- an account from a competitor's point of view

There’s no such thing as free tyres I am told, so now I write. Hopefully in these words I can explain to your good selves what the Son Of Nissan Trials was like from a competitor’s point of view. Belated this may be but such are the multitude of life’s other distractions.

For as long as I can remember I have been a dedicated spectator of the Nissan Trials, and for my sins the driver of a 1982 Toyota Corolla. Team Corolla though met with a most unceremonious end late in 2004 and was replaced mid 2005 by a 1985 Range Rover. So now I had a new toy to play with and what was advertised in the 05 Nissan Ttrials program but the Son Of Nissan Trials, an event for individuals and standard vehicles. Thus I found myself paying my entry fee and not quite knowing if my seriously limited four wheel driving experience and standard vehicle would be up to the task.

All the events were well laid out, clearly explained and above all fun. Now I, at this point had a total of about 3 days four wheel driving experience and 0 of those days were in any form of competition. So driving around a steeply undulating rutted course in as close to 3 minutes as possible whilst balancing a golf ball on the bonnet in an inadequately small tray would of course seem like such a natural thing to do. NOT! The course though was driven, and the mischievous ball only once decided to jump to freedom incurring me a five point penalty for the privilege of watching my navigator retrieve it.

And that was just one of the evilly concocted tests all cleverly set up to find fault with the pedal steering interface unit. Unlike the Nissan Trials proper though, the cars were not tested to their limits. Sills didn’t have to be shoulder high and tyres not the size you would expect to find on mining equipment.

Driving blindfolded (something I'm sure happens every day I travel the M5 but had until this event never thought the need to practise), reverse parking, accurate positioning of individual wheels, all were tested. Shortcomings where found. Laughs were heard.

After 8 events and 1 prize giving, I found myself handed a shiny wood and gold thing engraved with first and told that I had $1000 worth of tyres, thanks to 4x4 Tyre Team. Not so bad for a car that only cost slightly more.

To all who enjoy driving and four wheel driving I would recommend entering the Son Of Nissan Trials. Experience is optional but enjoyment assured. Many thanks to the generous support from 4x4 Tyre Team, to the Range Rover club driver trainers, my navigator Matthew Walker and the Nissan Patrol club.

See you all next year

- Rossco