SUV. duction midsize SUV class, finishing the #760 H3 Stock-Mini truck. The 2006/07 252 mile race in 7:27:48. The team ran SCORE Stock- Mini Class Champion was run- Team HUMMER owner and 40-year Baja the grueling course at an average speed HUMMERning in the class lead and only• hadTEAM to finish for HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER 1000 veteran, Rod Hall, and his sons Josh of 33.83 mph, beating the nearest com- the win given that his competition had all sus- and Chad entered their stock-class H3, H2 petitor by more than 48 minutes. tained damage in an effort to keep up with the SUT and H3 Alpha in this year’s race, which • TEAMveteran Hall. The H3HUMMER pitted at RM 149 for a • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM consisted of three 84.2 mile laps. In addition to the three production class driver change and Mike Winkel got behind entries from Team HUMMER, Emily Miller HUMMERthe wheel for a trouble-free • raceTEAM to the fin- HUMMER “The entire team did a phenomenal • TEAM job made her desert HUMMER racing debut, by piloting ish with Jake Povey in as navigator. This is the of securing Team HUMMER wins in every the #1810 Team HUMMER H2 SUV to a second consecutive SCORE Stock-Mini vic- production class,” said Rod Hall. “To- second place finish in the Safari Pre-Run- • TEAMtory for the H3 and HUMMER team owner Rod Hall, this • day’sTEAM results demonstrate HUMMER the off-road ner Sportsman class. • The sportsmanTEAM class year, and puts him firmly in the lead for his third capability designed and built into every is open to any type of race vehicle and consecutive SCORE Stock-Mini points cham- HUMMER vehicle.” consisted of two 84.2 mile laps. HUMMERpionship. Chad Hall has the• H3 TEAM Alpha in the HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER points lead in the Stock-Full points chase by Team HUMMER races Best in the Desert’s With a finishing time of 4:49:52, Miller two points over John Griffin, in the Ford F-350. 8100, stock production full-size truck; and co-driver Jake Povey finished the two- • TEAMAfter the faulty wiring HUMMER problem at Laughlin put • 4100,TEAM pure-stock production HUMMER full-size lap sportsman class • race TEAM at an average him out of the race, Josh Hall’s winning effort SUV; and 3100, pure-stock production speed of 34.84 mph. in San Felipe has moved him into third place midsize SUV classes. Each class features HUMMERin the SCORE Stock-Full • Points TEAM standings. HUMMERproduction-based vehicles • with TEAM stock Team HUMMER’s HUMMER next scheduled race is of the racing season. Of couse, none of our frames, stock suspension designs and the SCORE International , May success would be possible without the help production-based engines. 30 – June 1, 2008. The 2008 Baja • TEAMwe receive from ourHUMMER various partners and we • TEAM HUMMER500 marks the 40th • Anniversary TEAM for the want to thank them all for their support. The Josh Hall and Sam Cothrun piloted the infamous off-road race in Ensenada, Baja Second Quarter edition of the Team HUM- #8111 2008 H2 SUT to a commanding California, Mexico. HUMMERMER Insider will be out in• mid TEAM June and will HUMMERvictory in the production full-size • TEAM truck HUMMER cover the upcoming Best in the Desert ‘Terrible class, finishing in 6:03:39, at an average About Team HUMMER 250 at Primm’ and the SCORE ‘Baja 1000’, speed of 41.75 mph. The team ran a near • TEAMMay 30 - June 1. HUMMER • flawlessTEAM race, with stops onlyHUMMER for fuel and Team HUMMER was • founded TEAM by legend- to make a minor suspension repair. ary off-road racer Rod Hall in 1993. Since then, Rod and his sons Josh and To learn more about Team HUMMER, HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER “The team has done a great • job TEAMprepar- Chad have HUMMER compiled 13 class wins at visit us at www.rodhallracing.com. ing and tuning the new H2 race truck,” the SCORE Baja 1000; countless po- said Josh Hall. “It has gotten better every dium finishes in the Best in the Desert • TEAM HUMMER • raceTEAM and I think we’re just HUMMER starting to tap (BitD) Racing Association • TEAM series; two into the truck’s true potential.” SCORE class championships; and five BitD class championships. H HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER The Team HUMMER #4111 • H3 TEAM Alpha HUMMER was piloted to victory in the production • TEAM22 AZIMUTH HUMMER • TEAM HUMMER • TEAM New Retail Outlet Now Open! 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WITHOUT DEALER SUPPORT WE COULDN’T KEEP HOSTING OUR GREAT EVENTS. LET THEM KNOW YOU APPRECIATE THEM!

