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Monthly Archives: July 2014

Louise LimbLouise Limb

 

Suzuki Grand Vitara As June and MOT time approached, the ominous bumping sounds from beneath the Freelander became louder. I’d say, ‘surely you can hear that now?’ as we’d encounter a minor road hump and looking round the delightful leather cabin. I’d think, ‘it’ll never pass its MOT and the costs will mean sayonara for our well travelled friend’. One day, taking my daughter, two grandsons and my mother-in-law around Southport, I realised that the familiar strange creaking from under the rear seat that accompanied every journey had stopped. Some weight on the rear seat was all that was needed to cure that noise! I felt sure the other rumblings were serious and was dumbstruck when my regular mechanic Phil emerged to say there was nothing wrong with the elderly Land Rover; not even the tiniest advisory.

BobCookeBob Cooke – contributor

Jeep CherokeeHad it been a rainy day we probably wouldn’t have got anywhere. At first glance, especially from the superbly scenic viewpoint of our picnic spot overlooking the green expanse of Bedfordshire extending to the horizon, it’s hard to understand why they call it Devil’s Pit because the first view of it is a broad field with a bit of a rise at the far end. There are, however, two factors that lift it above the seemingly mundane bit of field-crossing – one being the chalky surface of the tracks which turn treacherously greasy when wet, the other being the demanding selection of rutted, steep-sided hollows hidden away behind the trees in the north-west corner of the site. No wonder the site personnel are so keen to ensure that cars using the black-run section in this area are roll-caged and all occupants are harnessed in and protected by helmets.

This was the car that dragged the Discovery from its cheekily chic origins into the world of true luxury SUVs. It was bigger, bolder and packed with new technology – and it was also more reliable

Land Rover Discovery 3 TARGET RANGE: £5000 – £18,000

The Range Stormer concept car that wowed visitors to the North American International Auto Show in 2004 was a clear indication of the way Land Rover was planning to distance their premium products from the company’s agricultural roots. That concept was eventually developed into the Range Rover Sport, but many of the design cues were used to hoist the already popular and stylish Discovery to new heights of elegance and road presence, with sharper styling and new technologies aimed at reasserting its 4×4 pre-eminence among the new generation of luxury 4x4s from other premium car-makers such as BMW, Lexus and Porsche.

The crisper frontal design of the new Discovery 3, with its designer headlamps, inset foglamps and the clamshell bonnet came straight from the Range Stormer, along with the newly patented Terrain Response system; so did the body-on-frame construction resulting in a stronger all-in-one bodyshell. The Discovery 3 was designed from the start as a seven-seater, the stepped-roof design allowing the three rows of seats to get progressively higher towards the rear, which combined with the large rear glass area makes for a light and airy atmosphere for all seven passengers, the seats being quite comfortable enough to accommodate seven adults.

September 2014 Issue of 4×4 Magazine

september As far as off-road heroes go, Sergio Marchionne might not be a name you are familiar with. In many respects, however, if you are a 4×4 enthusiast today, he’s probably up there with the Wilks brothers, Spen King and the Indian Tata family; without whom, Land Rover wouldn’t be what it is today. Without Sergio Marchionne, we’d simply be without Jeep. Full stop.

Apparently back in 2009, the weeds around the Jeep factory in Detroit were three feet high as the company shuddered in the shadows of bankruptcy. It wasn’t a great time to be a Jeep dealer anywhere, certainly not in the UK. Fast forward five years to January 2014 and the Italian Fiat SpA company secured full ownership of the Chrysler Group in an eye-watering $4.35 billion agreement, and the man behind the deal (and with it the complete revival of the Jeep brand) is Sergio Marchionne, chief executive of Chrysler (Source: www.bloomberg.com).

Hils BlogA recent hand injury has seen our columnist spend more time in the passenger seat, and time to watch the horrors on our roads…

Before I witter on about anything else this month, can I just say, please pay attention to the tyre special feature this month starting on page 29. I know many of our readers are pretty savvy about their vehicles and know that tyre purchase and maintenance is very important, but there will be those who don’t give a second thought to them until the garage doing the servicing says ‘your tyres need replacing, they’re below the legal 1.6mm limit’. Don’t leave it ‘til it gets that far, because you are driving a potentially dangerous vehicle as well as an illegal one: just saying.

There’s a lot of other useful and practical stuff and the lowdown on what’s going on in rubber wear from the industry experts. You will learn a thing or two, and if it makes you go out and check your tyre depth and general wear and pressure then that’s even better. It may give you pause for thought about whether you have the right tyres on your 4×4 for whatever you use it for. As you will read, the world of tyres is changing, thanks to those legislative busy bodies in the EU, and it particularly affects 4×4 owners.

november events

 

Pay and Play Sites | Organised Drives

Click here to add your event for free.

