Grading of club trips and events - & Grading of vehicles

February 2010 update:

Club grading identification for your vehicle.

We have now introduced grading of vehicles to match the grading of our runs. (See the "Safety Check Day #1" event on our calendar for 21 Feb 2010)

The stickers referred to have now been added into this article.

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All of our trips, events and runs are graded to show you how your vehicle should be set up for off-roading on that trip and the level of experience needed of the driver.

The basis for this is:

  • Land Rovers are serious “go-anywhere” vehicles…
  • Our club has many trips were we want to “anywhere”.
  • “Anywhere” has no sealed roads, has trees and branches in the way and, ditches and water to cross. These are the places where ordinary cars can’t go (that’s why you bought a Land Rover, isn’t it?).
  • When you go there, there will be times when you will get stuck or bogged down.
  • All drivers have some idea of what to expect.

The main point is that our trips are graded according to how well your vehicle is set up (including the driver!) and, how “we” can retrieve “you” from that ditch, bog or river which you might just happen to get stuck in!

 


 

 

Grade

Description

Grade 1

Vehicle sticker issued after Annual Check:

Easy driving, formed roads and tracks (metal, dirt, sand); no deliberate obstacles for getting stuck. Minimum risk of scratching.

Road tyres OK;

Novice drivers OK;

Standard LR factory fittings and tyres OK.

Basic minimum gear.

After Grade 1 we don’t warn you about the possibility of scratching and panel damage – it’s your vehicle and you are driving it !

Grade 2

Definitely “off-roading”; All-Terrain tyres (80% road-20% mud) at least; Intermediate driver skills or capable novices.

At least one basic recovery point MUST be fitted front and rear (or two standard LR factory grade towing eyes with bridle available – see more below).

Basic gear plus you should be carrying extra ropes, shackles, tree protectors, rope joiners etc for yourself and to assist others

Grade 3

You are doing this knowing you will get stuck at some stage.

Mud tyres, or 50/50 road/mud at least.

Intermediate and skilled drivers only

Full, better-than-factory-standard recovery points MUST be fitted. Two at the front and at least one at the rear.

Gear: all the same as for Grade 2 plus a bridle.

Runs advertised for “Tough trucks” assume the runs is at least Grade 3 and you are in the “My truck has it all” – let’s go!” league.

Don’t even think about doing these runs unless you have all the right gear, want to get thigh deep in mud and probably bend or break something.

Not for the faint-hearted!