Letters to the Editor - February 2000

SEND ME THE MAG SDOR
Please send me a free six-month subscription to your magazine. I picked up a copy last time I was in Off Road Warehouse and really enjoyed it. The information inside is very interesting and informative. Last year I attended the Off-Road for Hope with a friend of mine. Since that time I have purchased a Jeep Wrangler. I enjoy riding in the desert but would like to find some trails to ride that are closer so I can make some one day trips. I live in the North Park area. If you know of any trails or some way for me to obtain the information needed, please e-mail me back with the information. Your attention to this matter is greatly appreciated.
DAN BENNETT
San Diego

THEY'RE READING SDOR ALL OVER THE U.S.
Thanks for the free subscription offer, now I will be able to show some friends were I used to ride. I bought a used 1991 Honda XR250R couple months back, needs some work, but that's an okay good winter project! We have some great woods type enduro riding here. Look forward to spring! Maybe I could send out pictures once I get going. Sure will be a big change from riding in the desert. Well thanks again and have a happy new year!
WAYNE CAMPEAU
Ishpeming MI

THE FUNNIEST THING HAPPENED WHILE COOKING OUR TURKEY
Hi Sherri:
I have a funny story to tell you, since I didn't get a chance to chat with you this month. Remember a few years ago I told you about the "trash can" turkey we do every year? I think you even published it. Here we are at Gordons Well, getting the coals ready, putting the turkey on the stake and putting the trash can over the turkey, topping it off with the coals and settling down in our chairs. A women comes strolling over from another camp asking what the heck we are doing, so we explain the whole method and the fact that it only takes one and a half hours to cook and that it is so juicy she wouldn't believe it. She continues to basically argue in a nice way that it is impossible. I told her to come back in one and a half hours to check it out. Well, one hour later I look out the trailer door and she is sitting in a chair she carried over with her camera. I explain its too soon and we have a half hour to go. She wants to wait because she doesn't want to miss anything . . . well, the half hour goes by, we come out of the motorhome and she now has six people sitting, waiting, quietly. Scott takes the can off and it was a beautiful brown juicy turkey, we gave them a drum and they all picked on it, so then Scott slices them up some and they walk away in disbelief. About four to six hours later we hear them in their camp still going on and on about it. We are supposed to look for them at new years to make sure they do it right.
ELLIE FAUDOA
San Diego

GRATEFUL RACER
Sherri,
At the recent D-38 awards banquet at Viejas Casino, I was awarded a trophy for Desert Superlite racer in the era of Fud races. It's quite an honor considering the other people who were given the same award in their categories. I was taken by surprise when it was announced (my wife Joanie had kept it a secret fro me) and didn't acknowledge the people who made this happen, so I would like to take this chance to thank them.
First and most of all I must start with Ed and Sara Morris, owners of Triple EEE Enterprises. Ed is an outstanding engine and race car builder and the best sponsor a racer could have because he really wants you and his products to win. It's been a pleasure to have Ed and Sara to race with; they're great people and good friends. I tell other people that if they ever get a sponsor as good as Triple EEE to count their blessings and don't take it for granted because it doesn't happen very often.
Henry Tidy is Ed's main builder and had helped me more times than i can remember working on the car on his own time to make sure that I could win. People like that are priceless (also I couldn't' afford to pay him, he wants too much an hour). I also need to thank my friends who have helped pit for me all these years. Duane Hollander has always been there when you need someone in a spot where no one else wants to be. Chris Laundrie, he got me started racing in Superlites and helped pit for me everywhere else.
My wife Joanie has been so great helping me at the races all the time, in the blazing heat or freezing cold when she might rather be at the beach, and I love her very much for everything she has done for me. Last but not least, my dad and mom for all their help. There is not enough space to thank all the other people but I'll try: Ricky Stator, Precision Concepts, Sam Coe Racing, Tsubaki USA, Chris Bonta, John Wellnitz and of course Fud.
Try to remember, racing is fun. If you're not having fun you're doing something wrong.
Thanks everyone.
STEVE FENTON
Descanso CA

I'LL RENEW . . . BUT YOU GUYS ARE REALLY CONFUSED...
Dear Sherri:
Well heck, I mean you were so kind and quick and helpful, how on earth can I not respond in kind, as in . . . here's my $12. Sign me up for another hitch.
Now then, now that I have your attention, I have to say that you know (I hope) that the 20th Century is now in its final year: a century is 100 years, beginning when 1 and finishing with 100, eh?
That means you could, for the January 2001 issue, do a history of off-roading and racing in San Diego County that actually told us the history, as in where were the tracks, who were the people, what were the events?
And leave the Chermans and their trundling contraption out, ok? The first motorcycles were actually built in 1868, by an American and a French duo, working independently, and using steam power. You could look it up.
And thanks for the shirt.
ALLAN GIRDLER
Rainbow CA