 

SEPTEMBER

27
ADVENTURE OVERLAND
This is the UK’s major overland event for adventure travel and bushcraft. Highly recommended if you want to learn more! Entry and camping available online, go to: www.adventureoverlandshow.com. Or call Tom McGuigan on 02476 731971. See panel for more details.

27/28
PAY AND PLAY DAYS
NEW FOREST    
Muddy Bottom 4×4 Camping weekend. Includes two-day competition, all 4x4s welcome. Camping on Sat evening with campfire – only £40 per vehicle. Call for more details 07754 940783 / 07801 088203

28
PAY AND PLAY DAYS
DERBYSHIRE    
Trans Pennine Off Road

WEST SUSSEX    
Slindon Safari

COUNTY DURHAM            
Kirston Off-Road Centre

 

OCTOBER
5
PAY AND PLAY DAYS
GWYNEDD    
Bala Off Road     Llannerch yr Eryr
BEDFORDSHIRE    
Devil’s Pit

12
PAY AND PLAY DAYS
WEST SUSSEX     
Boxgrove 4×4
ESSEX    
Essex, Rochford and District
BERKSHIRE    
Harbour Hill
WEST YORKSHIRE    
Parkwood (Tong)

ORGANISED DRIVE
NORTH WALES    
Landcraft 4×4
Snowdonia Adventure Drives. Excellent organised Drives through some great lanes in Snowdonia. Call David Mitchell of Landcraft 4×4 on 01678 520820 or check out: www.landcraft4x4.co.uk

19
PAY AND PLAY DAYS
BEDFORDSHIRE

 

 Pay and Play Sites

Here are some of the best places to go off-road in the UK. We would always advise that your call to check dates and times. If you have a site that ought to be included, email us on [email protected] and mark your email 4×4 PAY AND PLAY

 

4X4 SAFARI
Green laning trips from one day to two weeks. Start and finish close to Penrith (access to M6 Jct. 40). A day long tour of the lanes and tracks in and around the Lake District National Park. Standard vehicles with road tyres will be able to complete this whole day. £45 per vehicle. Contact for details or to book [email protected] or call: 07711 231417. Check out our Facebook page: 4x4Safari.

THE 4X4 SOLUTIONS
The 4×4 Solutions is set within the grounds of The Hop Farm, Paddock Wood, Kent. Primarily a BORDA 4×4, Quad/ATV and winch training centre, with a purpose made off-road course and a large woodland track. They also have Pay and Play days and club days regularly through the month (check website for more info on dates) with instructors on hand for help/advice. They have their own club that is free to join for a limited time, giving you access to the club days. Varying terrain suitable for novice to expert. They also have camping and survival weekends, with night drives and BBQs. On site they also have paintball, kids activities and tree jumpers with zip wires. Vehicle wash facilities along with shower and toilet facilities, clubhouse for tea and coffee. Call Simon 07717 203085 Email: [email protected] www.the4x4solutions.com

ASH 4X4
Ash 4×4 Ltd have a new Pay and Play site at Chirk Quarry, LL14 5AH, near Shrewsbury. Check the website as the venue may vary between Hawkstone Park and Chirk Quarry. There are no toilets, food or other amenities, just very good off-roading. Call Billy Hilton on 07581 030331 or go to the website on: www.ash4x4.com

AVALANCHE ADVENTURE
Run by Avalanche Adventure, this venue is at Sibbercroft, near Market Harborough. Pay and Play days and other 4×4/off-road activities.
Give them a call on 01858 880613 or look for more details on www.avalancheadventure.co.uk

BALA OFFROAD LLANNERCH yr ERYR
The Llannerch yr Eryr farm and off-road site is a very popular and well-known pay and play site with climbs and slopes, water holes and all types of terrain. Spectacular views over Bala lake and surrounding mountains. Always ring to check the weather in the winter months. £30 a day, £20 after 1pm.
Call: 07850 800709.
www.balaoffroad.co.uk

BLUE LIGHT OFF ROAD CLUB
This off-road club operates in southern England, and is open to all 4x4s. Prices vary, but usually £45 per vehicle and the Pay and Play site is often at the Army Training area at Bagshot, Surrey. Go to www.bluelightoffroadclub.co.uk or contact John Amos on 07805 656947 or email: [email protected]

BOXGROVE 4X4
Boxgrove 4×4, Tinwood Lane, Boxgrove, near Chichester, West Sussex. Huge 80-acre site of mud and gravel tracks and woodland. Something for everyone from the easy to the extreme, all routes clearly marked. Catering and toilets. £20 per vehicle. Quads are welcome, £10 per rider, all riders must be 16+ and there’s a 10mph speed limit. There’s a 2.2 mile trail around the site’s perimeter. £3 spectator parking.
Call: 01903 812195 or 07802 582825
Email: [email protected]
www.4x4driving.co.uk

