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A word from the editor... Offroading Online Magazine continues to grow and evolve. Advertisers are slowly starting to realise that the magazine offers perhaps the best value for dollar advertising around. We are still looking for 4x4, caravanning, camper trailer and camping stories. If your club, organisation or just you personally have a few pics and words send them in, it’s a great way of getting a bit of free publicity. Our first Facebook competition has been done and dusted and proved a great success. Our November Giveaway is being sponsored by XR Industries and Muc-Off with some great products and vouchers to be won. Check out their range of products at www.xri.com.au Finally a big thank you to Mick from the Cast Iron Boys for designing the front cover. We reckon it looks great. Cheers Danny
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www.harvestthesun.com.au
Denis O’Dea: 0404839137
In this issue Riverland Challenge - Page 22 Fourplay 4x4 Park Challenge - Page 50 Loveday Dirt Wars - Page 72 AORC Kapunda - Page 98 The Great Australian Ride - Page 112
www.harvestthesun.com.au
Denis O’Dea: 0404839137
Galleries
#1 Riverland Challenge #2 FourPlay 4x4 Park Challenge #3 Dirt Wars #4 AORC Kapunda
Regular Features
A Word from the Editor - Page 5 Berrima Diesel - Page 14 Cast Iron Boys - Page 92 P7 Offroad - Page 124 Voyager 4x4 Adventures - Gone Bush
Offroading Online Editor Danny Hanrahan Contributors Geordie Wright Sue Callow Jasmine Brown The Cast Iron Boys P7 Offroad & P7 Comms DPChip Voyager 4x4 Adventures Website editor Danny Hanrahan Geordie Wright Facebook editor Geordie Wright Tony Whateley Offroading Online No part of this magazine may be copied, broadcast or reproduced in any manner on any medium without the written consent of the copyright owner. Offroading Online info@offroadingonline.com.au
The new vehicle design by Christian Susana is a nice combination of car and a caravan camper. Christian has called it Colim (Colors of Life in Motion), which might not win many points on looks department, but still is quite useful given the kind of flexibility it offers. Colim caravan concept provides the advantage of detaching the front part if one does not have a usage for the home part. Design wise it reminds more of geometric shape, which one can say to be a welcome change from the regular designs, but the designer has really explored a possibility using different shapes which may pave way for better shaped cars. The designer says : “The Colim concept – an acronym meaning ‘colors of life in motion’ – is an intelligent mobility concept which stretches primarily the bridge between caravans, camper, lifestyle and business. Dubbed a ‘lifestyle motor home’, the cockpit can be disconnected from the usable living space. The livable area is flexible, with individually applicable multi function modules. Designed for two people (max. four persons), the motor home offers the possibility to personalize its four mobile ‘walls’ according to the present life situation of the user. This flexibility is not only limited to the living area, but also features in the cockpit.”
This design by Christian Susana is featured on the TUVIE Design for the Future website at www.tuvie.com
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Diesel Tuning
Diesel tuning is more important than we think. Let’s get down to the basics...
Diesel is an oil. Oil as we know does not ignite
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Well, if you could fill the drum with a misty vapor
of oil and light it up, you would not only get a large bang but it would be over within a
easily if it is left as a liquid. If we atomize it though, flash. So now, as the good injector sprays it will burn readily, if a little smoky. The diesel prin-
fuel out as a mist, the fuel burns rapidly and rela-
ciple relies on the air being compressed to high tively clean as the droplets are so small pressure in order to heat the air as diesels don’t have
that they burn with a puff ! The injector’s pressure
igniters such as spark plugs. Keep in mind, the glow is also now on spec so the spray is plug only glows on cold start-up to warm up the air
even more fierce and timed.
in the combustion chamber, a bit like when you are
Now, the injectors are perfect but the injection
pumping up a push-bike tire, the pump gets warm. pump could be slightly out of tune. Timing has to So you now have very hot air and you inject diesel be set. If it is too early, the vehicle can smoke and in through a poor spraying injector. Because it is not become quite “diesel noisy” and if it’s too late, the atomizing the diesel enough, the fuel volume burns vehicle can feel sluggish. Imagine the spray of fuel erratically and slowly as the flame burns through as a fist about to hit the piston. If it is too far before the large droplets of oily fuel. If you were to light top dead center, it would not only hurt your fist and up a drum of oil, you would see a similar effect of the piston but it would make a louder than normal slow burning and smoke.
bang as the two things hit head on. If the piston
You can imagine that by now the timing of the had gone past top dead center and was hit, the force combustion process is also upset. Throw in
of the hit would be going down with the piston so
an injector that is spraying at a lower pressure you would have too little impact on it. So you can than normal, due to age, and you have the tim- see why timing is critical for maximum hit effect! ing of the fuel ignition point changing even more.
Other things need to be checked like the fuel-
The injectors doing this alone can make a diesel
volume delivered by the pump. Too much is
smoky and sluggish. Throw in a cold morning and
power but with smoke, too little is low power
the combustion is even further retarded due to cold
with absolutely NO smoke... and just right is on
cylinders and cool combustion.
the verge of no smoke, to “is it or isn’t it” smoke!
