4x4wire, ProROCK, February 23-24, 2002, Johnson Valley, CA

Although not a competitor in other rock crawling events, Linda and I are no strangers to these competitions, but this was our fist try at getting the RED YJ through timed courses. Even though we came away with a new perspective on the sport, I will say that there is a different atmosphere at this, family oriented (and because of the fewer entrants) more intimate event than at other rock crawling competitions.

Most of the teams were husband and wife. The joke was that it was surprising all the teams worked so well together and that marriage counselors were not required during the course of the event. Management and sponsors expressed their gratitude that they were not subjected to this additional expense.

Being UROC staff and knowing what it takes to pull an event like this off, I was amazed at how Bob Hazel handled this event short of staff. Bob set all the courses and acted as Event Marshal. It is no wonder Bob was seen putting around Three Peaks Ranch in Cedar City Utah on his little BMW motorcycle to run back and forth between the Stock Modified and Trophy class courses constantly. Hats off to Bob and his staff for this remarkable job.

Considering we were dealing with the remnants of a pacific tropical storm hanging over Utah, there was only one rain delay during the first day of the event. It did rain very heavily on the way back to town the first day and it continued to rain all night. These wet conditions on the courses made for a pronounced loss of traction for all the competitors.

OK what the hell are we thinking? What are we doing here entered in the Skyjacker Rock Crawling National Championship for Women? Well I guess you could say it started 31 years ago when I bought my first 4X4. I had gotten stuck again in a late spring snowstorm in my Alpha Romeo sports car so I bought a 1963 Scout 80 from a co-worker and never regretted the decision. For many years I did all the back country driving. Linda would try her hand once in a while and as the years went by, I had a hard time convincing her to let me drive. She would however turn over the left seat on the more challenging trails.

We gradually built up a 1991 Jeep YJ and Linda’s driving skills continued to match the improvements of her rig. Yes this is her rig, in fact it is her daily driver and as such we had no business entering an event where body damage and even a roll over is not only a possibility but expected. I do have to admit that early on it was decided not to take unnecessary risks in competition hence the attitude that we were not here to win. We were here for the experience and what an experience we had! So I guess you could say this was just the next step in our desire to take in all aspects of the sport of four wheeling.

I am pretty sure that we were the oldest team there since Linda and I have been married longer that most of the other team members were old. We brought our own cheering section with us. All of our children and grandchildren had been ordered to attend. They all seemed to have a great time even though it was a chore sometimes to keep track of them all when "Grammy" was not on the course. When she was, even our youngest grandson was cheering us on.

Linda had me make decals to go on her Jeep so nobody questioned to whom it belonged. "Grammy’s Jeep" was affixed to the hood hoop and rear cage cross bar. This made for not only some interesting conversations but Linda became a topic of conversation herself. After all, how many Grandmothers can boast they drive their Jeeps in competition?

I really like the Pro Rock stock modified regulations. They allow a rig that could be considered a daily driver to compete. During technical inspection, the windshield must be on with working wipers. Stock type suspension must be retained and no more that 2 inches of change to wheelbase. 35-inch tires are the maximum size but bead locks can be utilized. Rear steering is not allowed but you can have braking control of individual wheels to help in the turns. Gearing and motor have no regulations. What this means is that if a rig is equipped with a transfer case that will allow front and rear wheel drive, independent wheel braking and at least a controllable locker in the rear, it is driving skill and technique that will win the event barring any mechanical failure. Did I mention experience?

This left us out of being competitive due to the fact Linda’s Jeep does not have the ability for front drive only nor had selective brakes. This did not stop us from having a great time. After all we were here for the experience.

Out on the practice course, Linda and I worked on her technique but nothing really prepares you for actual competition itself except the real thing. I found this out very soon on the very first course. We were told up front that every bush was out of bounds. As we passed through the first gate I was directing Linda through a turn when I backed into a cedar bush and got called out of bounds. You just don’t practice this and even my experience, as a course judge did not prepare me, as my concentration was on Linda not the course.

