4 wheel drive clubs

[lyonsy]

Curious to see what the consensus is on 4wd clubs and if they are worth it.
or have they become like everything else full of politics dheads and people trying to rip the clubs off, this is what drove me away from speedway and car and kart racing which i have done and been around for the last 25+ years but in the last 10 it has seemed the dheads have made it priority to drive off anyone who was not a **** pot or would try different things or just be faster then them.

so if i joined a club and it was political id just leave as been their done that got the post card don't want the drama again esp with the misses and her anxiety

so what are they like, how political are they and how many dheads are in them who just want to drink **** and do stupid stuff?
are then any clubs to stay well clear off in victoria due to this and is their any good clubs that are not like that.

next issue is proximity their is only 1 club within an hour of where i live so attending meetings at other clubs will be a bit difficult

i am located in donald vic 2 hours north of ballarat

[fitzy]

Lrocv

[rangieman]

My personal opinion is they are a **** [bigwhistle]
They have their positives but yes politics and BS are common and the LROCV is no different from what i have seen compared to others [bighmmm]
This is my opinion so all i can say is go to a few meeting`s as a visitor and observe and it just might be different up your end of the woods but i doubt it :soapbox:

[fitzy]

A small group of us had many great years and trips but we were mainly seen as not being in the spirit of the club and as much as they could not get rid of us , we weren't of a high standard for cheese and wine trips or wildflower identification field excursions. There are still some great people there, although you probably can't hear them over the noise the ones who like to be seen make.

[Tote]

All clubs vary both in their aim and over time as members age. I'm a member of a club and it serves me well in providing a bunch of like minded people to do trips with. There are several sub groups within the club with different interests but it all seems to work reasonably well.
If I had half a dozen like minded 4wding mates that also went on trips I might not need to be a club member so everyone's experience will vary. If you want to get up to your ears in politics I've found most clubs of any ilk will indulge you (for a while)

Regards,
Tote

[Slunnie]

I've been in various clubs for years and years.

My philosophy has been to listen and laugh (or sympathise) about the politics, don't align, don't betray, be friends with one and all and just be a sincere member for why you joined. I've often been left wondering, but likewise I've always enjoyed being a member in both gaining and giving to the club.

[Tins]

Can't speak specifically to 4WD clubs, but I have been in three Car Clubs in my life. The RROC ( Rolls Royce ), FCCV ( Fiat ), and the MGCC. IMO, a complete and utter waste of time and money. I read an old piece from Jeremy Clarkson recently, about when he was young and joined the Cortina club in the town he lived in. I agree wholeheartedly. Why do people think that having the same type of car gives them something in common?

This forum is good enough for me. We can get a fair idea of who we get along with, the choice is broader and the communication constant.

[trout1105]

This forum is good enough for me. We can get a fair idea of who we get along with, the choice is broader and the communication constant.

+1
Why would you need to join a club to enjoy your 4WD'ing?
Personally I would much rather have the Track/Bush to myself and camping up with a bunch of other people is really Not my scene.

[Chops]

Iyonsy, can I ask what exactly your after in a club?

I haven't been a member of any club as such, but usually end up hooking up with people with the "like minded" attitude etc.

Here, (AULRO), we are all pretty much all "like minded" when it comes to our cars, but, as we all get together during our trips and gatherings, you can see sub-groups form and go off and do their own thing. I guess, these groups become closer,, as in friendships,, that then they go off and do stuff without the knowledge of others on here.
Having this place as a base is awesome. The amount of knowledge on here is probably second to none. Being LR based, we have all the technical info, but we also have all the trip type info too,, as well as the general forum type discussion stuff. Virtually, just about everything is covered here, one way or another.

When sourcing a club, unless you join one thats pretty much LR specific, you'll not get much technical help,, in fact they'll quite probably consider you (your car) a hindrance, because they knew someone who knew someone 30 years ago that had an issue with their LR,,, so they're just all crap.
That's not to say they're all like that, and of course, there's a lot of 4x4 drivers out there that don't give a rats as to what you drive,, just so long as you can get out there with them.

