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2009 - Rainforest Challenge
Moderator: evanstaniland
MIssion accomplished now we can check the underneath for MUD.
Now we shall start it with the smoke pouring out
DNF and the spectators down below try to right it. THey fail to the jeering crowd above (us haha). We succeed to right it then the pesky JCB has its fun.
This is how the JCB sounds and treats its TOYZ.
[youtube]oQFodNNH6tc[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQFodNNH6tc
Then 161 has a go man he makes look like a sunday drive. Hook up the winch waits for the cry "WINCH" prods the pedal a little. the 4 cyl 15B-T roars like a CAT diesel and the rest of the truck follows effortlessly.
He even has time to get out of the truck and help his winchy out.
And take hand in signals
and back in the start box a few minutes later. The big diesel patiently purring away waiting for the next SS to hunt.
Last edited by cicak on Thu Dec 24, 2009 2:13 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
SS12 MMM from OZtralia. You want me to what start the clock, slide down the 7 meter bank, run through the river, climb the 7 meter bank again, get my TOY and drive back and press the STOP button? Nah I'll walk
Alex WINCH
Im stuffed.
Alex WINCH
Im stuffed.
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
MMM the OZtralians in SS7 lets see if that can get past the K1w1's mark?
The plasma rope snaps - DNF
And the JCB driver smiles again and so do the K1W1's bragging rights here but they both get 20 points for the DNF.
Man why did we have 60 meters of 10mm steel cable again it weighs more than me?
Not even the mighty XJ JEEP Pickup can conquer SS8.
Then suddenly its all quiet and the SS"s are all done its happy hour and dinner tonite is entree lotsa beer chicken in sauce and vegtables and fragant jasmin rice - wow such nice food and then for some beer for desert or whisky and the night is once again filled with Wild Bills graphic replays of vehicles doing various SS's until very late in the nite.
Tomorrow we move to CAMP 2.
The plasma rope snaps - DNF
And the JCB driver smiles again and so do the K1W1's bragging rights here but they both get 20 points for the DNF.
Man why did we have 60 meters of 10mm steel cable again it weighs more than me?
Not even the mighty XJ JEEP Pickup can conquer SS8.
Then suddenly its all quiet and the SS"s are all done its happy hour and dinner tonite is entree lotsa beer chicken in sauce and vegtables and fragant jasmin rice - wow such nice food and then for some beer for desert or whisky and the night is once again filled with Wild Bills graphic replays of vehicles doing various SS's until very late in the nite.
Tomorrow we move to CAMP 2.
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
Just for you I sat up to 4am making sure DAY 3 was ready for posting this morning and preparing the video clips from DAY 4 nite and DAY 5 are prepared.'mav' rover wrote:love the story so far,
Keeping us in suspence cicak
The rest will be posted on the 26th WHen I am back.
MERRY XMAS to you all and if you happen to see my kidz in BRISBANE wish them a merry XMAS as its been a couple of years since i seen them.
only 7 more dayz of story to go. THe best is DAY 4 and 5.
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RFC
Here are some more photo's and my story on SS and event. This can be found at:- http://www.xtreme4x4sport.com.au/The-Blog.php
Cheers
David (MMM)
David Metcalfe, runs Xtreme 4X4 Sport which is the home of ARB Xtreme Winch Challenge Series, Xtreme International & 4WD Angel Adventure supporting Angel Flight Australia
8th December - RFC Day 4
It's dawn once again at CAMP 1 that damn internal body clock wakes me up I wonder how I turn it off. Rise and shine its packup day 9.00am we are rolling outta here. Wild Bill is sleeping in we decide to prank him. Peter Taylor said he could hear him all nite bbbbbbbbbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaa with his SS replays of engines and winches. We (well someone did) cable tie tightly his mozzie net to his bed. Gather up 6-10 cans and drop them quietly on top of the net. Then I am saked to YELL out BILL "NAKED THAI GIRLS" he sits bolt upright sending the cans flying with his head. We all think its hilarious he realises he cannot get out dam if he doesn't have a multi tool in his bed and soon extracts himself swearing to find out the cultprits and REVENGE. Haha who cares the joke is on him. We have a small probelm the blokes driving GREEN and RED did not refuel since leaving KL some 550K ago they do not have enough fuel to go out the long way offroad so we elect to backtrack. Breakfast is cooked the usual OMELLETE's with onions, CAJUN spice and sausages, baked beans and your liquid poison.
The camp is broken down and packed up. DEATHSTAR is repacked smarter this time all the MILITARY boxes down the middle heaviest n the bottom. 4 JERRY cans down one side snd the kitchen kit and the BEER and fridge on the right - wow it works. The little 3 man convoy heads out and around planning to meet the big convoy in KAHANG (50K k away) not that we know where it is - no GPS point nothing we will just follow our noses. Whats wrong with that 3 westerners in Malasyia loose and lost. The other way is a traffic jam the river crossing is a WINCH crossing. Our drive is uneventful except for the slippy sliddey muddy downhill.
Camp 1 PACKUP PICS.
Peter Arthur (GREEN) and yes the OZZIEs from CAR 150 MMM and Alex over for breakfast.
The pranked (Wild Bill)
Dawn creeping through the junglecanopy
HQ on the move
The DEATHSTAR packed and ready to move.
The top of the slippery slope DEATHSTAR starting its descents.
Near the bottom and still in control hahaha
Then it will not go where I want (damn not having lockers) but its ok I make it safely.
Soon we are out of the jungle but not before I take frightful smack in the face from a branch through the window which stuns me and I have to stop and recover. Soon we exit the jungle and turn left 13k to a service station and the boys are critical in the RED and GREEN trucks. LOoks like the DEATHSTAR might have to tow 2 trucks. Ah Fuel station. We gobble up $500rm of fuel all on my credit card. For MMM we obtain 80 liters of prime fuel and toss it into the back of the DEATHSTAR. It groans! Following our noses we turn a corner some 30k down the road and dammed if a pile of POLISman are not standing there pulling us over. WAIT they say convoy to town. Ah I like this VIP treatment (Very Important PEasant's) then we chat and wait. They are waiting for the main convoy to exit the jungle where we are to convoy into KAHANG. Soon 4x4's emerge from behind us and out the side road and the POLIS convoy up some 50 vehicles and escort us to town. Wow a POLIS chopper joins in man we must be VIPP's Very Important Peasant's or they just don't want us loose on their roads - I think the latter. Soon its KAHANG and the POLIS direct us to the SERVO's we are to top up at. We are full so elect to just buy WATER and 30 cans of COKE for diluting MMM's Chivas TEa. Wow food we elect to get CHinese food. THe russians also pile in. HIlarious KArel speaks Russian/Chezch but not mandarin so the menu is translated by CHOPPER CHONG to english then to Russian by Karel and back. The Russians tire of this game and look at CHONG'S table and point to the food they like the look off.
Soon lunch is over and the food all demolished over and I have 20 minutes to spare before the 3.30pm convoy departure to CAMP 2. I hunt down a hardwre store and find 4 parangs (machette to you foreigners) as they cannot be purchased in Kuala Lumpur anymore due to people cutting each other up.
Damn almost time I race back to the convoy I'm last and they will not let me wait. i'm in the convoy and Peter Schmid is back in RED with the Russians helping them buy shoes - dam how do you buy a 130kg 6'6" russian shoes in a country where size 10 is HUGE.
Off I go and more vehicles slip in behind. I eventually raise Peter on the radio and give him instructions - 5k out of town turn left and follow the DUST yes its still has not rained. WTF I hate dust im a windows down driver. Wow 25k of this crap bouncing along corrugated roads and through oil palm plantations. I slow down to allow Peter to catch me and we are suddenly at the end of the convoy. Yay a sudden left turn brings the relief of the jungle and the DEATHSTAR purrs along again happy. We cruise along and decide to take video/pics as we are in no rush. Then the Russians cruise past at a log bridge we follow. Suddenly traffic jam. MMM's on the radio when you cross the bridge avoid the mudhole the bridge is not nice. THanks we can tell by the traffic jam. Peter in GREEN also talks to us by radio.
Suddenly there is this in front of us and we are hauled over "CONVOY" we must wait.
Polis Chopper
The OIL PALM refinery Kahang to CAMP 2 road
RED and DEATHSTAR at the first log bridge.
The first log bridge RED crossing after DEATHSTAR has done the weight test on it.
The RUSSIAN Hilux on the same bridge - Yup its as tall as it looks its a monster.
Another easy log bridge - tricky stuff in the rain - where is the rain by the way?
RED on UPHILL log bridge - I would luve this one in the rain - not!
[youtube]bnmBooapr5E[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/user/geckoadvent ... nmBooapr5E
It's dawn once again at CAMP 1 that damn internal body clock wakes me up I wonder how I turn it off. Rise and shine its packup day 9.00am we are rolling outta here. Wild Bill is sleeping in we decide to prank him. Peter Taylor said he could hear him all nite bbbbbbbbbbbbbbrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr, wwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhaaaaaaaaaaaaaa with his SS replays of engines and winches. We (well someone did) cable tie tightly his mozzie net to his bed. Gather up 6-10 cans and drop them quietly on top of the net. Then I am saked to YELL out BILL "NAKED THAI GIRLS" he sits bolt upright sending the cans flying with his head. We all think its hilarious he realises he cannot get out dam if he doesn't have a multi tool in his bed and soon extracts himself swearing to find out the cultprits and REVENGE. Haha who cares the joke is on him. We have a small probelm the blokes driving GREEN and RED did not refuel since leaving KL some 550K ago they do not have enough fuel to go out the long way offroad so we elect to backtrack. Breakfast is cooked the usual OMELLETE's with onions, CAJUN spice and sausages, baked beans and your liquid poison.
