Henry Webster

So I run an open front and a Truetrac in the back and would argue that if anything that improves steering in the mud, not least of all because you can use the throttle to help induce some oversteer.

George McLay at Gemm 4x4 Larbert http://www.gemm4x4.co.uk/

If I was going to put just one tricky diff in, I'd opt for putting it in the back.

So my Discovery handles pretty well - I'm happy to slide at speeds well over the legal limit, but the secret of our success has been losing weight! We now use Milner Varidamps and standard rate springs, but the handling on the fast stuff was pretty good with the twin procomps we had on previously. We use a mixture of genuine and polybushes and standard anti-roll bars.

The reason that you may only get it in reverse is that you might be acting against the brake for the trailer. Whilst most braked trailers should work fine on the flat, most don't like being reversed up hills.

Used to be a place just outside Lamancha south of Edinburgh, don't know whether it is still available, its been a few years since I was there! Probably worth getting in touch with the Scottish Off Road Club and the Scottish Land Rover Club, both run events nearby. H

Best without them. Overdrive is worthwhile, though!

No worries, glad you like them!

I have one for putting out fires and another one to pass scrutineering

Do the trick, don't they! We've had them on most of our racers over the years!

Wow, its great to see that car is still doing the rounds. Inspired me too, along with the other nicely tricked Series 1s that were in the AWDC at the same time. Anyone remember "Thumper" (Barry Redman?) or "Flopper"(Colin Cowley)? Pete must have had one of the first sets of BFG Muds in the country, I reckon, they were only available in 15" at the time, hence the eight spokes. I have to blame my dad too. He was trialing (Ser 1 in CCV and SerII/Ltwts in RTV or expert trials and non-damaging trials as they were known respectively) when I was small and some of my earliest memories are from AWDC events at Slab, Weavers Down, Hungry Hill, Broxhead Common and the like, and Anglian ROC events at Double Arches Quarry and Sundon Pit. Latterly my dad did some speed events in a RR classic and then a 110 Hi-cap - I got the speed bug early and it was straight into speed events for me! BTW - Those photos of the Series 1 were taken at another long lost and missed AWDC venue, Peter's Pit near Gravesend.

My cars built for corners not the straights! Besides I don't fancy getting beaten by

You don't say whether you had the centre diff locked or not, as that will cause more understeer into corners as the rear tries to push you wide! This is one of the reasons that we use a viscous centre in my rallying Discovery. Yes scandinavian flick is a good technique for eradicating understeer, but it needs plenty of room and you rarely have the room for that on the public road, let alone the run-off for when you get it wrong. Some examples!

Obviously deep snow is one thing, but am I alone in preferring to drive the 'road' car in the usual sort of icy/snow conditions that we usually get on main roads. Land Rover is just too heavy in the ice and with a locked LT230 is pretty hard work - the racer with its Borg Warner is OK, but I only really want to drive that sideways like we did on the recent snowy Borders event! H

In Disco 1s the switches aren't too clever, So you might fin it is something as simple as that - try pressing the washer switch part of the way in.

Have a look at http://www.FriesianRacing.co.uk Lots of details about our racing exploits and some of the build of our 3.9 V8 Discovery. H

Nope - no problem with that. Once one end starts spinning it'll soon distribute equal power to both ends. You are thinking, maybe of how a Torsen-type differential, like a Quaife ATB or a Truetrac works. It is true that they need some resistance to work, but a viscous, the more the differential in speed the more locked it becomes. H

When they lock, which they do pretty quickly when you lose traction they give you a true 50/50 torque bias. I have one in the racer and I must say I wouldn't have anything else now, I think its great. I've got an LT230 in the road car and it was horrible in the snow last winter - if the diff was in it wanted to go straight on, if it was out you ran out of traction. Borg Warner is a fit and forget!

I've heard people who have disliked EBC brakes on some cars, but not on Land Rovers, on a Discovery they are great. We have green stuff pads and their solid discs on the racer and never suffer brake fade, once they are properly bedded in. I find them pretty good from cold too, but they are stonking once they are up to temperature. Having said that I've never found much wrong with genuine, or branded replacement pads, on a heavily driven road car.

Provisionally BCCC 2009 APRIL 11/12 BROUGH MAY 09/10 WALTERS ARENA JUNE 06/07 BADEN HALL JULY 04/05 CASTLE O ER SEPTEMBER 12/13 RADNOR OCTOBER 10/11 DRIFFIELD You would be one of a growing band of challenge folk to have a go at BCCC! H

Tim, Let us know what you want in the way of info. I do mainly the Hillrallies in a modified (super) production Discovery, but know quite alot about the sport in general. I was actively involved in running the BCCC (or BORC) as it was known between 2000 and 2006 and I still know alot of those involved. I have a background in both stage and road rallying as well as in off road motorsport. In my opinion BCCC, AWDC, NORC and the Hillrallies are still really friendly compared to some stage rallies, but still pretty competitive and very fast! You can still be competitive in this sport on a budget, despite some of the top guys now spending quite alot. H

Potential race winner straight out of the box - Baja GB winner, Hillrally Chamionship car. A really innovative, but cheap to maintain and run car. And the Lofthouse family would be good for some advice on how to get the best from it. There seem to be quite a few good comp cars up for sale at the moment - this is always a good time to buy! H

How about combining two of your interests and building an off road speed event vehicle. If you like off roading and speed, then there is no better way!

Entry list is still open for the Scottish Borders Hillrally. 75 stage miles in Newcastleton and Kershope forests. Legendary places that have been the deciders in many of the RAC rallies over the years. Stages are mainly fast and flowing, and as long as you don't come off in the most part non-damaging. No MOT or Tax required. National B rally - only need a NatB licence. £385 entry fee. 2 days racing. We're competing and really looking forward to it. We've not done nearly enough events this year. For more information have a look at http://www.scottishhillrally.co.uk/SHRC_Bord_Gen.html Marshals will be welcome, as always - a great way to see the stages. Spectator details also on the website. Look forward to seeing some of you there! H

No, I don't believe so. H