4x4 Fun Day

[sollihull]

OK,

Who wants to get Muddy on September 17th?

This is only so I can get an Idea of How Many Forum Members would like to go!

Site
Aston Cantlow

This site has been labeled "Tame" by someone who's been there but for 4x4 Newbies this is Ideal as you can discover the capabilities of your Vehicle (I say Vehicle as we have Forum Members who Drive Suzukis and Toyotas as well!) and also Ideal for the 4x4 Veterans as it's a chance to get Muddy without causing Lasting Damage to a Farmers Field,Green Lane, UCR or your Garden!

It WILL cost at least £30 Per Vehicle Regardless of amount of people inside!

anyone up for it? I am!!

[Drift]

Very very strong possability just have to check it with my diary, but she is upstairs at the moment
Ste

By the way Steve where is it
Ste

[sollihull]

SEPTEMBER 17th - Sunday 10-4pm - @ £30 pay on the day - ASTON CANTLOW, nr Henley in Arden, WARWICKSHIRE. Site Description Open meadow site with water sections, bomb holes, climbs, mud runs and plenty of space,catering, toilets, all 4x4s welcome. DIRECTIONS M42 junction 4, take A3400 through Henley in Arden, take RIGHT turn down SALTERS LANE approx 3 miles after Henley in Arden and follow sign posts off the A3400

Multimap clicky

I haven't checked with My Diary yet but I'll ink it in!!

(I don't believe it, it's right next to Great Alne Ford! Maybe mix a run through Coughton and GA Fords too!(BEFORE WE GET MUDDY)

[Drift]

Hmmmm thought it would be closer than that
Ste

[sollihull]

Unlike others on this site Ste,
I have NO off-road experience!
And as that particular Site was described to me as a Tame one I thought it'd be a diamond opportunity for some of us to have a laugh with our Vehicles in a Controlled Enviroment!

Well, it's only an Idea! so I guess as such it can vanish in time but it's over a month away and aah hell, something will probably happen to my Fronty again and stop me going again

[Trugga]

Sunday 17th September - my calendar suggests I'm free, so I might just pop down there and boost the Frontera numbers.

Aston Cantlow is a very good venue for the first time off-roader especially if you do not want scratches as the site is effectively two open fields.

There is a small carpark, that acts as a good viewing platform for most of the site, and I believe they put on a butty waggon.

There is a small dirt track around the edge of part of one field, although the majority of the site is open meadow, on a slight slope, where the water runs off and forms a bog at the bottom.

Mud tyres are a must for the bog - this is of course all subject to recent rainfall. There is also the swampy area that is just about driveable on AT tyres.

There are a few man made ramps and dips that can be fun as well.

I've been there twice - the first time, I'd only had the car four months, the other time I took my then GF to let her have a go:



Actually SSteve, you have made a very good point - for those who have not had to use 4x4 or even the low box before, a Pay & Play site is probably the best environment to learn. After all, if you get stuck there will be plenty of volunteers to recover you. On the flip side, you might even get the chance to recover a Landrover (that reminds me, I need to make 2 LR stickers for my doors - like the RAF put on their cockpits when they get a cornfimed "kill").

I'm sure Sandy (in a Landy) would like the chance to "play" as well.

The great thing about Aston Cantlow is it is so friendly - yep, if my diary stays open, I think I'll pop along.


This is what I wrote for a website back in March 2003...

Ever since I bought this 4x4 I've wondered what it could do. I had an old Daihatsu Four Track in the past and got it stuck, big time, in the snow once, so this time I thought I'd get along to one of those 4x4 Fun Days.

So, here we are, George and I, on the way to a farm in Aston Cantlow, near Henley-in-Arden. We turn the corner into the farms driveway - what the! In front of us is a - a - er - a Suzuki Jeep SJ - with a V8i sticker on the back door - with tyres as big as a child's paddling pool and enough ground clearance to house a small family - what were we doing here?

A very friendly marshal at the gate was very encouraging and advised that the hybrid was amongst a number of "standard" 4x4's currently having a play. We paid or £25 and entered the site.

The site was a very large field, sloping away from us. Where we had entered were a collection of Landrovers, Toyotas and Suzuki's parked up, their owners making use of the buttie wagon that was parked up for the day.

