RTV Trials, November 14th

[bclandrover]

Thanks to those who organized and helped with the trials yesterday. I had a great time trying out my range rover off-road for the first time.

I hate to pull a dark cloud over what was otherwise a great day but, there was one thing that did concern me. I was disappointed to see a 4wdabc member who is listed as a project manager on the 4WDABC website, drive into a tree not by accident and then accelerate while the truck was stuck up against the tree and the tires were all spinning, while being cheered on by a few of his buddies.

I'm not sure where this fits into the "The 4WDABC'S Goals and Objectives" listed on the main page of the 4wdabc website. "To promote responsible attitudes..." and " To protect our natural resources..."

This activity should not be tolerated on a sanctioned 4wdabc run and can lead to further problems as seen on the previous region 2 run.

I expect this will be discussed at the 4WDABC meeting and RL meeting on Tuesday. Unfortunately, I will be writing an exam on Tuesday and will not be able to attend.

Comments? Questions? Reply here.

Thanks again,
Don

[DaveB]

Rick Mellenger and I attended the 4WDABC meeting tuesday evening.

The issue was discussed at the meeting. The person has been talked to. He feels apologetic for bumping into the tree and allowing his right foot to get the better of him in the heat of the moment, and it won't happen again.

All at the meeting agreed that hindsight is 20/20 and its worth a look back at how the event went in order to act better next time. If the fellow learned from his mistake, thats all we can ask for.

So, looking back at Sunday's Trials event, we had 7 trucks (started with 8 but one broke its front pinion on the first hill), going through 7 gates, on 2 separate courses for a total of 5 attempts. Roughly that equates to 175 gate attempts for the day.

Out of that, we had two trucks slide off the slope on gate 4 of the first course -- both needing to be winched out -- neither with damage, one truck accidentally bumped a tree at gate 7 of the first course, causing virtually no damage, one truck backed over a poplar sapling while taking a better angle at gate 4 of course 2 -- the tree will survive, and one driver got over-zealous and used a large tree as his pivot point for gate 7 -- also causing no damage but a little scraped bark.

Don't get me wrong, I don't condone this last trucks action -- and he has been reminded fully at this point of his responsibility to tread lightly. The point I'm trying to make is the above problems amounted to only a few dissappointments compared with the overall success of the event.

I know I speak for Don as well when I say, lets not let this overshadow the bridge-building the Rover-Landers have done with the 4WDABC this year.

We all need reminders from time to time of trail etiquette, and for that, it was worth bringing this to the attention of all. But its funny how fast these things can get blown out of proportion -- which doesn't help the situation.

At this point everyone went away from the meeting with an upbeat attitude about the event and the discussion about it, and a little more to think about next time they're on the trail.

Dave

[bclandrover]

OK Dave,

Glad to here the issue was addressed and that everyone was reminded of their responsibilities as members of the 4WDABC and to promote through their own actions the goals and objectives of the 4WDABC.

Thanks again for putting on this great event.

Later,
Don