FREE TO ROAM

MUSCLE: 2007 Freelander 2 POWER: 2.2-litre Td4 (147bhp) OWNER: Joel Self

CLIMBING instructor Joel Self went up in the world two years ago when he bought this 2007 Freelander 2. “It was my fifirst Land Rover,” says Joel. “I used to drive a Mazda, but I needed something to get me to places off the beaten track. I go climbing all over the British Isles. “Many people don’t think Freelanders are very good off-road, but they are excellent. It gets me everywhere I have to go and has proved very reliable. I’ve enjoyed 25,000 trouble-free miles in two years.”

Joel is also a keen off-roader. The legendary byways of Salisbury Plain are within easy striking distance of his Bristol base and one of his favourite venues for greenlaning. To save damaging his car, he has fifitted full underbody protection and rock sliders. Brush cables and light guards are useful when the tracks get overgrown. Oversized Yokohama MT tyres have given the car a slight lift, while a Bearmach 1200 lb winch assists if he does get stuck in a out-of-the-way place.

Joel is a genuine outdoors man and once a year he sets off into the wilderness, living alone in his Freelander for a month. “The rear seats fold flflat and I can sleep comfortably in the back,” he says.

“I also teach off-road driving, shooting, archery – plus any adventure sports, really. My Freelander does everything I ask of it, but I hope to get the engine remapped soon to give me a bit more power, plus I will fifit a snorkel to allow me to go wading.”