The next time you are in one of these Harvey HUMMER, Grand Rapids, MI dealerships, extend a thank you to HUMMER of Columbus, OH them for their participation in making HUMMER of Naperville, IL our club great! Hummer of Sacramento, CA Hurricane HUMMER, Hurricane, WV Our thanks go to the following Independence HUMMER, NC dealerships for their support: Jim Jard HUMMER, TX Lockhart HUMMER, Indianapolis, IN Bergstrom HUMMER, Madison, WI Lynch HUMMER, O’Fallon, MO Bergstrom HUMMER, Milwaukee, WI Quirk HUMMER, Manchester, NH Rizza Bergstrom HUMMER, Neenah,WI HUMMER, IL - Tinley Park Bert Ogden HUMMER, Mission, TX Ron Carter HUMMER,TX Capitol HUMMER, Greenbelt, MD Schepel HUMMER, IN - Merrillville Capitol HUMMER, Lansing, MI Scott HUMMER, Emmaus, PA Central HUMMER, Cleveland, OH Tyler HUMMER, MI Classic HUMMER, TX Jerry Seiner HUMMER, South Jordan, UT Galles Davis HUMMER, Albuquerque NM Moore HUMMER, Vienna, VA Gerry Lane HUMMER, Baton Rouge, LA Weil HUMMER, IL - Libertyville Woodfield HUMMER, IL - Schaumburg

24 AZIMUTH By Cris Burkhalter The Two Trackers Four Wheel Drive Club joined forces with the Great Young & old were there to help, Lakes Four Wheel Drive Association lots of kids put out many hours of and other off-road enthusiasts to helping hands. Area Conservation conduct the 10th Annual Manistee Officers attended, as well as state National Forest trail cleanup on Representatives and local officials, Saturday, April 19. and the efforts were appreciated by all. Over 100 cu yds of garbage A total of almost 200 people regis- was picked up, something like 300 tered in the morning to spread out on tires, and 35 gallons of some un- area trails with trucks & trailers, pick known liquids (oil-like). ing up all they could find along the way.- Some Dumpsters were full by noon After that, a good group of Hum with auto parts, washing machines, mers went out to play at Silver Lake- bedsprings, couches...the amount of State Park on the sand dunes, great junk was incredible in areas that were fun after a long hard day! added this year to the cleanup efforts, while past efforts in other areas paid Photos by Cris Burkhalter Photography, LLC. off in lower volumes of garbage. www.cbphoto.com

AZIMUTH 25 On February 18, 2007, I watched from the assured me that what they said was without sofa in my living room as two well-deco- doubt. They were very apologetic and asked rated Army Officers approached my front if there was anything they could do for me. door. Before I even answered their knock, I I begged them to bring my son home alive, started crying and shaking. My first words though we all knew that was not an option. to them were “which one?” I repeated this over and over and I am sure they were con- I never really believed that I would be faced fused as I kept imploring them for an answer. with this tragedy. I can also say that I knew I then began yelling, asking them “is it Nic or from the moment I saw the officers get out of is it Kris?” The officers asked if they could their car what was coming. I had educated come inside and talk. By then my husband myself on the policy and procedure of such was beside me trying to figure out why I a situation. When my older son Nic was was so upset. It took him only a few sec- deployed to Iraq in 2005, I called the lo- onds to grasp the enormity of the situation: cal Army Recruiter’s Office almost daily with One of our boys had been killed. The two questions regarding his deployment. One of Army notifiers, a Captain and a chaplain, the things I learned was that if anything were lives for our freedom must not be forgotten requested that I sit down. They then told me to happen to Nic, Army officials would noti- and that I would do whatever I could to keep my Army Ranger son Kristofer Thomas had fy me within hours in person. This information their memories alive. That’s when the idea of been killed in Afghanistan. never left my mind. the Hummer presented itself.

