Your vehicle must be road registered to enter the Son of Trials #7. There are three (3) vehicle classes.

 

31" Standard
  • Tyres are limited to a maximum size of 31 inches.
  • Suspension lifts are permitted as long as all the original factory mounting points are used and remain unmodified. Body lifts are not permitted.
  • Engine swaps are not permitted
  • Traction aids including all forms of factory and aftermarket diff locks and traction control are NOT permitted to be used. If fitted to your vehicle they must be disabled from use and you must show proof of this (e.g. removing the fuse).

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    33" Touring
  • Tyres are limited to a maximum size of 33 inches.
  • Suspension lifts are permitted as long as all the original factory mounting points are used and remain unmodified. Body lifts are permitted.
  • Engine swaps are permitted
  • Traction aids including all forms of factory and aftermarket diff locks and traction control are NOT permitted to be used. If fitted to your vehicle they must be disabled from use and you must show proof of this (e.g. removing the fuse).

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    33" Traction Plus
  • Tyres are limited to a maximum size of 33 inches.
  • Suspension lifts are permitted as long as all the original factory mounting points are used and remain unmodified. Body lifts are permitted.
  • Engine swaps are permitted
  • Traction aids only in the form of factory traction control systems and factory diff locks are permitted. This is the only class you can use them in.

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    Tracks

    The Son of Trials #7 is an event which is more Funkhana than old Nissan Trials. We use parts of the original tracks from the old Nissan Trials combined with new and interesting variations to suit standard type 4WDs.

    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. Every second below the official time (going too fast!) will incur a 2 point penalty and every second above the official time will incur a 1 point penalty, up to a maximum of 60 seconds past the official time, as well as points for stopping, reversing where you're not allowed to, going off the track and so on. The lowest total score over the 8 events is the winner - simple!

     

    Scoring

    With 8 tracks to be driven, we have decided to make things interesting by giving you a total score based on your best times for 6 tracks only (this is a timed event, and it means your 2 worst scores will not be included in your final overall total). NOTE: to qualify for this scoring method, you must attempt to complete all 8 tracks.

     

     

     

     

    The Son of Trials is a family friendly 4WD event aimed specifically at novice 4WDers and those who use their vehicles as 'daily drivers' and for touring trips around the country. The tracks are designed to test your driving skills, not your vehicles capabilities. All tracks can be driven is a standard styled vehicle without sustaining damage. It's a simple funkhana type event with heaps of fantastic prizes on offer!

    The 8 different tracks are a mix of hill climbs and descents, dry rocky creek-beds, skilled reversing stages, water, mud and sand stages and the like. This is a ideal event for any "first timers" entering a 4WD event and is also a great introduction to 4WDing in general.

    We use a point score system where a "mean time" is set for each of the 8 different tracks that your drive around and you need to get as close to that "mean time" as possible. Penalty points are given for each second above of below the "mean time", as well as points for stopping, reversing where not allowed, going off the track and so on. The lowest total score over the 8 tracks is the winner - simple!

    We also have the "Dash for Cash" which is a limited entry, first in best dressed, event where each vehicle completes a single circuit of a special sand pit track and the driver with the closest time to the pre-determined "mean time" is the winner and takes the cash pot. Big money can be on offer for the sole winner!

     

    The Son of Trials is held at River Island Nature Retreat on the Wombeyan Caves Road via Mittagong. River Island provides a magnificent bush camping setting and terrain suitable for this kind of event.

     

     

    The Son of Trials is held on last weekend in February - 25th & 26th Feb 2012. All 8 tracks will be run all day Saturday and on Sunday morning, with the "Dash for Cash" on Sunday afternoon.

     

     

    Gates open from 12:00pm on Friday 24th February 2011 and will close at approx 12:00am. They will then reopen at 6:00am on Saturday morning. Our marshalls will then start running the tracks at about 9:00am on the Saturday morning up until approximately 4:00pm in the afternoon. They start up again at 8:30am on Sunday morning and will close by 12:00pm.

