Outback Challenge 2007

[Ossie]

Well the information is out, and entrys now open for the 2007 OBC.

Entry fee now $3,300 though $300 discount if entry received before the end of October 2006

I suppose it was only time until they increase kicked in.

Jason

[suzuki boy]

$3,300 plus getting you and your car there. Plus any damage, plus food, plus fuel ++++++!

That would really add up.

How much was it this year?

[AJ]

Surely they could sell the TV rights to someone like ESPN in the US and drop the cost for competitors (and open up sponsorship opportunities).

[Kruiser Dude]

No wonder cliffhanger has more than doubled its entries for this year from last year. Four days of comp, all food included, showers, toilets, fuel on site. $1300 inclusive, compare that to OBC $3300.

Well done to Hobzee and Rudi for offering a well priced great event.
good to see someone is trying to look after the competitors.

The numbers for 2007 Cliffhanger will definatly triple now.

[cebarry]

Yeah like I've said we've entered 7 obc's, driven 6, 1 yr being Gold pass spectators unwillingly.
We could of bought a house easy with what it's cost us, cos we don't get paid when we don't work, added to everything else.
BUT the obc is something else, those who keep returning for a week's punishment know only too well.....as will Rudi's Cliffhanger prove to be also, once they get under ya skin you can't stop going back for more..........the terrain, the courses, the people/marshals are tops.
Sadly as with all things Motor Sport, the obc will unfortunately end up being for an exclusive few it seems, that will be able to keep affording it. The battlers will fall by the wayside, which is a shame cos they are the ones that have always made up the numbers.

Rudi's Cliffhanger is like a mini obc except there's no huge fuel bills cos of no transport stages. Having everything on one property only, allows for one communal campsite, yummy provided meals, showers and loos which is unreal too........as it can be hot and dusty out there in Nov.
He also gives out super prizes......we recently got to use our "Auspit" rotissiery we won last year, and had the best mixed roast dinner out!...

Good luck to all those competing this year, you are going to have a blast!

And lets hope we'll be able to return to the obc for the 10th anniv. at least!

[Ruffy]

There has to be a pinnacle in all forms of motor sport. In the Australian 4WD comp scene that is the OBC. Is it unfortunate that the pinnacle of a sport is out of reach for a lot of people?? I don't think so. The event would need high entry fees due to being a high cost event. I have never been to an OBC so i wont speculate on the quality of event provided, but i think it's good to see 50 odd of the countries best ( read most expensive) cars battling it out in our deserts. for those who can't afford to OBC then there's vic winch, ateco, navruns, navnites, cliff hanger, amazing race, pajero challenge, wood pecker, willowglen, tuff truck, nissan trials, extreme winch challenge and the list goes on. We need elite, mid range and club level events. So before we go complaining about about an event entry try and take a look behind the scenes of one of these events and ask your self if you would be willing to tackle running the event cheaper than the current organisers with the same level of safety, experience and quality.
I agree the Rudi and Hobzee need to be commended for there contributions to the sport. But the Vanderhorst's have been doing the OBC well and always get a full field so just because the OBC is out of your budget doesn't mean it's too expensive!

[Ossie]

$3,300 plus getting you and your car there. Plus any damage, plus food, plus fuel ++++++!

That would really add up.

How much was it this year?

The 2006 was $2,500.

It is possible that the insurance premiums for running the event have had a huge increase. Because the vehicles run on public roads, and after the death of Brocky, insurers are getting nervous about events in the public domain.

Rudi has the advantage (like the Ateco) of the event being held in the one location.

Ceilia is correct, the OBC does get under your skin, and despite comments made my people in the past on the way Paul & Sharyn run the event, I reckon it would be a nightmare to be in there shoes.

Jason

[Ruffy]

Geez, i got bombarded. Let me clarify something... I'd rather have the fifty or so top cars go and pay 3.3k and compete in the OBC so i can go and do the cliff hanger for 1300 bucks with only 20 of those fifty cars there. I don't care how much you try and tell me otherwise, when it comes to building a car Money Matters. I don't want to be competing against Rohan and Cass and there 48 friends, if you know what i mean.
There NEEDS to be an OBC with a 3k entry as far as i'm concerned!

Rudes and Hobzee are now filling the void with a sensibly priced outback style event.. 3 cheers for Navrun!

[Hobzee]

Thanks for the referrals to Cliffhanger guys and gals .. any press is good press..

