Wheeling in mountainous terrain has inherent risks. The terrain in the Moab area can be especially perilous due in part to the excellent traction provided by the sandstone, which can cause us to momentarily lose our perspective on the limits of our vehicles. This is why safety is critically important when 'wheeling in Moab. The following rollover illustrates that when proper safety gear is utilized, your chances of walking away unhurt are vastly improved.
-Ken Brubaker
This driver did everything right, even after everything went wrong. While attempting to ascend Potato Salad Hill, the front end of his TJ slid left, throwing the rig into an inescapable roll. As the TJ spiraled to the bottom of the hill, the belted-in driver kept his hands firmly attached to the steering wheel and he kept his legs tucked into the footwell. Even after rolling over in excess of three times, the driver walked away and even helped to coordinate the vehicle's recovery.
Stan Prueitt
No, it wasn't Top Truck Challenge '04 all over again, but it sure looked like it. Seven of the 10 competitors from last year's TTC came to Moab for the Easter Jeep Safari, and together they ran a few of the area's legendary trails during the course of the week. This is notably the first such reunion of TTC competitors that we know of. Stan Prueitt, the owner of the 6x10 Dodge Ram, spearheaded the reunion, spurred by the friendships made during the weeklong competition at the Hollister, California-based event. In addition to TTC competitors, the reunion also included some of the co-drivers and even a few family members. Most of the group camped at the Pack Creek Campground outside of Moab. Highlights from their week included Howard Jacques flipping "JeepZilla" end over end on the Escalator obstacle; Robb Rutledge bidding adieu to the internals of "UltraCruiser's" 6.5L diesel engine; TTC winner Brad Austin smoking the "Blue Beast's" alternator, forcing him to drive Hell's Revenge at night with no headlights; and Robin Brisebois' losing battle with gravity in the Hot Tub obstacle.
-Ken Brubaker
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Robin Brisebois
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Howard Jacques
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Brad Austin
A group of lucky editorial staffers and media personnel were invited out to Area BFE, the new private 4x4 Reserve Park from BFE Films, for a lighthearted rockcrawling competition. For many, it was a chance to get behind the wheel of one of those purpose-built rock buggies for an afternoon of fun. For others, the competition simply set the pace for the full-throttle week to come. Representing Four Wheeler was Feature Editor Robin Stover in a brand-spankin'-new Rhino RTV two-seater buggy. Even though winning the event might have added to Robin's growing reputation in competitive motorsports, he claims the weather failed to cooperate with his plans, and the duties that go along with making magazines required his presence elsewhere during the actual competition. Yeah, right.