A reminder to all you enthusiastic editors out there, that the monthly compiling of these newsletters is looking for an owner. It's not too hard once you get the material to publish. These are currently composed 'online' using 'cloud computing' so some basic computer skills are needed but no specialised software.. Talk to me if you would like to know more detail.
Peter Vahry
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NZFWDA 2011 Conference and AGM
Make sure it is in your diary.... the Waipuna Conference Centre, by Auckland's Panmure Basin, on Sat 28th & Sun 29th May 2011.
Rooms are being held
until 14th April for participants to book . The conference
starts on the Saturday with registration at 9.30am and start 10.30am
(allowing times for flights) and closes at 3pm on Sunday.
I shall send you more information about Conference and voting as
soon as I can.
It would be great if Clubs could sponsor some of their members to
attend, we are talking with Toyota to see if we can have the new FJ Cruiser on display, goody bags for
participants and quality speakers and some workshops.
Help choose who is on the National Executive Council and help us focus on a direction of
where we need to go as an Association and how with your help we will get there.
Nominations for positions will still be accepted off the floor, but would it be
appreciated if we could have some info sent through so we can send out to be
discussed prior to the AGM. Nominations to secretary@nzfwda.org.nz
Click here for the AGM notice of meeting and the registration form
The venue is not far from the large Sylvia Park shopping mall. Check the map.
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"How To Modify Land
Rover Discovery, Defender & Range Rover For High Performance & Serious
Off Road Work".
A book that's just arrived in NZ and if you've a coil suspension Land Rover of the Range Rover, Discovery or Defender types and want to know about possible modifications, then this is for you.
There are 47 pages alone of modification information, along with descriptive photos. Extensively used in winch challenge events in the UK, there are lots of 'improvements' described, including a rear mounted winch with a fairlead mounted on the top of the rollcage to allow self righting of a rolled vehicle!
A well written book by an author who obviously knows these vehicles well and has assembled a wealth of information. If you are contemplating buying a coil sprung Land Rover, the cost of this book may well be regarded as insurance, as it has a chapter devoted to buying advice and the things to look for.
The book is
normally $70.00, but we would be happy to offer a special price of $55.00 to NZFWDA members until April 30 2011
Octane
Books
57 Nuffield
Street
Newmarket
Auckland,
NZ
Tel: +649
524-0138
www.octanebooks.co.nz
(A division of
Techbooks) |
The ARB Australian Outback 4x4 Extreme Saturday 07 May -
Friday 13 May
We are pleased
to announce a new annual 4x4 competition to be run in Broken Hill NSW and to be
held each May. We are also proud to announce that ARB
have become the naming rights sponsor for this event.
The Australian Outback 4x4 Extreme is run by two local well known charities
working together, Legacy and Rotary. Both charities are well known and very
highly respected nationally. All money that is raised by these organizations is
put back into the community through different projects.
The event committee includes a large cross
section of professional and experienced people to ensure that this event is run
to the highest standard possible with a large group of volunteers to assist.
The event has secured the full backing of the local council, local tourist
association, property owners, local 4x4 enthusiasts and local and interstate
businesses. Our aim is for the Australian Outback 4x4 Extreme to be Australia’s
best 4X4 event and attract the best local and international competitors.
The Australian Outback 4x4 Extreme is set to run from
the 7th to 13th
May 2011 on some of the toughest terrain available to man and
machine in and around the Broken Hill area. Competitors will be exposed to a
diverse range of terrain over the week long event with 20 gruelling stages. The
event will be open to challenge and production class vehicles and is a Cross
Country Drivers Association (CCDA) sanctioned event.
The Australian Outback 4x4 Extreme aims to
provide both competitors and spectators with the best possible value for money
available in Australian 4x4 competition today. Broken Hill has a large number
of people experienced in all areas of 4x4 competition and those involved it
this event can expect the event to be outstanding in all areas.
Safety of all those involved in the event is
extremely high on the priorities list and for that reason we will have
professional, medical and rescue personnel on site for the duration of the
event.
All competitors will be based at a central base
camp, located close to Broken Hill and spectators will have the choice of
camping at the base camp or traversing to town to their chosen accommodation.
Base camp will provide amenities such as showers and toilets and powered and a
number of powered camp sites. Affordable fully catered packages are available
for spectators and competitors will be catered for by way of their entry fee.