The camp is broken down and packed up. DEATHSTAR is repacked smarter this time all the MILITARY boxes down the middle heaviest n the bottom. 4 JERRY cans down one side snd the kitchen kit and the BEER and fridge on the right - wow it works. The little 3 man convoy heads out and around planning to meet the big convoy in KAHANG (50K k away) not that we know where it is - no GPS point nothing we will just follow our noses. Whats wrong with that 3 westerners in Malasyia loose and lost. The other way is a traffic jam the river crossing is a WINCH crossing. Our drive is uneventful except for the slippy sliddey muddy downhill.
Camp 1 PACKUP PICS.
Peter Arthur (GREEN) and yes the OZZIEs from CAR 150 MMM and Alex over for breakfast.
The pranked (Wild Bill)
Dawn creeping through the junglecanopy
HQ on the move
The DEATHSTAR packed and ready to move.
The top of the slippery slope DEATHSTAR starting its descents.
Near the bottom and still in control hahaha
Then it will not go where I want (damn not having lockers) but its ok I make it safely.
Soon we are out of the jungle but not before I take frightful smack in the face from a branch through the window which stuns me and I have to stop and recover. Soon we exit the jungle and turn left 13k to a service station and the boys are critical in the RED and GREEN trucks. LOoks like the DEATHSTAR might have to tow 2 trucks. Ah Fuel station. We gobble up $500rm of fuel all on my credit card. For MMM we obtain 80 liters of prime fuel and toss it into the back of the DEATHSTAR. It groans! Following our noses we turn a corner some 30k down the road and dammed if a pile of POLISman are not standing there pulling us over. WAIT they say convoy to town. Ah I like this VIP treatment (Very Important PEasant's) then we chat and wait. They are waiting for the main convoy to exit the jungle where we are to convoy into KAHANG. Soon 4x4's emerge from behind us and out the side road and the POLIS convoy up some 50 vehicles and escort us to town. Wow a POLIS chopper joins in man we must be VIPP's Very Important Peasant's or they just don't want us loose on their roads - I think the latter. Soon its KAHANG and the POLIS direct us to the SERVO's we are to top up at. We are full so elect to just buy WATER and 30 cans of COKE for diluting MMM's Chivas TEa. Wow food we elect to get CHinese food. THe russians also pile in. HIlarious KArel speaks Russian/Chezch but not mandarin so the menu is translated by CHOPPER CHONG to english then to Russian by Karel and back. The Russians tire of this game and look at CHONG'S table and point to the food they like the look off.
Soon lunch is over and the food all demolished over and I have 20 minutes to spare before the 3.30pm convoy departure to CAMP 2. I hunt down a hardwre store and find 4 parangs (machette to you foreigners) as they cannot be purchased in Kuala Lumpur anymore due to people cutting each other up.
Damn almost time I race back to the convoy I'm last and they will not let me wait. i'm in the convoy and Peter Schmid is back in RED with the Russians helping them buy shoes - dam how do you buy a 130kg 6'6" russian shoes in a country where size 10 is HUGE.
Off I go and more vehicles slip in behind. I eventually raise Peter on the radio and give him instructions - 5k out of town turn left and follow the DUST yes its still has not rained. WTF I hate dust im a windows down driver. Wow 25k of this crap bouncing along corrugated roads and through oil palm plantations. I slow down to allow Peter to catch me and we are suddenly at the end of the convoy. Yay a sudden left turn brings the relief of the jungle and the DEATHSTAR purrs along again happy. We cruise along and decide to take video/pics as we are in no rush. Then the Russians cruise past at a log bridge we follow. Suddenly traffic jam. MMM's on the radio when you cross the bridge avoid the mudhole the bridge is not nice. THanks we can tell by the traffic jam. Peter in GREEN also talks to us by radio.
Suddenly there is this in front of us and we are hauled over "CONVOY" we must wait.
Polis Chopper
The OIL PALM refinery Kahang to CAMP 2 road
RED and DEATHSTAR at the first log bridge.
The first log bridge RED crossing after DEATHSTAR has done the weight test on it.
The RUSSIAN Hilux on the same bridge - Yup its as tall as it looks its a monster.
Another easy log bridge - tricky stuff in the rain - where is the rain by the way?
RED on UPHILL log bridge - I would luve this one in the rain - not!
[youtube]bnmBooapr5E[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/user/geckoadvent ... nmBooapr5E
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
Soon I decide to go see what wrong. Ah PAJERO stuck through the bridge that'l slow down progress. Its a mess people eveywhere and many languages. Despite having a YELLOW MArshal shirt on I watch then the Russians decide to help man the big guy so friggin strong he grabs the hi lift jack handle from a local who was litterally swinging on it with his full body and one handed jacks jacking the Pajero up. Done he then picks up the broken log and pulls it out the way. and then inserts a new log in lifting it up. MEantime we are all jack of this and decide BYPASS and the bank tot eh side looks sexy. We fill it in with branches and the Sri Lankans are first up and over 1,2,3 of them. THen a local in a LC II who has to winch and then its Peter in RED. RED soars up the bank to the shock of the locals who expected it to winch. They have no idea whats under the bonnet of RED. Then the DEATHSTAR and I finally drop into 4WD and LO. I have to winch I'm too heavy the 8274 makes easy work of the small climb. By now the Pajero is cleared but no one is trusting the log bridge as the logs are not chained.
Sril Lankan LR climbing the bank beside the stuck Pajero.
[youtube]gwry-jsa7Co[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/user/geckoadvent ... wry-jsa7Co
Then RED climbs
[youtube]iQ8a6szq7xw[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/user/geckoadvent ... Q8a6szq7xw
Well darkness now descends its been 4 hours since we left KAHANG wow fun fun fun.
Soon its just me and Peter alone again cruizzing along the nite pierced by the sounds of a pair of purring 13B-T diesels (RED with its unique funny injector pink pink pink) with beady beams of light piercing the darkness from the front of the mechanikal monsters. Then TAILLIGHTS - GRIDLOCK! yeah yeah yeah a LC II with no front DIFF and no winch cannot climb a simple muddy climb after acrossing a trickle of water. THe HILUX pulling it obviously has no power (3L donk I think) to pull the enormous weight of the LC II which appears to be a spare parts truck for C113. IN the darkness and torch light I watch the chaos and listen to the cantonese banter. Once free we follow - WTF its not even difficult.
How far to camp no idea im enjoying the drive. Log bridge after log bridge (later count reveals 24-27 crossed into CAMP 2). Some easy some well don't make a mistake. With Log bridges never never be complacent. THen its jam again dam it its not the LC II again. muddy crossing with logs on one lane and then stright onto a log bridge and it cannot line up in 2WD. We get the hilux to come back and slowly pull it onto the bridge and pull it across - it takes ages. THere is a POLIS truck (Land Rover what else) next its battery (one battery only) goes flat I have to tow strt it int he dark I give the thing in the short space I have a violent tug it starts. Once across its PEter in RED then me in DEATHSTAR. Then we are alone the guys in front depart suddenly. We decide DEATHSTAR should lead. Wow fun time a triple log bringe crossing overr a swamp and a creek tricky crap. We meet Cars Bike TRuck editor coming out in his LR. He's busted a longshaft in his Rangey up the track. We soon find it sitting alone and scared in the jungle. DEATHSTAR purrs at it. We cruise along then turn the corner and wow a dark vehicle blocks the track. Dam the POLIS they have dropped through a log bridge. THe LC II team have left them behind. WHat else to do. Cannot JACK it up the logs are too small and they have no side steps or rear/front jacking points. Hell we elect to DRAG it back to terra firma as I have nothing to close the bridge up except a drag chain. I get it about 1 meter with DEATHSTAR then its rerally jammed. OK RED help. Two double line pulls and it moves then we have company behind the Philippines and the Sri Lankans we don't need help as we land the LR back on solid ground.
What the hell uphill or downhill depends which way you are driving log bridges. Downhill log bridges slippery slopes onto bridges this is awesome. In the rain this track would be cool. In the dry with 80+ vehicles theres bound to be mishaps.
Soon we are cruising again but once again another gridlock. I like this one a mudhole and yet the POLIS and the LC II are stuck.
I send RED off first as I know I will need to winch. RED makes us all look stupid it cruises the mud did it get past idle I think not.
DEATHSTAR is next and I make the hard part and a big hole gets me as I am travelling way too slow and YUP! WINCH! Then I am anchor for the the SRI LANKANS 5+ trucks all hang onto the DEATHSTAR it hardly moves as they all winch off it. THis is fun. Moving off as DEATHSTAR is too popular an anchor. Not for long TRaffic JAM soon again uphill cannot tell how bad all can see is 3 sets of BRAKE LITES - LR, LC II and Hilux all stopped takes ages to clear.