So, throw the scenario into a correctly set up
continued.......
injector. Remember the drum of oil? OOM14 la grande
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Diesel Tuning
There are a few more complex settings on the
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The diesel system that is on all 4WD diesels
pump that are checked and adjusted but these are
was designed to run on a fuel with certain burn-
the main ones.
ing characteristics. Often fuel quality can be a
Now to add to all these, let us run through it quickly. Ok, there are 6 injectors supplying fuel to the engine... imagining it being a 6- cyl-
problem, particularly in the bush. We have new vehicles smoking that obviously are not designed to smoke when running on real diesel. So when
inder diesel. Looks like it has no problems
we are setting up a fuel injection system for tun-
getting fuel. What about the important part
ing, we have to take the burning characteristics of
that we forgot about--AIR? Well... It has to draw the air through a maze. Filter, pipes, inlet manifold and a tiny valve. This has to happen in a split second and the piston going down has to do all the sucking. That’s the
this poor diesel into consideration. Try to get your fuel from a reputable and “known brand” garage and keep your receipts. If you have problems, you have as much “come-back” on the garage as you have with a faulty product from a shop.
governing part of a diesel engine’s performance.
** The modern diesel has come a long way from
Remember, more fuel for more power is just more
its beginnings! Well... so we are all led to believe!
smoke! So we have to do something about the air
That’s where it all stops. In
to keep things clean. This is where a Turbo system comes into its own with Diesel engines. With a huge amount of air now available due to the turbo supplying air right to the inlet valve, the piston only has to suck air from there. Let’s not forget that 1 cylinder has a suction stroke many times
fact, about the only thing that could compare is reinventing the round wheel! That’s right. Nothing has really changed. A diesel still needs fuel and air. Even though we now have trendy things like “Common-rail High Pressure Injection and Electronics” controlling everything, it is still the same old
a second, so these fallacies of air being forced
principle. The only major change appears to be
into the engine and blowing heads off are only
the repair costs... as usual. Most
that! Now that we have more air, the fuel system can be set up accordingly for more power. This is where the whole equation can come adrift with overheating, etc. Things have to be set up by a
injector pumps are becoming “throw-away” at a cost of thousands of dollars. Where will it end?
Words by Andrew Leimroth
professional and a professional that knows his job. OOM16 la grande
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If you want to be more active and use your 4WD you make your own fun includes 4WD tag along tours or self-guided 4WD tracks. We also have the Eldee 4WD Easter and we are taking bookings for 2013 now.
Multi award winning Eldee Station provides good old fashioned country hospitality, simple but good food, great refreshments and a wide range of accommodation choices to suit all budgets. This includes powered grassed caravan and campsites, ensuited standard rooms and suites for families and couples located on the stunning Mundi Mundi Plains and Barrier Ranges. There is lots to do and not do if you want just relax in our spas or the plunge pool with your kids or watch the bird feeding sessions or go for a walk or just relax and read that book you been meaning to get to all year.
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Have you already planned you Christmas holidays yet? Well if you haven’t go and check out our website at www.eldeestation.com to make your planning very easy for your Christmas holiday. PS: you love so much that you won’t want to leave!
Contact Details: 2886 Wilangee Road Silverton NSW 2880 Phone 0880912578 email: eldeestation@bigpond.com website: www.eldeestation.com http://www.facebook.com/EldeeStation
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TOP CATCH TACKLE, Barmera OOM20 la grande
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2012 Riverland Challenge
T
oby Whateley gave up the desire for huge jumps after nearly wrecking his new Nissan V8 on the Saturday to take out the Open Class finals on Sunday. Andrew Nichols lived up to his sponsors name and wrecked his Landcriuser after a huge jump and nearly wrecked himself as well.
News is that Andrew is OK and busy planning to break the World Record for the longest semi jump at next years World Records Weekend at Loveday.
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ET Boys Wreck the Show
T
he boys from the ET 4x4 Club came to Loveday intending to “Go Hard or Go Home”. As a matter of fact when the Toyota Surf started to sound like a VW with flatulence they decided it wasn’t going home and would be left in the Loveday junk pile.
After thrilling the crowd on Sunday the boys eventually rolled right in front of the Tavern, much to the pleasure of the crowd sheltering from the sun.
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Unsung Heros
T
hese blokes never get huge air or do spectacular endos. They even take the corners safely after rolling it a couple of times last
year. They show up for just about every event at Loveday and quietly go about their business.
Now some of you are not early risers, but I’m always up early in search of that spectaclar sun rise shot. I see a lot of things like everyone returning to their own swags or the odd bloke still crawling aroud looking for his. Ever wonder when you stagger down in the morning how the toilets have been cleaned and the Tavern cleaned,swept and ofter washed down. Well, just after the sun rises Brad and Yo arrive at the Tavern for a good hours work cleaning up all kinds of mess left and deposited in the loos of both sexes. Congratulations and a job well done to our great unsung heros.
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OOM Gallery #1
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2012 Mickey Thompson Riverland Challenge Black Betty put on a great show all weekend and the crew worked frantically to fix Betty for the finals only to run out of petrol.
