4x4 nut

An open invitation to lr4x4 forum members:- Having escaped cold dank England, I now live in a little village called Sant Boi de Lluçanès in Catalonia, Spain, midway between Barcelona and Andorra. Christmas Day was 17 degrees, that in itself speaks volumes! Therefore if anybody wants to drop in en route, it's open house here. 5 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, and plenty of room to pitch roof/ground tents. I recently checked out the local tracks in the mountains just surrounding the village. Starting only two streets from the casa, 49 miles of off-road bliss later, I completed a rather large circle and ended back at where I started! And BTW, for wine you go to the local village shop, massive barrels of red, self-service into your own plastic bottles, all for 1.60 euros a litre!!! Happy days!

Chris - I've known about the excellent western smuggler's route to/from Andorra (via Tor as mentioned within this thread) but I believe there is one in the south as well. Tried to find it last time I was in Andorra, but as I'm sure you are aware, trying to find it driving south is a nightmare. Would be better heading north, that way you haven't got a city in the way! As it happens, later this year I will be travelling from Spain up into France, so this would be the ideal opportunity to find this "southern smuggler's route". Do you know of this route, or have you any idea which map I could purchase which shows the route ... that's if it exists at all that is! Any assistance would be appreciated. BTW, if you don't want to make the route public knowledge, then I can be emailed on 4x4trading@talk21.com Cheers!

Depends on the terrain. Simex Extreme Trekkers were developed following the launch of the Malaysian Rainforest Challenge (RFC) back in 1997. Dunlop incidentally were sponsors of the first RFC and owned the Simex brand. When the monsoon rains hit, the clay logging tracks which are used on the challenge instantly turned into skating rinks, so a particular type of tyre was needed that both dug into the bottom of the track and the sides of existing deep ruts (ruts caused by log-hauling trucks BTW), hence the aggressive lugs on the sidewalls of Simex Extreme Trekkers. Before that it was Silverstone who led the way, Dunlop simply didn't need such an aggressive before `97. Next came Bronco tyres in Leek, Staffordshire who brought out their Grizzly Claw re-tread tyres. These were good off-road, lethal on-road (wet roundabouts especially!!!) but were super noisy on tarmac and the lifespan was rubbish. Rock would rip off the lugs, and even driving too and from events on public roads would see your new investments wear away so quickly. Bronco Tyres eventually went bust, I don't think the AWDC ever did receive their sponsorship cash from Bronco for the competition back bore the company's name? Insa Turbos were simply a copy of Simex's tyres, albeit an inferior copy wear-wise. They were however considerably cheaper, so it was left to the Challenge competitors to buy Simex, whilst regular Pay 'n' Play drivers tended to purchase Insas. Far superior to Broncos, they are still a poor imitation compared to the real tyres of the world - Super Swampers (Oz), Simex, Silverstone. It's all a matter of how deep your pockets are; that's life!

Fingers crossed!

Any luck with that gearbox swap yet Tacr2man? Hope you can make it. In case anyone else is interested in attending the 4x4 show in Bad Kissingen (19-22 June 2014), then just to let you know a 'slow' convoy is being formed! Reason it's a slow convoy is because (a) one of the vehicles is a Daf expedition truck, (b) they don't rush to event, and © they like to arrive and set up in the campsite to watch the 4x4 campervans and trucks roll in! Anyway, here's post I placed on another forum just a few days ago:- I've finally got around to booking my ferries for Bad Kiss. Outbound is on the same DFDS noon ferry (Dover-Dunkirk) Sunday 15th June 2014 as Tuggy and Twende. Return Dunkirk-Dover will be 20.00 on Monday 23 June 2014. Return cost was £64 by the way. There will be four of us - 'No Neck' Lee, Mark (my Land Rover mechanic mate), 'German Ralf' and myself. As the Rangie won't be ready, plus the fact it's only a two-seater anyway, I decided to hijack Sheila's C-Class Merc. The fact it runs on LPG and there's four of us, that'll cut the ol' travel expenses down somewhat. So that's that, roll on June!!! Info can be found here: www.abenteuer-allrad.de/besucher/for-foreign-visitors/english

