California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs, Inc.
8120 36th Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95824-2304
916-381-8300

Contact: Jack Raudy
(530) 389-9154

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

SACRAMENTO (July 8, 2003) – "O.K. everyone, take your positions!" "Action!"…"Camera!" Ernie Geefay, a veteran Sacramento area video producer, was barking out instructions to four-wheel drive enthusiasts, turned actors and actresses, during recent filming on the famous Rubicon Trail.

This popular trail, that hosts more than 30,000 people each year, served as one of the stages for producing a 12-minute videotape that is designed to educate four-wheelers about the importance of proper preventive maintenance, the proper method of recycling used oil at home and how to capture waste fluids when breakdowns occur on the trail.

The videotape project is part of a two-year public education grant that was recently awarded to the California Association of 4-Wheel Drive Clubs Conservation & Education Foundation by the California Integrated Waste Management Board. Theme for the new used oil program is "Make the Grade!"

"The majority of our members take the oil recycling issue very seriously," said Jack Raudy, grants administrator for the Foundation, "however, we want to carry this important message to every four-wheel drive owner that we can reach in California. We know that every year, 200 million gallons of motor oil is changed by do-it-yourselfers and we simply want to ensure that the word gets out to all of these folks."

Sierra Treasure Hunters club members Carrol and Linda Bryant were selected to portray a responsible couple which does everything correctly, while fellow club members Rick and Shannon Kerley, were asked to be irresponsible and do everything wrong.

"Our club members volunteer for many projects," said Carrol Bryant, "but I can’t think of anything more important than recycling used oil and doing the right thing out on the trail when an oil leak occurs."

Video shooting began in the Bryant’s driveway at their home in Elverta. Prior to leaving for a club outing on the Rubicon Trail, Carrol and Linda completed a thorough check of their Jeep CJ-7, which included checking all the hoses, the cooling system and they changed their oil and filter. Disposing of both the oil and filter in proper containers, the shooting continued at a local automotive parts store which gladly accepted the oil and filter without any charge.

"Now I know why movies are so expensive," said Linda Bryant. "I think we must have gone through some of the same scenes six or seven times before Ernie told us we had done it correctly."

In the soon-to-be-released video, viewers will see Rick and Shannon Kerley of Antelope leaving their driveway in their Jeep Wrangler; however, they do not perform any preventative maintenance nor are they concerned about oil leaks out on the trail. Once the Kerley’s get out on the trail, they have an immediate breakdown caused by a "serious oil leak." The Kerley’s had brought plenty of food, sunscreen, and sleeping bags, but they didn’t even consider bringing an emergency oil spill kit.

"Shannon and I knew we were playing the bad guys for this video," said Rick Kerley, "but preventative maintenance and oil recycling are extremely important, so we jumped at the chance to play a role."

Raudy explained that most of the products for capturing or absorbing the fluids out on the trail could be purchased at a local grocery or auto parts store. "We recommend any kind of plastic container with a locking lid for catching the non-corrosive fluids and kitty litter or Greasesweep do an excellent job of absorbing fluids that have accidentally spilled on the ground," said Raudy.

In addition to the used oil video, Raudy said the program would also feature a new Used Oil exhibit that will be on hand at Sierra Trek, Panamint Valley Days and other four-wheel drive events. In addition, the Foundation is producing a new brochure, coloring books for the children and give-away items such as tire gauges and shop rags.

The final video production is expected to be released in late July and will be shown to participants on the 37^th annual Sierra Trek. In addition, more than 150 copies of the video will be reproduced and Raudy said every club in the statewide association would receive a copy of the final video release.

For more information on the Foundation’s new oil recycling program, contact Jack Raudy at (530) 389-9154 or email jraudy@foothill.net. To find the used oil collection center nearest you or to learn where to take other hazardous automotive wastes such as antifreeze and batteries, ask your local government recycling official or call 1-800-CLEANUP or log onto www.cleanup.org.

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California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs Inc
California Association of 4 Wheel Drive Clubs Inc.Conservation & Education Foundation

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8120 36th Avenue
Sacramento, CA 95824-2304
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