    You do not have to be ready to go at exactly 9:00am, but don't leave it too long to get ready or you could miss out on completing all the 8 tracks and the chance to win some fantastic prizes!

    The "Dash for Cash" is on Sunday afternoon. The actual start time and entry details for the "Dash for Cash" will be announced over the weekend.

     

     

    River Island is located on the Wombeyan Caves Road, 39 kilometres from the town of Mittagong. After leaving Mittagong and driving south along the 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 (2) 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 (3) kilometres. Follow the "Nissan Patrol 4WD Club" and "Son of Trials" signs to get to our camp-site. Carefully driven 2WD vehicles can access the campsite, as can off-road camper trailers. Towing a caravan there can be risky as the access track is very steep, winding and rocky in parts.

     

     

     

     

     

    Any licensed driver with access to a road registered 4WD can enter the Son of Trials, as long as the vehicle fits into anyone of our three (3) vehicle classes. You do not need to be a member of a 4WD Club to enter. The 8 different tracks are a mix of hill climbs and descents, dry rocky creek-beds, skilled reversing stages, water, mud and sand stages and the like. This is a ideal event for any "first timers" entering a 4WD event and is also a great introduction to 4WDing in general.

     

  • P-Plate drivers are welcome
  • L-Plate drivers may enter (but must have a licensed driver accompanying 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!)

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    The Son of Trials #7 prices are:

  • Day Entry Pass: $30 per person if prepaid otherwise it's $40 per person if paying at the event on the weekend itself.
  • Weekend Entry Pass: $50 per person (includes Friday & Saturday camping).
  • Competing Driver Fee: $30 per person (in addition to entry pass).
  • Children under 16 have free entry.

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    To enter the Son of Trials, simply fill out an online entry form and prepay your passes & fees (our preferred option) and you're in! You can also just turn up at the Gate on the day you arrive, but we can not assure that vacancies will still be available. It will also cost you $10 more for a Day Pass if you don't prepay before the weekend!

     

     

    Eternal glory, a trophy for lair value and heaps and heaps of absolutley fantastic prizes, like 4WD electric winches, top quality recovery gear, in car accessories, electronic maps and hundreds more prizes await the numerous winners at the Son of Trials.

    We also have the "Dash for Cash" which is a limited entry, first in best dressed, event where each vehicle completes a single circuit of a special sand pit track and the driver with the closest time to the pre-determined "mean time" is the winner and takes the cash pot. Big money can be on offer for the sole winner!

     

     

  • Your sense of humour!
  • Camping gear if you plan to stay overnight.
  • Drinking water.
  • Be self-sufficient for dinner
  • Your driver's licence.
  • Cash to pay for your entry pass/es and competing fee/s (if you don't enter online) and to buy food and drinks and merchandise etc.
  • Credit cards (Visa & Matercard) will be accepted at the Gate. American Express, Diners Club & EFTPOS are not accepted.
  • PLEASE BE PREPARED TO TAKE ALL YOUR RUBBISH HOME WITH YOU !!
  • Please Note there are no camping facilities at the Son Of Trials event. 'Porta Loos' will be provided throughout the camping area and competition areas but there are no showers. A swim in the River is always an option here.
  • Please Note: Open fires are NOT allowed. Gas cookers are permitted.

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  • 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!)
  • Chainsaws, Firearms, Fireworks & Pyrotechnics
  • Trail Bikes, Quad Bikes etc.
  • Your attitude - we are all there to have some fun so don't spoil it for anyone else and they wont spoil it for you!
  • Please Note: Open fires are not allowed. Gas cookers are permitted.

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    The Nissan Patrol 4WD Club will be selling hot food & cold drinks at the Son of Trials PLUS. Breakfast and lunch will be sold from 7:30am to 2:00pm. We are not open for dinner. The menu includes:

  • Bacon & Egg Rolls
  • Sausage Sandwiches
  • Steak Sandwiches
  • Cold Soft Drinks (cans)
    • (Food stand is cash only, sorry no cards accepted)

     

     

     

    Got a question or problem that's not answered above? Simply CLICK HERE to contact us.