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Ontario Rock Crawl
The Ontario Rock Crawl has been attracting some serious competitors and past couple of years. Getting a chance to check out some serious tube buggies in your own back yard is always amazing. These three examples all challenged the steep rock courses but not without a struggle. The sections have also grown more difficult as the vehicles have become better. It's interesting to see all three have their own stance, tire choices and components - but all three are rear engine and equipped with air shocks. 
Team #14 Driver Pierre Fortin & Spotter Alex Dumont from www.PJF4x4.com 
Team #105 Driver Doug Bigelow & spotter Kat Bigelow from the USA finished first in the Extreme modified class and took King of the Hill 
Team #131 Driver Darrin Hockney & Spotter Ed Flowers landed in second place I managed to catch one day of the Ontario Rock Crawl In September and seeing as I skipped last year, I was surprised at the advancements in the rigs competing.  Karl and his spotter tried to right his Jeep after an end-over (see cover). Competitors can try to turn their buggies over by hand not taking winching points but as soon as they ask for help - the stage is ruled incomplete or timed out. Held in Parry Sound each September long weekend the competition draws competitors form Ontario, Quebec and the USA. The event is well staged with lots of room and action for spectators and great friendly competition between drivers - it is usually the highlight of my Ontario trip each year. A few changes are a foot for 2008 so read on and watch for a second event for 2008! Here are the ORCC 2007 Standings SUPER-MODIFIED Trophies Sponsored by JUST JEEPS Trophies Sposored by ROCK SPYDER 4X4 Trophies Sponsored by PJF 4X4 EXTREME-MODIFIED Trophies Sponsored by JUST JEEPS Trophies Sponsored by ROCK SPYDER 4X4 Trophies Sponsored by PJF 4X4 This is to announce that the Ontario Rock Crawling Competition (ORCC) will now be hosted by MADDAWG EXTREME MOTORSPORTS & OFFROAD EVENTS. The ORCC will never forget it's roots with the London & Area Jeep® Owners Club (LAJOC) and Thanks LAJOC for the support it afforded the ORCC over the year's. Not a whole lot will change with the ORCC except that it is looking at adding a second One (1) day Event for 2008. A "New Website" is being constructed for the ORCC; however, in the interim, the ORCC will post all pertinent info for the 2008 season on the Throttle Happy Offroad Forum at www.throttlehappy.invisionzone.com. Event Dates for 2008 June ?? - Tentative One (1) day Event to be confirmed in Jan / Feb 2008.Labour Day Weekend - August 29 - 31, 2008 Competitor Registrations will available soon. For any additional info please contact Derrick McClinchey
 Pierre from PJ 4x4 in Quebec does an amazing back flip, rolling right back over onto his wheels. Unfortunately he broke the gas pedal pivot and was unable to continue. Sometimes it's the smallest thing that can knock you out of a competition! 
Bill Holubeshen from Hol's Off-road works his way around a cone on one of the sections while his spotter does all the legwork! Sometimes it is far easier to be the driver than the spotter — till you roll over!  Rear steer sure makes a rock crawler turn in those tight spots and #38 Driver Patrick audet and spotter Eric Houde make good use of it. This section changed dramatically when a large rock rolled under this buggy just one of those breaks or bonuses on a natural rock crawl course.  Steve Dinsmore does a hard, end-over off one of the rock faces. He and his Jeep were a bit worse for wear after this roll. While injuries are rare, all ORC events have a complete medical team in place in case a driver gets hurt.  Suspension twisting was the name of the game and this coil-equipped Sami based crawler driven by Brent Gilliland with spotter Steve Hurry at hand has what it takes to tackle the tough courses laid out by Jim McDonald from Rock Spyder 4x4. |
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