Toyota LandCruiser Cruiserkhana

Unlike some other 4WD events, this event is all about driving skill, as opposed to the driver with the deepest wallet! Massive lift kits, monster tyres, supercharged V8s and the like all count for nought when the common dominator is how canny the driver is at putting the wheels of his vehicle in the right place at the right time, knowing when to apply the revs, and generally showing off his 4x4 skills.

Forty competitors arrived at the TLCCV property at Yarck to do battle in the 2011 Cruiserkhana. Just prior to 9 o'clock they were briefed by event coordinator Shane Bacon and then proceeded to the competition area in convoy.

During the first rotation the competitors faced four of the eleven events that contributed to their overall score. One of these was the Sand Test in which the driver had to touch certain flags stuck in the sand, avoid other flags and manage to stay in the course boundary, all while not getting stuck on the hills or in the deep holes.

The Staircase event simulated driving up a hill with natural steps worn into the side, this one uses sleepers. Again, competitors had to stay in the course as well as driving as smoothly as possible.

The Stump Climb required them to place a specified wheel onto a low stump and stop their car. They then had to move to a different stump to place a different wheel on it. Other stumps to be avoided were placed in the ground to provide an extra challenge. In all, all four wheels were involved and reversing and turning was required as well.

Throttle control is the feature of the Beam Balance. After driving onto the balance the aim is to keep both ends in the air for as long as possible. It is not as easy as it sounds as the winning times were less than 3 seconds.

Following a short break for refreshments the competitors commenced the second rotation.

The Timber Challenge requires very precise positioning of the wheels as the course of sleepers, stumps and the narrow opening are negotiated. Stop too close to that gate so that it can't be opened and suffer penalties when you have to reverse back for your passenger to open it properly.

The Wet Lap is a marvellous way to ruin a beautiful relationship. The passenger has to hold a bowl nearly full of water while the car is driven down the Staircase track. This event usually results in some very wet passenger laps and sometimes wet drivers when the frustrated passenger takes aim in revenge. Course marshals sometimes cop the water as well.

Cross Country is exactly what it sounds like with a very tight course involving climbs, descents and three point turns, with significant reversing. Naturally there are larger pot holes and significant logs to negotiate. Touching or crossing the boundaries or stopping or reversing when you shouldn't all incur penalty points.

If you actually know where the front and rear of your car are then the Plumb Bob is the event for you. Plumb bobs are tied to the front and rear of the car and then the driver heads downhill towards a target marked on the ground. They must drive to where they think they have the plum bob in the centre of the target, which they can't see over the bonnet by now, and stop. There are no chances to move closer. The distance is measured. The driver must then reverse up the slope and turn towards the second target and then stop with the rear over the target. The grass area is rutted and far from smooth. The closest overall total wins.

The final rotation of the day involved three events. The Tyre Road is just as it sounds. The painted course is very tight and the tyres provide a lot of work for the suspension. Holding a course is difficult especially while crossing tyres stacked two high with one wheel while others are on single tyres or in the doughnut hole. Of course, the bounce from the tyres can push you off course very easily.

The Flag Slalom provides work for the passenger who must collect and return flags to various holders around the course while the driver is positioning the car as well as possible to help.

Finally the Water Crossing requires drivers to assume they are leading a convoy and have encountered a river crossing that they know nothing about. They must do all the correct things that would be expected "out in the bush" in such a situation. The muddy sides don't help at all. Various floats are used to measure the size of the bow wave. Too little, lose points, too much, lose points; it must be just right.

All competitors, crews and club officials thoroughly enjoyed Happy Hour, followed by a wonderful dinner of homemade vegetable soup, roast beef, potatoes with vegetables and gravy, and dessert of apple or berry strudel with cream or custard. During the evening the prizes for the day's events were awarded.

A prize of special significance to the club is the Perpetual Bob Hollow trophy. It is awarded to the best placed TLCCV club member in the event. This year Melody Schaffer won it for the second time in two Cruiserkhanas, relegating husband Brad to second place. Having won the trophy on only one occasion, Brad has well and truly lost bragging rights now.

Sunday dawned - so what do you normally do on such an occasion? Certainly, pitching and then striking your tent! Needless to say there was much merriment and many mistakes on this first event of the day. Just to make it easy we took out the instructions first. Those tents do not want to go back in those little bags.

Two challenging obstacles at Yarck are the Bog Hole and the Rock Climb. These were available to anyone who was game to have a go. The Bog Hole lived up to its name until about the seventh competitor made it through. Until then we were measuring how far each vehicle made it into the morass.

The Rock Climb was only attempted by an intrepid few who took great care not to come to grief and damage their vehicles.

It only remained to clean up the site, pack up camp and depart for home after a thoroughly enjoyable weekend of competition conducted in a great spirit but with a will to win. Of course, competing for some great prizes is a real incentive, and this year's major sponsors were ARB 4x4 Accessories and Piranha Off-Road Products.

For details on joining the ToyotaLandCruiser Club of Australis (Victoria Branch), visit www.tlcv.org.au