Camel Trophy [Archive] - Expedition Portal

Scott Brady

08-15-2006, 05:00 AM

I assume that I am not alone in this, so a thread on the most famous of expedition events is due.

http://www.parque4x4.com.ar/recibidos/camel/c90.jpg

I have an original 1996 Camel Trophy Team USA application, which was never filled out due to my being full-time military at the time.

I also had the great pleasure of spending a few hours with Tom Collins last year. What a well traveled and gracious adventurer.

So, what are your Camel Trophy stories, links, images, books or thoughts?

Here are a few of mine:
http://www.camel-trophy-vehicles.com/
FAQ with years, vehicles and winners (http://www.lrfaq.org/FAQ.6.CamelTrophy.html)
http://www.cameltrophy.co.uk/

Scott Brady

08-15-2006, 05:01 AM

http://www.parque4x4.com.ar/recibidos/camel/CAM.JPG

http://www.parque4x4.com.ar/recibidos/camel/CAMEL01.JPG

Scott Brady

08-15-2006, 05:02 AM

Year Location Event Vehicle Support Vehicle
1980 Transamazonica Jeep -
1981 Sumatra Range Rover 2-dr. Range Rover 2-dr.
1982 Papua New Guinea Range Rover 2-dr. Range Rover 2-dr.
1983 Zaire Series III 88" Series III 109"
1984 Brazil Land Rover One-Ten Land Rover One-Ten
1985 Borneo Land Rover Ninety Land Rover One-Ten
1986 Australia Land Rover Ninety Land Rover One-Ten
1987 Madagascar Range Rover TD Range Rover TD
1988 Sulawesi Land Rover One-Ten Land Rover One-Ten
1989 The Amazon Land Rover One-Ten Land Rover One-Ten
1990 Siberia-USSR 200 tdi Discovery 3-dr. Land Rover One-Ten & 127
1991 Tanzania-Burundi 200 tdi Discovery 5-dr. Land Rover One-Ten
1992 Guyana 200 tdi Discovery 5-dr. 200 tdi Defender 110
1993 Sabah-Malaysia 200 tdi Discovery 5-dr. 200 tdi Defender 110
1994 Argentina Paraguay Chile 200 tdi Discovery 5-dr. 200 tdi Defender 110
1995 Mundo-Maya 300 tdi Discovery 5-dr. 300 tdi Defender 110
1996 Kalimantan 300 tdi Discovery 5-dr. 300 tdi Defender 110
1997 Mongolia 300 tdi Discovery 5-dr. 300 tdi Defender 110
1998 Tierra Del Fuego Freelander 300 tdi Defender 110
1999 No Event
2000 Tonga-Samoa Honda Honda & 110 Hi-Cap

Jonathan Hanson

08-15-2006, 01:41 PM

What an event the Camel Tropy was in its early years! I still have magazines with articles about the Papua New Guinea event and the Madagascar event. The latter was written by Gary Wescott, who was overtly critical of the many Range Rover differential failures on that run. The trophy Rangies still had two-pinion diffs then and they were popping right and left under the (considerable) strain.

The early trophies were inspirational to those of us who dreamed about taking on genuine expedition challenges.

In the mid-nineties the focus began to change from vehicle-dependent tasks to adventure racing sorts of things - log-carrying and canoe races and such - and even though that ostensibly placed more emphasis on the human factor, I think it was when the trophy lost its uniqueness. Not to mention when they switched to Freelanders - I understand the publicity angle, but puullease!

I think there's a place for a new kind of vehicle-dependent event, one that would return to a challenging point-to-point style expedition, but with a conservation or community development goal towards the end.

Look here:

http://www.camel-trophy-vehicles.com/

gjackson

08-15-2006, 02:28 PM

I applied for the trophy in 1992. Unforfortunately I did not qualify for either the US team or the UK team because I was a Brit living in the US. The UK team required residency and the US team required citizenship!

Had some long conversations with Tom Collins during the process, and he is a gracious and knowledgable guy!

cheers

60seriesguy

08-15-2006, 02:53 PM

We replicated the '92 route in 1993 and took great pride in the fact that we pushed five LWB and two SWB Land Cruisers beyond the point where the Camel Trophy vehicles had to stop. It was a *wicked* trip, we had one guy go down with Malaria and four of us ended up with dengue fever on the way back. The trucks looked like they'd gone to hell and back, it was the first time I saw a broken birfield on a Land Cruiser with open diffs. Years later, when cutting the crunched-up rear quarter panels on my wagon, I was still finding remnants of the oily red clay that clogged up everything!

My club did it again in 1994 but I wasn't able to make it.

I agree, the Camel Trophy started out as a real 4x4 challenge, but it evolved into a PR event that got slowly diluted over time and ended up incarnating the G4...the early events, however, WOW!

I always dreamed of participating but there was no Venezuelan team and I couldn't represent the US as a non-citizen.

bootzilla

08-16-2006, 01:41 AM

There are so many great Camel Trophy shots

http://www.channel4.com/4car/media/features/2004/discovery-history/03-large/discohist-camel-main.jpg

That UK site with the Trophys for sale is awesome. When I had my Freelander, I'd contemplate how to get one over here - because if you look at the prices, they aren't all that bad.

There was another shot I loved that they had in the local LR dealership - not sure if it was Camel Trophy or G4 - but the team manuvered a Disco around an obstacle by tilting it up on two wheels, with a couple of guys keeping it from falling over by hanging onto a tow strap tied to the roof rack - that thing was leaning hard. Can't find the pic, though...

FourByLand

08-16-2006, 01:48 AM

:Wow1:

The Swiss

08-16-2006, 04:47 PM

I applied for the Camel Trophies for 1993, 1994 and 1995 for the Swiss Team. I made it to the selections each time, but unluckily never made the cut to the last 16. Needless to say I kept all the memorabilia from my 3 glorious days at Camel Trophy.

I then later on had the opportunity to hone my off road driving skills with one of the "journalists" sitting inn in the Swiss vehicle from '91 through '94. Needless to say he was more a coach for the Swiss Team than anything else. The Swiss won in '92 and scored 2nd in '91 and were 4th in '93, (do not remember '94). I also joined him on two trips, one on old, abandoned military roads through the Swiss, French and Italien Alps, one through the Pyreneese Mountains between France, Spain and Andorra.

What other story related to the Camel Trophy? In my cousin's wedding in '92, there was one guy really hitting on my sister-in-law and he really tried to impress her. I guess it was not all bs he told her as it was him who then represented Switzerland at the Camel Trophy 1993 in Malaysia.

pskhaat

08-16-2006, 05:00 PM

It sure would be really cool to have another large corporate sponsored event like this. International logistics are huge and it seems to me the early Camel Trophy got it right in equating all teams by an underlying common vehicle (that part I think is key).

It was always my goal to apply for and do the Camel Trophy, I too am dissapointed it is no longer. I personally think an event that had the same tenets as the early CT would go over well, even if it was just North American based for the time being, leveraging primarily driving and natural vehicular obstacle skills (whilst treading lightly), incorporating teamwork, communication techniques, a maybe a little navigation.

With video media coverage, I think it'd be quite popular.

Dmarchand

08-16-2006, 06:42 PM

QUOTE=bootzilla]There are so many great Camel Trophy shots

That UK site with the Trophys for sale is awesome. When I had my Freelander, I'd contemplate how to get one over here - because if you look at the prices, they aren't all that bad.

