What you can do with your Land Rover product within the realms of club activities and getting off the tarmac…
Unfortunately, not all clubs can offer all the activities due to either land or resource availability within the individual club. However, a club’s vehicle events are normally open to any other club members with clubs also joining together to run events when the need arises.
The following is just a summary of the various events available and the rule book (ALRC Green Book) should be consulted with regard to age, entry and vehicle modification requirements, but to get a better idea, find your local club and go along to spectate at an event – you will be made very welcome.
The whole weekend events usually involve camping or caravanning; some clubs even run caravanning weekends in their own right, without any vehicle competitions or activity. The vehicle events can be described as social events and, whilst friendly, the competition can be fierce! The ALRC holds all the required permits and authorisations for all its club’s activities.
Vehicle activities come in three basic flavours; Non-Competitive, Competitive Trials (non-speed) and Competitive Speed Events.
Non-Competitive
Concours d’elegance
Non-Competitive is a bit of a misnomer, because under this we have included what may seem strange for a Land Rover, the Concours d’elegance! This event consists of Land Rover vehicles being entered for what can only be described as a car beauty contest, and is only normally seen at the ALRC National Rally.
Gymkhana
Then we have the Gymkhana which is a competition where skill-based contests are held – and not of the equestrian variety. The course is traversed in a vehicle, with its crew having to carry out various tasks, from hanging washing on a line, to driving over a bumpy course with a ping pong ball balanced on a tray on the bonnet!!
Greenlaning
Responsible green lane driving is another activity, always in small groups.
4×4 Response
Last but not least in this category, is giving support to the community. Within the ALRC’s member clubs, there are many 4×4 response groups who assist the NHS and local charities during bad weather, or offer recovery and transport support to other events like car trials or festivals. Many clubs and individuals attend local and national shows where you can display your vehicle and talk to prospective members.
Trials (Non-Speed)
Trials involve driving a vehicle over ground (a ‘section’) through a series of ‘gates’ marked by numbered canes, without stopping. The canes are numbered from twelve to one. The object is to clear all gates and end with a score as close to zero as possible. There can be twelve or more/less of these ‘sections’ to an event. The lowest score on the day wins. To support the differing skills and vehicle types and ground availability, there are different levels of trials, some of which require additional vehicle preparation.
TYRO (meaning Novice):
Any everyday Land Rover vehicle can be used, and underage and/or unlicensed drivers with an accompanying licensed driver may drive the sections. A TYRO trial must be set out with due consideration of the drivers and vehicles involved, and should be completely non-damaging.
JTV (Junior Trials Vehicle):
These are non-Land Rover, specially designed for youngsters. The clubs that run these events usually own the vehicle which is usually a small custom-built tractor type vehicle.
RTV (Road Taxed Vehicle) trial:
This is more demanding than the Tyro but still should be non-damaging. Vehicles must be road-legal and drivers must be licensed; vehicles can be modified within the class rules.
CCV (Cross Country Vehicle) trial:
Another level up from RTV and vehicles do not need to be road-legal (most, but not all, CCV motors are trailered to competitions). A roll-cage is required as the ground used is much more demanding, and the competition sections are laid out to be much more technical and difficult. Most vehicles used in CCV tend to be dedicated to such off-road activity.
Speed Events
Speed events require the use of a roll-cage and crash helmet.
Timed trial:
This is the same type of trial as for CCV, but with individual sections being run against the clock. While the gates maybe laid wider than for CCV, time penalties can be awarded for hitting the gates.
Team Recovery:
Very dependent on ground availability as this event is for teams of two vehicles. Each team member is individually required to drive a course, however, the second vehicle will be required to position itself to tow the first vehicle at one or more points on the course, usually due to the severity of the terrain. Once the first vehicle is across the line, the roles are swapped and the second vehicle traverses the same course. Time stops when both vehicles are across the line, with all ropes in and the drivers strapped in. Some vehicle preparation above CCV is required for this event.
Comp Safari (Competitive Safari):
These are not classed as race events, as they are individual vehicles against the clock, with vehicles starting at set intervals. Originally it is said they evolved from the concept of joining all the time trial sections together into a single course. These days, the course can be a couple of miles or more. Overall speeds are limited by the rules and the use of the ground. Vehicles in these events, whilst similar to CCV, have additional requirements.
Last but not least is the Children’s Bike Trial.
Highly contested and usually run at major weekend holiday events, the bike trial combines ccv and timed trials… but on a bike! Children of any age can enter. The requirement is that a cycle helmet must be worn, and a parent or guardian must be in attendance. The youngest children have been known to receive some assistance from parents…!