Newsletter 2014 Edition 7 ACT JeepTrAction Newsletter Inside this issue:- Jeep Action Mag comes to Town, Great Divide Tours & Trail Hawk test!
Presidents note Since our last newsletter so much has been happening within the club with social outings into the Cotter region around the Bullen Range & the Cotter Dam BBQ area which has recently been re-vamped, the outing was lead by Paul Hannelly. We had a great social night with Michael & Robyn Bowen at Eastlake Football Club over a meal, plus they gave us an update on Camp Bungendore preparations & expectations. There have been about 8 reccies into the Tallaganda State & National Park areas where Michael & Paul got to experience a bit of snow action as the photo s on the front cover depicts. We finally got to conquer the hill climb along with Michael & Jack Schaffer from Jeep City, while it wasn t easy, as it took 1& 1/2 hours to get all 3 cars up, along with some handy minion deploying skills with shovels & the club Maxtraxs but we did it! There s been a visit to several wineries in the Bungendore region to sample a few vineyards offerings in preparations to being offered as a placid event for Camp Bungendore attendees. Plus I would also like to welcome aboard our newest committee executive member PJ Blayney who has taken on the role of cub secretary, well done mate! Regards Paul Simmons
By Paul Simmons As part of Michael & Robyn Bowen s recent visit to Canberra & Bungendore in preparations for Camp Bungendore 2014, Brett Quodling & myself were able to take Michael out to Great Divide Tours for an inspection of their property. Great Divide Tours was established in 1990 by Vic Widman to provide 4WD Tag-along tours and 4WD Driver Training. It is owned & operated by Vic Widman who has been exploring Australia by four wheel drive for over 25 years. Vic is an accomplished travel journalist having many articles printed in specialist magazines such as 4X4 Australia & 4WD Monthly. Great Divide Tours is now recognised as the largest 4WD Tag-along tour company in Australia offering an array of tours all over Australia. The Nationally Recognised 4WD Training Programme offered by Great Divide Tours have seen in excess of 10,000 people trained in the skill of safe four wheel drive handling. This year we are very pleased to have Vic Widman & Great Divide Tours on board as a key sponsor of Camp Bungendore 2014 where camp attendees will get the opportunity to visit his property & participate in a sample of what he offers through his driver training programs at his property, as well as drive some of the many trails & purpose built steep inclines/declines, ruts, river crossings, mud, sand & rock sections. As well as the 4WD Driver training courses, Vic also offers Camp Trailer Courses, Advanced 4WD Terrain & Photography Courses. As a key sponsors to Camp Bungendore 2014, Vic has also kindly donated a Tag Along Tour package into the Victorian High Country which is worth in excess of $1,500.00, which will be used in the raffle package offered at Camp Bungendore 2014. Further to these benefits Vic has also offered a special Club discount to ACTJeepTraction on a driver training package with options like including accommodation & meals if so desired. The following 2 pages are a collection of some of the photos taken from our visit to Great Divide Tours property the other week.
Great Divide Tours property visit..
Trip report 15 th of June Social BBQ and Drive Club Social Outing by Paul Hannelly. The Social BBQ was attended by Paul and Jenny Simmons and there baby Jayden, Lloyd Magner and myself. It was a nice fine day (no Rain) although a little chilly, the BBQ at the Cotter Reserve were clean and cost free. After lunch we headed off to drive over the Bullen Range, after crossing Paddy's River there was a quick climb from 500 meters to 650 meters. At the center part of the drive the Elevation varied between 650 to 750 meters. We stopped for a photo at the top of the big descend where we meet a new Jeep owner in a Jeep Wrangler Overland. The descent from Bullen Range is steep as the next 1.5Km of the track drops 200 meters or so where we cross back over Paddy's River again for a quick afternoon tea and to air up the tires.
All New Cherokee Trail Hawk Trail Hawk Trail Tested By Paul Simmons Last month as a club we had the privilege of being invited to the launch of the all new Cherokee at Rolfe Motors, Jeep. Recently I had the privilege to see first hand and test drive the all new Trail Hawk & was pleasantly surprised with its performance. Around town & on the highway the Trail Hawk was a pleasure to drive with plenty of acceleration. The leather heated seats were well used & appreciated. On the return trip from our visit to Great Divide Tours property we took the Trail Hawk along with us to the Bungendore Sand mines, while showing Michael Bowen about. Michael didn t need much encouragment to get the Trail Hawk around the mines, where it surprised us all with it s performance.
Club happenings... Club General Meetings 2014... Monday 9 th of September,, 7pm, Eastlake Football Club. 3 Oxley St, Manuka, Canberra. Monday 13 th of October,, 7pm, Eastlake Football Club. 3 Oxley St, Manuka, Canberra. Club Socials, Sponsor Nights, BBQ s, Trips, Events & Outings Monday 11 th of August, 6pm - 9pm, National Tyre Wholesales, Club So- cial,, 14 Yallourn St Fyshwick ACT 2609 Sausage Sizzle & Drinks + NTW Presentation. Camp Bungendore 3 rd 7 th of October, Bungendore Showgrounds. Sunday 16 th of November,, 10am - 4pm, Jeep City BBQ, Show N Shine, Skilful driving event on Jeep city test track/trail. Sunday 7 th of December, 10am - 4pm, Christmas Party Venue & event details TBA.
Club Sponsors... Club Contacts details... President - Paul Simmons president@actjeeptraction.com Vice President - Louise MacDonald vicepresident@actjeeptraction.com Secretary - PJ Blayney secretary@actjeeptraction.com Treasurer - Paul Hannelly treasurer@actjeeptraction.com NSW & ACT 4WD Assoc. Rep. - Troy Rollan 4wdassocrep@actjeeptraction.com Trips Co-ordinator - Gavin Bartell trips@actjeeptraction.com Public Officer - Gavin Bartell profficer@actjeeptraction.com Web Master - Alan MacDonald webmaster@actjeeptraction.com Facebook www.facebook.com/actjeeptraction Website www.actjeeptraction.com Postal PO Box 132 Erindale ACT 2903 ActJeepTrAction