News
ICON SPONSORED MONGO RACING WINS AT PARKER
The 2013 Best In The Desert Racing Association’s season opener is the classic Parker 425, billed as the “Legend Lives On,” was held February 2, 2013. The 2013 Parker 425 would not disappoint its title as several records were broken including most Unlimited Trucks and most Car and Trucks for this event in Best In The Deserts history. Mongo Racing’s Parker 425 race events began on Wednesday, January 30, with the Parker Youth Off-Road Experience held at the Pop Harvey Park in Parker AZ where kids from the 4 local schools were given a chance to meet the invited drivers, crews and their race vehicles. Followed by Thursday, January 31, where Merritt and crew participated in the Parker Downtown Experience for the Parker 425 Racers and Fans. Friday was a full day of Contingency and Technical Inspection at the Blue Water Resort and Casino in Parker AZ. Saturday, February 2, 2013, was race day for the Best In The Desert’s Parker 425 “The Legend Lives On.” The morning was chilly and overcast, but weather did not stop the thousands of fans from lining California Ave and the surrounding desert to watch the first and biggest event of 2013. Randy Merritt, driver of the 7281 KC HiLiTes General Tire Class 7200, started the race 4th in class of 19 official starters. Randy stayed in the top 10 in Class 7200 for the first lap as he passed many vehicles or got caught up in set backs. Randy finished lap 1 of the 425 mile 3 lap race in 6th place and after a quick pit stop for a full load of F&L fuel he was 16 minutes behind the leader. Randy had a fast second lap as he moved into 2nd in Class 7200 and only 7 and a half minutes behind the leader. Randy started the third lap and final lap after another quick pit stop and he knew he had to push the TNC Machine built Class 7200 hard to catch the leader. Lap traffic and dust would not impede Randy as he raced the 136 mile lap on a mission. By Race mile 91 Randy was 24 seconds behind the leader on corrected time and charging. By the finish line Randy had taken the lead and won his first Best In The Desert Parker 425 “The Legend Lives On” race since 2003 by over 8 minutes. “The KC HiLiTES General Tire truck ran great all day today and the ICON Suspension and General Grabber tires worked great on this course. I have to thank my Crew, Family and Sponsors for this great day,” commented Randy at the finish line. The Mongo Racing Class 7200 Unlimited Ford number 7281 is sponsored by KC HiLiTES, General Tires, TNC Machine, ICON Vehicle Dynamics, Trail Ready Bead Lock Wheels, Kincaid Racing Engines, Yukon, Wilwood, Pro AM, EBC Brakes, Master Craft Safety Innovations, F&L Fuel, Lucas Oil, K&N Filters, McQueen’s Prototype Designs, Borla Exhaust, MSD Ignition, and Mongo Made Graphics. Visit www.mongoracing.com for additional information about the team and sponsorship opportunity.
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AXIAL RACING SCX10 JEEP WRANGLER JK UNLIMITED RUBICON FEATURING ICON PIGGYBACK SHOCKS
The Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is one of those vehicles that is rarely left stock once in the hands of its owner. We understand this and have come to the table with our next offering. Our partnership with Jeep® continues with a kit version that allows you to build your Jeep® from the ground up. The Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon kit is unassembled and comes with a variety of option parts that not only look cool, but add performance and reliability as well. Suspension is one of the most important components in an offroad vehicle. Because of this, we’ve partnered with Icon Vehicle Dynamics to create a set of precision designed aluminum shocks to give you the performance and reliability you need. Because it’s a kit, we’ve omitted the electronics which allows you to install your favorite radio system, steering servo and motor for a truly custom rig. During the building process you’ll make decisions about; paint scheme, shock oil weight (30wt provided), spring rate choices (one combination of primary (soft) and secondary (medium) springs per shock provided), a three or four link setup (optional four link in the rear only) and installing additional hop-up parts that you may have purchased separately. If you’re looking to build your ultimate dream Jeep®, this is the kit that will allow you to do it! Axial has joined forces with the most recognized name in off-roading – Jeep®. The SCX10 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon was designed