Jeep Club SA Newsletter July 2015

NEWSLETTER / NUUSBRIEF JULY 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!

THABA MORULA – JULY 2015 (GP)

The July 2015 Gauteng event took place at Thaba Morula, situated in the Brits district, on a warm winter’s day. We arrived at the venue early on the Sunday morning greeted by the brave club members who camped on the Saturday night. This was the first time the Jeep club had been to this venue and

what a lovely surprise! We admired watching the game wandering around the beautiful gardens, while enjoying a warm cup of coffee. Soon more people were arriving and we were happy to welcome some new faces, including a dealership from Rustenburg who brought a few vehicles to enjoy the day with us.

The trail was very nice and offered a variety of obstacles which catered for all types of vehicles. Although we experienced a bit of a delay initially, everyone got a chance to enjoy themselves while testing their driving skills. Included in the trail we encountered a mini “Koos se Klip” as well as a mini “Gert se Klip”.

IN THIS ISSUE

◊ THABA MORULA (GP)

◊ CAPE PINE GRABOUW

(WC)

◊ STONEYBROOK (KZN)

◊ BRIDGESTONE FEEDBACK

(NATIONAL)

UPCOMING EVENTS :

03/09/2015 – JEEP

CLUB SOCIAL – SAFARI

CENTRE (GP) 20/09/2015 – JEEP

CLUB JAMBOREE –

HOBBY PARK (GP)

12/09/2015 - JEEP

ADVENTURE – MANIAC POINTS (WC)

13/09/2015 -

KILLARNEY 4X4 (KZN) 02-04/10/2015 -

CAMP JEEP 2015

(NATIONAL)

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NEWSLETTER – JULY 2015

The waterhole was of course the main attraction and entertained everyone as some of the members could not resist a bit of ‘water fun’ .

There were two recoveries for the day, one at the waterhole (of course yes!) and the other at one of the other obstacles on the route, luckily none of these were very serious. After driving the Mini Koos se klip, everyone headed back to camp to enjoy a delicious meal provided by Helen.

We approached some members and asked them for feedback and comments in regards to this event as well as previous ones, the main one being that everyone would love to discover new trails and destinations. As always a fun day came to an end way to soon and it was time to pack up and head home. Thank you for the organisers and Jeep club committee for making this another fun day. Marina van der Walt (JCSA).

CAPE PINE GRABOUW – JULY 2015 (WC) Having rendezvoused at 4pm at the N2 Engen 1-Stop with 8 other Jeep Club Members, we headed off in convoy to meet up with the 6 Members who for convenience, chose to go straight to the Elgin Grabouw Country Club, where at 5pm, we would all set off to undertake one of the most challenging, yet interesting 4x4 Trails.

After sorting tyre pressures, completing permits and other ‘formality documents’, being briefed on trail strategies, receiving our communication radios, and all other checks done and dusted, we took heed of the Cape Winter Sun threatening to depart for the day and took to the ‘road’, an understatement if ever there was one.

What lay ahead was not only challenging, but rewarded with the most awesome views of the Hottentots Holland, Nuweberg, & Groenland Mountains, with the Pine Forest and Eikenhof Dam nestled below.


Winding our way along the trail through the pine forest, streams and in places marshy white sand, we soon encountered the first of the challenging trail as we started our long approach to the mountain section. Rocky terrain, dongas, water, steep ascends & descents, all formed part of putting the drivers and co-drivers to the test, novices and just maybe, the ‘experienced’ too.

Under the watchful eye of our three group leaders, Ian Newton, Heinrich Vollgraaff, & Marius Cornelissen, and not to mention the energetic input of Marius’s Co-Driver – Lexi, we took on the trail with excitement and caution for all of 4 hours, the last phase being the most challenging – A virtual 45 degree mountainside descent comprising of rather large rocks, loose rocks, brush, and to compliment the challenge & ‘scare factor’, especially for us novices, deep dongas which at times left us staring down the nose of our Jeeps directly into the track in front.

Despite all this, approximately one & a half hours of descent for all 15 Jeeps, we finally headed back to the Country Club after an enjoyable ‘off-road’ adventure in the dark.

On arrival back at the Country Club, we were met by the most friendly, hospitable hosts, Willie & Petra, who presented us with an amazing ‘eat as much as you like’ spread of eats, comprising of (and we cannot avoid mentioning it in detail) chicken curry potjie, beef curry potjie, a variety of accompaniments such as home-baked bread, cheese, jams, followed by éclairs, milk tart, lemon meringue, and tea & coffee ‘on tap’. For those seeking a bit of warmth from the inside, a super pub, and from the outside, a roaring fire to take the icy chill out of the equation. What an all-round treat!!