I begged them as I fell to the floor to tell After being told of Kristofer’s death, my days The days turned into weeks and then months. me that they were not 100 percent sure of passed in a fog. Kristofer’s body arrived I was convinced that the Army had lied to this casualty. home a week later. His funeral was held on me and Kristofer would be coming home. I February 28, 2007. The Army provided sup- was nearly drowning in my own tears. It took I tried in every possible way to come up port and assistance with the details through- until late July for the reality of his death to with answers that challenged the truthfulness out this process. At this time, I told my hus- sink in. I then understood that he would not of their notification of Kristofer’s death. They band that the men and women who give their be calling me or walking through our home 26 AZIMUTH GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN www.neverforgetourfallen.com

again. Even then, I believed it was still necessary to keep his room as he left it before going into the Army. I guess some things take a long time to heal, but at that point, I knew I had to push myself forward. My family and friends gave me the little nudges that I needed. painting the murals onto this moving memorial In August of that year, I again mentioned from the scrapbook of photos I sent him. My the idea of a memorial Hummer to my hus- dream of honoring our fallen soldiers with a band. His response was “do what makes you Hummer had become a reality. happy.” He knew this had become important to me. The following day we visited a local The Hummer arrived at my home in Roseville, Hummer dealership. At that point, I had many CA. on December 26 with an official unveil- questions about the creation of a memorial ing on Saturday, December 29. There were Hummer; questions that only a graphic artist many patriotic supporters there as well as could answer. Several months earlier I had the invited media. The welcome it received received an email from someone who knew was overwhelming. I want to thank everyone of an artist named Robert Powell of Airbrush who has supported me and other families Guy & Co. I emailed Robert my questions Army Ranger Kristofer D. S. Thomas who have lost a loved one fighting for the regarding the idea. Later that day, as my hus- KIA 17 February 2007 OEF freedom our country stands for. I believe with band and I were visiting the cemetery to be the loss of my son in Afghanistan that it is with Kristofer, I received a phone call from He was interested in my idea of a memo- my duty to keep the memory of him and the Victoria Powell, Robert’s wife. We spoke for rial Hummer, jumped right into the purchase memory of other fallen soldiers alive. I dedi- quite some time. She told me that Robert had details and finalized the deal for a 2007 cate this 2007 Memorial Hummer H2 to all read the story on Kristofer that I had sent Hummer H2. As I gathered a scrapbook of soldiers killed honoring our country. and was deeply moved. He also told her “I images and information to send to Robert, have to paint this Hummer.” She gave me in- I could feel Kristofer sharing in my excite- Sincerely, Deborah Getz formation on their local dealership, Lander’s ment and joy. Darrell and his staff at Lander’s Proud Gold Star Mom of Hummer in Benton, Arkansas. At that point, Hummer did a phenomenal job coordinating Army Ranger Kristofer D. S. Thomas we did not know if I could purchase a vehicle with Robert to get the Hummer painted and KIA 17 February 2007 OEF out of state because of California vehicle detailed in five short months! I gave them full emissions restrictions. Before I concluded artistic freedom and remained in the dark my conversation with Victoria, I knew Robert regarding the progress. To read more about Kristofer and other was the artist I wanted for the creation. The soldiers who sacrificed their lives for price for artistically painting the Hummer was My husband and I flew to Arkansas on De- our country: never mentioned. When I inquired, Victoria cember 21. At the airport, we were wel- Please visit www.neverforgetourfallen.com made it clear that they would only accept comed and escorted to our hotel by the the cost of the paint. They would be donat- Army National Guard. At 6:30 that night, we Thank you for your support! ing their time. This was unbelievable. I told arrived at the dealership for a huge celebra- them I could not accept their more than gen- tion. This lavish event was very well planned An Airbrush Artist who truly puts his heart into erous offer. I had planned to pay whatever I and organized. Festivities included catered his work and does one-of-a-kind masterpieces: needed to get the job done, but they insisted food and live music. There was a military Robert Powell at Airbrush Guy & Co. I take it. presence in attendance, as well as members of the media. Later that evening, the H2 was 815 S. Market Benton, AR. 72015 Later that day, I contacted Lander’s Hummer unveiled and I was presented with the keys. e-mail: [email protected] and spoke with General Manager, Darrell I cannot begin to tell you how delightfully web site: airbrushguy.com Miller. I explained my situation and told shocked I was at viewing this vehicle for the him that I would be working with Robert. first time. Robert Powell did an amazing job