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Southern Zone
Ross McDonald
There are a few
different things happening in the South
Island re 4WDing. In the Queenstown area,
discussions are continuing with DoC regarding the repair of two sections of the
Skippers Creek/Bullendale Track behind Skippers - the original request for
approval to repair the track was met with a stated preference to close the
track off. Because of the historic nature of the area, the New Zealand Historic
Places Trust is also involved to ensure any track works do not disturb or destroy
significant historic features. This is a favourite track of the local clubs and
they are keen to see that it is repaired and remains open
.On another land access matter, the Southern Zone is watching with interest
recent discussions regarding the Acheron Road in
Canterbury. A horse trekking recreation group in North Canterbury are
challenging the long held belief that this not a public road and it appears
that they may be correct. Watch this space.
The Southern Zone AGM is fast approaching. This is being held as a weekend
affair 6th - 8th May in the Lake Coleridge area. It isn't all meetings - the host club Mid-Canterbury 4WD Club
have also organised some 4WD trips as part of the weekend. The central location
has been chosen to allow representatives from our Clubs in the mid and upper South Island to easily attend.
It also allows visitors from non-member clubs considering joining the
Association to attend and see what the NZ4WDA is about. As always, the Southern
Zone is on the lookout for enthusiastic volunteers who would like put their
hands up for the executive positions.
There have also been recent enquiries from two 4WD clubs regarding membership
of the Association. It seems the benefits of joining the association are
becoming apparent to more and more clubs in the South Island. To that end, a
membership drive was planned; however many of the non-member clubs are located
in Christchurch/Canterbury and at the time advertising was due to go out, the
earthquake put most other things on the back burner. This advertising is likely
to recommence shortly.
However, by far the most significant event, was the earthquake in Christchurch. which
has had a dramatic impact on many peoples lives - there is hardly anyone
unaffected by this. From friends and families of quake victims, to businesses
and homes lost, families and friends displaced, the disruption has been
immense. As was very well highlighted in the last issue of Trail Torque, the
role 4WDers have played in the aftermath of the earthquake has been invaluable.
Many clubs are linked to LandSAR and responded immediately to the mobilisation
call, and many others simply got stuck in and provided help and assistance the
way they were best able to - by putting their offroad capabilities and
equipment to use to help others in the community, often with no reward. I would
take this opportunity to say great job guys and thank you on so many levels for
the work you are all doing.
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Do you ever check the NZFWDA 'Events' webpage?
www.nzfwda.org.nz/events
It includes a variety of events and activities like the Northern zone AGM on 16 April and many more. It's easy to get your event added too by sending to... website@nzfwda.org.nz
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"A Farmer's Affair
The Legend of the Land Rover Icon
A story covering life’s challenges, dangers, humour and lessons learnt portrayed in words, pictures and
cartoons written by a farmer who loves and appreciate s all the strands that have been an integral part of his life and the 46 years driving a range of basic Land Rovers.
A Farmer’s Affair is a laconic recounting of tales from a 6 0 -year love affair with a wide range of Land Rovers. Used for farming, fighting, tourism, emergency work, sport and leisure, the trusty Land Rover has produced a solution for Duncan Munro every time. His life-long respect for the vehicles, his technical knowledge, and his life-wisdom gleaned from their use in hard times and good – in diverse
circumstances – makes for a fascinating and educated read for all lovers of this iconic brand.
The book is
• A print of 1,000 special editions books - distinct to any re-prints.
• Hardcover, with 319 pages of high quality paper and print; and of the quality of $60-$70 books.
• 100 pages of colour photos and scanned official Land Rover brochures.
• 34 previously published cartoons by well known rural cartoonist, David Henshaw - 'JOCK'.
• 24 new cartoons drawn by David specific to Dad and my story - 'Dad & Dunc'.
Priced at: BUY NOW at NZ $50.00 (including GST) plus P&P
www.pukerau.co.nz/thebook.html
www.pukerau.co.nz/contactus.html
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Peter Vahry
The main activity recently has been around the Higham Rd proposed stopping. It's an unformed legal road (ULR) leading to the coast of the Kaipara Harbour on the South Head peninsular. It's being argued by the Auckland Council with a legal team from Simpson Grierson and a rolling commentary can be found on the Auckland 4WD Club website
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by Gail Osman
Round 5 National Trial
in Colyton was held by the Competition Committee with Mike Gee-Taylor supplying
the land and organising the event.
Some challenging hazards on the side of
hills and a reasonable turnout of competitors, meant it was an interesting but enjoyable
day. Vehicles were spending a lot of time in the pits as the ground took
revenge, a number were on the trailers early.
Roll-overs were many and
sometimes the least expected competitors did it, just as well we have stringent
safety rules and they are followed. This was an important round, as
it would dictate who had chances at the finals and who would be in the running.
Check out the website www.4x4trials.co.nz
for the results and www.justphotos.co.nz
for the pictures of the day and we will see you at Egmont Village, just south of New Plymouth, for the NZ Final Round on
Easter Saturday |
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