to resemble its full sized “scale/1:1” counterpart. We really did our research with this vehicle by building a full scale version for testing, research and development. We wanted to make sure you’d get the best built SCX10, right out of the box. The SCX10 also includes a rock solid, proven durable transmission with a protective cover to keep dirt and debris out of your pinion and spur gear and an adjustable slipper clutch that allows the motor to work more efficiently which greatly enhances the durability of the drivetrain by allowing the transmission to slip in hard binds. The SCX10 mates the transmission and axles to an even more realistic or “scale” metal c-channel frame. The realistic high strength c-channel chassis frame is made of durable steel with cross bracing for reinforcement and is held together with all hex hardware. Realistic shock hoops with multiple shock mounting positions allow you to adjust your suspension for maximum performance. The SCX10 also runs true to scale wheels and tires. We’ve included a set of officially licensed Maxxis Trepador tires molded in our R35 sticky compound which offers superior grip and they’re mounted on two-tone Walker Evans Racing wheels for great looks! The SCX10 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is designed for fun, especially if you have a few friends that have scale rigs. Getting a few guys together and going out for a scale trail run is one of the most enjoyable things you can do if you’re an avid off-roading enthusiast. The SCX10 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon is a 1:10 scale rig that provides full scale fun! Icon Vehicle Dynamics Aluminum Shocks Axial is proud to feature Icon Vehicle Dynamics Aluminum Shocks in the SCX10 Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon kit as standard equipment. These aluminum shocks feature precision machined pistons which offer smooth performance throughout the range of travel. Made to tight tolerances, these aluminum shocks feature clear coated polished aluminum bodies, complete with aluminum faux reservoirs. The main body of the shock is threaded for quick ride height adjustments and pre-load tuning ability. Like their full size counterparts these shocks are completely rebuildable, tunable and offer consistent handling all while adding some of that Icon bling to your SCX10 chassis. Adjustable threaded aluminum shock bodies Precision machined pistons – polyoxymethylene (POM/thermoplastic) Titanium nitride coated shock shafts Dual rate springs Poison Spyder Rock Brawler Bumpers Officially Licensed Poison Spyder Rock Brawler front and rear bumpers add realism and functionality. The Rock Brawler bumpers feature excellent approach and departure angles to tackle extreme terrain. The bumpers also feature functional D-Rings for realistic recoveries and mounting holes for LED lights. Rear Bumper w/Swing Out Carrier The Poison Spyder Rock Brawler rear bumper includes a realistic swing out tire carrier and quick release spinner for mounting the spare tire, two hooks for connecting D-Rings and two holes for LED lights (LED lights not included – optional AX24257 Simple LED Controller sold separately). Poison Spyder Crusher Flares Offroading puts your vehicle right in the middle of conditions where durability matters most. The Poison Spyder Crusher Flares help protect the body from impacts and they’re designed for additional tire clearance and an aggressive look. Walker Evans Racing Wheels Officially licensed Walker Evans Racing wheels are molded from a blend of high quality nylon materials for strength and durability with a solid 12mm hex mount and dressed in black for an aggressive look. Maxxis Trepador Tires We’ve included a set of officially licensed Maxxis Trepador tires molded in our R35 sticky compound which offers superior grip and they’re mounted on black Walker Evans Racing wheels for an aggressive look! These are taller than our Ripsaw 1.9 tires which gives you more ground clearance, bump absorption and trail ruggedness for smooth, stable performance on your favorite trails. Tire dimensions: 4.6″ tall, 1.43″ wide 4-Link Rear Suspension The suspension geometry utilizes a 4-Link design for the rear which is optimized to reduce axle steer and torque twist. It also helps with steep off-camber climbs by having the proper amount of anti-squat and roll characteristics. The 4-Link system also aids against suspension wrap-up in high power applications. Threaded Aluminum Links The lower suspension links are machined from aluminum to