Jeep Club SA Newsletter August 2015

NEWSLETTER / NUUSBRIEF AUGUST 2015

P.O. Box 8421, MINNEBRON, 1549 Fax: 086 505 0484 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.jeepclubsa.co.za

The Jeep Club South Africa caters for what we believe in - family fun in our Jeeps!

MATROOSBERG – AUGUST 2015 (WC)

Excitement was all around us on Sunday morning. We got ready to go on our very first Jeep Club trip, loading Rex (my new Jeep Wrangler Rubicon) with blankets and picnic stuff.

Matroosberg is a level 4 route and because I am still very inexperienced, I asked my dad to come along to do the driving. We met everybody on the N1 and it was such a joy to look around us and see all the Jeeps in convoy.

Arriving at the farm we met some of the other Jeepers, what a friendly helpful bunch of people! We let the air out of our tyres and started our ascent up the mountain.

IN THIS ISSUE

◊ CARS IN THE PARK (GP)

◊ MATROOSBERG (WC) AMAZING RACE (WC)

◊ NYAMAZANE (KZN)

UPCOMING EVENTS :

31/10/2015 –

BRIDGESTONE SEMI

FINALS – MOEGATLE

07/11/2015 -

LEEUWENKLOOF & HARTEBEESPOORT

DAM (GP) 29/11/2015 – VITA

NOVA 4X4 FUN DAY

(GP)

23/10/2015 –

MURASIE WEEKEND (WC)

31/10/2015 – BEACH

CLEAN UP (WC) 18/10/2015 – GWA

HUMBE (KZN)

08/11/2015 –

AMANZIMTOTI (KZN)

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NEWSLETTER – AUGUST 2015

We had no idea what to expect, the only other 4x4 trail I have done was up the Helderberg mountain and that was a "paved" road compared to what we were about to face.

Everybody was so helpful! Craig was in the front. Mark was his “co-pilot”, he would jump out at every obstacle to guide everybody through safely. Butterflies in your stomach is not enough to describe the anxiety that was felt in my inexperienced body.

We had to laugh when we got out after the first obstacle to take some pictures, my hand was shaking so much I could hardly focus the camera. Jokes were made about having to smoke 2 cigarettes at a time, because one will just not be enough to calm you, even if you’re not a smoker! With the most spectacular views around us nerves quickly subsided and we were mesmerised by the clouds flowing over the mountains, down the green valleys.

Obstacle after obstacle, with boulders and holes in the ground that could swallow a whole person, the next one bigger and more challenging than the last, worrying that we cannot make it through this one, jumping out every so often to watch as the others behind us come through the massive obstacle we just went through, surprising me every single time they do.

I would struggle to walk over some of the terrain that these amazing vehicles drove through. I developed such a respect for the designers of Jeep as well as all the drivers there on the day.

We packed rocks and shovelled snow, laughed and stressed and laughed some more! We literally drove through the clouds up the mountain to the sky. I visited Switzerland last year in one of their summer months and we took a train up a mountain, that is where I touched snow for the first time.


Once we reached the top of Matroosberg I could not believe my eyes, it was like I was back in Switzerland!

The most beautiful white mountain peaks peaking through the clouds.

We were surrounded by white fluffy clouds, snow and mountain peaks, this must be heaven!

Every single one of us made it through. Amongst us were Wrangler Rubicon’s, Sahara and Cherokee. Some were kitted with all the fancy add on's and others like mine was stock standard. With all the sharp rocks and rough terrain there was only one flat tyre out of the whole group.

I was going to write about all the jokes and laughter we had on the way up and down, but sitting here thinking back on it all, I want to rather convey the respect and amazement I felt. This trip was not only humbling but it reminded me about life, with all the obstacles and challenges we face in our daily lives, we must focus on the challenge right in front of us and know that we have all the tools available around us to overcome it and remember that the most spectacular beauty awaits us just on the other side.

Thank you to Craig in the front, Craig in the middle and Craig in the back, as well as everybody else who joined us on this spectacularly humbling trip! I hope you all enjoyed it as much as we did! We really can go anywhere with Jeep! Looking forward to the next one :) Written by: Storm and Family


AMAZING RACE – AUGUST 2015 (WC)

Jeep Club Cape Town’s Amazing Race day started

with coffee and muffins for thirteen teams @ 4x4

Mega World Somerset West. It was especially good

to see new club members joining an outing for the

first time.