I think we are all agreed there is a place for both events. I enjoy the OBC and have done the past 6 and that puts me in about the top 10 of guys who have done the most OBC events. And for the record I am doing 07 OBC as winch bitch and behind the wheel again in 08.

And here I am running Cliffhanger which was deemed by some to be oposition to OBC. But seriously, I think this just goes to show there is a need for the 2 events and I'd like to see them compliment one another than bang into each other.

If $3300 is just too much then don't aim so high and we will see you in 4 weeks at "The Cliff"...

Tongue in cheek ... When's Paul going to enter a Cliffhanger??? He has some catching up to do...

[cebarry]

Hey Hobzee
I totally agree, there is certainly room for both, they also vary which is good. That's why we encourage everyone to have a go.
The OBC has and always will remain the ultimate to us, purely because we started there, like you, and are v. grateful for those experiences we've been able to be apart of. It would be v. sad to think tho, that it will end up for the 'elite' only!....as it didn't start out that way.

It's undoubtedly a huge challenge for the organisers to run such events year after year and the fact that they remain tops, is a huge compliment to all involved.

We have always had an absolute ball at every OBC and our first Cliffhanger last year was exo too, so will continue to encourage everyone to give them a go. (Paul at Cliffhanger, for sure too.)

You will of course never stop wanting to return either.

Unfortunately we can't get to Cliffhanger this year again....but wish all those going all the best and loads of fun and every success to Hobzee & Rudi for another successful event.


Celia & Eugene

[Ruffy]

It would be v. sad to think tho, that it will end up for the 'elite' only!....as it didn't start out that way.

C&E I'm usually in agreeance with things you guys say but on this occassion i'm not.
I don't see it being sad. I'd call it progress, also it's a positive for the event to say that it has grown from a grass roots event into an elitest event.
Especially now with the cliff hanger being on the scene (and much more affordable) it's even more important that the OBC maintains an elite status for our both our top guys and the international ones.

Bathurst USED to be affordable for the average competitor.
The Grand prix Used to be affordable.

I see it as a natural progression in competition, every year the event moves forward.
When the OBC started there were cheers from the guys who couldn't afford to go to malaysia because there was finally an affordable event in Australia. I see this as just another rotation of the wheel of the 4WD comp scene.

I organise and run off road races in victoria. I'd like to think oneday i'd be progressing to national level races. It proves your doing some good and doing it right.

[tuf355]

so what is the go with tyre size in 2007. on the OBC web site it states 36.5x13 , so can you run the krawlers,maxis & procomp 37`s ????

[birdman aka BOGGED]

It would be v. sad to think tho, that it will end up for the 'elite' only!....as it didn't start out that way.

I agree. Remember watching first few events on tape, there were husband and wife teams in very stock trucks.

I also think its funny that its designed to mimic the terrain and what you would encounter in a typical outback trip...

This event will just get more and more expensive over time, and yes, only an elite few will be in it, and #'s will drop and the event will disappear.

I think not running a secondary class for entry level people is a mistake too. Some rigs having $30-40k of suspension alone... then similar for engines and the like and this and that, theres a house and land package for 1 event.

Spectator costs are rediculous, and talking to the organisers at Wandin, their "plan" for the event is to have it become the biggest 4wd gathering every year... With the costs the way they are, and what you get for your $, I have more chance of gettin blown tonight.

The way its going, it will be the size of a small club trip in 3-5 yrs with only the same faces each time.

[MYTTUF]

so what is the go with tyre size in 2007. on the OBC web site it states 36.5x13 , so can you run the krawlers,maxis & procomp 37`s ????

That is a CCDA issue (unles the organiser puts a suplementary rule in stating what can be run) and is up for discussion on the CCDA website. Check it out and have your say.
Jonesy

[bru21]

my entry goes in tomorrow. already got a grand put down from last year. hope they transfer it over as I haven't got a reply to any emails I have sent!

Good mate of mine from glad (rosey on ol) is filling the nav boots and has been practicing a lot lately and getting fit (thanks to helen). So I have another 6 mths or so to get ready! As I have been driving around the last few weeks and tuning up the fox shocks all is well truck wise. I will have my 9 mod codes done on friday and start breaking in the truck there after!

Cheers all!

[cebarry]

Hey bru21,
Hate to blow your budget, but entry fees have not been transferable before.


Ruffy definitely no offence mate, everyone is entitled to their opinion.

Food for thought......we were involved locally with the East Coast Targa Rally as 4x4 recovery vehicle last year. This year there is no more E.C.T.R cos it 's priced itself out of the market we heard!

