Event History

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=240 BGCOLOR="#111111" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="_"><U><B><IMG SRC="73ade860.jpg" border=0 width="222" height="134" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></U></A></div> <div> <B>EVENT HISTORY</B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=240 BGCOLOR="#111111" TEXT="#F7F7FF"> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG SRC="402c2810.jpg" border=0 width="194" height="129" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></FONT><B>In the fall of 2000, the first New England Suzukifest, entitled ZOOKIN' Y2K was held in Westhampton, PA.   </B><B>This was a major step forward in the northeast region as this was the first "Suzuki-only" off-road event ever (</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>or at least that we know of!</B></FONT><B>)</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Where others dreamed and failed, that "core group" of Zukers worked at a feverish pitch to organize and pull off such an event.  While humble in its attempt, the event came off as well- </B><B><IMG SRC="320a5750.jpg" border=0 width="165" height="117" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="2" VSPACE="2"></B><B>orchestrated.  A web site was created detailing the specifics of ZOOKIN', and download-able registration forms were filled out and mailed to the organizer, Glenn Loud.  A local campground was selected as the base of operations.  They gladly accepted the group with open arms (and still do!).</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The Autumn air was extra crisp when, one by one, the Zookers filed into the </B><B><IMG SRC="3359c580.jpg" border=0 width="156" height="88" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="2" VSPACE="2"></B><B>campground over the night.  By daybreak, the Zookers emerged from their frost-tinged tents and greeted each other.  For many, this was the first time that on-line friends got to meet face to face.  It was a joyous occasion.  Each examining the others rigs, and learning a bit or two from each other.  But the sun slowly rose and it was time to do what they came for,  to go ZOOKIN!</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG SRC="3279b800.jpg" border=0 width="155" height="128" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="4"><IMG SRC="32bd6780.jpg" border=0 width="214" height="120" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="2" VSPACE="2"></B></FONT><B>The first day saw a dozen rigs in all their glory parading through town on the way to the trailhead.  What a site!  The trail brought thrills and excitement for all.  The trail featured </B><B>varying </B><B>terrain, from mud to rock, with difficulty levels from bare-bone stocker to hard-core rocker.  With careful direction of the trail leader, </B><B>carnage was kept to a minimum.  A</B><B>ll rigs made it out with nothing more than great pictures to show for it.  As the sun began to set, the Zookers competed in a Top Zook Challenge. </B><B><IMG SRC="32c816b0.jpg" border=0 width="129" height="107" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="2" VSPACE="2"></B><B> Wow, that was a carnage feast!  But everyone competed in a sportsmen-like manner and a good time was had by all.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>That night saw the first New England RockLobsterfest, named after the grandaddy </B><B><IMG SRC="332c9710.jpg" border=0 width="201" height="113" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="2" VSPACE="2"></B><B>of Suzuki T-case gears, the Rock Lobster.  With bellies full of </B><B>fresh Maine </B><B>Corea lobsters , the gang crowded around the bonfire to hand out gifts and awards, including Rock Rails, pumpkin protectors, hood latches and an oil filter for everyone.  Promotional literature from a variety of Suzuki after-market vendors was provided to event participants.  Next, came many a brew, lots of tech talk and some tall tales.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><IMG SRC="336b2790.jpg" border=0 width="178" height="121" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="2"><IMG SRC="33b96680.jpg" border=0 width="150" height="104" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="2" VSPACE="0"></B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>The second day saw much tougher trails, and some carnage.  Busted u-joint, broken brake line, dented sheet metal and scrapes rounded out the weekend's events.  Back at camp, that "core group" discussed how much fun it all was and desired to repeat the experience on a yearly basis.   And there you have it, Zookin' 2K1 was born.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>The following fall saw a tremendous growth in the interest in ZOOKIN' and an increase in the number of <IMG SRC="470cb980.jpg" border=0 width="203" height="152" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0">participants.  With over twice as many rigs as the year before, that "core" group began to realize that the simple idea they hatched the year before was on track to becoming a substantial annual event.  The event became more organized, with a larger web site, bigger event dinner and the first ZOOKIN' Charity Raffle.  </B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG SRC="480b88a0.jpg" border=0 width="184" height="138" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="0"></B></FONT><B>Several Suzuki vendors, including</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.calmini.