Tough Dog Tuff Truck Challenge 2008 - Latest Updates

[FireTruck]

If everyone spent as much time and money going and buying a magazine and then voting, as they do complaining about the system, there would be twice as many votes.

Can't tell you how frustrating it is as a competitor when 50 people tell you they have voted for you, and then you see that the only votes you have are from the ones that you have submitted yourself.

Scrap the voting all together. 10 wild cards for the organisers to vote in, then the next 30 to register and pay their money are also in.

Its Australia's Tuffest Truck, not Australia's most popular truck.

S.

[... rick]

I am very dissappointed that Tuff Truck 2008 will not have Glenn Dobbin in it.

Glenn's Truck is definately a great Icon for the sport.... & will be sadly missed this year by a lot of people...

Considering that his Truck is undisputedly one of the countries Tuffest Trucks... I really think from a spectators point of view that they will not be impressed... They want to see his truck there as much as they'd like to see him roll... "again"..

I do not for one second fail to recognise Glen's contribution to our sport. He has provided a lot of the highlights of Tuff Truck over the years, (who could forget his 2001 All Terrain drive in the dark, and his run through the mud in 2006) and deserves his reputation as good bloke, good driver and amazing engineer.
But the public had every opportunity to vote for the "iconic" 45 series, and did not. If the spectators are not impressed, maybe next year they will take the opportunity to vote a little more seriously.
Oh, and dont YOU talk about rolling....."again"

Its not Australian Idle... We do not have the following of tens or hundreds of thousands of people..
We struggle to get 3-5000 spectators & I'm sure more than half of them go to TTC as a last minute decision. I know many people that won't pre pay for tickets just incase they can't make it..

It would be interesting to know how many of the spectators that actually go to TTC are subscribers or readers of 4wd Monthly...?

I havent read a copy of it for well over 2 years.... and coming from an enthusiast of the sport this is probably a bad thing but I doubt if i'm the only one..

4WD Monthly have not had anything to do with the event for the last two years, it is 4x4 Aus and Dirt Comp. But Im sure you knew that.
I guess my point is this. It has been the same system since forever. Everyone knows that. Its just that this year (for the first time really) there are more nominations than positions.
I would have thought that if an entrant wants to be in, he needs to do whatever it takes to make that happen. Simple.
And on the other hand, if someone is as popular as you say, surely they would gather plenty of votes?
Even taking the Bandage Bear votes out of the equation, there was an all time high in voting slips sent in. So surely this shows the public are now taking an interest? I think taking the Bandage Bear votes out would have still seen Glen, Wayne, Sam and Snowy miss out.
As far as alternative solutions to what some see as a flawed system, I think it needs to be remembered that the magazines involved are also sponsers of the event. They want to sell more mags! I reckon that as the years pass, it will work. It is just that before now it has never HAD to.
Again, this is not a jab at you Pete, or anybody else, just what I see as constructive and hopefully useful conversation. I know the organisers read these posts, and hopefully some good, relevent and useful stuff can come from here.
I know personally that this is by far the most anticipated TT for a while, judging by the amount of interest from our customers. Im excited, I cant wait. And the best thing is, its only going to get better!
Bring it on!

[moose]

UPDATES...UPDATES....UPDATES ????
(just trying to draw the attention back to the topic & away from the petty arguing !!!!)

not long to go boys & girls !!!
who,s rigs are ready ,
& who still has shite to do ???

[RUFF]

Rick i think what you are failing to see is that even taking away the Bandage Bear votes the public still has no say in this. The competitors are still buying the votes themselves to guarentee their position. This hasnt only been a problem this year. It has been this way every year. No mater how many nominees thare have been. As a competitor you have no idea how many nominees you are up against untill after the voting has closed as the TTC site is never compleatly up to date or some only get there nomination in on the last day so even TTC dont get a chance to update it till after the cut off.

My complaints about the way the voting is has nothing to do with Mark and his Charity work. I applaud him for the work he has done and is doing. I only questioned the way he went about it from what other competitors were saying about him making it sound like they had no choice but to buy X amount of votes to ensure their possition. Im sorry if it came across to Mark or any others that i was questioning if the charity work itself was a scam. I never thought for a second that the money was going anywhere but the charity.