There was another shot I loved that they had in the local LR dealership - not sure if it was Camel Trophy or G4 - but the team manuvered a Disco around an obstacle by tilting it up on two wheels, with a couple of guys keeping it from falling over by hanging onto a tow strap tied to the roof rack - that thing was leaning hard. Can't find the pic, though...[/QUOTE]

Were you thinking of the Trek event with the Disco on its' side?

http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2003/09/16/168822.1-lg.jpg

pskhaat

08-18-2006, 07:06 PM

I've got a couple camel trophy questions that I've always wondered:

How many teams were there total?
What were the qualification criteria?
How many applicants vs. how many made it?
I remember there was a physical test (like running 2 miles in some timeframe), does anyone know the specifics?
How was scoring done? Regards,

iguana4x4

08-19-2006, 04:19 AM

When I was a young boy I always saw the Camel Trophy coverage in the magazines, for me, it was the ultimate as far as 4 wheeling goes. After all the Camel was a great event, it's a shame it does not exist anymore.
One thing I will eventually do is a Series III Camel Trophy replica, they are just awsome, but don't have enough information on them yet. If you have any pictures of the Series III Camel vehicles, please post them.

2896

2897

2898

2899

2900

2901

2902

2903

CLynn85

08-27-2006, 12:33 AM

Camel trophy clip courtesy of youtube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=802iDGKdc8w

bootzilla

08-27-2006, 02:48 AM

Were you thinking of the Trek event with the Disco on its' side?

That's the one!! One of the Trek events - that makes sense, because I remember the Disco not being the right color for Camel Trophy.

That is a driver who trusts his spotters...and his tires...

Redback

09-18-2006, 12:40 AM

My conrtibution to this thread, this is a copy of a thread from AULRO Australian LandRover Owners Forum that i'm a member of, the person who posted this is in Brisbane.

I think this should be a great event and i for one will be there.

As many will know the Camel Trophy for 1986 was held here in Australia.

Vital stats are:
http://camel-trophy.nl/assets/images/shieldweb1986.jpg

Quote:
AUSTRALIA

Cooktown to Darwin
(3,218 km / 2,000 miles)

vehicle: Land Rover 90

Winner: Jacques Mambre / Michel Courvalet (France)
Team Spirit Award: Glenn Jones / Ronn Begg (Australia)

Fast progress was made through the dry and dusty outback, averaging 247 km (154 miles) each day.

Raft building led to a 24-hour delay at one river crossing.[/b]

With a view to writing a brief history of the event (ie for a magazine article for the LROC and AULRO) I have also contacted the Camel Trophy vehicle owners club in the UK and a few other places.

So firstly, if anyone has any information on the event could they please PM me, or email me with the stuff (photos too) so that I can string it all together. It will all end up on this site in due course, I promise.

Secondly, and here's the brainstormy bit:

While we've missed a chance this year (the 20th anniversary) we do have time up our sleeve if we were to run a celebratory event in say 2011 (the 25th anniversary).

What sort of celebration :?:

Well if possible I was thinking a journey of LR vehicles (i.e. an Aussie wide LROC and AULRO get together) retracing as closely as possible the trophy route. So 2011 MIGHT give us enough time to get organised.

Obviously this idea is contingent upon MANY factors, but the research is the first thing required in the planning.

So any information that is forthcoming would be appreciated.

Also if anyone happens to know there whereabouts of any people involved in the event (especially the competitors who won the team spirit award) that would of course be very helpful.

I elect myself President, chief cook, and bottle washer of the 'event' committee.

Email address for all correspondence for this trip etc:
cameltrek@optusnet.com.au

http://www.expedition.btinternet.co.uk/Expeditions/AusMap2.jpg

Some video

This is Guy (chairman of the Camel club) He is abit of a nutter in his 110 please download Vids, i haven't seen these as yet i can't watch video at work:mad:

http://www.reads4x4.com/MVI_0259.avi

http://www.reads4x4.com/MVI_3858.avi

and some pictures for you to look at

http://www.shirelrc.co.uk/main.php?cmd=image&var1=2005%2F05_09_18_Romsey%2Fimg_126.jpg&var2=500_85

http://www.shirelrc.co.uk/main.php?cmd=image&var1=2005%2F05_09_18_Romsey%2Fimg_133.jpg&var2=500_85

Baz.

Jonathan Hanson

09-18-2006, 01:01 AM

That would be fun to do!

I still have an article about the Australian Camel Trophy. At one point it describes several of the participants getting lost, and a blue-haired Aussie grandmother appears in a Land Cruiser and shows them the way.

The two video clips are hilarious (but the photo link didn't work for me).

Scott Brady

09-18-2006, 01:16 AM

:hehe:

Those videos are the best! HA!

Redback

09-18-2006, 01:22 AM

Those links didn't work for me either, ill see if i can get them to work.

OK they should work now

cameltrophy3

10-13-2006, 05:00 PM

Hey guys. I am a newbie to this list, but not so new to the off road and expedition community. I have worked off and on for Land Rover since 1996and had the chance to drive some of the Camels that were here in the States. Tom Collins was a figure that early on, even before I was involved with Land Rover, gave me the vision and the drive to accomplish some of the things I was able to do. The Great Divide Expedition, the 9 Camel Trophy events he was a part of, etc. Surprisingly enough, I had never met him until I went to a 'Range Rover' event as an owner in Mahwah NJ in 2004 to get a sneak peak at the LR3. They had a prototype LR3 there but the focus was Range Rovers. I was able to off road in a Rangie with Tom and chat briefly about his influence on the focus of my life. We discussed that he had bought one of the Great Divide vehicles and kept it for many years, using it in the Land Rover school that he had in Co. I mentioned that I had owned 14 Rovers and he asked which was my favorite. Princess; the Eco Challenge Discovery, I answered. 1996 quazi-prototype for the XD that was used on the Eco Challenge in British Columbia. Rover was a sponsor and had supplied 28 of these 1996 vehicles all decked out in yellow with roof racks and brush bars to look like a Camel Trophy vehicle. (Pics at my website and on http://www.discoweb.org/hermanwilliams/index.htm)
Anyhow, I am rambling. Meeting Tom was very cool and working with and around Rover proved to be quite an experience with many and varied people.
Rover on...
(Today I drive a Jeep :O)

Scott Brady

10-13-2006, 05:06 PM

Welcome!

I also have had the great pleasure of meeting and talking with Tom. What a gentleman and great story teller. I stood wide-eyed listening to him recount several adventures, including a run-in with the Chilean special forces.

Awesome guy...

DL4PLM

05-21-2007, 10:01 AM

Hi Michael,

interesting that you applied for CT events :-) I never made it either!

However..... I do own a piece of Swiss team history and was actually wondering if you know either of the drivers of my history item :-)

Would be great if you do know them - I have a big box of history along with the car but so far not able to trace either Alwin or Urs!

Anyway - J426ROP is still being looked after :-)

Kindest regards

Simon
CT92 - Swiss Team 200TDI Camel Discovery

I applied for the Camel Trophies for 1993, 1994 and 1995 for the Swiss Team. I made it to the selections each time, but unluckily never made the cut to the last 16. Needless to say I kept all the memorabilia from my 3 glorious days at Camel Trophy.

I then later on had the opportunity to hone my off road driving skills with one of the "journalists" sitting inn in the Swiss vehicle from '91 through '94. Needless to say he was more a coach for the Swiss Team than anything else. The Swiss won in '92 and scored 2nd in '91 and were 4th in '93, (do not remember '94). I also joined him on two trips, one on old, abandoned military roads through the Swiss, French and Italien Alps, one through the Pyreneese Mountains between France, Spain and Andorra.

What other story related to the Camel Trophy? In my cousin's wedding in '92, there was one guy really hitting on my sister-in-law and he really tried to impress her. I guess it was not all bs he told her as it was him who then represented Switzerland at the Camel Trophy 1993 in Malaysia.

Scott Brady

05-21-2007, 01:10 PM

Simon,

Welcome to Expedition Portal!