Hiya, Two quick points:- First, I tried to PM either Headhunter or LR4x4 Management to see if it was okay to post about AO`13, but there doesn’t appear to be a way of contacting the Moderators/Management – am I being dense (probably) or does this need to be rectified so Mods are contactable? Second, should LR4x4 want to have a Club Display Stand at AO`13, you’re most welcome. I realise it’s a ‘forum’ and not a ‘club’ as such, but Club Display Stands are available for forums and groups as well as registered clubs. Basically it's a good way of promoting the forum, plus importantly it's a focal point for the members. Camping is also possible directly behind the actual pitch, thus everyone stays together - great for the communal barbeque! AO'13 is after all a show for "us", thus getting together as many clubs, forums and groups of enthusiasts as possible is the aim. If interested email me on 4x4trading@talk21.com Cheers, Tom Mc CHANGE OF VENUE ADVENTURE OVERLAND … The National 4x4, Bike & Trekking Travel Show has moved to:- Stratford Racecourse Stratford-upon-Avon Warwickshire CV37 9SE 28-29 September 2013 http://www.adventureoverlandshow.com Having outgrown Whilton Mill Karting Centre, Northants before the inaugural show was even over, the intention was to move next year’s event to Bruntingthorpe Proving Ground in Leicestershire. However, due to other event organisers having recently moved their dates for 2013, Bruntingthorpe is no longer able to accommodate us – hence the permanent move to Stratford Racecourse. By way of an added bonus … We are also delighted to announce that Stratford Racecourse has been secured for the next 5 years … and well beyond should we wish! This allows ADVENTURE OVERLAND to not only become a fixed date within the event calendar, but with acres of space available, also grow year on year at it’s new home. Don’t forget – it’s 50% off camping/day admission advance-booking for AO`13 before end of this month, then 40% off in February … and so on throughout the year.

In short - every penny possible! The organisers even have to pay admission/camping, it is the type of event where truly all profits go to the charity. Jason - Just so you are not mislead, the weekend of 23-24th April 2011 is not the Heritage Run weekend. CONVOY for HEROES is over the Easter weekend, which is late in the calendar this year. So, to the latest ... Here’s something truly unique, something that has never been done before in 63 years. The Heritage Motor Centre, the custodians of the first production Land Rover known to one and all as ‘Huey’ (registration HUE 166) have generously donated a ride in the front passenger seat of ‘Huey’ – at the very front of CONVOY for HEROES … and before you ask, no you can’t drive it! This is how it will work … Via an auction on the CONVOY for HEROES forum, you place an open bid for the ride in ‘Huey’ as it leads the attempt to break the world record on Sunday 24th April 2011 (Easter Sunday). Instructions can be found at http://h4hconvoy.myfreeforum.org/forum68.php The auction will close on Wednesday April 20th at 6pm, thus giving the winning bidder a chance to find someone else to drive his or her own vehicle in the convoy. To generate the maximum amount of cash, the auction is open to all-comers. Alternatively, the winning bidder may elect to donate the seat to someone else as a present – a loved one, family member or a worthy individual perhaps, but remember this is a sixty plus year-old Land Rover so no airbags, seatbelts or padded bits. Passengers must be 12 years-old or older. Bids will be updated daily between now and near the end of the auction, the last few hours will be updated hourly, the last 60 minutes shown as soon as they arrive. Well, what are you waiting for? Put in a bid!!!

