UK
FOURTRACKS
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Information
Off Roading is a recreational pursuit popular among a
small sub-section of the owners of four wheel drive vehicles.
As the name suggests, it involves driving in areas that
would be considered challenging to inaccessible in other
vehicle types.
There are numerous categories of off roading, with something
suitable for all levels of experience and equipment.
Some of the major categories of off roading are listed
below.
1 Greenlaning
2 Mud Plugging
3 Winch Events
4 Rock Crawling
| Greenlaning
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This is one of the least
'extreme' categories. It is generally suitable for any
four wheel drive vehicle, even with factory tyres and
equipment. The term greenlane refers to the fact that
they routes are predominantly along unpaved tracks, forest
tracks, or older roadways that may have fallen into disuse.
For a lot of greenlaners, the main emphasis is on enjoying
the countryside, and accessing areas that may be seldom
traveled by motor vehicles, rather than exploring the
performance envelope of their vehicle.
| Mud
Plugging |
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Mud plugging involves finding
a large area of wet mud or clay and attempting to drive
as far through it as possible without becoming stuck.
Usually, the stock tyres supplied with four by four vehicles
are completely inadequate for this type of off roading,
and Mud-terrain tyres are required. Strongly attached
recovery points are also recommended to enable the vehicle
to be towed out when it becomes bogged down. It is probably
fair to say that there is not a great amount of skill
or technique required for most levels of mud plugging.
Next to traction, momentum is a big factor in success.
| Winch
Events |
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Winch events often involve
attempting to access areas that would be impassable without
the use of the aforementioned winch - this can include
traversing deep gullies, steep slopes and so on. Most
off road vehicles that have been prepared for this type
of event will typically have two winches, one at the front
and one at the rear of the vehicle, each with a rated
pull of over 9,000lbs.
| Rock
Crawling |
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Rock crawling is a highly
technical category of off roading. Vehicles are typically
modified by adding very large tyres, modifying the suspension
components to greatly increase axle articulation, and
also by changing the gearing to allow for very slow speeds
while traversing obstacles. It is quite common for a rock
crawler to have a spotter - an assistant who will go on
foot alongside or in front of the vehicle to provide information
to the driver on obstacles or areas of terrain that they
may be unable to see.
NEWSFLASH
VOSA staff are
being accredited with the powers to stop vehicles for
roadside checks. From early September, pilot schemes are
to be run in Cambridgeshire, Staffordshire and Northumbria,
with similar schemes following in North Wales, Greater
Manchester and the Metropolitan area. This is a huge move
for VOSA and is sure to ease the pressure on police, as
well as helping crack down on unroadworthy vehicles and
illegal road-users. The vehicles which are being used
are Ford Galaxies with yellow & black battenburg side
markings, yellow & orange chevrons at the rear and a roof
bar with amber lights & variable matrix signing. VOSA
stoppers are being trained by the Police to ensure public
safety as well as their own safety and effectiveness.
The Association of Chief Police Officers, the Home Office
and the trade associations have supported the accreditation
of VOSA staff. For more information on VOSAs Powers to
Stop or to request a leaflet please call 0870 6060440
or visit www.vosa.gov.uk
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