Day 1
Course #1
After assessing the Legends line Thursday night, we decided that we should attempt the Unlimited line mainly because our steering and wheelbase would not handle the extreme right turn. OE power steering and 37" sticky Trepadors made for a hard time turning. The unlimited line took on a 5' wall with a cone to the right and a ledge jutting out from the left. The cone placement would be difficult for full width guys, but not us and our narrow Toyota axles. The idea was to hammer down up the wall, and shoot straight out the other side, taking one or two cones if we had to. We figured we'd still be ahead with a low score via the -15 from running the Unlimited line.
We watched as the Jeep ahead of us got stuck in the hairpin turn, axles articulated and unable to pull itself through the rest of the course he timed out and had to get craned out. This proved our plan; if the short wheelbase Jeep with hydro steering got killed, we stood no chance on the Limited line.
Our turn. We get through the gate and size up the wall. Rob crawls the ledge to the left and gets a bit off camber to the passenger side. A few more tries of this, trying to match just the right bump to avoid bouncing too far to the passenger side to avoid the cone.. No avail, we slide over into the cone. That allows us to take a quick back to reposition and use the downed cone to our advantage. Up the wall no problem with a bit of throttle. Rob drops the driver tire down into a 3-4' crack as the passenger tire gains traction up another wall. I'm guiding Rob into this ravine in an attempt to have the truck straddle the gap. Works like a charm as Rob makes quick work of the obstacle and glides through the end gates.
Course #1: 6 points.
A very serious and determined Rob Flandro
Course #2
We watched for an hour or so as Legends rigs took on the offset bouldery approach to a sideways route up a 10' wall. Many broke drive lines, blew tire beads, and took up a lot of time trying to conquer this first obstacle. Rob and I devised a plan that involved taking the far left cone and walking right up the wall. This worked after the 4th or 5th attempt. It's deceiving to watch and plan, then actually get on the wall and realise how far your calculations were off. The line we chose from watching was very diagonal across the wall and kept forcing the rear of the truck into the wet boulders. We took a cone on the far driver side to gain a better position on the wall and Rob skinny petaled the 4 banger up the wall - taking 2 more cones. We should've had a better plan for once over the wall, but we didn't. Instead of one big back, we did two or three little backs to get lined up to come back up over the wall. Finally in position Rob walks the truck up the wall, down the other side and out the finish gates. We ended up hitting 3-4 cones and had several backs, so I was awaiting to hear that we pointed out. As it turns out, there was a judging error and the judges were lenient with our run for that - giving us on of the cones. So, with progression points added up and tallied we received a score of 26 points. Not bad for how crappy we ran that one, and compared to those that had run it so far.
Course #2: 26 points.
Stratton Graves blows a bead on #2
Course #3
Once again we waited for our turn at the next course, watching as rig after rig timed out on the giant concrete tubes and boulders covered in mud from previous angry tires that couldn't find traction. We decided to move a number of rocks into the bigger muddy pits now dug by those before us, in an attempt to add traction where there wasn't any. Stratton Graves was up before us and showed what had to be done - once halfway through the obstacle as much horsepower as you could throw down needed to be dispatched to get you the rest the way through. We used that trick the best we could. Rob chose one boulder about 3' in diameter for me to reposition about 2 feet to the left so that our differential didn't get hung up. I get the rock moved, and Robby rolls in for the kill. In an instant he gets to the trouble spot and floors it, popping the truck up and over the last large concrete tube. If I remember right, one cone was taken during the attack. After a quick moment of shock about how fast we weaseled through, I direct Rob up the next section of rocks and cones. Those were no real issue, and we were on to the teeter totter in no time. After a quick readjustment of the totter, We were up and over and out the finish gates. What a rush, as I was expecting to get hung up in the boulders and tube section.
Course #3: 12 points.
The truck sits and waits for more punishment on Course #4
Course #4
Course 4 claimed to be quite difficult last year, and this year was no exception. The difference this time is that teams could attempt to have the spotter ride along and get -15 points. Of course, we chose to do this cause why wouldn't you? We got through the first section of giant ledges and boulders without much issue, and headed up the hillside that is littered with random rocks. Our wheelbase and OE steering played into how well we would get this section done without taking all the cones. Rob tried a rear dig or three which helped little but did help some, but we took a few cones in the process of trying to make the rough right hand turn while negotiating all the giant rocks and carefully placed cones. Once we hit the cone at our passenger side rear tire we took advantage and bumped down the rest of the course and out the finish gates.
Course #4: 23 points.
We were then done for the day and standing at 80 points in 4th place, averaging 20 points per course. Not too bad considering the rigs that were leading in Legends.
