Marzuq Sand Sea, Sahara Desert from Space

This detailed astronaut photograph, taken from low earth orbit, shows classic large and small sand masses of the central Sahara Desert, where wind is a more powerful land-shaping agent than water. “Draa” dunes (from the Arabic for “arm”) are very large masses of sand, and they appear here as the broad network of yellow-orange sand masses, with smooth-floored, almost sand-free basins between them. These sand masses lie in the western part of Libya’s vast Marzuq Sand Sea (centered at 24.5 degrees north, 12 degrees west). Geologists think that the draa of the Marzuq were probably formed by winds different from the prevailing north-northeast winds of today.
Numerous smaller dunes have developed on the backs of the draa. Three distinct dune types are visible: longitudinal dunes, which are more or less parallel with the north winds; transverse dunes, which are usually more curved and formed at right angles to the wind; and star dunes, in which several linear arms converge towards a single peak.
The upwind sides of the sand masses appear smoother than the downwind side. Wind is moving sand grains almost all the time. This means that the draa and the dunes are all moving as sand is added on the upwind side and blown off the downwind side. Small sand masses move much faster than large sand masses. The draa are almost stationary, but the smaller dunes move relatively quickly across their backs. When the smaller dunes reach the downwind side of the draa, they are obliterated; their sand is blown across the basins as individual grains.

January 19, 2009
Sand Dunes, Marzuq Sand Sea, Southwest Libya

www.DuneGuide.com

Dunes enforcement: Conscientious or overzealous?

Source: http://www.yumasun.com/news/_47364___article.html/_.html

BY JAMES GILBERT, SUN STAFF WRITER

January 24, 2009 - Canadians Mike and Erica Combs got involved in duning about three years ago, investing about $70,000 in a sand rail and other equipment, and have been hooked ever since.
Every year, the Combs make the 29-hour, 1,500-mile-plus trip from their home in British Columbia to the Imperial Sand Dunes to spend a few months playing in the sun and sand.
But with some duners complaining about what they are calling overaggressive enforcement by U.S. Bureau of Land Management rangers in the sand dunes, the Combs say they may not be making the trip anymore.
"We are considering not coming anymore based on everything we have heard and seen," Mike Combs said. "It makes us nervous since we aren't from this country."
Michael Sommer, media affairs chairman for the American Sand Association, says while the organization has received some complaints from duners about overaggressive enforcement, he says that isn't what is happening.
"The only people who are complaining about the overzealous law enforcement are the ones who are breaking the rules. There are rules, regulations and laws at the Imperial Sand Dunes and people haven't been following them," Sommer said.
"Until this year, if you didn't come into contact with a ranger, you weren't being fined for anything. This season they are out actively looking to do the enforcement that they have been lax in enforcing in the past."
Duner Rick Cottington, of Phoenix, said he doesn't think enforcement at the dunes has been overzealous either, but added it may be due to more to people not knowing they are breaking any rules.
"The enforcement is valid, just not well-explained," Cottington said. "There should be some kind warning given initially."
Sommer went on to say duners should be grateful they are being allowed on federal land, which is what the dunes are, and that it is their responsibility to educate themselves on what the rules and regulations are and follow them at all times.
"I think a lot of people would discover that they are breaking more rules than they realize," Sommer said. "The complaints aren't unwarranted, it's just that they haven't made the effort to educate themselves. There are reasons for the rules and regulations. They aren't just there to harass people."
BLM spokesman David Briery said the agency has never been lax in enforcing regulations at the dunes and that the level of law enforcement there has remained constant over the past several years.
"I wouldn't say we have been overzealous. I haven't heard anything about us being stricter," Briery said. "I would say we have been zealous in enforcing the laws in the interest of everyone's safety."
According to statistics provided by the BLM, from Dec. 27, 2007 to Jan. 1, 2008, there were 102,974 visitors to the sand dunes, with 15 arrests and 899 citations issued.
By comparison, from Dec. 20, 2008 to Jan. 5, 2009, there were 119,000 visitors to the sand dunes, with 23 arrests and 1,276 citations issued.
Briery also suggested duners take the time to better educate themselves about all the rules and suggested they go to the agency's Web site.
While Cottington said he thought the enforcement could be used as a revenue stream for the agency, Briery responded that the BLM doesn't get the money for the citations. Imperial County actually receives the money, according to Briery.
Briery went on to say the only time deputies from the Imperial County Sheriff's Office, as well as law enforcement from other agencies, are brought in is during the big holiday weekends.
He suggested that since there are fewer people going to the dunes, maybe those who do still go are encountering rangers more often now.
--
www.yumasun.com

