RoverXchange
PresidentialRovings
Rover Reflections
First off I would like to say Thank You for electing me as the president for the next two years. I hope to keep the momentum going that we have started the past few years. We have a very exciting year planned for everyone which kicks off in April with our annual trip to Moab. Whether you have been there many times or would like to for the first time you can be assured a very memorable time. We hope that we continue tradition and see a lot of faces at this event. For those of you who have recently joined the club and would like to get more involved this is the perfect opportunity. As many of you know we have recently decided to hold the National Rally in Moab every other year. This means that in 2006 the National Rally will once again be in Moab and we will need trail leaders as usual. There is no better time than now to start learning the trails! Speaking of the National Rally, this year Leadville will play host to this annual event. We are hoping that many more folks from Colorado will be in attendance this year. Once again we are planning on the best Rally ever! The only way this can happen is with the help of you! The official hotel is the Columbine Inn where they have graciously reserved the entire hotel for us. So please mail in your Rally Registration today and call up the Columbine Inn and reserve your room today before they are all booked up. As well as the aforementioned exciting events we also have many other opportunities for volunteers this year. We need trail leaders for the recently released Events Calendar and Editors Note: Due to a pair of computer failures between the fall and winter issues of the Rover Xchange, a number of articles were lost from our files which were supposed to be included in the winter issue of the newsletter. If you submitted an article for print in the Rover Xchange, but have not seen it appear yet, please contact either Larry Grubbs or
2
RoverXchange
we can always use help with current Land Issues. Also I would like all of you who read this article to visit the Solihullsociety.org website, click on forums and register. This is a fantastic way for everyone to get together for events, technical discussions, clean out the garage of rover parts in the For Sale section, provide the club officers with much appreciated feedback and just generally make new friends. Many times we find a Saturday or Sunday right around the corner where we just get the itch to roam around in the woods in our Land Rovers; this is the perfect opportunity to find others wanting to roam as well via the Solihull Society Bulletin Board. Lastly I would like to thank everyone who has been in attendance at the General Club meetings. We have started getting pretty good turnouts. For those of you who have missed or are just too shy to come out, please stop by as I think you will be pleasantly surprised. My goal this year is to completely fill the basement of El Senior Sol where we hold the general club meetings. I would like to see 60+ members in attendance. With well over 140 members paying dues in the club I would hope that we can get at least 50% of them to attend the general club meetings! Until next time, Larry Grubbs larry.grubbs@solihullsociety.org
Nathan Hindman at (303) 772-7207 for information on resubmitting the article. We will ensure that it appears in the next issue of Rover Xchange.
RoverXchange The Rover Xchange is a quarterly publication of the Solihull Society 4-Wheel Drive Club, Inc. All material in Rover Xchange, unless otherwise noted, is the property of Solihull Society and may not be reproduced without permission. SOLIHULL SOCIETY CONTACTS President – Larry Grubbs president@solihullsociety.org VP – Greg Chernushian vp@solihullsociety.org Secretary – John Alden Membership – Carl Padgett (303) 932-7090 Treasurer – Pam Haigh chaigh@boulder.net Event Coordinator – Ali Vali avali@mho.com Newsletter – Nathan Hindman nathan@pangaea-expeditions.com Website – Joshua White admin@solihullsociety.org Website – www.solihullsociety.org Newsletter Articles and Photos – The preferred format for articles to be submitted is in either Word (.doc) or text (.txt) format. The preferred format for photos is for a digital picture to be emailed or maild on CD in either a JPEG, TIFF or EPS files. The articles can be submitted either via email (webmaster@roverriders.org) or mailed on a CD to Nathan Hindman at the following address: Nathan Hindman, 3800 Pike Rd, #3-203, Longmont, CO 80503. Materials will be returned upon request Advertising – $25/issue or $100/year (4 issues– get 1 add’l issue free) for 1/4 page ads. Payment must accompany all camera-ready ads. Make check payable to Solihull Society; mail it to the address at the bottom of this column. Free classified ads to members. $5/issue to non-members. Club Membership – $60/year includes membership in the Colorado Association of 4-Wheel Drive Club, their newsletter, the Rover Xchange newsletter, and all the trail rides you can take! Make check payable to Solihull Society and mail it to the following address:
In this Issue
Volume 9, Issue 4
Presidential Rovings
Winter 2004-05
2
New President Larry Grubbs looks ahead at the coming year.
