Story & Photo by Jim Edson

[Jim Edson, Irving, TX, entered the Land Rover world with a rare ’95 Discovery manual transmission. Once hooked, he upgraded to a 2004 G4 Discovery. He’s a past president of the Texas Rovers and now serves as the webmaster of their site, www.texasrovers.org. Here’s his story on the 2008 South Central Texas Rally –ed.]

Five years ago, the late Ross Mabey and fellow Texas Rovers Club members (texasrovers.org) started an annual event for Rover enthusiasts in the Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas area. Each year, it’s been hosted at Barnwell Mountain, located in northeastern Texas (Four Wheeler Magazine listed it as one of the 101 places to wheel before you die). Each year, it has grown; this year, with over 150 participants and great sponsors, Texas Rovers rented the entire park for the nearly 100 Land Rovers. The vehicles ranged from a 1962 Series II to a 2008 Range Rover Sport – but the majority of trucks were Discoverys. Participants came from locales as far apart as British Columbia and Argentina; one driver even flew in from Sheffield, England. As one out of town visitor put in a post on his web site “I had a great time- much more fun that the vast majority of off-road events I’ve been to in the last 16 or so years I’ve been doing it.”

The weekend started on a Thursday with Land Rover enthusiasts waiting outside the gate to check-in. After setting up camp, they had a chance to do some trail runs and familiarize themselves with Barnwell Mountain. Those not so adventurous met for guided trail runs at the pavilion. One group of an adventurous nature went over to test out a trail named Twister, a nasty, washed-out ravine that challenges even the best prepared of vehicles. Dan Chapman managed to give his ‘97 Disco a bit of a ‘beauty mark’ on a tougher part of the trail. After dinner, everyone met at Camp Mabey for an informal Meet‘n Greet. Those brave enough soon headed out under a clear sky and full moon for night runs. After a roaring campfire and libations back at camp everyone turned in for the night.

With flashes of lightning and crashes of thunder, the skies opened up and dumped buckets of water on the sleeping campers. Gale force winds whipped tents but, like Land Rovers, their owners can survive most every thing. The rain turned out to be a blessing. It created mud puddles for those who like to spend weeks cleaning Rovers. For the rest of us, it settled the dust and cooled the air. To the joy of all, Mike Law took over coordinating all the children’s activities. He put together many fun things for the kids to do. The most popular was the painting of tire tracks on their bright yellow SCARR shirts. This turned out to be such a super hit that even some of the adults had their shirts painted with tread marks. Even a Series II ended up with tread marks up one wing. Mike also put together a scavenger hunt with lots of items for the little ones to search for during the weekend and awarded prizes after the main raffle on Saturday night. According to the children in attendance this was the best SCARR yet.

Friday morning everyone met for more fun in the sun and organized trail runs. The “easy trail” group headed out led by Darrell Oliver, with yours truly as “Tail Gunner” in the rear. Within 100 yards of pulling off the main road Anne Lockley was on the CB saying her Range Rover had severe rear tire rub. Apparently on her way here

from Canada, she had some tire work done. The person must have used her trailing arms as jack points, bending both of them in the process. She would return later in the day thanks to the efforts of other enthusiasts willing to bend someone else’s suspension parts. The remainder of the group had done this run earlier and felt like old pros. So when Darrell asked if any one wanted to try some mud, they all said yes. So we cut over to “We Show,” normally an easy trail. After folding in their mirrors to squeeze their Rovers between the trees and sharp corners, the convoy quickly came to a halt. Darrell had gotten stuck in his mud hole. To make matters worse the opposite bank was higher than his bumper. The riverbank clay was slick with water from the previous evening’s rainstorms. Out came the winches. The rest of the group took the main trail around in time to watch all the winching action. One LR3 received minor cosmetic damage to the passenger rear door. When they got back to the main pavilion, Anne’s Rangie was ready to join us again. The Timed Run, a surprise hit at SCARR ’07, returned to the delight of participants. Making the run more challenging was the fact that the blindfolded driver had to respond to the instructions of his or her navigator. The trees along the side of the course showed the scars of many an aggressive team. One driver from San Antonio hit a tree dead on at what seemed like ‘Warp 7’ speed and did a little bumper realignment in the process. The best time of the day was put up by the team of Tom Griggs navigating with “Moses” behind the wheel of his tricked out Discovery.

After all this excitement everyone congregated at the Pavilion for a catered tailgate party & cookout dinner of grilled hot dogs and hamburgers, with the extra time to mingle with friends old and new. Any gathering of Land Rovers turns into a show and tell as folks inspect each other’s vehicles and modifications.

Just as darkness fell, Mike Law gathered up all the kids for a Flashlight Trail Walk and furnished each with a flashlight donated by one of our sponsors. While Mike led the young folks along dark trails, a group of Rovers headed out for their own fun on the trails. Others gathered around the campfire to tell more tales of the day’s events and to enjoy some liquid refreshments.

Saturday morning everyone was a bit slower getting started. But once up and after many hot cups of strong camp coffee, most folks were ready for their daily fix of off-roading. In the line for the intermediate trail group, Scotty Thrope pulls up in his 1962 Series II-A as do Ed and Max Mayle in their ’68 II-A 88”. The trail leader looked at Scotty’s ‘62 wagon and says “I think you are in the wrong line.” Scotty coolly replied, “no I am signed up for the intermediate group,” and he replies, “do you think your truck can make it?” Scotty
gives him a confused look and said, “I think so.” He makes it over most obstacles easily until they get to the first long steep hill. Making his first run at the hill, Scott got half-way up and lacked articulation enough for rear tire to drop down and make contact in a deep rut. The loss of traction brought him to a stop. After three tries, Ed gave him a different line that missed the deep rut. Then the Series II-A went flying up across and over the rut heading straight for a large tree. With the wheels cut hard to the left, the Rover missed the tree by one inch. Scotty and the 1962 Land Rover wagon cleared the top to a cheering crowd of well-wishers, demonstrating to everyone what off-roading skill is all about.

Before a great BBQ dinner of brisket, sausage, potato salad, and homemade cobbler with ice cream, the obligatory group photo was taken. After dinner the raffle was held, and many folks headed home
with great prizes, including an air tank, springs, roof rack, light bar, high lift tool set, and more provided by great sponsors like Rovers North.

After some night runs, folks gathered at the Camp Mabey pavilion for an exciting slide show by German de Codova. He is traveling in a kitted out Defender 110 from Argentina to Alaska. Sunday, still excited about the event but tired, we said our good byes and headed our separate ways until SCARR ‘09

•