THE 4X4 CLUB – ZIMBABWE
Newsletter No: 88 -
March 2012
P O Box HG 594 Highlands Harare Zimbabwe The Motor Sports Club House, 2 Annan Road, Eastlea, Harare.
The Chairman and Editorial Team:
CHAIRMAN: Tim Thorburn 498723 / 0772.645.518 thorburn@mweb.co.zw
EDITORS Mike & Pat GILL 494028 / 0712.400.243 / 0712.440.794 gill@zol.co.zw
4x4 Club Website http://www.4x4.co.zw Face Book Site: 4x4 Zimbabwe
The 4x4 Club is affiliated to the Zimbabwe Motor Sports Federation - ZMSF
Our Club is a member of the Mashonaland Motor Sport Association Club House, situated at: 2 Annan Rd. Eastlea. It is available for hire for weddings, conferences, kid's parties, 21st birthdays, etc.
News, comments and opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Club or the Committee
THE EDITOR’S DESK - Michael and Pat Gill
How often have you heard someone saying – "I got through without using 4x4". This happened again about half way up Ngomokurira. This generally gets me quite stirred up as the person obviously has no idea what is involved. For a start the front drive needs to be used, oil circulated, or it will prematurely wear out. Sitting unused is very bad for the parts. Next is safety, there is a big difference on loose dirt between a 2WD and a 4WD. Tyre wear on a loose surface is much greater in 2WD. Why do you think there are so many permanent 4WD cars? Then you get stuck in 2WD and wonder why your magic 4x4 stays stuck – you may well have driven through the trouble in 4x4. Help!!!
Do yourself and your car a big favour and put the 4x4 in as soon as you get onto dirt.
THE AGM
Please note: The AGM is on SUNDAY 19th February. Be there.
NEW MEMEBRS:
Carel and Juju VAN HELSDINGEN and their son Tyron. They were Mutare members in the past and have been out of the country for the last number of years. We welcome them back to the country and to our club. Landrover owners
Shane and Lydia DRUMMON: Shane had entered the Jamboree a couple of years ago and has now decided to join us on a full time basis. He is a Toyota LC100 driver.
Both families joined us on the Ngomo Kurira Trail Drive and we hope to see them out and about in future.
MEMBER'S NEWS:
We received the following email from Gerry and Lynn, England. They were very active members here in the past and drove a LR Series 3 SWB. They still have fond memories of their life here.
"We would like nothing more in the world than to be at the NITE EXTREME with you guys but alas we can't but we will be thinking of you and the wonderful time you will be having ENJOY . Gerry & Lynn Britz"
LETTER FROM KATHY McIntosh OF S.O.A.P.
Dear Michael and Pat and Members of the 4x4 Club.
At last I can use my hands in a very amateurish way! My first attempt at writing will be a sincere thank you to the 4X4 Club. The list of your donations is endless! Three donations of $200, $366 and $130, boxes and boxes of real luxury groceries. All these 'goodies' were put into parcels and distributed before Christmas. If only you could have seen the joy that lit up their faces!!! Not one of them believed they would celebrate a Christmas so filled with blessings! Their pleasure was endless.
We are looking after 350 Old Age Pensioners. They are all good folk who have worked most of their lives and paid into a pension. With the economic crisis they lost their pension and gradually ate away their savings. Most of them are now destitute and rely solely on our monthly parcels of food. It is people like the 4X4 Club that make it all possible. Once again, a very big thank you!
God bless you all.
Kathy McIntosh, for S.O.A.P. (Save our Old Age Pensioners)
Toothache: The pain that drives you to extraction.
TREE PLANTING DAY
This is still a long way off but something to think about. ZMSF in conjunction with MMSA are having a Tree Planting Day at Donnybrook in November. They are asking members to have a look in their gardens and if you have any INDIGINOUS tree saplings to look after them and bring them along on the day. If you know the name then write it on a card for future reference.
