Mansell Lacy

[MuddyMary]

Morning All,

Sun is shining here in Hereford after a couple of wet days so should be good up at Mansell. This will be my first trials since I was a wee lass (not taking part, just going to see) Looking forward to hopefully meeting Mike and Tim. WOn't be there until after lunch as church this morning and then must feed children but still excited already :D

[drmike]

She came, she saw, she went - but unfortunatley I lost track of Mary during the afernoon. It all got a bit muddled. I hope you hade a good time Mary - I had a nice day but some of the guys were driving too well for me!

Mike

[MuddyMary]

Enjoyed the few hours we had their. Lost track of Mike and Had to go due ot hayfever, of all things  :(  Got me all hyped up though and like Mike said there were some very good drivers there.

Mary

[MuddyMary]

Mike - forgot to add, Thanks for the green lane details. Looking forward to trying one out next weekend hopefully.

Q - will my non-modified Flandy be ok to use or should we use the Range?

[drmike]

Personally I'd take both! This goes back to a previous comment on the other thread - don't go out alone. Always have a recovery vehicle to hand and a stout rope!

However, the best bet is to walk each lane before you drive it and assess each one. I will drive some lanes by myself in the Disco which will just have slightly more aggressive tyres than my usual road tyres but I always take a good look first and I make sure I can get back again if going forwards is not an option.

Bear in mind some of these lanes are quite overgrown now and your lovely new paintwork will get scratched - I'm not being funny here. It's a shame to tarnish a pristine vehicle. The Disco is 10 years old so I can take a bit of cosmetic damage but for some of my local lanes I take the Range Rover which as you saw is crumpled at best. But my desire to get a 90 is partly driven by wanting a vehicle better suited to laning.

If you're serious about laning then I suspect joining GLASS and going along to the local meeting in Bromyard will be good as they'll have the odd outing for shiny vehicles which won't do any damage at all.

Then again the AWDC guys organise the odd laning day and if I go I specify must be Disco friendly and they usually are. However one time we were bonnet deep at one stage and I'm not sure how Freelanders cope with that. But I'm sure we could arrange something to suit!

The Freelander will be fine on 90% of lanes I expect. I was bored, went for a walk round Presteigne way and decided to explore some of the lanes there and had no trouble at all and just had the odd bramble run down the side of the Disco. So maybe they'd be better.

Why not get in touch via email (mike@drmike.com) when you're thinking of going out and I may be able to come along in the Disco. Maybe I can show you the Prestiegne routes - assuming I can remember them!

Mike

[MuddyMary]

Thanks for all the info and advice. Will try and get out this week to walk a couple of lanes (need to get organised) Not too keen on getting Flandy to scratched, know that sounds wussy but she is not yet 3 years old and if I want to put here in for a Disco then I need her looking nice. Not worried about getting her dirty though.

Thanks for offer of taking me out, will probably take you up on it sometime.

Will look at joining GLASS as obviously they are guys with all the knowledge and of what is what where Greenlaning is concerned. Going to website now in fact.

Mary

[drmike]

Nothing wussy about keeping a tidy vehicle tidy - makes sense to me.

Mike

[MuddyMary]

My eldest son has made me laugh since yesterday. He has just gone on and on about Mike being the best off-roader in the world. He has emailed loads of family members to tell them and you were the topic of cinversation in the playground this morning. Hope that is a nice littel boost for your ego!
  :D
Mary

[drmike]

Would that it were true! I know my limitations only too well, this steering business has always foxed me which is why the RR is so good for me, it takes over when I give up. You didn't see me/it deal with the ditch where others were scrabbling about to get up. I just chucked it in and it shoved its way up the other side. Amazing vehicle and in the right hands which sadly aren't mine it would do wonders.

I'm pleased your young lad enjoyed what he saw. The next trial is miles away near Welshpool but Midland Off Road Club have a 2 day winch challenge at Stourport and Great Witley this coming weekend. I don't compete but I do asist - visitors are very welcome and it can be very entertaining. Last year they had a Defender with all 4 wheels off teh ground as they winched it across a steep gulley - mad, quite mad.

Mike

[jalopy joe]

Mike, having seen you in action during my occasional visits to the yellow area (formerly in a white Niva) I think you`re selling yourself a bit short.
Anyway hope to introduce the Fourtrak to the yellow brigade at Coney Green later in the year.  Might see you again then.

[drmike]

Joe - that would be great to see you again. I'll be interested to see how a 4 Track fares as you just don't see them at trials. Still on leaf springs though?

Truth is the Range Rover makes up for deficiencies. They are a lovely machine when they work well and currently the RR is working better than it ever has - but I think I'm letting it go as I fancy a change.

The best thing I ever did to it was bob tail it. It really does perform now.

Incidentally I think I'm down for laying out at Coney. Hope you like side slope!

Mike

[Manicminer]

The next trial is miles away near Welshpool

Mike

Where and when?
cheers

[drmike]

31st July at Westbury.

If you take a look at www.awdcyellowarea.co.uk at the end of the week I'll have the details up for you with a map I hope.

Mike

[drmike]

The details for this event are on www.awdcyellowareac.co.uk although the directions are sketchy. I went there last year and the signs were excellent. It was also a very good trial with some good motors in attendance.

[Manicminer]

Thanks.
If I have the day off then I shall come down and have a look.

[drmike]

There are other clubs your way aren't there - something or other Welsh. I met one of their guys and could probably get hold of him to ask what's going on if you like.