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.calmini.com"><U><B>CALMINI</B></U></A></FONT><B>, </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.petroworks.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.petroworks.com"><U><B>Petroworks</B></U></A></FONT><B>, </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.rocky-road.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.rocky-road.com"><U><B>Rocky Road Outfitters</B></U></A></FONT><B>,</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.spidertrax.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.spidertrax.com"><U><B>Spidertrax</B></U></A></FONT><B>,</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.trailtough.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.trailtough.com"><U><B>Trail Tough</B></U></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B>and</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFF00" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.yankee-offroad.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.yankee-offroad.com"><U><B>Yankee Off-Road</B></U></A></FONT><B>.    With the recent tragedy of September 11th, 2001 fresh in everyone's mind, the participant's hearts and wallets opened up and almost $400.00 was raised to benefit the </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FF0000" FACE="Arial" ><A HREF="http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.html" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.redcross.org/donate/donate.ht"><U><B>American Red Cross</B></U></A></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B>Disaster Relief Fund.</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>Zookin' Y2K1 was much like the first, except a new trail had been added to </B><B><IMG SRC="481af8c0.jpg" border=0 width="175" height="140" ALIGN="RIGHT" HSPACE="4" VSPACE="0"></B><B>the mix, Ye Olde Florida Road.  For many, it was their first time they even had been on this truly gem of a "trail".  Florida Road is an actual, non-maintained town road which offered lots of challenges for stockers to the Rock Lobsters.</B></div> <bR> <div> <FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B><IMG SRC="472bb8c0.jpg" border=0 width="187" height="140" ALIGN="LEFT" HSPACE="3" VSPACE="0">In 2002, we present the 3rd Annual  New England Suzukifest, ZOOKIN' Y2K2, and it wass bigger and better that the previous years.  More trail runs, more NEW trails, a bigger and better charity raffle and more Zookers,meant MORE ZOOKIN'!  We chose the North East Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs as our charity, and inparticular , the Save Florida Road Fund.  Florida Road is a "road" used for Zookin' and is threatened by environmental concerns.  Because of the generosity of Suzuki aftermarket companies like</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><A HREF="http://www.aftermarket4x4.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.aftermarket4x4.com"><U><B>Aftermarket Industies</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>,</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><A HREF="http://www.bostonacoustics.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.bostonacoustics.com"><U><B>Boston Acoustics</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>,</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>  </B></FONT><A HREF="http://www.calmini.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.calmini.com"><U><B>CALMINI</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>,</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B>  </B></FONT><A HREF="http://www.roadlessgear.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.roadlessgear.com"><U><B>Roadless Gear</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>,</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><A HREF="http://www.rocky-road.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.rocky-road.com"><U><B>Rocky Road Outfitters</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>,</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><B>Red Eyed Bull Innovations</B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>, </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><A HREF="http://www.spidertrax.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.spidertrax.com"><U><B>Spidertrax</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>, </B></FONT><A HREF="http://www.trailtough.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.trailtough.com"><U><B>Trail Tough</B></U></A><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>and</B></FONT><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#0000FF" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><A HREF="http://www.yankee-offroad.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.yankee-offroad.com"><U><B>Yankee Off-Road</B></U></A><B>, </B><FONT SIZE="3" COLOR="#FFFFFF" FACE="Arial" ><B>and the deep pockets of the New England Zookers, we were able to raise $700 for the fund, making the New England Suzukifest the largest donor to the fund along with the Untied 4wheelers!   But the battle isn't over, and the fund still needs more donations.</B></FONT></div> <bR> <div> <B>We hope that you enjoy the upcoming event. We wish to see each year's event exceed the previous in fun and excitement.  Register now and see you up in them thar' hills!</B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Happy Trails,</B></div> <bR> <div> <B>The all-star Zookin' Planning Committee and Staff</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <A HREF="id38.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="_"><U>BACK</U></A></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>