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Wednesday, May 14, 2014

4 x 4 club newslettter


THE 4X4 CLUB – ZIMBABWE

Newsletter No: 111

May 2014

 

P O Box HG 594 Highlands   Harare   Zimbabwe                                   The Motor Sports Club House,  2 Annan Road, Eastlea, Harare.

The Chairman and Editorial Team:

CHAIRMAN:      Peter Benzon                0775.009.218                      petebenzon@hotmail.com

EDITORS        Mike & Pat GILL  (M) 0778.843.843 (P) 0778.731.288  gill@zol.co.zw 

4x4 Club Website         http://www.4x4.co.zw                   Face Book Site:           The 4x4 Zimbabwe Club - 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

The latest 4x4s look after us so well that many drivers have no idea if they are being clever or the car is. One recent concern is the fact that Air Bags can be triggered by several types of 'impact'.  Not just a head first crash, and the cost of replacing the bag is often prohibitive.  Come to our Recovery Day at Donnybrook and see what can be done to safe guard the passengers from a 'false alarm' deployment.

 

 

 

CHAIRMAN'S CHATTER:        -    Peter Benzon

No Chairman's Chatter this month.  Our Chairman is far too busy getting married. 

 

 

Campers:      Nature's way of feeding mosquitoes. 

 

 

NEW MEMBERS:

Bruce Grobler:  Bruce has just acquired a new family member, an HSE Range Rover, with all the bells and whistles, is this for the expedition?   Is updating our Web Page, this will still take a little while to get going but I am sure will be a winner.  You will always find Bruce in the close company of Robyn Weare and Chloe.     

 

 

 

MEMBER'S NEWS:

Jason Young:  has just purchased his first 4x4.  Although Jason has been on the Committee for a number of years he has never been a proper 4x4'er.  It is a beautiful deluxe Hi Lux Surf.  Again with all the bells and whistles.  Where do these youngsters find these lovely cars?? 

Benzon Peter +Tamara:  Married last weekend and what a party. 4x4s brought them in and many pics of them in The Blue Series 1.   Well done guys and all of us wish you the best for the future.

Vaughn Bessell, Our Radio man, is trying to recover from Shingles.  Having had that plague I wish him a speedy recovery.

 

 

 
I pulled into the crowded parking lot at  the local shopping
centre and rolled down the car windows to make sure my
Labrador Retriever pup had fresh air.

She was stretched full-out on the back seat and I wanted to impress

upon her that she must remain there. I walked to the kerb backward,
pointing my finger at the car and saying emphatically,
"Now you stay. Do you hear me?"
"Stay!  Stay!" 

The driver of a nearby car, a pretty young blonde,
gave me a strange look and said,
"Why don't you just put the handbrake on'?"
 

 

 

 

TECHNICAL TIP:

Actually camping tips.  Our Makuti Expo has revealed a large number of members keen to do this.  Many are very experienced but there are several 'Newies'.   When I look into some 'Oldies' cars there is room for space savers too so here is one idea that save space.

Breakfast Cereals: Boxes are a No-no. Pack several choice types in small Ziploc bags and keep them in a small container.   If it is not full then the box is too big.  We put a small Honey bottle in there too but a small container of sugar could fit.

Go back to our June 2013 Newsletter and learn more.

 

SUBS:

I am still after the late payers!!  Defaulters: did you get my emails?

 

 

PAST EVENTS:   

Training Day for Marshals: 

Roger was very pleased with the way this went.  We had enough people to have a good session and discuss many debatable points that the Marshals see while observing a Test.

So you see, Drivers watch out at the Jamboree!  Many of the poor suffering Marshals take this matter very seriously.  This was held at our Donnybrook track and then finished off with a good lunch of hamburgers and drinks.  The HOT (Harare Oval Track) had a meeting on the same day so I gave my V8 Lightweight to Blaize Thomas to race, some pics were posted on Facebook, he came midfield in the races.  It looked so odd to see this big car leaning at 15 deg. round the corners chasing a V8 single seater racing car.

 

 

FUTURE EVENTS:

Second Course building to fine tune courses for the Jamboree 17 / 18 May

Jamboree fever is hotting up.  We need the courses to be marked out.  The organisers need willing hands to help.  Flyers have been sent giving details. 

Course Building from 09.00:  Bring along your big hammer and spike, a watering can be useful to soften the earth; and any gear you think might useful to help build some interesting courses.  If you are an entrant it will be beneficial to know beforehand where the courses will be, and if you are a marshal it will also be of assistance. Don't forget to bring your hats, sun-block, drinking water and lunch. 

Braai fires will be lit Saturday 17th May session, be there.     

 

 

RECOVERY TRAINING DAY -    Also on 18TH MAY

We will incorporate the Recovery Training Day to be held in conjunction with the Course Fine Tuning Day.  See below. 

Recovery Training Session.  This will incorporate all the normal recovery gear – snatch straps; D and Bow Shackles; recovery points; how to disengage your Air Bags; etc.  This training session will be very useful for all the members who are going on the Makuti expedition.

