July 13, 2006
Practical 4x4 Off Roads Information
Subscribers: 4779Hi
Welcome to this edition of the 4x4 Newsletter!
Remember that your opinion matters and I am open to suggestions and ideas regarding the web site and the contents of this newsletter.
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TOPICS:
- A Note From The Editor
- On The Drawing Board
- 4x4 Article Contest Summer 2006
- Readers Rigs Are On!
- New 4x4 Articles And Off Road Stories
- ARTICLE: Wheels and bolts and stuff...
- Your Single Biggest Wish?
- Tip - Left Foot Braking
- Do You Have A Passion?
4x4OffRoads.com
Next weekend I will go watch the Formula Off Road events at Hella. It's going to be a big thing. The location of the Formula Off Road racing is not at a specific street address. It is usually just out of the town advertised. The next one is just east of Hella. Starting with the Icelandic championship on Friday night at 17:00 and then on Saturday at 13:00 with the World Cup. A sand drag race is also planned for the Sunday.
A total of 32 contestants have entered. They come from Iceland, Britain, Norway, Sweden and Finland.
Price for attendance is 1000 ISK for the Friday event, 1500 ISK for Saturday's and 1000 on the Sunday.
On the day of the event there are signs leading the way: "Torfæra". If the signs are not up at Hella - you can drive east on route #1 about 2 km and turn north (left) on a road marked "Gunnarsholt". The event is just by the road less than 1 km from the intersection. Can't miss it. Flags and a large gathering of trucks and people...
eBook about 4 wheeling
Forum for 4x4s
Let me know what your biggest wish is by taking part in the SURVEY.
I think articles from all over the world have enriched the 4x4OffRoads.com web site. I am therefore starting a new contest and this time you have all summer to think about an interesting subject or even experience a fun and eventful trip you want to share with other readers. Take your time to plan and dream about the stuff you want to do. Remember to have your camera with you and take some shots then do the write-up as soon as you can.
Please note that these articles will be a permanent part of the 4x4OffRoads.com web site and are only intended for the site. Articles that have been published on the internet or in magazines will not be eligible for prizes.
Specifications: Write a piece about a 4 wheeling adventure tour, off roading techniques, 4x4 modifications or related issues.
Submission Requirements:
* An original, unpublished piece not accepted by any publisher at the time of submission.
* Must have fewer than 1,000 words.
* Must fill out the below form with author's name, address and e-mail address as well as the title of the piece.
* Multiple entries are allowed.
* Must be free of pornographic content and must not promote racism or sexism. As young readers visit this site, strong language may be edited from published pieces.
* Pictures can be added to the article by replying to the automatic message and attaching the image file (jpg or similar).
* Must be sent in by September 15, 2006.
Judging: The editor, Thrandur Arnthorsson, will read and judge each entry. His decision is final.
Winners: The winner will be announced on this site by October 1, 2006. Gold, silver and bronze prizes will be given.
GOLD $250.00 USD - There can be only one!
SILVER $100.00 USD - Can be more than one.
BRONZE - All articles that are published.
4x4OffRoads.com receives first rights to the prize-winning articles. The winning entries are posted on this site. All other rights revert to the authors on October 1, 2006.
If you have a 4x4 you feel proud of and want to show others - please don't hesitate to submit pictures and descriptions.
Already there are a number of nice trucks up. My plan is to make these pages high-quality and accessible and I need your help in doing so. Almost all 4x4's are unique and I am sure yours is in some way. Share your experience and allow the rest of the 4 wheeling world to see your truck and how it is used...
Take some time in describing your 4x4 and how you enjoy it. Use as many words as needed. As more rigs are added I get more picky - choosing only interesting rigs with lots of information.
Here is the page for submitting your 4x4 and looking at other readers trucks.
GPS Iceland Map
GPS has become the preferred method of navigation in Iceland. Large
areas have hardly any inhabitants and the highlands have almost none.
The dangers of the terrain in addition to extreme weather conditions
make secure navigation a must. Advances in GPS Iceland mapping therefore
makes traveling more secure and more informative.
Formula Off Road - Mosfellsbaer 2006
Formula Off Road Vesturland was held in Mosfellsbaer just north out
Reykjavik. Like the last event in Akureyri the sky is clear and the sun
is shining. The event is held in a rock mine.
Local Knowledge - Mozambique 2005
"No - Land Rovers can't swim!"
Read the story by Stuart Scully from South Africa.
ARTICLE
Wheels and bolts and
stuff...
Last weekend we decided to make a family trip to a friends summerhouse in
Snaefellsnes. That's about two hours drive north of Reykjavik. Strange how
things often break down when you are not driving off road. After I felt
an uncomfortable shaking coming from the front right wheel I decided to
check it out for damage. It was worse than I thought. A wheel bolt had
broken off and the rest where loose with the wheel holes enlarged by the
strain. Fastening the lug nuts didn't solve the problem and I don't
carry a spare wheel. The shaking was still there.
Sometimes it is best to sleep on problems and this is what we did. Of
course we decided to make the best of it and use the nearest camping
place in Borgarnes.
Sunday morning I hoped to be able to get some professional help - but
all garages where closed. I decided to drive back slowly and carefully
as far as I would dare - before more bolts would break and the wheel
fall off. About half way back we stopped and hitched a ride home.
Monday morning I took a spare wheel and tire and fetched the truck.
Now I wanted to find a way to fix the damaged wheel (keep in mind that
the wheel is a 15x15 inch barrel). Having first taken the tire off the
wheel I took it to a wheel welding expert and he said he could make it
as new by changing the center - but then he needed a usable wheel of the
same type and he had no idea what type it was. After asking wheel
experts at many shops and garages and nobody seemed to have any idea
about the type of rim this was I finally found a guy who told me it was
from a Ford Econoline E-150!
I finally got an old wheel from Ragnar Robertsson the Formula Off Road
guy who also happens to be a 4x4 used parts dealer.
Now I at least know what type of wheel I am using :)
I am adding more and more content and value to 4x4OffRoads.com.
Please... if there's anything IMPORTANT that you wish I would do, anything that will make your life easier and/or bring you better knowledge...
Reply to this e-mail with your biggest wish for the site!
Another option for you is to take part in a simple survey I set up. It should only take a couple of minutes to fill out. Also you get to voice your preferences regarding further development of the 4x4OffRoads.com web site.
I review all wishes and use to build a list for the most wanted, which I then prioritize according to demand.
Left foot braking can be used in certain situations on an automatic (not easy with a manual). This way you can fine tune the right foot throttle and the left foot brake. Having simultaneous control of your movements. Get in tune with your rig and use this technique to for some difficult terrain. This takes some getting used to but try and keep a steady throttle and vary the brake pressure.
I am sure you do!
Are you interested in knowing more about the internet and how to be a part of the fastest growing marketplace in the world?
I have put up a special section for downloading high quality e-books. These e-books have changed the way I look at the internet and the possibilities it represents! I suggest you download the ones that interest you and I would love to hear your thoughts on them.
If you like you can send me questions about how you can go about starting your own site. The space of ideas is without limits. Your experience and knowledge is something you can and should share with the world. It will make the world richer in so many ways.
Best wishes and keep on wheeling,
Thrandur Arnthorsson
4x4OffRoads.com
