Cheviot 4x4 Challenge Series

On the 26th of April we had the first Cheviot Challenge of the season. We had the usual work to do the week before the event. But we were all mostly ready on the Thursday night. We trailered the cars back down to Herrington Woods on the Saturday afternoon. Chips and Beer and then off to sleep with the rain chucking it down.

We woke up the next morning with great sunshine and hopefully a dried out wood. Last year we did so well we were hoping for another win. My truck had had a heart transalp over the winter and we now sporting a 200tdi. The usual pre event nerves were aparant but when we the clock started we were off.

The first couple of stages went well. Similar tight wooded stages like last year. It suited us. There was a couple of very tight tree sections and the wings and right hand side of my car got some abuse. The snorkel top managed to get beaten up and knocked off. oops.

We had a from 10am till 4pm and we didn't stop for lunch. (there was no compulsory lunch stops). The new car set up went well. We need to add a new set of rear cones with hooks as I managed to over extend the rear spring a bit more and pop it out.

Thanks again to the guys at Strathearn Engineering with their help and team we were able to add another win to our trophy cabinet.
Results can be found here. As you can see we picked up a couple of penalties. We managed to knock a couple of small trees down by winching off them. A no go in Challenge Events.

Stag Do in Chamonix

Just had a great few days in France with Craig, Tony and Al. The excuse was Craig's Stag do but it was a perfect excuse to get a couple of days Skiing in. I got there on Tuesday midday and we managed a ski in Craig's home resort of Morzine. The Wednesday we got up and headed to Chamonix to meet up with Tony And Al.

Climbing down into the Patollers Run off Le Grande Monte at around 4000m

Glacier Skiing

Al ripping

Tony with a Ski Flier overhead

Putting the whisky away.

Craig being a ski model.......before we broke him.....

Self Portrait

Loading skis onto our packs before the climb down to the top of the Patrollers Run.

The top of Le Grande Monte.

Thanks Al for guiding us around for the day.

New Addition.

Well with our other new addition arriving in August it was a great excuse to get a `Family Car`

So here it is. A 2004 Discovery 2

Skiing

We've had a bit of snow lately in case you havn't noticed. I got the chance to get out the last couple of Sundays. Last weekend was great. The snow was knee deep and the sun was out most of the day. Problem was we were late up to Cairngorm as I had been ill and the carparks were full and closed so Dave Girling and I decided to tour uphill instead. I was going to take it easy.

We were touring through the woods and following a set of tracks and not really paying attention. all of sudden we had ended up about 3km from where I thought we were. oops.

Bit of a mission through the trees we finally got a bit of height and eventually got to the carpark. After 4hrs....

The scenery was great and the company fun so I didn't really mind but with trying to beat off the tail end of a cold I was totally knackered at the end of the day. More than I ever have been for a long time. Thanks Dave for breaking trail almost all day. I wouldn't have missed one of the best days for snow cover I've seen in a long time.

This Sunday just past I had a day out up Glenshee using lifts this time.

Truck Progress and Updates

The story is...........

My truck has been off the road. Not offroading but off the road since just before Christmas. The MOT has now run out and with skiing getting in the way I have not had a chance to sort it out. During the events I did last year there were a few little niggles that I wanted to get sorted. I have decided to keep it off the road for now and give it a bit of an overhaul and much needed TLC.

I want a bit more power and I wanted to sort out the problem of running SU Carbs on steep slopes. So it is going to get a heart transplant. I have got another V8 engine a bit bigger than before and this time with Efi (electronic fuel injection) lined up thanks to the guys at Strathearn Engineering and will hopefully be getting that fitted in the coming weeks. So if you want to get hold of my old engine it is up for sale. £250.00 click on the SORC or Devon 4x4 forums for details. I'm going to be putting in a new fuel tank and fuel system as well.

I will also be tidying up some areas including some of the wiring straightening some of the panels... But most importantly I'll be tidying up the interior to make it a nicer place to be and I think I'm also going to fit some Harness Seat Belts. This will save the trouble when getting back in on a steep slope and the seat belt won't move.

My new simex tyres should be arriving at Devon 4x4 any day now and will be getting sent up ASAP.

Finish of the TFC Aug 2008

So that's it for now. I'll keep you posted on how I get on.