Clifford proceeded to brief the drivers and navigators on

GPS settings, the importance thereof would be clear

from the very start. He also emphasised having fun,

taking in the sights and not racing for time. These words

would be wasted on a couple of participants…

Once teams found their brown envelopes which were

scattered around the 4X4 Mega World store and their

first clues, the race was clearly on. Sadly, for a few,

including Craig Parsons, GPS malfunctions ended their

challenge for the day. Other teams experienced

communication issues between driver and navigator,

while others just found racing too cumbersome and

opted to try out all that was on offer at each venue.

Alistair, the marshal at the first stop at Helderberg Farm

was also not immune to navigational challenges. The

first teams arrived before him which caused elevated

blood pressure for those teams racing for the first

position.

Teams then followed way points and clues to the

Helderberg Nature Reserve, Lourensford, Gordons Bay,

Strand and back to our wonderful sponsors on the day,

4x4 Mega World Somerset West.


Even though the day was cloudy and overcast, the route

was picturesque, and the venues offered something for

everyone.

The first team in, was new Jeep Club member, Alida

Storm Malan, who took racing seriously. Melt Pierce,

found the going tough from the start and received

the prize for making the first distress call.

Many spot prizes were handed out, including to a special

team from Gauteng, Annemarie Engelbrecht, who is also

the treasurer of Jeep Club SA.

All in all, it was a really fantastic day out, arranged

by Clifford Kent with a great bunch of “Jeepers” and

hosted by Jaco Gerber and his team from 4X4 Mega

World Somerset West.

Written by: Tanya Rennie

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NYMAZANE – AUGUST 2015 (KZN) A cold morning greeted the Jeepers at Nymanzane on Sunday, not really all that cold by the rest of the country’s standards, but for Natal, it was pretty nippy. The day started off with a nice short relaxing drive through the farm, a game drive of sorts, although only the first few Jeeps in the convoy were lucky enough to spot any of the animals, before they turned tail and headed into quieter surrounds. Approaching the first obstacle of the day, which appeared to be a tiny little stream which needed crossing, followed by a bit of a rocky step to climb, and did not seem to be much of a challenge, well not at a distance anyway….


This proved as more of a challenge than first met the eye, after a few wheels found air, and some soil was relocated, everyone got through without too belly scraping going on. Next up was a drive over what could best be described as a roller coaster, nice steep hills up and down, getting the drivers accustomed to going down something steep. The previous day some of the Committee Members/Marshalls, and an unsuspecting helper or 2, went to survey the route to be driven, and the work that goes on behind the scenes is a lot more than most would think, fallen trees have to be chopped up and moved out of the way, branches were pruned that could possibly hurt the Jeeps, and then a mountain of rocks were shifted around, not always to make the obstacles easier though, more to limit damage than to ease the passage. While setting out the trail in the river course, what was originally planned to be the entry point had to become the exit, this was due to the steep riverbank on one side and dense vegetation on the other. While in theory it was as easy, finding a decent entry point turned out to be a problem. After scouting up and down the river, which

turned out to be impassable in places, a section of riverbank, not much wider than a Jeep was found that could possibly work as an entry point, provided that the first car down did not end up on its roof.

To test the entry point, a trusting individual drove into the riverbed to make sure it was safe enough for the rest of the group, this was not without a good dose of trepidation. Luckily the older manne met die planne, already had a plan, and the call was made to hook up a winch to the rear of the first car in, just for safety sake. After a hair-raising drop in, the entry was deemed safe and the rest of the route was laid out.


The following day saw large eyes, white knuckles and a few forced smiles as the Jeeps entered the riverbed. Scared / unsure drivers, usually make obedient drivers, and everyone followed the Marshalls’ line into the riverbed. This was more important than most of the drivers realised, as 2 potholes, 1 either side of the entry track into the riverbank, would of caused more than a just scare if driven into. Some of the smaller obstacles proved

to be more difficult than anticipated, and as time went on, each vehicle added a bit more water and mud to rocks that were already as slick as a rock could be. Wheel placement was critical, and some of the more experienced (lucky) drivers made light work of the river passage. The highlight of the day was undoubtedly the last obstacle, with the first few drivers climbing the stairs out without too much fuss. But then water and mud was added….. a few interesting lines at attempts around the obstacle had proved deeper and wetter than anticipated, and winches had to be used to get vehicles back on track. Mud, the great equaliser was not the end of the story though, with the last few Jeeps really having to get creative to get over the obstacle. Nonetheless, all the drivers made it through without damage, save for a little rock rash here and there, and a few shaky knees. The drive coming to an end had a most Jeepers wanting more, as if any trail, no matter how long, will ever be long enough in the company of good friends. The day ended with a well-deserved braai and some liquid refreshment to wash the dust and adrenaline down, and a trail not renowned for being challenging managed challenge all.