TV AND CAR RADIO LICENCES FREE for OAP's
(Taken from the VCCZ Newsletter)
Did you know if you are 75 years old or over, you are exempt from paying for a TV, Radio or Car Radio licence. I’ve just been through the process. You have to have turned 75 years old. They won’t accept that you’re in your 75 year and your birthday is a few months hence.
Step 1. Take a deep breath and count to 10.
Step 2. Go to ZBC at Pockets Hill. You’ll be stopped at the security boom for your ID.
Step 3. Proceed to Reception; ask for Gladys at the Licensing Office.
Step 4. Fill in your details in “the book”.
Step 5. You’ll be escorted to another security check point, fill in "the book".
Step 6. You’ll be escorted to Room 114, where you’ll find Gladys.
You will require: - Last year's TV licence, Radio licence and Car Radio Licence
A photocopy of your I/D for each licence required
Relevant car registration book
Once Gladys is satisfied she will issue you with the required licence(s) valid for the current year. Yes, you will have to go through the same procedure every year to obtain a valid free licence.
Good luck!!! Thanks to John McFadyean of the VCCZ
THE MOTOR SPORTS CLUB HOUSE - 4x4 CLUB MEMBERS
"A new feature at the Motor Sport Club House will be a CASH DRAW every Friday night at 7pm. The starting fund is US$100 which will increase by US$25 every week until it is won.
Only one number will be drawn each Friday and the catch is you have to be there to claim your prize. There is no fee to be included in the draw."
For more information phone: Club House 746763
Address: 2 Annan Road, Eastlea. Behind Haddon Motors.
Basil Barnes of VCCZ is the Chairman of MSC, Phone: 0712.863.068
Are you a member of the Motor Sport Club House in Eastlea?
The Club House is the central meeting place for all members of Motor Sport Clubs and has been going for the last 40 years. You have to be a member of a Motor Club to be able to become a member of the MSC.
They have a Bring and Braai on the first Saturday of every month which is a good place to chew the fat and keep up to date on motor events.
And a good central venue for weddings or parties.
The Bar works on a swipe card basis and drinks are heavily discounted for members.
DONNYBROOK:
Note the new entry fees into Donnybrook. $2 if you are a member of a Motor Sports Club and can produce your Membership Card and $20 if you are not.
TECHNICAL
Gaskets: For those who get their hands dirty and need a one off gasket I have been using a very small company in Graniteside, Harare. Swab Gaskets Zimbabwe at 35 Shepperton Road can make most types and we have found them quick and very professional.
DID YOU KNOW
SA TOYOTA’S TOPS (NOT ONLY IN THE DAKAR!!!)
South Africa's Toyota Hilux AT vehicles (built by Toyota SA and converted by Arctic Trucks) have set some new world records in the harsh Antarctic climate. The first record recorded late last year when the vehicles, as part of an expedition organised by the Kazakhstan National Geographic Society, crossed 2308km of the Antarctica High Plateau from Novo Station to the South Pole in 108 hours.
On the return journey this record, officially recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records was unofficially bettered to only 3.5 days, at an average speed of 27.5km/h.
Using two Hilux AT44 6x6 and two Hilux AT44 4x4 vehicles, a team from Extreme World Races then set a new world record for the fastest time to reach the Pole.
They followed a route from the ice edge near McMurdo Sound on the southern side of Antarctica, across the Ross Ice Shelf and on to the Antarctic plateau to reach their destination. Their journey started on 16 December and the Pole was reached on 18 December 2011 - only 47 hours (less than two days) later, of which only 17.5 hours was spent driving.
NGOMO KURIRA TRAIL DRIVE 22nd January 2012
It's like an annual pilgrimage and reunion. We have a great turnout, a few try this as their first big rocky mountain climb; and then we had two more radical groups who found harder ways up. Once again we count heads, take the money and send one member into Parks office to pay. It works better that way with over 80 people.
