Tami Sutherland interview
Photo: Janet Poelsma

[How do Land Rover enthusiasts get started? We asked that very question of Tami Sutherland. Here’s her response –ed.”]

“I am an internet software developer and run a small business out of my home in Grottoes, VA. However, I grew up in Napoleon, MI, as mall farming community. As the saying goes, you can take the girl out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the girl. I escape to nature whenever I can.

“I love to travel and my business allots me the freedom to do so,so I take advantage of that often. Road trips are my favorite. I enjoy a variety of outdoor recreation: wheeling (of course), gardening,camping, hiking, canoeing, swimming, biking; anything that gets me away from concrete and into God’s country.”

“I had a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the transfer case failed at 150,000 miles, right after the payments ended. I wasn’t planning on a Land Rover. I test drove it at Dimitt Land Rover in Clear water, FL. I test drove it and I took it home. Then I wondered, “What have I done?” I didn’t even haggle over the price. People warned me not togo alone. I bought the ’05 in 2006 with 13,000 miles. I’ve had no issues with major components.”

“As of now my Java Black LR3 SE now sports Nitto Terra Grappler tires, a Superwinch EP9.0 and custom bumper, Hella 4000 driving lamps and a G4 raised air intake. Oh yes, I also have a pink air tank mounted in the rear of the truck. The color is right for me and the tank lets me deflate and inflate tires without worry.”

“I’ll never own anything else but I would love a Series Rover one day. I like to tinker on cars. I was in auto mechanics in high school but engines have changed a lot since then.”

“I’m part chicken and part daredevil, if that makes any sense.I’m kind of shy and get unsure of myself when faced with a new challenge. But I push myself and don’t let my fears get in the way of trying something new, I just close my eyes and leap in with both feet.That’s how it was with my LR3.”

“When I bought it in Florida I had no plans to take it very far off the pavement. It was to be your typical grocery getter and used for road trips. Then I got to know some of the Land Rover folks – need I say more? Ha-ha! They encouraged me to take it off-road saying, ‘TheLR3 is quite capable in stock form, maybe get some better tires’. At first I was like yeah right, I don’t think so, but the next thing you know, I buy some tires and the addiction begins.”

“I’ll never forget the maiden voyage to the swamp. It was at the J.W. Corbett Nature Preserve in the Florida Everglades. I pleaded my friend Tamy to come with me and we roll up to all these heavily modified rigs in my shiny new LR3. The people were very friendly and welcoming, but we couldn’t help feeling a tad out of place. It was a double whammy; we were women and we were in an LR3. Had that fight or flight moment, but gave it a go.”

“As my head’s spinning going down the trails, trying to figure out what to do with all these gadgets like terrain response control, hill descent control, stability control, somebody says over the CB, ‘Ok we’re coming to our first mud hole. Get ready to winch out the Tami’s in the LR3.’ Panic strikes and all eyes are watching. Well, I went a little too fast and sploosh, a wave of water comes up over the hood,up over the roof, but then out we come, successfully, on the other side. Hoots & hollers everywhere! My truck got the nickname Rubber Ducky that day.”

“I’ve traveled to the SCARR [South Central Area Rover Rally,Texas Land Rover Club] and hope to make it to northeastern eventsthis year.”

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