The next issue of Overland Journal is going to have an awesome story about the 1994 Camel Trophy pre-scout in South America.

BajaTaco

05-21-2007, 04:06 PM

Simon, welcome to ExPo. You are so lucky to have that Discovery! Congratulations and good luck finding those guys.

Andrew Walcker

05-21-2007, 04:58 PM

Simon-

:drool: :drool: :drool: This may be a coincidence, but if that is your garage in the second photo, that is where most of my dreams occur! :drool: :drool: :drool:

Welcome, and please post up more of your CT items!!!!

stevenmd

05-21-2007, 05:20 PM

I borrowed the Camel Trophy video that they sell on Dweb from a friend of mine. I must have watched it a billion times before I finally gave it back to him... a year later!:shakin:

DL4PLM

05-21-2007, 07:03 PM

Andrew

alas no.....

And I had to be dragged kicking screaming and drooling from that place...!

But not before my cheque book had signed myself up to a yellow truck!

:wings:

:smiley_drive:

A very dangerous place to visit :)

OK sure Ill dig some more pics out at the weekend :-)

Simon-

:drool: :drool: :drool: This may be a coincidence, but if that is your garage in the second photo, that is where most of my dreams occur! :drool: :drool: :drool:

Welcome, and please post up more of your CT items!!!!

DL4PLM

05-21-2007, 07:07 PM

by the way ... i saw your sig file!

this is my other truck :-)

Simon-

:drool: :drool: :drool: This may be a coincidence, but if that is your garage in the second photo, that is where most of my dreams occur! :drool: :drool: :drool:

Welcome, and please post up more of your CT items!!!!

Andrew Walcker

05-21-2007, 08:01 PM

Very nice! I knew you had impeccable taste in vehicles:) What year and what mods have you done to her? Looking forward to more pics of both vehicles!

DL4PLM

05-21-2007, 09:18 PM

ahhh .... yes indeed! I love my defender too!

2003 - mods . numerous!

Apart from the obvious 5 spoke steels and BFG MTs - my kleiner Grüner Panzer I also fitted rock sliders, under body protection front back and middle, winch and winch bumper, snorky etc - Took out the seats in the back as there is only me who drives so space for tool boxes, ropes n recovery kit, strops etc.

Im not a heavy off roader so no crazy 2" lifts and all the trouble they bring - just std running chassis

For comfort factor she has a becker CD multi changer and amp /spkrs extra!

Have not got round to the chip and intercooler mod yet but thats coming.

Shes fast - even for a 90 and have had 100mph out of her on the autobahn!

Ahh for my other hobby (amateur radio) she now sports an IC706MK2G HF/VHF/UHF transceiver - A Kenwood DM707 dual bander - 2 whips - dual band VHF/UHF and a High Sierra HF autotune whip!

my friend has a Ford Mustang and his GF peed him off the other day cos he was preening him self over how good it looked...... she laughed and said "now simons Landrover.... thats a REAL mans car!!!" BWHAHAHA he was not happy!

BUt she turns some heads in the city when I plod about :-)

:gunt:

bootzilla

05-22-2007, 04:06 AM

Camel Trophy Disco AND a Defender??

:bowdown: :26_7_2:

Andrew Walcker

05-22-2007, 04:18 AM

my friend has a Ford Mustang and his GF peed him off the other day cos he was preening him self over how good it looked...... she laughed and said "now simons Landrover.... thats a REAL mans car!!!" BWHAHAHA he was not happy!

:gunt:
:jump: That is too funny! Great looking Defender!

DL4PLM

05-22-2007, 05:33 AM

:safari-rig: :wings:

Ohhh I am landie mad!

My first landie was a Discovery in the early 90s - I was driving them in the navy and thought them fun so I bought my own - of course soon I wanted to off road and the Discovery was too shiney - I bought a second car - an old TD90 with a 19J diesel in it :jumping:

One day I went to buy an exhaust gasket from our local dealer and came back with a very nice 300TDI 110 !!!!!

My wife never forgave me!

We split 4 years ago and I moved to Germany where I now run amok in Düsseldorf :oops:

Now I am free to buy the Landies I like ..... :shakin:

My new fiance humours me ..... she talks about the green tank ..... and my finds the Camel funny .... but actually I think she likes them!

So yep .... 2 Landies and to be honest its good I dont have more space .....!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have a hankering for a lightweight for the summer days here ..... with a V8

:violent-smiley-031:

So you see I am not a normal guy - I am totally Landie mad and cannot find it in myself to drive a normal car!

But then whats normal :-)

:exclaim:

regards

Simon

Camel Trophy Disco AND a Defender??

:bowdown: :26_7_2:

The Rover Shop

06-03-2012, 07:42 PM

I personally can't believe this thread has been dead for soooo long... Let me give it a shot with the old defribulator...
103531
103532
103533
103534
103535
103532
103536
103537
103538

iMTB

06-03-2012, 08:11 PM

^love it. Also a defibrillator saved my life so win win.

czenkov

06-03-2012, 11:30 PM

I had heard of CT in the early 90's from a buddy that was into Land Cruisers. Never paid much attention to it, now I wish I had.

OVEX 2011. On the LRE course Jim Swett rode with me and Fred Monsees rode with the GF in my Defender. Later that night at the dinner they lined up the CT guys so they could tell the crowd stories. We had the good fortune to be sitting right up front and as one CT competitor further down the line would talk about their experience the others would comment and include us in the "sidebar" (Tom Collins, Jim Swett, Fred Monsees and a couple others were right in front of us). Pretty cool experience!

In 2012 I met The Rover Shop who resurrected this thread. He is the quintessential "that guy". Good Luck on your trip Shayne.

Mack73

06-04-2012, 03:06 AM

I can say that Camel Trophy is 100% why I have a land rover today.

I was younger than I would have like at the time this was occuring, but I remember watching the TV coverage in amazement - and it is some of the fondest memories I have growing up.

I hope someone is able to resurrect the original concept, instead of the "adventure sports" focus towards the end of the G4.

The Rover Shop

06-04-2012, 05:03 AM

It may be a little premature but I have an idea of something really col to do for the upcoming 50 year anniversary of the Camel Trophy.. I will be talking to a bunch of new acquaintences I made at Overland Expo these weeks gone by and trying to see if I can be instrumental in having a get together of Camel Trophy vehicles to retrace the trip taken in its very first year with as many as possible Camel vehicles and drivers as possible...going to try and get Land Rover and Jeep to work in conjunction with World-Wide brands to pull this together..still 8 years away but I would like to make it as easy as possible to have people ship original camels to its original location and we can do an easy version of it...lets face it, alot of these vehicles are becoming priceless now and we don't want to screw em up...I for one know that I would jump at the chance and since I am in negotiations to buy another camel vehicle I expect to have at least 3 of my own personal vehicles to run the route by then...I am sure I will be able to find additional drivers...LOL...

Antichrist

06-04-2012, 02:21 PM

going to try and get Land Rover and Jeep to work in conjunction with World-Wide brands to pull this togetherHit up Ford too, since the Jeeps used were built by Ford, and Ford owned Land Rover for a while.

Like Scott, I had an application but never sent it in. My wife wasn't too keen on me going away for who knows how long leaving her with a newborn. Not that I really would have.

ini88

06-05-2012, 01:04 AM

If you guys are bored...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ecxN5hOE1X4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjgyohdBwRI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l9-LjwterSc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JvHSR5wFZQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mUS7QmxK6wY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vbxdVEnSM0A

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yGqCJ-ipuk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kQzADl9Rn-0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxQRU6hvu0I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4UbhXrYAvU

Beowulf

06-05-2012, 03:45 PM

The Rover Shop,

While you're at it, maybe you can talk them into doing some new videos.

