FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

FOLSOM (July 14, 2007) – The Capital City Mountain Goat Four-Wheel Drive Club announced that its final four-wheel drive Hands-On Safety Clinic for the year will be held on Saturday, Sept. 22 and Sunday, Sept. 23 at the Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area, located approximately 20 miles east of Sacramento.

Sport utility vehicle (SUV) and other four-wheel drive owners interested in attending this one-day safety clinic may choose either date. The clinic begins each morning at 8 a.m.

Doug Sinclair, the club’s chief instructor, explained, "four-wheeling is a different kind of driving that opens up a whole new world for exploration and adventure. Four-wheel drive vehicles are designed to get you in and out of tough spots in the backcountry, but you can’t expect your vehicle to perform like a sports car during high-speed driving."

"We have learned that thousands of Californians are buying into the SUV market," said Sinclair, "however, most of those owners do not have the expertise and the confidence to take their vehicle off road."

The clinic begins with a classroom slide presentation, followed by several hours of hands-on driving instruction within the off-highway vehicle park, where students will encounter many simulated obstacles similar to those they might find while driving in the high Sierra or other remote off road areas. Students will learn how to "walk" their vehicle, how to drive over trails and large rocks, how to drive in the snow and how to use a tow strap should they get stuck in the mud or snow.

Sinclair said that the clinic also teaches students about the importance of obeying the rules and environmental concerns in the backcountry. Students will continually hear instructors talk about treading lightly, not disturbing wildlife and staying on designated trails.

Cost for the one-day course is $60 for each student-driver and $5 for each ride-along passenger. For those choosing to pay at the clinic, the cost is $65 per student.

The Prairie City State Vehicular Recreation Area is located off Highway 50. Take the Prairie City Road exit and continue on Prairie City Road to White Rock Road. Take a right on White Rock Road and watch for the entrance to the park on the left hand side of the road. The classroom instruction will be conducted at the Prairie City park headquarters.

To reserve space in the upcoming September clinic or for more information, contact Carol Moreland at (916) 455-9930 or visit the club’s website at http://www.ccmg4wd.org/

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(Note to editor: For a Jpeg photo from the 4X4 safety clinic, contact Jack Raudy at (530) 389-9154 or jraudy@foothill.net).