WE ARE FAMILY

Story by Matt Martin & Aaron Williams / Photos by Matt Martin

[Matt Martin, Rovers North’s Marketing Director, selected himself again to attend the Solihull Society’s National Rally. No, we’re not jealous! –ed]



Welcome to Leadville, Colorado. 10,430 breath-taking feet above sea level. 310 days of sunshine every year. It is America’s highest incorporated city, and host of the 2009 Land Rover National Rally.



Since it began in 1989, the event has navigated some of the most thrilling terrain in Utah and Colorado. Now in its 20thyear, the event continues to promote and encourage responsible off-roading while attracting an ever-expanding variety of participants. In Leadville this year, the array of Land Rovers that lined up each morning to traverse the trails reflected the diversity of the marque: old Series, new Range Rovers and LR3’s traveling together, learning from one another and lending a hand when necessary. While the owners share a common loyalty to a machine and its capabilities, it is their individual stories that make events such as the Land Rover National Rally so very special.



There were those that defined “enthusiast,” like John Johnson of Crossroads, TX. John describes his love for Land Rovers as a “sickness” that began after purchasing his first in 2003. Since then, there have been four Land Rovers in his possession: two Range Rover Classics (1989, 1990), and two Range Rover HSEs (2001, 2006). Between his other hobbies, which include golf, hot rodding and playing on the water as often as possible, Johnson seeks out trails whenever he can. His favorite place to off-road is the Barnwell Recreation Area in Bridgeport, TX – home of the SCARR Rally. It’s a short trip from his front door and offers, “Great wheeling!”



There were also those with a head start as a Land Rover enthusiast. We found Nick Koentyes, a high school student behind the wheel of a 1995 Range Rover Classic. Nick, whose hometown of Golden, Colorado is practically in Leadville’s backyard, attended the Land Rover National Rally as a local. Though young, Nick is no stranger to the complex trails that make the Rockies famous for off-roading. He rides in St. Johns and Redcone to take in the epic views of his home state. When asked how he got into Land Rovers, Koentyes explains he grew up surrounded by Range Rovers. Molded by the owners around him, the passion caught Nick early and at the age of 15, Nick bought his first Land Rover.





As different as they are, John and Nick represent the constant of all the Land Rover events I have attended – the shared affection and admiration for Land Rovers. Whether you’re a business owner or a high school student, it’s the appreciation of the capabilities of the Land Rover that connects total strangers from the coast to the Rocky Mountains. The Land Rover World has the qualities of a family. The events we enjoy together provide a time when husbands and wives can blazes trails together. Friends attack a challenging climb together, adding another moment in their shared history. It’s an environment in which a parent’s love for off-roading can be passed down to their children. And like every great family, we look forward to the next reunion in 2010, and can’t wait to see how much bigger the family gets.