Henry Webster

http://www.Landroverclearout.co.uk

Alright for some... I've got to come all the way from Witney this time!

Anyone going to the Land Rover Clearout at Finmere this weekend? I am planning on taking a trailer full of racer/discovery stuff. H

Jean De La Fontaine - I'm going to have a go at this one next year!

That's always been my attitude, but I have been racing on some Compomotive PD's (alloy rims) for the last couple of events and I have to say I have been very impressed with them. This year is the first time that I have finished the Scottish Hillrally with the same rims that I started with and without any bends. I have no experience of the Zu rims and the Compomotives are designed specifically for off road competition, but compared to the eight spokes that I have been using they seem to be really tough. H

I use standard lock washers on the rears and none on the front. Bolts are replaced often, but are just Allmakes OEM spec supplied with thread lock. Not had much of a problem since we renewed the hubs. We're really careful not to over tighten. Some of the rears do back themselves off slightly - but we just keep an eye on them in service. H

We'll be there if we get the car sorted at the weekend. MOT on Saturday morning. I can't wait, it'll be my first event of the year. H

Some good points from Fridge there, really worth doing the research before re-making something that you need in a 'lighter' material, because you will often end up having to put the weight back in to give enough strength! I've got a number of fibreglass panels on my racer; the doors are well worth it, but the 3/4 panel I think is no lighter than the ally one it replaced (it was on the car when I bought it!) No harm in getting rid of stuff you don't need, though. I don't run a heater, but do have a heated screen and have cut many extraneous brackets from the chassis. Tesco have a good motto for weight saving: Every little helps! My Discovery was 1850 (ready to race) at last weigh-in, but I'm hoping to have lost a bit more weight over the winter so that I can keep ahead of those pesky Defenders!

I don't believe you can without modification, because they are a different diameter. H

As Steve says, really depends on what sort of events you want to do and your budget. Both are very capable trucks and both can be built for a number of different purposes, using a large proportion of standard parts. Steve's and my cars are opposite ends of the spectrum in terms of the vehicles that you could race - lots of choice and lots of room for original thinking and inginuity. I suggest that if you haven't that you get down to an AWDC, British Cross Country Championship event or a Hillrally and chat to some of the competitors. Cheers H

Notchy feel could be because the worm is bruised - reckon I did that on the Scottish Hillrally last year to my brand new box! The sector shafts do break and one of the tell tales is that the steering goes out of alignment. We did one on the Hillrally in 96, doing 95 mph in the forest, said to co-driver that the steering feels funny and straight ahead isn't where it used to be, next corner threw it in, but didn't come out sector shaft dropped straight out the bottom of the box. Speaking to others after the event it is pretty common to get 'some notice' before the failure. The only other thing I would check in your case is whether you have any bends in the drag link or else where in the steering. It may be that although you have damaged the box it is not terminal, although the only way to be sure is to replace it! H

I believe that BFGoodrich do an appropriate AT, so do General, Grabber AT I think. Goodyear do a version of their MT/R

If you are not going mad with tyres or lockers then there's not much wrong with either 10 or 24 spline standard axles in my opinion, especially if they are well serviced. I have competed in the Hillrally championship in the last four years with no drive train issues using an open 24-spline 2pin front set-up with standard components and a truetrac in the back with Ashcroft shafts, although I reckon that if regularly inspected and appropriately 'lifed' standard shafts would be fine! What we do is pretty extreme and well beyond the design parameters of the car, but we have had very few issues using largely standard bits. H

Loads of options if you are willing to import from the states, but I reckon you could do worse than speak to some of the UK dealers especially Milners. Milner Off Road - Fox and Varidamp Venom Motorsport - Radflo King (Tim Dilworth) - King Aurok - Ohlins Also - Leda (not much history with off road) Reiger Pro-Flex Donerre (QT could help with these!)

Hope to be there on Sunday, but not sure yet. Would be good to meet up - I guess I'll be hanging around the British Cross Country Championship (nee BORC)/ Hillrally Championship stand. H

I am afraid I have no experience of the Power Plus, but I do know ACR. Roland (ACR) is exceedingly pleasant to deal with, a great bloke and really knows his stuff. The quality of the kit he produces is fantastic and they take a real pride in what they do. They have a great reputation both for series stuff right up to full race engines. I'm a satisfied customer and a fierce rival of his on the track! H

The Borg Warner makes a really good box for a competition vehicle. Tomcat Motorsport do a set of lower ratio gears for it that I believe take it to about 1.5:1 Certainly makes a big improvement in the gearing - I still run the rally Discovery on 225/75R16's so it has improved the acceleration no end. H

Www.richards4x4.co.uk has Richard Hopkins' details. He certainly has done discovery panels and doors, but i believe he has also done them for rrc. if not try tomcat motorsport. They en alot of grp stuff.

Not a particularly good pic of mine, but the only one I have to hand.

I've been a member of both (not anymore 'cause I live down south now and am a member of too many clubs!).

I shouldn't worry about being at a disadvantage - it is what you make of it. I race a full bodied Discovery on the Hillrallies, running on ProComp shocks against the big money suspension and lightweight racers. We do OK! On the Baja we finished third in the National section and our times were good enough for a 5th or 6th o/a against the international crews! We regularly take time out of full-on Bowler Wildcats etc. Take it steady to start with if its your first time out and build up your speed slowly. The fastest people learn this way. Very few people beat everyone first time out! Have fun! H

This year's memories Can't compete with Jez's achievements - so will have to settle for a piece silverware - or in this case slate! The year of cosmetics - new paint job and livery Feels like we did alot of this - logisitics (Thanks team!) What its all about!

That doesn't look like the RRC or P38 Borg Warner to me. I've got one on the racer and its been in and out so many times this year that I am quite familiar with what it looks like. Also the BW fitted to these vehicles did not have a manual diff lock. I am afraid I've got no idea what it might be, doesn't look much like a LT230 either. I think BW will be the best place to get definitive info from. I don't think I've seen one quite like that before. Cheers H

You have quite a few options, I would say. Southern Counties Off Road Club - are largely a comping club and are slap bang in your part of the world. All Wheel Drive Club - Still have quite a few comps in South of England and are always good value. Heading a little further north I'd look at Anglian Rover Owners (not an ALRC club) and Midland Off Road Club. All have websites which a little Googling will reveal! H

I would concur. The cobra trialler was designed by Drew Bowler and the rights have now been sold to a company called cobra motorsport, i think! H