Wow must be bad so I get the video out and drive and record - DON'T DO THIS ITS DANGEROUS HAHAH LIKE I CARE. Soon its narrow winding track with precarious drops eitheer side into the pitch black. The log bridges come and go some easy some really not easy. No pissing around log bridges they are
We are back in radio with PEter (GREEN) so we cannot be far from camp he is over 2 hours ahead of us. Soon we find the camp. Dam wrong one (HQ camp) the one our guys are at is the competitor camp some 4k further in turned around in the river we are mobile again and the track gets narrower and then 3 log bridges in a row one a classic 45deg turned drop onto a steeply angled log bridge man this will be a pain it it rains (speaking of rain where is it) soon across a small lanslide and crest a hilltop on a road of pushed down ferns. My downfall on the descent I slide the DEATHSTAR off the track into the ditch and im stuck no moving the beast. Winching me out backwards pulls RED towards giving the DEATHSTAR a kiss to Peter anchors RED at the front we fill in the ditch with FERNS and then WINCH DEATHSTAR out slowly sideways. Recovered we are off 200 meters later we dsecend to CAMP. I look at the clock 11:59PM. Cool camp is up and so is my bed well done GREEN Pete. BEER and cold baked beans and tuna for dinner. WE find out Wild Bill and Ah Ho were in the first 5 cars and arrived camp about 8pm. Peter in GReen about 9.30pm and us well. WHat took you so long hahaha. WE had fun did you see ... get stuck. Na NA Nah wow you had a boring trip then! The banter continues. THen we find out KARELS JEEP is sick. Soon exhaustion catches upo with me and I have no idea how I got to my bed.
Then the reason for the tailback in the jungle the PAJERO with narrow tires slips through the bridge which was not chained together
Outta my way the big RUSSIAN takes over as we were interrupting his vodka drinking time hahah
Meanwhile we find a bypass and the SRI LANKANS show the way in the "STOCK" Landrovers "STOCK" yeah right.
[youtube]iQ8a6szq7xw[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ8a6szq7xw
THen the LCII gets stuck at a easy creek crossing no front axle and NO WINCH - carefully hidden by the fact ir had a 1" ROPE wrapped when the winch wasn't. Oh yeah no tow points either making recover always SLOW.
Not to be outdone the POLIS LR also get stuck.
This is the triple log bridge over the swamp just before the POLIS and the crew in front depart leaving us alone in the dark. One slip here ind its a very long recovery.
Peter crossing the triple log bridge with Yamin from CBT magazine waiting for us to pass so he can go fix his stricken Rangie.
Then the LCII is stuck on the logs leading to the tricky muddy log bridge as once again no front axles no drive no steer no grip so they towed it across.
Then the best parking of the nite - POLIS ROADBLOCK literally. No support for themm just us. No alternative but to PULL them backwards.
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
Soon I decide to go see what wrong. Ah PAJERO stuck through the bridge that'l slow down progress. Its a mess people eveywhere and many languages. Despite having a YELLOW MArshal shirt on I watch then the Russians decide to help man the big guy so friggin strong he grabs the hi lift jack handle from a local who was litterally swinging on it with his full body and one handed jacks jacking the Pajero up. Done he then picks up the broken log and pulls it out the way. and then inserts a new log in lifting it up. MEantime we are all jack of this and decide BYPASS and the bank tot eh side looks sexy. We fill it in with branches and the Sri Lankans are first up and over 1,2,3 of them. THen a local in a LC II who has to winch and then its Peter in RED. RED soars up the bank to the shock of the locals who expected it to winch. They have no idea whats under the bonnet of RED. Then the DEATHSTAR and I finally drop into 4WD and LO. I have to winch I'm too heavy the 8274 makes easy work of the small climb. By now the Pajero is cleared but no one is trusting the log bridge as the logs are not chained.
Sril Lankan LR climbing the bank beside the stuck Pajero.
[youtube]gwry-jsa7Co[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/user/geckoadvent ... wry-jsa7Co
Then RED climbs
[youtube]iQ8a6szq7xw[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/user/geckoadvent ... Q8a6szq7xw
Well darkness now descends its been 4 hours since we left KAHANG wow fun fun fun.
Soon its just me and Peter alone again cruizzing along the nite pierced by the sounds of a pair of purring 13B-T diesels (RED with its unique funny injector pink pink pink) with beady beams of light piercing the darkness from the front of the mechanikal monsters. Then TAILLIGHTS - GRIDLOCK! yeah yeah yeah a LC II with no front DIFF and no winch cannot climb a simple muddy climb after acrossing a trickle of water. THe HILUX pulling it obviously has no power (3L donk I think) to pull the enormous weight of the LC II which appears to be a spare parts truck for C113. IN the darkness and torch light I watch the chaos and listen to the cantonese banter. Once free we follow - WTF its not even difficult.
How far to camp no idea im enjoying the drive. Log bridge after log bridge (later count reveals 24-27 crossed into CAMP 2). Some easy some well don't make a mistake. With Log bridges never never be complacent. THen its jam again dam it its not the LC II again. muddy crossing with logs on one lane and then stright onto a log bridge and it cannot line up in 2WD. We get the hilux to come back and slowly pull it onto the bridge and pull it across - it takes ages. THere is a POLIS truck (Land Rover what else) next its battery (one battery only) goes flat I have to tow strt it int he dark I give the thing in the short space I have a violent tug it starts. Once across its PEter in RED then me in DEATHSTAR. Then we are alone the guys in front depart suddenly. We decide DEATHSTAR should lead. Wow fun time a triple log bringe crossing overr a swamp and a creek tricky crap. We meet Cars Bike TRuck editor coming out in his LR. He's busted a longshaft in his Rangey up the track. We soon find it sitting alone and scared in the jungle. DEATHSTAR purrs at it. We cruise along then turn the corner and wow a dark vehicle blocks the track. Dam the POLIS they have dropped through a log bridge. THe LC II team have left them behind. WHat else to do. Cannot JACK it up the logs are too small and they have no side steps or rear/front jacking points. Hell we elect to DRAG it back to terra firma as I have nothing to close the bridge up except a drag chain. I get it about 1 meter with DEATHSTAR then its rerally jammed. OK RED help. Two double line pulls and it moves then we have company behind the Philippines and the Sri Lankans we don't need help as we land the LR back on solid ground.
What the hell uphill or downhill depends which way you are driving log bridges. Downhill log bridges slippery slopes onto bridges this is awesome. In the rain this track would be cool. In the dry with 80+ vehicles theres bound to be mishaps.
Soon we are cruising again but once again another gridlock. I like this one a mudhole and yet the POLIS and the LC II are stuck.
I send RED off first as I know I will need to winch. RED makes us all look stupid it cruises the mud did it get past idle I think not.
DEATHSTAR is next and I make the hard part and a big hole gets me as I am travelling way too slow and YUP! WINCH! Then I am anchor for the the SRI LANKANS 5+ trucks all hang onto the DEATHSTAR it hardly moves as they all winch off it. THis is fun. Moving off as DEATHSTAR is too popular an anchor. Not for long TRaffic JAM soon again uphill cannot tell how bad all can see is 3 sets of BRAKE LITES - LR, LC II and Hilux all stopped takes ages to clear.
Wow must be bad so I get the video out and drive and record - DON'T DO THIS ITS DANGEROUS HAHAH LIKE I CARE. Soon its narrow winding track with precarious drops eitheer side into the pitch black. The log bridges come and go some easy some really not easy. No pissing around log bridges they are
We are back in radio with PEter (GREEN) so we cannot be far from camp he is over 2 hours ahead of us. Soon we find the camp. Dam wrong one (HQ camp) the one our guys are at is the competitor camp some 4k further in turned around in the river we are mobile again and the track gets narrower and then 3 log bridges in a row one a classic 45deg turned drop onto a steeply angled log bridge man this will be a pain it it rains (speaking of rain where is it) soon across a small lanslide and crest a hilltop on a road of pushed down ferns. My downfall on the descent I slide the DEATHSTAR off the track into the ditch and im stuck no moving the beast. Winching me out backwards pulls RED towards giving the DEATHSTAR a kiss to Peter anchors RED at the front we fill in the ditch with FERNS and then WINCH DEATHSTAR out slowly sideways. Recovered we are off 200 meters later we dsecend to CAMP. I look at the clock 11:59PM. Cool camp is up and so is my bed well done GREEN Pete. BEER and cold baked beans and tuna for dinner. WE find out Wild Bill and Ah Ho were in the first 5 cars and arrived camp about 8pm. Peter in GReen about 9.30pm and us well. WHat took you so long hahaha. WE had fun did you see ... get stuck. Na NA Nah wow you had a boring trip then! The banter continues. THen we find out KARELS JEEP is sick. Soon exhaustion catches upo with me and I have no idea how I got to my bed.
Then the reason for the tailback in the jungle the PAJERO with narrow tires slips through the bridge which was not chained together
Outta my way the big RUSSIAN takes over as we were interrupting his vodka drinking time hahah
Meanwhile we find a bypass and the SRI LANKANS show the way in the "STOCK" Landrovers "STOCK" yeah right.
[youtube]iQ8a6szq7xw[/youtube]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ8a6szq7xw
THen the LCII gets stuck at a easy creek crossing no front axle and NO WINCH - carefully hidden by the fact ir had a 1" ROPE wrapped when the winch wasn't. Oh yeah no tow points either making recover always SLOW.
Not to be outdone the POLIS LR also get stuck.
This is the triple log bridge over the swamp just before the POLIS and the crew in front depart leaving us alone in the dark. One slip here ind its a very long recovery.
Peter crossing the triple log bridge with Yamin from CBT magazine waiting for us to pass so he can go fix his stricken Rangie.
Then the LCII is stuck on the logs leading to the tricky muddy log bridge as once again no front axles no drive no steer no grip so they towed it across.
Then the best parking of the nite - POLIS ROADBLOCK literally. No support for themm just us. No alternative but to PULL them backwards.
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
A support Pajero on the POLIS bridge note the drag marks on the log from the POLIS LR recovery. Dont screw up now there is a huge number of camera's and video's pointed your way hahaah - PRESSURE.