Awafi Desert Festival, United Arab Emirates

From:
http://www.thenational.ae/article/20090124/NATIONAL/886856278/1001/NEWS

RAS AL KHAIMAH // Neither the heavy rain nor the flashes of lightning above Awafi’s famous red dunes could keep the visitors from around the Gulf from their annual dose of petrol, metal and sand.Hundreds turned out in yesterday’s inclement weather to watch vehicles churn through the dunes at the end of the opening week of the Awafi Desert Festival.One group of men, wearing kanduras and brown leather jackets, huddled under the hood of a Honda watching a video on a mobile phone of a man performing wheelies.
“That’s me,” said Sulayman al Shuroomi, the two-time drifting and wheelie champion. Al Shuroomi was hoping for another title on the tarmac track at the Awafi Desert Festival this year but confessed that these days he had more fun on the dunes.Throughout the week, children, teenagers and the young at heart have bounced over quad-bike trails and cruised over crushed sand.Families gathered in the evening to picnic, play and shop in Awafi’s outdoor bazaar under the desert stars.
The RAK government hopes to attract thousands of tourists by marketing the three-week festival as one of the region’s top desert carnivals.For RAK residents, the sixth annual festival that started on Jan 16, is an opportunity to compete against some of the Gulf’s top desert drivers.Motorists practise on the dunes all year, building their reputations, skill and courage to compete. Garages across the UAE select drivers and enter customised vehicles.
Off-road competitions drew the largest crowds. Spectators cheered as they watched customised lorries churn through Awafi’s dunes and try to blaze up its infamous 70-degree, 90-metre dune.Forty-three lorries competed for the honour of fastest time and more than Dh100,000 (US$27,200) in prize money for the competition’s eight- and six-cylinder categories. The lorries had two chances to reach the top of the dune from its base. Only two were successful. Veteran competitors and rookies alike spent up to Dh100,000 to replace their engines and customise their vehicles, often leaving little more than the original frame intact.
“For a little playing here, people spend about Dh15,000 to Dh20,000,” says Abdulla al Hebsi, 22, who taught himself to drive on Awafi’s dunes seven years ago.“But if you want to join with them in the games, it’s at least Dh50,000. Just to put in the engine is Dh30,000. There is no time here. During the Awafi Festival people come 24 hours a day. People drive all day, all night.”At night, the festival takes on a carnival atmosphere. Trees are draped in garlands of lights; temporary coffee shops and shisha cafes line a busy road.
Every evening the sand bowl is filled with hundreds of lorries racing each other up slopes, spitting sand. Some snake up backwards. In bad weather, the quad bikes disappear but small cars come to test the hardened sand as police watch closely from the top of each sand dune.This year, the Awafi Desert Festival highlights Emirati heritage. A new colosseum-style stage set amid the dunes will host some of the Gulf’s celebrity entertainers, including Emirati singers, vocalists and comedians from Bahrain, and a Kuwaiti theatre troupe.
Every weekend, quizzes on UAE culture will draw crowds at Awafi’s traditional village.“Awafi has something special,” said Hamad al Shamsi, a member of the Festival Organising Committee and deputy general director of the RAK Department of Economic Development. “In Awafi, it’s natural, it’s a kind of freedom. People can do what they want. They can camp, they can drive around. People feel more comfortable.”
Sheikh Faisal bin Saqr, the chairman of the RAK Financial Department and head of the Festival Organising Committee, said: “Awafi was unknown before. People used to go and camp there so the government decided to promote this. Since then, the government has attracted more and more people from abroad.”Obaid al Zaabi, a retired teacher, plans to attend the festival each day to relax with friends in their tent overlooking the desert.
“People have been coming here for more than 20 years. Today people come from Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Al Ain, from all of the Gulf. Young people, old people ... all are coming.”azacharias@thenational.ae

For pictures, go to www.thenational.ae/awafi

www.DuneGuide.com

Polaris Finishes Three at DAKAR

First manufacturer with official team sees three of four finish!

Minneapolis, January 20, 2009 –The 2009 DAKAR saw 23 ATVs start with only 13 finishing. Of that 13, three were members of Team Polaris!

French Racer Hubert Deltrieu, winner of the DAKAR Series Central Europ, Lybia Desert Challenge, Pharaons Rallye and second at the DAKAR Series Portugal, had a very good showing taking fourth. Eric Carlini took eighth and Betty Kraft took ninth and became the first woman to finish the DAKAR on an ATV. Italian Racer Pietro Fogliani had to leave the race due to a hand injury.

“We are very proud of the racers and their efforts at DAKAR,” said Eric Nault, race team manager for Polaris. “Having three out of four finishers is a true testament of both the riders’ and machine’s grittiness and endurance, and we congratulate Deltrieu, Carlini and Kraft on their incredible achievements.”

All racers ran the 2009 Outlaw 525 IRS for the race. The Outlaw 525 IRS is endurance race proven and its Independent Rear Suspension provided a smooth ride and reduced rider fatigue.

