NewsletterJan

Happy New Year to you all from Toni, Jordan and myself. It certainly doesn't seem a year since we opened the Park and I hope you'll agree that in 2006 we have slowly improved the place bit by bit. We certainly intend to carry on that trend in 2007. We have a number of new events that we're going to try out and hopefully you'll enjoy what we have got to offer you!

There was a steady procession of vehicles coming to the Springs 4x4 once the Xmas festivities had finished. By New Years Eve the Park was full and just after lunch we held a 4x4 treasure hunt. The idea was to find balloons strategically placed around the property, take a number and letter off them and once you had found all the balloons, find the word. First vehicle back with the word was the winner. Some people zoomed off into the distance never to be seen again...some sat and thought before they left the start...some made up teams. Within an hour and a quarter we had a winner! It also seems there may have been some friendly rivalry occurring as feedback from other competitors stated that some of the balloons had burst, (or perhaps popped, making them harder to find), and in some cases they had disappeared completely! Anyway it was fun and by all accounts the kids had a ball! Next time I'll cement them in!

Within 10 minutes we were off to the Beer O'clock run. Many had a go...myself included and not one of us made it! It definitely is getting harder as time goes on...On to the BBQ at the house and clouds were appearing on the horizon! Like many occasions that you try to organise the one thing you cannot control is the weather. I had thought of hiring a marquee, but two days before I had looked at the forecast...fine it said...and anyway it never rains here...cancelled marquee. Precisely when our last guest appeared black clouds rolled over and the heavens dropped...25mm in an hour a bit! Have you ever noticed that when you have 150+ people in your small covered area how easy it is to get to know each other? Anyway on with the show and well done everyone for coping with fortitude with the weather! Some left to go back to their tents and never returned but the majority stayed, listened and danced to Richard Waterson, who biased as I may be played some great music. After a raffle and celebrating the New Year only the hardened were left. We all went out to the campfire and had a good sing song with Richard on acoustic! Come 3am and you would think we would stop? Nope...back to the veranda and back to electric guitar and more music! Come 4am we were stumbling...sleep called!

We are organising an SEQ Inter Club Challenge at the Springs 4x4. We have had some very positive feedback from the Clubs and hope to firm up Club numbers in the very near future. We will be contacting Clubs to arrange dates in the next week!

(2) Open Challenge

Unlike the Inter Club Challenge this would be applicable to all 4 wheelers. In the same manner as above it will be focussed on the average 4 wheel driver rather than the "extremer". The Open would be an Individual event and split into three classes. It would be run on a "Squash Ladder" basis. All 4 wheel drivers who come to the Springs 4x4 for a camping weekend or for a day can try the competition tracks. Each competitor will be timed on three runs, (with penalties etc..), and the aggregate of their times entered into a League table. The top ten of each class will qualify for the Finals. You may enter as many times as you like over the period of the Ladder but not more than twice in a day. There will be a starting date for the Ladder and a closing date. The Class qualifiers for the Finals will be the ones with the best points score. The tracks selected for the Ladder will be standard Springs 4x4 "very difficult tracks" with extra escape tracks built, (that have penalties associated with them), for particular areas where some 4 wheelers may not wish to attempt. The idea behind this is to minimise any damage to vehicles but still allow you to be able to compete in an event.

Poor Ol Yoda

My trusty Yoda has been out and about. Since my last letter I've been giving it a bit of a hammering. 3 CV's, 2 swivel bearings and shattered steering arm bolts! She's been on her side 3 times and I'm pretty good at judging now where about it is that she'll decide to lie down on me and go to sleep! So believe me if I ever go out with you and I say "that one's pretty steep or that's a good angle" ...you'll know I'll mean it! Check out the left hand wheel on the pic below! Wooops!!

All good cars look likr this!

Rules for both events are available on the website. Click here

	The Springs 4x4 Camping & Adventure Park

03-Sep-2008