Jeep News and Rumors - September 2006 Dispatch

* Ladies and gentleman, in the center ring you will see that BFGoodrich tires has launched a competition tire for the Championship Off-Road Racing series. The Mud-Terrain T/A is in new size, 35x12/50R17, and with the max tread width allowed (10.2 inches). The new design can be used as both front and rear tires for racing. Is this a foreshadowing of the look for the next-generation Mud-Terrain? No.* Isky Racing Cams has created Jamora Racing Enterprises, a shop where employees can do R&D. * Extreme Radiator has tapped into the Jeepster Commando market, creating a four-row radiator for the AMC V-8.

* Coming to a pump near you, Gas Station TV. Seriously, how long before NASA is commissioned to hang a giant flat screen TV in the sky? Wait, the world is flat, right?

* Next time you decide to run a stoplight and then get pulled over, know that you may have been narc'd on by Officer Delicious. A.k.a. Terry Golden. A.k.a. Mister Terry Golden. Dude looked like a lady as he donned heels, a dress, a wig, jewels, and makeup to attempt to catch stoplight violators in West Palm Beach. Guess that's their version of a red-light district. He used a two-way radio to give other officers the tip-off. In return, they gave him the nickname previously only heard of with regard to some rumor about FNG Pete, bachelorette parties, and subsidizing his Jp salary.

* Wal-Mart might sell ethanol-based fuel.

* The winner of city with the worst road rage? Miami, come on down! Other rude cities named by AutoVantage were Los Angeles (of course), New York (naturally), Boston (go figure), and Phoenix (who can blame them, it's effin' Africa hot there).

There will be yet another video game with a Jeep product making an appearance, but this time no Lara Croft eye-candy. The new Medal of Honor: Airborne has an authentic World War II Jeep prepped for missions - and mean action sequences. While behind the wheel, players can use it for transport or as a mobile-attack platform, thanks to its multiple mounted weapons. For more info, check out moh.ea.com.

* Look for more platform sharing of Jeeps with other Jeeps in the next couple of years.

* Watch for the '07 ethanol-fueled Jeeps (that would be Commander and Grand Cherokee) to sport yellow gas caps. That's better than the corn-cob hat they originally were going to ask owners to wear.

Hot: Bikini-clad Bree serving beer in the officeNot: Human Resources putting a stop to itReally Not Hot: Trasborg bikini shots replacing Bree in Jp Magazine

"The guy is pumping his own gas, gets out of the vehicle, he slips and falls and slides under the vehicle. We have a scenario where you squeeze the nozzle and it backs up and spills gas all over you, so you stupidly go into the car, pick up a pack of cigarettes, and light a match. Spark - up goes the car."

- Bill Dressler, executive director of the New Jersey Gasoline Retailers Association and Allied Trades, over why the state does not allow self-serve gasoline.

In addition to these "safety" reasons, he has been quoted in various newspapers as saying people also could accidentally put fuel "in the wrong container."

Oregon is the other state that does not permit self-serve.

August 19, Lake Tahoe Hi-Lo's 19th Annual Poker Run, 30 miles south of Lake Tahoe, California; laketahoehilos.comSeptember 1-4, Maryland Jeep Club 2nd Annual Charity Ride, Paragon Adventure Park, Pennsylvania; marylandjeepclub.org/charity06/

Does your club have an event happening in 2006? Tell us, we can't read minds. Make it simple and follow this format:Name of event?Date of event?Location/city/state in which the event will be held?How can readers find out more info (Web site and/or phone)?Send those tidbits to Jp Magazine, Things to Do with Your Jeep, 6420 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90048, or e-mail jp@primedia.com (make sure your subject line is "Things to Do with Your Jeep").

Ding, dong, the Liberty is ... OK, just the diesel version of it will be for 2007. Because the Liberty's GVWR is less than 6,000 pounds, it is difficult to get the 2.8L CRD-stuffed Jeep to pass emissions. It could be done, but since the diesel Liberty was just an experiment, it wouldn't be a worthwhile investment for DaimlerChrysler to make the engine pass. But expect a clean-burner to return around 2008 when the Liberty is redesigned.

"Cities across the world will experience the naked joy of the world's largest naked protest against oil dependency and car culture in the history of humanity. Naked Bicycle People Power!" Oh, the humanity is right. And so goes the twofold theme of World Naked Bike Ride. Fold one: A shirtless, pantless protest against oil dependency. Fold two: Promotion of cycling and also of the human body. Truthfully, we're guessing there will be many, many more folds - goes with the territory of econudists all hunched over their Schwinns. The next naked exhibitionist, er, expedition is on March 10, 2007. Hey, look at that! The Jp staff is no longer addicted to oil.