Taff

The clock is ticking & there is only 5 weeks (yes 5 weeks) until the starting flag drops, so who is signing up for Walter's on the 6th of March? For the first round of the XL Series.... Or even more fundamental, who is signed up for all 8 rounds? Regards, Taff.

Neil, Would it be correct for me to state/ask the following, # That these timed sections will be a small number of the 20 one way sections? or will they be extra sections? # Timed sections are replacing the special stages? if so, then they are what we currently are use to as a trial section on a special stage, no speed limit & against the clock? # Can we confirm how many are you looking at running a night section on? (just out of interest?) Carwyn.

Neil, Can I ask how many of the event are going to have night sections? Is it two as usual or are you going for more than two? Plus James, have you got you entry in yet as the numbers will be given out as first come bases as it is a new event, as I am sure you stated somewhere that you don't want number 2 again.. (unless Neil has another way of selecting the vehicle number? ) Signing Out, Carwyn

Boothy has to compete in this one as it is in his back garden isn't it. Home advantange :lol: & all that :lol: . Taff.

Well what a good event that was, It is the third time I have competed at Corwen, But only the first time for me to get higher up the hill than the sh*t pit (the Zuk would just decided that the hill was to steep I think). As everybody has already said, a big thanks must go out to Neil for heading up the weekend, but also is band on merry men & women who helped to marshal the event. Some very interesting sections, & yes James not to rub it in, but I think you would have liked it as it was very technical in some sections. Our report of the weekend was very good, no real damage caused to the truck, just normal battle scares. Only real damage was to me as I try to carry out some running repairs/mods to the rear of Mitsimog, I forgot where the exhaust ran & burnt my arm, but the nice dip in the swamp soon cooled that down. Roll on Slindon. Thanks again, Carwyn. Kev & Dan, had a chassis problem on the truck, whereby a tree got snagged in the rock sliders & as they winched it ripped the slider off & therefore caused other issues I believe. Someone else may know more & correct me if I am wrong.

Hello all, Has anybody ever hear of this happening. I have a 52 plate disco 2, with a TD5 fitted. It has done some 85,000 miles & the balance weight on the crank has sheared the cast bosses on the pulley, therefore loosing the balance weight of the engine. Is this common? How much of a job is it? How much do you Think it will cost in parts? Cheers, Taff.

Team Gunit, Does that mean not only the noise of a V8 engine roaring through the West Harptree Valley (the Welsh & their vallies.... ). But also we will be having another special appearance from the well known DJ Mark 1/2 song Whetton on the decks on Saturday night?? . If this is the case it will be worth coming down for the Saturday night entertainment, let alone the planned racing for Sunday. Count me in Plus there does seem to be a nice list of names, behind which are some interesting cars. Right, must start on getting hold of that pass I need. Wish me luck Carwyn.

Morning All, round 3 of the XTC. Who's out playing as I could do with knowing if it is worth me asking the boss for a day pass to come down & watch. It is hard work getting hold of these passes & I do not want to waste one on a none starter. . Now we all know that Mr Saley has gone up in the world of vehicles & it looks like he should get the new car out at this event, as two weeks ago he was known as Saley NO diff, But know he is "SALEY TWO DIFFS" . Is there anybody else signed up yet Neil? West Harptree, it has to be a good, best site for this event, so many tracks to choose from, Mud Holes & "BOMBHOLES" everywhere, steep hills what else do we need. Oh YES CARS... Taff.

Just thinking I would like to add another 2p worth of advice/comments . It does seam that everybody is in agreance that the sections are now a "Trial" Section, therefore can I suggest that we maybe as already suggested number the gates in order to make it easy to find the route through the section. But also as all trial section has 10 gates, could we do something similar, where we have a set number of gates for each section OR 8, 12 or 16 gates depending on the length of the section at that event. Also have the number of gates marked on the entrance of the section stating the number of gates in that particular section next to/on the section start sign. If this an idea that could go forward, Neil can you try & arrange some personnel tuition in understanding numbers & maps for the A.R.T. Offroad team. Carwyn.