reduce flex and provide precise control over the roughest terrain. The tubes are threaded at both ends for easy assembly and make for a durable 4-link suspension. We’ve also included a threaded aluminum steering link which helps guide your vehicle with more precision. Links included: 6x106mm x3, 6x98mm x2, 6x33mm x1 Axles – Proven Durability The axles have been designed with many features that are not available from other products on the market. Everything from the axle strength, pinion angle, caster, and ground clearance were taken into consideration when designing these axles. The result is a far superior axle that will stand-up to some severe punishment. To ensure added longevity from the start, a high-tolerance sintered diff locker is included along with hardened axle shafts. Transmission The transmission was designed to place the weight of the motor as low as possible to maintain a low CG (Center of Gravity). The ultra compact transmission doesn’t compromise performance because it also allows for a wide range of gearing choices. The overall ratio can be adjusted from 15:1 all the way up to 74:1 using different pinion/spur gear choices which allow for super high speed or to competition level crawling speed. WB8 Wild Boar Driveshafts The WB8 Wild Boar™ driveshafts are a constant velocity joint design [CVJ] which allows for efficient, friction free movement. Full metal-to-metal construction for the CVJ housing makes them durable. They’re also easy to assemble and maintain! Protective Transmission Cover Helps keep dirt and debris out of your pinion and spur gear for a quiet and efficient drivetrain. Slipper Clutch Allows the motor to work more efficiently and greatly enhances the durability of the drivetrain allowing the transmission to slip in hard binds. Realistic Steel C-Channel Frame The backbone: a realistic, rigid steel C-channel frame. Tapered frame: for increased articulation and added realism. Simplified design: for easy and quick maintenance and assembly. Torsional stiffness: Realistic looking frame and cross braces improve chassis rigidity. Officially Licensed Jeep® Body Customize your ride! The included Jeep® Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon body comes clear, ready for your custom paint scheme. The polycarbonate roof is also clear, and comes with window masks and decals and easily mounts to the roll cage with four screws. Interior and exterior details include plastic mirrors, tail lights, a steering wheel, a shift knob, fuel fill plate and Poison Spyder Crusher Flares. Durable .040″ polycarbonate body with realistic interior details Full roll cage with installation hardware Precut decals and window masks for easy painting Steering wheel and side mirrors Simulated mirror decals included Removable polycarbonate roof Realistic Scale Details The SCX10 is packed with a variety of realistic details like mirrors, a steering wheel, shifter, front and rear bumpers, fender flares, d-rings, light buckets, a quick release tire spinner and a full roll cage molded in tough nylon injected plastic for durability. The body is clear and includes window and headlight masks making it easy to customize your paint scheme and the headlight buckets give you an added bit of realism by allowing you to add optional LED lights.
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ICON 3.0 SUSPENSION FEATURED IN SDHQ ECOBOOST RAPTOR VIDEO BY THESMOKINGTIRE.COM
Matt loves his Raptor. It’s a literal go-anywhere vehicle that is also comfortable on long trips. It can hold all our gear, and the off-road suspension makes it a very smooth camera car. The SYNC system is responsive, it has loads of storage space, and you can jump it. What’s not to love? Well, the MPG, to start. On road trips, we average 12MPG, at best.With gas prices fluctuating like Keith Richards’ sobriety, 12MPG is a pretty expensive thorn in our side. That’s exactly why Ford sold over 200,000 EcoBoost F-150s last year. 43% of F-150 buyers checked that option box. That’s a lot. The reasoning is obvious: it makes roughly the same power and torque as the 6.2L V8, but gets about 20MPG. Sounds good, can I get a Raptor with it? No. Ford didn’t make it an option last year, nor this year. Perhaps they predicted the Raptor market would be too gung-ho for V8 displacement, or thought a rumbly 8-cylinder fit the brand better, we don’t know. But it’s too bad, because the only complaint we have about the Raptor is the fuel economy. Left with no EcoBoost option, we’d accepted our future of eating Ramen and camping out in front of SVT Chief Engineer Jamal Hameedi, holding a candlelight vigil for an EcoBoost option. But our friends at SDHQ Off-road had a better idea: build one. That’s what they did, surrounding the twin-turbo V6 from an F-150 with all the best parts from an SVT Raptor, plus some more badass goodies. That’s what Matt drove on this week’s episode TUNED. He took the truck out to an OHV area in Arizona to see who got it right: Ford, or SDHQ. Will he have truck envy? Jump to find out. Link to thread on FordRaptorForum.com
