4 clubs took part in the weekend – Townsville & District 4X4, Roving Around club, Burdekin 4wd club, and Charters Towers club. We had 12 vehicles on the grounds, which was the largest representation.

Most went up on the Friday and had the extra night and no rush on Saturday morning while those who went on Saturday had an early rise to get there for a 9 am start. 

The first event was a short course through dips and rises that showed what angles the cars could comfortably negotiate. Next was a track through the bush which had some gullies, short climbs,  and typical bush driving conditions. A tip was to ensure you could see where the vehicle ahead went so you didn’t take a wrong turn and end up like Robinson Crusoe. (all on your own)

Other events included :

• a short handicap course
• a Blind Freddy course  – a timed event where the driver with a blindfold drives a course under the directions of a navigator
• another timed course where the driver had to pull up near buckets on the passenger side of the vehicle and the passenger had to throw a plastic bottle in to the bucket 
• the mud pit challenge. Dropping into a muddy channel and successful getting out at the other end. Not too many gave it a go but spectators were plentiful.

One of our members entered all events but unfortunately Townsville didn’t end up with any prizes.

Charters Towers club did well – we reckoned they were out there all week practicing.

Saturday dinner was catered for and was quite good. The night was spent around the campfire socializing.

Sunday breakfast was also catered for and it was good to have someone do the cooking and not have to clean up.

The next event was a demonstration of setting up to winch a vehicle using a recovery ring (new version of a snatch block) where the recovery is done from an angle when a straight line pull can’t be done.

A longer drive was then available for those that wanted to. About 15 cars took part. Of interest we went past an area the council has set up to lure the flying foxes to leave town and roost here – complete with irrigated grass, fences, and street signs and lights.

Everyone made there way home with some leaving before lunch and the remainder after lunch.

The Charters Towers club did a magnificent job in organising and running the weekend.

PS Whilst we didn’t win any prizes, one of our members has been nominated for our club Broken Conrod Award for some “minor vehicle damage”, and in a separate incident, our All Banged Up Award for her broken toe. We’ll have to wait for the AGM dinner to see if she’s successful.

Trip Report: Wayne W