UWharrie - Fun-Run 1

July 2001 Update:
After some coaxing, I captured and posted the video from the July 2000 Fun Run. There are 2 versions, one for modems, one for higher bandwidth connections. The content is the same.

Modem Version (20 meg)
High-Bandwidth Version (90 meg)

With the destination set, the battle cry sounded, Isuzu's came from far and wide to the UWharrie National Forest, near Troy, North Carolina -- 1 hour north of Charlotte for the 4th of July weekend. It's was an invasion!, with Planet Isuzoo out front!

30+ Isuzu's attended our first run in NC. It was a wonderful site. Hard to get an exact count due to the influx of people coming and going but Amigo's dominated. Mostly newer models, 98 & 99's. Trail Leader & Event Coordinator Dan Russo drove his 98 lifted Amigo with only 1 older model -- driven by Trail Leader James Wood. Next came the Troopers. Several older versions including Planet Isuzoo's Online-Tech Sam-the-Isuzu-Man and our Webmaster Tad Grosvenor. Rodeo's barely made an appearence with Mike Spurlock's (Planet President) and Greg Reynolds from GA with his 98 Rodeo and Chris Thomas with his 94. There was 2 Vehicross' that attended. Jason Dearing from FL with his black 99 and Lisa Wilson from Isuzu (AIMI) bringing a new 2000 model "Firefox Red Mica" one.Special thanks to Lisa Wilson & Bob Pullan from AIMI who stopped by to witness the madness first hand.

The Planet Staff setup camp in the middle of the Arrowhead campground. It was a site centrally located and easy to get back & forth from.Special Thank you to American Isuzu Motors Inc.(AIMI) for their support! Isuzu HQ's in Cerritos, CA loaned the planet this *huge* Vehicross inflatable balloon. It was very cool! And it let everyone know they were in the right spot! It also made it very apparent that Isuzu's were invading the forest! Special thanx go to Diamond Isuzu - NC For their help and support. Local Law Enforcement even stopped by to take a look at our big Isuzu balloon. They loved it and said they'd never seen anything like it in the forest during the 30+ years they'd been working there. Things couldn't have been better. The weather was great, the campground was wonderful. Good clean sites, bathhouse looked brand new, and paved streets.

There were multiple runs each day. Most of the trails in UWharrie are only about 2 hours long. Depending on the size of the group and the number of pull-outs, you can be back to camp in about 3 or 4 hours. This worked out great because if you missed a run you could either catch up or just hang tight till they returned. There's a good variety of trails including nice steep hillsides with big chunks of rock to crawl over, and some mild ones that make for some good site-seeing. Some of the paths were very narrow up the side of a hill, and if you made a wrong move...it could be your last! You'd go right over a cliff with nothing but the bottom stopping you!

One of my personal favorite trail rides was when I rode along with the Staff from Fairway Isuzu. Joe and the fellas came with 2 brand new 2000 model Rodeos that still had the sticker on the windows! It was great riding along listen to them chatting back & forth about how cool it was being there...and I agreed with them! It was very cool! They were also surprised at how difficult the trails were. They thought it was just going to be a little ride down a dirt road or something close to that -- NOT driving up the side of a VERY steep hill with big chunks of rocks sticking out all over the place and a serious "death drop" off to your right causing you to "lean-in" to the drivers side and making sure your door is locked! At times not wanting to take a good look out your passenger window in fear of going over!Special Thanks to Joe Demarest and the guys at Fairway Isuzu - SC for a great time and they're support!

It was incredible to see how well these 2 new 2000 model stock Rodeo's did on the trails. Everyone was very impressed at their abilities to go anywhere and over anything -- all stock! One time when we reached the top of one of the giant hills there were 6 people at the top on horses that watch us go by. They're jaws dropped when they saw 2 completly brand new Rodeos drive passed them -- WITH THE WINDOW STICKERS STILL ON!! They couldn't believe it. I'll never forgot that look on their faces...it was PRICELESS!

ARB 4x4 parts of Seattle, WA donated a $250. gift-certificate to give away to a lucky participant of the fun-run. That lucky winner was Joe White of Austin, TX. Joe came all the way from Texas with his 2wd 98 Amigo knowing that some of the trails might get rough for a 2wd...and he did it anyway. He did an outstanding job of navigating the trails and only had to be yanked-out a couple of times. Because of his "Go Further" attitude the staff at Planet Isuzoo decided the prize goes to Joe. Congradulations Joe White on a job well done! The planet would also like to give Buddy king at ARB 4x4 parts of Seattle,WA a special "Thank you."

It turned out to be a great weekend! Planet Isuzoo would like to say Thank you to everyone who attended. Also thanks to Both Diamond Isuzu & Fairway Isuzu who without them it wouldn't have been as cool. Also Special thanks to American Isuzu Motors Inc for their help and support. It is very much appreciated!!

*To check out more pictures of our NC adventure, take a look at Dan Russo's collection, our Trail Leader & Event Coodinator. He has posted a lot of pic's taken during the event. He has some really good ones. Dan's personal collection

We also have found some from Tad and Derek:
Tad's Personal Pictures
Derek's Pictures