Trevor Butler led 8 hard core guys up the very tough and rocky rear climb. Not for the feint hearted, Shane Ellis in Grunta with music blasting and guys sitting on the back took it super casual. A group of us sat at the top and watched these radicals wind their way up and it was quite entertaining. Alan Sheers even got his Series 2 up. Ray Walker sang the praises of twin Diff Lockers, admitting it had made it much easier.
The second group took a well used "hard" route, led by Pete Jenkin, Range Rover, with about 10 cars. Sadly "Bud" the red Benzon Jeep driven by Ian had to be towed up most of the way by father Mark, in their Patrol.
Nobody got stuck in the river crossing, as previously, though it kept them entertained for a while.
The third and woozie route, guided by Mike and Pat Gill in their Patrol, brought the rest to the top. Sadly the Land Rover of Howie Butler (non member) gave the hill one look and went home with a major water leak.
The weather was perfect, some drove to the very top to put their front bumper on the beacon, a tradition for first timers, while others took pics and admired the view. Much enjoyed by about 34 cars, one Daihatsu, one Isuzu, one Pajero and all the rest were Toyotas, Nissans and Land Rovers and, of course, the people in them.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
TRAIL DRIVE 26th February:
We have organised an unofficial Trail Drive through Christon Bank to Domboshawa on 26th February. Meet on the Golden Stairs Road about a kilometer beyond the Toll Gate at 09.00. We should be at the Rock by midday where there is a very nice pub and watering hole for that after drive pint. The flyer has gone out did you see it? Contact: Michael Gill. 494028 0712.400.243 gill@zol.co.zw
4x4 Club Diary - 2012
These dates change as the year progresses, but flyers will be sent out before each event.
February 19 A.G.M. Donnybrook
February 26 Trail Drive Christon Bank / Dombies
March 4 Adventure (Cancelled) Weekend (See flyer)
March 31 Night Extreme
Jamboree Launch Donnybrook
April 6-9 Easter
May 12-13 Course Building Donnybrook
May 25-27 HARARE JAMBOREE Donnybrook
June 24 Conservation Project AWAY
July 15 Club Day DAY
August 13-14 Expedition Gonarazhou Blue Cross, Eastern Highlands
September 15-16 Bush Pig Beatrice
October 20/21 Three Hills (full moon) Makumbi
November 10 Corporate Day Donnybrook
November 18-20 (TBC) Mutare Dungbeetle Mutare
December 9 Christmas Run Local
Discounts
Belts and Hoses; 56 Kaguvi Street, Harare are offering 4x4 Club Members a 10% discount on production of your Membership Card.
DONNYBROOK
To enter Donnybrook on a non-event day it will cost you $2 per car, providing you have you membership card. Non-members will be charged $10 per car. You must sign the book at the gate and put your name, your Club and membership number. Do not pay without signing the book.
Please note: If you wish to go to Donnybrook to play and there is another event on, then the organizing club can charge what they like for you to enter. They will have hired the entire complex for that day. Please don’t try and argue with the gate attendant, they will just be doing their job. Either pay-up or go away and come back on a free day.
WEB SITE / FACE BOOK
Have you had a look at our Web Site? Grant Weare, Kelvin’s son has done a really good job of updating it. Go to: http://www.4x4.co.zw
We have a Face Book site and for those members, who are on Face Book, feel free to join the site: 4x4 Zimbabwe
Motor Sports Association Club House
MSA Membership: The Club House bar works on a Swipe Card basis and any member of an affiliated club can join. Pay your $20 Club House subscription and get your card. Bar prices are double for non-cardholders.
Hall for Hire - Hire our affordable Club facilities for parties, Wedding Receptions, meetings, seminars, courses and other functions. Assist us in this way to obtain funds for the Clubhouse.
IT CAN BE HARD KEEPING A STRAIGHT FACE AS A COURT REPORTER
ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS: I forget..
ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot?
Newsletter No: 88 -
March 2012
P O Box HG 594 Highlands Harare Zimbabwe The Motor Sports Club House, 2 Annan Road, Eastlea, Harare.
