DRIVER'S LOG: 2008 Dodge Dakota Sport Extended Cab

INTERACTIVE EDITOR DALE JEWETT: This thing left the factory in full Darth Vader mode--black paint job, wheels and interior trim. The only exceptions are the gray-colored headliner and the silver-painted plastic in the center of the instrument panel. So this Dakota’s got that menacing, stealthy look on the outside. But it’s what’s on the inside that counts for the younger generation. My 14-year-old son proclaimed the Dakota “awesome” after just a couple of minutes in the shotgun seat. Why? Because the big black box jutting from the back of the center console into the rear of the cab is actually a giant subwoofer--the key part of the optional 508-watt premium audio system. That subwoofer chews up a healthy chunk of the limited space behind the front seats, especially since our particular test truck was just an extended-cab model and not a pile-everybody-in crew cab. But it will send shock waves through everyone who does get inside and the folks in the car the next lane over, too. Best moment: stumbling onto Pink Floyd’s “Shine On You Crazy Diamond” on the classic-vinyl satellite radio channel and cranking the volume up to unsafe levels. The 4.7-liter V8 is stout, and the five-speed automatic shifts smoothly, but there’s nothing here that urges you to give the right pedal a strenuous workout. And if you do, this truck’s combination of rear drive, front weight bias and lack of any kind of traction control means you’ll want to do that only when the road ahead is dry and runs straight. The ride is standard pickup, bumpy on the Detroit area’s chunked-up roads. The bucket seats are comfortable, but the Chrysler bean counters thought they’d save a few cents by taking some inches off the seatbelt webbing, which makes finding a comfortable driving position or reaching the glovebox a real challenge. The jump seats in back are best left in the stowed position, because even small children are going to feel cramped back there. 2008 Dodge Dakota Sport Extended Cab 4x2 IN FLEET: Dec. 5-19 AS-TESTED PRICE: $27,860 DRIVETRAIN: 4.7-liter V8; rwd, five-speed automatic OUTPUT: 302 hp @ 4600 rpm, 329 lb-ft @ 3600 rpm CURB WEIGHT: 4494 lb FUEL ECONOMY (EPA/AW): 16/13.3 mpg

100 lucky winners...have "boat and truck loads" to show for supporting conservation

Thanks to everyone who bought and sold tickets for the O.F.A.H./Conservation Lottery!

Friday, May 25, 2007 was a big day for fish and wildlife conservation programs supported by the 33rd Annual O.F.A.H. Conservation Lottery, and an even BIGGER DAY for lucky winners of Dodge vehicles, Lund boats, Shimano rods and reels, a Yamaha Rhino side-by-side, and other great prizes.

Perhaps the luckiest ticket holder of all is long-time O.F.A.H. member, Lloyd Corrigan of Etobicoke, who won the ultimate O.F.A.H. Conservation Lottery Grand Prize: a 2007 Dodge Durango, Lund 1700 Pro Sport Boat, Yamaha 115 h.p. motor, and Northtrail trailer.

"I have been fishing and hunting all of my life, and have enjoyed supporting the O.F.A.H. for years. I always try to do my part to support the O.F.A.H. Conservation Lottery and I never imagined winning such an incredible prize," said Mr. Corrigan, who has been an O.F.A.H. member since 1981.

In London, Ontario, second prize winner, Dale McKenney, is overwhelmed about his 2007 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab 4x4. Mr. McKenney said he just bought a new boat but needed a truck to pull it. Perfect timing!

In Parry Sound, third prize winner Kelly Stevenson is telling all of her friends about how a $2 ticket to support the work of the O.F.A.H. earned her a brand new Dodge Caravan.

Every year, most O.F.A.H. members will receive a book of O.F.A.H. Conservation Lottery tickets which they may sell to friends or purchase themselves. This year, O.F.A.H. member Brian Quimby, of LaSalle, is certainly glad that he sold himself a winning ticket. His family is going to enjoy their new Yamaha Rhino 450 side-by-side ATV.

"It's certainly a great day for all of our winners, and it's also a great day for everyone who bought and sold O.F.A.H. Conservation Lottery tickets," said Mike Reader, O.F.A.H. Executive Director. "Over the past 33 years, O.F.A.H. lottery funds have also supported habitat enhancement, wildlife reintroduction, invading species prevention programs, as well as youth initiatives such as the O.F.A.H. Get Outdoors Summer Leadership Camp and TackleShare."

The O.F.A.H. Conservation Lottery is a major fundraising event for the O.F.A.H., the largest, fish and wildlife conservation organization in Ontario. For a complete list of winners in the 33rd Annual O.F.A.H. Conservation Lottery, please visit www.ofah.org. Provincial Lottery License P061234.