The complaints about the voting system have been around for as long as TTC. Mark and the charity votes had very little to do with these complaints although it may have made a few competitors and spectators that would usually keep their mouths shut on a public forum speak their minds.

JMHO.

[FireTruck]

My prep is going well, just have 1 more repair to complete... have to make new poles for my swag becasue Webbie destroyed them falling over like a drunken sailor at the OZ Rock final...

S.

[moose]

My prep is going well, just have 1 more repair to complete... have to make new poles for my swag becasue Webbie destroyed them falling over like a drunken sailor at the OZ Rock final...

S.

PBR ROCKS !!!

similar here , new Cd player in the zook , neons to cable tie to the chassis , then all done !!!

[... rick]

Rick i think what you are failing to see is that even taking away the Bandage Bear votes the public still has no say in this. The competitors are still buying the votes themselves to guarentee their position. This hasnt only been a problem this year. It has been this way every year. No mater how many nominees thare have been. As a competitor you have no idea how many nominees you are up against untill after the voting has closed as the TTC site is never compleatly up to date or some only get there nomination in on the last day so even TTC dont get a chance to update it till after the cut off.

My complaints about the way the voting is has nothing to do with Mark and his Charity work. I applaud him for the work he has done and is doing. I only questioned the way he went about it from what other competitors were saying about him making it sound like they had no choice but to buy X amount of votes to ensure their possition. Im sorry if it came across to Mark or any others that i was questioning if the charity work itself was a scam. I never thought for a second that the money was going anywhere but the charity.



The complaints about the voting system have been around for as long as TTC. Mark and the charity votes had very little to do with these complaints although it may have made a few competitors and spectators that would usually keep their mouths shut on a public forum speak their minds.

JMHO.

I completely respect your opinion.
I think to say the public has no say is not true, they have every opportunity. We just need them to be bothered to do it! Maybe an incentive for them to vote is whats needed? If everyone who went along to the event voted, then you would get a truer indication of what or who the crowd wants to see. That way, the NOMINEES (it would be wrong to call them competitors at this point) dont have the say, or at least, very little of it.
I think the present system could work and work well, and also provide a lot more anticipation and build up, but ONLY if the majority (like 90%) of votes are the punters, not those who have nominated.
If I am failing to see the real pojnt, its only because Im such an un-ashamed fan of the event. Maybe Im just too damn excited to see sense?

[RUFF]

I completely respect your opinion.
I think to say the public has no say is not true, they have every opportunity. We just need them to be bothered to do it! Maybe an incentive for them to vote is whats needed? If everyone who went along to the event voted, then you would get a truer indication of what or who the crowd wants to see. That way, the NOMINEES (it would be wrong to call them competitors at this point) dont have the say, or at least, very little of it.
I think the present system could work and work well, and also provide a lot more anticipation and build up, but ONLY if the majority (like 90%) of votes are the punters, not those who have nominated.
If I am failing to see the real pojnt, its only because Im such an un-ashamed fan of the event. Maybe Im just too damn excited to see sense?

It seams in this post you may be getting it

Im sorry if it sounds like im saying the public has no say. But with all the competitors voting for them selves the public is not being heard.

Easy fix. Tell the competitors they are not allowed to vote for themselves This will not change as long as the voting is done the current way.

I think Bundy Monkey is onto a good idea in his previous post. When a spectator pre pays their entry they then get a chance to vote once and maybe when a competitor nominates they get to vote once. At least this way it is the spectators that are choosing who will compete. But im not sure how many spectators actually pre-pay.

[Mark M]

Rick i think what you are failing to see is that even taking away the Bandage Bear votes the public still has no say in this. The competitors are still buying the votes themselves to guarentee their position. This hasnt only been a problem this year. It has been this way every year. No mater how many nominees thare have been. As a competitor you have no idea how many nominees you are up against untill after the voting has closed as the TTC site is never compleatly up to date or some only get there nomination in on the last day so even TTC dont get a chance to update it till after the cut off.

My complaints about the way the voting is has nothing to do with Mark and his Charity work. I applaud him for the work he has done and is doing. I only questioned the way he went about it from what other competitors were saying about him making it sound like they had no choice but to buy X amount of votes to ensure their possition. Im sorry if it came across to Mark or any others that i was questioning if the charity work itself was a scam. I never thought for a second that the money was going anywhere but the charity.