200 meters from camp I slide DEATHSTAR into the ditch sliding it on the ferns. Recovery takes us over 20 minutes
11:59pm Wow it took us over 7 hours to travel 20k in the jungle and over 8.5 hours from Kahang to CAMP 2. We made it. Can we do it again with some rain this time.
More video clips of the nite travel to be posted tonite.
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
vIDEOS I have posted up so far more to come on Friiday. Sorry they are all unedited at present.
20091207_084103_full_C143_SS8.JCB.RESCUE.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQFodNNH6tc
[youtube]oQFodNNH6tc[/youtube]
20091208_070654.RED.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7CjuJG-uec
[youtube]M7CjuJG-uec[/youtube]
20091208_141506.RED.BRIDGE.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv5fpGwpt5w
[youtube]cv5fpGwpt5w[/youtube]
20091208_142052.RED.UPHILL.BRIDGE.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnmBooapr5E
[youtube]bnmBooapr5E[/youtube]
20091208_153828.BRIDGE.SRI.LANKA.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwry-jsa7Co
[youtube]wry-jsa7Co[/youtube]
20091208_153944.C151.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uacYgWRQALA
[youtube]uacYgWRQALA[/youtube]
20091208_155411.RED.BRIDGE.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ8a6szq7xw
[youtube]iQ8a6szq7xw[/youtube]
20091208_172131.LCII.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCRRPqWB3WY
[youtube]UCRRPqWB3WY[/youtube]
20091208_173331.POLIS.BRIDGE.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMRbcGg6XKc
[youtube]sMRbcGg6XKc[/youtube]
20091208_175657.RED.MUD.EASY.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSRKaLhiTNc
[youtube]ZSRKaLhiTNc[/youtube]
20091208_182932.POLIS.BRIDGE.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0OUaenQ4LM
[youtube]z0OUaenQ4LM[/youtube]
20091208_185650.RED.POLIS.BRIDGE.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m7GYPg5c2s
[youtube]0m7GYPg5c2s[/youtube]
20091207_084103_full_C143_SS8.JCB.RESCUE.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQFodNNH6tc
[youtube]oQFodNNH6tc[/youtube]
20091208_070654.RED.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M7CjuJG-uec
[youtube]M7CjuJG-uec[/youtube]
20091208_141506.RED.BRIDGE.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cv5fpGwpt5w
[youtube]cv5fpGwpt5w[/youtube]
20091208_142052.RED.UPHILL.BRIDGE.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bnmBooapr5E
[youtube]bnmBooapr5E[/youtube]
20091208_153828.BRIDGE.SRI.LANKA.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gwry-jsa7Co
[youtube]wry-jsa7Co[/youtube]
20091208_153944.C151.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uacYgWRQALA
[youtube]uacYgWRQALA[/youtube]
20091208_155411.RED.BRIDGE.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iQ8a6szq7xw
[youtube]iQ8a6szq7xw[/youtube]
20091208_172131.LCII.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UCRRPqWB3WY
[youtube]UCRRPqWB3WY[/youtube]
20091208_173331.POLIS.BRIDGE.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sMRbcGg6XKc
[youtube]sMRbcGg6XKc[/youtube]
20091208_175657.RED.MUD.EASY.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSRKaLhiTNc
[youtube]ZSRKaLhiTNc[/youtube]
20091208_182932.POLIS.BRIDGE.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0OUaenQ4LM
[youtube]z0OUaenQ4LM[/youtube]
20091208_185650.RED.POLIS.BRIDGE.avi http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m7GYPg5c2s
[youtube]0m7GYPg5c2s[/youtube]
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
next installment of the next 2 days of the RFC2009 is tonite.
HAppy new year to you all. SOrry we had a little trip during the weeek so I have not been around. Simple trip big problem when the rear diff let go hahaha with not one tooth on the crown or the pinion left intact. Pics and story later.
The busted DIFF on the little red rig removing the driveshaft but the horrible noises continued. Then we continued hooning in front wheel drive only
Advice. Do not run for 2-3 years on a modified LCII running 21psi boost imainly in 2WD HI in the jungle and expect it to survive hahaha. This was after a 10k fast run chasing the "angry hornet" LC II along a dirt track sliding (with logging lori's on the track too) and having fun in 2WD HI my my my arne't I a stupid junglebunny.
HAppy new year to you all. SOrry we had a little trip during the weeek so I have not been around. Simple trip big problem when the rear diff let go hahaha with not one tooth on the crown or the pinion left intact. Pics and story later.
The busted DIFF on the little red rig removing the driveshaft but the horrible noises continued. Then we continued hooning in front wheel drive only
Advice. Do not run for 2-3 years on a modified LCII running 21psi boost imainly in 2WD HI in the jungle and expect it to survive hahaha. This was after a 10k fast run chasing the "angry hornet" LC II along a dirt track sliding (with logging lori's on the track too) and having fun in 2WD HI my my my arne't I a stupid junglebunny.
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
9th December - RFC Day 5
Dawn or just before. The sound of COMP trucks being prepared for battle wakens up. I prepare the poison and breakfast the usual same stuff and our OZZIE friends drop in for a quick snack before heading off to the briefing. Exhausted we do not attend and go down later. After breakfast its tools out and FIX XJ Cherokee JEEP time. I'm just watching as I do not own a JEEP so "I do not understand". First the story of what happened. On the way in Karels XJ JEEP (2.5 liter under powered PETROL donk) the front locker appears to have punched 2 holes in the DIFF. THe next question is did they leave it engaged and drove a long way on it?. The front universal JOINT also snapped and needs to be removed along with the driveshaft and repaired. KAREL asks me if I want some SPAM for a snack. Wah you have PORK/HAM in the jungle I ask! Yes why not? FMD,#$#$$#$%%$% Crikey you do not bring animals from the jungle back in to eat them its a Chinese superstition thing and it will bring bad luck. The chinese guys are like me BAD KARMA man thats why your JEEP broke. KAREL does not believe it. I do I have seen it happen worse before. We leave them to the JEEP repairs. It's 4k back to the competition area. We go (GREEN Peter) and I and we PURR down in the DEATHSTAR and we assigned to SS16 but not before I see MMM in action winching on SS14. I get to SS16 and wow I have a customer immediately out friend 143 he is up to the top of his 36" sneakers bueried in the silt in the river. THe PTO Marshal's truck cannot move it. WOW they are Marshal's in BROWN shirts I do not believe this no wonder they are having a hard time with crowd control. To the DEATHSTAR its no issue double line pull on the 8274 and out it pops after a very long hard PULL. To much GAS and not enough slow driving got 143 a DNF in a really driveable SS. Such is the problem with a 1JZ powered TOY.
THe SS (SS16) is easy? Dash down the stoney river bank. Cross the water and up the nice 1.5m slope miss the little tree, round the big tree and into the river cross it for 30 meters up the bank on the other side and hug the bank back into the water (miss the 2 meter hole only 1.25 car widths out) and return the same way you came. SOme truck elect to run 60+ meters of cable out from the 2nd bank crossing back to the first and winch in for 60 meters. Haha the easiest SS's generate the most fun. One of the Philippines wagons hilarious he has a loud hailer no two way with his guy the winch wench runs out and he just rattles over the hailer a 2-3 minute tirade in Tagalo at the winchy we are all in fits he is unrelenting in his tirade of instructions. I have never seen anything like this before. After several cars I elect to take video from the opposite bank wow the first car 122 is fast up and down. The return he is real slow then hits the bank in front of me and gases it 3 times and wow I have a rollover all on video.
After a couple of seconds we realise its RESCUE time and I have to drop the camera and put it back on its sneakers 7minutes after the U tyurn its back on its sneakers and I tow it out of the combat zone and return.
The fastest buggy makes a mess deciding instead to winch into the same tree 4 times (video supplied) its 2.0 SR20 NISSAN engine screaming.
Soon is the Thai/USA truck (139) and I am just watching when I sense Rods going to roll as he hits the little tree kicking the back over the bank up comes the camera no focus nothing I just snap off shots (6.5 a second). Rod and Aun come down hard 1.5 meters into the water. Instant DNF as far as we Marshals are concerned. Rods worried as Aun was removing his belt when they rolled as Aun was about to jump out (The pics later confirm Aun was beltless). AUn is OK with a cut hand and the DNF - water has been ingested in the diesel. DEATHSTAR is busy again and soon rights the stricken HILUX. Later inspection reveals the radiator/cab moved as all the hoses are tight. I tow them out of the SS and return as we are retuning they tell me another is stuck.its Rods support truck (140) and its up to the windows in water. A front pull with the 8274 fails. We elect to pull it out backwards wow the DEATHSTAR still cannot move it even with a double line pull and the amount of water in the HILUX is not helping. Bill appears with the 7m Monster and we twin double line pull the Hilux backwards.
After 45+ minutes the HILUX is finally extracted and we exit the SS towing Rods seconds truck out he is shocked to see the state of it and he has his ORange HILUX up and running. That was the last truck on the SS our day is done so what elese to do . Remove the YELLOW marshall shirt grab a tinnie and jump into the DEEP now clean river outside HQ and relate the chaos. SS14 1 rollover and 2 vehicles drowned. SS16 2 rollovers and 2 other recoveries - wow a good day. Soon its time to head the 4k back to our camp.