Trip Report: Crystal Mountain Trail
4
A unique perspective on this annual favorite
First Look: The all new LR3
7
4
Mike Arnold takes Land Rover’s new LR3 through its paces..
Event Report: Solihull Holiday Party
8
A changing of the guard at the annual Holiday party at Mt. Vernon country club.
Announced: 2005 Land Rover National Rally
10
The details are announced for the 2005 National Rally.
2005 Event Schedule Classifieds
14 15
Parts and accessories for sale by club members
6
Front cover: Kirby Garrison’s Discovery XD does a trip around the ice track at LR Flatirons ice racing wheels event. Back cover: Jack Jackson’s Defender 110 tackles a rock ledge at the 2004 National Rally. Below: Land Rovers are lined up on Carnage Canyon, Left Hand Canyon Trail Area. Photos by Nathan Hindman
10
Solihull Society PO Box 480864 Denver, CO 80248-0864
Thanks, Nathan Hindman Newsletter Editor
A Newsletter for Land Rover Aficionados
RoverXchange
Summer 2004
www.SolihullSociety.org
3
TripReport At 7:00 AM, we met at Zang’s Brewery. We had Yousef and his son Ahmed in the red Defender (Blossom), Hans and Roseanne in their white Defender, Kristy with Enzo and Max in Kristy’s yellow Defender (Princess Buttercup), Michelle and Jeremy with their two girls, Emily and Erin, in their white Disco (White Elephant) in the beginning.
by Emily Frett
Crystal Mountain. We made it to the top, and all enjoyed a spectacular view over miles of fields and mountains. On the way back down, the crew decided to play a joke on Yousef, and popped his hood and propped
Crystal Mountain
it open, making it look as though someone had been through it while we were up at the top. Fortunately for Yousef, he saw it happening, and didn’t fall for their trick. It was a great day with great views, perfect weather, and good spotting.
On the way to Crystal Mountain, we met up with Art and Mark in the green Range Rover at 104th where they were waiting for us to pass by. Cain and Tim were waiting for us at the trail head. We waited for Tim to unload his D90 from the enclosed trailer (Yousef is jealous) while the rest of us had to air down our tires using Kristy’s air gauge.
Gregory Chernushin Attorney at Law Parkridge Center 10475 Park Meadows Drive, 6th
So we are up and running, starting with Moody hill. With the recent rains, this proved to be a bit tricky, at least for those who were less equipped than others. Michelle had to get out, because she thought they were going to tip. Kristy ended up having to pull them up over the rock, and then they had to pull Art and Mark up and over. That was about the time they discovered that they had broken an axle. We kept driving and got to the Aquarium (a double climb), where we saw a big, tricked-out rock-crawler Chevy struggling over the obstacles. Hans said that this obstacle was not suited for short-wheel-based vehicles. Yousef took this as a challenge and decided to give it a try. After killing the engine three times on the first hill, Yousef was able to walk right through the rest. He put that Chevy to shame! Too bad the guy wasn’t there to witness it. After that, Hans and Tim were able to walk up it. Then, Kristy drove Blossom over it with ease. We all ate lunch, and then proceeded on to Crystal Mountain without Art and Mark, who decided they had better stop while they were ahead. Yousef started hearing a clunking and stopped. He didn’t find anything, so we continued on. The noise was very persistent, though, and got worse. A short while later, the rear axle came loose, causing the axle to rotate downward, shifting to the right. We stopped and discovered that he had a broken rear a-arm ball joint. After a couple of high-lift jacks and ratchets, Hans, Tim and Yousef were able to get it lined up again, and strapped together. We continued on to the muddy mogul. Hans gave it a try and no-go, so Cain decided to go for it and after a few tries he was able to make it. However, Kristy took some valuable advice from Yousef and she made the muddy mogul in one try. Blossom remained parked next to the mogul as we went the rest of the way up to the top of
4
RoverXchange
www.SolihullSociety.org
Kristy Long winches up a rock obstacle, Crystal Mountain Trail. Photo by Nathan Hindman
◆ ◆
Custom Fabrication Off Road Accessories
(719) 328-0796 Matt Peterson 38 Buchanan Street Colorado Springs, CO 80907
We are Land Rover Specialists Defender, Discovery , and Range Rover Custom Fabrication – Welding Services Bumpers, Skid Plates, Accessories, & Suspension Systems Walk in service or mail order
A Newsletter for Land Rover Aficionados
RoverXchange
Summer 2004
www.SolihullSociety.org
5
FirstLook
by Mike Arnold
Land Rover’s all new LR3 touch screen navigation system is much easier to use than past systems and it is DVD based. Push the voice recognition button on the steering wheel and verbally command the navigation or radio systems, all the while keeping your eyes on the road. The LR3 is an intelligent and purposeful piece of engineering that will put the word adventure back into owning a Land Rover.