The complaints about the voting system have been around for as long as TTC. Mark and the charity votes had very little to do with these complaints although it may have made a few competitors and spectators that would usually keep their mouths shut on a public forum speak their minds.

JMHO.

Hi all,

Well thank you Ruff, i accept your apology.

After being referred to many times in this forum as part of this whole voting problem, i have felt obligated to try to be part of a solution.

After reading Nelso's comments on a pre-paid tickets this has led me to suggest the following.

I have mentioned to the tuff truck team that the main problem i am hearing on the forum is that the competitors want the public to vote!

well the only way to do this in my opinion is via an online compulsory ticket purchasing system.

This is early days but these are my thoughts so far - we would need for all competitors to register their intent to compete by example say 1 Jan 09, this would then give the tuff truck team & voting public plenty of time to pre purchase tickets and vote ie, 2 Jan 09 - 31st March 09, and 1st April 09 the running order is announced.

I thing if we design an online ticketing system (like jetstar, qantas etc) the public who wish to go to tuff truck must pre order thier tickets online at the tuff truck website, they must fill in their compulsory details ie - name, address, relevant contact details, the team they want to vote for and finally credit card details, once they submit their ticket purchasing form the tuff truck team processes this and sends them their official response email and entry ticket - this must be presented at entry gate.

This way the voting is done by the people who actually will be going to the tuff truck event. However we have to offer an incentive for these people to purchase tickets during the suggested times ie discount etc and or charge alot more for the ones who just turn up!

Food for thought, i look forward to some constructive discussions

Regards

Mark M

[`maddog]

UPDATES...UPDATES....UPDATES ????
(just trying to draw the attention back to the topic & away from the petty arguing !!!!)

not long to go boys & girls !!!
who,s rigs are ready ,
& who still has shite to do ???

haha we still have heaps to do.. we spent the entire weekend working day and night on the Jeep and have made some good progress, but more work needs to be done to get it running in time!

The next 2 weeks are going to be very busy!

[`maddog]

My prep is going well, just have 1 more repair to complete... have to make new poles for my swag becasue Webbie destroyed them falling over like a drunken sailor at the OZ Rock final...

S.

I can't believe how well he pulled up the next day too..

[Tuff Events]

I am very dissappointed that Tuff Truck 2008 will not have Glenn Dobbin in it.

Glenn's Truck is definately a great Icon for the sport.... & will be sadly missed this year by a lot of people...

Considering that his Truck is undisputedly one of the countries Tuffest Trucks... I really think from a spectators point of view that they will not be impressed... They want to see his truck there as much as they'd like to see him roll... "again"..

I do not for one second fail to recognise Glen's contribution to our sport. He has provided a lot of the highlights of Tuff Truck over the years, (who could forget his 2001 All Terrain drive in the dark, and his run through the mud in 2006) and deserves his reputation as good bloke, good driver and amazing engineer.
But the public had every opportunity to vote for the "iconic" 45 series, and did not. If the spectators are not impressed, maybe next year they will take the opportunity to vote a little more seriously.
Oh, and dont YOU talk about rolling....."again"

Its not Australian Idle... We do not have the following of tens or hundreds of thousands of people..
We struggle to get 3-5000 spectators & I'm sure more than half of them go to TTC as a last minute decision. I know many people that won't pre pay for tickets just incase they can't make it..

It would be interesting to know how many of the spectators that actually go to TTC are subscribers or readers of 4wd Monthly...?

I havent read a copy of it for well over 2 years.... and coming from an enthusiast of the sport this is probably a bad thing but I doubt if i'm the only one..