About Polaris
With annual 2007 sales of $1.8 billion, Polaris designs, engineers, manufactures and markets all terrain vehicles (ATVs), including the Polaris RANGER™, snowmobiles and Victory motorcycles for recreational and utility use. Polaris is a recognized leader in the snowmobile industry; and one of the largest manufacturers of ATVs in the world. Victory motorcycles, established in 1998 and representing the first all-new American made motorcycle from a major company in nearly 60 years, are rapidly making impressive in-roads into the cruiser and touring motorcycle marketplace. Polaris also enhances the riding experience with a complete line of Pure Polaris apparel, accessories and parts, available at Polaris dealerships. Polaris Industries Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “PII,” and the Company is included in the S&P Small-Cap 600 stock price index. Information about the complete line of Polaris products, apparel and vehicle accessories is available from authorized Polaris dealers or anytime from the Polaris homepage at www.polarisindustries.com.

www.duneguide.com

If you plan to ride at Glamis, make sure your OHV is properly registered

All vehicles operated off-highway on Public Lands in California are required to be street-licensed or registered as an off-highway vehicle (OHV).

The Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) is out in force this season at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. Officers are thoroughly checking off-highway vehicles for registration. Vehicles that are not properly registered are being impounded. Vehicles are being stopped solely for the reason of not displaying the proper green sticker. High target areas are the Sand Drags and the area around Glamis Flats.

Off highway vehicles owned by California residents must be registered with the California Department of Motor Vehicles and display a valid Green Sticker or Red Sticker Vehicle Identification Tag (38020,38010 C.V.C.) in a clearly visible location on the vehicle. (38170 C.V.C.).

Off highway vehicles that do not have a valid registration or permit from the owners home state (incl. Mexico and Canada) will be required to purchase a California nonresident permit (sticker) through selected vendors in CA, NV, AZ or may also be purchased from CA Deptartment of Parks and Recreation 916 324-4442.

Make sure to carry registration paperwork in the vehicle at all times so you can prove ownership.

This beautiful sand car was in the process of being impounded by the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office (ICSO) because it was not registered and did not have a VIN.

Sand Car Registration Made Easy

www.duneguide.com

Challenge stalls Riley Ranch Project at the Oregon Dunes

HAUSER — When Coos County purchased the 135-acre Riley Ranch near Hauser in 2002, the county’s dream was for it to become an ATV mecca, complete with dunes access by this summer.Not so fast.

A national environmental group — the Center for Biological Diversity, based in Tucson, Ariz. — has taken issue with the plan, which requires a nearly 1-mile designated county trail through two plots of National Forest lands. The trail would connect Riley Ranch with an 80-acre county-owned parcel in the heart of the Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, giving access to the dunes at large.

“It has captured the attention of some interests we hadn’t heard from previously,” said Central Coast District Ranger Pam Gardner.The center’s points of contention are specific and steeped in legalese, put forth in the form of more than 300 letters sent to the Forest Service during a public comment period about the proposal in September.

The comments prompted the Forest Service to take a second look at the project. Meanwhile, Riley Ranch will enter another summer without its most enticing feature — direct ATV access to the dunes.“We’ve had to go back to square one,” said Coos County Parks Director Larry Robison. “We won’t be able to start construction on the trail, I would say, until August.”Best-case scenario is it should be open by 2010. And that’s a long shot. It assumes the Forest Service can shore up the issues raised, and that nothing more will come up when another environmental analysis is published in February. The center contends the Forest Service isn’t following its own rules. It complains the agency failed to designate motorized trails within an allotted three-year period when the dunes NRA management plan was passed in 1994; a section of the land the trail would pass through is designated MA 10C, which is closed to motorized use; and that the trail violates the Forest Service’s 2001 Roadless Rule. But a Biological Diversity attorney bluntly said these points of contention are just a means to an end. The group opposes ATV access into what it considers to a be a fragile and unique habitat, and will do anything it can to throw a wrench in the works. “It’s a way to be heard,” said lawyer Andrew Orahoske, who’s heading up the group’s anti-Riley Ranch campaign. “The primary concern is that the Forest Service has done a poor job in managing offroad vehicles in the dunes since the dunes NRA was created. ...“We feel that the agencies must first address the ongoing damage to the environment and the really rampant trespass and proliferation of illegal trails throughout the dunes.”

Meanwhile, the Riley Ranch project has broad appeal to the ATV community, as it would offer a new point of direct access to the middle of the dunes, roughly halfway in between the southernmost access at Horsfall Campground and Spinreel to the north. Those areas are crowded in the peak ATV season. “A lot of times on a really busy weekend, it’s tough. You have to make your reservation way in advance,” said Gary Potter, motorcycle sales manager at Honda World in Coos Bay. He added that there are economic benefits to the county from ATV use.“The more access, the more people who would come here. There’s so much residual business,” he said.The Forest Service announced the plan early in 2007 and received three comments, all supportive. When it released the preliminary environmental analysis this past fall, though, the center, along with some other interested parties, bombarded the Forest Service with negative input.“They identified some areas we thought we had to take a harder look at,” said Gardner.Now the Forest Service is taking the comments at face value, dealing with the issues specifically, as laid out in a re-scoping plan released in October.

