First time ever that a female qualifies for Bridgestone 4×4 challenge
The Jeep Club of South Africa hosted an exciting and challenging event at the Ou Trekpad 4×4 trail near Melkbos Strand where more than 30 Jeeps were lined up. The event got underway last Friday and the Jeeps ranged from one older Wrangler TJ to the latest Cherokee Trailhawk.
With the famous Table Mountain as the frame for the picture, the teams – ranging for experienced drivers to novice off-roaders – were set to tackle 10 tough obstacles. The obstacles ranged from pointing a laser at a target on another Jeep after completing a tough sand driving test, keeping some tennis balls in balance on an axle twisting obstacle, negotiating some mud in a variety of challenges, and even plugging a punctured tyre.
As if that was not enough, the teams also had to tow a Conqueror off-road trailer through a tough course while answering some environmental questions. And on one obstacle the co-driver even had to complete a puzzle while the 4×4 was making its way through some ditches.
The final results proved to be a turn-up for the books. In third place overall, and the first female driver ever to qualify for the Bridgestone 4×4 Club Challenge, to be held in November in the North West province, was Kim Kelly, with Chandre Mostot in the co-driver seat.
What makes the feat even more remarkable is the fact that Kim arrived at the competition without a co-driver – and young Chandre, who was part of the medical back-up team, was roped in to fill the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon’s passenger seat at the last second. The all-lady team also won a Mean Green recovery set, courtesy of co-sponsor Opposite Lock.
The next round of the 2014 Bridgestone 4×4 Club Challenge will be hosted by the Land Rover Owners Club at the Leeuwenkloof farm near Hartbeespoort Dam on 4 October. An 11-part television series, documenting each club event, will kick off on DStv’s Ignition channel on the same day, at 11:30am.
View some of the event pics right here: