LANDROVING IN KZN

November 2005

BROADLEAZE                                       By Dave King 

The advertising and promoting are over, and the day had dawned when the committee members rolled up to the farm, which Rob Symons had so kindly allowed us to use for the LROC club function. This was the weekend before the happening, and initially the course was driven, points for the clues were chosen, a bit of bush was cut, and the Currie Cup rugby was duly enjoyed by the majority of viewers at Cliffy’s. How does one put a cork back into a champagne bottle? Ask a Blue Bull!

I can remember when last year’s event had ended, and due to the work which had to be put in to make the event any sort of success, it was put to one side as an experience and further outings of this nature would be for the future committees. Well, on reflection during the year, George decided to rejuvenate the concept of another Broadleaze event, and the last weekend was the result. I think it was tackled with more confidence this year, and although the overall program was similar, there were a few subtle differences. For one thing, the water in the ball bath was a lot shallower, but the flour was the same with the same results for Kodak shots of one’s partners.

It was remarked that the blind drive on the first leg was easier, as last time a hood had been put over the driver’s head, and this had reduced hearing and thus increased disorientation. A point to be taken?  The cryptic clues and riddles are not for the faint hearted, and a number of remarks were made when the final answers were revealed.

Walking the plank took on a new concept with one person being blindfolded. This at times proved the ability to communicate, and at other times there was no co-ordination or communication at all! The clues were great, and took some head scratching to solve, but then, this is what it was all about. There were a few scary moments during the tree lift, and it was just as well that the rain held off as long as it did, as later on during the day, the tape had to be cleared, and all those that attended will know of the slippery hill. We had fun. Everybody got stuck, and had to be advised one way or the other as to how tackle the obstacle. Jimmy was particularly impressed as to what a difference a tyre pressure made. George created a lot of smoke, and then proceeded to pull the rest of the fleet up the hill. In it’s own way, the weekend was a great success, and with Rob Symons’ to thank, as well as the sponsors of the prizes, it could well be held again, with more riddles to be solved, tasks to accomplish, relationships to test and meet fellow members to chew the fat with.

Dear George,

Just a short belated thanks to you and your team for all the work that you did to make Sunday (Broadleaze) a most pleasant experience. I am sure a lot of thought and planning went into preparing for the day and it is most appreciated.  It was a professional act with a nice balance of being serious when needed yet friendly and full of fun. We had a good time and I know my son thoroughly enjoyed it.

 All the very best and thanks again.                     Denis York

LROC Club Dates For Your Diary

TRAIL GRADING All our events from now on will have a Trail Grading according to the 5 grades below. 

1.        Complete novice soft dirt road trail, no low range required. Suitable for all Land Rovers including the Freelander.

2.       Limited low range required but suitable for the novice driver. Suitable for all Land Rovers with certain trails not suitable for the Freelander.

3.       Low range and limited off road knowledge required. Suitable for all Land Rovers except the Freelander.

4.       A low range technical trail suitable for the experienced. The inexperienced will be able to do the trail, as assistance will be available from the more experienced members. Suitable for all Land Rovers except the Freelander.

5.       Extremely technical, suitable for the experienced only with the possibility of vehicle damage. Only suitable for "Series" Land Rovers.  Ha Ha

DID YOU KNOW.   By Graeme Poulsom 

1. The emergency number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the cell will search any existing network to establish an emergency call. This number can be dialled even whilst the keypad is locked.
2. Locked your keys in your car. If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys/remote is at home. Call home on your cell phone and hold your cell about a foot from your car door and have the other person at home press the remote unlock button, whilst holding it near the phone. Your car will unlock. Saves someone travelling km’s to bring a spare set of keys.
3. Hidden battery power. Imagine your cell battery is flat and you do not have a charger handy and need to make a call. Hopefully you have a Nokia cell as they have a reserve battery. Press *3370# and your cell will restart with the reserve power. The reserve power will be recharged the next time you charge the battery.

KZN WILDLIFE BEACH DRIVING NOTICE   Herewith the latest information received from KZN Wildlife for your use and distribution to your club members:  