It's because they are still in negotiations with Gaydon trying to get the price of the camping down. It's currently at £13, they are trying for £8, could well end up at £10. You have to try. Anyway, now I'm here, news hot off the press! As a prelude to CONVOY for HEROES, a series of mini-convoys will be setting out on Friday 22nd April 2011 (Good Friday) all heading to Gaydon. The idea is that each mini-convoy will be stopping at a number or pre-published pick-up points on their route at set times, thus enabling folk to join in and accompany them to the event. With loads of flags, cuddly toys, horns, belles and whistles, we want the world to know we are 'on our way'. Here is the full list of all 17 mini-convoys, showing their proposed routes (unless stated) and estimated mileages and duration. There are a few more than first envisaged, but understandable given the breadth of England and the densely populated south and southeast. Commencing with the “North mini-convoy” to Gaydon, thereafter clockwise around points of the compass. Please bear in mind that at this stage, only two of these proposed routes have been confirmed, so if you will be attending CONVOY for HEROES and yourself or your club fancy leading a mini-convoy, please register your interest by contacting me direct – 4x4trading@talk21.com Unless stated, all mini-convoys will depart on Fri 22nd April 2011. PROPOSED: Route. ESTIMATED: Mileage & duration. “North mini-convoy” ? to Gaydon, Warwickshire Convoy led by ‘?’ of the “?” – MOB: ? Ideally the mini-convoy should start from somewhere in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, roughly central between the M6 and the A1. Either Hawes, Pateley Bridge or Leyburn - A650 via Bradford to J27 M62 eastbound – J42 M1 southbound – M1 Wakefield – M1 Barnsley – M1Rotherham – M1 Sheffield – Chesterfield – west of Mansfield – Kirkby in Ashfield – M1 Nottingham – M1 Donnington Park/East Midlands Airport – A42 to Ashby de la Zouch – M42 Tamworth – Solihull – M40 to Gaydon. Roughly 210 miles, 5.5 hours with stops. CONFIRMED: Route, mileage, duration, departure times at pick-up points (now listed within C4H forum). This is the only mini-convoy comprising two days – Thurs 21st April and Fri 22nd April. “Northeast mini-convoy” Banff, Aberdeenshire to Gaydon, Warwickshire Convoy led by ‘Yoda’ of the “Landy Rally Club” – 07802 894671 Thursday 21st April 2011: Banff – A97 Huntley – A96 Inverurie – A96/A90 Brechin – A90 Dundee – A92/M90 Kinross – A90/A720 Edinburgh – A720/A68 Jedburgh – A68 Fir Tree – A68/A1(M) Scotch Corner 334.7 miles, 7.7 hours with stops Friday 22nd April 2011: Scotch Corner – A1 Pontefract – A1(M)/M18/M1 Sheffield – M1 Derby – M1/M69/A46 Coventry – A46/M40 Gaydon. 191.8 miles, 3.6 hours with stops PROPOSED: Route. ESTIMATED: Mileage & duration. “East Route E1 - Great Yarmouth mini-convoy (A47)” ? to Gaydon, Warwickshire] Convoy led by ‘?’ of the “?” – MOB: ?[/b] Great Yarmouth – A47 Norwich – A47 Dereham – A47 Swaffam – A47 King’s Lynn – A47 Wisbech – Peterborough – A43 at Duddington to Corby – A43 Kettering – A14/A426 Rugby – A426 Southam – B4451 Gaydon. Roughly 176.7 miles, 5 hrs 27mins with stops. PROPOSED: Route, mileage, duration. “East Route E2 - Felixstowe mini-convoy (A14)” ? to Gaydon, Warwickshire Convoy led by ‘?’ of the “?” – MOB: ? Felixstowe – A14 Ipswich – A14 Bury St Edmunds – A14 Newmarket – A14 Cambridge – A14 Huntingdon – A14 Thrapston – A45 Northampton – A45 Daventry – A425 Southam – B4451 Gaydon. Roughly 153.5 miles, 4 hrs 36 mins with stops. PROPOSED: Route, mileage, duration. “East Route E3 - Southend-On-Sea mini-convoy (A127)” ? to Gaydon, Warwickshire Convoy led by ‘?’ of the “?” – MOB: ? Southend-On-Sea – A127 Basildon – J29 M25 Romford – M25 Waltham Abbey – M25 Potters Bar – M25 Watford – J21 M1 Hemel Hempstead – J9 M1/A5 Dunstable – A5 Milton Keynes – A421 Buckingham – A421/A43 Brackley – A422/M40 Banbury – M40 Gaydon. Roughly 135.8 miles, 4 hrs 21mins with stops. PROPOSED: Route, mileage, duration. “Southeast Route SE1 - Margate mini-convoy (M2)” ? to Gaydon, Warwickshire Convoy led by ‘?’ of the “?” – MOB: ? Margate – A299 Faversham – M2/A249 Maidstone – M20 Maidstone – M26/M25 Sevenoaks – M25 Westerham – M25 Godstone – M25 Reigate – M25 Leatherhead – M25 Cobham – M25 Staines – M25 Uxbridge – M40 High Wycombe – M40 Bicester – M40 Banbury – M40 Gaydon. Roughly 175.0 miles, 4 hrs 08 mins with stops. PROPOSED: Route, mileage, duration. “Southeast Route SE2 - Dover mini-convoy (M20)” ? to Gaydon, Warwickshire Convoy led by ‘?’ of the “?” – MOB: ? Dover – A20 Folkestone – M20 Ashford – M20 Maidstone – M26/M25 Sevenoaks – M25 Westerham – M25 Godstone – M25 Reigate – M25 Leatherhead – M25 Cobham – M25 Staines – M25 Uxbridge – M40 High Wycombe – M40 Bicester – M40 Banbury – M40 Gaydon. Roughly 173.8 miles, 3 hrs 56 mins with stops. PROPOSED: Route, mileage, duration. “South Route S1 - Hastings mini-convoy (A21)” ? to Gaydon, Warwickshire Convoy led by ‘?’ of the “?” – MOB: ? Hastings – A21 Tunbridge Wells – A21 Sevenoaks – J5 M25 – M25 Westerham – M25 Godstone – M25 Reigate – M25 Leatherhead – M25 Cobham – M25 Staines – M25 Uxbridge – M40 High Wycombe – M40 Bicester – M40 Banbury – M40 Gaydon. Roughly 155.8 miles, 3 hrs 49 mins with stops. PROPOSED: Route, mileage, duration. “South Route S2 - Eastbourne mini-convoy (A22)” ? to Gaydon, Warwickshire Convoy led by ‘?’ of the “?” – MOB: ? Eastbourne – A2270 Polegate – A27 Hailsham – A22 Uckfield – A22 East Grinstead – J6 M25 Godstone – M25 Reigate – M25 Leatherhead – M25 Cobham – M25 Staines – M25 Uxbridge – M40 High Wycombe – M40 Bicester – M40 Banbury – M40 Gaydon. Roughly 150.6 miles, 3 hrs 51 mins with stops. PROPOSED: Route, mileage, duration. “South Route S3 - Brighton mini-convoy (A23)” ? to Gaydon, Warwickshire Convoy led by ‘?’ of the “?” – MOB: ? Brighton – A23 Crawley – J7/8 M23 Reigate – M25 Leatherhead – M25 Cobham – M25 Staines – M25 Uxbridge – M40 High Wycombe – M40 Bicester – M40 Banbury – M40 Gaydon. Roughly 137.5 miles, 3 hrs 22 mins with stops. PROPOSED: Route, mileage, duration. “South Route S4 - Isle of Wight/Portsmouth mini-convoy (A3)” ? to Gaydon, Warwickshire Convoy led by ‘?’ of the “?” – MOB: ? Ideally it should start from Isle of Wight (if not then Portsmouth) – A3(M) Waterloovillle – A3 Petersfield – A3 Guildford – J10 M25 Cobham – M25 Staines – M25 Uxbridge – M40 High Wycombe – M40 Bicester – M40 Banbury – M40 Gaydon. Roughly 120 miles (from Portsmouth), 3.8 hours with stops (from Portsmouth). PROPOSED: Route, mileage, duration. “South Route S5 - Bournemouth mini-convoy (A34)” ? to Gaydon, Warwickshire Convoy led by ‘?’ of the “?” – MOB: ? Bournemouth – A338 Ringwood – A31/M27 Southampton – A34 Winchester – A34 Newbury – A34 Oxford – M40 Bicester – M40 Banbury – Gaydon Roughly 130.7 miles, 3.26 hours with stops. PROPOSED: Route, mileage, duration. “Southwest mini-convoy” ? to Gaydon, Warwickshire Convoy led by ‘?’ of the “?” – MOB: ? Ideally it should start from Penzance – A30 Redruth – A30 Bodmin – A38 Liskeard – A38 Plymouth – A38 Exeter – M5 Taunton – M5 Bridgwater – M5 Weston-Super-Mare – M5 Bristol – M5 Gloucester – M5 Cheltenham – M5 Worcester – A422 Alcester – A46 Stratford-upon-Avon – M40 Gaydon. Roughly 274 miles, 6.15 hours with stops. PROPOSED: Route, mileage, duration. “West Route W1 - St David’s mini-convoy (A40)” St David’s, Pembrokeshire to Gaydon, Warwickshire Convoy led by ‘?’ of the “?” – MOB: ? Ideally it should start from St. David’s – A487 Haverfordwest – A40 Carmarthen – A48/M4 Swansea – M4 Bridgend – M4 Cardiff – M4 Newport – A449/A40 Monmouth – A40 Ross-On-Wye – M50 to J8 M5 – southbound to J9 M5 Tewkesbury – A46 Evesham - A422 Alcester – A46 Stratford-upon-Avon – M40 Gaydon. Roughly 224 miles, 5.40 hours with stops. PROPOSED: Route, mileage, duration. “West Route W2 - Aberystwyth mini-convoy (A44)” Aberystwyth, Ceredigion to Gaydon, Warwickshire Convoy led by ‘? of the “?” – MOB: ? Aberystwyth – A44/A470 Llanidloes – A470/A489 Newtown – A483 Welshpool – A458 Shrewsbury – A5/M54 Telford – M6 Walsall – M5 West Bromwich – M42 Bromsgrove – M40 Redditch – M40 Gaydon. Roughly 163.7 miles, 4.26 hours with stops. PROPOSED: Route, mileage, duration. “West Route W3 - Holyhead mini-convoy (A55)” Holyhead, Isle Of Anglesey to Gaydon, Warwickshire Convoy led by ‘?’ of the “?” – MOB: ? Holyhead – A55 Bangor – A55 Conwy – A55 Abergele – A55 Chester – J36 A55/A483 Wrexham – A534 Nantwich – A500/J16 M6 Stoke – M6 Stafford – M6 Stafford – M6 Walsall – M5 West Bromwich – M42 Bromsgrove – M40 Redditch – M40 Gaydon. Roughly 216.4 miles, 5.35 hours with stops. CONFIRMED: Route, mileage, duration, departure times at pick-up points (now listed within C4H forum). “Northwest mini-convoy” Kilmarnock, Ayrshire to Gaydon, Warwickshire Convoy led by ‘Bling’ of the “Landy Rally Club” – 07771 921077 Kilmarnock – A71 Strathaven – M74/A74(M) Lockerbie – A74(M) Gretna Green – M6 Carlisle – M6 Kendal – M6 Lancaster – M6 Chorley – M6 Knutsford– M6 Stoke – M6 Stafford – M6 Stafford – M6 Walsall – M5 West Bromwich – M42 Bromsgrove – M40 Redditch – M40 Gaydon. 382.8 miles, 7 hours 3 mins with stops That’s it!