According to that document, the agency will:

• designate a motorized trail from Riley Ranch to the 80-acre county parcel and the dunes at large, doing away with the original three-year stipulation.
• indicate that ATVs only would be allowed on the county trail in the area designated MA 10C.
• clarify that the designated trail would be within an inventoried roadless area and point out that the 2001 Roadless Rule wouldn’t apply because the rule only prohibits the construction of roads, not “motorized trails.”

The document calls for logs and fences to be used to indicate the designated trail and close unofficial trails to ATVs.The re-scoped plan also will clarify the county’s easement through the Central Oregon & Pacific Railroad strip.

It’s unlikely all of this will appease the Center for Biological Diversity, however. “We are concerned about all of the dunes, because they are completely unique,” Orahoske said. “The balance has tipped a little bit too far to emphasize motor recreation to the exclusion, to the detriment, of other users and to the vegetation, the things that people go there to see. ...“This is certainly one of those areas where we will be having continual involvement.”

Full Article:
http://www.theworldlink.com/articles/2009/01/15/news/doc496f7f04abe64136580697.txt

Other Related Information:
County to create dunes shuttle for ATVs

More Information on the Oregon Dunes:
http://www.duneguide.com/sand_dune_guide_oregon_dunes.htm
http://www.duneguide.com/sand_dune_guide_oregon_coos_bay.htm

www.DuneGuide.com

Imperial Sand Dunes - County OKs OHV funds for dunes trash contract

"County OKs OHV funds for dunes trash contract" (Imperial Valley Press, 1/13/09)"Trash service will continue in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area through this off-road season after the Imperial County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved allocating funds to avoid a stoppage ... The Bureau of Land Management announced in September it would no longer pay for trash service due to a lack of funding. The BLM has a $400,000 contract with Mission Disposal for trash services that expires in February ... Supervisor Wally Leimgruber, who represents the dunes area, said discussions will continue with BLM to identify possible funding sources for trash service."

Full Article:
http://ivpressonline.com/articles/2009/01/14/local_news/news01.txt

Dumpsters at the Imperial Sand Dunes will remain and trash collection service will continue until the close of the season May 30.
Imperial County Board of Supervisors Chairman Wally Leimgruber said $150,000 has been secured to pay for continued trash pickup for the next four months.
Because of a decline in visitors, there was a funding shortfall the U.S. Bureau of Land Management had to deal with. So in September, the BLM planned to discontinue trash service on Feb. 1, Leimgruber said.

Full Article:
http://www.yumasun.com/news/dunes_47126___article.html/funds_pickup.html

www.duneguide.com

Dunes to welcome thousands of volunteers for Saturday cleanup

From:
http://www.yumasun.com/news/welcome_47107___article.html/cleanup_dunes.html

January 14, 2009 - 6:14 PM
BY DARIN FENGER, SUN STAFF WRITER
Thousands of people are hitting the Imperial Sand Dunes this weekend and declaring war on litter. The 12th annual Dunes Cleanup is expected to gather up truckloads of trash from the popular recreation site. The Saturday event begins at 8 a.m. Organizers say the sight of such an impressive army of cleaners scouring the hills of golden sand truly inspires the heart. "It's just a wonderful feeling to see everyone out there working so hard to keep the dunes clean and open for recreational use," said event organizer Charla Teeters. "Duners just love the dunes and love having the area for recreation. They don't want it to be a trash dump." The annual cleanup is sponsored by United Desert Gateway, Duner's Diner, RideNow Powersports, Monster Energy Drink, Quad Magazine, Sand Sports Magazine and the Bureau of Land Management. Each year's event draws up to 4,000 people. "We get people from all over, from Phoenix to Yuma and Riverside, Los Angeles and the San Diego area," Teeters said. "The cleanup is just fun for the whole family. "Anyone can come out, too. You don't have to be duners or be out there camping to participate. The dunes are important to the whole area, both Yuma and Imperial Valley. The dunes are important to our economic development and economy." Registration sites will be located in both the south and north sides of the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area. North dune registration areas are Glamis Flats (north end main staging area, event area of the Glamis Beach Store, near vendor row), Wash Road (No. Four), Gecko Road (across from the BLM ranger station) and Oldsmobile Hill. South dune registration sites will be Gordon's Well (at the south end main staging area), Buttercup (vendor row), Ogilby Camp (past the tower toward the south) and Midway. Registration starts at 8 a.m. Participants are asked to register and pick up their free trash bags. The first 3,000 volunteers will also receive a free T-shirt. Lunch will be served at the main staging areas from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Prize drawings will be held directly after lunch. For more information, go to www.UnitedDesertGateway.org on the Web or call Teeters at 1-760-337-4155.

www.DuneGuide.com

DuneGuide.com headed to the United Arab Emirates

DuneGuide.com is taking a journey to the United Arab Emirates with Funco Motorsports for the 2009 Liwa Festival at the end of January.

