Guidance For Trialing

Timetable for All trials Scrutineering from 8.30am

Drivers briefing at 9.45am

Trials Start at 10.00am

Please be aware that we are a club affiliated with both the MSA and the ALRC, and as such all vehicles competing in our events must comply with their rules. If you are unsure, or have some questions about the eligibility of your vehicle, get in contact on the Contact Us page!

What to expect - what to bring!

To avoid disappointment, don't just turn up and expect to drive..

This is a serious Motorsport with all the risks you might associate with such an activity and we take your safety seriously.

ALL vehicles are subject to scrutineering before the event.

ALL vehicles must have a forward and rear recovery point.

ALL vehicles must carry a suitable tow rope.

In more detail this means...

Scrutineering

ALL our vehicles are checked and given a clean bill of health before they are allowed to compete. This check is carried out by trained members of the Somerset and Wiltshire Land Rover Club and their decision IS FINAL.

If your vehicle is not 'off-road worthy' you will be told and it will be carefully explained to you what you need to do to put things right. Sometimes this can be done there and then, but some things can take several attempts! Don't worry there are plenty of people ready and willing to lend a hand and even parts!

A scrutinnering suggested tour for you vehicle can be found at the bottom of the page.

Recovery Points:

ALL vehicles get stuck! It's one of those things that will happen and you need to make sure we can get you out of whatever you got yourself into. Tow balls and the like are fine, but need to be secured PROPERLY with the correct bolts and ideally to the chassis - rather than the bumper. You can pick up a jate ring from any 4x4 shop which just bolts through the chassis up front to make this easier. If you forget or can't find one, you might get lucky and find another member with a spare.

Tow Ropes:

This is an area which people often get wrong. Land Rovers weigh a great deal and they often need a good pull to get them out - DON'T turn up with a Halfords tow rope and think it's good enough, you WILL NOT be allowed to compete. Get online and order a good quality tow rope, they can be kinetic or static but don't get them too long. Your tow rope must be easily accessible and on display for the benefit of the Somerset and Wiltshire Land Rover Club scrutineer.

NO STROPS OR CHAINS

The Day & Other Things To Bring:

The day starts early with ALL vehicles being presented CLEAN for scrutiny before 10am.

Breakfast is normally available from the excellent Field Kitchen - BRING MONEY

Once your vehicle has been passed as fit, you must sign on for the day. You will pay a small fee for the event and will also need to purchase membership to the Somerset and Wiltshire Land Rover Club.

Your first trip will feel quite expensive as you have to pay membership and entry, but when you consider that this covers all the support, materials, appropriate insurance cover for the event, public liability, toilet etc it's actually a bargain!

A driver's briefing is given before all vehicle set off to compete anywhere between 10 and 10:30am.

Lunch breaks happen on a rolling schedule throughout the day.

Results, a raffle and prize giving rounds off the day before people head off home or to the nearest pub to compare notes, stories and so on.

Children:

All visitors are reminded that the safety of their children is their responsibility. No children under the age of 15 should be left unattended and spectators of all ages must respect the advice of the marshalls and stand where directed. Somerset and Wiltshire Land Rover Club accept no liability for damage to persons or vehicles.

A Scrutineering "Sugested Tour" - Taken from the ALRC Website

General Walk around the vehicle:-

BODYWORK / SILHOUETTE

Is it correct? Full silhouette with no cutting away and all the glass in place required for all Standard classes. Windscreen must be LR item on proper mounts for RTV & Tyro.

Is the bodywork unduly damaged? Sharp edges? Capping strips in place?

DOORS

Do they close properly? Are door tops in place for RTV & Tyro as required?

BUMPERS

Are they there? Are they straight? Are they wide enough? Is the cross-section width, height correct? Any bumpers with normally detachable end-caps (RR and Disco) must have the end-caps or an equivalent in place. All-metal one piece or winch bumpers are acceptable if full width.

SEATS AND SEAT BELTS

Are seat frames secured? Are seat squabs attached (early vehicles in particular suffer “gravity mounted” squabs!)

Are seat belts in good condition? Warn about slight fraying, reject if bad. Are attachment points secure? Particularly “Series” vehicle seat-box attachments at the door sill / bulkhead area.

HARD-TOP or CANVAS & STICKS

Full set of sticks? Roll-bar doesn’t count as a hood-frame / stick for RTV & Tyro.

ROLL-CAGE (where applicable.) CCV ONLY

Any obvious damage? Identity tag secure?