As it happens I did see last year's bike ride, purely by chance I have to say as I was simply travelling in the opposite direction, but thought at the time I would organise a similar event for Land Rovers. Decided against it in the end as 'thin bikes' are one thing, but 'fat Landies' would bring the place to a standstill - not good publicity for the Land Rover community. Next thing I know is a group of Land Rover enthusiasts are talking about breaking the current world record for the longest Land Rover parade over in Gaydon, so I decided to offer my assistance. Like you, think it's a good idea, and by the reaction so far, so do heaps of others. It's going to be great weekend!

Here is an interesting event for you, something unusual. A group of Land Rover enthusiasts have got together to raise a heap of funds for the worthy Help For Heroes charity, and at the same time have a bit of fun. Held at the Motor Heritage Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire, England, it's it’s an attempt to break the Guinness World Record™ for the Longest Land Rover Parade, previously set at Towcester Racecourse in Northants 2004. Called CONVOY for HEROES they aim to have a convoy of 500 or more Land Rovers under the conditions set by Guinness World Records™. The record was set at 260 vehicles (set because it was first established in 2004 and there hadn’t been a record before that), with Series, Defenders, 101FC’s, Lightweights, Freelanders, Rangies and Discoveries all joining in. Now seven years on, with the Range Rover Sport thrown into the mix, there are an awful lot more Land Rover models out there, so achieving the goal of 500 should be a doodle … we hope! 23-24 April is the Easter weekend, so hopefully that will entice a few more owners to turn out as the Monday will obviously be a Bank Holiday, so no work!!! The weekend however won’t just be confined to the world record attempt as there will be a host of attractions due to be announced in the New Year. Until then, have a butcher’s at the website for more details - www.convoy4heroes.org.uk Hope to see you there!!!

