4x4 challenge tested drivers to the limit
EVERY year, the Bathurst 4x4 Challenge gives locals the opportunity to see powerfully equipped vehicles tackle seemingly impossible obstacles, while keeping to the carefully set out courses at the Bathurst Quarry.
This year was no exception, and hundreds of enthusiastic spectators, some sporting their own chairs and umbrellas, came to see the men and women who had constructed or modified their vehicles to navigate dongas, climb up and down cliff faces and roar over hillocks to show off their driving skills and the robustness of their rides.
Although it was a sunny day, there was a bitterly cold wind blowing, but this seemed to have little or no effect on the competitors or participants.
While the children ran from event to event, most of the adults stayed at the lip of the main quarry, as this was where most of the action took place.
This year’s event was split into two days.
Saturday saw a 4x4 gymkhana at the Bathurst Agricultural Museum, followed by the main obstacle events taking place at the Bathurst Quarry.
For the main event, 20 big boy 4X4s competed, with some arriving at the Bathurst Quarry from as far afield as Johannesburg and South Western District. Others came from Port Elizabeth, East London, Patensie and Queenstown.
According to organiser Difford Keeton, this year’s event provided plenty of thrills for both participants and onlookers.
The break of the day went to Johan Bekker, while Lynton Swatton won first prize for top truck, with 624 points.
On Sunday morning there was a ribbon run and treasure hunt, starting at the Ploughman’s at the museum and ending at the Bathurst commonage.
But the really exciting stuff was happening at the quarry throughout Saturday, with the smell of burning clutches and tyres, and the burning desire of the drivers and navigators to overcome some of the most difficult obstacles a 4x4 vehicle can be put through.
Whole families were there to witness the precision driving and the scale of the powerful 4x4 vehicles.
It was often brute force that enabled the vehicles to climb the almost vertical quarry walls in order for the drivers to prove themselves the best at 4x4 challenges.
Many competitors failed at the main event, unable to coax their vehicles out of some pretty challenging obstacles, but the lucky few came away with the knowledge that what they had done was create a love for this type of event among all age groups.
“A big thank you to all the sponsors, namely Algoa Steel in PE, Kowie Toyota, Wurth , Olof’s Motor Spares, Coastal Spares, Tyremart, VW, General Tyres/ Continental, Diesel Fix and everyone else who helped make it such a success,” Keeton said.
From the loud roaring of the engines to the smells of hot engines and the obvious testosterone in the air, the Bathurst 4x4 Challenge is an event that everyone should attend. Results: A-class winner: points B-class winner: points BM-class winner: 504 points C1 class winner: points C2 class winner: points D-class Winner: with 534 points. Mike Schreiber with 346 Shane Peach with 320 Christie de Kock with Koos le Grange with 525 Eddie Colling with 420 Shaun Bezuidenhout