Moreeb Hill is the location of the Liwa Festival and we plan to not only check out this famous sand hill, but capture images of all the action. Moreeb Hill is the tallest dune in the UAE, and one of the largest hill climbs in the world.

Look for the complete details and pictures after the trip at: UAE Trip Report

www.DuneGuide.com

www.UTVGuide.net

Sand rail driver indicted in dune crash at Sand Lake, OR

David Rieman of Yacolt, Wash., faces manslaughter charges in a September collision that killed two
Friday, January 09, 2009
LORI TOBIAS
The Oregonian Staff
TILLAMOOK -- The driver of a sand rail that crashed into another Sept. 26, killing the driver and one passenger and gravely injuring two others, was indicted Thursday on two counts each of second-degree manslaughter and third-degreeassault, as well as driving under the influence.
If convicted, David Rieman, 47, of Yacolt, Wash., would face a minimum of 121/2 years in prison.
About 9:30 p.m. on that Friday at Sand Lake Recreation Area, Rieman's sand rail collided with a sand rail driven by David Leach, 56, of Hillsboro. Witnesses told police Rieman's sand rail rolled over Leach's.

Full Article: http://www.oregonlive.com/news/oregonian/index.ssf?/base/news/123146971510180.xml&coll=7

www.DuneGuide.com

New Billet Spark Plug Wire Looms from Autotrend EFI

Autotrend EFI is proud to introduce their new billet spark plug wire looms. These looms are an alternative to the cheap stuff out on the market. They are designed to mount off of the lower valve cover bolts, so they can be used with any valve cover with enough lower bolts.

They are available in 1, 2, 3 and 4 hole configurations and can be purchased in any quantity and combination.

These are sold individually so you can pick and choose what hole configuration you want and how many.

If you are looking for that clean, finished look for your street rod or sand car, these billet wire looms are the ticket.

Price is $16.95 each, includes hardware.

About Autotrend EFI:

Autotrend EFI specializes in aftermarket Electronic Fuel Injection systems and components. Whether your looking for a complete turn key EFI conversion or the components and expertise to do it yourself, Autotrend has the knowledge and experience to make your project a success. In addition to EFI systems, Autotrend manufactures show quality custom EFI wire harnesses and fuse/relay panels. Autotrend EFI can be found on the web at www.autotrendefi.com or by calling (530) 642-0999.

www.DuneGuide.com

Rugged Aluminum 091 Gear Carriers from Rancho Transaxle

Adding to their extensive line of service and products, Rancho Performance Transaxles is now offering enthusiasts and shops the exclusive DFT 091 GEAR CARRIER HOUSINGS. Available for mid-mount and standard applications these rugged and durable aluminum carriers are stronger than the OEM units and are a direct replacement for the prone-to-wear OEM carriers. Unlike the factory magnesium carriers the precision CNC machined DFT replacements are less prone to wear caused by bearing stress at the bearing bore.

DFT GEAR CARRIERS retail for $250.00.

For complete details call Rancho at 714-680-6737 or visit them on line at www.ranchoperformancetrans.com.

www.DuneGuide.com

New ATV Rules for Oregon in 2009

As of January 1, 2009, all riders 16 or younger, as well as any adult who supervises those youths, is required to complete an Oregon All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Safety Education course before riding on public lands in Oregon.

New safety laws are now in effect for operating quads and three-wheel ATVs (Class I ATVs) and off-road motorcycles (Class III ATVs) on lands open to public use. (See chart below for age-related timelines.) In order to make training as convenient as possible, the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department now offers this free safety and education program and certification online at http://www.rideatvoregon.org.

Training Online in Three Easy Steps:

1. Study and pass the online test on this website. A student can expect to spend between one and two hours for the entire process.
2. We’ll mail you a plastic, wallet-sized All-Terrain Vehicle Safety Education Card approximately 30 days after you pass the test (You can print a 30-day temporary education card immediately after you get a “pass” confirmation).
3. Carry the ATV safety education card with you whenever you operate a Class I or Class III ATV on lands open for public use.

Other Rider Requirements in Oregon:

SUPERVISION: All youth operators 15 and under must be supervised by an adult who:

1. Is at least 18 years old.
2. Holds a valid ATV Safety Education Card.
3. Is able to provide immediate assistance and direction to the youth.

CHIN STRAPS: DOT Approved helmets, with chin straps fastened, are required for youth under age 18 for quads and dirt bikes.

