I just got back from Moab last night and it was a blast. Everyone there had cameras and are making discs for us all so when I get the pics I will be posting alot. In our group the first day on the Golden Spike trail there was 6 vehicles. The trail leader had a TJ Sport with a long arm lift, custom 44s with ARBs, 4.56 gears and 35" KM2s, he made most everything look easy. Then we had an 04 Rubicon with a long lift and 35" KOs, then a Jeep YJ with a 4" lift, Dana Tru track rear and 33" KM2s, then a Chrokee with a long arm lift, ARB front and 35" KM2s, a realy built Sammy on 32" MTRs and my Kia. I do have to say I got a real lesson on why people build up extreem rigs for the 4 plus trails. The Golden Spike was extreemly difficult and my Sportage took alot of abuse but I made it through. I got high centered once and had to be tugged and I needed a tug through the Golden Crack but I was told later I was on a bad line or I could have made it. Both of my rock sliders are bent up, my t-case cross member is reshaped and my gas tank skid plate is almost like a taco.

On day 2 we did Hells Revenge. It was the kind of trail that I could realy show off on. All but the Sammy and Chrokee went on this trail. I hope someone got video of me smokin the tires coming out of one of the hot tubs. On this trip I think my Kia got alot of respect and opened alot of eyes. I will never ever take my Kia on another trial like Golden Spike as long as I still need it for a daily driver and still have the IFS, not that I think the IFS hurt me in any way I just don't have enough lift. The best part of my trip was my friend from work that invited me also invited a Russian couple with her parents, the two russian girls rode with me on the trails and they had a ball, The younger girl could speak english but her mom could not, they said 4 wheeling in the Kia was like riding in a Cadilac. I will post pics as they come in and post some my boy took when I get a chance.

Dennis