Thread: 4 wheel drive clubs

Lrocv

My personal opinion is they are a ****
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
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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

Just my thoughts,, hope it helps a bit.