RIDER FIT: Class I operators (quads and 3-wheelers) 15 and under must now meet all the following minimum physical size requirements in relationship to the vehicle:

1. Brake Reach: With hands placed in the normal operating position and fingers straight out, the first joint (from the tip) of the middle finger will extend beyond the brake lever and clutch.
2. Leg Length: While sitting and with their feet on the pegs, the knee must be bent at least 45 degrees.
3. Grip Reach: While sitting upright on the quad with hands on the handle bars and not leaning forward, there must be a distinct angle between the upper arm and the forearm, and;
4. The rider must be able to turn the handle bars from lock to lock while maintaining grip on the handle bars and maintaining throttle and brake control.
5. Disabled riders are allowed to use prosthetic devices or modified or adaptive equipment to achieve rider fit.

MINIMUM AGE: There is no minimum age for quad or 3-wheeled ATVs. Minimum age for off-road motorcycles is 7 years old.

More information can be found at:

• http://www.rideatvoregon.org
• http://www.oregon.gov/OPRD/ATV/safety.shtml

www.DuneGuide.com

New Dune Star Paddle Tires from ITP

If getting to the top of the hill ahead of everyone else is your game, then you'd better be riding on the new Dune Star - now available in new sport quad-specific design and sizing. With its aggressive dual-depth, reinforced paddles and a super-light carcass that delivers excellent flotation and ride characteristics, the rear Dune Star delivers big-time straight-line bite that'll get you up and over quicker than ever before. Match this with the new front Dune Star, carefully developed to provide light and accurate steering as well as a comfortable ride, and you'll have a clear edge on the competition.

The front Dune Star is available in 21x7-10 sizing, while the rear Dune Star is offered in 20x11-8, 20x11-9, 20x11-10 and 22x11-10 sizes. ITP's original UTV-sized Dune Star - in 26x10-12 for front and rear use - returns for the new season, too. Get 'em while they're hot!

ITP can be found at www.itptires.com

www.duneguide.com

FMF Continues Leadership Role in OHV Exhaust Sound

FMF Continues Leadership Role in OHV Exhaust Sound

RANCHO DOMINGUEZ, CA (January 6) - The world's leading aftermarket performance motorcycle exhaust manufacturer is announcing its continuing commitment to the sport through rider education and new product development. For the sixth consecutive year, FMF Racing has teamed up with the BlueRibbon Coalition (BRC) to help educate off-highway vehicle (OHV) enthusiasts about the need to utilize quiet mufflers on public and private lands.
The announcement included news that 2009 will mark yet another step in progression towards the future as FMF works diligently every day to offer customers high-quality, 100% American Made off-road exhaust systems that push the envelope to produce less sound and open more ground. FMF has also introduced its new Re-Pack kit, an easy-to-use muffler repacking kit along with a how-to video that can be viewed at www.fmfracing.com.
"The Q series exhaust have all the key benefits, noise below 94dBA, sleek design, and lightweight feel," stated Donny Emler Jr., FMF's marketing director.
FMF's Q systems were first developed in anticipation of the 96dB sound limit that became law in California in January 2003. Now, FMF is racing in professional series, such as GNCC and Supercross, with 94dBA exhaust technology that is also offered to the public.
Don Emler, FMF Racing's founder and president, explains, "I am proud that FMF pioneered the effort to offer performance while at the same time reducing excessively loud OHV exhaust noise. I have built a state of the art facility in Southern California and am proud that we can offer customers a great American Made product under one roof."
"FMF is also proud of our 6-year partnership with the Coalition and of our five thousand dollar support grant to the BRC's sound testing program for OHVs. Riding properly-muffled bikes will help keep both private and public areas open for motorized recreational use," Emler said.
Don Amador, Western Representative for the BlueRibbon Coalition, said, "Even in these difficult economic times, FMF continues to show its commitment to the OHV community via its leadership through this program. It has made a positive difference already and will continue to help keep riding areas open for generations to come."

# # #
The BlueRibbon Coalition is a national recreation group that champions responsible recreation, and encourages individual environmental stewardship. It represents over 10,000 individual members and 1,200 organization and business members, for a combined total of over 600,000 recreationists nationwide. 1-800-258-3742. www.sharetrails.org

www.duneguide.com

ORBA announces cancelation of the 2009 SuperShow

OFF-ROAD BUSINESS ASSOCIATION, Inc.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Off-Road Business Association (ORBA) announces the cancellation of the 2009 San Diego Off-Road SuperShow

BAKERSFIELD, CA (January 5, 2009) After presenting successful shows in 2007 and 2008 ORBA regretfully announces the cancellation of the 2009 San Diego Off-Road SuperShow that was to be held at the Del Mar Fairgrounds on February 7 and 8. Citing the unprecedented global economic downturn, ORBA has decided that it is in the best interest of its members and the off-road industry as a whole to cancel the event, and apologizes for any inconvenience that this may cause.

“We would like to thank all those involved for their incredibly generous support, from marketing partnerships, media supporters and sponsors, to ORBA members and other off-roading organizations,” notes Fred Wiley, ORBA Executive Director. “Given the extraordinary economic and industry climate, all well-managed organizations have a fiduciary responsibility to review strategies and tactics. Unfortunately, sometimes this leads to difficult decisions such as the cancellation of our event. ORBA will continue to support and protect the off-roading industry while still demonstrating the fiscal responsibility required by these challenging times.”

