Jeep Club SA Newsletter October 2015

NEWSLETTER / NUUSBRIEF OCTOBER 2015

P.O. Box 8421, MINNEBRON, 1549 Fax: 086 505 0484 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.jeepclubsa.co.za

The Jeep Club South Africa caters for what we believe in - family fun in our Jeeps!

CAMP JEEP – NATIONAL EVENT – OCTOBER 2015

Finally, the waiting was over! After a seven year period since the previous South African Camp Jeep in 2008, we arrived at Champagne Sport Resort in the Drakensberg Mountains, to experience Camp Jeep 2015.

IN THIS ISSUE

◊ CAMP JEEP (NATIONAL)

◊ KWAHUMBER (KZN)

◊ MURASIE (WC)

UPCOMING EVENTS : 21-22/11/2015 –

BRIDGESTONE FINALS

– BASE 4

07/11/2015 -

LEEUWENKLOOF & HARTEBEESPOORT

DAM (GP) 29/11/2015 – VITA

NOVA 4X4 FUN DAY

(GP) 08/11/2015 –

AMANZIMTOTI (KZN)

13 15/11/2015 –

KONNINGSKOP 4x4

(WP)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

For more information and photos see

www.jeepclubsa.co.za Or visit us on Facebook, Jeep

Club South Africa

http://www.jeepclubrsa.co.za/

NEWSLETTER – OCTOBER 2015

One could feel the excitement and energy in the air as Jeep owners lined up for registration. They had come from far and wide across South Africa to take part in this weekend event. With the Registration and Accommodation formalities quickly completed. The registration lapel held the weekend’s diary of events, tickets to the Mopar village and the tickets for the final evening – SA vs Scotland and Mango Grove in concert. It was time to start exploring the Jeep Games, Jeepkhana and Wesbank Offroad Adventure Track at the venue. We were met by friendly and helpful Marshals supplied by the Jeep Club SA, who ensured the weekend was enjoyed by all in a safe

and controlled environment. The Jeep Games were a warm up to the Jeepkhana which required tyres slightly deflated, low range engaged and a myriad of obstacles growing in difficulty. Safely through these we ventured to the Wesbank Offroad Adventure Track. All these obstacles consisting of steep inclines and declines, roll over angles and articulation obstacles along the natural contour of the land, were managed by the Jeep Clubs Marshals.


Apart from meeting many old and new Jeeper friends during the Friday afternoon, we also had the privilege to meet with the senior leadership team of Fiat Chrysler SA, Trent Barcroft (CEO & MD, Fiat Chrysler), Shane Howarth, Richard Sloman and Deidre Dippenaar as well as Guillaume Drelon, the JOG lead from Italy. The relaxed meeting allowed us to find out how JOG was progressing in Europe with South Africa being one of the biggest representatives to JOG. We were informed how the brand is dominating the world as a successful Lifestyle Brand.

During the Friday evening, light entertainment was provided at the Mopar Village, with Robin Banks the guest artist. A tasty boerewors roll and something for the thirst was enjoyed by all. Early Saturday morning Jeeps started arriving at the Jeepkhana area and it was soon clear what the Marshals had in mind, parking the Jeeps in dedicated areas as they arrived. The seven bar Jeep grill and headlights were formed by +-100 parked Jeeps within a record time and the necessary aerial photographs were taken by using the latest technology of a drone – well done!

Richard Sloman welcomed the Jeep Owners and Craig Parsons gave the “driver’s briefing”. The various routes were explained to those present and all dispersed to line up for the selected routes they had booked at registration. With over 320 Jeeps at Camp Jeep 2015 the Jeep Club Marshals had their hands full managing the various routes. The Jeep Club Marshalls guided the groups and ensured everybody negotiated the obstacles on route without damage to the cars or people, except for a few egos where

directions were not followed properly.


Although the area was suffering from drought, the scenery next to the majestic Drakensberg Mountain range remains spectacular with points of interest highlighted on the different routes. Successfully completing the route for the day it was great to see all the Jeeps in convoy heading back to Champagne Sports Resort. Arriving back at the camp it was time to refresh and get into the Green & Gold clothing to support the Springboks, who played (and won) against Scotland as part of the Rugby World Cup 2015. The match was shown on two big screens and the support from the Jeepers was tremendous. Just over 700 people filled the Bok Town venue and how they roared with excitement as South Africa ended up being victorious.