Ok, engage 4-wheel-drive, low ratio and off we trundled down the hill to see what was what. Most of the field, although on a slope, was flat. The brown grass we determined was the "road", whilst the green grass must be for grazing animals in the week. It was obvious that the water runs down the hill and accumulates at the bottom, and with the passage of 4x4's, turns to mud / bog / quagmire - call it what you will - but some of it stank. Having seen the mud, Lawrence opted to tie on the tow rope now, rather than get his shiny boots muddy later.

In second (low) gear, we tried a few (man made) undulating ramps and dips. We eventually came to an almost 45° slope - as the front wheels begin to climb apply a bit more power, up to the top, ease off and we're over - only a small grating noise heard as the under body protection ploughs out the ridge. Going up is easier than coming down as you can see where you are going - going down there appears to be too much fresh air.

Time to try some water - dirty water - mud. Using the same technique, 2nd gear, low ratio, keep the revs constant, over the edge and into the pond - bang - can't stop now, keep the revs steady and drive to the exit, up a slippy wet muddy bank and back onto terra-firma. We decide to park up and check for damage - hmm, all appears OK.

Four wheel drive is amazing, even with a standard road pattern tyre (albeit fairly new with a good depth of tread) - right, lets find some more mud...

We did manage to find the limit of the Frontera - being long wheel base, it had trouble getting over big humps (ramp over angle) - we ran aground a couple of times, but managed to reverse off.

So confident was Lawrence in the ability of the Frontera's, he even let George have a go, which was I belive appreciated and enjoyed.

We took a break for some lunch an chatted with others who had brought both standard and "special" off-roaders. Suitably refreshed, we returned for a bit more of a play.


Lawrence

[Trugga]

Here's a clicky to an aerial photo: clicky

You might need to click on the aerial photo button though.

Lawrence

[sollihull]

Lawrence

Make me a couple too Please.(Let me know Cost)
Although if I wanted to keep my Fronty up to date I'd have to Add 2 LR and a BMW logo already!!lol
Mud Tyres.... nah I'll struggle through (Use Speed Instead of Grip) lol

can tell those pics were a while back, no Streetly1 Stickers.

I need to get a longer tow-Rope, mine's a Standard 6ft yellow thing.
(Might see if I can get a Truck Tie-Down Strap)

[sollihull]

Apache-Andy is going to join us as well!
I'm trying to get a Mate of mine from another Forum to join us from Bolton!

Ste, You've got over a Months notice Mate, Surely even You who drives to Wales for GL Trips can think of something?

[Drift]

I will work on she who has a right nark on coz I keep going on about my lift
If we could get a few North Westeners down there that could be interesting .... convoy
Ste

[sollihull]

Have a chat with them Ste,
I'm sure the Mrs will relent, mine already Has!! lol

[Apache-Andy]

I'm in. Get some muddies you women!

[sollihull]

Andy,

I've still got to replace my Front Left Caliper, then look into replacing that Fan Belt Motor as it's making some noises!
Then Possibly look into getting a Full Engine Overhaul THEN Get on Annoying you until you get that Snorkel sorted!!!

But I will be there on the 17th, not sure if the Familiy's coming, might ask another bud who regretfully drives a "Smaller" Car and he's never been off-roading either

[Apache-Andy]

Just shout if you need a hand with spanner work mate
Why is it I can always move threads off topic? I'll get a warning from a mod soon!

[sollihull]

true. BEHAVE & KEEP ON TOPIC
OK,
So it looks like

SolihullSteve
Trugga
Apache-Andy

With Driftwood a Possibilty.
So FAR!!!

[Apache-Andy]

Looks like a familiar line up

[Trugga]

You might as well pencil in Sandy in a Landy as a possibility as well

Lawrence

[sollihull]

I knew you was going to say that Lawrence!!!!!
I've PMed Matt with the HiLux and also passed details to my Mate in Bolton!
I might do an Events Post in Shropshire Suzuki. Ideas?


Andy,

The Usual Suspects

[hl3]

count me in along as work dont sell my hilux

[Trugga]

HL3 - I take it you work at a dealership - can we all come round and arrange test drives, then take them to Aston Cantlow...

I guess not, as you'll want to keep your job

Just a silly thought

Lawrence