Pay ‘n’ Play Day 5th December 2010, Buildwas 4x4, just South of Telford, Shropshire - has been CANCELLED. To quote the Organiser: “We have hung on hoping that the weather will improve. We have now accepted that even if the snow disappears the ground will still be far too wet.” It will be back next month as usual. http://www.4x4calendar.co.uk

Thought I'd whet your appetite ... Landy Rally Winner 2007 (Defender 110) – “Sparks Will Fly” – UK Landy Rally Winner 2008 (Defender 110) – “Stuck In The Mud” – UK Landy Rally Winner 2009 (Defender 130) – “Landyprikkers 1” – Holland Landy Rally Winner 2010 (G4 Discovery II) – “The Flintstones” – Holland

The dates for Landy Rally 2011 have been announced … 14th to 22nd September 2011 Unlike previous years, these new dates don’t clash with either LRO Peterborough or Abingdon 4x4 Festival, as Landy Rally now falls directly between both shows! Launched in 2007, Landy Rally is a 3,000 mile / 4,500 km mile non-speed charity drive for all makes of non-modified 4x4 vehicle covering 11 countries in 9 days. Teams raise funds for their nominated charities, no min/max limits. Starting in Valkenburg near Maastricht, Holland, we pass through the Black Forest in Germany, drive the legendary Stelvio Pass in the Italian Alps plus a further two mountain passes, BBQ & off-roading at Val d’Isere in the French Alps (the largest and highest off-road site in Europe at 2,700m), camping alongside Lake Como in Italy, a night at a Mediterranean beach resort in the Languedoc-Roussillon region of southern France, shopping in the duty-free Principality of Andorra, driving across the magical Spanish Pyrenees (tarmac & off-road including two evening dinners included in the entry fee), off-road driving + BBQ with a local french 4x4 club in the beautiful Dordogne region, concluding with a prize-giving dinner in Calais. All this plus the teams have raised thousands for their nominated charities every year – over £100,000 since we started! Who can ask for more? The camaraderie and fun associated with Land Rally is an experience you will never forget!! See www.landyrally.com for details.

Time-wise it was still okay, but the expense we can all appreciate. Just wondered if those down the line were ever given the choice?

Daan and anyone else interested – I realise my reply to your post are well out of date, well over a year in fact, but I have only just found this thread about the Tuff Trophy 2009, and in the interest of fairness I feel I ought to set the record straight as this sponsorship prize was never resolved. The prize of a free entry to the Rainforest Challenge of Malaysia 2009 (RFC) was never taken up by the winners of the Tuff Trophy 2009 - Steve Gittins and Mark Morgan. Fair enough, that was their decision, but as far as I was aware, this prize was never passed on to the 2nd place team of Nick Anderson and Kev Pocock, or the 3rd placed team of Dan Elias and Adrian Turner, and on down the line until a team could accept the prize. Subsequently, the UK did not have a representative in the RFC last year. I could be wrong of course, but when I emailed Paul & Lucy Bass a month before RFC`09 to enquire which team was going, the silence was deafening. All I do know for sure, no team who competed in the Tuff Trophy 2009 competed in Malaysia! I mention all this now because in my role as the UK Representative of the RFC, I am in the process of seeking a winch challenge event to donate exactly the same prize to for next year – a complimentary entry for the RFC 2011 – so obviously the last thing I want is a repeat situation re-occurring. Does anyone know anything further on this subject?

The folk scrutineering did a good job IMHO as I noticed exactly the same, loads of un-secured gear in the back just itching to join those in the front! Incidentally the RAV4 did okay even on road tyres - the weight advantage certainly helped. Good fun weekend.

Great news! The owner of Sibbertoft 4x4 (Rob) near Market Harborough in Leicestershire has come up with a cunning plan. In an effort to encourage more clubs to get involved with the 4x4 Market and LandyJumble events at his site, he’s offering a package which will make a great cheap ‘n’ cheerful camping weekend for the clubs. For the 4x4 Market - 7th September 2008 - he is proposing that a 4x4 owner/driver club member (that’s any 4x4 be it Land Rover, Jap or Jeep) can arrive at Sibbertoft 4x4 on Sat 6th Sept, play-all-day on the off-road course as much they like, camp over Saturday night, gain admission to the 4x4 Market Sunday 7th Sept, and still have a minimum of 4 hours on the off-road course Sunday - all for the paltry price of £25.00, with each additional passenger costing only £5 for the entire weekend! That I reckon is a blinding price, especially given that most off-road centres charge £20 - £25 per day just for an off-road course playday. Even better is the fact that Sibbertoft 4x4 has proper loos on site, plus a permanent 30ft marquee where clubs can have a get-together in the evening should the weather be inclement; great for a birthday celebration or some other occasion! It’s worth noting he is also offering exactly the same package for the next LandyJumble event at Sibbertoft weekend of 1st & 2nd November 2008 - LandyJumble (obviously for Land Rover owners) being held Sunday 2nd Nov. It’s nice to know that not all land owners are greedy, some like Rob (a farmer normally) are realistic and actually on ‘our side’ for a change … fair play! Contact can be made via the event listings at www.4x4calendar.co.uk Simply look up the date for details.