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ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS TEXAS RAPTOR RUN BY TREYPAL EVENTS
In 2012 the Texas Raptor Run was the largest organized gathering of Ford Raptor Trucks to embrace in off road fun at a place called Texana Ranch in Blackwell Texas. This event was created for you to not only get seat time off road behind the wheel of your truck, but embrace the many enthusiasts and manufacturers of the Raptor Nation, all to have a great time doing it. This year we are proud to be named the title sponsor and look forward to making the ICON Vehicle Dynamics Texas Raptor Run 2013 the largest off-road Ford Raptor gathering to date. ICON will also be putting up some great prizes for the raffle along with many other manufacturers in the industry producing Ford Raptor aftermarket accessories. Below are some further details and a link to the ICON Texas Raptor Run website. Don’t be stuck sitting at home wishing you went—plan now and come join in to find out what your Raptor is made of. Overview of TRR13 The 2013 Texas Raptor Run returns to the Texana Ranch, with its 43-mile desert loop and beautiful pit grounds; it is the perfect place to host TRR. Swimming pool, exotic animals to see, a shop to get your parts installed, and RV hook-ups to boot. Did I mention 43-mile track? We are adding a shower trailer with 6 stalls, bringing the total to 8 showers available for use. Event Schedule The event starts Thursday at 2 PM with registration, followed by a kick-off pit party at 7 PM. The track will be open all day Friday and Saturday, as well as a half day Sunday. Location Texana Ranch outside of Bronte, Texas. If you Google Maps Texana Ranch, it will actually come up. RV hook-ups are available, camping at the ranch is free. Cost $250 for the weekend plus a $10 grounds fee paid directly to Ross Creek Trail Riders. $25 for a 30 amp hookup and $40 for a 50 amp. Camping is free. Active duty military is $175. Register and pay online before March 18th and receive a custom TRR13 CravenSpeed Stubby Antenna! What’s Included Driver and Co-Driver T-Shirt, 2 tickets to BBQ dinner, Driver Bag. Additional shirts will be available for purchase. Raffle Raffle tickets will be for sale $5 each, all proceeds going to Frontline2FinishLine. Our sponsors and vendors have donated some great prizes for the raffle. Required Gear DOT Approved Helmet First aid kit Fire extinguisher Food and beverages for the weekend. Food vendor will be on site Schedule by Day Thursday April 18 2 PM Registration 7 PM Pit Party Friday April 19 8 AM Driver Meeting 9 AM – 12 AM Track Open Saturday April 20 8 AM Driver Meeting 9 AM – 12 AM Track Open 6 PM BBQ Dinner 7 PM Tour of Exotics Sunday April 21 9 AM – 2 PM Track Open 2 PM Shooting Range Open Links fordraptorforum.com Official Threads on FordRaptorForum.com The ICON Texas Raptor Run 2013 2012 Texas Raptor Run Picture Thread
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ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS SPENDS A DAY WITH AZUNIA TEQUILA’S JIM RILEY
Just a few days before Christmas ICON Vehicle Dynamics had the pleasure of spending some time in the desert near Barstow, CA with the CEO of Azunia Tequila – Jim Riley. Jim is not only an experienced businessman, but also a seasoned offroad racer with a large number of accomplishments in the SNORE, SCORE, and Best in the Desert racing series. In the last few years Riley has managed to leave his mark on both the world of fine spirits and offroad racing by sticking to one of his favorite quotes, “What you believe is what you achieve”. While he is obviously a believer in success, Jim also brings a sense of adventure and fun to just about everything he is involved with. When we pulled off the highway and into the dirt we were pleasantly surprised to find that Jim had not only brought out his ICON Vehicle Dynamics-equipped Ford Raptor to play, but his Trophylite R8 race truck as well. Our original goal was to take a few