Three cars joined us for the day with Jereon and Julian in a standard 300tdi station wagon with 265/75 MTs. This was Jereon’s first trip out with us after Michelle, his wife, bought him the day (and another on the 30th) as a birthday present. It was also the first time the 90 was going to be used in the anger and the day cetainly gave his new tyres a chance to prove their worth.

Kevin Butler and Robin Watson were also back to us after competing in the Scott Williams Memorial Challenge 07. Both had also completed a two day course with us in the latter end of last year. Kevin has a very well prepared 90 running 235/70 MTs whilst Robin has a lifted Discovery with some big boots to match! 35x10.5s. Robin initially struggled for grip in the early sections of the day but after dropping the tyre pressures he was back in business, something I have always been slightly sceptical of (without beadlocks), but Robin proved their worth with an instant transformation to good traction.

Kevin struggled due to the tyre height and slightly closer MT pattern in one of the rutted sections but that aside there was little to trouble the vehicles from a terrain perspective. I say from a vehicle perspective as the drivers certainly had a few things to think about as the day progressed and the sections became harder. Heart rates were certainly up towards the end of the day with the river section drives that link together deep holes, nice leans and some sharp descents.

The two 90s bypassed the middle wood lower river section to rejoin us in the end field which was the suggested and wise decision made after walking the route. Robin however decided to drive the whole section – just to show how easy it was and the capable truck made light work of it but it certainly gave him a few things to think about!