Well what an event. I will start by thanking Neil, Carol, Andy & the team for a fantastic day. Walking around the site on Saturday we could see this was at the opposite side of the scale to the first round in Kirton. Once or twice we did has to ask, “Will we fit through there?” as there were sections that looked tight on the walk around. Treebloke, you have a very valid point in regards to Team Gunit’s DJ skills, but as is says on there t shirts (which looked good), “All the Gear, NO IDEA” . Now to the event itself, well what an event. Reasonably easy for the driver!!! Not for the Winch Men & Dawn, as that was a hard day. By the time we exited section 5, I was rough, on entering section 6, I did manage to climb up to the first punch. But that was it, NO MORE, a seat down was needed & lots of sugar. A break & a trip to the special stage & I was fine again. Therefore Neil if you would like to make some extra money for the club, can I suggest that you open up a Fat Camp at Clyro, BUT you may scare people away with the difficulty factor. In regards to the marking out of the course, a suggestion I would like to through into the pot is the current set up is working in my opinion, but to assist with finding the correct route maybe numbering the gates as it would be on a trial section possible??? Finally, again I would like to thank Neil & the crew for the time & effort that they put into the organising & running of the event. Dan & Frogs Island 4x4 for the prizes, Barry Gee for the few electrical connectors that we borrowed & Mark & Austin for the loan of the Voltmeter. That’s me done for now, Carwyn.

Morning All, After reading this debut the only point that comes to my head is the following. When you watch Rallying events you don’t see this arguing and they are in a class structure. The person in his Nova/Corsa is not entering that event to win outright (all though he would like to), his is doing it to win his class., and the WRC cars and alike will win there class and event. Now when I entered in my Class 3 Zuk, I admit in the back of my head(and I mean right at the back) I would like to repeat Mr Bolts overall win in Sildon 2007(I think) in a class 3 vehicle, but this is a far dream and it was a big surprise for al on the day. But to win the class this is more than do able would be my aim. I have entered for a number of years with the idea of winning the class and with an aim to finish in the top half of the championship board. “You shouldn’t fight above your weight”. Therefore if the above class systems that are being discussed were to be taken I will go and buy a Nova and enter it into the WRC Championship as I may win against the Subaru on points and not time. Well that’s my £2 worth, had to have my say, Taff.

RON, Who's Ron?? Can't see Rob either, YET.. But I can see me getting from the workshop for this one

Well had an event full day, as everybody else has stated we must thanks Neil and the team for setting up yet another good and entertaining challenge event. It is also good to here that everybody that had a roll/moment are well. Went over to the A.R.T. workshop last night and we do have quiet a bit of work to get the Mitsimog back fighting fit. Therefore I will be busy making the tea, while Rob and Andy do the repairs . But there are some other bigger jobs that need to be carried out to the Zuk and the car transporter. The work list on the Zuk is as follows: 1. Oil Temp switch leaking. 2. Turbo Return Pipe leaking. 3. Gearbox outlet oil seal. 4. Paint over red oxide. 5. Fit New Rad. Plenty of work there for me In regards to the car transporter, with what had happened to the Mitsimog on Sunday it had to go on the trailer and the Zuk was "IN THE BACK" of the truck, whilst in there i did get the blanket and pillows out to ensure it was happy in there as it was a shock for the little car. Therefore with this happening I think we should look at the team colours and re address the incorrect colour issue on the truck and change the decals to the following. I will know run off and hide Taff

Well I must start by saying thanks for the heads up, but I do have another question. I did manage to get the truck into a mate of a mates place and according to there diagnostics the fault was as follows:- "Shuttle valve intermittent fault." He said that he had seen the "Three Amigos" before, but never that message on the diagnostics. He cleared the fault and touch wood it has not reappeared. But does anybody know what this message may actually mean? Thanks, Taff.

Hello all, Just a question to see if anybody can help me out. I have just be told by the boss that her Disco 2 has developed an issue, this being that when she came to use it this morning the dash was lit up with the following lights:- 1. ABS warning light. 2. Hill descent warning light. 3. Traction control warning light. I have had a look at the manual and it seams to suggest that if there is an issue with the traction control the other two lights will lit up as a result. Is this true? and if so is there an easy fix/problem I could try and pin point the issue or is it a diagnostics test? Cheers, Taff.

My understanding is that a construction/agricultural machine can travel upto 40 kph or 25ish mph on full hydraulic steering. Anything over this speed must have a mechanical link to be legal. This is why there is a dispute within the tractor industry between JCB and the likes of Fendt as JCB quote that they are the only legal tractor on the road that will travel above 40kph. Plus within the hydraulic steering regulations for the machineries, if the machine travels between the speeds of 20 and 40 kph they do have to pass a number of steering tests. These consist of a straight line test to see if they wander out of the designated width, plus there is a slalom test that has to be conducted. All of these tests are conducted with and without hydraulic power being applied, at different speeds and with or without a load if the machine is for example a dumper. Due to these tests some machine (such as a wheel loader)run a back up hydraulic pump. These pumps vary from gearbox/axle driven to electrically power which cut in when the machine sensors a problem with the hydraulic circuit and a drop in the hydraulic pressure is sensered. But if a hose goes between the orbital and the steer cylinder this will not help you one bit, if this happens you have a steering wheel connected to the orbital, but you are not connected to the cylinder. I think that’s enough from me for now. I will get back in my box. Taff.