Just before camp at the landslide is the sight of Karel's XJ JEEP parked up with a danger triangle just before it. I guess the JEEP could not climb anymore in 2WD. At camp I find nothing has changed nothing is unpacked and no dinner preparations in place :(. We decide to have Sphagetti Bolonaise with pasta and tuna patties. However the recipee for the patties is over with Peter and he is in the Russian camp. I wander over - bad news a vodka shot is plopped in front of me! In Russina tradition DRINK! Dam I have a shot and quietly ask for the receippe before I escape. Peters is not coming back he speaks a little Russian and I guess he will be very drunk when he escapes the Russian hospitality.
At camp C122 is moving out the mekanik has come back and packed everything up and they are going down to the SS16 area to finish work on 122 they have changed the oiul 5 tiems already and still its a coffee colour.
The potatoes are cooked, the onions chopped, the bolonaise sauce and the penne prepared. Well it was delicious and yes we never saw Peter until after midnite and we also feed truck 150 those Ozzies again and gave them one of their bottles of wine also stored in the DEATHSTARs fridge? Is there anything this truck cannot do? Desert was delicious - cold Carlsberg Cans and plenty of them as the days events are replayed into the night. Meanwhile Karel Snr and Junior sleep crying over the lost and lonely JEEP parked down the track. The only problem we have is GREENs battery's have gone flat the fridge has destroyed it.
The Picstorial follows
Team Sri Lanka Mekaniks working at an improvised VICE and hack sawing something up. Note the multi tasking and the toothbrush in the mouth at the same time.
Dawn outside our camp at CAMP 2 looking up the valley into the bright sun - damn where is that rain? This is the rainforest no the sunforest. The mekanik for 122 is pulling out the winch cable (more later on this vehicle).
Damn now the broken one is removed we have to reel in 60 meters of new cable.
Our little jungle hilton at CAMP 2.
A pensive 122 Mekanik little did he know what was going to happen later.
Never work on a JEEP in the jungle a lot of people want to watch. Gee what happened Karel?
Ah Ho showing Karel what he should remove. Undo this bolt and the whole thing will disolve so leave that bolt alone.
Ah Ho handing JEEP tools to Karel
The broken JEEP universal joint.
An interesting visitor
Damn this one wants to know what time SS16 starts.
Then its the action this is a scene from SS13 with the Russian Hilux in action.
Then its MMM in car 150 note the ROCKS he is pushing in the NISSAN DOZER.
And after pushing the rocks all over the SS what better to do on the exit than a underbelly wash and wash the crowd also.
Then a quick pic at SS15 before I get assigned to SS16. Note ALEX the winch wench running away from the NIssan up the hill.
Dawn or just before. The sound of COMP trucks being prepared for battle wakens up. I prepare the poison and breakfast the usual same stuff and our OZZIE friends drop in for a quick snack before heading off to the briefing. Exhausted we do not attend and go down later. After breakfast its tools out and FIX XJ Cherokee JEEP time. I'm just watching as I do not own a JEEP so "I do not understand". First the story of what happened. On the way in Karels XJ JEEP (2.5 liter under powered PETROL donk) the front locker appears to have punched 2 holes in the DIFF. THe next question is did they leave it engaged and drove a long way on it?. The front universal JOINT also snapped and needs to be removed along with the driveshaft and repaired. KAREL asks me if I want some SPAM for a snack. Wah you have PORK/HAM in the jungle I ask! Yes why not? FMD,#$#$$#$%%$% Crikey you do not bring animals from the jungle back in to eat them its a Chinese superstition thing and it will bring bad luck. The chinese guys are like me BAD KARMA man thats why your JEEP broke. KAREL does not believe it. I do I have seen it happen worse before. We leave them to the JEEP repairs. It's 4k back to the competition area. We go (GREEN Peter) and I and we PURR down in the DEATHSTAR and we assigned to SS16 but not before I see MMM in action winching on SS14. I get to SS16 and wow I have a customer immediately out friend 143 he is up to the top of his 36" sneakers bueried in the silt in the river. THe PTO Marshal's truck cannot move it. WOW they are Marshal's in BROWN shirts I do not believe this no wonder they are having a hard time with crowd control. To the DEATHSTAR its no issue double line pull on the 8274 and out it pops after a very long hard PULL. To much GAS and not enough slow driving got 143 a DNF in a really driveable SS. Such is the problem with a 1JZ powered TOY.
THe SS (SS16) is easy? Dash down the stoney river bank. Cross the water and up the nice 1.5m slope miss the little tree, round the big tree and into the river cross it for 30 meters up the bank on the other side and hug the bank back into the water (miss the 2 meter hole only 1.25 car widths out) and return the same way you came. SOme truck elect to run 60+ meters of cable out from the 2nd bank crossing back to the first and winch in for 60 meters. Haha the easiest SS's generate the most fun. One of the Philippines wagons hilarious he has a loud hailer no two way with his guy the winch wench runs out and he just rattles over the hailer a 2-3 minute tirade in Tagalo at the winchy we are all in fits he is unrelenting in his tirade of instructions. I have never seen anything like this before. After several cars I elect to take video from the opposite bank wow the first car 122 is fast up and down. The return he is real slow then hits the bank in front of me and gases it 3 times and wow I have a rollover all on video.
After a couple of seconds we realise its RESCUE time and I have to drop the camera and put it back on its sneakers 7minutes after the U tyurn its back on its sneakers and I tow it out of the combat zone and return.
The fastest buggy makes a mess deciding instead to winch into the same tree 4 times (video supplied) its 2.0 SR20 NISSAN engine screaming.
Soon is the Thai/USA truck (139) and I am just watching when I sense Rods going to roll as he hits the little tree kicking the back over the bank up comes the camera no focus nothing I just snap off shots (6.5 a second). Rod and Aun come down hard 1.5 meters into the water. Instant DNF as far as we Marshals are concerned. Rods worried as Aun was removing his belt when they rolled as Aun was about to jump out (The pics later confirm Aun was beltless). AUn is OK with a cut hand and the DNF - water has been ingested in the diesel. DEATHSTAR is busy again and soon rights the stricken HILUX. Later inspection reveals the radiator/cab moved as all the hoses are tight. I tow them out of the SS and return as we are retuning they tell me another is stuck.its Rods support truck (140) and its up to the windows in water. A front pull with the 8274 fails. We elect to pull it out backwards wow the DEATHSTAR still cannot move it even with a double line pull and the amount of water in the HILUX is not helping. Bill appears with the 7m Monster and we twin double line pull the Hilux backwards.
After 45+ minutes the HILUX is finally extracted and we exit the SS towing Rods seconds truck out he is shocked to see the state of it and he has his ORange HILUX up and running. That was the last truck on the SS our day is done so what elese to do . Remove the YELLOW marshall shirt grab a tinnie and jump into the DEEP now clean river outside HQ and relate the chaos. SS14 1 rollover and 2 vehicles drowned. SS16 2 rollovers and 2 other recoveries - wow a good day. Soon its time to head the 4k back to our camp.
Just before camp at the landslide is the sight of Karel's XJ JEEP parked up with a danger triangle just before it. I guess the JEEP could not climb anymore in 2WD. At camp I find nothing has changed nothing is unpacked and no dinner preparations in place :(. We decide to have Sphagetti Bolonaise with pasta and tuna patties. However the recipee for the patties is over with Peter and he is in the Russian camp. I wander over - bad news a vodka shot is plopped in front of me! In Russina tradition DRINK! Dam I have a shot and quietly ask for the receippe before I escape. Peters is not coming back he speaks a little Russian and I guess he will be very drunk when he escapes the Russian hospitality.
At camp C122 is moving out the mekanik has come back and packed everything up and they are going down to the SS16 area to finish work on 122 they have changed the oiul 5 tiems already and still its a coffee colour.
The potatoes are cooked, the onions chopped, the bolonaise sauce and the penne prepared. Well it was delicious and yes we never saw Peter until after midnite and we also feed truck 150 those Ozzies again and gave them one of their bottles of wine also stored in the DEATHSTARs fridge? Is there anything this truck cannot do? Desert was delicious - cold Carlsberg Cans and plenty of them as the days events are replayed into the night. Meanwhile Karel Snr and Junior sleep crying over the lost and lonely JEEP parked down the track. The only problem we have is GREENs battery's have gone flat the fridge has destroyed it.
The Picstorial follows
Team Sri Lanka Mekaniks working at an improvised VICE and hack sawing something up. Note the multi tasking and the toothbrush in the mouth at the same time.
Dawn outside our camp at CAMP 2 looking up the valley into the bright sun - damn where is that rain? This is the rainforest no the sunforest. The mekanik for 122 is pulling out the winch cable (more later on this vehicle).
Damn now the broken one is removed we have to reel in 60 meters of new cable.
Our little jungle hilton at CAMP 2.
A pensive 122 Mekanik little did he know what was going to happen later.
Never work on a JEEP in the jungle a lot of people want to watch. Gee what happened Karel?
Ah Ho showing Karel what he should remove. Undo this bolt and the whole thing will disolve so leave that bolt alone.
Ah Ho handing JEEP tools to Karel
The broken JEEP universal joint.
An interesting visitor
Damn this one wants to know what time SS16 starts.
Then its the action this is a scene from SS13 with the Russian Hilux in action.
Then its MMM in car 150 note the ROCKS he is pushing in the NISSAN DOZER.
And after pushing the rocks all over the SS what better to do on the exit than a underbelly wash and wash the crowd also.
Then a quick pic at SS15 before I get assigned to SS16. Note ALEX the winch wench running away from the NIssan up the hill.
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
The rest of the day is SS16 pics.
SS16 after I removed MR Entertainment car 143 from the SS and the next car was 111 the mighty modified Diahatsu or is it s ZOOK I cann't tell they look the same.