ORBA's plans for 2009 include strengthening their current national and local partnerships and increased involvement with land managers across the country. As an organization they are eager to focus on the many land use issues this new year brings to the industry. ORBA looks forward to significant improvements in the economy and the off-highway vehicle (OHV) industry.

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ORBA is a national trade association composed of off-road related businesses united to promote common goals that support the prosperity and growth of the off-road industry. www.ORBA.biz.


www.DuneGuide.com

Offroaders bring prosperity to Oceano Dunes Community

Offroaders bring prosperity
KEVIN P. RICE

A recent commentary (“Let’s return to nature,” Dec. 11) by Nell Langford tears into the dispute over how many dollars Oceano Dunes tourism brings to SLO County. In-depth and very expensive studies have repeatedly shown that Dunes tourism brings as much as $200 million or more annually. The latest study by Dean Runyan and Associates calls Oceano “a key attraction”, one of only two they identify in SLO County (Hearst Castle being the other, with one-third the popularity).
The study found that South County tourism accounts “for nearly one-third of all travel spending within the county (32% or $359 million)”—far more than any other area of the county. Yet, Langford would have us believe that Oceano Dunes is responsible for “less than $23 million” of that $359 million, or only 6.4% of South County tourism!
After searching, I discovered Langford’s $23 million figure comes from California Travel Impacts by County, a report also published by Runyan. Langford blunders (perhaps cunningly) by singling out spending by travelers staying only at public campgrounds. But park attendance numbers reveal campers comprise only 22% of visitors, leaving 78% of visitors not accounted for in Langford’s $23 million claim.
The “non-camping” 78% spend far more than beach campers, because they patronize restaurants and pay for hotels, motels, private campgrounds, and the multitude of vacation rental homes surrounding Oceano and Pismo Beach. One might forgive Langford for simple oversight if her own vacation rentals were not often seen with OHVs parked in the driveway.
With its tourism supporting more than 2,000 full time jobs, Oceano Dunes is the South County’s single largest “employer” (except for maybe PG&E). Oceano Dunes is the largest single source of SLO County tourism dollars. A supervisor at Vons market on Grand Avenue related, laughing, “God yes! We wouldn’t be one of the biggest stores in the company without it!” Here is a quote from a letter signed by the entire Pismo Beach City Council: “The City of Pismo Beach derives a significant amount of revenue from the visitors drawn to this State Recreation Vehicle Area and much of the City’s future economic planning is dependent on the continuation of this State Recreation Vehicle Area and a change of use on the property would adversely impact the economic well being of our City.” The economic benefit of Dunes generated tourism cannot be argued without blinders or extreme bias.
For more than a year Langford has been citing an air pollution study that does not yet exist as cause for closing our state park. Langford’s complaint is over “particulate matter” (dust) that blows off the Guadalupe-Nipomo Dunes complex. On April 17 this year, she and her friends marched into the Board of Supervisors chambers wearing dust masks, handing one out to each supervisor in a dramatic display.
Blaming vehicles for blowing sand completely disregards the dunes themselves. Coastal dunes occur where strong winds blow onshore, bringing in sediment from eroding mountains and rivers. Movement of sediment via wind is called aeolian transportation. The U.S. Geological Survey in 2006 estimated nearly 500,000,000 pounds of sand are blown inland each year along the stretch of coastline from Pismo Beach to Point Arguello. Despite this, and the overwhelming testimony of 20-plus miles of sand dunes, recreators are blamed.

Kevin P. Rice helped organize a summer clean-up of the Oceano Dunes that drew more than 100 volunteers.

Full article can be found at:
http://www.newtimesslo.com/commentary/1636/offroaders-bring-prosperity

Help Save Oceano Dunes, join the Friends of Oceano Dunes

www.DuneGuide.com

New OHV regulations in Arizona - Jan. 1, 2009

Thanks to a collaborative effort between a broad coalition of OHV enthusiasts, sportsmen, conservationists, elected officials and the public, new laws that will help better manage Arizona’s rapidly growing OHV use will take effect Jan. 1, 2009. Among other provisions, the new law requires an annual purchase of an Off-Highway Vehicle Decal for the operation of any ATV or

OHV in Arizona that meets both the following criteria:

• Designed by the manufacturer primarily for travel over unimproved terrain.
• Has an unladen weight of eighteen hundred pounds or less.

Why is the new law needed?

OHV use in Arizona has exploded (347 percent increase since 1998), outpacing the existing funding to manage that growth, protect wildlife habitat, and help maintain recreational access. Revenues generated from the new OHV Decal user fee will be used to help ensure sustainable opportunities and natural resource protection by bolstering funding and grant programs that pay for trail maintenance, signage, maps, facility development, habitat damage mitigation, education, and enforcement.

What does the new law do?

