Eric Bernocco passes away
Eric was a past president of On The Rocks
It is with great sadness that I must announce the passing of one of four-wheeling and motorsports' biggest supporters, Eric Bernocco. Eric is the past president of On The Rocks 4 Wheel Drive Club. Eric was an avid four-wheeler and a vehicle junkie. Eric's love of vehicles started at a very young age and only grew stronger.
Eric was born August 1, 1949 in Highland Park, Michigan to Bart and Ann Bernocco. In 1957 the family moved to Arizona and then to Thousand Oaks in 1960. Eric attended local schools and graduated from Thousand Oaks High School in 1968 He later obtained his AA from Ventura College.
Cal4Wheel: The land of opportunity
My earliest memories usually involve some form of dirt: digging holes, shoveling sand, or riding in the back of the Jeep, happily getting dust in every pore.
As I got older, even though I still enjoyed getting completely covered in dirt on the trail, catching marshmallows on fire around the campfire was pretty good too.
Santa Cruz club raises $1,100
Santa Cruz 4 Wheel Drive club's annual "Last One Standing" 4x4 competition results in a generous $1100 donation to the Blue Ribbon Coalition Legal Action Fund, a national recreation advocacy group
On a sunny and surprisingly warm Saturday in December of 2011, a group of 21 individuals and approximately 75 additional spectators gathered together at Hollister Hills SVRA (State Vehicle Recreation Area) for the 3rd annual "Last One Standing" event hosted by Santa Cruz 4 Wheel Drive Club. The "LOS" is a competition-style event that pits drivers of modified and stock 4x4 vehicles against each other and the clock to achieve the lowest time in several challenging off-road courses. The event is open to club members and guests and has been one of the favored “runs” of the club’s monthly activities for the past three years.
The 'Other' Rubicon: Side Trails
When most people think of the Rubicon, they think of an extremely challenging trail for only the most highly equipped vehicles and experienced drivers. Well, the Rubicon does have that aspect but it also offers a milder side. I'd like to share with you more than a half dozen side trails off the Rubicon on the Tahoe side ranging from mild to wild.
As you start out of the Tahoma neighborhood, you find yourself on narrow winding paved road with many blind turns from the overgrown vegetation. This road is referred to as 14N34 by the Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit (LTBMU). Placer County refers to it as the McKinney-Rubicon Trail. Please keep your speed down as lots of locals like to walk, jog and bicycle this section of the Trail. Dogs and children often run free.
How to survive death wobble
It's one of the more frightening experiences you'll encounter behind the wheel. The vehicle is shaking so badly you think it'll fall apart and that you're going to die. That's why it's called Death Wobble.
I hope you never experience it, but if you do, this column may help you survive with your wits intact (though you may still need a change of underwear).
Typically occurring between 45 and 55 mph, death wobble is caused by one or more problems with the front end or tires. That's part of the problem. Drive train and suspension systems are so complex nowadays, it can be tough to pinpoint what caused the death wobble.
What to do if death wobble occurs
Before going into troubleshooting, we should review some of the steps to take in case you encounter death wobble and still need to get home.
How to survive in your vehicle stuck in snow
Winter has arrived in many parts of the country, and that means a hazardous situation awaits you nearly every time you get behind the wheel. You may know how to drive in snow, but do you know what to do if you were stuck in snow?
Recently, drivers on I-90 near Buffalo, N.Y., were trapped for up to 12 hours when a massive blizzard hit the area. Some cars were literally buried in snow. If you were caught in a situation like that, would you know how to handle yourself?
You don’t have to be out in the country to encounter a hazardous situation. You can get socked in while driving home from work one day. If you’re stuck, you can bet that hundreds of other motorists are, as well. Help could be hours away.
Every situation is unique, but the following guidelines apply in all situations, and could save your life. I highly recommend you copy this article to your laptop or other device. You’re likely to have that with you, but you may not have access to the Internet. A PDF copy is available here.