See this thread.

http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/79190-Camel-Trophy-DVDs?p=1121667#post1121667

HillbillyfromAL

06-05-2012, 06:44 PM

I guess my other post didn't make it somehow. Great thread resurrection there Rover Shop.

My dad had some of the videos on VHS as a kid and it's what really got me into Land Rovers and 4 wheeling in general. It would be absolutely awesome to have a new one in the future. Maybe we could get double lucky and Land Rover will get back into making the Best 4x4 By Far available everywhere including here. By that I mean a solid axled, purpose built 4x4, that's easy to work on, preferably Diesel ;) Hey we can all dream right.
I don't know if it would help, and I don't know how to do it but maybe one of the online polls of how many would like to see it done again and how many would want to buy a DVD of it. Maybe how much seeing a vehicle slightly modified completing such a task would affect your decision on purchasing one in the future. Lets face it it'll never happen if the companies don't see $$$$$$$$ from their efforts, and who could blame them. I'm all for brining back the Greatest Adventure on Earth ;)

The Rover Shop

06-08-2012, 01:50 PM

I think I may have lost my CAMEL mind.....gone camel crazy...taken a hobby/like too far... Not going to spoil it yet but hopefully pics soon to follow...don't wanna jinx myself..

jeepmedic46

06-10-2012, 01:06 AM

That would be great if they brought something like the camel trophy back, I have a couple of the DVDs and me and the kids watch them quite a bit

Main Line Overland

06-10-2012, 01:43 AM

I 2nd that. Bring the Camel Trophy back!

The Rover Shop

06-11-2012, 03:21 PM

I spoke to many people in the know as to the cause of the demise of the Camel Trophy.. I have been told one of the main reasons for Land Rover pulling out of the event is continuing pressure from groups against the whole tobacco industry, as well as it's considered something as inappropriate to go "hacking" through jungles..I have seen "private" documents where lobbyist groups were bragging about being able to cause enough upset that one of the events were changed due to environmentalists concerns.. Now don't get me wrong..I am definitely one for the tread lightly approach and am totally against contributing to the depletion of our forests...but I think the events did more good than harm in showcasing the raw beauty of the forests they went through...so many of the pictures on the events show the event stuck on roads where other trucks and vehicles are completely bogged down, these routes were obviously being used by vehicles doing far more damage than the camel vehicles did and those trucks are being used by locals, the environmentalists didn't bring to light all of the good that the camel trophy brought to the areas they went through, such as repairing roads and building bridges and even the houses and research facilities they constructed high on mountain tops.. I personally would love to see the camel back but I am not sure if Land Rover has anything capable of that sort of event anymore....these things have to be pretty bulletproof and able to be repaired on the side of the road...can't imagine dealing with an electrical or computor failure in the middle of the Amazon... I would gladly contribute the use of my vehicle (with me along of course) on an event...:smiley_drive::26_16_2:

HillbillyfromAL

06-12-2012, 03:09 AM

Mack73

06-12-2012, 03:38 AM

Snagger

06-12-2012, 11:16 AM

I read an article, in LRM I believe, where one of the LR Engineers was saying the LR3 would be able to do something similar and carry spare sensors, and chips instead of axles. His words were something along the line of we don't have mechanical failures anymore. I'd really love to see a Camel Trophy Event with just the LR3/4 and see how well they do with water over the steering wheel ;) I'm afraid without a semi load of computers and other electric gizmos, along with the mechanical aspects that don't break anymore, they may suffer the same fate as Jeep in 1980.
Yeah, because we know there isn't an inherrent weakness in the D3's suspension wishbones, don't we? ;) While a D3 wouldn't have much structural trouble as a normal expedition vehicle, it wouldn't last a day on a typical CT event. That aside, the electronics and air suspension would give the mechanics constant work and would probably result in less than half the standard distance being covered. Even the modern Defenders would be suspect with water issues in their ECUs, but they'd probably be alright otherwise. The 300Tdi 110 was the ultimate vehicle for the CT - I would just love to have one of those vehicles, and I'd love to have gone on an event.

ReconH3

06-12-2012, 11:59 AM

The Camel Trophy spawned many adventure style competitions all around the World. Many organized by ex-Camel Trophy members. What they will never be is an event where all you had to bring was your dedication. Camel Trophy will be unique in that way. The good thing is in these new events, it's possible to bring the vehicle that best fits your needs and economic possibilities. My favorite by far was the Croatia Trophy which was previously known as the Transylvania/Supersylvania Trophy. The Dresden-Breslau Rally follows a similar format. The Rainforest Challenge in Malaysia is the most similar to the original Camel Trophy. Including all the hoopla and media coverage.

"Ex Umbris Venimus"

Sent from my iPhone

The Rover Shop

06-21-2012, 06:32 PM

Just thought I would post this up for your drooling pleasures..lol...so I got this as a wedding present from the camel trophy guys at overland expo...in my paranoid desire to wrap it up neatly and store it for the trip home the glass cracked.. So once home I sent it off to have it framed and matted etc etc...and here it hangs in my living room until it gets packed up to be sent home with our possessions to Australia....
106736
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The Rover Shop

06-21-2012, 06:33 PM

Signed by 10 of the real deal camel trophy guys....

rustyjames

06-23-2012, 10:54 PM

Nice.

The Rover Shop

06-27-2012, 02:24 PM

Currently looking at buying 2 more camel trophy vehicles...a 110 and a 5 door disco.. Should end up with at least one of them soon....

overlander

06-28-2012, 12:06 AM

You take jealousy to a new level...

HillbillyfromAL

06-28-2012, 09:39 PM

I thought something very similar, but not in such nice ways to put it. Why don't you just keep rubbing it in there Rover Shop ;) I really like the framed sigs by the way

ROVER-1

06-29-2012, 12:29 AM

Hi all.

First post. I just spent two days with Sue Mead on a trail in Alaska. 1 full day with her in the passenger seat of my Classic as we were following moose buggies 25+ miles into the wilderness.

Here we are once we got back to civilization. Fantastic person to share an adventure with.

http://i1245.photobucket.com/albums/gg587/JBEARDROVER1/eureka%20june-12/100_7419.jpg

El Solis

06-29-2012, 02:15 AM

Shayne in all seriousness let me know as I would be happy to possibly help with that acquisition and can store and maintain the vehicles in question.

The Rover Shop

07-01-2012, 05:27 PM

Well I realllly hate to rub it in..:wings: but all you haters can just keep on hatin...I just added the 1994/5 camel 110 with 33000 original miles on her to the stable...Camilla has a sister money pit...pics will follow...:drool:

The Rover Shop

07-01-2012, 05:47 PM

Oh if you like the camel autographed pic...have you seen this one...10 camel trophy participants signed the hood of my baby..
108362

108364

108365

108366

108367

108368

108369

and of course...the mans mans bridal train...10 of the iconic camel trophy participants giving escorting my lovely bride up the "aisle"...who could say no to a woman presented that way...LOL...
108370

overlander

07-01-2012, 06:09 PM

get some clear enamel on those sigs asap before they rub off!

ROVER-1

07-01-2012, 07:39 PM

Here I thought I was cool having Sue sign my dash. :ylsmoke:

That is a collection of signatures for sure!

HillbillyfromAL

07-01-2012, 09:06 PM

You better be putting some clear on that to preserve it ;) talk about pouring salt into the wound

HillbillyfromAL

07-01-2012, 09:07 PM

Awesome way to hitched too

The Rover Shop

07-01-2012, 11:04 PM

maxingout

07-05-2012, 05:19 AM

Waiting to see the pictures of the new Camel Trophy acquisitions.