Then on the return the winch wench plays it safe and runs the cable out for 50 meters then they winch.
OK WINCH common make it snappy ive run my guts out and im still smiling!
And up the bank collect the winch and back to the start.
Ah yes the Philippines the winchy runs
With a verbal tirade of instructions see the driver on the loud hailer rattling out instructions.
Up the bank
Then we find the snapped PTO Shaft
Water entry shot
MAx in 135 got very close to us.
So does this dude in a buggy hey we're marshals man not orange cones.
Then does some bank excavation work somthing SIMEX XTs can excell at.
SS16 after I removed MR Entertainment car 143 from the SS and the next car was 111 the mighty modified Diahatsu or is it s ZOOK I cann't tell they look the same.
Then on the return the winch wench plays it safe and runs the cable out for 50 meters then they winch.
OK WINCH common make it snappy ive run my guts out and im still smiling!
And up the bank collect the winch and back to the start.
Ah yes the Philippines the winchy runs
With a verbal tirade of instructions see the driver on the loud hailer rattling out instructions.
Up the bank
Then we find the snapped PTO Shaft
Water entry shot
MAx in 135 got very close to us.
So does this dude in a buggy hey we're marshals man not orange cones.
Then does some bank excavation work somthing SIMEX XTs can excell at.
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
Then the mighty BJ40 BULLDOZER (we believe (we know) its winning) - Volvo Portal AXLES - 15B-T donk have I mentioned this thing honks.
Man it has a big overfueling issue.
Straight into the water for the wheel wash.
Scare the marshal's then turn away.
Come back way out wide almost in trouble in the soft river bank.
May as well clear the jungle out too.
Dump the tree we were carrying and scare the marshal's again
Push the tree out the way
Maybe not
Maybe on second go
Ok ok I give up get the winch out.
Damn this thing makes winching with a god winch look easy
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
then scoot Back to the finish line gotta beat that OZZIE Nissan.
Not to be outdone 121 decides to take the deep route also.
Then its the Ozzie invasion. MMM actually puts in a damn fast time here and finishes 3rd not bad for the heaviest truck in the comp.
Round that pesky mud hole any further out and its 1.8 meters deep very quickly
I just save the camera from a drowning and me being hit.
Alex out with the plasma
WINCH! and the mighty gigglepin winch just pulls.
Wow whatz next its the other TRANS TASMAN competitors the K1W1's.
Yeah they wanted to run us over also.
Wha! Rick drops the shackle in the water but the fish didn't bring it back! There's no gold they only find a shackle.
Then a very fast buggy
Who needs 4 wheels we only need 3 - CHARGE!
And hammer it on the return
THen get it stuck on the tree this is one pic of the 4 times they winched into the same tree on the right front wheel.
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
The aftermath of 122's rollover - video clip of the entire sequence later tonite
Almost righted by the DEATHSTAR
then back on its sneakers
Bent roll cage and a stuffed 1JZ engine was the end result and the pensive Mekanik from this morning became very busy.
Then Leonard in the HILUX with no POWER STEERING lucky he is a big big bloke
And they make it very well done with no steering
Now the Sri Lankans
Man he almost wipes us out
But now as close as the crazy local youngsters from Terengganu
not worried about scaring us then they really give the bank a whack
Then the steering rod broke and instant DNF we pulled the plug for them.
The camel towed front wheels
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
Then I sensed danger as 139 drove up the bank and as he started to roll I clicked and got this set without focusing the camera I literally shot as I turned the camera. I did not miss one shot I was so happy.
In this shot you can see AUN leaning forward as his harness had been unclipped he was a very lucky winch wench.
If you unload the pics and play them through a good viewer its almost video.
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
The recovery is organised
Back on its sneakers
Checking the damage before being towed out of SS16.
139 In the SS16 Hospital ICU ward.
Oh No the 139 support truck has gone and got stuck and wet.
Here comes the rescue.
THis rescue fails the 8274 just cannot pull the stricken HILUX.
WInching it out from the rear I am joined by the angry hornet to finally get the HILUX to move.
Wahoo it moved finally and was rescued.
THe days PICSTORIAL is completed.
Back on its sneakers
Checking the damage before being towed out of SS16.
139 In the SS16 Hospital ICU ward.
Oh No the 139 support truck has gone and got stuck and wet.
Here comes the rescue.
THis rescue fails the 8274 just cannot pull the stricken HILUX.
WInching it out from the rear I am joined by the angry hornet to finally get the HILUX to move.
Wahoo it moved finally and was rescued.
THe days PICSTORIAL is completed.
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
10th December - RFC Day 6
It still has not rained comeon im covered in dust!
Well SS's 13-18 completed yesterday today its the technical SS's SS19-24 these are physical.
The SS plan for the day from HQ notice board
Up and create breakfast the normal breakfast menu but I change it and add corn to the beans, mmmm nice. Wild Bill and Ah Ho in the "7M angry hornets" have decided to escort Karel in the stricken XJ Jeep put to Kahang for repairs (later we find he Karel drove 400k+ back to Kuala Lumpur to have it repaired). They pack and take down the TENT - wahhhh we have to put our JUngle Hilton up tonite when we get back to camp. The early morning arrival of a pile of people (20+ on cupchai's (90-125cc motobikes) ruins our morning and they proceed to make a hell of a racket accompanied by "officials" in a Pajero and another vehicle. Theey proceed to make a nuisence of themselves. RED looses its ARIEL and the top of the high lift jack during the day.
Soon its time to go to the SS's which are only 1k up the hill not before DEATHSTAR has to winch up a little landslide as the comp trucks have turned it to shit.
We are assigned to SS19 but we are not needed but being the most potential for action I stay to ewatch.
The other SS's are physical, Handwinch using a hi-lift jack 8 meters a SUZUKI uphill etc. I should remind people it was hot 38celcius (100 deg). Change a tire using a log to hold the truck up. Winch using a log and stick to winch logs along the track etc. YOu get the idea physical stuff, Some guys loved it others hated it.
SS19 was cool losts of SMOKE, DUST, winching and dramas but not one rollover which we were all expecting. SS19 Dash up the deeply rutted track - some winch as they got stuck in the ruts. Climb the 7+ meter bank and the final 50 meter dash up to the finish box. Its dusty Day 6 in the RFC and no rain in the jungle still whats wrong. First car up is 161 and they have to winch and its almost a rollover.
The next 3 cars also winch then a BUGGY makes it and almost takes out the two Peter's and its now driveable. I stay here until all 29 comp cars have gone through and then wander up the hill to the technical SS's.
They are indeed physical the Russians show physical strength on the ZOOK pull and Leonard uses one hand makes it look easy pulling the zook also with minimal fuss. YEah its hot and dusty work but someone has to watch all the action.
THen around 3.30pm all the cars have driven through SS19 and no DNF's (even the Pino's LR with the busted driveshaft made it by winching) I think. Watching the physical action wow im getting to old for this shit even if I still do white water guiding.
Wow everything is complete and we decide to head back to camp rather than go for a swim at the HQ camp some 3k away as we have jungle hilton to erect. Dinner is cooked and its soy sauce chicken and rice very nice along with some onions and capsicum I found in the fridge. Camp is lonley without the angry hornet team and the XJ Jeep. WE later find out they have a hell of a trip out. The XJ JEEP tosses its steering box of the chassis and its eventually held down by the wonderful extra use for a WARN winch on a XJ JEEP. THey pull the cable out wrap it round and pull it tight and drove it the 400k to Kuala Lumpur for repairs and returned. Meantime Wild Bill went shopping for the Russians and bought belts for their power steering for C103.
the PICSTORIAL follows:
Karels broken and lonley XJ JEEP parked up. Note the winch cable holding the car down in case a maruding tiger or elephant want to take it away. Don't laugh there were elephants around.
The briefing
The damaged and almost repaired 122 in the SS16 ICU ward. It actually gets a new crank and bearings the next day and the roll cage repaired.
SS19 and its the first car 161 the mighty BJ40.
Up and up
Down and up
Once the area is smoked out they pull out the winch cable as we all choke in the dust and diesel
Then its the exciting 121 wheel standing up the slope
After this they winch
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
Here come the OZZIES wait a minute whats he up too - ah they are stuck in the massive ruts down the botttom.
They winch up the slope the mighty giggplepin 8274 easily pulls them up (check www.giggplepin.com)
Next is the trans tasman cousins the flightless birds the K1W1's
Damn where did that knot come from must have been that tooth fairy last nite.
What can I do but laugh
Serious now WINCH the ISUZU diesel screams
Yup im serious come'on engine sing
They winch up the slope the mighty giggplepin 8274 easily pulls them up (check www.giggplepin.com)
Next is the trans tasman cousins the flightless birds the K1W1's
Damn where did that knot come from must have been that tooth fairy last nite.
What can I do but laugh
Serious now WINCH the ISUZU diesel screams
Yup im serious come'on engine sing
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
Now its the buggy will he be the first to drive the SS? download these pics and play it fast its only every second pic.
The two Peter's get a spray of dirt and dust but the bugggy is the first one to drive the SS.
Now the Russians in the mighty Hilux they shock me and make it up hence the lack of pics.
Badang gives them the thumbs up,
The two Peter's get a spray of dirt and dust but the bugggy is the first one to drive the SS.
Now the Russians in the mighty Hilux they shock me and make it up hence the lack of pics.