AZIMUTH 27 28 AZIMUTH It all started back in the 1990’s. A couple who makes most of the winter runs but, due On the third day we went to Disney, Oklaho- of us would get together the week between to running his construction company, has a ma, 60 miles from our base. We visited this Christmas and New Years Eve and look for hard time making the summer drives. Even area two years earlier and had a great time. trails that the Mid-West Hummer Club could though, two of us live across the great Mis- There were many steep climbs, combined use for trail rides throughout the year. It was sissippi River, we are the Missouri Boys, with a lot of mud. Here, like the first day, we easier to look for new trails with two or three Hummer Enthusiasts. had to strap and/or winch. The first ’s than a whole group, especially when we usually made the climb and sometimes the reached a dead-end and had to turn around. Our base camp this year was in Neosho, second, but by the third it was time Over time the club disbanded, but the core Missouri, just 15 miles from our first loca- group stayed in touch. We have had several tion, a park called “D-Day”. We spent two to strap and winch. About 4 p.m. we had the articles of our adventures in the Azimuth; past fun days there last year. “D-Day” hosts the typical feeling we usually get when we are out Christmas - New Year Eve Runs, The Rubicon, largest re-enactment of D-Day with paint ball wheeling with Keith, our fearless leader. We and our August Colorado Trips. guns. They have over five thousand partici- wonder, “are we going to get home tonight pants come from all over the world, including or sleep on the trail”. It’s too late to just turn When we are not attending a National New Zealand, England and Canada. On around and head back the way we came in. Hummer event, we rely on our planner Bob the first few trails we picked, we ended up With courage, we forged ahead and took on Davis. I think it is fair to say that if it wasn’t having to strap half of the vehicles up the first a new challenge.... mud. We hit the nastiest, for his planning, this includes everything from few hill climbs. It was starting to look like it muddiest mud on the way out and by this time the trails we run to the motels we stay in, was going to be a very long day. We even- of day, with the long shadows, we were in our annual Colorado trip may not happen. tually got our “forrest legs” and the rest of the no mood to be winching and strapping each Then we have our trail leader Keith Farrand, day went well. other. So we did or best to avoid the holes he loves the hard stuff, so we always try to created by previous wheelers. If I can say so have a trail or two that challenges him a little. On our second day we headed to Cass- myself, we did a pretty good job of this, for This is not easy, for Keith keeps getting better. ville, forty miles to the south, an area we we did not have to strap or winch but one Then there is Mike Boswell, the driver that haven’t been to in three years. We found vehicle on the way out, and we made it out has probably done less damage to an H1 one of the old trails that used to have some as the sun was setting in the West. than anyone I know. Lastly, there’s me, the challenges. Though, time had changed a founder of the old Mid-West Hummer Club, few things. The challenges were gone and Next year we are planning on going to a founded back in 1997. I am a trail rider. If towards the end, the trail narrowed consid- completely new area, Superlift Park in Hot there is something between me and where erably; it reminded me of running an ATV Springs, Arkansas. For now look for upcom- I want to go, hard or easy, I go, but I don’t trail. Never fear, H1’s and H2’s go thru ATV ing articles on our Colorado and Hole in the purposely go looking for the hard stuff. Join- trails quite well, with only minor scratching. Rock adventures. H ing us for the first time in three years is Chris The day grew longer, and we started to Basler, an H2 driver. We didn’t scare him look for ways out of the deep woods. Keith off three years ago. In the interim Chris fin- was sure we were on the right trail. In the ished his MBA and got married. We also twilight, we somehow found our way out of have Rusty LePere, a hard core H2 driver what use to be, familiar territory.

AZIMUTH 29 Wheel Alignment Check TECH TIP BY DAVE BREGGIN Description The Wheel Alignment Check is performed as part of the “B” service The Wheel Alignment Check should be performed any time uneven or unusual tire wear is observed wheelThe Wheel Alignment Check alignment should be performed after replacing Tie Rod check Ends, Idler Arm, or Pitman Arm Description The torque specification in this manual for On the Hummer, the thrust angles should al- The Wheel Alignment Check is performed as the cam-type Caster/Camber adjustment is ways be zero. part of the “B” service higher than the AMG recommendation. This is TheRelated Wheel Alignment Tasks Check should be per- required to reliably maintain the adjustment. Caster (figure 3) formedIf checking any time isuneven being or unusualperformed tire wear as part of a regular service, it should be done before any of the wheels are is raised.observed Overview The Wheel Alignment Check should be per- This page will provide a summary of the termi- formed after replacing Tie Rod Ends, Idler nology used in describing wheel alignment. Arm, or Pitman Arm Tools and Supplies Note: All diagrams are greatly exaggerated Related Tasks for clarity. If Tapechecking Measure is being performed as part of a regular service, it should be done before any On steering (front on most vehicles), of the wheels are raised. there is an axis of rotation of the tires as they Special Tools steer. The angle between this axis and verti- Tools and Supplies cal is known as the Caster. (Figure 3) TapeString Measure or heavy thread, about 50 feet long SpecialTwo Toolssmall clamps or clothespins On the Hummer, only the front tires steer, so StringGolf or pencilheavy thread, or similar about 50 spacer feet long (refer to text) only the front tires should have the Caster set. Two small clamps or clothespins Toe-in (figure 1) Since the rear suspension is almost exactly the Golf pencil or similar spacer (refer to text) Toe-in is the measure of the distance between same as the front, it is theoretically possible to the fronts and the rears of the tires on a par- set the rear caster as well. Without steering FastenersFasteners ticular . (Figure 1) rear tires, however, it is not useful. Notes / Special Instructions