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OOM Gallery #1
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2012 Mickey Thompson Riverland Challenge The team from OffroadingSubarus.com returned to Loveday after a long absence but have not lost their touch.
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OOM Gallery #1
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2012 Mickey Thompson Riverland Challenge The team from Snuffy flew high all weekend. Another roll over still didn’t damage the Light Force Spotties.
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OOM Gallery #1
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2012 Mickey Thompson Riverland Challenge Popular Loveday identity Dougy raced hard to make the semi finals only to go bush and stop on the track. Probabely ran out of xxxx
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OOM Gallery #1
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2012 Mickey Thompson Riverland Challenge They just keep going and going and going...........
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OOM Gallery #1
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2012 Mickey Thompson Riverland Challenge Cloe flying high . The girls landed with a bang and snapped the front tail shaft. Ah well Yoda, more work....
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OOM Gallery #1
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2012 Mickey Thompson Riverland Challenge The mob from John Wark and Son getting air over the step up and timing the jump perfectly.
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OOM Gallery #1
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2012 Mickey Thompson Riverland Challenge Kermit always puts on a great show for the crowd and has become one of the great attractions at Loveday
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OOM Gallery #1
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2012 Mickey Thompson Riverland Challenge Mustard Racing raced hard all weekend to make it into the Open Class Finals only to be beaten buy .04 of a second.
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OOM Gallery #1
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2012 Mickey Thompson Riverland Challenge Winners are Grinners
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TOP CATCH TACKLE, Barmera OOM48 la grande
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FourPlay 4x4 Park Challenge
The team from FourPlay 4x4 managed to secure the use of a property nestled in the gullies of the Adelaide Hills for their latest event. Always looking for ways to promote off-road racing Tim Margitich and the crew put a lot of work into organising the event and facilities. “We practice what we sell” Tim said. The camp was situated in a sheltered gully full of majestic gums and it was a pleasure to attend a 4WD event in South Australia that was covered in green grass. Spectators were guided around the different stages and with the fantastic weather certainly enjoyed all the action from great vantage points. Hill climbs, creek crossings and mud runs were the order of the day, testing the skills and endurance of competitors and vehicles.
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OOM Gallery #1
FourPlay 4x4 Park Challenge
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OOM Gallery #2
FourPlay 4x4 Park Challenge
o
de i e V ge b Tu gua u Yo Lan h tc ains a W ont C
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OOM Gallery #2
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FourPlay 4x4 Park Challenge
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OOM Gallery #2
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FourPlay 4x4 Park Challenge
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OOM Gallery #2
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FourPlay 4x4 Park Challenge
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OOM Gallery #2
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FourPlay 4x4 Park Challenge
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OOM Gallery #2
FourPlay 4x4 Park Challenge
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OOM Gallery #2
FourPlay 4x4 Park Challenge
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FOR SALE
Class 7 Production 4wd The Awesome Blue Baron is for sale! 98 MK Triton extra cab Current cams log book, ready to race. Strong finisher, only 1 DNF from driver error….driver blames the nav though! Vehicle has done 7 events with 1st or 2nd in class in 5 events Strong engine, 550 nM torque 175 hp Fox shocks remote res and bump stops on all corners, 4 meetings old for fronts, 2 for rears. 2 spare emulsion fox shocks with sale. FIA belts only 6 months old. Extinguishers only 4 months old. 6 rims with cooper tyres, between 75% and 90% tread left 120 litre custom made fuel cell. Custom Alloy radiator with 2 electric fans. Sparco seats, PMD intercom, Strengthened chassis, GME UHF, Alloy bash plate. Comprehensive spares package and support go with sale. Car has a lot more pace to give with some development and experimenting. $15,000 ONO Email darran@rmaw.com.au Ph 0419 814 383
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DIRT WARS
TrophyKart Australia
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Debuts in Riverland The inaugural TrophyKar t
One of the highlights for the week-
Australia spectacular was a roaring
end’s racing for drivers and spectators
success as 15 TrophyKarts took to
alike was the fifth heat, which had a
the Loveday 4X4 Park track for their
reverse grid start.
first competitive hit out. South Australia’s well known off “Spectators were totally blown
road racer Wally Francombe started
away with the excitement, watch-
rear of the field along-side another
ing eagerly from the sidelines at
well-known off roader Wes Cowie
TrophyKart Australias’ first official
to solidly work his way through the
race on Australian soil” exclaimed
field to second place after five very fast
Rick Bramley, the Australian
short laps.
Representative of TrophyKart Australia.
“The crowd applauded what was to be one of the most exciting races I
No one could have predicted that
have ever had the pleasure of being
the stadium event would impress so
part of ” added Bramley. “There were
many spectators with how fast and
wo roll over incidence during the
high they could jump. The closeness
weekend and both karts and drivers
of the racing was another key issue
were checked for injury or damage
to why it is such a spectacle for the
and consequently were back racing
public to watch.
in the very next heat; both bearing race tape battle scars but no major
Tre vo r S c o t t , 5 R M r ad i o announcer and commentator is
damage, a sign of the strength of these machines.”
quoted as saying that TrophyKarts were as exciting to watch as the 360 and 410 sprint cars that he had comOOM72 la grande
mentated the night before.