Hi Lift Jacks are possibly the most dangerous, user hostile objects that the general public can still buy without special training and a permit.  But used correctly and in the right hands it can be a useful problem solver. 

Whether you're a member, who’s been around the block many times, so to speak, or a new

member, your attendance at this training session will not only be of benefit to you, but will also

benefit others as we contribute and share our experiences.

Sean Quinlan of Big Sky will be talking on this very important subject. The Recovery Day will be very beneficial and important for all who are going on the Zambezi / Makuti Expedition.  

Whether you're a member, who’s been around the block many times, so to speak, or a new

member, your attendance at this training session will not only be of benefit to you, but will also

benefit others as we contribute and share our experiences.

 

 

JAMBOREE        23 / 25 May

Now Jamboree is really hotting up less than two weeks to go.  Is your car ready?   Regs and entry forms have gone out so get your forms filled in, get your cars ready and be prepared.  We will be asking for Membership Cards and Medical Aid Cards at registration.  Please make sure you have them with you. 

 

Zambezi Expedition       12 – 15 June 2014 

Expedition: Tim and Kelvin are plotting the Makuti Expedition route –so far about 100km of real bush driving. Thursday night we will meet at Vuti Camp.  Friday night to Chitake River and Saturday play in the hills – enjoy a day in the bush and leave for home on Sunday through communal lands.  You must all be self sufficient for water.  We have no idea what the roads are like or where we can get water so take your own. So far we have 28 names of people who want to go on the Expedition which is far too many.  If you have put your name down and feel you cannot make the trip then please let me know by return as we have had to put people on a waiting list. 

Expedition Fever:  What do you need to take?  Recovery gear – this is your responsibility and that includes somewhere to fasten a winch hook or tow rope onto your car.  Please guys, it is not right to expect others to use their gear to pull you out of a river bed or whatever.  You do not use a tow ball to pull a car out.  We need to see a proper hook or D/Shackle.  Tying a rope round an axle is bad for the rope so don't do it.  There are lots of members who can talk this through with you so please ask.   

 

 

Watch out for flyers which go out before every event. 

Keep an eye on our Facebook site for Club activities.  

4x4 Club Diary   -      2014

Note the date changes in yellow.

These dates change as the year progresses, but flyers will be sent out before each event.

(A) Social Family Day. (B) Touring/Camping (C) Comp Car 4x4 driving.

Sat / Sun       17 / 18 May                        Course building to fine tune courses (A)

Sat/Sun 23/25 May   Hp Lubes 4x4 Jamboree   (C)   D/brook

Thurs/Sun    12/15 June               Makuti Expedition              (B)       Zambezi Escarpment

Sat/Sun         2 / 3  August           

Sat /Sun        13/ 14Sept               Training day/ Junior Jambo         (AC)    Donnybrook

Fri/ Sun         26/ 28Sept               Bushpig                                             (C)      

Sat/Sun         1 /2    Nov                 3 hills                                                           (B)       

Fri / Sun        7/ 9    Nov                Mutare Jamboree                          (C)       Mutare

Sunday          7          Dec                 Christmas run                                (A)

Note some dates may be changed as circumstances dictate.

 Expedition dates are still under scrutiny. 

No doubt there will be extra Trail Drives fitted in for your enjoyment

 

 

 

YOUR 4X4 COMMITTEE FOR 2014. 

CHAIRMAN                            PETER BENZON                      petebenzon@hotmail.com                0775.009.218

TREASURER                            KELVIN WEARE                      weare@telfordmica.co.zw                 0772.326.687

SECRETARY                            CAROL WEARE                      theweares@zol.co.zw                         0733.400.496

CHF MARSHAL/D.BROOK    ROGER ELLIS                          ellisr@barzem.co.zw                           0772.219.154

MEMBERSHIP                        WILMA HOEFNAGELS          wilmatembo@hotmail.com                0774.342.648

ENVIRONMENT                      MUZZA BLACK                      muzza@zol.co.zw                                 0772.241.000

EVENTS                                   JASON YOUNG                      jason@telfordmica.co.zw                   0772.918.878

EVENTS                                   JESPER KIRK                           tsoko22@gmail.com                            0772.414.281

EVENTS                                   MATT KELLY-EDWARDS       matthewkellyedwards@gmail.com  0772.384.404      

NEWSLETTER/MEMBERS     MICHAEL AND PAT GILL      gill@zol.co.zw                                       0778.731.288 

JAMBOREE CHAIRMAN        TIM THORBURN                    timthorburn.zim@gmail.com             0772.645.518      

 

DONNYBROOK

To enter Donnybrook Park on a non-event day it will cost you $2 per car, providing you have you membership card.  Non-members will be charged $20 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. 

 

FACE BOOK

We have a Face Book site "The 4x4 Zimbabwe Club – Zimbabwe" which is used daily by members to keep in touch with photos of events, etc. 

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.

 
Till next time.                  

Michael and Pat GILL

Phone:   04.494028    (M) 0778.843.843   (P) 0778.731.288

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