Fastener Wrench Size Loctite Torque Notes / Special Tools Tie Rod Clamp Bolts 5/8” & 11/16” - Position critical in front Cam-type Caster/Camber 1-1/8” - 300 lb ft ’97-1/2 and later

Wheel Alignment must be measured with the This difference can be measured as a dis- Camber (figure 4) truck suspension in normal driving position. If tance, or as an angle. oneNotes or more of/ Specialthe wheels has Instructions been raised (e.g.• by jacking),Wheel theAlignment suspension mustmust be bere-set measured- On the with Hummer, the thetruck front suspension tires are closer in tonormal- driving position. If one or tled. This is most easily done by driving the gether at the front than at the rear, and the rear vehicle forwardmore of about the onewheels truck-length. has been Typi- raisedtires (e.g. farther by apart jacking), at the front the than suspension at the rear. must be re-settled. This is most cally, theeasily truck isdone backed by outdriving of the the service vehicle forward about one truck-length. Typically, the truck is backed out area, andof then the driven service back area, into place. and then drivenThrust back Angle into place. (figure 2) The• truckThe must truck be on must a flat, be nearly on alevel flat, sur nearly- level surface. face. Since most paved roads are crowned in the The• truckThe must truck not noticeably must not lean noticeably to one side lean to one side or the other. center to promote drainage, the tires of most or• the other.The String method of measuring Thrust Angle can also be used to adjustvehicles the toe are- in,set butto a onlyslight ifangle the in front order to The Stringand method rear trackof measuring width Thrust (widt Angleh of wheels) is nearly identical. meet the road squarely. The angle between can• also be used to adjust the toe-in, but only this alignment and vertical is known as Cam- if the frontAdjustment and rear trackof Caster width (widthand Camber of are beyond the scope of this manual.ber. This (Figure is better 4) left to wheels) experiencedis nearly identical. personnel with the appropriate equipment. Specifications for these are included in this Adjustmentsection, of Caster as andare Camber many areother beyond tips thatWhen may the be Toe-in helpful is set, forboth shops tires on unfamiliar an axle Onwith the theHummer, Hummer. both the front and rear tires the• scopeAll of alignment this manual. work This is should better left be performedshould have with the same the vangleehicle with at respect typical to weightare set (e.g. to be normal slightly widercargo), at the and top than at to experienced personnel with the appropri- the vehicle. Any deviation from this may the bottom. ate equipment.with the Specifications tires at the for correct these are pressure cause for handling hard surfaces.problems and increased tire included• The in this torque section, specificationas are many other in tips this manualwear. The for Thrust the cam Angle-type for anCaster/Camber axle is the Wheel adjustment Alignment is higher Check than the that mayAMG be helpful recommendation for shops unfamiliar. Thiswith is requiredaverage of to the reliab anglesly of maintain the two tires the (with adjustment. the Hummer. respect to the vehicle). Toe-in Check 1. Park the truck on a flat, level surface. All alignment work should be performed with If the rear is misaligned, the rear of the truck • Steering should point straight ahead. the vehicle at typical weight (e.g. normal car- tends not to follow the front (Figure 2). If the • Drive the truck straight for at least 5 feet. go), and with the tires at the correct pressure front is misaligned, the steering wheel must 2. Measure across the front and the rear of for hard surfaces. be held at an angle for the truck to drive in the front tires. a straight line. • Take the measurement as close to the