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OOM Gallery #2
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Loveday Dirt Wars
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The 2013 TrophyKart calendar is currently being
where the future off road champions will evolve
decided, with the first race scheduled to kick off
from. Young guns Frank Gadaletta, son of Sam
the season in April.
from Port Pirie in South Australia’s mid north who last year took possession of the ex Outerbounds
There is already another twelve TrophyKarts on
Racing Jimco, Lachlan and Brodie Jones, sons of
the factory floor in California receiving the finish-
long time New South Wales off road campaigner
ing touches before being bound for Australia with
Steve Jones, Jed Bramley, son of TrophyKarts
an approximate landing date in January. Anyone
Australia founder Rick and Toby Whaetley of
wishing to join in on the fastest growing motor
South tAutralia are just a few names to keep an eye
sport in the United States, while the Australian
on. These juniors, who are fortunate to have fathers
dollar is so high, will only need to put down a
from off road racing backgrounds, will proudly fill
$500 deposit to secure one of the cars in this ship-
the shoes their fathers have worn.
ment at a special introductory price while stocks last. Please contact Rick Bramley at TrophyKart
“There are several TrophyKart tracks in South Australia, the main one being the Loveday 4 x4
Australia on 0457 852 787 or email enquiries@
Results for Round 1 - TrophyKart Stadium Race Loveday 4x4 Park 20-21 October 2012 450cc 1st Toby Francombe 2nd Rick Bramley 3rd Wes Cowie 200cc 1st Toby Whaetely 2nd Jed Bramley 3rd Lachlan and Brodie Jones Junior 1 1st Brodie and Lachlan Jones 2nd Frank Gadaleta
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• Hi Tech Oils
• Grh Industrial Tools • King Shocks
• Move Your Self Trailer Hire • Mickey Thomson Tyres
• Chooks Custom Graphics • North East Isuzu
• Offroading Online Magazine • Racer Imports
• Hydragate Home Improvements • Paul Horvath Sports Lawyers • Coates Hire
• TrophyKart Australia
• Offroadracing.com.au
trophykarts.com.au for further details.
park at Barmera in the South Australian Riverland, with the soon to be transformed the Blue Dot
“Also, a big thank you to all of the businesses
Speedway at Griffith in New South Wales after
that have had the foresight and confidence to
local efforts from Steve Jones, and very promising
support TrophyKart racing in Australia knowing
discussions regarding a raceway in Geelong.”
that this is the beginning of something new and unique.”
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OOM Gallery #2
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Loveday Dirt Wars
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OOM Gallery #2
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Loveday Dirt Wars
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OOM Gallery #2 Loveday Dirt Wars
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QUADS JOIN DIRT WARS
Four wheels of a different kind joined in
Riders gradually familiarised themselves with and corners to an extent that it affected the excellent area to set up and watch the week-
Dirt Wars as a series of exhibition races at the the track and speed increased as they jumped quad racing. Loveday 4x4 Adventure Park.
higher and longer over the two huge jumps on
About twenty quads raced over the weekend in the main straight. a number of modified classes as a trial for bigger things during 2013.
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The spectator area is based on a rise overlook-
end’s proceedings. Discussions continue with a number of quad
ing the track giving a great view of the entire rider associations regarding a series of races at
Riders and spectators alike praised the idea track. Vehicles can park along the fence and Loveday over 2013. Going by the reaction of of a rolling start and welcomed an additional setup their shades or marquees. As the track the riders, their crews and spectators we can look
Not to be outdone by the TrophyKarts the track open to their sport. TrophyKarts and and racing develop Tony Whateley plans to grass forward to big things during 2013 and beyond quads quickly took up the Loveday tradition of quads seemed to be compatible using the same the entire area overlooking the track making an as Loveday develops into a centre for a variety “big air”.
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race track. The karts didn’t rip up the track
of motor sports.
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MOTOCROSS rider Kristen Ellis has recovered from a serious crash earlier this year to win an Australian title. Ellis, 14, of Dernancourt, won the under-16 200cc-300cc class at the Australian Quad Motocross Championships in Maffra, Victoria, last weekend. She says the win was completely unexpected and the highlight of her four-year racing career. "Honestly, I don't think it's sunk in yet," she says. "It's weird, when I was a bit younger I never really placed in anything and now I've placed in a few things. "Before I walked up on the stage (to get my trophy) I had the worst butterflies. "I was so nervous to make a speech, but I was just so excited that I had got that far." Ellis finished the championships 10 points clear of her nearest rival, but says the meeting was her hardest yet. "I was freaking out when I was about to start racing," she says. "I kept thinking (about) if the others were fast, and what condition the track was in and I just hoped my bike wouldn't stuff up." The win was made all the more remarkable by the fact the Kildare College student had to overcome injuries in a crash in August, where she sustained soft tissue damage and bruising to her hip. Ellis' parents Troy and Danelle, who also race quads, say they are extremely proud of their daughter. "We were ecstatic, she rode really well," Mr Ellis says. "She definitely deserved it." Ellis says she wants to defend her title next year. "It would be great if I could come first again," she says. Thanks to Adelaide Now and Quad Rider SA for the above article.