You need to know what you want out of it,, or what you want to put into it, to know where you need to be heading for club wise,,, what it is you'll be chasing with a club. Being out where you are, it may be more beneficial for you to be in a shooting or fishing club maybe, if your into either of them. Those types of clubs can combine both 4x4ing and the sport of choice at the same time.
Even on here, these sports are included, as are things like bikes and flights, historic cars etc. We've just had a small group of us go and do a horse riding day this weekend, (although, as said before, this was with a small "break away" type group of friends,,, its all here [thumbsupbig]

Just my thoughts,, hope it helps a bit.

[lyonsy]

i was not really looking to join a club but i thought id ask about them and if everyone was like oh they are great no politics no dheads just good fun with some great people then id join one and see how it goes, but it seems that's not the case.

as several on here have said id just be looking to go out with some like minded people doing some of the tougher tracks where ya really should have more then 1 4x4
or just some trips with a few people i get along.

sorta like most things internet has kinda made clubs redundant as you can join a forum like this and get everything plus more then what you would get in a club from i can see

[donh54]

Lyonsy, try looking (and/or listing) in the Trips, Tracks & Schedules section of this forum. At least you'll be with people who won't bag your choice of vehicle (until they need a tow home!)

[V8Ian]

Ask Chenz if he'd like to form a club with you, Lyonsy. [bigwhistle]

[Garfield]

This is an interesting thread. I live in Melbourne and semi retired with young family and have a little more free time these days.

I basically joined a 4WD club because I was looking to meet similar minded people that were looking at doing similar type 4WDing and trips as I was. To be honest I was not really looking for a social club ( already have friends ) that just organised dinners and wine tours etc and I was not interested in doing 4WD trips that were classed as difficult i.e. tracks where you are more than likely to damage panels and break driveline items every trip.

Unfortunately to date I have not been able to find this in the club. This is not to say they are not a fantastic group of guys and gals, but just not meeting what I was personally looking for.

As for information about Land Rovers, accessories and technical items, this site is with out doubt the best source.

[Slunnie]

Funnily enough Garfield, the same here re the difficult tracks etc, but the club actually found me! Made some really good friends through the club and there are a lot of absolutely amazing people in it, many who don't frequent online communities. I learnt to really drive these things on the LROC tough trips with Tusker on here via the club, and not that long ago I spent the day with Lotz-a-landies who is one seriously incredible woman, what she doesn't know about Landies... jokes, she knows! Each to their own, but I do like the clubs.

[Chops]

This is an interesting thread. I live in Melbourne and semi retired with young family and have a little more free time these days.

I basically joined a 4WD club because I was looking to meet similar minded people that were looking at doing similar type 4WDing and trips as I was. To be honest I was not really looking for a social club ( already have friends ) that just organised dinners and wine tours etc and I was not interested in doing 4WD trips that were classed as difficult i.e. tracks where you are more than likely to damage panels and break driveline items every trip.

Unfortunately to date I have not been able to find this in the club. This is not to say they are not a fantastic group of guys and gals, but just not meeting what I was personally looking for.

As for information about Land Rovers, accessories and technical items, this site is with out doubt the best source.


When your ready to go for an explore,, sing out and we'll organise something.
For us, we're happy to just poke around, sight see, look for views etc, grab a coffee,, not interested in any damage, but willing to have a crack if needs be.

[Garfield]

When your ready to go for an explore,, sing out and we'll organise something.
For us, we're happy to just poke around, sight see, look for views etc, grab a coffee,, not interested in any damage, but willing to have a crack if needs be.

Sounds good CHOPS. I will give you a yell when we head out ! I'm interested in exploring some more of the VIC high country.

[Mick_Marsh]

When your ready to go for an explore,, sing out and we'll organise something.
For us, we're happy to just poke around, sight see, look for views etc, grab a coffee,, not interested in any damage, but willing to have a crack if needs be.
Clearly a D4 owner.
How was the latte Saturday night?

[Chops]

Sounds good CHOPS. I will give you a yell when we head out ! I'm interested in exploring some more of the VIC high country.


Too easy,, was looking to get to see some snow this year, but it just hasn't worked out for us [bigsad]


Clearly a D4 owner.
How was the latte Saturday night?


Latte was good thanks Mick,,, Annnd, thanks for that,, I owe you [biggrin]