Who will forget the local team from BH@ this years obc, Simmo in their v. basic Lux...with small tyres and standard engine? They were v. much the 'battler class' and yet they had the biggest support from all the spectators & everyone there for giving it a go. There have always been such a variety of vehicles all battling it out together and even tho their is such a difference in the budgets, it's all about the challenge of getting thru the week....I know Simmo did.....unlike some of the v. expensive rigs!
People don't always want to see the biggest and bestest.......and
having lots of money doesn't always makith the man!


C & E

[bru21]

hey I entered today. Locked in eddy. had to do it over the phone as the site is not working, can anyone else see the site. paul recons its working might be my computer

anyways

[suzuki boy]

Are they letting you use your grand from last year?

[tuf355]

we are locked in too!

[Coighty]

Having problems with the site as well as getting response from e-mails, so i also picked up the phone and had my entry faxed to me by Sharyn, and will return it by mail tomorrow.

[Laurie Griffiths]

I'm in for the 9th time, GU diffs under the truck now so maybe I'll get to the end next year without blowing diffs that we seem to do every year, have to say even with all the mechanical problems we seem to have in this event I still can't help coming back for more. Looking forward to May 2007.

[Britswed]

$3,300 WOW thats a big increase ohh well looks like Dave metaclfe & cliff hanger will be getting my money next year

Mal

Ill do the 10 year OBC for sure

[Laurie Griffiths]

Hey Mal

Now come on, you said earlier this year you would definitely be there next year. Just service a few more Rovers and you will cover the increase.

Laurie.

[TRobbo]

Good luck to everyone who enters.
The cost of running events is not cheap and those costs need to be recouped somehow, whether it be spectators, competitors, sponosrs - whatever, and that's cool. Some people also put on comps so they can make money out of it. That's cool also.

BUT

There seems to be a thought process appearing that just because it is more expensive means that it is better - I dont agree.

[cebarry]

I'm in for the 9th time, GU diffs under the truck now so maybe I'll get to the end next year without blowing diffs that we seem to do every year, have to say even with all the mechanical problems we seem to have in this event I still can't help coming back for more. Looking forward to May 2007.

Laurie if anyone deserves a good run it's you. Crikey you have certainly been long suffering and put up with more than most with such bad luck.
Here's to next year and not only enjoying the week to the end, but placing up there, where you belong.

Best of Luck.
C & E

[Laurie Griffiths]

I agree with TRobbo's comments "that just because it is more expensive means it's better", I agree, is not true, there are plenty of great events around the country and a lot cheaper to enter but I think the cost of running the OBC event at the level it is at now it would be difficult to keep the cost of entry the same as previous years. There will alwys be plenty of newcomers and the old die hards that will keep this event at the level it is at now.

Laurie.

[Laurie Griffiths]

Thanks Celia, it has been a few years now since I have been able to keep the Bushie in one piece for more that about 3 days in this event, I am now hoping that with the GU diffs under it will at least get rid of my constant problem of busting diffs. I am sure you will agree that the OBC gets under your skin and the event attracts such a great group of guys and gals each year and I for one would like to keep competing in at as long as possible, even though every year since '99 I have said not doing it again, truth be known it is the comaderie of the event that keeps me coming back. Hope to catch up with you soon.

Laurie.

[MYTTUF]

Good onya Lawrie with the GU diffs!!!
But whose gunna keep Silver City busy while you're out competing??
Oh and I plan to be back again looking after the spectators.
Jonesy

[Laurie Griffiths]

Hi Jonesy, how are things down south.
Mate I'm sure I'll find something else on the truck to keep Silver City workshop busy.
I'm hoping next year I spend more time competing than spectating.
Look forward to seeing you out there.

Laurie.

[XTREME MMM]

$3,300 WOW thats a big increase ohh well looks like Dave metaclfe & cliff hanger will be getting my money next year

Mal

Ill do the 10 year OBC for sure

Mate it would be great to see you and others at "Australia's longest full on competitive 4WD event" the XI (note this is not an Offroad Race, original suspension set up will do at the XI). You will find the XI gives you twice as many SS and a lot more competition driving time then any other event that is currently operating in Australia, it is also the toughest winch challenge format comp in Australia. 2006 saw each Team winching a average of 80 plus times over the 8 days. And with the money you have left, you could also compete in the 3 Rounds of XWC Series and still have $810 to spend else where.


Cheers David (MMM)