WHEELS, STUDS & NUTS

Wheel offset in limits? (max 102mm / 4 inches) All studs and nuts in place? Nuts tight?

TYRES

Type appropriate for class? Serious cuts? Perished? Type mismatch?

Re-cut tyres not allowed on RTV & Tyro. Tyre type must be per Vehicle Manual for RTV & Tyro.

TYRE PRESSURES:

RTV - 22 psi. CCV - 12 psi Comp Safari / Point-To-Point - 18 psi.

Tyro - Pressures to be per Vehicle Manual.

RECOVERY POINTS & ROPE

Recovery-point bolts all present and with HT markings? Backing plates as needed? If recovery point is attached to bumper, is bumper attached to chassis with HT bolts?

Rope in acceptable condition. Cables and chains not permitted. Shackles should have a pin size of at least 19mm / ¾ inch.

REAR-MOUNTED RADIATORS

Pipes all covered over? Header tank covered? Radiator protection grilles etc. to protect occupants / spectators from hot water / steam in case of burst? Mesh over fans to keep fingers out?

Now dive underneath and check the following:-

CHASSIS CONDITION

Rust, buckling? Bump-stops present.

PROPSHAFTS FRONT & REAR

All attaching bolts in place?

ENGINE & GEARBOX MOUNTS

Mount condition OK? Splits, disbonding, securing nuts, etc.?

SPRINGS, SHACKLES, DAMPERS

Dampers present, not leaking.

Leaf Springs:- Check for broken or excessively worn leaves, loose / missing clips?

Coil-springs:- Seated OK?. Air suspension:- Rubber perished?

LEAF-SPRING U-BOLTS

Loose or missing? Tap with small hammer to test.

STEERING BOX, LINKS & RODS

Box drop-arm nut secure? End joints worn? Pitman arms secure on hubs (bolt-on type common on early vehicles)?

You’ll need the owner to waggle the steering for this check.

EXHAUST

Secure and functional?

BRAKE PIPES

Corroded? Kinked? Leaking? Also check for vulnerability to catching on roots, stumps etc.

Function Checks:- (All function checks to be carried out by driver.)

Stop the vehicle on a hill and:-

FOOTBRAKE - Does it stop with the footbrake?

HANDBRAKE - Does it stop with the handbrake? (Make sure they don’t use the footbrake during this bit. Stand at the back and watch for brake lights.)

Alternatively, try to drive away gently with the handbrake on.

SELF STARTER

Fairly obvious really - does the engine start on the starter?

Where gearbox is automatic, ensure that it cannot be started in gear. Get driver to check this while you stand clear !

LIGHTS / HORN

Do they all work for RTV & Tyro?. Red warning lights for Comp Safari.

DIFFERENTIALS

Check for locking, torque-sensing diffs. Roller test if facilities available.

Miscellaneous and under the bonnet:-

BATTERY. SECURITY & COVER

Check attachment means. If not original, decide if adequate.

FUEL TANK SECURITY & COVER

Under seat filler:- Check that the access panel is sealed (within reason)

If in rear load area:- Check that the tank is protected from feet and tools etc. by its cover and that top of cover is sealed. Check that cover is not sealed underneath.

THROTTLE RETURN SPRING(S)

Only early Series vehicles did not have the return spring attached directly to carburettor butterfly spindle. So check that one is fitted.

FIRE EXTINGUISHER

Needed for all except RTV & Tyro. Check type and pressure if visible.

Check mounting. Can the driver reach it? Can it be unclipped easily for use?

BULKHEAD / BONNET

This is the fireproofing check. Check for holes in the bulkhead and scoops / louvers etc. in the bonnet. None permitted.

Documents:-

MEMBERSHIP CARD

If there are any points where the vehicle does not comply with the regulations, then mark the sheet with the reason(s) why. Advise the driver and the Clerk of the Course (CoC) of the reasons for your decision. The driver will then be given the opportunity to explain to the CoC why he thinks the vehicle does comply. The CoC will make a decision whether or not to allow the vehicle to compete. If the problem can be fixed on the spot, then a re-check can be carried out at the discretion of the scrutineer.

If there are any “near-misses”, (usually matters of eligibility), then mark the sheet as before. A discussion between the driver, the scrutineer and the CoC may well result in the other drivers being asked if they are willing to allow the entrant to compete. If they are, then make it quite clear that the problem item must be attended to before the next event. Other clubs may not permit this. At a major event, such a concession is unlikely to be granted