Crystalvale

[Busman]

Well another trip under the belt for the club, and nearing the end of the 2010 Calendar.
The Dare was completed yesterday, and we had a mix of Ladies and gents attending to obtain their stripes.
All participants drove very well, and Craig (CraigMarlow) and wife Kayti certainly ran in their new Defender.
There were three ladies driving on the day, to inc Louise/Rachel and Kayti.
Craig/Rowland and Dennis were the men.
Well done and very good driving and practical ability by all.
In the quiteness of this morning,we heard the whistle of Kelvins Turbo on the D2, and the bellow of Travs Rangie V8, to see the day trippers show up for a play.
The park was still muddy in places, from the weather we have had over the past few weeks.
In places it certainly was a bit treacherous, but we gave most tracks a go, pending car set-up and capability.
In the morning harry and Rod took part of the main grp for a run, whilst Justin/Trav/Kelvin/Keith/Greg & myself,
went to have a look at some of the harder tracks available.
No real issues to report, other than a couple of stub axles breakages, but other than that all good.
Couple of the bigger trucks decided to give Commando Hill, and other nearby tracks a go.
With some success, but a few tracks have been washed out with all the rain, and tree roots etc are visable and difficult to pass.
Overall a good weekend, and thanks for all attending, and special thanks to Josh & Harry for holding the Dare,
and enabling a few more members to join in and now officially be able to drive club trips on a regular basis.
We did not take many pics, as mainly driving, but l am sure there will be a few more pics to come from some others.


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[The ho har's]

Hey Dave pics didn't work

Mrs hh

[harry]

thanks dave for the report,
i don't have much to add for the saturday dare, apart from agreeing that the girls did very well as did the boys.
oh, and another thank you to you, wink and others for a winch in times of need, i might have to fix that starter problem.
sunday was well attended and we set off in two groups so that the tougher cars wern't held up by the others.
my group also had some little instances with wink giving us all somewhat of a show when the disco jumped out of the ruts on a steep downhill run, big dog to the rescue.
white d3 showed us that with persistance the d3 will go where it shouldn't on worn road rubber and was followed by sherwin who also managed to get through, big dog also showed us that bulldozerdog instinct at the water ditch.
thanks all for a great day out.

[Outlaw]

Glad you all had fun today. The DARE yesterday was a great day if I do say so myself

[Skiboy]

Thanks Harry and team for the DARE. Rachael was very happy with her weekend even if she was a little tired Sat night and tonight.

Harry started off with some tuition in the camp ground then recovery training out in the field. First he got himself bogged and then challenged the Orange Rangie (Rach) to a tug of war.



Rangie 1 v Disco 0 (that was for Trav's benefit). Actually truth be told the Rangie is only half a Rangie and 1/3 Disco.

Then Rach got stuck and pulled out.

and so on.
Then Harry got in an even more difficult spot - showing how not to enter a hole filled with water

Then Harry demoed getting bogged twice after lunch with an uncooperative starter motor thrown in - Busman had to pull him out twice and in the end winched him out. A bang on the started motor connection then we were off.

Day 1 ended around the fire with refreshments and stories. Great day.

Day 2 a whole bunch more turned up and we went for a roll. With all the demos by Harry of how to get bogged the day before Rach was keen to get driving and test her technique.

Kelvin found a hole and Justin gave him a pull out and the rest of us chickened over the logs




This is where Dave found he had broken a stub axle the day before pulling Harry back.

So Dave needed a pull out then we helped change his stub axle.

Then we found the bog hole and some of us went right (Justin, Kieth and Trav) and some straight up. The clay was better than it looked.


The others were more direct


It was a slippery climb out of there to the top.

Then we came down a hill and found a paddock with Land Rovers mating - that must be where the Freelander I saw came from.

Justin did a run up a hill while we watched on - others tried other tracks - Greg was unlucky on one to break a stub axle so more repairs.

On the last hill there were a few wheel stands


Dave's was the best but did not have the camera out for it.

Finally here was a very happy (albeit there was no certificate!) DARE participant.