• It specifies OHV Decal, title, license plate and registration requirements.
• It specifies equipment requirements.
• It specifies regulations for safe, ethical and responsible operation.

The new law includes several other regulations. Among them are:

• OHV operators must stay on existing trails created by the Arizona State Parks.
• Travel by off-highway vehicles that may cause damage to a wildlife area is prohibited.
• Riders under the age of 18 must wear a helmet.
• OHVs in sand-dune and other areas may be required to fly a safety flag.
• OHVs must be fitted with spark arrestors and noise reduction mufflers.

More information can be found at:

• Arizona State Parks – azstateparks.com
• ADOT Motor Vehicle Division – www.azdot.gov/mvd
• Arizona State Land Department – www.land.state.az.us

Union Pacific Builds Sand Fence to Address Safety Issues in Glamis Area

Residents Urged to Ride the Sand and not the Rails

December 2008 – Sand and Off-Highway Vehicles (OHVs) may go hand in hand; however, those same recreational vehicles mixed with railroad tracks can be an equation for disaster. Every year, more than 1,800 people in the United States are killed or injured on or near railroad tracks. The recent fatalities in the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area are a sad reminder that tracks are for trains not people.
"As sand enthusiasts are heading outdoors, we want to remind them that walking or driving on or near railroad tracks is extremely dangerous because you never know when a train will come along," said Dennis Jenson, Union Pacific assistant vice president - chief of police.
"It can take a mile or more to stop a train and by the time a locomotive engineer sees you on the track, it would be too late," said Dale Bray, Union Pacific director - public safety.
"Locomotives and rail cars overhang the tracks by at least three feet on either side of the rail and loose straps hanging from rail cars may extend even further. If you are next to the tracks, you can be hit by the locomotive, a rail car or anything that may be hanging loose from the car," Bray said.
Another safety issue is excessive sand being deposited on the tracks. This has led Union Pacific to build a sand fence on its property.
"Although sand doesn't seem like it should be a big issue, in recent years we have noticed that sand has caused increased track degradation, which can lead to an unstable track," said David Wickersham, Union Pacific chief engineer - Western Region.
Union Pacific has worked closely with the Bureau of Land Management to make sure that access is not severely impacted for enthusiasts. Also, special attention has been taken to protect the local wildlife. The fence will leave natural gaps for the Desert Tortoise to migrate naturally throughout its habitat.
In an effort to educate the public about pedestrian and grade crossing safety, Union Pacific works closely with Operation Lifesaver. Operation Lifesaver is a national, nonprofit education and awareness program dedicated to ending tragic collisions, fatalities and injuries at highway-rail grade crossings and on railroad tracks. To accomplish its mission, Operation Lifesaver promotes education, enforcement and engineering. More information about Operation Lifesaver can be found at www.oli.org.

Do not become a railroad statistic; stay away from railroad tracks.

About Union Pacific
Union Pacific Corporation owns one of America's leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country and serves the fastest-growing U.S. population centers. Union Pacific's diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad offers competitive long-haul routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways. Union Pacific connects with Canada's rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico, making it North America's premier rail franchise.

12th Annual ISDRA MLK Weekend Cleanup - January 17, 2009

12th Annual Imperial Sand Dunes Cleanup

Date: Saturday, January 17th, 2009
Registration: Is at 8:00am
Lunch: 11:30am-12:30pm
- North Dunes, Glamis Flats
- South Dunes, Gordon's Well
Prize Giveaway: 12:30pm until done

Locations:

• North Dunes:Glamis Flats (main stage area, Gecko Road, Oldsmobile Hill, Roadrunner, Wash Road
• South Dunes:Gordon's Well (main stage area), Buttercup (vendor row), Midway, Ogilby Camp (Past the tower towards the south)

About UDG - United Desert Gateway:
The United Desert Gateway, a nonprofit public benefit corporation comprised of the Brawley, El Centro Yuma Chambers of Commerce, works hand-in-hand, through an Assistance Agreement, with the Department of Interior, Bureau of Land Management, California Desert District (BLM) and other partners to enhance the recreational experience at the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area (ISDRA) and other BLM managed lands in the area.

UDG Website: http://www.uniteddesertgateway.org

Long term evaluation for the Polaris RZR S

We are happy to have teamed up with Polaris Industries on a long term review on the new Polaris RZR S. Our plans are to use the RZR S on trips just like the UTVs we own so we can do a side by side comparison.

Follow along at DuneGuide.com and UTVGuide.net test and evaluate a 2009 Polaris RZR S over the next six months at 2009 Polaris RZR S Long Term Review.

More information regarding the 2009 Polaris RZR S can be found at:

• 2009 Polaris Ranger RZR S Review
• 2009 Polaris Ranger RZR S - Specifications and Photos
• 2009 Polaris RZR S Long Term Review
• Polaris Industries
• Polaris Ranger RZR Sport
• UTVGuide.net