Badang gives them the thumbs up,
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
The Sri Lankans (3rd overall) get airborne but make it. These guys are good
122 is next and they take it real easy after the SS16 rolllover
For all the quad fans
Then Rod in 139 note the nice window after the SS16 rollover he drives straight up and over no nerves here
Is the pic of the smiling MArshal "Badang" or the winchy trudging up the hill with 60 meters of steel cable dragging along behind him. THese guys aklso slowed down after smashing their steering in SS16.
The patch steering bar.
Car 139's support truck its comes up then goes back down before they decide to winch. Wise move! Overfueling Diesels is a Thai pastime.
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
Then the Philippines team first 109 all get airborne
Then 108 and it eventually breaks a rear driveshaft but winches up.
SNAP goes the SHAFT.
WINCH
Then 108 and it eventually breaks a rear driveshaft but winches up.
SNAP goes the SHAFT.
WINCH
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
Its Car 129 they are 2nd overall
I think he was the most vertical for the day.
He never backed off and just floored it. The 1JZ howling.
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
That was SS19 complete
The ZOOK winch
The K1W1's doing the LOG JACK.
The Russian using the hi-lift jack one handed so damn strong
OZZies back at camp at happy hour.
The ZOOK winch
The K1W1's doing the LOG JACK.
The Russian using the hi-lift jack one handed so damn strong
OZZies back at camp at happy hour.
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
BEfore I start DAy 7 after I have finished day 10 I will post up Peter's pics of the event as a separate post as he has some cool shots also.
11th December - RFC Day 7
I awake suffering from an excess of that sweet desert hahaa "carlsberg beer". Packup day we are moving to CAMP 3.
Priority first START GREEN and put the billy on and prepare breakfast.
DAMN then DEATHSTAR batteries are flat (probably all that winching yesterday) and will not start however Car 129 is kind enough to give us a JUMP and DEATHSTAR purrs quietly in the background for an hour or two.
Then I hear a strange familiar noise it sounds like a angry hornet - it is its the ANGRY HORNET appears in CAMP.
Wild Bill hands over the fan belts to the Russians tells us the tale of WOE on the XJ JEEP and heads out (by the way it took him <1 hour to get and he winched once in he must have been flying) he is going to a waterfall outside of the RFC. Later we find AH Rolls his LC II on the way into the campo and busts his giod winch. Wild Bill looses a JERRY Can on the way out it bounces out of the holder full of fuel. Man he must have been flying in the ANgry Hornet. The Comp cars and all INSPECTED media vehicles are going direct from here to CAMP 3 via MED-HARD track. With the weight of DEATHSTAR I decide our 3 trucks shoudl go out the easy way and round to CAMP 3 besides its a 2 day trip to CAMP 3 apparently from here. We head out at 10.30 and are the last ones to leave making sure that CAMP 2 is clean - we leave the motorbike area filthy I am not cleaning up after them.
We wait in the traffic jam for the CAMP 2-3 turn and then cruise past and drive to the old HQ camp to pickup the other vehicles in our convoy.
The Comp cars and all "INSPECTED" media vehicles are going direct from here to CAMP 3 via a MED-HARD track. With the weight of DEATHSTAR I decide our 3 trucks should go out the easy way as they say 2 day trip and round to CAMP 3 besides its a 2 day trip to CAMP 3 apparently from here. We head out at 10.30am and are the last ones to leave making sure that CAMP 2 is clean. The comp boysz did a wonderful job and left their area spotless. However, we leave the motorbike area filthy I am not cleaning up after them. We wait in the traffic jam for the CAMP 2-3 turn and then cruise past and drive to the old HQ camp to pickup the other vehicles in our convoy. Wait a miniute there is a lot of vehicles missing as a lot of them are not suitable for the drive to CAMP 3. There are 7 vehicles only in our convoy we should have had more.
Wait a minute there is a lot of vehicles missing as a lot of them are not suitable for the drive to CAMP 3.
There are 7 vehicles with us. Pino LR with busted driveshaft, 2 media trUcks from Sri Lanka and 4 official trucks.
11.00am we collect the Sri Lankans and head out. Uneventful trip out or is it?
Apart from the left MIRROR of DEATHSTAR landing in the passenger seat DEATHSTAR purred the whole way down. Nah never!
The Sri Lankan trucks are both Pajero's one with electrical problems (Sorry Sam) and it stops several times refusing to allow any power trhough until a dogdy wire/fuse is fixed. Then they get stuck several times and are winched out much to our amusement.
Not to be the two pajeros get stuck in a long mudhole which also has elephant footprints over the 4x4 tire tracks. Which means Gajah passed between the Russian convoy ahead and ours .
The mardi Gra's (GREENs) answer to all this stuff is to just plod on past every obstacle including a 100meter slosh pit which Peter manages to park RED in - wah DIFFLOCKS and all and is winched out.
Then its the GREEN wagon and it cruises effortlessly through the mud and followed by the ever happy and purring DEATHSTAR. DEATHSTAR makes it all look to easy and purrs through.
Then its the mudhole we all had trouble with and the Pajero's once again are winched through using the Philippines LR (still has the broken rear driveshaft) as the anchor. Once again GREEN cruises over using a"better" route and so does the DEATHSTAR.
Still our day is not over a Pajero stops in the middle of the track no ignition. THe problem is tracked back to a blown fuse hidden under the battery box :( .
Then it happened I slowly drive through a pair of drops and yeah the back end catches and I'm stuck. Not wanting to announce it I blast the HORN and GREEN quietly reverses back and I winch the 1/2 meter to recovery sssssssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Well after 3+ hours we are out of the JUngle but still there is the 25+k of corrugated road to shake any loose parts up. Nothing falls of or out and we finally get tot he black top and quick 5 k to town for a well earned meal its 3.00pm wow 4 horus to travel stuff all distance. Lunch over its a car wash for the pajero pair they are just mud underneath. Meanwhile we try and decide how to get to Camp 3 by road. Then it dawns on us CAMP 2 to CAMP 3 was only 12k
Back out finally on the dirt road it's a 25k dusty bumpy (RATS WHERE IS THE RAIN!!!!!!!!!) haul to Kahang and we stop for a bite to eat its now 3pm (and western tea to wash it down) so we decide to kill a couple of hours after refueling and muck around as they deal with the Pajero issues.
Then we decide how to get to CAMP 3 from here. Crikey looking at the map its over 120K and then it dawns on us its only 12k in a straight line from CAMP 2 - 3. It will not take them 2 days to get there! Consulting the ,map and the GArmin Nuvi (mainly as we cannot decide which way to go) we head off. CAMP 3 is only 40K in a straight line from here but we have 120k drive rats we should have joined the convoy. Within 4-5k of leaving KAHANG DEATHSTAR looses power. Damn its fuel the diesel filter (filter very new) is full of crap or I have just bought a load of dodgy fuel. This problem continues all the way to CAMP 3.
Anyway no idea where we are going we just follow the sexy voice on the Nuuvi we follow the directions to Aloh Setar, Yong Peng, Bekok consult the map several times and yes the sexy voice is leading us in the right direction. We convoy through Yiong Peng and its after 9.00pm the road is a disaster climb a sweeping left short hill and the road dissappers into a pothole ridden track no warning just bang bang bang as the deathstar still cruising at a substantial speed careers into the potholes. We follow our noses and then we see a sign Sg Selai 30k and start to follow the we sporadic signs to the CAMP 3 which is in a national park. THe road is DUSTY and long eventually after several missed turns we get to camp and suddenly there is a VOICE on the UHF radio its MMM. Where are you - we are almost in CAMP where are you? Across the river waiing in line. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! crikey the convoy is here we have missed getting a nice camp spot.
Camp 3 is indeed crowded all the comp trucks are here and the MEDIA and OFFICIALS including vehicles that should not have done the track! RATS we should have gone. Soon we have a camp spot picked out and finally are allowed to erect campand we are joined by 150 MMM in the Ozzie NIssan. Good new is the SEXY voice in the NuVii got us to camp!
Dinner is cooked of course pasta and bolonaise sauce along with our now customary desert. Tomorrow has been declared a rest day as everyone is 1 day ahead of schedule. Some are pleased (especially the broken trucks and there is a lot of them) the other with clean healthy trucks are not so happy as a rest day will mean they do not get to take advantage of having a very strong truck. We have so much food I could open a shop. We here the trip in was hell so many vehicles had to be helped due to no winches and no lockers etc. SOme vehicles too 16+ hours to cover the 16+k from CAMP 2 to CAMP 3 which could have been covered in 2-3 hours.
The PICSTORIAL follows:
The 9.00am impending chaos as 29+ comp trucks and officals try and leave the REMOTE CAMP site 2 camp (HQ was 4k away).
No 1. Angled bridge and a steep climb lucky it was not wet. Damn that would have been fun.
No 2. Easy bridge.
No 3. Easy
Wheel wash at the HQ CAMP 2 site.
DEATHSTAR waiting for its owner (me) at CAMP 2 HQ.
The HQ swimming hole and also the SS14 comp area very nice I would come back here for a trip (and we are). Peter Arthur (GREENs driver) having wash or a swim?
no 4. Don't make a mistake
no 5. Same here line it up before you get on!
no 6. Too easy someone filled in the missing log.
LIttle mud holes with dropoffs just to keep us alert.
No 7. Easy
No 8. THe hole the polis landrover made.
No 9. Easy.
No 10. EASy
RED Stuck in the elephant crossing mudhole (pics of the tracks in another posting later).
11th December - RFC Day 7
I awake suffering from an excess of that sweet desert hahaa "carlsberg beer". Packup day we are moving to CAMP 3.
Priority first START GREEN and put the billy on and prepare breakfast.
