FridgeFreezer Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 This is such a brilliant site I won't bang on about it, hope to see a few people there! Entry is £25 to members, £5 or £15 to join up on the day (or join online in advance to save doing paperwork on the gate). Full details, permitted vehicles, etc.: http://www.shirelrc.com/event/play-day-bunny-lane-romsey/ Last time we had everything from a buggy on SIMCA portals to a Disco 4 and they all had a great time! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lo-fi Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 I've been a landy owner for a long time, but apart from a spot of light laning in the summer, working in the odd field and towing stuff about a farm here and there, I've never been done much off road. What's it like at one of these events for a beginner with an otherwise standard V8 109? It's not far from me (Basingstoke), so I'm very tempted to come along and have a go /Ian Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted January 2, 2018 Share Posted January 2, 2018 If a section is too tricky you don't have to drive it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 9 hours ago, lo-fi said: I've been a landy owner for a long time, but apart from a spot of light laning in the summer, working in the odd field and towing stuff about a farm here and there, I've never been done much off road. What's it like at one of these events for a beginner with an otherwise standard V8 109? It's not far from me (Basingstoke), so I'm very tempted to come along and have a go /Ian The Shire lot are a friendly bunch with plenty of experienced members to watch and follow and ask questions. If there are any sections you don't like the look of you can just avoid them :). Or sit back and watch someone else drive them first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 10 hours ago, lo-fi said: I've been a landy owner for a long time, but apart from a spot of light laning in the summer, working in the odd field and towing stuff about a farm here and there, I've never been done much off road. What's it like at one of these events for a beginner with an otherwise standard V8 109? It's not far from me (Basingstoke), so I'm very tempted to come along and have a go From what I remember, Bunny Lane is perfect for that (mind you, it's been a while). I'm sure you'll have fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 There is everything there from steep ascents/descents to gentle undulations. We have marshals on hand to advise or extract if need be. If you find me I can take you round. 😉 Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 55 minutes ago, miketomcat said: If you find me I can take you round. Now now, don't scare the guy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 3, 2018 Author Share Posted January 3, 2018 Ian - it would be great to have you along, as Mike says if you make yourself known to one of the committee/marshals when you sign in someone will give you some guidance, take you round, or pair you up with someone helpful to show you the ropes. Bunny lane is fine for newbies as there's plenty of space to trundle round and watch others, and there's plenty of "small" stuff to practice on. There's no set course - drive where you like, avoid what you don't like! As mentioned in my post, we had a SHINY NEW Disco 4 there last time, he had a whale of a time and the warranty was still intact when he left the site Edit to add: I'll have to look out for you & your 109 round Basingstoke, I've got a 127 ambulance and V8 109, both of which you'd recognise if you passed them in the street Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lo-fi Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Thanks gentlemen, it's in the diary I'll confess my newbieness on the gate and keep an eye out and hopefully our paths will cross. Help and guidance will be very gratefully received! I'll keep an eye out locally too - blue 109 in the pic. I'd best get lubricating those leaf springs, hadn't I... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Your unlikely to miss me either. Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lo-fi Posted January 3, 2018 Share Posted January 3, 2018 Thanks Mike, no missing you in that! Quite excited. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missingsid Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Just a word of caution (doom and gloom munger), grandma mode on: Everybody has to start from zero experience and there will be people to help, however there can be pitfalls. Not everyone knows what they are talking about so if you are not sure do not allow yourself to be talked in to trying sometning if you are not happy to do it. Second I have seen this more than once, novice starts the day cautiously then starts to learn and has fun, last drive of the day tries something over ambitous and writes the vehicle off. Using a vehicle as a toy is a bit like betting, if you cant afford to lose it then don't do it (an obsticle not off roading as a whole). If you follow some one who is driving a weekend toy and you are in a daily driver then you need to remember that they will have less concern for the consiquences than you. Grandma mode off: Have fun if I had finnished my build I would join in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 4, 2018 Author Share Posted January 4, 2018 Sid - You're right about not listening to random people (at play days OR on the internet!) especially if they are pointing a camera and egging you on to do something... However, a lot of the Shire marshals/committee have done LANTRA training among other things, and there are certain members who've been around since the dark ages and have their heads screwed on who are the ones we pick to help newcomers out, we don't just grab the nearest weekend warrior and throw newcomers in with them! Or to put it another way - don't scare the poor chap too much! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lo-fi Posted January 4, 2018 Share Posted January 4, 2018 Thanks Sid, appreciate it. You're right, I can't afford to write it off, and need to be able to drive it home! Trashing her certainly isn't on the agenda - I'll probably be a bit over cautious tbh Thanks for the clarification Fridge, that's exactly what I wanted to hear. Sounds like I'm in good hands for a first outing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 5, 2018 Author Share Posted January 5, 2018 You're welcome! Ironically we've got a long-standing member with a stock 109 but he's the last person we'd pair you with as he's somewhat exuberant in his driving style 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lo-fi Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 Hehe! In a leafer too. Good on him! One question... Is it best to fit some kind of recovery eye to the front? I don't intend on going nuts and get wing deep on mud or anything like that, but I'm bound get stuck somewhere and need a pull... If so, what kind without spending a fortune? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted January 5, 2018 Share Posted January 5, 2018 If you have a towbar on the back that's fine chances are we'll pull you out the way you went in. 😉 Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 5, 2018 Author Share Posted January 5, 2018 What Mike says - if you're being gentle you're unlikely to need heavy recovery. Remind me (or someone else) on the day and I'll sort you out a copy of our newcomer's guide that covers recovery points and equipment etc. etc. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missingsid Posted January 6, 2018 Share Posted January 6, 2018 Don't mean to scare anyone off or suggest Shire marshals are not trust worthy! I guess I've been to too many AWDC playdays in the 80's and 90's where anything goes and lots of gung ho chaps wanting to destroy old wrecks. Then agsin this is probably why the Shires can still get land tto use! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landroversforever Posted January 6, 2018 Share Posted January 6, 2018 15 minutes ago, missingsid said: Don't mean to scare anyone off or suggest Shire marshals are not trust worthy! I guess I've been to too many AWDC playdays in the 80's and 90's where anything goes and lots of gung ho chaps wanting to destroy old wrecks. Then agsin this is probably why the Shires can still get land tto use! It's one of the main reasons I joined shires. Vehicles either need a current MoT or have an approved rollcage from the likes of the MSA or Ultra4 so it keeps out the banger types. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miketomcat Posted January 6, 2018 Share Posted January 6, 2018 Trust me I can be a grumpy old bugger and I don't like bangers or seat belts NOT being worn. Plus I'll happily kick someone out (and have done) for not playing nicely.😲 Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FridgeFreezer Posted January 8, 2018 Author Share Posted January 8, 2018 On 06/01/2018 at 6:22 PM, missingsid said: I guess I've been to too many AWDC playdays in the 80's and 90's where anything goes and lots of gung ho chaps wanting to destroy old wrecks. Yep, that's exactly the crowd we work very hard to keep out! The club ethos has always been that people like Lo-Fi or a family in a shiny new D5 could turn up and have a good time without risking their vehicle and without any idiots screaming around the place with no regard for others. We've got plenty who turn up in serious kit who play hard but they all know the score (or Mike puts them right in short order!) and they pretty much look after themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
missingsid Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 Sounds like a great club, I will look out as soon as my S1 is finneshed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lo-fi Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 I'm all signed up as a member - thanks everyone for the advice. She's got a towbar, so I'll do the usual checks beforehand and consider myself good to go. Sounds like my kind of club. Bring on the mud Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted January 8, 2018 Share Posted January 8, 2018 It's a great club, for newbies and experienced members alike. There's a reason we come over from Belgium to play 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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