The Chairman and Editorial Team:
CHAIRMAN: Tim Thorburn 498723 / 0772.645.518 thorburn@mweb.co.zw
EDITORS Mike & Pat GILL 494028 / 0712.400.243 / 0712.440.794 gill@zol.co.zw
4x4 Club Website http://www.4x4.co.zw Face Book Site: 4x4 Zimbabwe
The 4x4 Club is affiliated to the Zimbabwe Motor Sports Federation - ZMSF
Our Club is a member of the Mashonaland Motor Sport Association Club House, situated at: 2 Annan Rd. Eastlea. It is available for hire for weddings, conferences, kid's parties, 21st birthdays, etc.
News, comments and opinions expressed in this newsletter are not necessarily those of the Club or the Committee
THE EDITOR’S DESK - Michael and Pat Gill
How often have you heard someone saying – "I got through without using 4x4". This happened again about half way up Ngomokurira. This generally gets me quite stirred up as the person obviously has no idea what is involved. For a start the front drive needs to be used, oil circulated, or it will prematurely wear out. Sitting unused is very bad for the parts. Next is safety, there is a big difference on loose dirt between a 2WD and a 4WD. Tyre wear on a loose surface is much greater in 2WD. Why do you think there are so many permanent 4WD cars? Then you get stuck in 2WD and wonder why your magic 4x4 stays stuck – you may well have driven through the trouble in 4x4. Help!!!
Do yourself and your car a big favour and put the 4x4 in as soon as you get onto dirt.
THE AGM
Please note: The AGM is on SUNDAY 19th February. Be there.
NEW MEMEBRS:
Carel and Juju VAN HELSDINGEN and their son Tyron. They were Mutare members in the past and have been out of the country for the last number of years. We welcome them back to the country and to our club. Landrover owners
Shane and Lydia DRUMMON: Shane had entered the Jamboree a couple of years ago and has now decided to join us on a full time basis. He is a Toyota LC100 driver.
Both families joined us on the Ngomo Kurira Trail Drive and we hope to see them out and about in future.
MEMBER'S NEWS:
We received the following email from Gerry and Lynn, England. They were very active members here in the past and drove a LR Series 3 SWB. They still have fond memories of their life here.
"We would like nothing more in the world than to be at the NITE EXTREME with you guys but alas we can't but we will be thinking of you and the wonderful time you will be having ENJOY . Gerry & Lynn Britz"
LETTER FROM KATHY McIntosh OF S.O.A.P.
Dear Michael and Pat and Members of the 4x4 Club.
At last I can use my hands in a very amateurish way! My first attempt at writing will be a sincere thank you to the 4X4 Club. The list of your donations is endless! Three donations of $200, $366 and $130, boxes and boxes of real luxury groceries. All these 'goodies' were put into parcels and distributed before Christmas. If only you could have seen the joy that lit up their faces!!! Not one of them believed they would celebrate a Christmas so filled with blessings! Their pleasure was endless.
We are looking after 350 Old Age Pensioners. They are all good folk who have worked most of their lives and paid into a pension. With the economic crisis they lost their pension and gradually ate away their savings. Most of them are now destitute and rely solely on our monthly parcels of food. It is people like the 4X4 Club that make it all possible. Once again, a very big thank you!
God bless you all.
Kathy McIntosh, for S.O.A.P. (Save our Old Age Pensioners)
Toothache: The pain that drives you to extraction.
TREE PLANTING DAY
This is still a long way off but something to think about. ZMSF in conjunction with MMSA are having a Tree Planting Day at Donnybrook in November. They are asking members to have a look in their gardens and if you have any INDIGINOUS tree saplings to look after them and bring them along on the day. If you know the name then write it on a card for future reference.
TV AND CAR RADIO LICENCES FREE for OAP's
(Taken from the VCCZ Newsletter)
Did you know if you are 75 years old or over, you are exempt from paying for a TV, Radio or Car Radio licence. I’ve just been through the process. You have to have turned 75 years old. They won’t accept that you’re in your 75 year and your birthday is a few months hence.