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OOM Gallery #2 Loveday Dirt Wars
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OOM Gallery #2 Loveday Dirt Wars
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DayDream Imports
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www.daydreamimports.com.au Importer of solar panel fittings designed to fit solar panels to caravans, camper trailers, motor homes, house boats and boats
No More Holes in Your Roof
Designed to be glued to the roof with SikaFlex-252
Check out www.daydreamimports.com.au for details and prices Combo sets available for small, medium and large panels in both black and white.
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AORC Kapunda 2012 They came from all over Australia for the final round of the Yamaha Australian Off Road Championships. Australia’s best enduro riders thrilled the big crowds that gathered on the Saturday and Sunday......
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It’s not often we get the chance to see Australia’s top Enduro riders in action. This was the case when the Australian Off Road Championships came to Kapunda in South Australia. Hosted by the Gawler Motorcycle Club the event has to be rated a fantastic success. Heavy rain throughout the week leading up to the
Pri
event must have been a concern for organisers. Luckily the rain held off until the last lap on Saturday and cleared for Sundays racing. The AORC is a ten round event that finished at Kapunda with the last two rounds, consisting of a Cross Country event on Saturday and a Sprint event on Sunday. Motorex KTM star #87N Toby Price blitzed the field
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ce B litz es A OR C
to take out the overall championship. Price didn’t have it all his own way with #31V Daniel Milner taking out the Saturday event and Price coming in second. However the win on Sunday was enough for Price to be crowned AORC winner for 2012.
AORC Overall Points 1. Toby Price 2. Daniel Milner 3. Matt Phillips 4. Stefan Merriman 5. Josh Green 6. Glenn Kearney 7. Chris Hollis 8. Ben Burrell 9. Mitcham Harper 10.Tom McCormack
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Motorex KTM Off-Road Ballard’s Yamaha Off-Road Ballard’s Yamaha Off-Road Ballard’s Yamaha Off-Road Active8 Yamaha Yamalube Husqvarna Racing Team Motorex KTM Off-Road Motorex KTM Off-Road Yamaha Yamaha
244 o 191 e d i V 169 be u 165 uT o Y 154 h c 153 Wat 133 124 121 99
tc Wa
KT e h ht
eo
id V M
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Ivan Long riding in the SAORC Pro Class at Kapunda
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The great thing about this event was it cost only $10.00 to get in and big and small kids alike could walk right around the track and get up close to all the action. Young’uns with their mums and dads were all over the place taking in the fresh air. Its too easy to sit home in front of the TV, and Nintendo and say there’s nothing on or to do.
“What boy would not enjoy the open outdoors filled with the sight and sounds of motorbikes”. As I said for $10.00 you could have packed a sandwich or grabbed some of the excellent tucker on sale, packed the kids in and watched all the action close up. What boy would not enjoy the open outdoors filled with the sight and sounds of motorbikes?
The Pro riders excited the crowd at the big creek crossing when it was discovered you could take the vertical drop off into the creek and pick up a few places.
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OOM Gallery #3 AORC
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Karl Algar shows a bit of style
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OOM Gallery #3 AORC
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Hole Shot
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OOM Gallery #3 AORC
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In issue 8 of Offroading Online Magazine we had in introduction to The Great Australian Ride (TGAR), here is a summary of the ride as it was unfold….. I suppose looking back now, it was inevitable that The Great Australian Ride had no option but to grow and take a life of its own! It started as a chance dream, an adventure and a desire to see what was really out there. After returning from last year’s solo ride I was unsure how, I had to let the dust settle. Thankfully through the power of the Internet I connected with some local and national motorcyclists who were also passionate about raising funds for charities and interested in forming a group ride from east to west. And so Team GAR (Great Australian Ride) was born, From Brisbane, Mr Christian Loghem’s commitment and enthusiasm were true strengths and he directed them to the media and organizing of the event. TV, radio, and newspapers across the country were contacted to bring awareness to Sids and Kids and our coming ride. Then from Bendigo, Mr Mark Victor of Bikerbits brought the ride to another level with his fantastic digital artwork and web design skills. Drawing a large international audience and helping to showcase Australia as a premiere adventure riding destination. I was truly overwhelmed by the support and kind nature of all the team’s new members. We set about to form the networks, the website would handle donations and provide all necessary information to our riders and supporters. 100% of funds raised would go directly to Sids and Kids, who receive no government funding and rely on public donations. Sids and Kids is dedicated to saving the lives of babies and children during pregnancy, birth, infancy and childhood and supporting bereaved families. With the power of duplication in mind I invited 12 riders to ride with me from Byron Bay (most eastern point) through The Simpson Desert to Alice Springs then 1200km across The Gibson Desert to Steep Point (most western point). Thinking that no one would be crazy enough to respond to such a grueling ride, I posted out the request. And they did! In no time at all we had our 12 riders (The Dirty Dozen) a medic and a wellequipped support vehicle that came all the way up from Melbourne. Then the donation started coming in and within 3 months up to the date we left Byron, Saturday 4th August, Team GAR had raised over $20,000 for Sids.
