Nissan 2008 Trials in the media,
a story by 4wd Action. To read the story Click
Here
The Photos of the Son of Trials
are Now Available click on Raw Photographys link below to order
yours now.
What are the Son of Trials?
The Son of Trials
is a competition which is part Funkhana, part Nissan Trials (but
mostly Funkhana!). We use some of the tracks from the original
Nissan Trials, but not the bits that are likely to cause you any
grief. The idea is to challenge and test your driving skills.
There is a point score system, where a "mean time" is
set for each of the 8 events.
You get 1 point for each second
that your time is above or beow the "target" time, as
well as points for stopping, reversing where not allowed, going
off the track and so on. The lowest score over the 8 events is
the winner - simple!.
Where does all this happen?
In 2007 the Son of Trials
moved from SORRRA to the River Island Nature Retreat.
onthe Wombeyan Caves Road via Mittagong. This is actually
the place where the Nissan Trials were originally run before they
moved to SORRA in 1996.
River Island provides a magnificent
bush camping setting and terrain suitable for this kind of event.
Carefully driven 2WD vehicles can access the campsite, as can
off-road camper trailers. Towing a caravan ther can be risky,
as the access track is very steep, winding and rocky in parts.
We
are pleased to announce that Son
of Trials 4 will be held
at River Island on Saturday 21 Febuary 2009 - Sudnay 22nd February
2009.
How do I get to River Islandd?
River Island is located on
the Wombeyan Caves Road, 39 kilometres from the town of Mittagong.
After leaving Mittagong and
driving south alongthe old Hume Highway for 5 kilometres, take
the Wombeyan Caves turn off. The first 15 kilometres of
road is bitumen and is then followed by a further 19 kilometres
of dirt road. However, the road is quite safe and suitable for
all vehicles, so you don't need a 4WD.
Two
kilometres past the Wollondilly Tea House is the entrance to
River Island. On the left side of the road you will see the
orange posts on either side of the driveway and a large blue
River Island Nature Retreat sign. Turn into the driveway and
continue for another three kilometres. Follow the "Nissan
Club" of "Son of Trilals" signs to get to our
camp-site.
When is it on?
The 2009 Son of Trials
will be held on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22th Feb 2009.
Competitions will be run all day Saturday and on Sunday morning,
with the "Climb for Cash"
on Sunday.
Who can enter the Son of
Trials?:
Any licensed driver with access
to a 4WD can enter the Son of Trials. You do
not need to be a member of a 4WD Club to enter. The tracks are
designed to test driving skill and involve hill climbs, descents,
rocky (dry) creek-beds; reversing stages and the like. This is
a great "first taste" of competition or an introduction
to 4Wd'ing - it all depends on how YOU see it.
P-Plate drivers are welcome (under 18's must
have a note from Mum or Dad).
L-Plate drivers may enter (but must have a licensed
driver acompanying them at all times)
You can have more than one driver enter in the
same vehicle - a great way to settle family arguments as to
who is the better driver
Navigators are not needed (but sometimes they
can help)
What sort of vehicles can
enter the Son of Trials?
You need a 4WD (not an AWD!). The
Son of Trials is meant for "factory standard"
vehicles or those with only minor modifications normally
associated with 4WD touring. Competitors will be split into two
classses. These are (not surprisingly):
Standard
- which means just that. Oh OK, we'll let you have a bullbar,
towbar, driving lights and that sort of stuff, but you must
have original tyres (or at least tyres of the original size).
Touring
- for the modified vehicles. Modifications are limited to:
Tyres - maximum
of 33 inches - vehicle must have four of them which
are required to remain in close contact with the ground for
the entire event. This is real easy for us to check. If your
tyres are bigger than 33 inches, either:
change them before you come down to River
island;
take them off and run on your rims (not
recommended); or
our patented Husqvana tyre trimmer (a.k.a.
chain-saw) will remove those pesky few extra inches (also
not recommended
Suspension/Body lift - we
say a maximum of 4 inches combined. For those of you mathematically
challenged, 4 is less than 4.5 or 5, so if your car is higher,
think about it (or we could use the Husqvana suspension trimmer
(again, not recommended)).
Other Mods
Diff Locks - if you have them, make
sure we have some way of verifying that you CAN NOT
use them during the event - we consider them to be cheating
and their use results in automatic disqualification and a
good spanking - so there!
Non-factory forced induction systems
or replacement engines (If you have one, well we won't take
it out, but be prepared for a slap on the wrist etc. etc.)
Fluffy Dice if fitted, cannot exceed
5cm x 5cm x 5cm dimensions
Bead Locks - a real no-no Well make
you run on bare rims if we see them.
Hydraulic suspension, rear wheel steering
etc- why are you here? Go to the Nissan Trials
If you need to tow your competition vehicle
onto the site, it probably means that it is not eligible to
compete anyway, so leave it on the road and enter your towing
vehicle.
How do I enter?
To enter the Son of Trials,
fill out the entry form that is available at the gate
(in your neatest writing, because I will throw away ones I cannot
read), pay your entry fee and then just front up to our friendly
marshalls at each event. You do not have to take the events in
numerical order or anything compliated like that
What do I win?
Eternal glory, a cheap trophy for
lair value and heaps of other prizes await the victors at the
Son of Trials. Keep watching the website for
details.
We also have the "Climb
for Cash" which is a limited entry event
where the last vehicle remaining after a series of hill climbs
takes the cash pot.
What does it cost to enter
Son of Trials?
The price for the 2007 Son of Trials
were as follows:
Entry Fee:
To get into the River Island site cost $50.00/person
for the weekend and $25.00/person for the day.
Kids (16 & Under) are free. This fee covers the use of the
River Island facilities.
Competitor's Fee:
In addition to the entry fee, there is a charge of $25.00
for every driver that wants to compete in the son of Trials.
Climb for Cash.
The Climb for cash event is a $25.00 entry,
winner-take all event. Limited to 30 entrants.
Prices for the 2008 Son of Trials will
be confirmed in due course
Anything I need
to bring?
Your sense of humour
Camping gear if you plan to stay overnight
Drinking water unless you plan to die of dehydration
(or are a camel)
Be self-sufficient for dinner (it's a long way
to go for Pizza)
Your driver's licence
Cash to pay to get in, pay your entry fees and
buy lunches etc
Credit cards (Bankcard, Visa & Matercard) will be
accepted at the gate if you smile nicely
American Express, Diners Club & EFTPOS are not
accepted
PLEASE BE PREPARED TO TAKE ALL YOUR RUBBISH
HOME WITH YOU
Anything I should leave at
home?
Strictly no dogs allowed on site
Glass bottles - these play havoc
with little childrens' feet, cleaner's hands and the tyres of
the property owner, so bring your drinks in cans or plastic
bottles. We will be checking vehicles randomly
and confiscating any glass bottles found (and their contents)
Firearms, Fireworks & Pyrotechnics
- Do we really need a reason for that?
Trail Bikes (including quads)
Your attitude - we are all there
to have some fun - don't spoil it for anyone else and they wont
spoil it for you
Did I hear you mention food?
The Nissan Patrol 4WD Club sells lunches & cold
drinks at the Son of Trials. The menu includes:
Bacon & Egg Rolls
Sausage Sandwiches
Steak Sandwiches
Grilled Chicken Sandwiches
Soft Drinks (cans)
(Food stand is cash only, no cards)
What happened last year?
Click
here for the results from the 2008 Son of Trials
Click
here for the results from the 2007 Son of Trials
Click here
for the results from the 2006 Son of Trials
Click
here for a report written by the winner of the 2006
Son of Trials