Step 1. Take a deep breath and count to 10.
Step 2. Go to ZBC at Pockets Hill. You’ll be stopped at the security boom for your ID.
Step 3. Proceed to Reception; ask for Gladys at the Licensing Office.
Step 4. Fill in your details in “the book”.
Step 5. You’ll be escorted to another security check point, fill in "the book".
Step 6. You’ll be escorted to Room 114, where you’ll find Gladys.
You will require: - Last year's TV licence, Radio licence and Car Radio Licence
A photocopy of your I/D for each licence required
Relevant car registration book
Once Gladys is satisfied she will issue you with the required licence(s) valid for the current year. Yes, you will have to go through the same procedure every year to obtain a valid free licence.
Good luck!!! Thanks to John McFadyean of the VCCZ
THE MOTOR SPORTS CLUB HOUSE - 4x4 CLUB MEMBERS
"A new feature at the Motor Sport Club House will be a CASH DRAW every Friday night at 7pm. The starting fund is US$100 which will increase by US$25 every week until it is won.
Only one number will be drawn each Friday and the catch is you have to be there to claim your prize. There is no fee to be included in the draw."
For more information phone: Club House 746763
Address: 2 Annan Road, Eastlea. Behind Haddon Motors.
Basil Barnes of VCCZ is the Chairman of MSC, Phone: 0712.863.068
Are you a member of the Motor Sport Club House in Eastlea?
The Club House is the central meeting place for all members of Motor Sport Clubs and has been going for the last 40 years. You have to be a member of a Motor Club to be able to become a member of the MSC.
They have a Bring and Braai on the first Saturday of every month which is a good place to chew the fat and keep up to date on motor events.
And a good central venue for weddings or parties.
The Bar works on a swipe card basis and drinks are heavily discounted for members.
DONNYBROOK:
Note the new entry fees into Donnybrook. $2 if you are a member of a Motor Sports Club and can produce your Membership Card and $20 if you are not.
TECHNICAL
Gaskets: For those who get their hands dirty and need a one off gasket I have been using a very small company in Graniteside, Harare. Swab Gaskets Zimbabwe at 35 Shepperton Road can make most types and we have found them quick and very professional.
DID YOU KNOW
SA TOYOTA’S TOPS (NOT ONLY IN THE DAKAR!!!)
South Africa's Toyota Hilux AT vehicles (built by Toyota SA and converted by Arctic Trucks) have set some new world records in the harsh Antarctic climate. The first record recorded late last year when the vehicles, as part of an expedition organised by the Kazakhstan National Geographic Society, crossed 2308km of the Antarctica High Plateau from Novo Station to the South Pole in 108 hours.
On the return journey this record, officially recognised by the Guinness Book of World Records was unofficially bettered to only 3.5 days, at an average speed of 27.5km/h.
Using two Hilux AT44 6x6 and two Hilux AT44 4x4 vehicles, a team from Extreme World Races then set a new world record for the fastest time to reach the Pole.
They followed a route from the ice edge near McMurdo Sound on the southern side of Antarctica, across the Ross Ice Shelf and on to the Antarctic plateau to reach their destination. Their journey started on 16 December and the Pole was reached on 18 December 2011 - only 47 hours (less than two days) later, of which only 17.5 hours was spent driving.
NGOMO KURIRA TRAIL DRIVE 22nd January 2012
It's like an annual pilgrimage and reunion. We have a great turnout, a few try this as their first big rocky mountain climb; and then we had two more radical groups who found harder ways up. Once again we count heads, take the money and send one member into Parks office to pay. It works better that way with over 80 people.
Trevor Butler led 8 hard core guys up the very tough and rocky rear climb. Not for the feint hearted, Shane Ellis in Grunta with music blasting and guys sitting on the back took it super casual. A group of us sat at the top and watched these radicals wind their way up and it was quite entertaining. Alan Sheers even got his Series 2 up. Ray Walker sang the praises of twin Diff Lockers, admitting it had made it much easier.