The Rover Shop

07-12-2012, 04:01 PM

Waiting to see the pictures of the new Camel Trophy acquisitions.

Waiting to get them myself..lol...

The Rover Shop

07-12-2012, 04:08 PM

Not sure if you guys are intotervis tumblers or not but they are one of the best double walled insulated plastic during glasses around .. Predominantly for cold drinks.. I am thinking of having a custom run of these done with the camel trophy patch in them... Been a bit of chatter about this over one the d-90 source website which has morphed into a bit more of a defender 90 & 110 site... Under Tervis tumblers heading... Thinking of doing a run of about 20.... Anyone interested.. Will be finding prices today.. Maybe do a Land rover patch one side and a camel trophy patch the other..

cosmic88

07-14-2012, 01:00 AM

Shayne, FLRC will be in for about 10 or more, depending on the cost. we'll use them as rally giveaway's.

Series1Rangie

07-14-2012, 07:25 PM

Thinking of doing a run of about 20.... Anyone interested.. Will be finding prices today.. Maybe do a Land rover patch one side and a camel trophy patch the other..

Are you thinking 16oz or 24oz. went to the Tervis site, and they have some nifty accessories for their cups too. a 24oz tumbler with a shaker top would be a great glamping mixer. I am down for a couple depending on pricing.

Thanks,

Mike

The Rover Shop

07-14-2012, 09:30 PM

I called them on Friday but they close early fridays..I will get in touch with them on Monday and see where the costs come out to and what they can do in either patches or stickers etc etc..

The Rover Shop

07-14-2012, 09:34 PM

Shayne, FLRC will be in for about 10 or more, depending on the cost. we'll use them as rally giveaway's.

Hey Cosmo... sorry I didn't get to bring the camel to the last meet...still trying to recover from the last time I was there with her when we snapped the driveshaft and rear axle out of her..LOL... Maybe we will get 10 or 15 done with the FLRC logo on one side and a camel logo on the other..??? Giveaways could definitely lead into people purchasing...:clapsmile

The Swiss

07-23-2012, 01:05 AM

Thanks guys...yeah, it was one of the first things I did when i got back to the shop..I had it cleared.. I also have another 4 drivers who are going to sign it in various locations on our trip also.. I will be taking one of my 2 (yeah, I hate to rub that in) rare books, The Great Adventure and will be having as many participants as I can sign it...If you are coming to the Souteastern Regional Overland Rally (http://www.expeditionportal.com/forum/threads/72972-OFFICIAL-2012-Southeastern-Regional-Overland-Rally-and-Workshop-Thread), you can catch another Camel participant signature :D

The Rover Shop

07-23-2012, 11:09 PM

Oh man...that sucks....by that time I should be heading across the Can-am highway or on a boat to England...hmmmm, maybe I could time it right to drop down before the camel gets shipped..

cosmic88

07-25-2012, 02:20 PM

Hey Cosmo... sorry I didn't get to bring the camel to the last meet...still trying to recover from the last time I was there with her when we snapped the driveshaft and rear axle out of her..LOL... Maybe we will get 10 or 15 done with the FLRC logo on one side and a camel logo on the other..??? Giveaways could definitely lead into people purchasing...:clapsmile

That would be great! Should I arrange some details with Manny?

lcsodiver

07-30-2012, 01:11 AM

I'd be up for two of the glasses, if you are still looking at getting them made up!

impretzle

09-27-2012, 11:24 PM

Here is my new project that I picked up this weekend. 95' d1 camel trophy painted, Detroit locker, interco 33's...needs quite a bit of work but was a good deal I couldnt pass up. Drove about 700 miles round trip to get it!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/whitesti/IMG_2012092728814.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v142/whitesti/IMG_2012092749703.jpg

While not an original Camel Trophy Truck, I intend to keep it as a tribute to the Camel Trophy adventures.

Does anyone know where I can get a ct style front bumper?

-Cameron

killahaas@gmail.com

09-28-2012, 12:13 AM

looks like an awesome rig! Rovers north may have the CT's bumpers. i am sure they are not cheap though!

LtFuzz

09-28-2012, 12:30 AM

Does anyone know where I can get a ct style front bumper?

-Cameron

Dale "Rovertrader" had a real CT bumper for a while, dunno if he still has it.

Otherwise the closest thing to get the "look" is probably the standard ARB, although there are a few others that look good as well.

The Safety Devices Expedition rack is probably the most critical accessory if you're really after a CT-style build.

ini88

09-28-2012, 02:36 AM

Does anyone know where I can get a ct style front bumper?

I have the CT bumper, winch plate and winch off the 95 Japanese truck. I am reproducing a batch of 5 soon if you want in. The uprights on the bumper are very thin... maybe 1/4 steel so I may make the new ones a little thicker to withstand some knocking around.

Mack73

09-28-2012, 02:37 AM

Pangea Expeditions did one: http://www.pangaea-expeditions.com/projects/camel/index.html

There is a comment about making a CT replica front bumper.

Maybe contact them and see where they had their's made, or dimmensions for modifying one to be more CT style.

The Rover Shop

10-10-2012, 01:19 AM

okay guys.. I am having a couple (10) of the Tervis tumblers made up for myself.. in varying camel trophy designs.. there is a posting over on d-90 source website if any of you wanna join in with requests and ideas etc.. I am not far from their factory and have already been in touch with them.. I am not making anything on these just spreading some camel love..let me know if anyones interested.. i think so far we have about 20-25 wants..

discotdi

10-14-2012, 12:44 AM

I'll take a couple, what design? Just the camel trophy patch?

lcsodiver

10-14-2012, 03:37 AM

Do you have any pictures? I'm still interested in two.....

The Rover Shop

10-23-2012, 02:16 AM

So here's the latest purchase... Unfortunately it's in England but she will be coming home to Australia with me.. That makes 3...
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Camel 90

11-25-2012, 03:15 PM

Hi Guys.

I am new to this forum having found the Camel Trophy Thread.

I have the Canary Islands Team car from Australia 1986.

I am looking for any articles about the event, Can any one help ?

MarkIIa

11-26-2012, 10:19 PM

Hi Camel 90,
I think I have some Overlander articles/news reports of the 86 CT, but it will take me a while to find them. It wouldn't be a lot though. Was yours the one that was raffled off in shopping centres? My Dad bought more than a few tickets for that one :p
Head over the AULRO.com as well, as that is where most of the Aussie LR owners hang out (though some of us enjoy this forum for an international perspective of Rover ownership :sombrero: )

ReconH3

11-27-2012, 10:59 AM

Hi Guys.

I am new to this forum having found the Camel Trophy Thread.

I have the Canary Islands Team car from Australia 1986.

I am looking for any articles about the event, Can any one help ?

Hello there. I was in the Canary Islands team. If there is any way I can help, let me know.

Al

"Ex Umbris Venimus"

grimbo

11-28-2012, 07:31 AM

Hello there. I was in the Canary Islands team. If there is any way I can help, let me know.

Al

"Ex Umbris Venimus"

This is why this site is so cool, random guy joins with an original Camel Trophy 90 and one of the guys who competed in it happens to be a member.

Pics and stories about your time in the event would be cool

NC_IslandRunner

11-28-2012, 09:18 AM

Awesome story too, he did a presentation at the SE Overland Rally.

mowerman

12-20-2012, 09:42 PM

this is a great run through of the events, some of you may spot your own trucks!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGWp8R-IqoE

Scott Brady

12-20-2012, 11:18 PM

This is why this site is so cool, random guy joins with an original Camel Trophy 90 and one of the guys who competed in it happens to be a member.

Pics and stories about your time in the event would be cool

Agreed - very cool.