Dinner was served and after Trent Barcroft welcomed the attendees and handed out the prizes, it was time for Mango Groove to make everybody forget about their long day. The music inevitably resulted in some Jeepers dancing and others just enjoying themselves. The evening ran late into the night with all enjoining themselves immensely.

Sunday morning saw a few Jeepers going out on the different routes again, while others slowly started packing up, reluctant to leave after an enjoyable weekend. The Jeep enthusiasts expected a fabulous weekend and they were not disappointed. Realising all the hard work which went on behind the scenes, the only thing left to say is: “Thank you to everybody who made it yet another unforgettable Jeep experience!” We look forward to being part of Camp Jeep 2016 President and National Committee Jeep Club South Africa.


MURASIE 4X4 – WESTERN CAPE – OCTOBER 2015

Weekend is upon us and the South Easter is blowing a gale as we entered Murasie 4x4 just outside Gansbaai. Fortunately we had booked a house so the wind would not upset our weekend plans. The campers for the weekend were only arriving Saturday so hopefully the wind would have died down by then. The Jeep members one by one arrived into Murasie as the sun was starting to set. The house had a big old Kitchen fire place so we lit the fire inside and did the preparations for the beef potjie. We all relaxed in to the evening excited it was the weekend and we were out of the city. Dinner was worth the wait and thank you to Francois Du Toit for putting it together. We all turned in early with the wind howling over us all night long. Saturday morning the guys were up early prepping their vehicles for the route. The farmer had informed us the previous afternoon that he had bought in his digger to create some obstacles on the route for the Jeeps. The Murasie.com is a wedding venue with two houses on the premises and the rest camping. The venue is perfect on calm summer days but if the wind is blowing camping is a no no. The remaining Jeepers arrived, unpacked signed the relevant indemnity forms. 9.30 we departed on to the route 15kms long with map in hand. The route was well sign posted and referenced accurately with the map. We arrived at the obstacles created by the farmer, the wranglers crawled through the articulation obstacle with myself bottoming out on one of the newly built sand hills as I took the obstacle too slow. Next came the river wash out obstacle with us driving a river bed of mud and stone with one meter walls on either side.


The mud was next with a slight angle and hill climb which has all the Jeeps slip sliding through. Mud always has it way of catching you out and it was not long before were pulling one another through the mud crossing.

The track then started climbing into the mountains giving us view of the sea and Gansbaai. We followed the trail until the tarred road crossed over and then onto the dunes before the beach. Lunch was held on the beach with waves breaking amongst our feet. Very surreal and beautiful.

Lunch done we headed back safely to the farm house. Then off to a quarry near Strandskloof Caravan Park – www.strandkloofpark.co.za where the owner of the park has created a mini obstacle course for the locals. We were all put through our paces – soft sand, mud crossings, mud ponds etc our Jeeps changed color as the smiles covered our faces. That out of our system he headed for Johnny Rocket’s Pub & Grill to watch SA loose to the All Blacks. Good game but the better side won. Back to Murasie we lit the braai outside as the wind was gone and spent a relaxing evening talking about the 4x4 fun we had during the day. Sunday we packed up and headed into Hermanus for breakfast. With all our cells rejuvenated we headed back to Cape Town. Another great weekend with the Jeep Club


GWAHUMBE – KWAZULU NATAL – OCTOBER 2015

Waking up every day and seeing a Jeep stand in the garage almost gives one the feeling of it being an animal stuck in a Zoo, not being able roam freely in its natural habitat. For us city slickers getting out of the concrete jungle is not a common occurrence. However, every once in a while the opportunity to set off on a little adventure presents itself. This being one of those little adventures we make sure not to miss the opportunity and set off with a bunch of likeminded individuals.

Today we are going Jeeping. Early morning we make sure the Jeep is

packed with everything and we are ready for

the day. We head off to our meeting point

and shortly after the morning’s greetings we

slowly set off leaving behind the madness of

our everyday lives. After a quick drive we

arrive at a little hidden gem called

GwaHumbe. It is spectacular that places like

these exist such a short distance away from

home and one rarely gets to see and visit

them.

The parking lot quickly fills up with Jeeps

coming from all angles of KZN. And in no time

at all we have taken over GwaHumbe.

Obviously at this time you will see everyone

having a look at what the Jeep next to him has

that he doesn’t and vice versa. After all boys

will be boys.


Next would be a quick drivers briefing by which

time the parking lof full of Jeepers are eager to

challenge whatever the day has to offer. After

a few do’s and don’ts we finally set off into the

GwaHumbe Reserve. Starting off with a fairly

easy bit of trail we start to wonder into the

breath taking landscape that KZN has to offer.