Land Rover has raised the bar dramatically in the Sport Utility Market. They also have made sure their personnel have an intimate knowledge of the vehicle inside and out. I was sent to Canada for five days of intensive education and driving of the new LR3. The LR3 is a completely reengineered four-wheel drive truck from the ground up. North American consumers have wanted more space and creature comforts in the Discovery for quite some time. This demand has launched the new LR3 onto the worldwide SUV market.
Land Rover has stepped forward and set the standard in the sport utility market with the new LR3. Seating for seven full sized adults, new innovative driving technology and power make this vehicle an exceptionally versatile car for all types of drivers. Please go by you local Land Rover dealer and take one out for a drive.
LR3 has already won Motor Trend’s Sport Utility of the year award and received exceptional recognition by car enthusiast publications world-wide. Land Rover, a member of the Ford family of companies, spent over $1.3 billion dollars engineering their new flagship sport-ute. The new 300 hp motor, air suspension, terrain response and seating for seven adults are just a few of the highlights of the new LR3. Of course the new LR3 is very capable off-road. The new integrated body on frame makes the truck much stronger and stiffer than past Land Rovers. This new platform will be used for all future Land Rover products. To see the newest and future Rover products, go on line to www.landroverusa.com/ future. The new Range Rover Sport will be out early spring 2005. Land Rover makes sure it’s employee’s receive training about any new products. The completely new LR3 was no exception. This took place an hour north of Ottawa, Canada. Five days of classroom and driving introduced us to the new features found in the LR3. Off-road driving was incredible with the new engine, terrain response system, center and rear locking differentials and adjustable air suspension. It is easily the most capable off-road Land Rover to date. Highway manners were equally as comfortable. The cabin is extremely quite and solid with nearly no outside noise. The new
6
RoverXchange
Above: The LR3 traverses a wooden bridge at the Land Rover Experience in Canada. Below: Testing out the LR3s hill descent control on a slippery forest logging trail. Photos by Kirby Garrison
Mike Arnold Land Rover Denver South Sales and Off-Road Guide
Above: A new LR3 crosses a hand built lodgepole bridge at the Land Rover Experience in Canada. Photo by Kirby Garrison
A Newsletter for Land Rover Aficionados
RoverXchange
Summer 2004
www.SolihullSociety.org
7
TripReport
by Pam Haigh
Solihull Society Annual Holiday Party
The Solihull Society annual Holiday Party was held on December 12th at the Mt. Vernon Country Club. For the 2nd year we had a brunch beginning at noon. It was a fabulous success and enjoyed by all who attended. We encouraged all attending to renew their dues for the 2005 year. Those who did so received a Solihull Society T-shirt Approximately 85 members attended. The wonderful brunch was no charge to members “in good standing”, as well as their families. We first ate (getting the important part over with first!!). Then proceeded to conduct our annual meeting. President Marc Richardson announced the site of the 2005 National Rally Leadville, CO., to be held July 27-30th. It was also announced that the rally plan from now on will be to have it in Moab, Utah on even-numbered years, and a location in Colorado on the odd-numbered years.