4WD Monthly have not had anything to do with the event for the last two years, it is 4x4 Aus and Dirt Comp. But Im sure you knew that.
I guess my point is this. It has been the same system since forever. Everyone knows that. Its just that this year (for the first time really) there are more nominations than positions.
I would have thought that if an entrant wants to be in, he needs to do whatever it takes to make that happen. Simple.
And on the other hand, if someone is as popular as you say, surely they would gather plenty of votes?
Even taking the Bandage Bear votes out of the equation, there was an all time high in voting slips sent in. So surely this shows the public are now taking an interest? I think taking the Bandage Bear votes out would have still seen Glen, Wayne, Sam and Snowy miss out.
As far as alternative solutions to what some see as a flawed system, I think it needs to be remembered that the magazines involved are also sponsers of the event. They want to sell more mags! I reckon that as the years pass, it will work. It is just that before now it has never HAD to.
Again, this is not a jab at you Pete, or anybody else, just what I see as constructive and hopefully useful conversation. I know the organisers read these posts, and hopefully some good, relevent and useful stuff can come from here.
I know personally that this is by far the most anticipated TT for a while, judging by the amount of interest from our customers. Im excited, I cant wait. And the best thing is, its only going to get better!
Bring it on!

Thanks for the correction, my mistake.. no 4wd Monthly. 4x4 Australia & Dirt Comp. Correct... Dirt Comp I read yes.. 4x4 No...

Anyone want a gamble????

What odds would be given to the following????

Will Tuff Truck will have 40 Active competitors starting Day One???

I had a guy buy a bender last week & 10 lengths of Tube for his entry vehicle.... No thats some serious tube work in a short period of time...

I know that 2 out of the 4 reserves will not be there 100%...

Which leaves 2 reserves.. Will they even show up??? maybe!!

I know my Truck & Matts will be down to the wire... & seeing Matt will have some serious overtime @ OPW over the next 2 weeks, I doubt if the Jeep will be done>>>

[`maddog]

Thanks for the correction, my mistake.. no 4wd Monthly. 4x4 Australia & Dirt Comp. Correct... Dirt Comp I read yes.. 4x4 No...

Anyone want a gamble????

What odds would be given to the following????

Will Tuff Truck will have 40 Active competitors starting Day One???

I had a guy buy a bender last week & 10 lengths of Tube for his entry vehicle.... No thats some serious tube work in a short period of time...

I know that 2 out of the 4 reserves will not be there 100%...

Which leaves 2 reserves.. Will they even show up??? maybe!!

I know my Truck & Matts will be down to the wire... & seeing Matt will have some serious overtime @ OPW over the next 2 weeks, I doubt if the Jeep will be done>>>

You're right, I don't think we'll have 40 trucks starting.

However you'd wrong about us not being there You wouldn't be worried about us beating you would you Pete?

[tom_286]

I didnt vote for Glen as I thought he'd get enough votes anyway... I put my vote to teams that I knew would put on a good show but mightn't nessasseraly get the votes required. Not a good move by me...

Maybe others have done the same??

[DIRTY ROCK STAR]

Pete,
what if though, those 10 lengths of tube were to do 2 rigs...
and a sheet metal shop came to the party and bent up the tube for the cage the same day it arrived from you and it was almost mounted already.
its all in the preparation. thats not to say im a certain starter but we are chipping away at it.

[FireTruck]

...maybe I need some of that tube to Webbie-proof my swag...

[DIRTY ROCK STAR]

...maybe I need some of that tube to Webbie-proof my swag...

GOLD!
or just get a shotgun!

[FireTruck]

No shotgun... he's a protected species. Kind of like the wide mouthed frog.

[`maddog]

No shotgun... he's a protected species. Kind of like the wide mouthed frog.

He's the wide mouthed, glowing penised Webby

[Tuff Events]

Pete,
what if though, those 10 lengths of tube were to do 2 rigs...
and a sheet metal shop came to the party and bent up the tube for the cage the same day it arrived from you and it was almost mounted already.
its all in the preparation. thats not to say im a certain starter but we are chipping away at it.

Go you good thing... Good Luck & I hope it all works out!!!

[Tuff Events]

Thanks for the correction, my mistake.. no 4wd Monthly. 4x4 Australia & Dirt Comp. Correct... Dirt Comp I read yes.. 4x4 No...

Anyone want a gamble????

What odds would be given to the following????

Will Tuff Truck will have 40 Active competitors starting Day One???

I had a guy buy a bender last week & 10 lengths of Tube for his entry vehicle.... No thats some serious tube work in a short period of time...

I know that 2 out of the 4 reserves will not be there 100%...

Which leaves 2 reserves.. Will they even show up??? maybe!!