MAYBE I'M JUST OLD...
SDOR:
Re: A historical look at our search for an off road park in San Diego (January 2000):
I can't believe we have been trying to get an off road park in San Diego since 1982.
Give me a break!!!! I've been camping, off roading for over 30 years. My kids are grown. I'm old!!!!! But, I still love to camp, off road. My kids love to camp and off road, Please, San Diego, get it together. We need an off road, multiple use park in San Diego.
Don't off roaders count? They (the government) love to take our money (green sticker) but we get very little for our fees. Please, can someone tell me what the problem is??? Is there a lawyer, a politician in the off road family???
There are so many intelligent people in San Diego. There is a lot of open space in San Diego. Why cant' we all sit down and talk and develop an off road, multiple use park that everyone can live with??? I don't get it. Oh well, I'm old.
Good luck . . . . next generation.
Thanks,
MIKE NIXON
Spring Valley

Well, good question: Why don't we have an urban off road park? It is certainly not because we haven't tried. There are many, many dedicated people in the off road community who have given countless hours, months, even years to pursue a park. Once we had local representation on the Off-Highway Vehicle Commission (beginning about five or six years ago), we began additionally to see a dedicated effort from the State to get us an off road park. But the problem continues to lie in the fact that San Diego is a very pro-environmental community and off roading is not a politically correct form of recreation. Unfortunately the vocal minority who believe that off road parks should be extinct seem to have an outrageous amount of time on their hands and they come out in droves to fight against any mention of an off road park anywhere in the county, whether it is on public or private land. However, we may have lost some battles, but the war is not over. And you may be right in your summation that at least the next generation hopefully can enjoy the results of our decades-old battle to get a park. The key is for the entire off road population of San Diego to stay involved and stay informed. Through the efforts of the San Diego Off Road Coalition and dedicated writers such as Roy Denner, Alan Klumph, Harold Soens and others we have been able to regularly keep our readers informed of the progress on an off road park. Keep reading SDOR and spread the word among all your family and friends. Remember trial subscriptions are free and to join in the war you have to know where the battles are being fought. Read SDOR and we'll tell you where to go and what to do.

PRAISE FOR PARK RANGERS
This letter was sent to Curtis Itogawa, District Supervisor of the Ocotillo Wells Ranger District
Dear Ranger Itogawa:
Last Sunday, January 16, 2000, my husband and I were traveling in a wash and came upon the tragic accident involving Kyle. My husband went for help and I started CPR on Kyle. When your wonderful rangers arrived they conducted themselves in such a professional manner. I feel that these people need some type of special recognition for what they do. Nancy Wittig, a wonderful person we have come to know over the 8 years we have visited Ocotillo Wells Park. She is always a professional and excellent under pressure. Nancy is an asset to your park. Rick Dimassimo, he helped me with CPR when he arrived at the scene. He was excellent at supervising others to control the scene and keeping traffic away. He also conducted himself in a professional manner. Ethan Balter, another one of your team members who presented himself in an outstanding manner. He assisted with providing medical attention to Kyle as well as controlling a difficult situation.
These three Outstanding Individuals deserve to be congratulated for what a wonderful job that they do. I have been a nurse for 14 years and this was one of the most difficult situations that I have ever been in. I don't think I will ever forget it. The trauma of the incident and the emotional draining I have experienced is unforgettable. I'm sure that the rangers and volunteers feel the same way. It is a very disturbing experience. I want you to know how your people conduct themselves during a crisis. They are fantastic! This is actually the second accident that I have seen these three in action. The first one was at Shell Reef, Thanksgiving weekend 1998. It involved a boy on a motorcycle vs. baja bug. Again, they were wonderful!
We will continue to visit your beautiful park. I feel as though I have made some new friends, your rangers. Please pass on to each team member mentioned how grateful I am for them and the excellent job that they do. The small group you have and what you are responsible for is awesome: the number of people in the park and the sheer miles and acres of desert terrain. You and your rangers are welcome at our camp for a cool refreshing drink or hot chocolate if it is cold!
There is one more person to commend. Ranger Ruddley, I love his weather reports and the time he spent with my boys to explain desert critters one Saturday. If you ever need a nurse at your park, think of me! Keep up the great job!
Sincerely Yours,
CINDY OLSON, RN
Anza CA

26 December 2000