The second group took a well used "hard" route, led by Pete Jenkin, Range Rover, with about 10 cars. Sadly "Bud" the red Benzon Jeep driven by Ian had to be towed up most of the way by father Mark, in their Patrol.
Nobody got stuck in the river crossing, as previously, though it kept them entertained for a while.
The third and woozie route, guided by Mike and Pat Gill in their Patrol, brought the rest to the top. Sadly the Land Rover of Howie Butler (non member) gave the hill one look and went home with a major water leak.
The weather was perfect, some drove to the very top to put their front bumper on the beacon, a tradition for first timers, while others took pics and admired the view. Much enjoyed by about 34 cars, one Daihatsu, one Isuzu, one Pajero and all the rest were Toyotas, Nissans and Land Rovers and, of course, the people in them.
FORTHCOMING EVENTS:
TRAIL DRIVE 26th February:
We have organised an unofficial Trail Drive through Christon Bank to Domboshawa on 26th February. Meet on the Golden Stairs Road about a kilometer beyond the Toll Gate at 09.00. We should be at the Rock by midday where there is a very nice pub and watering hole for that after drive pint. The flyer has gone out did you see it? Contact: Michael Gill. 494028 0712.400.243 gill@zol.co.zw
4x4 Club Diary - 2012
These dates change as the year progresses, but flyers will be sent out before each event.
February 19 A.G.M. Donnybrook
February 26 Trail Drive Christon Bank / Dombies
March 4 Adventure (Cancelled) Weekend (See flyer)
March 31 Night Extreme
Jamboree Launch Donnybrook
April 6-9 Easter
May 12-13 Course Building Donnybrook
May 25-27 HARARE JAMBOREE Donnybrook
June 24 Conservation Project AWAY
July 15 Club Day DAY
August 13-14 Expedition Gonarazhou Blue Cross, Eastern Highlands
September 15-16 Bush Pig Beatrice
October 20/21 Three Hills (full moon) Makumbi
November 10 Corporate Day Donnybrook
November 18-20 (TBC) Mutare Dungbeetle Mutare
December 9 Christmas Run Local
Discounts
Belts and Hoses; 56 Kaguvi Street, Harare are offering 4x4 Club Members a 10% discount on production of your Membership Card.
DONNYBROOK
To enter Donnybrook on a non-event day it will cost you $2 per car, providing you have you membership card. Non-members will be charged $10 per car. You must sign the book at the gate and put your name, your Club and membership number. Do not pay without signing the book.
Please note: If you wish to go to Donnybrook to play and there is another event on, then the organizing club can charge what they like for you to enter. They will have hired the entire complex for that day. Please don’t try and argue with the gate attendant, they will just be doing their job. Either pay-up or go away and come back on a free day.
WEB SITE / FACE BOOK
Have you had a look at our Web Site? Grant Weare, Kelvin’s son has done a really good job of updating it. Go to: http://www.4x4.co.zw
We have a Face Book site and for those members, who are on Face Book, feel free to join the site: 4x4 Zimbabwe
Motor Sports Association Club House
MSA Membership: The Club House bar works on a Swipe Card basis and any member of an affiliated club can join. Pay your $20 Club House subscription and get your card. Bar prices are double for non-cardholders.
Hall for Hire - Hire our affordable Club facilities for parties, Wedding Receptions, meetings, seminars, courses and other functions. Assist us in this way to obtain funds for the Clubhouse.
IT CAN BE HARD KEEPING A STRAIGHT FACE AS A COURT REPORTER
ATTORNEY: This myasthenia gravis, does it affect your memory at all?
WITNESS: Yes.
ATTORNEY: And in what ways does it affect your memory?
WITNESS: I forget..
ATTORNEY: You forget? Can you give us an example of something you forgot?
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