I know my Truck & Matts will be down to the wire... & seeing Matt will have some serious overtime @ OPW over the next 2 weeks, I doubt if the Jeep will be done>>>

You're right, I don't think we'll have 40 trucks starting.

However you'd wrong about us not being there You wouldn't be worried about us beating you would you Pete?

If you spent less time at Ark yours might be finished by now

Ha, if Matt had a decent spotter he'd definately be in the running!!

[FireTruck]

you can talk...

[ann]

Ha, if Matt had a decent spotter he'd definately be in the running!!

..... and let the shit talking begin!

villains the both of you!!

[Mick.]

This is my first time competing in Tuff Truck so i'm starting to get a bit nervous. It looks like theres a few newbies this year so i'm not alone.

I took the week before Tuff Truck off to finish off any little bits on the truck but it's all finished so i'll got a week to sit around and do nothing.

Cheers mick.

[RUFF]

This is my first time competing in Tuff Truck so i'm starting to get a bit nervous. It looks like theres a few newbies this year so i'm not alone.

I took the week before Tuff Truck off to finish off any little bits on the truck but it's all finished so i'll got a week to sit around and do nothing.

Cheers mick.

Your in Newcastle you should spend the week helping DRS. At least then you can say you beat him at TTC. If he doesnt make it it doesnt count

[A1]

This is my first time competing in Tuff Truck so i'm starting to get a bit nervous. It looks like theres a few newbies this year so i'm not alone.

I took the week before Tuff Truck off to finish off any little bits on the truck but it's all finished so i'll got a week to sit around and do nothing.

Cheers mick.

You mean it will still be sitting at wallsend then ....on show .......I had a picnic under it the other day ...please becareful when driving around TT ... the speed bump you feel may be a VITARA ....

And Moose ......still have steering to sort out new lines etc to be made and fitted ...rear diff is getting checked for straightness... re-install ......put all the panels etc back on the rig after a tidy up...........fit some rock lights n spottys finally ........

get my new beadlocks / get em painted fit them up / load on the trailer ..............a whole let less than last year ...but as usual leaving

things late .....

[UZJ40]

on the subject of voting, dont forget too vote for BBM Rick http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/viewtopic ... 4&start=30 looks like he will be providing quality entertainment

[Tuff Events]

Ha, if Matt had a decent spotter he'd definately be in the running!!

..... and let the shit talking begin!

villains the both of you!!

Who me?

[Mick.]

This is my first time competing in Tuff Truck so i'm starting to get a bit nervous. It looks like theres a few newbies this year so i'm not alone.

I took the week before Tuff Truck off to finish off any little bits on the truck but it's all finished so i'll got a week to sit around and do nothing.

Cheers mick.

Your in Newcastle you should spend the week helping DRS. At least then you can say you beat him at TTC. If he doesnt make it it doesnt count

4wd monthly are going to do a feature on it some time early in the week which has just been confirmed so i wont get all the week off now. It gives me a bit of a chance to test her out too. The last time I took it off road was at the Nissan trials and we where still setting up the steering & suspension on the first day of competition.

[Mick.]

This is my first time competing in Tuff Truck so i'm starting to get a bit nervous. It looks like theres a few newbies this year so i'm not alone.

I took the week before Tuff Truck off to finish off any little bits on the truck but it's all finished so i'll got a week to sit around and do nothing.

Cheers mick.

You mean it will still be sitting at wallsend then ....on show .......I had a picnic under it the other day ...please becareful when driving around TT ... the speed bump you feel may be a VITARA ....

And Moose ......still have steering to sort out new lines etc to be made and fitted ...rear diff is getting checked for straightness... re-install ......put all the panels etc back on the rig after a tidy up...........fit some rock lights n spottys finally ........

get my new beadlocks / get em painted fit them up / load on the trailer ..............a whole let less than last year ...but as usual leaving

things late .....

I'm bringing it home tomorrow so I can get an exhaust made for it so it doesn't sound out of place with all them V8s. I may even put an A-frame in so i can piss the panhard off but thats only if the one out of my mates patrol will fit without mods as we don't really have to time to make one now.

She sit's pretty high when them winches are released but i wont be driving it around like that and I promise I wont run over you.

BTW how was your picnic?

Cheers Mick.