Round one 2011
The start of the 2011 Tough Tracks 4x4 Challenge series brings in new changes to the event with a new Outlaw Class brought in to cater to the types of vehicles that would like to compete in NSW’s Tuff Truck Challenge along with some minor changes to the rules.
The Classes are now:
Trophy Class: up to 4” lift, 33’s and no lockers. Registered
Mod Class: up to 6” lift, 35’s and lockers. Registered
Challenge Class: any lift, 38.5”s and lockers. Unregistered based on a normal 4WD
Outlaw Class: almost anything goes. Unregistered buggy style
[See the www.toughtracks4wdclub.org for rules and regs]
Along with the changes to rules and regs there has been some new blood in the marshalls and track designers so all up the weekend had an injection of fresh ideas to keep it interesting for spectators and competitors alike.
One of the new ideas was to open up the course between obstacles allowing the competitors more freedom in the angles to approach the gated sections which seemed to go down well with the competitors and had them thinking outside the square as they attacked each track.
Tuff Truck competitors Brett and Mitch Thorpe were handling the new Outlaw Class and had designed some awesome challenges to suit the capabilities of the Outlaw class vehicles.
Over on Track One Outlaw Class the track looped through the creek bed which saw some mechanical damage put an end to the white DGR buggy’s weekend, the track then followed the creek up to a sheer waterfall with some deep water in the pool below, with only three tries allowed you had to make each one count.
There was some awesome wheel standing action as the competitors attacked the falls spraying water everywhere from the spinning tyres.
The Red Sierra had wheels high in the air but despite an enormous try failed to make the climb.
It seemed impossible but a few of them managed to scale the falls and tackle to top section of track with Craig driving the falls easily but flopping his maroon Suzuki on its side not long after and unable to drive it upright again despite a huge try.
Chris had a fairly long wheelbase in the silver Turbo Diesel Buggy and made it look easy but the shorter wheelbase and smaller tyres of the Colins bronze Jimny threatened to tip it over backwards into the water at the base of the falls.
Track One Challenge Class had the competitors tackle a rocky creek bed before doing a U turn and crossing back across the creek and finishing between two closely spaced trees with the bank on an angle.
Aaron’s orange Amada Extreme Hilux was first to tackle the course and in his usual way took it slow and steady where he could with a few spots needing him to find the rev limiter to launch up the steep banks.
His wheelstanding finish between the trees made a spectacular end to a great run.
Brad was next up and piloted the blue V6 Hilux easily through the course but ended up flipping it on its side BETWEEN the trees at the finish markers …. So near yet so far !!
The crowd loved it as evidenced by the resounding cheering coming from the spectators and competitors alike.
His Hilux had to be dragged on its side from between the trees before it could be righted.
Over on the Trophy Class track the competitors had to tackle some deep mud just to get to the start of the narrow gorge through which the track ran.
Darren’s bright green 2 stroke Suzuki made it look easy but a slight miscalculation at the 500 marker saw the wheels in the air as it laid down on its side.
At least it was a light vehicle and only took a few blokes to tip it back on to its wheels.
Track one Mod Class took its toll on Darryn’s Jeep when the whole wheel and hub assembly sheared off leaving him immobile, a log was chained to the bumper and axle to act as a skid and it was laboriously winched out and strapped to a trailer for the ride back to camp.
Track two Mod Class took place in an open section of small gullys with the track criss crossing and looping through the deepest one.
The blue dual cab found a bit too much side angle on one of the turns and took a tumble on to it roof not far from the end of the track, it was then winched back uphill on to it wheels.
Andrew’s Defender trayback grabbed a bit too much traction in one gully crossing and bent the rear trailing arms allowing the rear axle to keep driving forward under the cab, it had to be winched out backwards.
The white 80 series and red GQ found it a little harder crossing through the narrow gullies with their long wheel bases but managed to scrape their way through.
Meanwhile over on the other side of the gully at Trophy Class track two the green 2 stroke Suzuki was keeping up appearances and had another lay down, they were obviously having a great time laughing all the way.
The blue Bundy was lifting wheels as it powered its way through the course to the uphill section at the end of the course and the end of the days driving.
