New Equipment: Bathtubs on Wheels

For the thrill-seeking car driver whose appetite for concrete and asphalt has become jaded, modern technology provides a variety of alternatives. First came the dune buggy, which can bounce merrily across rolling beaches. Then the snowmobile made its appearance, giving drivers breathtaking access to wintry fields and drifts. Now the all-terrain vehicle is here—a snug, rugged buggy that resembles a bathtub on wheels and can jounce, swim or crawl over just about any obstacle that nature has to offer.

Last week there was an unmistakable sign that the versatile new conveyance has really arrived: the first major race exclusively for all-terrain...