It is quite a statement how popular the Camel Trophy has remained, even 15 years on. I still remember reading about the Camel Trophy for the first time. I was a triathlete and was interested in the competition aspect. That one article literally changed my life.

toddz69

12-21-2012, 02:42 AM

Hi Guys.

I am looking for any articles about the event, Can any one help ?

As you wished, sir. From the August 1986 issue of Four Wheeler. Apologies for the crooked scans. If you desire hi-res or nicer scans, just let me know.

Todd Z.

Oilworker

12-21-2012, 09:07 AM

So instead of dreaming about days long gone...where shall we meet to start something new?

zolo

12-21-2012, 03:27 PM

I have been thinking the same thing... There is still need and desire for adventure Competition such as this.

transientmechanic

12-21-2012, 03:48 PM

Bring your checkbook and international political clout

FSU_Disco

12-21-2012, 04:47 PM

$ and location seem to be the issue. a major issue at that

transientmechanic

12-21-2012, 05:46 PM

Not to mention the general "aura" that the Camel Trophy carried with it.

What dimensions of the original event do you hope to duplicate? Easy to do on a small scale with a few friends. A lot harder to do on a large scale with international teams and several multi-billion dollar corporate sponsors.

If you want the experience with the lowest possible barriers to entry, organize an "expo team" to run Baja 1000 next year.

Oilworker

12-21-2012, 08:56 PM

You need neither big $ nor political clout!

I wouldn´t "copy" the Camel Trophy, I would start just as the Camel Trophy started:
"The first Camel Trophy was held in 1980, when three Jeeps were driven by German teams from Belem to Santarem in Brazil. It was planned as a one-off event by the manufacturer of Camel cigarettes, RJ Reynolds, but it was so successful that the tobacco company decided to sponsor a similar event every year."

So all that´s needed is just a group of adventure hungry people with proper cars and a nice "playground".

As an alternative we can just retrace the original adventures as they did in Australia:
http://motoring.ninemsn.com.au/cars/news/8414721/4x4-event-the-camel-trophy

So long,

Robert

scootr29

12-22-2012, 09:30 PM

I applied and was accepted for the last version of Camel Trophy...the G4 Challenge..the modern day version was not like the original Camel Trophy....I was a little disappointed in that. But it did not matter where I finished as the International event was cancelled because of the economy.....here are some pics.

I would love to see an event that mirrors the exact Camel Trophy event.....but with all the PC stuff in todays world there is some doubt about that......no cigarette sponsor, and it will have to be opened to both woman and men...plus it will be a reality experience so they will encourage "friction" between teams to get people in TV land to watch.

Scott

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-mWC4kh3/0/L/i-mWC4kh3-L.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-KXWpSxm/0/L/i-KXWpSxm-L.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-MPSJkPK/0/L/i-MPSJkPK-L.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-KMP8MLD/0/L/i-KMP8MLD-L.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-mRhmjNt/0/L/i-mRhmjNt-L.jpg

http://www.smugmug.com/photos/i-82dDVrb/0/L/i-82dDVrb-L.jpg

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

shogun

12-23-2012, 02:59 PM

I think those last pics speak for themselves as to why it couldnt be done today.

Traffic cones. Sheeesh.

Oilworker

12-25-2012, 02:26 PM

I would have a great route that's never been done before.
It was supposed to be part of the original Transyberia Rallye track, but was discarded when Porsche bought the rallye.
Just a thought and maybe we could tackle this adventure for 2014?

97XD

12-25-2012, 03:04 PM

X-plorenow

12-25-2012, 06:58 PM

Oilworker

12-25-2012, 07:06 PM

Northern Russia. It wont get any tougher.
I know the part where you cross the Ural above the polar circle, which is awesome in every perspective!
I will meet Romuald Koperski early next year and will ask him if he'd like to prepare this for us.

X-plorenow

12-25-2012, 08:31 PM

FSU_Disco

12-25-2012, 11:53 PM

I really wish I could say I was in for this but I don't have the money or resources to even think about it. Maybe one day...

Bedwyr

01-01-2013, 05:09 AM

ReconH3

01-01-2013, 07:03 PM

Bedwyr. I've been wanting to see an Adventure style 4x4 event in the US for the longest time. I have participated in many all over the world, and I find it hard to believe that the US doesn't have the possibility to organize one. If you need me to help out with what I've learned over the years just let me know.

"Ex Umbris Venimus"

Bedwyr

01-01-2013, 08:33 PM

Thanks for the support, ReconH3! It looks like you have done quite a few Trophy style events over the years. Your input would be greatly appreciated, for sure. Since I reside in Canada currently, that is where I have been aiming to hold the event, but I would be open to other option in North America. The two big hurdles are sponsorship and volunteers. That would steer where the event would take place. Hopefully others on the forum will step forward with some skill sets that can also assist in this discussion, and possible future event(s).

Bedwyr

Timo K

01-01-2013, 09:27 PM

I'm definitely up for Russia 2014...

Bedwyr

01-02-2013, 04:04 AM

I wouldn't be able to organize one in Russia. The travel costs to get over there to do all the pre-run logistics would be too great, sorry Timo K. (I do feel Russia would be a pretty cool place to hold one though!) For me, I'd have to do it in North America. Here is where I feel we'd get the most traction for this style of event and the sponsorship.

Bedwyr

Oilworker

01-02-2013, 05:24 AM

So, why not start with one in late 2013 in the US?

cruiseroutfit

01-02-2013, 05:35 AM

So, why not start with one in late 2013 in the US?

Get started with the permits & insurance if you plan to do it on public lands, any competition style event will require a mandatory Special Recreation Permit and accompanying insurance policy. Neither are a deal breaker for an event, after all the desert racing and rock-crawling community are doing similar ventures (similar in terms of scope and impact) all over the western US. Totally doable but it will take a lot of legwork and someone willing to put their name on the line. There were a few

Team Trophy Challenge in Washington State
http://www.ttcw.org/home/home.htm

Expedition Trophy (Expedition Portal)
http://www.overlandrally.com/Overland_Rallies_and_Workshops/Expedition_Trophy.html

Nevada Trophy
http://www.offroadexperience.com/nvtr12info.htm

Sadly, I think all were cancelled due to lack of support? Rather than start with something new, I would suggest serious interest be directed and getting one of those alive again, then perhaps expand to a new offerings. Theoretically they have the FS/BLM permitting figured out and just need support and participants.

modernbeat

01-02-2013, 06:11 AM

I would think you could find similar, if shorter, versions of all the difficult obstacles found in Russia, in northern Canada.

Oilworker

01-02-2013, 07:31 AM

Well, Canada came to my mind, too.
What do you really need?
- An area where you have the permission to cross the terrain,
- as few roads as possible or tracks from days long gone,
- maybe a med-evac capable air strip or base with a helicopter close-by
- a group of enthusiasts with well prepared vehicles to tackle this adventure.

As with the old Outback Challenge, you hand out a spec list for the required preparations of the car and all the gear and supplies that need to be in every vehicle in time before the start.
At the start you do a thorough scruitineering, where every vehicle is unpacked and all items are ticked of.

After that you have a final meal in civilization and a full briefing of where you go and what to expect and off you go!

As you stay together as a group the whole time you don´t need Cps or whatever and the goal of this rally is to make it to the other end together.

So long,

Robert

X-plorenow

01-03-2013, 10:50 PM

Hi Robert,

Good to hear from you.

I was also thinking Canada and agree with your rough outline.

I am actually located in central Maine and am just a quick jump to Canada. We also have started an extreme expedition company, X-plorenow Xpeditions. We also have close relationships with multiple vendors that would be interested in supporting this.

If there is real interest I will commit to looking into it and doing the legwork, and possibly hosting / sponsoring an event.

