Mar
- Thread starter bigred
- Start date
It's not the economy. Couldn't have anything to do with LRs becoming too expensive, too old and rare, or too domesticated could it?
I think it's just run it's course and the attitude of the board members in the past.
I think it started sliding down hill when trucks got dirt cheap.
Also, when the marshalls started shooting people and whatnot.
Also, when the marshalls started shooting people and whatnot.
I think the fact that the DIs, DIIs, and RRCs are so old that folks just don't have them anymore is a major factor. A lot of people upgraded to import 90s and 110s and a lot of the attitudes have changed. There are a bunch of people that simply think they are better than others because they have a "Defender".
If you're just into the brand and wheeling and getting together with friends it's great. I feel like these trucks have been around for a while now and the newer LR3-4-5, and RRS, and big l322s are just too new, expensive, and not offroad friendly. Th e guys that are still wheeling the older vehicles have their niche groups that they hang out with. A lot of those used to use the big events as get togethers, but with nothing new and comparable from the brand a lot of those desires and motivations have dwindled.
Nobody new is buying a used DI etc. The used Rover market is all import 90s and 110s now. These aren't guys who were all previous disco owners, some are, most arent. Even the imports are outrageously priced and the mentality of owners is different. Instead of caring about offroad mods and upgrades with purpose people care about paintjobs, wheel part numbers, seats, and other parts that most people used to rip out of their trucks.
Then you have the drama from ROAV in years past. I can't speak to most of it since I went to to MARs, 06 and 08. But 06 was very different than 08 even.
Not to mention, who can afford an event if you're paying $6500 in parts just to replace a tired 25-30 year old engine with a 5-10 year newer 200 or 300tdi that you realize isn't even that good and you end up selling your truck at a loss after 3 months of ownership?
I would agree that it has run its coarse for now. I think it could possibly be in a strange transitional period. There are plenty of us that still wheel the older Rovers that may or may not attend MAR. Then there is the new batch of kids that can pick up a tired D1 or D2 for $1200, throw a light bar on the hood, ghetto lift, 33s and there posting their off road adventures all over on FB. I have noticed that with in this group of kids there is a small group of real enthusiast's that could possibly reignite events like MAR in the near future. Maybe I'm wrong, however it would be a first.....
ROAV would never let new blood (kids) alter the event. Roav, and MAR (or MARR, whatever that is), will die and go to the grave with with select board members.
I'm looking forward to an ECP reunion soon. Who's got their fork?
I'm looking forward to an ECP reunion soon. Who's got their fork?
I think the truck count was just over 100 this year. Mostly DIIs and Defenders. Typical weather and mud. Surprised the damage was not worse the first couple of days.
You guys are just too old to have fun any more I couldn't make it because of a family wedding but everybody I talked too had fun and I will certainly attend next year.
Save up your energy and I'll see you at ROTR
Save up your energy and I'll see you at ROTR
It was sad, Trevor said you were at that wedding in either Canada, or Iowa-we agreed that was pretty much the same place.
Was a good event, small but still fun and I'll def go back even if it mostly ends up being the camping, cooking, and drinking opportunity to catch up with folks vice wheeling.
r-
R
We had a pretty good time.
Joel and I sorta took a wrong turn and ended up stuck on some trail for a 3 hour tour.
Just 2 trucks, Joel's LR3 had no winch.... luckily he's a good driver.
I just went to MAR to look at all the Defenders.
I'm trying to make this to win some prize money
.
Joel and I sorta took a wrong turn and ended up stuck on some trail for a 3 hour tour.
Just 2 trucks, Joel's LR3 had no winch.... luckily he's a good driver.
I just went to MAR to look at all the Defenders.
I'm trying to make this to win some prize money
.
The problem for me with MAR is it is so far away now. I would have gone if it was at Pearls Pond, or if I were still living in Va.
Are you really seeing that? In my area kids won't touch Rovers. "Unreliable trash" I believe is the term. TJs are now found at what used to be XJ money and JKs are at what used to be TJ money; so JKs are all over.