Rach really enjoyed the harder driving on the last day even if a little tense and dry in the mouth at times. Oh no we might have to build a third car for her????

[Grimace]

Wow, looks like a great day wasd had by all. The caliber and consistency of all the built trucks in the club is very impressive.

I must say I loved the silver and greys of the three rangies in them pics! Specially of the shot with all of them veiwed up the trail. All very different and all very impressive to watch.

Keith, nice job on the rangie ute, it is one of the most deserved toys in the club IMHO, the amount of effort you boys have put into having such a fun vehicle is paying off. Good to see Rach enjoying it too.

The two discos of Dave and Kelvin are getting too capable for comfort, we may have to start sabotaging their equipment

I always liked Justins car in white, and never would have thought that a darker tone would have looked so pimp. I like it lots! Nice shots on that steep wombat hole covered hill
I hate climbs like that, you boys always drive them with such confidence!

Harry, nice work on the DARE, you continue to go beyond your means with demo after demo

To all that attended, I hope you all had a very enjoyable day/weekend and I am sorry I could not make it this time round. I really hope to have Fluffy back and in action soon so she can come out and hang with her buddys

[dungarover]

It was a good weekend, I would have stayed the night but I had left the plans a tad too late but made the trip twice (Sat as a passenger and Sunday as a driver) so it wasn't too tiring (at least I slept in a comfortable bed ).

Anyway, the Sunday was where the real stuff started, rocked up about 8.30 QLD time (none of this bloody daylight saving stuff) where Harry suggested that we split into two groups for the more adventurous bunch and one for not so adventurous (ie- sensible ). Anyway being in the former groups it was time to get out there. It didn't take too long for a small mechanical mishap to occur when Dave had no drive on the front which was revealed that he had broken the stub shaft on the drivers side. No worries, 10 minutes, a magnet and some of Greg's expertise, we're on our way again.

The tracks were still slippery even after a couple of days on sunshine and overcast weather so it made the going a bit more challenging which was fine by me.

After a couple of hours driving around, up and down hills and though mud puddles it was lunchtime for some tucker and certain type of refreshment that starts with B and ends in eer

After lunch, Harry decided or we agreed whichever way you want to call it that we combine the two groups into one and just drove some of the easier trails. This is always good to measure up peoples driving skills and differing ways that drive. I'll take the title of the crap driving award for the trip as it took 3 attempts to negotiate a couple of wayward tree roots, took 2 lockers and then I still struggled . 'Bloody pathetic', was the words I used over the CB IICR

Anyway, The rest of the day was fatality free although Greg did break a stub axle just as Dave did earlier but once again it was all fixed and going within a few minuets (good thing about those std stub axles on earlier rangies, you break one then replace it easily, better than a CV or axle This still means Rangies are better, hint hint ).

It was time to get going back home, where the day went buggered if I know. Thanks to harry for his trip leading 'expertise' and everyone that turned up. In hindsight, should have stayed the night and typical GCLRO banter around the fire gets lets say interesting at times although Stevo and Grimace weren't present

Keith, I think the Rangies were about even with those pesky Disco after some slight breakages. But who cares, it's a Land Rover after all even if it isn't as good as the genuine article

Trav

[disco_thrasher]

.

The two discos of Dave and Kelvin are getting too capable for comfort, we may have to start sabotaging their equipment

Grimace no need for sabotaging them they do that by themselves

[WhiteD3]

Thanks to Harry et al for a great day. Apologies for buggering off early but I had to see the folks on the way home.





I think we have a closet bogan in the club......












Nope....he's the real bogan deal! What were you thinking Rod?



Trip leader getting a spray....

[CraigMarlow]

Had an awesome time!! Thanks to everyone for the driving tips, we learnt heaps and had great fun. Overnight camp was great and thanks to Rambling Boy for the camp fire music - was a nice finish to the night.
Really loved the culture of the group, such a great group of easy going, friendly people. Can't wait for the next big day out.
Was great to get the new Defender dirty
Kayti