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Leaving Byron Bay was a fantastic occasion and shone the light that there is a great need for such events, promoting awareness and helping smaller non-profit charities to make a difference within our community. To encourage adventure riders from all walks of life, all corners of Australia to converge at one point and work together as a team to cross the Outback with one purpose in mind.
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Although some men are at times seemingly relentless, there were tears, laughter, despair and joy throughout the 7,000km journey. We endured a broken arm at Cameron’s Corner, a broken leg in The Simpson Desert, mechanical failure on Big Red at Birdsville and plenty of great camp fires dinners watching the Milky Way and shooting stars. The Outback is an amazing place, although harsh it is a very beautiful with colours to die for. The Great Australian Ride has become more than just a ride, the interest that it has created both national and overseas has been inspiring. Not just for the ride but also for Sids and Kids, Australian tourism and to the wonderful people of the land. The Aussie spirit is well and truly alive! Through all the great help and support this ride has now become an annual charity event. This year we raised over $25,000. Huge thanks goes out to all those who donated, we are overwhelmed by your generosity. Big thanks to our major sponsor National Storage who provided us with a base in Perth to store and dispatch our bikes. Also Bikerbits, Teammoto and Barkbusters who all provided great support and advice. I am looking forward to the future of The Great Australian Ride, the people that we will meet and the friendships that will develop across Australia. A date for 2013 will be released very soon, so please check our website for upcoming information. It's sure to be an epic adventure! http://www.greataustralianride.com.au Or follow us on our Facebook page, 'The Great Australian Ride'. Special thanks to...... Derek and Bec from Sids and Kids Qld Eliza and Jarrod from National Storage Jeff Barnes-Safety and Communication officer John Carrigy of Foundation Dental KTM Australia Brisbane KTM Dave and John from Wheeliezone.com.au Race Motorcycles, Alice Springs 96.5FM Advocate Newpaper, NT Quest Newspapers Glen Villa Cabins, Byron Bay
Cape Café, Byron Bay Channel 10, Qld Cycle Torque SunCity Motorcycles, Geraldton Mad Accessories, Mooloolaba Mooloolaba Stickers and Signs Teammoto Enoggera Offroading Online Maxxis Tyres Doyles Hardware Darren Skewes from DARE Australia Bob Sanders, 4x4 support and medic
Camp owners and Roadhouses on The Great Australian Ride route And of course all Family and friends who have supported me in turning this dream into reality, thank you. Happy Travels Founder - Stuart Ball 0414 623 180
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Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) staff in the Baw Baw fire district are appalled at the amount of damage caused by recent hoon behaviour on local forest roads and tracks.
Kelly tree site damaged by vandals Vandals have caused thousands of dollars damage to the recently redeveloped Stringybark Creek
District Manager, Peter McEwan said strate-
Reserve, the site of the 1878 shoot-out between the Ned Kelly gang and Mansfield police troopers.
gic fire access tracks are being severely damaged
Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) forest officers discovered the damage to the
by weekend 4X4 traffic in Baw Baw District and
camping and picnic areas while undertaking a routine patrol last week.
across Gippsland.
“The significant damage caused to the camping reserve and picnic areas is consistent with
“Ruts caused by highly modified 4X4 vehicles
vehicles doing ‘circle work’ which has resulted in the reserve now being closed to the public,” DSE
are making tracks that are vital for fire suppression
Mansfield Forest and Fire Officer, Rachael Nolan, said.
and planned burning impassable to traffic,” he said.
“The damage caused by this act of stupidity will take months to rehabilitate.”
“Our ability to protect townships near for-
Ms Nolan said in addition to the damage caused by vehicles several trees planted to provide shade
est boundaries is now at risk due to this damage
for campers have been destroyed and a large peppermint gum tree has been felled illegally.
delaying access by fire fighting personnel and equipment.”
“Aside from the dangers of felling a tree of this size, those responsible have also clearly broken the
Mr McEwan said preparation for spring burning could be affected while track repairs are undertaken.
law and destroyed one of the more mature trees on the site.” Significant work has been undertaken within the Stringybark Creek Reserve in recent years to
“This could impact on the achievement of our overall burning program,” he said. People have also been breaking into or around gates on
improve road access and facilities at the day visitor area and camping reserves. New picnic tables, barbecues, walking tracks and footbridges, and toilet facilities were also
seasonally closed roads within water supply catchments, lit-
constructed.
tering and destroying revegetation areas.
“The timing of the damage is not ideal especially with school holidays approaching,” she said.
“There are serious environmental effects through run-off
“Vandalism of recreational assets within areas of state forest is a major concern for DSE. While we
of turbid water in creeks and streams which will affect water
do undertake regular patrols, it is impossible to keep an eye on everything.
quality and aquatic flora and fauna.”