30 AZIMUTH Wheel Alignment Check - Page 1 of 5 front and rear of the tires as possible with Thrust Angle Check out the tape measure contacting the under Note: This method of checking the Thrust side of the truck. Angle only works if the truck does not lean • Not all tire tread patterns have a to one side or another because of suspension center line, so be certain to measure height differences. (Front and rear need not We carry a wide variety of from/to the same points on the front be the same.) popular accessories as well as and the rear. 3. Compare the difference in measurements 1. Park the truck on a flat, level surface. unique and hard-to-find items. to the specifications listed in the table. • Drive the truck straight for at least 4. Repeat the process in the rear. 5 feet. • Remember, on the front axle, the fronts • Steering should point straight ahead. should be closer and on the rear axle, • Steering wheel should be centered to the fronts should be farther apart. check front thrust angle. 5. If the Toe-in must be adjusted, use 2. Wrap the string around the tires on the the Thrust Angle Check procedure to truck. determine how much each tire should • Fasten one end to a part of the trailer be adjusted. hitch using a clamp or clothespin. THE WORKS! Everything you need for 6. Toe-in is adjusted by changing the • Maintain tension on the string as you off-road winching and recovery operations. length of the Tie Rods. guide the string around all four tires, • Illustration 1 shows the right front crossing each as close to the center Tie Rod Assembly (inner Tie Rod End as possible without the string contacting not shown). any part of the truck body. • After running the string completely around the truck, fasten the other end to the trailer hitch with the other clamp or clothespin. • Make sure the string crosses each tire IBIS TEK TIRE & CAN CARRIER on the sidewall, not on a raised letter Developed for the U.S. Military, now or other blemish. available for civilians. • Make sure the string is not in contact with any other part of the truck. 3. Measure and record the distance at each tire. • Refer to Figure 5 for this step.

Illustration 1

LIGHT BARS Light up the trail and dress • Loosen both clamps. up your HUMMER. • Rotate the Tie Rod Sleeve (center section). • Rotation in one direction lengthens the Tie Rod, while rotation in the other a. This figure shows a top view of the direction shortens it. right rear tire (or the left front tire) • Each full rotation of the Tie Rod Sleeve b. The other axle of the truck is to HUMMER, H1, H2, H3 OR HMMWV, changes the Toe-in by about 3/4 of the right an inch (17 mm) for original-size tires. • Place a spacer under the string near • After adjusting, drive the truck forward the high-point of the sidewall bulge. about 1 truck-length to re-settle the a. A golf pencil or similar lightweight suspension and re-check the Toe-in. object may be used • After adjustment is completed, • Position the spacer such that the string re-tighten the clamps. just touches the other sidewall bulge. a. Too far forward will lift the string NOTE: Clamp position is critical on the front completely off of the sidewall Contact – the outboard clamp must face forward, and Point the inboard clamp must face rearward (Illustra- b. Too far rearward will allow the string tion 1). Failure to do so may result in damage to bend at the sidewall Contact Point to the tire, wheel, or wheel balance weights. • Problems with spacer placement. a. If the Toe adjustment is correct TECH TIP BY DAVE BREGGIN

