ICON Vehicle Dynamics Hits The Trails At FJ Summit No.6
We headed out to Ouray, Colorado this past week for the 6th Annual FJ Summit. We have always supported the event from Day-1, but it has been a few years since we have been able to make an appearance.
Needless to say the event has doubled, if not tripled, in size since we last went and it has meant nothing but great things for the off-road community and the town of Ouray.
We left Tuesday morning bright and early to make the long haul to Colorado. After driving 17 hours (towing) through beautiful California, Nevada, and Utah scenery we pulled into Ouray around midnight just in time to pass out in bed.
Wednesday morning, the attendees began to roll into town and at this point you start seeing the streets of this little town fill up with Toyotas of nearly every variety. The Best Western Twin Peaks has been the host of this event since its inception and we can’t thank them enough for their hospitality and putting up with the 500+ people swarming the small parking lots of the jam-packed vendor area. Our friends from BajaRack Adventure Equipment came into town to set up their booth and show off their roof racks and accessories for the FJ’s, 4Runners, and Land Cruisers. Shortly thereafter Jason Demello from Demello Offroad pulled into town with his convoy. Jason is one of most knowledgeable dealers when it comes to Toyota trucks and SUVs.
This year both Jason and the ICON 4Runner were equipped with the new “S2 Modular Performance System”. The S2 Modular Performance System with our OMEGA Series Bypass is a combination secondary shock mount and A-arm skid plate package. This system is designed to use the factory lower control arms as well as the factory front bump stops—no more massive cuts to the frame like other secondary shock systems currently on the market. These prototypes would be put to the test out on the trails in the San Juan Mountains with high-speed abuse as well as flex and articulation testing.
Thursday morning we set out to Black Bear Pass. For those not familiar with Black Bear, the extreme switchbacks can be seen from the town of Telluride, and up close they are even more intimidating. Rushing waterfalls, slick rock, and trails barely wide enough to accommodate an FJ Cruiser coming down the side of a mountain 13,000 feet in elevation—enough said.
The scenic trails and the small bouts of rain made for a beautiful day on the trail and an awesome opportunity for photos. Friday was the day for the ICON / Demello / BajaRacks / TRD Parts 4U / Pandora Adventures Party and for those who were able to make it out despite the rain had a great time. A SoCal feast of Carne Asada, beans, and tortillas was given out to our guests and the raffle went off without a hitch. Congratulations to all the winners of the Axial RC Car, Demello Sliders, synthetic winch line from TRDParts4U, gift certificates from Baja Rack, and Pandora Adventures. We were even able to convince All Pro Offroad to come out and donate items for the raffle. Thanks to them for also letting us use their EZ-up for additional shelter from the rain.
Saturday morning, the last full day out in Ouray, we headed out with Sergio and Chris from BajaRack to get even more great photos and GoPro footage on Imogene Pass. Sergio and Chris took the lead in their ICON-equipped FJ and definitely weren’t scared to push the limits of the suspension. While driving aggressively (but always treading lightly), the two Toyotas cut through the pass through rain and hail to make it to Telluride for lunch just as the lightning and thunder began. If you have ever been to Telluride or Ouray, the lightning and thunder alone are worth the trip. The thunder echoes through the valley and shakes the ground—an amazing experience. The rain on Saturday made a bit of a mess back in the vendor area but it did not dampen the spirits of any of the vendors or attendees. Everyone was focused and excited for the main raffle that would take place Saturday night. We raffled a set of our Piggyback Reservoir Shocks and Stainless Steel Shock Guards. As usual the raffle went on into the night and by the time it was done, the last remaining places open on Main Street were going strong until the early hours of the morning. Sunday was another early day and Main Street was cordoned off for the group photo taken every year. All the sponsors lined up for photos and we all headed home. Thanks to all of the organizers of the FJ Summit and to all of our great customers who were at the event!
Stay tuned, the new S2 Suspension System held together great and will be pushed even further in the weeks to come!
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