So everyone please let me know if interested and feel free to share if you have any thoughts.

Thanks!

Mike

Well, Canada came to my mind, too.
What do you really need?
- An area where you have the permission to cross the terrain,
- as few roads as possible or tracks from days long gone,
- maybe a med-evac capable air strip or base with a helicopter close-by
- a group of enthusiasts with well prepared vehicles to tackle this adventure.

As with the old Outback Challenge, you hand out a spec list for the required preparations of the car and all the gear and supplies that need to be in every vehicle in time before the start.
At the start you do a thorough scruitineering, where every vehicle is unpacked and all items are ticked of.

After that you have a final meal in civilization and a full briefing of where you go and what to expect and off you go!

As you stay together as a group the whole time you don´t need Cps or whatever and the goal of this rally is to make it to the other end together.

So long,

Robert

Bedwyr

01-04-2013, 03:51 AM

Hi Mike:

Thanks for stepping up! We need people with connections, especially ones with sponsorship dollars. I believe that Canada would be a great place to start. In answer to Kurt about getting an older event back up & running, I for one wouldn't want to "step on any toes", there may have been some sensitive issues for those events, good or bad that forced them to not run. (Besides they may still be trying to resurrect their event!)

Getting some of those people from those events involved in our event would be great! (I've already been in touch with several key organizers of similar events to get their perspective.) Personally, I'd want input from a lot of different people and form our own "Rules & Regulations" from the ground up. That way we'd get a fun, challenging, unique event right out of the gate.

I guess it would be interesting to pose a couple of questions for the readers:

1) What style of event would you like to see us put on?
2) What are the know reasons "why" these types of events fail?

Cheers,
Bedwyr

PS: This is a great thread, please lurkers, chime in. "If we build it, they will come". I just need to know what you want me to build! LOL
PPS: Pretty cool site Mike, I have been spending some time surfing. Man, we really need you and your team on board!

cruiseroutfit

01-04-2013, 03:57 AM

...In answer to Kurt about getting an older event back up & running, I for one wouldn't want to "step on any toes", there may have been some sensitive issues for those events, good or bad that forced them to not run. (Besides they may still be trying to resurrect their event!)...

I'm not saying steal their name and copy their event in their location :D I'm saying call them and see what it would take to participate in their event for 2013. To my knowledge the TCC and NT both cancelled purely due to lack of interest from participants. Call them up with 10 participants and they might change their minds? That said a Canada event would be really cool too!

Bedwyr

01-04-2013, 04:26 AM

Hey Kurt:

I never meant to imply anything to what your take on it was. I agree, maybe we could field a bunch of teams to compete in other events, but is that what people want? Having chatted with a few event organizers and going through a lot of website info, none really hit on the name of this thread, namely "Camel Trophy".

Could we pull off a Camel Trophy? No, not in the first couple of years, but I think we have the expertise to get really close to the flavour of that event in the first year! Then we grow it. I believe those 10 participants are there, they're just not interested in what's out there currently. We need to give them an event that is for "them"! Hence this forum. If this dream wasn't something that people really believed in, it would have died along time ago. That's why this thread refuses to die, and it's still going, even after over 8 years!

Food for thought,
Bedwyr

cruiseroutfit

01-04-2013, 04:38 AM

El Solis

01-04-2013, 05:59 AM

I know for a fact that the Nevada Trophy was cancelled purely because not enough participants. (The organizer is also my friend and mechanic). They needed 4-6 more trucks. The problem was the economy. Hard for people to drive 100's-1000's of miles in trucks that get horrible MPGs for a few days and then home again. So for anyone interested just set aside a week in June/July and sign up early so that there won't be any cancellation.

Oilworker

01-04-2013, 07:34 AM

2 years ago I suggested two different adventure trophy style events to people visiting me at the LRO Stand at Billing and the week after.
One event was the aforementioned trip in Russia and the other was more like a long distance race.

The interest was amazing and I still have 3 guys who told me they just need 3 months advance notice and will be there where ever it is.

I wouldn't concentrate on "sponsorship" or "monetary support" in the planning stages for a simple reason: We need to do it first and prove that we can do it and that people are interested in this kind of adventure.

What we need now are two things:

a) a set of simple rules
b) two countries for such an event, I would suggest Canada and Russia.
c) for the first events no more than 5-10 cars, no matter the brand but well prepared for such an expedition, because it´s just that.

As mentioned before it won't be about winning but about achieving the task together as a team and get all cars to the finish line.

With today´s possibilities we can easily spread daily media bits during the event and thus attract potential sponsors, too.

So long,

Robert

jjstahl3

01-04-2013, 09:05 PM

With all the bad reality tv shows like Bullrun, One Car Too Far and the like I would think someone with the right flare could pitch something to Discovery or some other big name tv deal and get it funded-

Oilworker

01-04-2013, 09:13 PM

But a real adventure doesn´t follow screenplays ;-)
It takes more time and effort to prepare a good enough concept and presentation to approach such a potential sponsor, than to plan it and do it

El Solis

01-04-2013, 10:21 PM

how about start with a few days in the middle of nowhere Nevada, teams with a driver, navigator and a support vehicle (2 more people for a total of 2 vehicles any make and 4 person teams), geocaching for points and special vehicle and non vehicle tasks for points. big name sponsor already in place, insurance in place, land permits in place, experience (been going on for more than a decade) in place? I don't want to get ahead of myself here but there was even some TV coverage in place with a very public start etc. sound interesting? sound like a great start? I have no financial or business affiliation with the event (I will be providing medical coverage for the event, on my own $, not paid, no SWAG, nothing, just a few days in the desert). This can happen this summer! It is the Nevada Trophy, the link is above in one of the previous posts. It may not be the scale you are hoping for but it could be? get enough teams, enough interest and viola. So all of you sitting on the bench saying I could do that, get up and get going. practice at home and show up and have fun.

Bedwyr

01-06-2013, 11:51 PM

All great points guys:

My take.

Robert, I agree keep it simple the first year, simple rule set and and only 10 or so vehicles. I'm not sure on Russia, I couldn't possibly organize one from here. I'd like to keep it in NA for a couple of years. I also agree about not concentrating on money or sponsors completely, but an event of this scope will need some seed money, and that has to come form somewhere. So, unless you are incredibly wealthy or have a club and/or association behind you that can fund such an event...(Also, anyone that comes on board to fund the set up would have to be able to potentially absorb that loss too)

Having organized or been involved in organizing multi-day and week long events, there is a lot of work that goes on before teams even turn their first wheel! I also agree with Robert that the goal would be to ALL finish together, and overcoming all tasks as a group! With the internet and social media today, what with Google+, Twitter, Pintrest, Facebook, Foursquare, etc. we can get the word out as well.

My brother was a cameraman for major motion pictures and TV and worked in conjunction with others who shot Survivor, and I worked for a few years in TV production in the late '80s, so we've talked about this too. (He wheels in a '65 Series IIA) There are a lot of crappie car/off-road/adventure shows on TV. I think Oilworker nailed it, it would take way to much energy to "make a pitch". Besides, I doubt they'd bite considering we're a non-entity with no "street cred". (No one's named van Munster or Burnett!)

As far as what El Solis has said, I too agree, if teams are interested, they should definitely sign up for NVTR. It's not my cup of tea, but I would support the event, most likely as a volunteer. For me, having gone through the web site, looked at the photos and watched the videos, it's not as "expedition" as I would like. It sure looks like s lot of fun though! It's definitely more of a winner take all competition, and I didn't see a lot of teams helping other teams. It does look incredibly well organized and the teams really looked like they were enjoying themselves.