DAMN then DEATHSTAR batteries are flat (probably all that winching yesterday) and will not start however Car 129 is kind enough to give us a JUMP and DEATHSTAR purrs quietly in the background for an hour or two.
Then I hear a strange familiar noise it sounds like a angry hornet - it is its the ANGRY HORNET appears in CAMP.
Wild Bill hands over the fan belts to the Russians tells us the tale of WOE on the XJ JEEP and heads out (by the way it took him <1 hour to get and he winched once in he must have been flying) he is going to a waterfall outside of the RFC. Later we find AH Rolls his LC II on the way into the campo and busts his giod winch. Wild Bill looses a JERRY Can on the way out it bounces out of the holder full of fuel. Man he must have been flying in the ANgry Hornet. The Comp cars and all INSPECTED media vehicles are going direct from here to CAMP 3 via MED-HARD track. With the weight of DEATHSTAR I decide our 3 trucks shoudl go out the easy way and round to CAMP 3 besides its a 2 day trip to CAMP 3 apparently from here. We head out at 10.30 and are the last ones to leave making sure that CAMP 2 is clean - we leave the motorbike area filthy I am not cleaning up after them.
We wait in the traffic jam for the CAMP 2-3 turn and then cruise past and drive to the old HQ camp to pickup the other vehicles in our convoy.
The Comp cars and all "INSPECTED" media vehicles are going direct from here to CAMP 3 via a MED-HARD track. With the weight of DEATHSTAR I decide our 3 trucks should go out the easy way as they say 2 day trip and round to CAMP 3 besides its a 2 day trip to CAMP 3 apparently from here. We head out at 10.30am and are the last ones to leave making sure that CAMP 2 is clean. The comp boysz did a wonderful job and left their area spotless. However, we leave the motorbike area filthy I am not cleaning up after them. We wait in the traffic jam for the CAMP 2-3 turn and then cruise past and drive to the old HQ camp to pickup the other vehicles in our convoy. Wait a miniute there is a lot of vehicles missing as a lot of them are not suitable for the drive to CAMP 3. There are 7 vehicles only in our convoy we should have had more.
Wait a minute there is a lot of vehicles missing as a lot of them are not suitable for the drive to CAMP 3.
There are 7 vehicles with us. Pino LR with busted driveshaft, 2 media trUcks from Sri Lanka and 4 official trucks.
11.00am we collect the Sri Lankans and head out. Uneventful trip out or is it?
Apart from the left MIRROR of DEATHSTAR landing in the passenger seat DEATHSTAR purred the whole way down. Nah never!
The Sri Lankan trucks are both Pajero's one with electrical problems (Sorry Sam) and it stops several times refusing to allow any power trhough until a dogdy wire/fuse is fixed. Then they get stuck several times and are winched out much to our amusement.
Not to be the two pajeros get stuck in a long mudhole which also has elephant footprints over the 4x4 tire tracks. Which means Gajah passed between the Russian convoy ahead and ours .
The mardi Gra's (GREENs) answer to all this stuff is to just plod on past every obstacle including a 100meter slosh pit which Peter manages to park RED in - wah DIFFLOCKS and all and is winched out.
Then its the GREEN wagon and it cruises effortlessly through the mud and followed by the ever happy and purring DEATHSTAR. DEATHSTAR makes it all look to easy and purrs through.
Then its the mudhole we all had trouble with and the Pajero's once again are winched through using the Philippines LR (still has the broken rear driveshaft) as the anchor. Once again GREEN cruises over using a"better" route and so does the DEATHSTAR.
Still our day is not over a Pajero stops in the middle of the track no ignition. THe problem is tracked back to a blown fuse hidden under the battery box :( .
Then it happened I slowly drive through a pair of drops and yeah the back end catches and I'm stuck. Not wanting to announce it I blast the HORN and GREEN quietly reverses back and I winch the 1/2 meter to recovery sssssssssssssssssssshhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
Well after 3+ hours we are out of the JUngle but still there is the 25+k of corrugated road to shake any loose parts up. Nothing falls of or out and we finally get tot he black top and quick 5 k to town for a well earned meal its 3.00pm wow 4 horus to travel stuff all distance. Lunch over its a car wash for the pajero pair they are just mud underneath. Meanwhile we try and decide how to get to Camp 3 by road. Then it dawns on us CAMP 2 to CAMP 3 was only 12k
Back out finally on the dirt road it's a 25k dusty bumpy (RATS WHERE IS THE RAIN!!!!!!!!!) haul to Kahang and we stop for a bite to eat its now 3pm (and western tea to wash it down) so we decide to kill a couple of hours after refueling and muck around as they deal with the Pajero issues.
Then we decide how to get to CAMP 3 from here. Crikey looking at the map its over 120K and then it dawns on us its only 12k in a straight line from CAMP 2 - 3. It will not take them 2 days to get there! Consulting the ,map and the GArmin Nuvi (mainly as we cannot decide which way to go) we head off. CAMP 3 is only 40K in a straight line from here but we have 120k drive rats we should have joined the convoy. Within 4-5k of leaving KAHANG DEATHSTAR looses power. Damn its fuel the diesel filter (filter very new) is full of crap or I have just bought a load of dodgy fuel. This problem continues all the way to CAMP 3.
Anyway no idea where we are going we just follow the sexy voice on the Nuuvi we follow the directions to Aloh Setar, Yong Peng, Bekok consult the map several times and yes the sexy voice is leading us in the right direction. We convoy through Yiong Peng and its after 9.00pm the road is a disaster climb a sweeping left short hill and the road dissappers into a pothole ridden track no warning just bang bang bang as the deathstar still cruising at a substantial speed careers into the potholes. We follow our noses and then we see a sign Sg Selai 30k and start to follow the we sporadic signs to the CAMP 3 which is in a national park. THe road is DUSTY and long eventually after several missed turns we get to camp and suddenly there is a VOICE on the UHF radio its MMM. Where are you - we are almost in CAMP where are you? Across the river waiing in line. WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!! crikey the convoy is here we have missed getting a nice camp spot.
Camp 3 is indeed crowded all the comp trucks are here and the MEDIA and OFFICIALS including vehicles that should not have done the track! RATS we should have gone. Soon we have a camp spot picked out and finally are allowed to erect campand we are joined by 150 MMM in the Ozzie NIssan. Good new is the SEXY voice in the NuVii got us to camp!
Dinner is cooked of course pasta and bolonaise sauce along with our now customary desert. Tomorrow has been declared a rest day as everyone is 1 day ahead of schedule. Some are pleased (especially the broken trucks and there is a lot of them) the other with clean healthy trucks are not so happy as a rest day will mean they do not get to take advantage of having a very strong truck. We have so much food I could open a shop. We here the trip in was hell so many vehicles had to be helped due to no winches and no lockers etc. SOme vehicles too 16+ hours to cover the 16+k from CAMP 2 to CAMP 3 which could have been covered in 2-3 hours.
The PICSTORIAL follows:
The 9.00am impending chaos as 29+ comp trucks and officals try and leave the REMOTE CAMP site 2 camp (HQ was 4k away).
No 1. Angled bridge and a steep climb lucky it was not wet. Damn that would have been fun.
No 2. Easy bridge.
No 3. Easy
Wheel wash at the HQ CAMP 2 site.
DEATHSTAR waiting for its owner (me) at CAMP 2 HQ.
The HQ swimming hole and also the SS14 comp area very nice I would come back here for a trip (and we are). Peter Arthur (GREENs driver) having wash or a swim?
no 4. Don't make a mistake
no 5. Same here line it up before you get on!
no 6. Too easy someone filled in the missing log.
LIttle mud holes with dropoffs just to keep us alert.
No 7. Easy
No 8. THe hole the polis landrover made.
No 9. Easy.
No 10. EASy
RED Stuck in the elephant crossing mudhole (pics of the tracks in another posting later).
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
And the MEDIA Wagons until they get stuck also - WINCH! AGAIN!
When you have ducks disease (short legs and low arse) ya gotta charge - sometimes it works.
Why charge when you can just cruise by and wave to the crowd! Oh what a feeling the GREEN MARDI GRA float cruises the mudhole.
No 11. EASY
Wheel Wash crossing
Then I found the Pajeros in their favourite position - attached to REDs REAR. This was the same mudhole which claimed the Sri Lankans on the way in.
THen the next one had to winch also.
Why winch when you can cruise hahaha.
Ah the blown fuse hidden under the battery box. Nothing beats these Sri Lankan journalists.
After this is was all too easy and i forgot to take pictures and nothing happened.
No 12. Easy
No 13. Downhill bridge!
No 14. Easy
No 15. Easy
No 16. Maybe easy
No 17. Triple bridge over the swamp easy in the dry
No 18. MEssy messy messy
No 19. Messy
No 20. Easy
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
No 21. Downhill easy when dry
No 22. Easy
Finally No 23.
Except we could not navigate - pics from the pino journo - Robbie.
Lost where are we how to we get there - damn where is the Nuuvi she's cute and talks to me even if I have not had a shower today.
Lost again
No 22. Easy
Finally No 23.
Except we could not navigate - pics from the pino journo - Robbie.
Lost where are we how to we get there - damn where is the Nuuvi she's cute and talks to me even if I have not had a shower today.
Lost again
Dave is www.geckoadventure.net
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
RED LC II-13/14B-T @ 1.5Bar,35" XTs, GOD Winch +.
YELLOW BJ75-13B-T, 8274 winch,35" XTs,Lockers.
GREEN LC II 1KZ and 35" XTs.
VOlVO C304 Under restoration
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