Whether you’re taking your vehicle to the remote corners of Central America, exploring the vast game-filled savannahs of southern Africa, or simply outfitting your truck with gear to make weekend outings a bit easier, Pangaea has the gear, the advice and knowhow to make your journeys possible. Let Pangaea Expeditions help you discover the world.
Outgoing Co-president Marc Richardson addresses the club. Photo by Josh White
Pangaea Expeditions sells ARB, Hannibal Safari Equipment, Mantec, Old Man Emu, Optima, Pelican, Warn and more.
http://www.pangaea-expeditions.com •
(303) 772-7207
We then held election of officers for the 2005-2006 years. Results are: President Larry Grubbs, Vice-president Greg Chernushin, Secretary-TreasurerMembership Coordinator Hans Schulze, Special Events Coordinator Pam Haigh, Trail Events Ralph Bradt and Jim Hall (who will also be our rep. to the CO Association of 4Wheel Drive clubs). From then on there was socializing until about 3PM. It was a great party, and a beautiful day in Evergreen. Thanks to all who attended. We have a great bunch of members!!
www.SolihullSociety.org
8
RoverXchange
Summer 2004
www.SolihullSociety.org
9
2005NationalRally Leadville, CO
Mark your calendars for the Solihull Society’s 2005 Land Rover National Rally. This year, the Rally makes its exciting return to Colorado after three consecutive years in Moab. This four day event will be held in the historic mining town of Leadville, high atop the Rocky Mountains. This four day event will be held from July 27-30, 2005. This years activities are tailored to be family friendly. In addition to daily trail rides, there will be an opportunity to visit the historic Mining Museum, along with a vendor day, and the traditional Satuday night banquet.
Schedule of Events
Wednesday, July 27th 4 - 8:00 pm - Rally check in at Columbine Inn Thursday, July 28th 7 - 8:00 am - Rally check in at Columbine Inn 8:00am - Meet at designated parking area to prepare for trails 6 - 8:00 pm - Cocktail hours at designated place (to be announced) Friday, July 29th 8:00am - Meet at designated parking area to prepare for trails 5 - 8:00pm - Vendor Night at Mining Museum Conference Center Saturday, July 30th 8:00am - Meet at designated parking area to prepare for trails 6:00pm - Banquet with raffle and awards at Elks Lodge
A detailed schedule of events will be mailed to participants upon receipt of registration form.
10
RoverXchange
A Newsletter for Land Rover Aficionados
Pricing
1 vehicle and driver: $75.00 Passengers: $40.00 each Children under 10 years free All the costs for the above, the fees to BLM, and the costs of the arena are included in the registration fee.
Official Rally Lodging Columbine Inn & Suites 2019 N Poplar St Leadville, CO 80461
Phone: 719.486.5650 Phone: 800.954.1110 Fax: 719.486.8273 Web Site: View Web Site Mention that you are with the Solihull Society Land Rover Club Rally to ensure you get our special rate.
Optional Camping Sugar Loafin Campground 2665 County Road 4 Leadville, CO 80461 Phone: 719.486.1031 Web Site: View Web Site
Turquoise Lake (thru National Forest Recreation) Phone: 877.444.6777 or www. reserveusa.com (mention Leadville Ranger District)
Visit the Solihull Society online store for the latest promotional items available exclusively for Solihull club members. From club grille badges to rally shirts and stickers, they’re all available online at http://www.solihullsociety.org
www.SolihullSociety.org
12
RoverXchange
A Newsletter for Land Rover AďŹ cionados
RoverXchange
Summer 2004
www.SolihullSociety.org
13
Classifieds
2005EventSchedule www.solihullsociety.org • Natural and un-natural events can interfere with our plans. All difficulty ratings are based on stock vehicle with some driver experience
Date
Event
Location
Difficulty
Aptr 12
Club Meeting - 7:00 PM
El Señor Sol (formerly Zangs Brewery), I-25 and 23rd Ave.
