By Wayne on Friday, November 16, 2001 - 05:57 pm: Edit

Anyone interested in a few weeks down-under next May. There is an oportunity to enter the Outback Challenge if anyone is interested. The vehicle available to drive is the blue Range Rover that won the Malaysian rainforest Challenge 2001, the Outback Challenge 1999, and eveything else in between. Check out the 'Range Rover lease for Outback 2002' at www.teamgecko.is-better.com

The 2002 rainforest Challenge is starting next week, so good luck to all the competitors this year.

By Glenn Guinto (Glenn) on Saturday, November 17, 2001 - 09:57 am: Edit

hhmmm...this is interesting... I just thought I'd post this excerpt from the site:

The facts are:

A. The truck being made available is the race winning Range Rover: 1995 Landrover Discovery chassis with modified suspension and two shock absorbers on each corner (1000 R.I.), 4.7lt fuel injected Rover alloy motor, Maxidrive locking differentials with heavy duty axles, Warn 4.6hp 8274 high mount winch, driving lights on roof and on ARB bull bar, Lowrance large screen GPS, Branz electronic trip meter, 35x10.5 SIMEX Centipede tyres on 16x7 steel rims complete with Tireloc bead locks, chassis bracing, steering guards, tubed & gusseted front diff housing, roll bar and & cargo barrier.

B. The event and the pre-event practice: Five days 4WD practice and vehicle familiarisation for you. Two days briefings & sustenance shopping in preparation. One day travel to venue, 900 kms. One week of sheer 4wd hell! Why not follow this up with a two or three week tour of Australia.

C. The cost of this package: For a fully prepared truck (the winning Range Rover), spares, training, home accommodation, paid entry into the Outback Challenge, bush camping equipment including beds and canvas shelter, cooking utensils and free use of the truck for touring after the event, the cost is $US15,000.00. ---Man...that's a lot of dough for a week of "off-roading hell"! Cha-ching!

D. What you need to do: Make a decision by 31 March 2002 and come to an agreement for a deposit and transfer of funds. Arrange Visa and travel arrangements to Melbourne, Australia for two people (driver & co-driver). Bring personal clothing for hot days and cool nights. Bring sleeping bags and other personal items.

E. If you are interested or have any questions contact Mike Smith by telephone (613) 98764494 or email to smithy@acepia.net.au

By Rob Davison (Pokerob) on Saturday, November 17, 2001 - 12:03 pm: Edit

i hate to say it but... hehe, i wan't to do it. i have some tapes of the 1999 and 2000 challenge and it looks like a blast. they DO NOT TREAD LIGHTLY.

rd

By Glenn Guinto (Glenn) on Saturday, November 17, 2001 - 12:13 pm: Edit

You don't even get to keep the RR. Okay Rob, from now until March, I'll start playing the lottery. Should I win, off to the down under we go!

Hey, anyone from down under, when you flush you're toilets, what direction does the water turn, clockwise or counter-clockwise? That always puzzled me.

-glenn

By Wayne on Saturday, November 17, 2001 - 09:03 pm: Edit

Glenn,
Water flows down the plug hole counter-clockwise, when Down-Under. When compared with the costs of bringing a vehicle to Australia, the price isn't unrealistic, if you want to compete. Our Alaskin mates spent more the 10,000.00 US to get their Jeep to Malaysia last year, then got stung with extra customs duties, the 2000.00 US entry fee, and were without their vehicle for 6 months. They had no insurance on it outside the States so if they rolled it, it was their loss.
Just come over as a spectator, it is still an awsome event to witness.
Regards Wayne

By cartner on Saturday, November 17, 2001 - 09:51 pm: Edit

Would it be cheaper to bring an "anti-clockwise flushing" toilet back and retain the novelty of a reverse flush? Or enter this Down Under challenge?
WIll we ever know? Can we ever understand?