Camber Check (or somewhat close), the spacer 1. Park the truck on a flat, lepositionvel surface should. look similar to Figure 5 • Steering should pointa. If thestraight string aheadgaps at. the contact point • Drive the truck straight without for anyat least spacer, 5 feet measure. at the 2. Visually check the angle “Contact of the tire Point” with and respect consider to the the side of the truck. measurement to be negative (and note • All tires should lean that out the slightly Toe must at thealso top be. adjusted) • If any tires lean inb. at If thea larger top (Ill spacerustration is required, 2), adjustment use a is required. larger spacer (and note that the Toe • Note characteristic tiremay wear alsoCamber needin Illustration to beCheck adjusted) 2 – inner • Carefully measure the distance tread area is almost bald. 1. Park the truck on a flat, level surface. between the string and the high-point of the sidewall• bulge.Steering should point straight ahead. 4. Using these distances,• Drive compare the truck the angel straight for at least 5 feet. Caster Check of each tire2. onVisually an axle. check the angle of the tire with respect to the side of Caster is not easily measured • If without the distances specializedthe truckare the. equipment.same, the While driving, if the steering Thrust does Anglenot tend• for Alltothat return tiresAxle shouldisto OK. center, lean the out slightly at the top. caster may require adjustment. • If the distances• areIf any the tiressame leanand thein at the top (Illustration 2), adjustment Toe-in requires adjustment,is required adjust. both NoteIllustration characteristic 2 tire – Incorrectwear in Illustration Camber 2 – in- tires equally• in orderNote to characteristic maintain the tire wearner treadin Illustration area is almost 2 – bald. inner correct Thrust Angle.tread area is almost bald. • If the distances are different and the Caster Check Toe-in is OK, both tires should be ad Caster is not easily measured without special- justed in the same direction in order to Alignment Specifications Caster Check ized equipment. While driving, if the steering correct the Thrust Angle. does not tend to return to center, the caster may • If the distancesCaster is are not different easily measuredand the withoutrequire specialized adjustment. equipment. Current AM General procedures Toe-in list Whilerequires two setsdriving, adjustment, of alignment if the adjust steering specifications.each does not tend The to “Service return to Checking” center, the specs are used to determine whether wheel an alignment casterseparately may is suchrequire necessary, that adjustment.both and the the “ServiceAlignment Setting Specifications” specs are used to set the Toe-in and the Thrust Angle are alignment if needed. The Service Checking specs have a wider range than the Service Setting specs. The Illustration 2 – Incorrect Camber alignment should be the same correct. on the left and right sides within the listedCurrent amount AM General (“must procedures be same listwithin”) two sets. of 5. The angle of each tire is adjusted by alignment specifications. The “Service Checking” rotating the Tie Rod Sleeve, as described specs are used to determine whether an align- Also note that the vehicle shouldin the Toe-in be loaded Check assection it typically above. is when driven. Vehicle load changes the suspension geometry somewhat, which needs to be accounted for whenment aligning is necessary, the and Hummer. the “Service Setting” specs are used to set the alignment if needed. The Ser- Camber CheckAlignment Specifications Service Checking vice Checking specs have a wider range than 1. Park the truck on a flat, level surface. the Service Setting specs. The alignment should Caster (degrees) Camber (degrees) Toe (total, degrees) Toe (total, inches) * • SteeringCurrent should AMpoint General straight ahead.procedures listbe twothe same sets onof thealignment left and rightspecifications. sides within the The “Service Checking” specs Front • +1.5Drive totheare +4.0 truck used straight to determine for0 at to least +1.75 whether 5 feet. an alignmentlisted0 toamount +0. is50 (“must necessary, be same and 0within”).” tothe + “Service5/16” Setting” specs are used to set the Rear 2. Visuallyn check/alignmenta the angle if needed. -of0.1 the to tire +1.0The Service Checking-0.50 to specs 0 have a wider-5/16” range to 0” than the Service Setting specs. The (must be same within) with respect1.0alignment to the side should of the truck.be1.0 the same on theAlso left note0.10 and that right the vehicle sides shouldwithin be1/16” the loaded listed as amount it (“must be same within”). • All tires should lean out slightly at the top. typically is when driven. Vehicle load changes • If any tires lean in at the top Also note thatService the vehicle Setting should bethe loaded suspension as itgeometry typically somewhat, is when which driven needs. Vehicle load changes the (Illustration 2), adjustment is required. Caster (degrees)suspension Cambergeometry (degrees) somewhat, Toe whichto be(total, accountedneeds degrees) to befor whenaccounted Toe aligning (total, for the inches)when Hummer. aligning * the Hummer. Front +2.5 to +3.5 0 to +0.50 0 to +0.38 0” to +1/4” Rear n/a +0.25 to +0.75 -0.38 to 0Service Checking-1/4” to 0” (must be same within) 0.50 0.50 Caster (degrees)0.10 Camber (degrees)1/16” Toe (total, degrees) Toe (total, inches) * Front +1.5 to +4.0 0 to +1.75 0 to +0.50 0” to +5/16” * Toe-in (in inches) measured with original size tires Rear n/a -0.1 to +1.0 -0.50 to 0 -5/16” to 0” (must be same within) 1.0 1.0 0.10 1/16”

Service Setting Caster (degrees) Camber (degrees) Toe (total, degrees) Toe (total, inches) * Front +2.5 to +3.5 0 to +0.50 0 to +0.38 0” to +1/4” Rear n/a +0.25 to +0.75 -0.38 to 0 -1/4” to 0” (must be same within) 0.50 0.50 0.10 1/16”

* Toe-in (in inches) measured with original size tires

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