Course #1
After assessing the Legends line Thursday night, we decided that we should attempt the Unlimited line mainly because our steering and wheelbase would not handle the extreme right turn. OE power steering and 37" sticky Trepadors made for a hard time turning. The unlimited line took on a 5' wall with a cone to the right and a ledge jutting out from the left. The cone placement would be difficult for full width guys, but not us and our narrow Toyota axles. The idea was to hammer down up the wall, and shoot straight out the other side, taking one or two cones if we had to. We figured we'd still be ahead with a low score via the -15 from running the Unlimited line.
We watched as the Jeep ahead of us got stuck in the hairpin turn, axles articulated and unable to pull itself through the rest of the course he timed out and had to get craned out. This proved our plan; if the short wheelbase Jeep with hydro steering got killed, we stood no chance on the Limited line.
Our turn. We get through the gate and size up the wall. Rob crawls the ledge to the left and gets a bit off camber to the passenger side. A few more tries of this, trying to match just the right bump to avoid bouncing too far to the passenger side to avoid the cone.. No avail, we slide over into the cone. That allows us to take a quick back to reposition and use the downed cone to our advantage. Up the wall no problem with a bit of throttle. Rob drops the driver tire down into a 3-4' crack as the passenger tire gains traction up another wall. I'm guiding Rob into this ravine in an attempt to have the truck straddle the gap. Works like a charm as Rob makes quick work of the obstacle and glides through the end gates.
Course #1: 6 points.
A very serious and determined Rob Flandro
Course #2
We watched for an hour or so as Legends rigs took on the offset bouldery approach to a sideways route up a 10' wall. Many broke drive lines, blew tire beads, and took up a lot of time trying to conquer this first obstacle. Rob and I devised a plan that involved taking the far left cone and walking right up the wall. This worked after the 4th or 5th attempt. It's deceiving to watch and plan, then actually get on the wall and realise how far your calculations were off. The line we chose from watching was very diagonal across the wall and kept forcing the rear of the truck into the wet boulders. We took a cone on the far driver side to gain a better position on the wall and Rob skinny petaled the 4 banger up the wall - taking 2 more cones. We should've had a better plan for once over the wall, but we didn't. Instead of one big back, we did two or three little backs to get lined up to come back up over the wall. Finally in position Rob walks the truck up the wall, down the other side and out the finish gates. We ended up hitting 3-4 cones and had several backs, so I was awaiting to hear that we pointed out. As it turns out, there was a judging error and the judges were lenient with our run for that - giving us on of the cones. So, with progression points added up and tallied we received a score of 26 points. Not bad for how crappy we ran that one, and compared to those that had run it so far.
Course #2: 26 points.
Stratton Graves blows a bead on #2
Course #3
Once again we waited for our turn at the next course, watching as rig after rig timed out on the giant concrete tubes and boulders covered in mud from previous angry tires that couldn't find traction. We decided to move a number of rocks into the bigger muddy pits now dug by those before us, in an attempt to add traction where there wasn't any. Stratton Graves was up before us and showed what had to be done - once halfway through the obstacle as much horsepower as you could throw down needed to be dispatched to get you the rest the way through. We used that trick the best we could. Rob chose one boulder about 3' in diameter for me to reposition about 2 feet to the left so that our differential didn't get hung up. I get the rock moved, and Robby rolls in for the kill. In an instant he gets to the trouble spot and floors it, popping the truck up and over the last large concrete tube. If I remember right, one cone was taken during the attack. After a quick moment of shock about how fast we weaseled through, I direct Rob up the next section of rocks and cones. Those were no real issue, and we were on to the teeter totter in no time. After a quick readjustment of the totter, We were up and over and out the finish gates. What a rush, as I was expecting to get hung up in the boulders and tube section.
Course #3: 12 points.
The truck sits and waits for more punishment on Course #4
Course #4
Course 4 claimed to be quite difficult last year, and this year was no exception. The difference this time is that teams could attempt to have the spotter ride along and get -15 points. Of course, we chose to do this cause why wouldn't you? We got through the first section of giant ledges and boulders without much issue, and headed up the hillside that is littered with random rocks. Our wheelbase and OE steering played into how well we would get this section done without taking all the cones. Rob tried a rear dig or three which helped little but did help some, but we took a few cones in the process of trying to make the rough right hand turn while negotiating all the giant rocks and carefully placed cones. Once we hit the cone at our passenger side rear tire we took advantage and bumped down the rest of the course and out the finish gates.
Course #4: 23 points.
We were then done for the day and standing at 80 points in 4th place, averaging 20 points per course. Not too bad considering the rigs that were leading in Legends.
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. The main official on Course #8 was alos very happy to put her cones back out and let us run #8. Very cool volunteers!
