Rock Crawlers vs. Dune buggies

[redrooster]

There is an interesting event taking place tomorrow at Morris Mtn ORV. The Southern Buggies have challenged all comers to a timed race up Los Primos at Morris Mtn. Ironically enough it is the trail in my avatar.
The trail is about a 1/4 mile long ravine between two ridges. The finish line at the top is where the two ridges come together. The last section of the trail has two 4' steps with a deep hole between. I have 24" of belly clearance and when my front tires (42's) drop in the hole, the belly pan sits on the rock. To make it clean you basically have to wheelie up the first ledge over the hole. Even more interesting is that when you break traction, the hill tries to slide you left and then over on your lid if you're not quick on the brakes. (You Moab flunkies don't know anything about the wet southern trails.)
I think the dune buggies are going to smoke the 4x4's on the bottom section as it is just a drag race up to the stair steps. It should get interesting from there. Evidently the buggy guys think they can make the steps because they chose the trail. It's going to be fun to watch.

 

[Utah_jeepster]

(You Moab flunkies don't know anything about the wet southern trails.)

Sure we do...its stomp on the skinny pedal till "you make it...or break it".

 

[redrooster]

I hiked up the side of the stinkin mountain and realized I left the camera in the truck. No matter. There will be plenty of pics on the local boards I can link to.
I have to admit that I was pretty impressed with the buggies and drivers. Although these things sit low to the ground, are 2wd and have realatively small tires, they can get it. I have never seen so much air time on one trail or any event. These guys were swinging left then back to the right to hit the ledges at an angle. The successful ones would jump up the first step and land above the second. It was awesome.
I don't know who won the event, but a buggy was in the lead when I left. There were several 4x4 runs that were close.

 

[Utah_jeepster]

first off... you disapointed me Red...thought you add in comment or two on my make it or break it comment.
Second...wheres the pictures! Cant wait to see some great action shots.

 

[redrooster]

I thought everyone used the "make it or break it" motto.
Here's a link to the first set of pics. I had hoped for more shots with air time.
http://www.offroadalabama.com/PhotoAlbums/BattleontheMountain2007/BattleontheMountain2007.html

 

[currupt4130]

first off... you disapointed me Red...thought you add in comment or two on my make it or break it comment.
Second...wheres the pictures! Cant wait to see some great action shots.

We're always make it or break it out here on the East Coast, you just have to understand that we deal with a lot more elements than you do. The trails play mind games with us... You have to be able to read the hillsides like you'd read a green on a golf course and then you need the ability to predict the reactions of the soil and rocks due to gravity after your tires hit them. You Moab guys have it easy... You just have rocks, and loose rocks to deal with. And the occasional flash flood. But all that aside, come wheel the East Coast and you'll find it's nowhere near the same ballgame.

 

[redrooster]

One of the things that makes me jealous about seeing all Moab pics is that you never see a dirty vehicle. Man it would be nice to wheel all weekend and not even have to wash your rig. I usually have to at least dump a bottle of water on the windshield just to be able to see out of it...and that's with trying to avoid the mud.

 

[redrooster]

Better pics:
http://s90.photobucket.com/albums/k277/bbradley54/CAOS BOTM 2007/

 

[redrooster]

I'm on the hill in the white shirt.

 

[redrooster]

The guy who took these pictures is a local but also shoots for Crawl magazine. He's got the best aerial shots.
http://morrismountainorv.com/photogalleries/BOTM/BOTM.html

 

[Utah_jeepster]

You Moab guys have it easy... You just have rocks, and loose rocks to deal with. And the occasional flash flood. But all that aside, come wheel the East Coast and you'll find it's nowhere near the same ballgame.

I would love to come out and play, but the only way would be towing my rig. My gears and ride is not set up for free-way driving.
As to having it easy...Rock crawling is an art form. With steep angles and unmovable rock forms you have to drive with skill and have complete trust in your spotters. One false move and your on your lid. Too much skinny pedal and limping your rig out with broken parts.
90% of the time your on a off camber trail with no where to turn around and your sucking the seat cover so hard you can taste it. Roll overs here can mean death in some cases. Because most of the trails have large drop offs associated with them. Don't let the pictures fool you...

Each area has it necessary skills needed to negotiate. One of you east coaster will have just a hard time driving our rocks as one of us trying a wet muddy forest trail of yours. Those pictures say all I need to know...I don't have the right driving skills to master one of those trails.

 

[redrooster]

Well, trailer up and come on. We'll save some goo for ya.
In a few years we will be ready to come out. Maybe we can work some kind of Jeeper exchange program.