MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR 2007

Many interesting developments are ahead for the new year and I am sure you will like what you see.

If you saw my first attempt at video making you may want to see my second video production called Critters In Cyberspace. You can even rate and comment on it if you feel like it. I hope is is slightly better than the first. I have installed a camcorder platform in the Sport Trac to make it easier to shoot some footage from 4 wheeling trips - adding to the growing 4x4 video section.

 

Uni-Mog for sale
Have a look at http://www.tiretracks.org/mogforsale/

This vehicle is on it's way to my home here in Queenstown and the people who own it have been through Africa with it and now are touring through South Africa, they want to try and sell it but if they cannot before they leave South Africa to go back to The UK they will be keeping it at my house under a shade cloth type shelter.

If you can mention it in your excellent newsletter or email it to other links that you have it would be nice, maybe there is some people who require a vehicle like this.

4x4 Tire Survey
The 4x4 tire survey is intended to give an idea about tire brand popularity and performance. If you can please take part in the survey and tell us what your experience is. Comments on pros and cons are also highly valuable.

Article: Trail Head
John Cappa from JP Magazine writes about Formula Off Road in the Nordic countries. He would like to see a Formula 4x4 US competition! This article appears in the March 2007 edition. Of course they got the photo from 4x4OffRoads.com - shot by Thrandur Arnthorsson.

Team Mud in Mac4x4
Team Mud consists of two brothers from Northern Ireland - Graeme and Chris Elliott - taking part in the Mac4x4 Challenge in March 2007. Graeme is a dentist in Edinburgh and a member of the Scottish Off Road Club and Scottish Land Rover Owners Clubs and Chris is a medical rep in Northern Ireland and a member of the Northern Ireland Land Rover Owners Club.

Land Rover TomCat Auction
Marc Ward, a Land Rover enthusiast from Barbados is having an auction this month destined to make eBay history - again. This is the second auction featuring one of the most unusual high-value items ever offered on the world's most popular auction site - the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own your a one-of-a-kind Land Rover Dakar racer.


 

ARTICLE
 

Tread Lightly and Respect Nature

I think most wheelers respect and feast on nature just the way it is. They would like to keep nature as untouched by the works of man as possible. This preserves our territory - our playfield. Being responsible helps - driving only on the trail and not doing any damage to the vegetation and geological formations.

Remember The Tread Lightly Pledge!

• Travel & recreate with minimum impact
• Respect the environment and the rights of others
• Educate yourself, plan and prepare before you go
• Allow for future use of the outdoors, by leaving it better than you found it
• Discover the rewards of responsible recreation

Simple rules to keep in mind.

Of course there are always a few "black sheep" amongst 4 wheelers that don't know any better and make damage. Ignorance of the importance of un-spoilt highlands is a common source of mishaps. I can't imagine anyone wanting to cause harm to some of the most scenic places or vegetation. Areas that are free of man made structures are getting smaller every day. Good off road trails have often been used for decades without much impact on the land.  It is our duty to inform these few so we can continue to enjoy what we love most.

It is my belief that protection of national parks and other wilderness areas is best done by not changing these methods of access. Allow people to visit by using their 4x4s on old and established off road trails. Driving them as far as they lead and then hiking along at will.

If only our politicians would learn to respect nature as most 4 wheelers do.

Thrandur Arnthorsson is a 4 wheeling enthusiast and the webmaster and owner of 4x4OffRoads.com.