Cars in the Park, Zwartkops – 02 August 2015 (GP)

The 36th year of Cars in the Park took place at

Zwartkops Raceway on Sunday 02nd August 2015.

The event, organised by the Pretoria Old Motor

Club, brings more than three thousand special

vehicles, more than thirty commercially related

displays and fifteen thousand visitors to the

Zwartkops Race Track annually – and it keeps

growing!

If you are interested in cars of any sort, albeit

old or new, this is the event to be at.

More than one hundred clubs were invited to

be part of the event this year and the display

of cars and motorcycles built prior to 1985

were complimented by new technology, the

latest designs and all types of add-ons for

vehicles.

Add to this the market on the track and kiddie’s

entertainment and you have the perfect recipe for

a family day out. Food and drinks were available,

which ensured that the visitors to the event stay

entertained for the day.

The day started off quite cold at dawn as the

very first Marshalls and members arrived

along with the morning winter chill still

gripping at the ankles. Quickly the gas stoves

and burners were dispatched to make coffee

and hot chocolate drinks.

http://www.pomc.co.za/

http://www.pomc.co.za/


By 08h30, the Jeep Club stand was

filled with a variety of twenty seven

Jeeps and the oldest being a 1948

CJ2. As the day heated up, the

customary formation wheel parking

once again draw the crowds with the

standard question as to: "How did ya

do it?"

The club served cold drinks and hotdogs to

the members who arrived to support the club,

with enough time available to socialise and

make new friends.

We invite members with any old Jeep/Willys,

who wish to exhibit to contact the Jeep Club

in preparation for CITP 2016! Anyone is

welcome but you need to arrange through the

club to gain access for control purposes.

We wish to see more members

exhibiting and attending next year.

Happy Jeep'in and catch ya all on the

trails!

Dominik Cholewka


Great News Jeepers!! Chrysler SA has a launched a Magazine, which is hosted on

www.jeep.co.za, please feel free to follow the link to read all the latest news and to

register for future editions.

Happy Reading: http://emagazine.jeep.co.za/jeep_holiday.html#1

Reminder for Annual Renewal 2015 :

Annual Renewal 2015 is due R450.00 per member. Thank you to those members who have

renewed their 2015 membership. If you have renewed and not yet received your

membership card please send an email to [email protected] so it can be forwarded to

the treasurer for follow up and immediate attention.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO REGISTER FOR THE UPCOMING EVENTS ON

WWW.JEEPCLUBSA.CO.ZA OR [email protected].

Additional information on all events are available on the website.

NOTE: THE OPINIONS OF WRITERS IN THIS PUBLICATION ARE THEIR OWN AND DOES NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OPINION OF THE JEEP CLUB SA. THE JEEP CLUB SA DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOUR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, AGE OR DISABILITY.

Disclaimer: The Jeep Club South Africa has no connection with the website www.jeepclubrsa.co.za and dissociate itself from any publications on this web site.

Please scan our website for other interesting information!

PLEASE SPARE US A MINUTE AND SEND US AN E-MAIL ON [email protected]

OR FAX ON 086 505 0484 OR SMS ON 084 542 8869 with any suggestions, news, comments, readers from abroad, etc.

MEMBERS PARTICIPATION

Your enthusiasm, participation, support and positive attitude will ensure that the Jeep Club SA grow as a family orientated pleasure club catering for the “loves” in our lives - our families, friends,

outdoor adventure and needless to say - our Jeeps!

http://www.jeep.co.za/

http://emagazine.jeep.co.za/jeep_holiday.html#1

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.jeepclubsa.co.za/

mailto:[email protected]


The Jeep Club SA caters for what we believe in - family fun in our Jeeps!

Please print this Newsletter in colour and distribute it amongst your friends and family without access to Internet facilities.

Thank you for your participation and support.

Make sure your companion, kids and friends also read the newsletter and know what we are up to next!

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY - HAVE FUN OUT THERE

Jeep Club SA Newsletter August 2015

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