Here you go gentlemen:- Warwickshire & West Midlands Land Rover Club (don't know much about them as it happens - best phone I'd say) Dave Scott, 19 Sandpiper Close, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire CV37 9EY TEL: Tel: 01789 295985 Cheltenham and Cotswold Land Rover Club (everything incl. RTV's) Richard Howe, 4 Seymour Place, Wichcombe, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL54 5QF Tel: 01242 609035 Milton Keynes 4x4 (more pay ‘n’ play days rather than RTV’s) http://www.mk4x4.org.uk All Wheel Drive Club (National club - everything incl. RTV's) www.awdc.co.uk Bofa 4x4 (this is a friendly forum/internet club/team that enters charity events - Mac 4x4 Challenge and Landy Rally - plus they run off-road days at Cannock Chase just north of Walsall ... but not RTV's) http://www.bofa4x4.co.uk/forum/index.php That should keep you going for a while ... or rather a lifetime once you get hooked!!!

[To save a wasted journey, thought you might like to know the following was announced by the Old Sodbury Sortout organiser 3rd February 2008:- Please Note all Newbury Sortouts are cancelled for 2008 .. please join our mailing list for further information of NEW Venues and alternatives for 2008. This refers to both the Land Rover and vintage sortouts. http://www.oldsodburysortout.co.uk

Thanks for the positive comments, good to know it’s appreciated. Have to keep www.landyrally.com and the associated calendar updated as I for one need to know what's going on around the country, so as I hear about it, you will. If I've missed an event of significance however, please PM me. istruggle2gate11 … no problem. Unlike clubs who have their own calendars on their club websites (these are quite often closed to the public anyway because of public liability insurance issues, land owners not wanting to publicise their location, etc.) public pay ‘n’ play events like Kirton are no problem. Simply PM me a list and I’ll include it.

To assist planning throughout the year, I have created an Events Calendar accessible to all via the homepage of my event website at www.landyrally.com … bottom left-hand button. Totally free to view it contains all the major 4x4, Land Rover and off-road shows of the year (if I have missed one – please email me!), plus a fair number of 4x4 competitions, club events and commercial off-road pay ‘n’ play days. Obviously it can’t list everything going on, but I think you’ll find it useful nevertheless. NOTE: Although this Calendar has been exhaustively researched, it is always advisable to contact organisers first before setting out in case of postponement, cancellation, change of venue, or the fact there may be a simple typo error on my part - please check first. Took a lot of research but glad to pass it on. Good or a bad idea? Constructive criticism to improve it please - let me know!

Well thank you Hobbit, I take back all I said about you - well - nearly all of it!!! Sorry those of you in the Southwest, had to go for the most populated areas to get the ball rolling. Besides, only nine viable months weather-wise! Never know though as next year I'd also like to organise further 4x4 MARKET's in the Northeast (Gateshead maybe?), Wales (Builth Wells - that's more or less central), Scotland (Stirling?) and yes ... the Southwest (almost certainly around the Exeter area) Impossible this year however. Although these events may seem a doddle to organise, they are anything but. My biggest concern is that they will be too Land Rover orientated, which would be one hellava shame. Guess without Jap and Jeep owners turning out their garages and garden sheds, they will be. Much as I love my Rangie, I realise there’s a lot more out there than just LR. That one's truly out of my hands!

Dave - could you email or PM the details to me. Sounds like a cunning plan, unfortunately can't reciprocate as the first two markets are Bournemouth and Newmarket, hardly your catchment area! Anything else I can do just ask.

Woooooooaa there! Surely it’s a case of ‘horses for courses’ – isn’t life about choice? If you’re going to an autojumble on your own, fine. Whether you think £5 a fair price these days (as mentioned previously, this goes to the cost of hiring the venue as somebody has to pay for it, not to mention the rubbish clearance, toilet hire … need I go on???) or is a complete rip off is something only you can decide. Personally, given the choice of the cinema @ £8 for two hours or a 4x4 autojumble @ £5 for 7 hours, think you can guess which I'd go for! If you’re going to an autojumble with a partner because either she wants to go or doesn’t want to be left at home, then it’s quite likely she’ll want to see a bit more than stub axles and swivel towing eyes! If there is a trader there selling girlie stuff, so what? It’s not for you then simply pass by it and on to the spotlights. If you’re going to an autojumble with a partner and the saucepan lids, then what’s wrong with a bouncy castle and a stall selling toys? You can pass by that as well. I know for a fact your partner will be delighted with children’s amusements on site, because when the kids are happy, she’s happy! As for £15 being extortionate for an off-road course, now I know you’re winding me up. Most are £25 these days! Again, I would have thought it makes a decent day of it if you can have a rummage in the used parts boxes, look around the trade stands, go on the off-road course (especially if it’s a family day out), then back for a final look around; maybe I’m wrong? Yet again, it’s all about choice. If folk want to attack the off-road course, let them. It’s purely optional after all so why on earth would it annoy you? I’m confused. I perfectly understand Jon’s comment - “If I’m after big bits i take the works van and I can’t off-road that”. See what you mean, but there will be plenty of others in their 4x4’s delighted to have the choice. As for “people selling pet beds, naff stickers, ornaments, clothes, adventure holidays etc etc etc”, that I don’t understand. Generally speaking our crowd love stickers, clothes and 4x4 adventure holidays, any other pet or ornament stuff you can walk straight past. Les – that’s cruel. Running 4x4 shows since 1997, I’ve always prided myself on providing ‘value-for-money’ events that folk come back to time and time again – clearly too much value-for-money as after 10 years I’m still running about in an old £800 Rangie! Why? Simple! I’m well aware there’s no money in our hobby, but because I’m an enthusiast totally engrossed in his pastime (sad I know - but true), for every half a dozen individuals who turn up intent on whinging and moaning all weekend, there are hundreds who go home with beaming smiles on their faces. Yes this is different, the one-day 4x4 Markets are an untried and untested concept, but even Billing and Sodbury had to start somewhere. I was there at both and believe me they were miniscule at first. Be positive or else organisers like myself will simply give up, then all you’d be left with would be the big money-grabbing shows and nowt else. Maybe you would be happy with that, what do I know? Please explain Mr. Llama … I despair!

WHAT A RESPONSE!!! Turn my back for five minutes and posts galore. Here we go - Ian - thanks for letting me know Bournemouth is in fact SW, now I've changed the name of it to 4x4 MARKET SOUTH! Nige - Appreciate your comments about the £5 charge - a lengthy reply and food for thought. Believe me, how I would love to do what you suggest and not charge for admission and/or not charge the traders, that way the turn out would be amazing and everyone would be happy. Unfortunately the reality of life says that someone, somewhere along the line has to pay for the hire of the venue + the disabled/standard toilets, public liability insurance, staffing, etc., not to mention the advertising, promotions ... you get the idea. That someone is me, and although it would indeed establish the 4x4 MARKET'S very quickly, the owners and the rest wouldn't wait a year for payment. Nice thought but unless I was a landowner myself, it's but a dream. I assure you I'm not being greedy, far from it. The off-road course for only £15, that has to be a good thing doesn't it? Yep FridgeFreezer, yours truly (with a lot of help from the guys at Mud Club and the like as Marshals) organised the Land Rover World Record Attempt at Towcester Racecourse ... and we established a new world record which we still hold despite the Belgiums and Dutch twice trying to break it ... and yes that queue with all it's flags, cuddly toys and bunting looked fantastic! Proud moment that! Ciderman - The Royal Bath and West Showground as a possible venue? Wot ...can you imagine how much that would cost to hire? Never mind £5 admission, make that £15.00! Bet it's £10,000 to even step over the threshold. Great location, way too expensive. Robot Man - well as I head up from sunny Bournemouth, Doncaster IS northeast! Have changed this now to 4x4 MARKET (Yorkshire) as I got that one totally wrong; northeast is the Tyneside/Wearside area. See, I am fallible!