photos of “Azunia Jim’s” daily driver – a 2011 SuperCab – and get Riley’s opinion of how the ICON Vehicle Dynamics 3.0 Suspension System was holding up after a fair amount of on and offroad use. While we couldn’t help but notice the Trophylite in all of its glory, we decided we would stick around to snap some shots of the race truck as well. After shooting some photos of Jim and his crew having some fun in his Ford Raptor (which features products from ICON Vehicle Dynamics, SDHQ Offroad, General Tire, Method Race Wheels, and Rigid Industries) the 450 horsepower Azunia Tequila R8 was prepped and ready to put in some testing time out in the desert. After turning a few miles in the truck to make sure all was well, Jim invited us to jump in the passenger seat of the Azunia Tequila Trophylite R8. We just couldn’t resist, so after suiting up and strapping in Jim put the hammer down and we were off into the rough stuff. By the first few corners and whooped-out sections of desert, Riley’s driving ability left us comfortable, confident, and able to simply enjoy the ride and the sound of that roaring Ford Racing engine. When the time came to get out of the vehicle, it was clear that Riley and the Azunia R8 had made true believers out of us – Trophylite is something you HAVE to try at least once in your life! Jim has got to be one of the friendliest, most down-to-Earth guys in offroad racing. Whether it’s a taste of 100% Weber blue agave Azunia Tequila or a co-dog seat in a Trophylite R8, Riley is always open to share his experiences with almost anyone he comes across. If you happen to spot him out and about promoting Azunia Tequila or putting in work at the offroad races make sure to stop and say hi, you’ll be glad you did!
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ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS BAJA RAPTOR RUN BY TREYPAL EVENTS
2013 Baja Raptor Run We are proud to be announced as the title Sponsor of the 2013 Baja Raptor Run! It is a great fit, and we are proud to be linked up with some great guys doing unique Raptor Runs in 2013. If you are a Raptor enthusiast and want to join in on a unique event that takes you down into Baja, Mexico, this is the event. You will not only spend time off-roading with other Raptor owners but this run ends with watching the 2013 27th MasterCraft Safety Tecate SCORE San Felipe 250. Get signed up for this as you will not find a more unique run into Mexico with action you cannot find anywhere else. Event Schedule Drivers meeting in Tecate, CA Tuesday March 5th 7:00 AM Cross the U.S.-Mexico border at Tecate and we will be on dirt within a half an hour. Tuesday's trip will consist of approximately 135 miles of mostly Baja dirt roads. This will include ranch roads and portions of the Baja 500 and Baja 1000 race courses. Tuesday night we will stay at Mikes Sky Ranch perched on a ridge in the San Pedro Matir at around 2700 ft elevation at the end of a 25 mile Raptor Heaven dirt road. The Ranch provides motel-style accommodations with home-style dinner and breakfast. Wednesday we will head a different route down the mountain through San Matias Pass to the desert floor. Weather permitting, we will traverse a dry lake bed where (if you choose) you may air out your Raptor and run at terminal velocity. Then back on the race course through an ever-changing playground of off-road terrain. Our day's trip will terminate at luxury beachfront condos on the Sea of Cortez walking distance from all the attractions of downtown San Felipe. On your own for dinner in one of Mexico’s most renowned restaurant rows or BBQ with the hosts at the condos. Thursday, by Thursday you will know if you are ready for this or not. You may choose to hang in San Felipe and take in the sights or grab a panga (Mexican fishing boat) and try your luck at fishing. But if you are up for it we will make a 150 mile loop through the San Felipe desert. We start on graded ranch roads and run all the best and roughest the Baja has to offer. The high point of the day is the legendary Matomi Wash, a 30-mile crevasse carved out of the mountains thousands of years ago, squeeze rock barely wide enough for a Raptor to fit through with vertical walls extending skyward 70 feet. Watch yourself here; rocks hidden in the soft sand reach up and destroy tires and suspension parts alike. Many a racer has spent the night in Matomi after an unfortunate encounter with these hidden beasts. Then back to town and dinner out or BBQ with the hosts at the condos. Friday is contingency