Last Sunday a week ago, I accepted the invitation from my LR dealer to attend their twice a year Customer Appreciation event. Off-Roading. With less than 700 miles on the odometer and the STOCK Conti tires I set off.
I figured - what the heck. Let's go see if everything works... and if I tear something up in the process... "it's under warranty!".
The property the event was held at was on large acreage owned by the dealership. A flat entrance, with the rest pretty mountainous. It was raining steadily, and most of the event was Rock Crawling up switchbacks to the top of the mountain at 1,800+ feet. Tons of ruts, and large loose rocks (about the size of a human head and bigger). The trail took 10 times the effort you'd make at an LR dealership course. Much higher grades, ruts at 40+ degrees off canter, mud holes. You name it.
Many of the LR2 (Freelanders) were dragging their undercarriages with loud metal on stone shrieks and had NO BUSINESS going through the event.
Here's one of the starts at the Rock Crawl:
You can't see the massive incline up ahead. Most of these pics I took, and I was the one driving. So none are "really good ones" going through the messy areas. Two hands you know.
Here's is my LR4 after using Hill Descent control and returning to base camp. I had a nice GOUGE on one of my rims, so thank goodness I opted for the Rim refurbishment/replacement warranty!
Here I got one of the LR reps to take a shot while I went over the simple teeter/totter.
Lastly, while at lunch I noticed my LR sitting pretty in the rain next to the LR flag. Made a nice shot. Felt like I accomplished something this day. Learned that my LR4 in Stock Conti Tires can go ANYWHERE wet or dry. It was fantastic. Someone said the 1/2 day event was very much like going to one of the "Land Rover Experience" events. I'll definitely be attending the next Customer Appreciation event in the fall.
Murphy
I figured - what the heck. Let's go see if everything works... and if I tear something up in the process... "it's under warranty!".
The property the event was held at was on large acreage owned by the dealership. A flat entrance, with the rest pretty mountainous. It was raining steadily, and most of the event was Rock Crawling up switchbacks to the top of the mountain at 1,800+ feet. Tons of ruts, and large loose rocks (about the size of a human head and bigger). The trail took 10 times the effort you'd make at an LR dealership course. Much higher grades, ruts at 40+ degrees off canter, mud holes. You name it.
Many of the LR2 (Freelanders) were dragging their undercarriages with loud metal on stone shrieks and had NO BUSINESS going through the event.
Here's one of the starts at the Rock Crawl:
You can't see the massive incline up ahead. Most of these pics I took, and I was the one driving. So none are "really good ones" going through the messy areas. Two hands you know.
Here's is my LR4 after using Hill Descent control and returning to base camp. I had a nice GOUGE on one of my rims, so thank goodness I opted for the Rim refurbishment/replacement warranty!
Here I got one of the LR reps to take a shot while I went over the simple teeter/totter.
Lastly, while at lunch I noticed my LR sitting pretty in the rain next to the LR flag. Made a nice shot. Felt like I accomplished something this day. Learned that my LR4 in Stock Conti Tires can go ANYWHERE wet or dry. It was fantastic. Someone said the 1/2 day event was very much like going to one of the "Land Rover Experience" events. I'll definitely be attending the next Customer Appreciation event in the fall.
Murphy
