Most Land-Rover events feature an off-road trials course. The ROAV decided to
take things a little bit farther. The Aluminium Man Triathlon combined a
tire-change race. (it was supposed to be shooting sporting clays but the
insurance company panicked at the thought of Land-Rover Owners and live
ammunition) the trials course, and wood chopping. The lowest combined time was
the winner.
I was a course marshal, so "official duties" kept me from snapping
photos of the tire changing competition. Here's a shot of the crowd gathered to
watch the event though, taken moments before the starting gun.
Once the gun went off, the Dixie Rovers team fired up a generator and used an
electric lug wrench in an attempt to grab an early lead. As Land Rover owners,
they should have known better than to take a "hi-tech approach". Their
jack got jammed up, and they were handily beaten by "Team Aspin" in
the Series I, the oldest vehicle present, as well as two other teams. Mike
Malone, driving Quintin Aspin's 1951 80" Series I, was last years trials
course winner. Here's a shot of Mike trying to defend his title. He was in the
running until he hit the axle articulators (logs) full tilt and was lifted out
of his seat. When his feet left the pedals, the Rover reversed, an automatic DQ.
Quintin himself saved face for the team this year taking second place. His
showing is all the more respectable when you consider he forgot to engage
four-wheel drive for the trials course.
Here's
Dennis Perzynski driving his 110 to an overall victory in the event.
I was still marshaling when Jared Silbersher wielded his ax and easily won the
wood chopping portion of the triathlon. Those who witnessed it said nobody else
even came close.
Aluminium Man Triathlon Results
Dennis Perzynski driving a Defender 110
Quintin Aspin driving a '51 80" Series I
Julian Brace driving a Defender 90
Jared Silbersher driving a 101 FC
Other Events
For
those too meek (or too far from home) to risk their vehicles on the trials
course, there were other activities. I'm told the blind-folded obstacle course
was a lot of fun. I missed it though, as I was off doing something else at the
time. I did see the crowd pleasing teeter-totter competition though. Jared sure
made it look easy in the 101FC.
Here
event co-organizer Mike McCaig watches as Will Parks balances "WUT
ROAD"
Last years winner took 57 seconds to balance his truck. This year "Diesel
Bob" smashed that record, and several others had sub 30 second times. I
wonder what Sandy and Mike will think of to complicate this event next year!
Teeter-Totter Results
Bob McCullough
Jackie Bookout
Danny Marko
Brian Julian
There
was also an art contest for those too young to drive. Here Ryan Crawford uses
'Suzy', Diesel Bob's pride and joy, as a model. The portrait of the
teeter-totter winning vehicle resides in the artists personal collection. All of
Bob's offers to purchase it have been rejected.
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