row on the San Felipe Malicon. This is one of the best fiestas on the Peninsula as racers push their vehicles past the sponsors and vendors to technical inspection. The event lasts all day and Contingency Row is punctuated by taco carts, seafood concessions, and every oddity San Felipe has to offer. Friday night the entire group is invited to an exclusive Baja Racer tradition. The annual Checkers Racing Team Clam Bake. Local clams, shrimp, and a full buffet of land-based traditional Mexican food. Rub elbows with racers and chasers discussing their strategy for tomorrow's big event. Help empty the bottomless beer cooler. “One of the best gearhead events I have attended.” Saturday, Race day. If you wish, up at 0-dark thirty and mount up—no lollygagging. Caravan out to our remote spectator pit to watch the race go by. We will be at a remote Baja Pit Stop. You will witness the behind-the-scenes workings of what keeps a Baja race going. Prove yourself to the crew and you may get to dump some fuel in a race vehicle. For those that wish to sleep in, the start/finish is downtown and there is excellent race spectating just minutes from the condos. Some Raptors will head north directly from the pit as schedules dictate; those who wish to have another night at the San Felipe condos Saturday is included. Several caravans head north to the border on Sunday for different ports of entry. Of course, you may have the Baja Bug by this time and just want to stay in Mexico. Cost $800.00 per truck with Driver and Co-Driver. $400.00 for additional Co-Drivers. (Open to 17 Trucks only due to the logistics involved with the run. Payment in full is required to reserve a spot.) Registration Registration Page Additional Costs Mexican car insurance available online at Mexican Auto Insurance Online – Baja Bound Mexico Insurance Services. You will need $50-$70 per day for fuel. What’s Included Mikes Sky Ranch, San Felipe Condos, and road food (lunch will be provided every day you are on the road. We make huge turkey and roast beef sandwiches on oversized sourdough bread.) If you have special dietary needs, bring what you need. Three experienced guides in Raptors. One diesel and trailer on the highway for recovery and support. T-Shirts and Hoodie. Promise of a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. Necessary Gear Cooler VHF mobile radio or handheld + car charger set to or tunable to 151.775 MHZ 1 or 2 good spare tires, 2nd spare does not need to be mounted Jack & lug wrench or impact gun Optional folding chair for each person Passport First aid kit Every vehicle must have stable or preserved emergency food and water. This is Baja and you never know how your day will end. I always carry a bed roll just in case I end up in the weeds. Additional fuel containers should not be necessary even for Super Cabs. Optional Gear GPS Off-road lights All the suspension money can buy Medical air evacuation insurance Snatch strap Spare everything See You in Baja Baja Jones & Treypal San Felipe Lodging Condos 1-4 San Felipe Vacation Rentals | San Felipe Rental Homes | Baja San Felipe Condo Rentals Current Entrants 12/15/2012 Kawie95 Coachart ICON Vehicle Dynamics
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ICON OUTFITTED SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY SEARCH AND RESCUE JEEP
San Bernardino County residents can now explore their wilderness with the peace of mind that the Sheriff dept. SAR team has a Jeep Wrangler in their fleet. You won’t find a Dodge Charger or Crown Vic in the hills looking for a lost hiker, but a Jeep JK equipped with an ICON Vehicle Dynamics 3″ suspension lift, 35″ tires, Baja Rack “Mule” roof Rack, Nitto Trail Grappler Tires and Bushwacker Flat Fender Flares! All products for this build were donated to support our local authorities, here is a current list of products: Build Components Bushwacker Flat Flares Baja Racks “Mule” roof rack ICON Vehicle Dynamics 3″ Suspension lift (w/ 2.0″ Aluminum body ICON shocks) Poison Spyder Customs Rock Brawler front bumper 35″ Nitto Trail Grappler tires Warn Winch Factory Jeep Rubicon axle swap w/ lockers Custom ICON Vehicle Dynamics 17″ rims Factor 55 Pro Link
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ICON VEHICLE DYNAMICS / WSI / RPG SNOBALL 500 MENTIONED IN USA TODAY ARTICLE