Finally, somewhere around 10:30pm or maybe even a little later, the ‘die-hards’ wound up a most enjoyable evening of fun, chat, & dining.

As relatively new members of the W.C. Jeep Club, with two previous outings & three or four socials under the belt, we can only but compliment the amazing crowd that made those events and the Night Drive, so memorable – Organizers, Hosts, Participants & Families/Friends alike.

At last we now fully understand the true meaning of 4x4 Adrenalin Junkies, so bring it on!! - Withdrawal Symptoms are already setting in!

Until next time, keep that 4x4 Passion burning.

Cheers & Take Care,

Written by: Johan Frick ‘Aspiring 4x4 Adrenalin Junkies’


STONEYBROOK – JULY 2015 (KZN)

The Stoneybrook weekend is one that always brings about a great drive and even better memories. This year was no different. After a small breakfast, we lined up 15 vehicles in convoy and followed our leader – a beastly Unimog – into the tranquil hills of East Griqualand. To say this is one of the most picturesque outrides on the KZN Jeep Club calendar is an understatement. From the moment you exit Stoneybrook Bed and Breakfast and start heading towards the hills, you’re met with amazing mountain views.

The trail started with some light forest action, as we climbed our way to what the locals refer to as “The Wall” – a deeply rutted section of sandstone and steep ledges. The Jeeps climbed this with little trouble, with Roland being up-staged by his wife Laura, who showed the boys a thing or two! With only one spindle popping out on the climb, the Jeep Club made light work of the obstacles.

From there, the route starts a long winding path down into the valley with a few river crossings and converges in a “play area” filled with dongas and ditches, as a taste of what was still to come. From there it was back into the forest area, where the group was brought to a halt with a tyre that had run off its bead. Fortunately this was quickly taken care of, thanks to Jeepmeister Johan and some F1 style tyre changing.


A little while further, the group stopped for lunch and enjoyed some warthog Boerie Rolls fresh off the fire. The chill in the air was now starting to make itself known, setting us off on the homeward section of the route.

At the apex of the Stoneybrook trail is a steep, rutted hill climb that dwarfs even the Unimog. Most of the Jeepers opted to steer clear of it, with only Willie and Johan making it to the top – not without

difficulty. But the detour was by no means a walk in the park. Thanks to round boulders the size of soccer balls, and little else for traction, some Jeepers needed the Unimog to give them a little tug in the right direction. All in all, the Stoneybrook weekend was a massive success, with many new comers in awe of their vehicles’ capacities. We are proud to report no serious damage or injuries on what is a very tough track, once again proving that nothing is better off-road than a Jeep… besides a Unimog, perhaps.

BRIDGESTONE INTERCLUB CHALLENGE - NATIONAL By now, most of you have heard of, or experienced the Bridgestone Interclub Challenge. Guthrie Blaine (Bridgestone) and his team of Marshalls, including the famous (infamous) Sakkie Coetzee promise and deliver a challenging experience to all the drivers at the various monthly competitions. The last event was held at Bass Lake situated in Henley on Klip. This route brought on different challenges to the previous ones as the track is built around a deep donga which is used as a diving

school.


The course was created by Sakkie with the view that all vehicles have an equal footing, some of the obstacles are easy to accomplish for a Jimny, these are the ones where the Jeep’s normally have a rough time, further along the route though the driver will come across obstacles where the Jeeps reign and the Jimny’s fail utterly. There are a variety of vehicles in this competition, ranging between Mercedes-Benz Gelandewagen’s, Suzuki’s, Jeeps, Fords, Mazda etc.

The first four elimination rounds took place at Leeuwenkloof, situated in the Broederstroom district. The teams which qualified in these rounds moved onto the next venue, Hobby Park, which is situated in Krugersdorp, as previously mentioned the latest round took place at Bass Lake. Each month the next round will take place at a different venue until the final round, which will once again take place at Leeuwenkloof which is the home of Bridgestone. The Jeep Club wishes to congratulate all the Jeep club teams which qualified and wish them all the best for the future rounds. The teams are as follows:

i. Rudolf Wolmarans & Ria Wolmarans ii. Dominik Cholewka & Lourens Dames iii. Kiruben Reddy & Pradeep Raghubir iv. Adele Fouche & Mariette Fouche v. Andries Wolmarans & Tienie Mienie vi. Craig Habig & Johan Gouws.

Jeep Greetings, Suzi (Bridgestone Marshall 2015).


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.

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

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

mailto:[email protected]

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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.

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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!

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 July 2015

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