“What the people who caused this damage fail to understand is that each time facilities are
“In some locations the damage is so severe the permanent closure of existing tracks will need to be considered,” Mr McEwan said.
damaged or rubbish dumped, a considerable amount of money is required to undertake repairs. “This money is often redirected from improving other visitor facilities.” Stringybark Creek Reserve is located on the Tatong-Tolmie Road, between Mansfield and Benalla.
Creation of new tracks through bush is illegal and severe penalties apply.
The reserve provides access to the site of the Kelly Tree, which marks the area where the shootout
DSE urges anyone with any information about this sort of destructive behaviour to report it
occurred.
to the nearest DSE or Parks Victoria office or to the police. Or you can call the DSE Customer
Anyone with information about the vandalism is asked to contact DSE Mansfield on (03) 5733
Service Centre on 136 186.
1200.
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Our Camp Master told us to write to our parents in case you saw the flood on TV and got worried. We are okay. Only one of our tents and 2 sleeping bags got washed away. Luckily, none of us got drowned because we were all up on the mountain looking for Adam when it happened. Oh yes, please call Adam's mother and tell her he is okay. He can't write because of the cast. I got to ride in one of the search and rescue Jeeps. It was great. We never would have found Adam in the dark if it hadn't been for the lightning. Camp Master Ted got mad at Adam for going on a hike alone without telling anyone. Adam said he did tell him, but it was during the fire so he probably didn't hear him. Did you know that if you put petrol on a fire, it will blow up? The wet wood didn't burn, but one of the tents did and also some of our clothes. Matthew is going to look weird until his hair grows back. We will be home on Saturday if Camp Master Ted gets the bus fixed. It wasn't his fault about the crash. The brakes worked okay when we left. Camp Master Ted said that with a bus that old, you have to expect something to break down; that's probably why he can't get insurance. We think it's a super bus. He doesn't care if we get it dirty, and if it's hot, sometimes he lets us ride on the bumpers. It gets pretty hot with 45 people in a bus made for 24. He let us take turns riding in the trailer until the policeman stopped and talked to us. Camp Master Ted is a neat guy. Don't worry, he is a good driver. In fact, he is teaching Horace how to drive on the mountain roads where there aren't any cops. All we ever see up there are huge logging trucks.
Sarah from XR Industries sent in a range of MUC-OFF products with the promise I’d be surprised just how good they were. Tested here is the spray on WHEEL WASH. The wheels of the Disco had not been cleaned for about two years. I usually take to them with steelo soap pads but forever seem to be out bush and it hasn’t been worth giving them a clean. The idea is to rinse the wheels, spray on the WHEEL WASH, wait five minutes and use the wheel and spoke brush to clean them. I fully expected to scub them for awhile but the two years of grime and dirt came off with ease and after just under ten minutes I had all four rims and tires looking like new. A quick rinse with the hose and it was all done. Check out the full range of products for 4WDs and bikes at http://www.xri.com.au/
This morning all of the guys were diving off the rocks and swimming out to the rapids. Camp Master Ted wouldn't let me because I can't swim, and Adam was afraid he would sink because of his cast (it's concrete because we didn't have any plaster), so he let us take the canoe out. It was great. You can still see some of the trees under the water from the flood. Camp Master Ted isn't crabby like some camp masters. He didn't even get mad about the life jackets. He has to spend a lot of time working on the bus so we are trying not to cause him any trouble. Guess what? We have all passed our first aid merit badges. When Andrew dived into the lake and cut his arm, we all got to see how a tourniquet works. Steve and I threw up, but Camp Master Ted said it was probably just food poisoning from the left-over chicken. He said they got sick that way with food they ate in prison. I'm so glad he got out and became our camp master. He said he sure figured out how to get things done better while he was doing his time. By the way, what is a pedal-file? I have to go now. We are going to town to post our letters and buy some more beer and ammo. Don't worry about anything. We are fine and tonight it's my turn to sleep in the Camp Master's tent. Love, Tommy
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Whether you’re cruising over sand dunes, through rugged bush land or across the outback, four-wheel driving (4WD) is great way to explore the best of Australia. However, while enjoying the great outdoors, off-road drivers of all skill levels require the right equipment to deal with hazards. Recently launched in Australia, TRED, the Total Recovery Extraction Device, is an essential product for any vehicle that operates off-road. Designed and manufactured in Australia for 4WD and All Terrain Vehicles (ATV), TREDs allow drivers to simply overcome bogging hazards and return on their journey in minimal time, with little effort. Angus Wood, spokesperson from TRED, said “Australia has many exciting, but challenging landscapes to navigate while driving off-road and 4WD drivers are
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often at risk of getting bogged in unstable grounds such as sand, mud or snow. “TREDs are designed to fit a wide range of vehicles and can be used easily by anyone. From recreational four-wheel drivers, to professionals who use the vehicles for their job and families travelling for a holiday, TREDs are a simple, effective solution to get your car out of potentially dangerous situations and on the road again swiftly,” added Angus. Individuals can drive off-road with confidence using TREDs knowing if they lose traction they can easily get their car back on track without the use of a second vehicle. The driver simply puts TREDs under the car wheels and they provide a path for the car to move back onto stable ground.