by Chris Woodyard, USA TODAY Published: 12/08/2012 08:00am In an age of downsized dreams, high-priced gas and a general disdain for supersized living, Ford Motor continues to make a sales star out of a four-by-four pickup truck that kicks sand in the face of convention. It’s the Ford SVT Raptor, a full-gulping 411-horsepower V-8-powered variant of the F-Series pickup riding atop oversized tires. And it is finding new fans for its performance in ice and snow, not just desert dunes and rocky hilltops. The Raptor shows that despite all the forces aligned against it, the market for performance vehicles and brawny pickups in the U.S. auto industry remains intact. Yes, gas mileage has become a top consideration for buyers. But no, buyers aren’t going to sacrifice fun — or a vehicle that best fits their needs — for one that scores on fuel economy. That’s where Raptor comes in. “It has this kind of ‘Oh yeah, watch this’ kind of quality to it,” says Mark Williams, editor of PickupTrucks.com. “There’s a lot of cache.” Raptor competes against the Ram Power Wagon and Ram pickups customized with the Ram Runner desert kit, plus Toyota’s Tacoma Baja pickup. Raptor, however, seems to have found its place in the market by being the do-it-all truck. Despite being basically unchanged for three years, Ford Raptor saw its highest sales in a single month ever in October. The 1,400 Raptors sold for the month topped the previous monthly tally set in April 2011, by 200. The model is on pace to top 13,000 in sales for the year, highest in the three years since its debut. While the sales tallies pales compared to the F-Series pickup sales overall at 520,830 through October — it’s the nation’s best-selling vehicle — the Raptor comes with a high price tag that makes it one of the prizes of Ford’s stable. At $43,340 before delivery charges, the 2013 Raptor starts at almost twice the price of the cheapest F-150. But then again, the thing is a monster — from its 6.2-liter V-8 to its 35-inch all-terrain tires. “If a guy needs that off-road capability, there really is nothing else that can approach it,” says Jamal Hamedi, chief engine for Ford’s global performance vehicles. Hamedi was the part of the team that envisioned Raptor as a desert racer. By the time it had been fitted with touches like long-travel Fox Shox shock absorbers and a front-view camera to give drivers a view of obstacles they can’t see over the top of the hood, it turned out to have decent rock crawling and snow capability as well. When a blizzard shut down travel to the North American International Auto Show in Detroit a couple of years ago, Hamedi says he and two other Ford executives hopped in Raptors and plowed their way from Detroit in less than five hours. Raptor’s icy-weather capabilities are impressive enough that Mark Rowe of Greenburg, Penn., is organizing a 500-mile backwoods rally over the frozen tundra of Michigan’s Upper Peninsula in January. The so-called SnoBall 500, which Rowe dreamed up with a few buddies, has already attracted 35 Raptor owners and $20,000 in donated raffle items, with proceeds being donated to charity. Raptor defies stereotypes, Rowe, who works for an oil-services company, says. “Everyone thinks it’s going to ride rough,” he says, but in fact, “It rides like a sports car riding on a marshmallow.” Sure, the gas mileage is pretty awful. It’s government rated at 11 miles per gallon in the city and 16 mpg on the highway, 13 mpg combined. Rowe says despite the fuel use, “It puts a smile on my face every time I get in and pull out of the driveway.” There is little else like a it. Ram developed the Ram Runner kit, costing about $18,000 though its Mopar aftermarket division, to turn its pickups into desert racers. And there has been “a great response to it,” says Steve Houtman of Mopar. The Power Wagon, with its sway bars, winch and Bilstein shocks, is aimed at traversing rough terrain. Because it rides so well, Raptor is attracting a high-end clientele outside of hard-core offroad enthusiasts, says Steve Olliges, president of Team Ford in Las Vegas, one of the nation’s top-selling Raptor dealers and one of the drivers involved in the original testing of the truck. He says some buyers have his and hers Raptors. Some trade in Range Rover for one. Cars.com’s Williams’ says Raptor has proven overall more capable than its rivals. “The way the computer…suspension and traction all work together is amazing,” he says.”As far as vehicles that are run to drive, it’s hard to find vehicle like the Raptor.” Copyright 2012 USATODAY.com Link to Article at USATODAY.com If your interested in taking you’re Ford Raptor and seeing what it can do in the snow filled climate of the Michigan Upper Peninsula, follow this link to get details