Tay Forest Challenge - Still the toughest winch competition in the UK

Tay Forest Challenge
Still the toughest, trickiest, nastiest Winch Challenge in the UK

Last updated Tuesday 17th June 2008

News: Rules and Regulations here - includes helmet information

Welding repairs - an update

At last year's TFC and at The Baskerville Challenge I brought along a new product called the Readywelder which is, essentially, a 12v/24v mig welder in a briefcase for testing in relatively extreme conditions. It proved it's worth many times over and many of the competitors said it was something they felt they needed and that they would be placing an order. A few have and their reports are 100% positive and now I'm about to place a new order with the manufacturer in the US and would like to have a few advance orders.

So, this year I will not be bringing my welder as I will be too busy keeping you lot in order but anyone wanting to place an order for delivery at TFC 2008 should send me their details and a £50 deposit. Orders placed before the end of June will receive free spare tips, nozzle and welding wire worth ~£50. Email me to richard@difflock.com

Thanks,
Richard

Make no mistake, despite the move to Perthshire from Argyle this is still not for the ill prepared or faint of heart, it is a full-on 100% strength sapping, brain twisting challenge. The team that organises and sets up the competition are sick and twisted, released from local institutions on Day Passes to choose ever more warped ways for the competitors to get stuck in one of the most picturesque areas of Scotland. Whatever is left after the slopes, trees, mud, rocks, cliffs and sea lochs have had their fun gets eaten by the notorious Scottish midge.

TFC remains an extreme winch challenge event. That means no navigation exercises, no GPS, no mucking about, just 2 days of dragging your truck through the finest Scottish mountain scenery.

Do I want to enter?

Ask yourself the following questions:
1. Am I mad?
2. Do I want to spend 2 days in a Scottish Forest?
3. Do I relish the challenge of getting my 4x4 up a 15 foot high cliff (really)?
4. Can I find someone to co-drive?
5. Can I find another 3 people to enter with me?

Experience is not necessary but is recommended, a well prepared 4x4 with mud tyres, roll-cage, winch and recovery equipment is absolutely essential. Vehicles must be fully road legal and in roadworthy condition and all equipment should be in good order - this is for your safety and the safety of everyone around you.

There has been considerable debate on the banning of certain pieces of equipment including portal axles, big tyres, aggressive tread patterns and highly specialised hybrid vehicles. It has been our policy not to ban anything, however anyone contemplating running a vehicle made from the bones of 5 others with portal axles, 44" bogger tyres and super wide rims must take their chances. This event is not designed to be damaging, it can be, and has been, but this has not been our intention, however if you try to take an 8 foot wide vehicle through a gap meant for a 6' Landy then on your own head be it!

This is a serious competition and has earned it's title of "Extreme" but it's still meant to be fun and fair.

What if I want to be involved but can't/are too sane to compete?

If you are interested in helping set up or run the event by being a lumberjack, marshal, First Aider, or general hanger on please email on of the Committee from the Contact Us page. Let us know what you can do and when you can do it. In particular we will need loads of help setting up the sections the week before the event as well as site and route clearance for at least 2 other weekends during the summer. We can't offer any help with expenses but you will get a nice warm fuzzy feeling of having been an integral part of the AFC team, either that or the drugs are finally taking effect. More information is available through the Marshalling link below

Richard, in a panic somewhere, Glasgow.