We have had a number of queries about beach driving. Usually 'when are the rules going to be relaxed'. Well the answer is not in the near future because the removal of vehicles from beaches has had an enormously positive influence on the biodiversity there. Birds, crabs and the dune vegetation have made an excellent recovery. Take a walk away from the crowds and see for yourself. There is no driving on the beach at Umlalazi, Cape Vidal or St Lucia unless the vehicle is being used to launch a boat at the designated launch site. Sodwana has 190 recreation permits, which allow vehicles to drive and park on the beach between the river and a point about 2 km north of the river.  There are 100 permits for vehicles to launch boats from the designated launch site. In addition there are 10 daily concessions permits which can be bought for R250 per day which permit a vehicle to travel from Jesser Point to Adlams for the period 3 hours before low to 3 hour after low tide during day light hours only. The permit only allows one traverse down the beach and one back. No consumptive activities may be  undertaken (ie you may not fish) at areas accessed by these permits as the area falls within the marine protected area. At Maphelane there is no driving except for boat launching. There are 3 daily concessions permits which can be bought for R250 per day which permit a vehicle from Maphelane to Railway Ledges for the period 3 hours before low to 3 hour after low tide during day light hours only. The permit only allows one traverse up down the beach and one back. Consumptive activities may be undertaken using these permits.

Regards        Danie G de Villiers    Honorary President    Association of All Wheel Drive Clubs of Southern Africa

Land Rover Toyota Challenge Results

Note : Zane drove 6 of the obstacles without a fault in the oldest vehicle in the challenge. A 1962 Land Rover Short wheel base Series 11A

Check out this link, it is safe.  http://www.tanygraig.force9.co.uk/John/vlr/form.htm

NAC HAS MOVED.

The parts and workshop can be found at the following address:

NAC Land Rover New Parts.
4 Gray Place, Pinetown
Tel and fax #'s are unchanged as follows: Tel 031 709 9213; Fax 031 702 2726
Postal address also unchanged as: PO Box 2329, New Germany 3620

Workshop For Land Rover services and repairs.
Trading Name: REBAR Auto Services
Name: Russell Bargate
Telephone: 031 701 9116
Cell: 072 323 2013
Street Address: 2 Gray Place Pinetown
Postal Address: PO Box 2329 New Germany 3620

SPARES AVAILABLE FROM NAC
We have a number of unidentified objects, which may be needed by some such as geared starter motors and various other strange items . LROC members are welcome to visit us to take a look at what we have.  Price Excl.VAT

Defender 110 Rock Guards Galvanised New Set R1,899.00
Side Runner Boards Defender 90 New Set R1,740.00
High Capacity Bin Cab Protector Galvanised New each R600.00
Disco 2 Load Bin Liner New each R890.00
5 Door Freelander Load Bin Liner New each R806.00
Radiator Intercooler Assembly 300 Tdi New each R4,467.00
Defender Windscreen frame New each R1,909.00
V8 Def Fan Cowling New each R560.00
Exhaust Downpipe Def. 300 Tdi New each R160.00
Freelander Front Brake Discs Solid New each R100.00
Def Front Wing Panel Top & Front New each R1,477.00
Extra Heavy Duty Def Rear Coil Springs New each R780.00
Extra Heavy Duty Def Front Coil Springs New each R720.00
Def Front Propshafts New each R1,235.00
Freelander Tail Light Guards New Set R499.00
5 Door Freelander S/Steel Doorsill Protectors New Set R1,176.00
Def Tail Light Guards New Set R572.00
R6 Crankshaft - New each R900.00
4 x 15" Trailer Dusters with 3 Tyres S\Hand each R200.00
Complete Set x 3 Step Defender S\Hand Set R750.00
Disco 2 Rear Step S\Hand each R650.00
Series 3 Grilles S\Hand - Plastic each R50.00
Centre Console Def S\Hand each R300.00
Freelander Dash Console with switches S\Hand each R650.00
Disc 2 Front Brake Calliper S\Hand each R800.00
Series 2 Coarse Spline Half Shafts S/Hand each R200.00
cab (rear section) S\Hand with glass each R650.00

IT SEEMS THAT OTHERS ALSO HAVE PROBLEMS. YOU HAVE READ ABOUT THE ISUZU CHASSIS PROBLEM AND THE LAND ROVER COMPLAINS, NOW  ITS TOYOTA’S TURN.
After a long and dissatisfaction hassle with various Toyota dealers and Toyota South Africa about the faulty clutch on my Cruiser, at 30000KM, it now also has a faulty gearbox, doubtless caused by the clutch shudder  hammering away at the gearbox with a 3 ton load.
I have given Toyota SA more than enough chance to come to the party but I believe they have some hidden agenda and refuse to attend to these problems, for some reason unknown to me.
I am now looking for a gearbox specialist, in KZN preferably as close as possible to Richards Bay (ha ha ha), and would possibly require this person to provide professional witness in the small claims court.
I would also be happy to hear of such a person in any other parts of the country as doubtless they would be in a position to recommend the services of a local business.

     Any recommendations welcomed.          Thanks   Donald P    donaldp@iasicc.co.za

Last Modified : 07/02/2006 13:41