about signing up. There are 42 trucks registered as of today 12/8/2012, with registration open until 12/21/2012. This event has attracted some major attention with the fact that the Forum thread at www.fordraptorforum.com has over 1400 post and 29,000 views. That is serious for an inaugural event that has some major promise for a long annual future. ICON Vehicle Dynamics and SnoBall 500 organizer Jason Kanakry have been working hard to put on a great event and offer some cool Raffle and Entrant Gifts like an ICON swag pack that currently includes a ICON T-shirt, Stickers, and a KC Hilites 300 lumen LED Flashlight that every registered driver and co-driver will receive. We at ICON Vehicle Dynamics are raffling off the biggest prizes at the even including a set of 3.0 front remote reservoir shocks / Billet uniball upper control arms / and ICON Raptor lower arm skid plates valued at over $4500.00
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ICON SPONSORED MONGO RACING 7200 FINISHES 2012 BITD SEASON STRONG
ICON Vehicle Dynamics Sponsored Mongo Racing Finishes 2012 BITD Off-Road Racing Season Strong and Makes Statement For 2013! The Henderson 250 was the last race of the 2012 Best In The Desert Racing Association season and was held on December 1, 2012 near Henderson NV. Class 7200 was one of the classes where the season points Championship would be decided at the finish line. 2012 was a break through year for Randy Merritt and Mongo Racing from Parker, AZ in their all new Class 7200 built by Tracy Rubio at TNC Machine in Kingman, AZ. Merritt entered the BITD Henderson 250 Third in Class 7200 points with a chance at the 2012 Class 7200 Season Points Championship. Merritt knew he would have to win this race to have a chance at the 2012 Class 7200 Season Points Championship and to win this race would require Merritt to attack the rough and rocky course very aggressively while putting his 2012 KC Hilites General Tire TNC Machine Mongo Racing Class 7200 Ford Truck through some of the most extreme torture testing known to man on this day. Merritt debuted his 2012 KC Hilites General Tire TNC Machine Mongo Racing Class 7200 Ford Truck at this year’s BITD Mint 400 and posted his first win in Class 7200 at the BITD Vegas 2 Reno, “The Longest Off-Road Race in the United States.” Merritt began the 2012 Henderson 250 first in Class and took the hole shot after the side by side start, but the excitement would be short lived as Merritt and his Co-Rider Chris Golding soon stopped near race mile 5 with flat tire, while stopped the entire Class 7200 and Class 8000 field passed them, and the advantage of class lead was gone. Merritt and Golding soon were back on track again racing hard. At the start of the second 80 mile lap Merritt was making up time and position as crossed the start/finish 7th position. Merritt continued to pick off trucks and cars as he raced across the Nevada desert. By race mile 31 on the third lap Merritt and Golding had again assumed the Class 7200 lead and raced towards the finish line behind their KC Hilites 70W HID Pod lights lighting the way. Near race mile 54 Merritt again was sidelined with flat tire and was passed by the eventual Class 7200 race winner and Class 7200 Points Champion. Merritt crossed the finish line 11 minutes behind the race winner in 2nd place. At the finish line Merritt said, “We had 2 flats today and I take responsibility for them as I was driving very aggressively today because I knew I needed to win this race for a chance at the 2012 Class 7200 Driver Points Championship. Congrats to Sean Backus on his Championship, but I think my team and I have figured this truck out and can’t wait for the 2013 season to start.” Merritt finished the 2012 BITD Henderson 250 in 2nd place in Class 7200 and showed his consistency as he finished 2ndin the 2012 Class 7200 Drivers Points Championship. Randy Merritt and Mongo Racing’s next race is the 2013 Best In The Desert Parker 425, “The Legend Lives On,” January 31-Febuary 3, 2013. The Mongo Racing Class 7200 Unlimited Ford number 7281 is sponsored by KC HiLiTes, General Tires, TNC Machine, ICON Vehicle Dynamics, Trail Ready Bead Lock Wheels, Kincaid Racing Engines, Yukon, Wilwood, Pro AM, EBC Brakes, Master Craft Safety Innovations, Lucas Oil, K&N Filters, Borla Exhaust, MSD Ignition, and Mongo Made Graphics. Visit www.mongoracing.com for additional information about the team and sponsorship opportunity. Photo courtesy of General Tire.
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