4 x 4 RACING

Now we are here to work, but we have to live in between working so on the weekend we went to the third annual 4 x 4 racing in Kochchikade (that's our suburb). Hayley was not all that impressed and she came on the condition that she didn't get any mud on her. As you will see this was a big ask, but she did manage to do it.

The idea was for the vehicles to complete the course in under fifteen minutes. There were point deductions for leaving the track, hitting trees and using your winch. The track was marked out with lengths of six millimetre rod embedded in the ground with barrrier tape strung between them. Due to the rain the night before at least a third of the track was under water. This also ensured that very few competitors could finish in the alloted time.

I didn't see any vehicles hit any of the trees or leave the track, however there was a fair bit of carnage. Of the 6 races I saw there was one rollover, three unable to finish because they destroyed their diffs and one blown engine. As a rule, only one vehicle in each race actually finished. The track was harsh and winches were needed at at least three main places depending on the driver's vehicle, skill and a lot of luck. One actually made the entire track without a winch but this was the exception, not the rule.

Spectating was great early on when the crowds were light. You were able to stand as close to the track as you thought safe. Spectators crossed the track at will to find better vantage points, watching as the vehicles winched themselves clear, the mob cheering as the machines spat out clods of dirt and charged at the next obstacle. As the day wore on it became harder to find a good position as the crowd circled the track, following the action, sometimes four or five deep. It started getting a bit dangerous to actually see anything.

On the trip home Prince told us that the track this year was a lot smaller and more challenging. Hopefully next year will see the return of some less technical obstructions and more action. So keep Febuary free, all you 4 x 4 buffs, and come visit. We will make sure there is more than just racing to watch.