Evening NAS90, If you follow the link below you will find the classes explained. If you have any more questions I am sure we will try and answer OR I am sure that Neil (NAJW screen name) will be more than happy and able to answer when he next appears on line. http://www.howlinwolfchallenge.co.uk/page1001.html Have fun, Taff.

Well for the first event as a Navigator and the first for the truck for at least a year it was enjoyable, if not to plan. I do believe that as most people have already said that the punches where laid out very well and I believe that the standard required now to what I remember it to be a year or so ago has gone up, but this is all good for the sport in pushing the boundaries for the drivers, navigators and the vehicles. But as I was saying our day didn't start to well and due to that I have a lot of thanking to do. To start with we arrived at punch 12 and half way up the bank found on trying to re-positioning the truck that the winch wouldn't release, therefore to get out of everybody’s way Nobby came and pulled us out (Thanks for that Nobby). After spending some 2 hours in the pits and trying to work out what was wrong and a new winch motor courtesy of James (in the Rogue Vogue) we where back out. Then I think we made the wrong decision after a few punches to try the gulley where the winch packed up again half way out/up the gulley. The Davids came to give us a pull, but it was all to much for the Zuk and Andy as they decided to have a lie down and have a break in the gulley. Therefore before calling it a day (a bad day), the Davids and one half of the Wolverhampton team (sorry can remember your names) came and pulled us out of the gulley to clear the section. Believe it or not I did enjoy the day and I hope to be back out in Rd 6, in the rolling hills of Wales. So thanks to everybody that helped us out, and the marshals for there work, see you all at Rd6, Taff.

Cheers for that John, I was shore I was not seeing things :unsure: . Hope you all have an enjoyable challenger event at Slindon. Taff.

General Confusion, in regards to access I do seam to remember that the Wigan gang in the Howlin' Wolf series (Jon Saley and friends) getting an old bus on site when it was called the scrappy racing challenge a couple of years ago. I think I am correct in saying this, but I will ask and check or unless someone can correct me with getting confused with a challenge they did near there. But I have also seen an articulated truck with a 40' curtain sider up there, carrying the trucks and sleeping quarters. I will try and confirm my comment, Back in a bit. Taff.

Rob Butler, yes I do agree with your comments that it is a good move & will help in progressing the sport. In regards to the issue of the truck for sale & moving away. The truck is for sale verbally, will be placed on internet soon. With the move it has been postponed until next year, therefore I was just asking to see about maybe doing a couple of round next year maybe.

Evening all, I think my question was mis-understood. What I am trying to say is, the idea of not having to MOT & TAX the vehicle is a good idea & I fully support, because as stated it is a large amount of money that you have to pay out every year to justify your vehicles class. If I remember correctly from last year to this years MOT I think my vehicle had only covered around 150 miles as it is only a toy for playing with and not used on the road (other than going to and from the MOT station). But the question is (and I maybe wrong here), currently class 2 & 3 are like RTV class in trials? Therefore with the change to the rules we are going to be a similar classing to Open class with the removal of the MOT & TAX?

Neil, With the change that you are planning to carry out to class standards in regards to MOT & TAX, how will class 2 & 3 now be determined? as you are currently stating the following: Class 2: Modified. Vehicles must be taxed for road use and may be equipped with one or more of the following: Multiple winches, Front and/or rear diff locks Class 3: Limited Modifications. Vehicles must be taxed for road use and may be equipped with one winch. Traction aids may only be used if original factory fitted equipment Taff.

Cheers for all the info lads, but just a couple of questions; 1. BogMonster - Has the speedo gone out of range with the bigger tyres. 2. What are the wear rate like on the Grabbers? As a friend of mine has told me his perants has just got 60,000 miles on a set of BFG on a L200/Shogun Sport. Cheers again, Taff.

Hello all, I have a Disco II & am wondering what are the biggest tyres I can fit without any modifications required. I am currently running on 255/65-16 & I am after a set of AT for the vehicle. BFG's was the first choice, but they do not do them in this size. Can anybody advise on the best size or a different tyre I could use. Cheers, Taff.