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Winter Games @ John Rock 4x4
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2024 2:29 pm
by Mad Manny
Yesterday I attended the Winter Games event at John Rock 4x4.
John Rock is out near Harties, in fact the John Rock farm joins the De Wildt 4x4 Farm.
Winter Games is a annual event held in early August - this is the 2nd event.
Although I was aware of the event, I wasn't planning on attending until Ant called & asked me to be his Navi.
Ant picked me up at 07:00 & we drove through
It was a very interesting day, in the next post I'll give my impressions:
Re: Winter Games @ John Rock 4x4
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2024 2:46 pm
by Mad Manny
The event was very well organised.
Turnout was a bit poor.
There were more 'Marshalls' than competitors.
So a 10 out of 10 for organisation & perhaps a 2 out of 10 for Marketing.
We stood around for about an hour & then, without announcement, saw vehicles were starting off.
Perhaps a bit of a 'Call together & explain how it works' presentation was required.
But most competitors had participated in last years event, so maybe they felt that wasn't necessary.
You get allocated a Marshall who drives with you.
Ant & I got Hein, but since Ant has removed the rear seats he had to walk.
The signage is well done, there were about 10 'Challenges' or 'obstacles'.
Some were the normal challenge of doing a obstacle without hitting the Conduit poles.
Others were fun things like hopping in a sack, throwing balls into buckets, shooting at a target from the vehicle or catching balloons full of water.
Hein was very firm & fair but was as pliable as an Ekhurleni Metro Cop, so we managed to get full points - at a financial cost.
It was great fun.
After about 2 hours we were done & went back to the Lapa.
Bribing of the marshals is actually encouraged as all the 'bribe' money is added to the entry fee & some of this is donated to a cause.
Although most competitors were done by 12:00, prize giving was only done at around 17:00. some guys went off to do the mountain trail in the afternoon.
I believe there are plans to connect the mountain trail to the new trail at De Wildt - so you will be able to drive up the mountain trail & into De Wildt.
Re: Winter Games @ John Rock 4x4
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2024 2:55 pm
by Mad Manny
In the Afternoon, while waiting, we were treated to a display of a new Anti-Theft device.
They parked a Hilux, put it in Neutral, let the handbrack down & then hitched it, via Kinetic line to a Rubicon in 2WD, the Rubi then tried to pull the Hilux, but it couldn't.
One competitor with a kitted Land Cruiser 79 asked if he could try - but only succeeded in burning his clutch.
The Hilux wouldn't budge.
We then had prize-giving - Ant & I did not win - but as Ant had said earlier "Winter Games - Where the rules are made up & the points don't matter!". 
The band started singing, the sun was setting & we headed home.
Re: Winter Games @ John Rock 4x4
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2024 3:03 pm
by Mad Manny
Overall a very nice day, I just think they need to work on their exposure - I think the event was only on a few Whats App groups & maybe on Facebook.
Even the display of the anti-theft device, they barely mentioned it's name, it wasn't even clear to me if 4x4 Mega World was behind it or not.
I will definitely get the 4x4 Action group behind it, if I'm aware of it in time, next year.
I'd like to hear from you guys - were you even aware of this event?
Re: Winter Games @ John Rock 4x4
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2024 6:21 pm
by Johannes
Not aware of it . Stay about 10 minutes from there.
Re: Winter Games @ John Rock 4x4
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2024 6:32 pm
by NINJA
Sounds like fun day.
Only heard about it to n our whatsapp group.
Re: Winter Games @ John Rock 4x4
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2024 6:50 pm
by Erin
Might have seen something on FB, but can't recall.
Re: Winter Games @ John Rock 4x4
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2024 6:51 pm
by AndreasR
Saw on FB
Re: Winter Games @ John Rock 4x4
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2024 6:52 pm
by Paul#25
No idea it was organized.
Re: Winter Games @ John Rock 4x4
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2024 6:56 pm
by PsyPhin
I am in the John Rock chat group.
Still missed it. Looked like fun
Re: Winter Games @ John Rock 4x4
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2024 7:05 pm
by Disco Nic
Namibia doesn’t get invited, so no idea what was happening.
Re: Winter Games @ John Rock 4x4
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2024 7:09 pm
by SamuraiX
This is the first I'm hearing of it.
Re: Winter Games @ John Rock 4x4
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2024 7:50 pm
by Martin de Jager
Myself I attended a charity event at Jansens 4x4, organised by Joos Vorster, he requested me to assist. We had between 40-50 cars standard to modified. This was a huge success. The facts speak loud, one thing we as club stand for, alcohol and 4x4 do not mix. We 4x4 responsibly, and as club we know our vehicles and capabilities.
Re: Winter Games @ John Rock 4x4
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2024 7:56 pm
by Mad Manny
Thanks Martin, The Janssens event may have had an affect on the turnout at the Winter Games...
Re: Winter Games @ John Rock 4x4
Posted: Sun Aug 04, 2024 8:04 pm
by japbur
Not aware.