DEVIL’S PIT
Devil’s Pit is 60 acres of different courses (novice, experienced and expert) at Barton-Le-Clay, Nr Luton, MK45 4LG (A6) Bedfordshire (OS Grid ref: TL078297). The cost is £26 per vehicle, and everyone must wear seatbelts. Children (under 16) are free. Opening times are 9:30am – 4:30pm. Toilets and catering, first aid and recovery facilities. Spectators are welcome.
Tel: 01582 883349
www.devilspit.co.uk  
Email: [email protected]

ESSEX, ROCHFORD & DISTRICT 4X4
Essex, Rochford & District 4×4 Club have a 4×4 site located on Creeksea Ferry Road, Canewdon, Essex, open on the second Sunday of every month and both members and non-members are welcome. Membership costs £30 a year and the Pay and Play Day costs are £20 each for members and £30 for non-members. There is a jet wash, toilets, burger van, plus roaming stewards with well-equipped vehicles to help where necessary. The club has a friendly atmosphere, check out: www.4x4er.co.uk

FRICKLEY OFF-ROAD CENTRE
Frickley off-road centre is near Doncaster in South Yorkshire (DN5 7BU) and includes climbs, hollows, woodland and rock climbs suitable for the novice to the experienced off-roader. £25 per vehicle, all road-legal 4x4s welcome.
Call Charlie: 07836 544335
Email: [email protected]
www.frickley4x4.co.uk

HARBOUR HILL
Harbour Hill, near Aldermaston A340. Non-members £30 (£10 membership, £20 for the day). Wheel washing, catering and toilets available.
Call: 07887 533168
Email: [email protected]
www.4×4-withoutaclub.co.uk

KIRTON OFF-ROAD CENTRE
Kirton Off Road Centre is a massive 600 acre site near Kirton Lyndsey, Lincolnshire DN21 4JH. Standard days are £40, and there are often camping weekends at £75 inclusive, check website or call for more details.
Call Paul: 07907 450974  
Email: [email protected]
www.kirtonoffroadcentre.co.uk

LANDCRAFT
Offering the chance to get to some superb parts of Snowdonia, David Mitchell’s experienced outfit offer some great Adventure drives, and for those more adventurous, there’s always Adventure Plus. Paying on the day is £60 (inc VAT), pre-book and save £10. Call 07831 258864
Email: [email protected]  www.landcraft4x4.co.uk

PARKWOOD 4X4 (TONG)
Parkwood is at Tong village, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD4 0RR. Open 10-4pm, catering, toilets, first aid, vehicle wash, £35.00 per vehicle including passengers – providing that there are correct fitting seatbelts.
Call: 0113 285 4356 
Email: [email protected] www.parkwood4x4.co.uk

SILVERDALE
Explore Off-road’s site at Haying Wood, Silverdale, Stoke-on-Trent, ST5 6QQ has 53 acres of steep wooded tracks, water holes and mud! £25 per vehicle. Open from 10am until 4pm, road taxed vehicles only. Tel 07970 286881. Email: [email protected] www.exploreoffroad.com

SLINDON SAFARI
Slindon Safari, near Arundel, West Sussex, 10.00-16.00 hours; £30 per vehicle, £3 spectators, Quads welcome, £10, all riders 16+ and there’s a 10mph speed limit. Routes for beginners and more advanced.
Call: 01903 812195 or 07802 582826
Email: [email protected]
www.4x4driving.co.uk

TRANS PENNINE OFF ROAD EVENTS
Club runs Pay and Play sites at various venues in Derbyshire including Holymoorside, near Chesterfield, S42 7EG; Biggin Quarry, Ashborne, DE6 1QU and Padley Wood Farm, S45 8EL. Gates open at 9.00am and costs are £20 per vehicle. Catering and toilet facilities. Email [email protected]

 

 ORGANISED DRIVES

 

ALL WHEEL DRIVE CLUB Drivearounds
The All Wheel Drive Club run regular ‘Drivearounds’, which are a great place to start if you’re new to off-roading and just wanting to start to dip your toe in the mud! That said, these popular events also attract more experienced drivers who enjoy exploring the often large sites. One of the AWDC’s very popular Drivearounds is held on one of the Army’s three Bordon sites, just off the A325 south of Farnham. All welcome, from novices upwards. If you want to dip a toe, why not come down and have a look, perhaps a ride with us and take it from there? Membership required at £35 pa and £30 per event. You can join on the day. Catering and toilets on site. Camping from Saturday afternoon. Always phone to confirm!
Call: 07970 926337 or check out the AWDC’s excellent website: www.awdc.co.uk