Never mind the line-up of trail ready Jeeps you

see in every direction you look. We carry on

through the reserve going further into wildlife

territory seeing game as far as we drive,

stopping of here and there to have a quick look

at the amazing views.

After a quick pit stop at our braai area for the

afternoon we set off to go and look a little trail / obstacle known as little Sani. We quickly

come to a halt where the trail has been closed off to the public. Now at this point you would

normally turn around and go back, well not in the Jeep sir, we open up the gate and full

steam ahead we go.

Not long after that the pace suddenly slows. Is there a problem with one of the vehicles? No,

this is not the case, we are now at the bottom of which seems to be a tricky bit of terrain.

Obviously us men need to know what is

going on and a few start to walk to the

front to the pack to have a look.

This must be it, we are now going to be

able to use every bit of equipment that we

have spent all of our last pennies on. A

crowd quickly forms at the top of the hill

where a couple of members have to

figure out the best route of getting these

Jeeps up this obstacle unscathed. We

now start moving rocks and boulders.

Repacking them in any order to make our task

of getting to the top possible.

After a few unsuccessful tries it’s more rocks

and boulders. All of a sudden, with the correct

momentum and line, the Jeep is up and the

next one makes his approach. Now


you do realize that at some stage it will be your turn and for some reason your heart wants to

climb out of your chest. It looks a lot easier form the outside of your vehicle. I suck it up and off

I go….. Low range engaged, sway bar disconnected and rear diff locked. That should do it……

hopefully.

Following the signals of a member ahead I sail up the obstacle and in no time I’m at the top.

A quick giggle to myself and I move out of the way for the next Jeep.

You see one Jeep after the other crawling up flexing at all angles till the last of the pack is up.

Wow! This is what it’s all about. The capabilities of man and machine were tested and it was

an absolute blast.

The group heads back to the braai area for a nice lunch and of course a bit of Jeep talk

before we all set of in our own directions. Back to the Zoo for me and my Jeep, where we will

wait until our next adventure departs with the Jeep Club.

Great News Jeepers!! Chrysler SA has a launched a Magazine, which is hosted on

www.jeep.co.za, please feel free to follow the link to read all the latest news and to

register for future editions.

Happy Reading: http://emagazine.jeep.co.za/jeep_issue9.html#1

Reminder for Annual Renewal 2016:

Annual Renewal 2016 will start in November R450.00 per member. Thank you to those

members who have renewed their 2015 membership. If you have renewed and not yet

received your membership card please send an email to [email protected] so it can be

forwarded to the treasurer for follow up and immediate attention.

PLEASE REMEMBER TO REGISTER FOR THE UPCOMING EVENTS ON

WWW.JEEPCLUBSA.CO.ZA OR [email protected].

Additional information on all events are available on the website.

NOTE: THE OPINIONS OF WRITERS IN THIS PUBLICATION ARE THEIR OWN AND DOES NOT NECESSARILY REFLECT THE OPINION OF THE JEEP CLUB SA. THE JEEP CLUB SA DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE ON THE BASIS OF RACE, COLOUR, RELIGION, NATIONAL ORIGIN, SEX, AGE OR DISABILITY.

Disclaimer: The Jeep Club South Africa has no connection with the website www.jeepclubrsa.co.za and dissociate itself from any publications on this web site.

http://www.jeep.co.za/

http://emagazine.jeep.co.za/jeep_issue9.html#1

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.jeepclubsa.co.za/

mailto:[email protected]


Please scan our website for other interesting information!

PLEASE SPARE US A MINUTE AND SEND US AN E-MAIL ON [email protected]

OR FAX ON 086 505 0484 OR SMS ON 084 542 8869 with any suggestions, news, comments, readers from abroad, etc.

MEMBERS PARTICIPATION

Your enthusiasm, participation, support and positive attitude will ensure that the Jeep Club SA grow as a family orientated pleasure club catering for the “loves” in our lives - our families, friends, outdoor adventure and needless to say - our Jeeps!

The Jeep Club SA caters for what we believe in - family fun in our Jeeps!

Please print this Newsletter in colour and distribute it amongst your friends and family without access to Internet facilities.

Thank you for your participation and support.

Make sure your companion, kids and friends also read the newsletter and know what we are up to next!

HAVE A WONDERFUL DAY - HAVE FUN OUT THERE

Jeep Club SA Newsletter October 2015

Documents

Transcript of Jeep Club SA Newsletter October 2015