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Have always wanted to do this, but always find myself busy or returning from other trips when this event is running. I heard some sad news that this could be the last Dresden Breslow as the organisers are retiring? Does anyone else know about this? Jim

And so does everyone else out there Where abouts are you?

Just got back from Australia and from wathcinh this fine event....... I can confirm that big Al did break one of my winches........... By rolling on to it at 120kph Thankfully he was fine. I will do a full write up soon, but in the mean time i'll just say this... Man, those cars are fast Jim

I like the idea of it being fun.................. Scientific test ? Whats the point? everyone will still argue anyway I know what works and what does not. If we want to be realists then lets look at the results from all of this years events worldwide? It is quite eye opening. I have just spent the last week competing againist mechanical winches that pull at over 20mph without slowing. We beat beat them all all apart from one..........? But ironiclly he was beaten by an almost standard 8274 ? What does this prove? F*ck all, as will this contest. But i will be there laughing and joking and enjoying the crack. Dead line pulls have no intrest for me, a vehicle that can not drive assit is as pointless as Gorden Brown Hydraulic users will always go on about there amazing ability to pull all day, and electric users will always talk about there winches flexability in all situations. Result? No different to where we are now. I hope that all take this as the fun it is supposed to be. Adrian grab me a chair Jim

Andy is currently away racing at the Europeon Outbcak challenge and will be away for about 2 weeks....... @Bush65: If you are intrested give him a call when he is back, he's a really nice guy. I have heard that a VNT fitted to a 300 gives better performance than it fitted to a 2.8 as the 2.5 rev's harder? Not sure how much truth is in that though Jim

Not Croatia next year i am afarid Back to Morroco for us The Aussies are coming over in numbers (allegedly) and the chance to meet and drive with that lot really appeals, should be a lot of fun. Jim Ps: I'll find out more about Portugal and let you know. PPs: Still working on getting Karren to the 3 peaks but she is not keen Thinks its all got a bit competitive........

I am working on trying to source brush packs for 6hp XP....... Have not looked in to 4.6...... Sorry Jim Ps: Will look at the same time though, but i am off for two weeks on Sunday so do not expect it any time soon

Am up for this next year big lad Can't have the french thinking that you and the Wookie are normal We were booked on this event and decided to do the Ultimate instead You doing this next year or you saving your lardy backside for Croatia 2009? Jim PS: You up for Portugaul later in the year? September time? Give me a call

Also be aware that TD5 alarm units (10as) do not like spikes caused by welding even with the battery disconnected. On more than one occasion we have had to replace units that have been damaged due to welding on the vehicle or at the very least have had to relearn the security settings. So be careful Jim

There's no money in Wales........................ Cos' Steve's spent it all on tools...... Jim Ps: Ditto

Something else the Welsh will never understand

Everyone is different, the way people do things is different. Trying to create a formula is silly. What you need to ask yourself as a driver is, can i listen? can i be told? Buy owning the vehicle most already feel a one upmanship to your co driver.................FACT This you must over come. If you are opinionated and loud you need to learn to be quiet, thoughtful and never shout in anger (but maybe in danger ) You must learn together and realise that you are both inexperinced and will find situations where you both will get it wrong. Remeber that backwards is the new forwards in some situations and that winching early can save hours in the long run. A good co driver/ driver relationship does not mean that you want to go drinking with the guy next week. it is one of mutual respect and understanding and being able to stop and laugh at each other There are no rules to this, just common sense. But the best way to learn is to get out there and enjoy it. If your not smiling when you get home you did something wrong Jim

The diff pans we sell are slightly over size giving the fitter the option of leaving a 5/10mm up stand of the old pan to make alginment easier. We use them on our own vehicles and love them Jim

As Steve says, once you do a few you bend into the right shapes required My lads hate doing these...................Yet Defender ones are a piece of cake (more room) One thing to be VERY careful of is that you get the correct gasket, there are three differnet ones and Micro cat is not very clever at showing what is what. Always best to offer the gasket to the regulator and make sure it touches in the right places before fitting. Jim

Speak to Ian (Porny) He does (and Allisport) do a small box of tricks that allows the removal of the 10as unit. Jim

Check out: http://www.devon4x4.com/forum/index.php/topic,4423.0.html Lots of info here about it Jim

What starvation issue..........? I send most of my time at silly angles at or beyond the point of roll over and do not suffer with either engine or gearbox........(been very impressed with the Td5 in this respect) Kiss of death Perhaps i'm just lucky (That will be the day ) @Jez: Dig what your saying about hearing the engine to know what your wheels are doing. Most of the time in those situations we are winching at that point, rare we are driving so slow that we have to see the wheels to find control. Traction usaully shows itself in most of the terrian we are on. Apart from Scotland where it is all to obvious what the F*ck the is happening Tree stumps or very deep bogs Are the Frogs manual? for some reason i always expected them to be Auto? God knows why.....? Jim

Can not see the lack of control bit a all................ But as you say Horses for courses Jim Ps: Mouse looks the Boll*xs.

I would have thought that for "treading the crust"....... The auto would have offered you huge advantages over the manual box? In fact the only reason i can see for staying manual for that event is that a manual does not die when/if you fill it with water A nice 6 speed box behind that big 5.7 would be luvly Until of course it fills with water................. It is my one fear Jim

The TD5 is very on or off, and quite "in your face" when driving. A well sorted TDI i think will actually give more control if not as much "in your face" top end Jim

They look awesome fun

Errr........YES

Now that is very funny Bugger that must be cold

I love my Manual 200 TDI Sv............ I love being able to use the gears for cornering at reckless speed offroad...........er and on road And really struggled to bite the bullet and go auto ...... Now i have i am very pleasantly suprised. At speed (Morroco OBC last year) the auto was fantastic and great fun to play with....... Back in the uk, the grip and control it offers in those "must not break the surface" moments and driving rocks etc is excellent Changing from drive to reverse is so fast it's embarassing. For what you do Simon and what it is going to cost to try it? i would go auto on the back of the old oil burner and try it? You can always sell it Jim

What burns out electric fans is them trying to start them in mud. The mud holds the fins and the motors burn out. If you must go electric then heres another vote for Spal, but personally i would use a BIG viscous unit as they are far better suited to our needs. Just my thoughts Jim Ps: My trayback did have an electric on it and i have changed back to a viscous, it did not fail i just felt it was not doing what i needed it to do and was always a constant source of concern.