I really want something more grueling, more end goal driven, more camaraderie, and more purpose built rigs. Working hard all day on a gut wrenching trail, overcoming challenges, and building friendships. All the while competing head to head with other teams all driving different marques, but when push comes to shove, working together as a collective to build that bridge so EVERYONE can get through to base camp! As you roll into base camp for the night, the smell of steaks and camp cooking waft over, as you set up your shelter. Then everyone heads to the mess tent and chows down, over talk & stories of the day. Photos are shown, points given out along with critique on the challenges, then a brief overview of the next days route. You head to your cot, drifting off to sleep, dreaming the mornings drivers meeting at 06:00, and what new adventure tomorrow will bring.

Keep up the comments fellows, love the input!

Bedwyr

cdavis3361

01-07-2013, 12:42 AM

Yes, I've just signed up. But, we could do this, on a grand scale in North America. I've been thinking of setting something up like this for some time and stumbled upon your thread. Sure, it wouldn't be quite as exotic, but it would be pretty cool to set up and run. Who knows how it would grow over the years? I think that there's probably a lot of experience right here with some posters on these forums. Comments?

Cheers,
Bedwyr

I disagree, we all (mostly) live in America. The folks who live in Madagascar most likely don't consider that an exotic location. North America occupies a significant amount of the worlds land mass, there is plenty of adventure to be had in most of our back yards.

And the planning would be quite a bit less complicated, when compared to a non-national in Russia

Just my opinion

ROVER-1

01-07-2013, 08:37 AM

I'll add Alaska as a possible location. Plenty of adventure and camaraderie still available.

Oilworker

01-07-2013, 09:12 AM

Alaska would be great for such a rally

LtFuzz

01-07-2013, 06:41 PM

Canol Road

Oilworker

01-07-2013, 07:26 PM

Nice to start with but I guess we need a little more "road" or "distance".

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canol_Road

The area is pretty promising and good for spectacular images, too

grimbo

01-07-2013, 08:39 PM

Just chucking in my 2c here. I used to run a weekend 4wd weekend event down here many moons ago. The premise was finding GPS locations and then taking a pic to match the one provided. It was restricted to 30 teams. The locations rated in difficulty from 3 being easy to 10 being extreme. So on top of trying to get the most points you also had a time limit and shortest km travelled to contend with.

We had a group of 6 handling the whole event, from initial concept, all promo material, pre runs, road books, organising camping area, catering (3 course meal) etc

This would take most weekends for about 8 months, we would rack up many thousands of kms in pre runs and all of this was only 2 hours from Melbourne where we lived.

So I guess what I am getting at Is there is alot of time involved and that will be multiplied if you are further from home.

There is a lot of personal cost with all pre run scouting trips etc So I'd suggest that you aim for a 2014 event date to give you the time to get it sorted properly because disgruntled competitors will do you no favours.

We were a small club doing this for fun and a bit of revenue to have a Xmas party. We purposely did not offer prizes etc, it was just a trophy. We regularly would get anywhere from 50-60 teams entering but there was no way we could manage an event that size.

Eventually we stopped the event as we couldn't keep offering the time needed to organize it. I still get asked about it even though it's been about 12 years since the last one.

Is it worth doing? Yes, but be prepared for alot of work, time and headaches, especially once you start with prizes and sponsors

The Rover Shop

01-16-2013, 05:56 AM

Okay...been following his thread for a while... I just completed the maya rally (2nd place in the 4wd category.;))..) and would be all over another camel style event.. I own 3 camel vehicles and could bring my current one i am travelling the world in and could probably get some of the original camel drivers to come to an event such as this.. I recently did a thing called the Trans America Trail by motorcycle and is a public road trail and could be very challenging for 4 wheel drives.. We could select a portion of tis trail in say Colorado and make a serious go of it without too much hoopla.. I have a friend who was in the rainforest challenge and has ties with warn etc and may be able to pitch this to them for some sponsorship and assistance. And I am sure he would do it as well as some other big name friends. I also have some friends who were instrumental in one car too far and maybe able to generate some interest with a major filming in the event..Alaska would have to be done in the 3 months or so it is not frozen..I maybe able to get overland journal to also do something with it...we need to firm up something a little more than just a bunch of guys who say they would be in...

Oilworker

01-16-2013, 07:54 AM

We´ll see where we can take this idea.
I will drive over to the US a the end of summer and am looking forward to meeting some of you guys.

The Rover Shop

01-16-2013, 01:48 PM

Oh man... If oil worker comes my truck will only be the 2nd coolest vehicle there...lol...

Jitterbug

01-16-2013, 11:17 PM

I am defiantely keen to tie something like this into my 'big trip' (2016/17/18). I know it is ages away but I need something to day dream about in the meantime!

Hopefully the event isnt limited to 4x4 and i can bring my 6x6 defender, by then I should have firmly put it through its paces. The plan is to get it as capable, in most situations, as my 90 (twin lockers and 35"s) :)

REDrum

01-18-2013, 12:35 AM

Without a doubt there is room and demand for a safari type rally somewhere between Juno and the Panama canal. I had high hopes for Maya Rally but stepped away when it settled into a GTA rally event and lacked an organizational framework.

Last year at NEFR a few teams, US and Canadian, discussed initiating a "Rally Challenge" type event in the Northeast; a combination of Rainforest Challenge and the Dakar: trucks, cars, quads, bikes. Quebec is vast wilderness and the Quebecois love all things rally. However, second only to the challenge of gaining land/road permits, organizing it under a non profit entity is big obstacle. W/o non profit status for an organizing body, good will and volunteerism to run the event are not sustainable--its what is killing stage rally in the US;since SCCA dropped it.

Thats said, a few clever entrepreneurial people could definitely lead a new safari rally type event in Central and/or North America; a few regional events then a big event in a centrally accessible location. However, IMO, success of the initial event would come from NOT delving into planning and designing the event on public forms.

4xdog

02-25-2013, 10:50 PM

...one of my 2 (yeah, I hate to rub that in) rare books, The Great Adventure...

The Great Adventure, published 1993 by SQP SA, Lausanne, Switzerland, is a fantastic book. I had my copy out today and read every line (in English -- the informative but limited text is also in French and German) and looked at every image. It's full of superb photos from the events 1980-1994. Great photos of the vehicles travelling through incredible territory.

Not an easy book to find, but if you can get a copy -- grab it!

Don

jh.

02-26-2013, 12:46 AM

PS: This is a great thread, please lurkers, chime in. "If we build it, they will come". I just need to know what you want me to build! LOL

Been lurking but figured I should chime in. To keep things simple, why not start with the Western US? Clearly I have selfish reasons, but there is some logic there too. It seems like no matter what type of expedition vehicle I’ve owned, the majority of likeminded owners (through no empirical research other than the forums I’ve been a part of) have been either in the Southeast or the West. This site is more international than I'm used to, and the LR sites I've used clearly are as well. But for the most part, the statesiders have been Western.

Colorado is easily accessible from most of the continent (Kansas is the midpoint of North America) and wouldn’t break the bank in terms of travel (gas will be over $4/gal by summer again). Lots of BLM and otherwise federal land. Lots of dedicated OHV-type trails (as a former XJ, TJ, and WJ owner I really want to say “Jeep” trails).

Canada is a great idea too…but again I would say Western. Somewhere in the Rockies should give enough of a varied terrain to make the expedition worthwhile. I hesitated posting this to not start a location flame war. I know there are thousands of places worldwide that would be a great starting point (hell, even the aforementioned Southeast would be appropriate and far more wet than the West), but again, I’m selfish and I live out West.

I’d be in for sure. Just need to make some necessary (and already planned) changes to my rig (don’t make lockers mandatory – they aren’t in my spring budget - mandatory end-of-day beer sippin is fine with me however).

:beer: