4x4 Mag - Can it happen tp you?

Can it happen to You?

by John Deaville

Well there I was, enjoying a Sunday doing a little bit of off-roading. It was a nice day and the sun was shining and no clouds in the sky anywhere. We'd set the areas out for the spectators, marked out the "danger zones", put up the ropes for the food van to keep the vehicles away from the public. We had a cup of coffee and watched people arrive. About time we did a little bit ourselves? So off we went Gill, Graham, Sylvio and myself went of in our own motors.

A run round just to see if everyone is okay, exchange a few greetings with different people who have become friends that we have got to know while off-roading at the weekends. Richard and Ruth arrived with their Light Weight Land Rover on the back of their Terrano. Richard used to use this vehicle but then he saw the "Light" and bought a V8 lightweight and there're having great fun at the 4x4 Fundays which they attend.

Then it happened turning round to the left, power on into a rut and up came the nearside wheels, no time to think ...suddenly it’s all over. YES it was all OVER ... on to the offside then it’s ROOF ... engine off quick ... too late it had already stopped. Kill the ignition then a smell of petrol. Correct petrol will not stay in the tank of a vehicle while on it’s roof so time to get out and get it the right way up. Tried to roll it back on to its wheels but even with four other people it was far too heavy. Shout for Graham who was in Turbo mode across the short distance. Just goes to show how quick a V8 Landy can be when set up right, just ask the bloke with the 16 Valve Astra who Graham left standing at the traffic light’s one Sunday not so long ago. On with the rope and back on to its wheels as quick as it went over. There was NO TIME to take photos or LAUGH about it like alot of people do. Believe you me YES it is FRIGHTENING when you start to roll.

That’s the first time and hopefully the last. I have had one or two scary moments before but nothing like that. And NO I don’t want to again, thank goodness I had a roll cage fitted, if I had not who knows where I would be or what state I would be in. Anyone even doing a mild bit of playing / off roading with out a roll cage and seat belts of some sort must be crazy. Yes we've all seen people driving around at off-road events without belts being worn especially if their vehicle is exempt from the seat belt law !! Kids and adults are often seen in the back of vehicles hanging on, for "grim death" while going up or down very steep hills. There is always a SAFETY FACTOR to THINK ABOUT and people being people they do not always consider this. It’s all good fun and everyone wants a ride round at the same time in the vehicle they came in.

Well the Bowler stood the test of the roll over well. A broken side window which was smashed by the unbreakable door mirror which broke, damage to the front o/s wing, some oil in the bores and damage to the top over the drivers door that’s all. Gill held the bonnet up while we took the plugs out to empty the cylinder bores of oil. Turn the key and turn the engine over to pump the oil out, and yes you guessed it oil all over Gill’s new LRM white tee-shirt. [Looked much better when you couldn't see the LRM text! Ed.] Well she was told not to move and she actually did as she was told. We finally got it running only to find out that the radiator was leaking, a bolt on the bottom edge of the wing had punctured the rad, nothing else for it but to call the RAC. Last time I was here I had to call them as I smashed the o/s CV joint and shaft. Seventy-five minutes they said before anyone would be there to take me back home. Gill said I could have a run round in her Landy provided I did not break it, after all I repair Gill’s Landy anyway so I would have to take great care. Bad enough damaging one vehicle.

Brought all the bits today, two engine mountings, two gearbox mountings, completely ripped off the new door mirror glass and a second hand side window. Just leaves the radiator to be taken off and repaired. Due to the protection of the roll-cage damage to myself was minimal. A cut on the right elbow and sore legs where I bashed them against the steering wheel while up side down. Oh, the most damage was to my PRIDE. NO I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW SOMEONE CAN ROLL A MOTOR AND GET OUT LAUGHING.

So when it’s back on the road it will be a visit up to Drew Bowler’s just to make sure all the cage/space frame is okay. A word of advice here, if you want to off road get a cage fitted to your vehicle, and make sure it is made and fitted properly. At least it will SAVE YOUR NECK . After all what's a few hundred pounds compared to death or being crippled for the rest of your life ?