Track Three Challenge Class on Sunday morning zig zagged through a creek bed with the first hill climb a little daunting to most, Aaron’s orange Amada Extreme Hilux made a spectacular climb then settled down making a steady run up the rugged rocks of the creek bed and through the rest of the course
Brad had the blue Hilux on three wheels up the first climb to no avail as he had to reverse back and try again then had a great run through to the finish.
The yellow Hilux had a bit of trouble in the mud in the middle section then when he finally got it lined up to drop over the bank it all went wrong and it ended up on its side.
The blue Suzuki had three awesome tries on the first hill but even though he had the front wheels right to the top it wasn’t quite enough ending his run.
By this time all the classes had run their final vehicles and everyone retired back to the shed for the presentations.
. Shane Gerrish
OVERALL PLACINGS for Round 1
Trophy Class:
1 Team Jaffa: Kylie Halford/Rob Moore
2 Team Hulk: Alan Goodwin/Graham Wright
3 Team Fragile: Jason Roberts/Alex Braxton
Mod Class:
1 Team Casper: Bruce Hay/Jason Hay
2 G4 Racing: Keith Duncan/Craig Kittle
3 British Offroad: Andrew McFarlane/Mark Coulder
Challenge Class:
1 Team Amada Xtreme: Aaron Williams/Michael Hayes
2 Team Tuff Lux: Brad Rooks/Mick Manzi
3 Team A1: Rob Moore/Ben English
Outlaw Class:
1 Team Diesel: Chris Wood/Chris Brame
2 Jimny Extreme: Colin Kane/Michael Kane
3 Zukes of Hazard: Craig Buse/Tony Dalton
TROPHY CLASS
TRACK 1
1 Team Fragile: Jason Roberts/Alex Braxton
2 Team Red Rocket: Tim Bambricle/Colin Healey
3 Ring Ding Ding Racing: Darren Barnard/Aaron Follett
TRACK 2
1 Team Jaffa: Kylie Halford/Rob Moore
2 Team Hulk: Alan Goodwin/Graham Wright
3 CMS 2 Racing: Bradley Claydon/Mark Coles
TRACK 3
1 Team Damage Inc.: Aaron Follett/Darren Barnard
2 Team TreeFab: Keith Barnard/Darren Barnard
3 Ring Ding Ding Racing: Darren Barnard/Aaron Follett
MODIFIED CLASS
TRACK 1
1 British Offroad: Andrew McFarlane/Mark Coulder
2 G4 Racing: Keith Duncan/Craig Kittle
3 Team Casper: Bruce Hay/Jason Hay
TRACK 2
1 CMS 1 Racing: Trevor Boyd/Brad Claydon
2 Team Casper: Bruce Hay/Jason Hay
3 G4 Racing: Keith Duncan/Craig Kittle
TRACK 3
1 British Offroad: Andrew McFarlane/Mark Coulder
2 Team Casper: Bruce Hay/Jason Hay
3 G4 Racing: Keith Duncan/Craig Kittle
CHALLENGE CLASS
TRACK 1
1 Team Amada Xtreme: Aaron Williams/Michael Hayes
2 Team Tuff Lux: Brad Rooks/Mick Manzi
3 Team A1: Rob Moore/Ben English
TRACK 2
1 Team Amada Xtreme: Aaron Williams/Michael Hayes
2 Team A1: Rob Moore/Ben English
3 Team Tuff Lux: Brad Rooks/Mick Man
TRACK 3
1 Team Amada Xtreme: Aaron Williams/Michael Hayes
2 Team Tuff Lux: Brad Rooks/Mick Manzi
3 Team A1: Rob Moore/Ben English
OUTLAW CLASS
TRACK 1
1 Team Diesel: Chris Wood/Chris Brame
2 Zukes of Hazard: Craig Buse/Tony Dalton
3 Jimny Extreme: Colin Kane/Michael Kane
TRACK 2
1 Team Diesel: Chris Wood/Chris Brame
2 Jimny Extreme: Colin Kane/Michael Kane
3 Zukes of Hazard: Craig Buse/Tony Dalton
TRACK 3
1 Team Army Barbie: Aaron Ward/Kerrod Ward
2 Jimny Extreme: Colin Kane/Michael Kane
3 Zukes of Hazard: Craig Buse/Tony Dalton