SNOWDONIA LAND ROVER EXPERIENCE
Off road with the guys at LRE Snowdonia, driving through the beautiful mountains and forests of North Wales. Starting from the Bala area, it will take you through the stunning scenery with spectacular views and great tracks all on private land, only available to LRE Snowdonia. All LRs taking part must be fully road legal and all drivers hold the appropriate driving licence. The cost for the Snowdonia 4×4 Adventure is £50 per vehicle and payment must be made in advance.
For more details, call: 0844 848 4461.
Email: [email protected]
www.lresnowdonia.co.uk

YORKSHIRE 4X4 TOURS
Yorkshire 4×4 Tours create unique 4×4 trips around what they call ‘Gods Own Country’. You will see breath-taking countryside, discover special places off the beaten track and enjoy the best of what this great county has to offer. Whatever the time of year, you will find their trips a rewarding and memorable experience. Whether it’s a pre-planned tour or group event or a tailored bespoke short break we’ll have something to suit your style and taste of adventure…
Call: 01430 431134
Email: [email protected]
www.yorkshire4x4tours.com

ukLANDROVERevents
Guided green lane tours all year round, in various locations, especially around Yorkshire. They run in excess of 35 tours a year, with events running almost every weekend. Full details of this year’s events can be found on the website. Single day events cost just £49 per vehicle, regardless of how many passengers are included. This price is for customers who wish to bring along their own Land Rover. Customers can also hire a fully prepared Land Rover Defender 110 Tdci County Utility Wagon.
For full details and costs call 07787 555060
Email: [email protected]
www.ukLANDROVERevents.com

 

4x4-subs-banner

Exhausting businessThe Isuzu D-Max is making quite an impression in the British Cross Country Championship, as well as on many building sites around the UK. As they say, motorsport improves the bread, and it is now possible to buy a rally proven road-legal exhaust system from Milltek. Based around 70mm non-magnetic stainless steel tube, and designed, developed and fabricated in Milltek’s Derbyshire factory, the D-Max system can either be ordered as a half system for those looking to get the style and sound, but who wish to leave their DPF and catalyst in place. Or, for those seeking outright performance, a full catalyst and DPF delete option is also available, which is claimed to offer considerably more power and torque in the process. This latter option will need new ECU software or a full engine remap. If you are considering this, the best idea is to check things out directly with the guys at Milltek.

Website: www.millteksport.com 

ATV specialist PolarisATV specialist Polaris has just celebrated its 60th Anniversary, with the launch of the Ranger 400 Limited Edition and Ranger Diesel Limited Edition. These models are also fitted with gun scabbard mounts for shooting. Fittingly, the models were launched at the Clay Pigeon Shooting World English Sport Championships at West Wycombe, in Buckinghamshire.

freelanderWith all the excitement around the Discovery’s 25 years, plus the news of the new Concept vehicle (see page 22) pointing the way to the new Discovery ‘range’ in the future, it would be easy to forget the trusty Freelander. Not so it seems, as Jaguar Land Rover has just announced the new Metropolis model, introduced as ‘the most luxurious Freelander yet’. It is based on the HSE LUX model but has (appropriately enough!) Windsor leather, electronically adjustable seats, panoramic sunroof, xenon headlights, reversing camera and 19inch alloy wheels. The Metropolis is top of the Freelander range, but there are also new SE and SE Tech models for the 2015 model range; the SE being the entry level model. The SE Tech has the excellent 380W Meridian audio system, touchscreen-controlled navigation, automatic headlights and 19inch alloys. The new 2015 Freelander model range is available from dealers now, with a starting price of £27,765 for the SE manual, up to £35,995 for the Metropolis SD4 automatic. This magazine will be running a Metropolis in our Long Term fleet, starting next month. This is actually the first time that the magazine has had a present day Land Rover in its fleet, so we are looking forward to reporting just how we get on with it. Of course, if we need to get an understanding as to what it’s like to live with a latest Freelander, we could ask Princess Anne, since we spotted her very smart black version at Windsor. If it’s good enough for her, it should be OK for this magazine, don’t you think!

Boom, boom JeepJeep Wranglers are best when open to the elements, that’s when you really enjoy yourself. Of course, there are times when the roof needs to be fitted and that’s when you realise that things can get a little loud, especially on a long motorway drive. The answer to this could well be a Sound Deadening Headliner kit from the experts at Boom Mat. Made from high quality marine grade acoustical foam that resists mould and mildew while insulating outside heat or cold. It’s actually the same heavy-duty material that is used in off-road and military vehicles. The interior face is finished in cloth and is available for both two and four door Wranglers and comes in black, white or grey. All panels are ready cut to shape and self-adhesive.

Website: www.boommat.com