Spring in Florida
There’s two highlights in the Florida Land Rover Club calendar with the spring rally being one
There’s two highlights in the Florida Land Rover Club calendar with the spring rally being one
THE FLORIDA Land Rover Club was formed in 1998 with a mission to provide activities, advice, support and information for all Land Rover enthusiasts throughout Florida. Although probably not the first-choice off-road vehicle in the state, the FLRC has had over 600
members, with approximately 50 active at any time – owning a comprehensive cross section from the Land Rover stable.
The oldest truck currently is a 1967 109-inch which the owner has had from new. The price was $3000 at the time when a Jeep could be bought for $2000!
Florida summers can be pretty brutal, so each year the club tries to bookend the hot and wet summer season with a spring and an autumn (fall) rally.
Due to the size of the state of Florida – it’s a 12-hour drive end to end – the club always tries to find a rally location central for most.
This year’s spring rally was held on the last weekend of April at the beautiful Ocala National Forest in Central Florida (fs.usda.gov/main/ocala/home). The Forest covers over 387,000 acres with hundreds of miles of trails ranging from well-looked-after forest roads to challenging narrow tracks – which are sure to pinstripe your vehicle.
The club had not had a rally at the ONF for around ten years, so it was new to some members to play in the central Florida red clay, rather than the more usual black swamp.
Having secured a block of campsites lakeside at the Oklawaha KOA campground, the club members and friends started rolling in Thursday night onwards.
Friday saw the early-bird arrivals go out for a very long trail ride heading almost all the way to the south end of the forest. The later arrivals did a more local series of trails in the afternoon, which had some very tight sections but was not a challenge to the Land Rovers’ capabilities.
A larger group did a night ride into the early hours, with one casualty as an overilluminated vehicle’s alternator caught fire. Fortunately, a spare was to be had with a field swap out – encouraged with advice from a vocal group.
Saturday was a completely different story. The group splintered a little as word was out of the Hard Rock Off Road Park, which was only about 30 miles away. So late Saturday morning a group of about 14 took off to explore.
Heads were turned all the way, as the Central Florida public were treated to a tyre-humming convoy of Solihul’s finest.
The off-road park is built in and around a disused rock quarry and caters for all sorts of off-road enthusiasts, with separate trails for ATVS, dirt bikes and SUVS.
Just getting into the SUV section was a challenge in itself, with a choice of three steep, loose rock and rutted climbs, causing some indecision and a series of very un-orchestrated u-turns! Eventually everybody got to the good stuff.
There was something for everyone: steep climbs and drops, tight twisty sections, technical obstacles, rocks, roots, and, of course, good old Florida swamp.
All of this was set against the backdrop of the old quarry walls hanging with vines and tropical plants, dropping into a beautiful turquoise lake.
It was a very much self-guided tour as all tried to find just enough to challenge their rides. A broken axle proved that these trucks could be over-challenged!
The exit from the SUV trail saw a steep hill option carved into a spoil pile some 120 ft high, and the view from the top was exceptional across the normal Florida flatland, the descent requiring some caution and deft brake work.
With the group reformed back at the campground Saturday night, it was time for the election of new officials, the excellent BBQ dinner – it’s southern USA after all – and the ever-popular raffle. As usual the club was well supported by its sponsors including Lucky8, Moss Adventures, Rovers North, Atlantic British, Bearmach, East Coast Defender and, last but not least, Goslings, who all generously contributed to the prizes.
There was another night ride on Saturday to round-off the merriment.
All in all, there were about 30 vehicles at the rally and its safe to say a good time was had by all. The club caters to experienced drivers and novices alike. It was warming to see the number of children there too, spending time with family in the great outdoors.
The next rally will be in the fall, location and date yet unknown but guaranteed to be yet another good time.
Many thanks to the club officials for their time and effort!