TREDs eliminate hazardous vehicle recovery practices like winching and snatching, which can involve TRED 1100: Designed with extra width and length to highly stressed components such as steel cables, shackles, launch vehicles out of more difficult situations. They are snatch straps and winches. TREDs are a safer alternative, a great tool for an off-road enthusiast as well as commeryet can still handle intense levels of torque, flex, weight cial fleet drivers. and impact because they are engineered with polyolefin materials specifically engineered for TRED. TREDs are available from leading automotive retailers and off-road equipment suppliers across the country. While the primary use for TREDs is recovery, they The recommended retail price for a pair is $199 for the can also be used as a preventative measure. If drivers see TRED 800 and $229 for the TRED 110. unstable ground ahead, they can link TREDs together to form a safe path for the car to cross. Watch the following clip to see TREDs in action! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QRSK7NEpdX8 With a designated shovel feature, extreme hex grip nodules, aggressive ramp entry teeth and ultimate wear resistant properties, TRED is available in two sizes: TRED 800: Designed for smaller vehicles such as RAV4, Suzuki, and ‘jeep type’ four-wheel drives where storage of larger recovery products is limited.
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Destination Q Conference Cairns 2012
Recently, I had the opportunity to travel to Cairns to join around 300 other delegates, and half of the Qld Cabinet, at the Destination Q forum. Destination Q was all about developing an action plan to see Queensland Tourism get pumping again. Tourism is identified as one of the four pillars of the Queensland Economy, and is in need of a bit of a shot in the arm.
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– mostly, and the few dollars that changes hands is the product of tourism. Some of us Outdoor Recreators need to take stock, I believe. Sometimes we cry foul when some specific company or group is allowed access, or granted special permissions, when perhaps we need to acknowledge that need for some level of ‘stewardship’ of some of our natural areas.
The theme common to all parts of the forum was the need to have improved access to our States greatest, sustainable resource – its land. Every speaker What we need to see is an open and accountable called for better, simplified, and more access to the process for gaining this access which should be availState Estate including National Parks and State able to any individual or group who can meet the Forests for recreation and tourism. agreed criteria.
I joined the Eco Tourism sub group, and was I enjoyed my time in Cairns, and came away impressed by the breadth of interests represented, empowered to act in securing our access to our best horse riders, reef dive companies, mountain biker natural resources for generations to come. tours, guest houses and many other facets of tourism. It would be hard to argue that there was not a Dave significant representation from the ‘recognised’ tourism industry. Dave is the Director and Chief Instructor at P7Offroad, Accredited Offroad Driver Training based A couple of things did concern me though… Free on the Fraser Coast but delivering training all over and Independent Travellers, you know, those people QLD. Dave is a registered Teacher with a specialist who plan and do it themselves, did not have anyone area of Outdoor and Environmental Education. speaking for them – but how could they?? There is no ‘Peak Body’ specificly for people who want to do their own thing, by their own definition they are not For more information, or to get in touch, affiliated with anyone, yet make up a significant complease visit. ponent of our local tourism dollar. At some point during the forum I decided that I was being perhaps a little arrogant in my belief that all these commercial operators (let’s not forget that I am a commercial operator too) do not represent my interests… slowly it occurred to me that despite the Engel fridge, stove and rooftop tent, and regardless of the fact that I pretty much do all my own planning (I even plan trips for others, for a fee…) that I am a “tourist” too.
www.facebook.com/4x4training www.4x4training.com.au info@4x4training.com.au
If I want to go haorse riding – I need that horse riding tour company to have a secure business model with guaranteed access to appropriate land. If I want to snorkel on the reef, I need that Reef Diving charter to have secure access to the reef. Did you know that there is a great little cake shop in Howard?? Did you know that there is a town called Howard just a minute off the highway between Maryborough and Childers?? I like to stop there when heading north from Hervey Bay, sometimes when just heading out for a play in the State Forests, or sometimes when hitting the road at the beginning of a long day’s drive. When I pull in there for a pie and Iced Coffee, I’m a tourist OOM124 la grande
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If you want to be more active and use your 4WD you make your own fun includes 4WD tag along tours or self-guided 4WD tracks. We also have the Eldee 4WD Easter and we are taking bookings for 2013 now.
Multi award winning Eldee Station provides good old fashioned country hospitality, simple but good food, great refreshments and a wide range of accommodation choices to suit all budgets. This includes powered grassed caravan and campsites, ensuited standard rooms and suites for families and couples located on the stunning Mundi Mundi Plains and Barrier Ranges. There is lots to do and not do if you want just relax in our spas or the plunge pool with your kids or watch the bird feeding sessions or go for a walk or just relax and read that book you been meaning to get to all year.
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Have you already planned you Christmas holidays yet? Well if you haven’t go and check out our website at www.eldeestation.com to make your planning very easy for your Christmas holiday. PS: you love so much that you won’t want to leave!
Contact Details: 2886 Wilangee Road Silverton NSW 2880 Phone 0880912578 email: eldeestation@bigpond.com website: www.eldeestation.com http://www.facebook.com/EldeeStation
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Next Issue Due out in late December 2012