Scotia Challenge Series

March Event Results

Aimed at all those Marshalls who have worked so hard at other events and looked and wondered if they could compete as well as anyone new to 4x4 competition, the Scotia Challenge Series sees the team that brought you Argyll Forest and Tay Forest Challenges return to their original concept and run events specifically to raise the grassroots standard of 4x4 challenge competition in Scotland. These events will be challenging but NOT extreme with as little minimum requirements as possible.

Please read everything on these pages carefully as it will tell you almost everything you need to know.

Entries

• Entry forms can be downloaded here
• Please complete the form noting which event(s) you wish to enter
• You can enter all the events on one form or enter event by event. You do not need to enter all of them.
• Closing dates:
  • 20th of the month preceding the event. NOTE: This is a revised, absolute, closing date. This gives us just enough time to set enough sections.

Dates

• February 7th and 8th 2009 - Won by Colin Rose/Alistair Dickson in a Suzuki SJ413 with maximum 85 pts!
• March 7th and 8th 2009 - confirmed, late entries accepted
• April 4th and 5th 2009 - cancelled
• May 2nd and 3rd 2009 - cancelled

Basic Info

• £75 per event per vehicle
• Prizes from Ruftraks UK Ltd, Difflock.com Ltd and Buchan Off Road Driver's Club
• As with all SWCC events there are no spectator facilities
• Held at Drumclog, 7 miles SW of Strathaven
• Camping is included in entry fee.
• Chuck wagon will be onsite to provide meals and drinks (bring cash!)
• Toilets will be provided

This series is an opportunity for us and many of the UK’s top winch competitors to give a little back to the sport and we are delighted that we will be joined by several Teams that have been regularly placed at Argyll and Tay Forest Challenges who will be Marshalling at the tougher spots and will offer help and guidance to anyone who wants it. It is also a new venture for us and even though we have set loads of really tough events it could be challenge to get the level right at first so we will be watching closely and if we think punches are too easy or too hard we will move them. Once we’ve got the level right, however, it will remain there for all 4 competitions. We intend it to be challenging and a benchmark you can measure your improvement against.

THIS IS NOT AN EXTREME WINCH CHALLENGE EVENT - IT IS INTENDED TO HELP COMPETITORS LEARN AS THEY COMPETE.
THE SEVERITY WILL NOT INCREASE OVER THE SERIES

SCOTIA WINCH CHALLENGE SERIES.

February Event Review.

 Over the last days we have had a chance to review the first event in this series and, as you would expect, we have decided to tweak a few details following some really good feedback from our own team and, more importantly, the competitors. So, what have we changed for the March jolly?

Well here we go.

We do believe that our perceived novice entry level was to tough to encourage those with a fairly standard vehicle fitted with a winch to compete and this has been addressed by lowering & increasing the number of punches within this category as follows (note: numbers of sections vary proportionately with no of entrants):- 

• The number of sections suitable for genuine novices (green level) will be increased from 10 to 15, all placed along the river valley and easily attainable by a basic, road going 4x4 fitted with a winch.
• The number of intermediate level sections (amber/yellow) will be increased from 10 to 15, again all placed along the river valley, attainable by a road going 4x4 fitted with a winch.
• The number of more difficult sections will be increased from 10 to 15, mixed between open ground and the “scary” woods, to give a choice more difficult sections both non-damaging to the bodywork & potentially damaging to bodywork – these sections are specifically designed for the more adventurous/cavalier 4x4 drivers/vehicles.
• The number of Tay level sections will remain at 5, all sited within the “scary” woods and they are what they claim – seriously strong sections & not for the fainthearted!

    Scoring system/punch cards & punches:-

• A simplification of the card/punch system we use will be introduced at the March event to avoid confusion and make the identification of the punch type and the card space to be punched much clearer.
• The posts/ trees will be easily identified as to which level they are from a distance, making the decision as to whether they suit you.

 General housekeeping issues:- 

• The snack bar will be moved into the competitor’s car parking area.
• The competitors parking area will be clearly taped off and must be used at all times when returning to Control.
• All spectators’ vehicles will be guided to park well away from the competitor area and will continue to be restricted to walking the event area only.

 Safety regulations:- 

• It became clear following the scrutineering that whist we insisted that all recovery gear be secured safely during our checks, this did not continue during the event – this will be strictly enforced during all future events and you will not be allowed to continue if you have anything deemed to be dangerous loose in your vehicle until it is securely stored.
• The seatbelt rule will be enforced and you will be penalized if found not to be complying whilst driving the designated event areas.

We do believe that the changes we plan to make for the next event are all for the better and will lead to a much more varied and diverse entry list. The true novice will benefit from more to do over the 2 days, with clear goals attainable by their vehicles. We also believe that these changes will reduce the chances of vehicle body damage – something that is not expected and unacceptable at this event type. The general tidy up of the rules & layout of the site will clarify areas of confusion and reinforce the levels of safety that are vital to run a good event. 

We do hope that you find all of the above will make this sort of competition increasingly enjoyable and encourage more of the right sort of entrants to “have a go”.