•Automotive News reported that the number of dealership closures in 2009 was the worst on record since the 1950s.
•NHTSA approved an extension of 90 days for recyclers to crush or shred vehicles under the Cash for Clunkers program, bringing the total
carnage/processing time to 270 days.
•The U.S. Army's new budget proposal did not include cash for AM General Humvees. An army spokesman told the Associated Press that the 2,620 Humvees already ordered will be the last ordered. In fact, as we went to press, the Hummer brand had no potential buyer and was headed for six feet under.
•iPhone app: ParkWatch. This freebie lets you send an alert (and receive them) if you spot a parking enforcement officer in the area and also helps you keep on the ball with how much time you have left in a meter or any place with time restraints.
•Over at the U.S. Air Force, the Air Armament Center, 308th Armament Systems Wing, Rapid Acquisition Cell is looking for a "car stopper." Translation: "Seeking information that could lead to development of an air-delivered capability to disable moving ground vehicles while minimizing harm to occupants."
Ultimate V-8 Book
Full name: Ultimate American V-8 Engine Data Book, 2nd Edition. The contents? Let's just say it ain't called Ultimate for nothing. Included in this book is every excruciating detail about every V-8 ever made in the U.S. Every V-8, right through the '09 model year. We're talking specs, internal dimensions, casting numbers, codes, horsepower, torque, compression ratio, cubic inches, Hemis, AMCs, Fords, GMs, small-blocks, big-blocks, strengths, weaknesses, which vehicles have which engine-excruciating detail. There's also a mini history lesson about each engine/manufacturer and well as photos that help you become a better spotter, such as a side-by-side comparo of AMC cylinder blocks. Do you know when tuned port fuel injection was introduced? Facts about the Y-block exhaust manifold design? What the intake manifold on the 6.1L SRT is made of? There are 240 pages to make you fluent in V-8s. Get it at motorbooks.com.
Things to Do With Your Jeep
•May 15-16: Rocks & Valleys 1st Anniversary Wheel & Feast Celebration, hosted by Jackpine 4WD, Rocks and Valleys Off Road Park, Harrison, MI, rocksandvalleys.com
•May 21-22: Midwest Willys Jeep Reunion, Kings Island Resort, Mason, OH, midwestwillysreunion.org
•May 21-22: Spring Race, Cleves, OH, gravelrama.com
•May 28-30: 14th OHV Extravaganza, hosted by Baltimore 4 Wheelers, Rausch Creek Off-Road Park, Tremont, PA, baltimore4wheelers.org
•June 5: Offroad Show & Swap Meet, hosted by Grand Mesa Jeep Club, County Fairgrounds, Grand Junction, CO, gmjc.org
•June 16-20: 6th Annual Jeep Camp, hosted by Black Hills Jeeps, Steel Wheels Campground, Deadwood, SD, blackhillsjeeps.com
•June 18-20: Big Bear Forest Fest 13, hosted by Inland Empire 4 Wheelrs, San Bernardino Mountains, Big Bear, CA, ie4w.com
•June 20: First Annual Jeep and 4x4 Car Show, hosted by Kansas City Jeep Club, Schlitterbahn Waterpark, Kansas City, KS, kcjeepclub.org
•June 25-26: June Brackets & Pro Trucks, Cleves, OH, gravelrama.com
•June 25-27: 6th Annual Northwest Fest, hosted by North American XJ Association (NAXJA), near Naches, Washington, naxja.org
•July 8-10: 6th Snowshoe Mountain, hosted by Jeep Jamboree USA, Snowshoe, WV, jeepjamboreeusa.com
•July 10-11: Urban SUV Survival Driving Clinic, hosted by Badlands Off-Road Adventures, Hungry Valley SVRA, Gorman, CA 4x4training.com
•July 12-18: Divide Ride 2010, hosted by Montana 4x4 Association, Jefferson County Fairgrounds, Boulder, MT, m4x4a.org or divideride.org
•July 15-17: 15th Northwoods - Mole Lake, hosted by Jeep Jamboree USA, Crandon, WI, jeepjamboreeusa.com
•July 15-17: 4th Killington, hosted by Jeep Jamboree USA, Killington, VT, jeepjamboreeusa.com