Over the two days I learned a few things. Once the clock starts you do not have the time to air down. 12 psi is way too much air pressure for this type of rock crawling! I was told that 12 psi was the right pressure with the BFG KM’s on the rocks at Three Peaks Ranch. Another thing I learned was to take advice, from even someone I consider to be an expert at this, with a grain of salt. Nothing replaces your own experience. Once I aired down to 8 psi and straightened the pinched off exhaust pipe, the Jeep was less prone to hopping off the course. Oh yea I forgot to mention that Linda is the Vice President of Rock Hoppers 4X4 Club in Salt Lake City, so I guess it was OK. We got a zero for that one.

Even though Linda was having a fun time, I was a bit stressed during the event especially after me being responsible for all of our out of bounds calls up to this point. Then it was her turn to screw up. When the judge started counting down time she got on the skinny pedal and landed on a cone. Then after Linda almost went over backwards on "The Wall" and made it through that course, I finally started to relax. We got called out of bounds, on the next course, with only one more set of cones before the finish and it was all over. I was ready for more but we were done! Then reality and realization set in and was I glad it was over. Boy was I glad it was over.

At the end of two days of competition the only damage to the Jeep was a messed up front bumper, a bent rear bumper and a slightly tweaked exhaust system. I had expected much more damage as I had envisioned Linda doing a 360 at some point but driving skills got her out of numerous tip overs and at least one major endo. Not to mention the last time we had the Jeep at Three Peaks I managed to break a front axle just turning it around!

Linda was thankful we were done as well. At this point in time we are not sure if we will compete again but if we do it will be in a Woman’s event. Everyone supported and encouraged everyone else. The judging was extremely consistent and all of the teams were treated equal and fair and that is what really matters.

					Day 1	Day 2	Event
Place	Vehicle #	Driver	Spotter	Class	Total	Total	Total

1	15	LeBaron	LaBaron	M	107	82	189
2	16	Webster	Johnson	M	90	94	184
3	8	Mello	Mello	M	75	79	154
4	14	Clough	Clough	M	37	50	87
5	6	Adams	Adams	M	31	50	81
		West	West	M	0	0	0

1	18	Charles	Jordan	T	148	142	290
2	7	Weaver	Weaver	T	156	109	265
3	3	Crook	Durham	T	127	132	259
4	9	Little	Little	T	116	118	234
5	10	Arnett	Shugart	T	126	86	212
6	11	Bulloch	Sisson	T	84	122	206
7	5	Lillard	Robbins	T	78	118	196
8	2	Ryan	Cresswell	T	84	100	184
9	1	Clifford	Clifford	T	83	100	183
10	4	Beard	Beard	T	38	49	87
11	12	Warmkessel	Warmkessel	T	4	50	54
12	17	Sweetin	Sweetin	T	4	0	4
13	13	Barber	Barber	T	0	0	0

					Series Championship
Place	Vehicle #	Driver	Spotter	Class	CA	UT	Total

1	15	LeBaron	LaBaron	M	99	100	199
2	8	Mello	Mello	M	100	98	198
3	16	Webster	Johnson	M		99	99

1	18	Charles	Jordan	T	100	100	200
2	7	Weaver	Weaver	T	99	99	198
3	3	Crook	Durham	T	98	98	196
4	11	Bulloch	Sisson	T	96	95	191
5	2	Ryan	Cresswell	T	94	93	187
5	1	Clifford	Clifford	T	95	92	187
6	13	Barber	Barber	T	97	88	185
7	9	Little	Little	T		97	97
8	10	Arnett	Shugart	T		96	96
9	5	Lillard	Robbins	T		94	94
10	4	Beard	Beard	T		91	91
11	12	Warmkessel	Warmkessel	T		90	90
12	17	Sweetin	Sweetin	T		89	89