N/A
Apr 14-17
Spring Moab Trip
Moab, Utah
Easy to difficult
Apr 23
Chinaman Gulch
Southeast of Buena Vista
Mod difficult
May 7
Slaughterhouse
Northwest of Bailey
Moderate
May 14
Saxon Mountain /Lamartine
East out of Georgetown
Easy
May 21
Spring Creek
Southwest of Idaho Springs
Difficult
May 28
Lefthand/Carnage Canyon
NNW of Boulder
Difficult
June 4
Vintage Rover Day
Land Rover Flatirons 1500 E. Coalton Road - Superior
N/A
June 5
Twin Cone
East off Kenosha Pass
Moderate
June 11
Jenny Creek
West of Rollinsville
Moderate
June 14
Club Meeting - 7:00 PM
El Señor Sol (formerly Zangs Brewery), I-25 and 23rd Ave.
N/A
June 18
Eagle Rock/Baldy
Southeast of Pikes Peak
Difficult
June 25
Summit County Exploring
Montezuma/Breckenridge area
Moderate
July 2-3
Tincup Pass and Taylor Pass
East of Crested Butte/Southeast of Aspen
Moderate
July 9
Sacramento, Browns, and Breakneck Pass
Southwest of Fairplay
Easy
July 16
Red Cone
Southeast of Dillon
Moderate
July 23
Kingston Peak
Northwest of Idaho Springs
Easy
July 30
2005 National Rally - Leadville
Leadville
Easy to diff
Aug 6
Iron Chest
Southwest of Buena Vista
Difficult
Aug 9
Club Meeting - 7:00 PM
El Señor Sol (formerly Zangs Brewery), I-25 and 23rd Ave.
N/A
Aug 13
Radical Hill Work Day
Southeast of Dillon
Moderate
Aug 20
Argentine Pass/Waldorf
Southwest of Georgetown
Moderate
Aug 27-28
Blanca Peak/Medano Pass
East side of the San Luis Valley
Diff/easy
Sept 3
Mount Antero
Southwest of Buena Vista
Moderate
Sept 10
Club BBQ
TBD
N/A
Spet 17
Wheeler Lake
Southwest of Hoosier Pass
Moderate
Sept 24
Coney Flats/Middle Saint Vrain
North of Nederland
Moderate
Oct 1
Kenosha Pass for Color
Backroads over Kenosha Pass
Easy
Oct 8
Kelly Flats
Northwest of Ft. Collins
Difficult
10/11/05
Club Meeting - 7:00 PM
El Señor Sol (formerly Zangs Brewery), I-25 and 23rd Ave.
N/A
12/4/05
Holiday Party
Mount Vernon Country Club
N/A
For Sale Five D90 alloy wheels w/lug nuts – $500 Four D90 rear seats – $350 D90 stock rear bumper/hitch – $75 Bob Lohman (303) 671-6995 For Sale Safety Devices Highlander Roof rack with expanded metal flooring. New powdercoating and new satinless steel hardware. Includes pair of limbrisers $1,100— Joshua White (303) 548-9506 For Sale 1. Wilderness Roof Rack For D90 5ft x 3ft x 6” $300.00 2. Reese Tow Bar Modified to fit Rock Ware Bumper. Can be adapted for other Tow Points. $150.00. Contact Jim Molter (970-453-7764) or E-Mail D90chief@aol.com
✁
membershipapplication Name _____________________________________________________________________________________ Spouse/Partner/Significant Other ____________________________________________________________ Street Address _____________________________________________________________________________ City _________________________ State ___________________ Zip _______________________________ Phone Number _______________ E-mail ___________ Website URL _______________________________ Land Rover(s) Model &Year __________________________________________________________________
14
RoverXchange
A Newsletter for Land Rover Aficionados
Detach and mail with $60 to: Solihull Society PO Box 480864 Denver, CO 80248-0864
Solihull Society PO Box 480864 Denver, CO 80248-0864