An update on team Army Landrovers

That's disappointing news for you guys; particularly after all the planning.

I sometimes cringe when I hear the word 'media'. Some have been, and still are, brilliant for us. Some less so!

I've just 'proofed' an article for a newspaper - it is miles off the mark from the draft I submitted; in fact it bears no resemblance to my submission and the 'thread' of the rally is totally lost.

We had a new article in the newspaper on Friday and they still think that Tom and I are still the same team. And they've made up some fictional event in a months time after the rally starts. Westsound our local radio station put the games night and the dance on their "what's on guide" but the timings ended up 12 hours wrong. So a Saturday night games night ended up as a sunday morning. And the Friday night dance ended up being advertised as a Satuday morning. They also said that the games night was being run by a baton twirling group doing pychic reading.

a baton twirling group doing pychic reading.

Mmmm - Brilliant - Tim; I think we'll change the Mission 4 Part 1 ' additional challenge' I'm sure we can get hold of a baton from somewhere.

Oh - and sorry Stuart; I didn't realise you and Tom were on different teams. What number is he Ha!!

Oh no guys that's pants, all the work that goes into these things, getting the tickets printed and promotional posters etc..... really sorry to hear that's happened

An update on our progress this week....the truck now has a proper split charge kit for it's two batteries and the winch is now connected up correctly. CB radios are now fitted along with all the other extra electrical bits to power satnavs phone chargers etc.... We have fixed the first of our sponsors stickers with more to go on tomorrow. Last big job is to spool on a winch cable onto the winch drum.
Photos have been uploaded on our website for those who are interested.

Hope everyone rlses prep is going well, not long now!

The following statement is not a joke.

Our discovery rally car is at the bottom of a canal in Glasgow.

Info to follow.....

chopper_gray wrote:

The following statement is not a joke.

Our discovery rally car is at the bottom of a canal in Glasgow.

Info to follow.....

Got us worried ............... what's happened.

this is not a joke..... i wish it was

I wasnt going to post till tonorrow but i dont want people worried. Well the good news is that nobody is hurt! I don't really know exactly what happened, the car had been parked in the same place for over 36 hours and I had been offloading two sofas from inside and on top of the vehicle when it was parked so I'm certain the handbrake was on and holding as I had been rocking and leaning on the thing with no I'll effect. The first I knew was our neighbor knocking on the door saying the car had rolled into the canal. I looked outside just in time to see it settling on the bottom. I phoned a local recovery firm who I have used to transport vehicles before and they sent a big hiab lorry within the hour but unfortunately by this time British waterways had got involved which meant that 5 fireengines 3 police cars 2 paramedics and an underwater rescue unit had all turned up and I have been forbidden from attempting to recover the truck until BW have commissioned an engineers report, pollution survey and a whole host of other gash paperwork. The worst thing is having recovery gear onsite that was able to retrieve the vehicle within an hour but not being able to do anything. As a result any slight chance that may have existed to salvage the vehicle has now passed. I am absolutely gutted, the work put into both this vehicle and the 101 before iashy so many people particularly Stuart and his wife Helen has been immense and to see it all sitting just out of reach is awful. Stuart and I have decided not to make any decisions for 24 hrs but it's fair to say that I for one have taken a severe kicking in the motivation department. Photos to follow once I've recovered enough of a sense of humor to laugh about it.

Get it out. whip the plugs/injectors out, drain the air box, jack up the fron so the water runs out of exhaust,give a BIG turn over for a while, replace and fire her up, it will dry out by June 17th

I'll say this quietly in case Nick sees it

It will go for sure, bit of water aint going to harm it.



Jokes and wind ups suspended for one hour, then it's open house

p.s. snorkel for sale on ebay !!

Bugger!

There is a snorkle on it. but it doesnt help when thats submerged too.

Oh my, what a disaster.
Typical beauracracy, some little jumped up desk jockey needs kicking.

With a bit of luck and a fair bit if work you'll be able to get it back on the road.

Good luck.

You guys have for sure had your set-backs! Words fail me at the moment. Hopefully the car can be sorted out okay - no doubt we'll hear in due course.

If there's anything we can do to help .... SHOUT

To be fair we dont know what the damage is until we can get it lifted out. and that all depends on the but as soon as we know we will update and plead beg borrow and steal. ive already started writing to landrover mags to see if they want to make a feature out of the restoration.

Gutted mate.... So sorry to hear about this.... for sure you've had your woes.

Get it covered in the local press as well and see if any of the local clubs/garages/motor factors are willing to help out.

Shame your so far North... there's not an awful lot we can do from down here.

That said, I do have a slack hadful of engine bits in the garage from a 300tdi if the'll be of any help.

Good luck matey.

Skibum

sorry to hear about your woes if we can do anything just give us a shout

My thoughts just echo all the others.

Dont give up hope!!

I know there is not a lot i can do,but if there is any way of helping just let me know.

If you look at the front page of land rover owners website you will see how fast the wheels can turn in the land rover world. www.LRO.com .

Sorry to hear about your troubles. Lets hope you get this all sorted it would make the rally even more special for you if you make it after all of this. Good luck. Just a shame your so far north as iam sure you would have a gaggle of us round to help

Ross

Guys,
Firstly thanks for all the good wishes and offers of support, they are all very much appreciated.

Well today I have spoken to the local British Waterways engineer chap (who to give him his due has been very helpful) who is as keen as i am to get the truck back on dry land. The problem we now face is the weather! We have wind-speeds in excess of 50 or so knots for a vast portion of the day and I don't think there is a crane within 100 miles of here that has been operational today. If it all blows itself out overnight then we have a lift booked for first thing tomorrow but we just need to keep our fingers crossed!
Our insurance company are also sympathetic and there should be no problem with us retaining the vehicle. They are also happy to get it shipped to our yard and for us to commence salvage work before the assessor visits as long as we take photographs and don't throw anything away.

To be honest, yesterday afternoon I was ready just to throw in the towel but with a good nights sleep I'm ready to have a go again. I rate the chances of getting the disco to the startling at no more than 50% but were going to have a go and see what we can do before we start looking at possible alternatives.
Watch this space for further updates

Gareth/Stuart - Got to hand it to you guys and your perseverance. The whole rally and many others are behind you and hoping you get the Disco to the start line - you deserve to.

Let's hope tomorrow's lift goes ahead - and then you can truly assess the extent of the damage.

For sure, whatever you need shout and shout loud; as a 'rally family' I'm certain amongst us all solutions will be found.

Gosh, that is some run of bad luck, I am bloomin miles away from you guys but if there is something that I can help with (dunno what.....perhaps in your quest for repair parts some may be southern and require couriering etc) then we shall. We will watch your thread to see how you get on.

Keep your chin up, I hope that the insurance man is in a good mood when he comes to check it.

You guys are showing what the Spirit of the Rally is all about.

I have a few contacts fairly high up in British Waterways, if you need a nudge in tht direction give me a shout.

My garage is only full of Jeep bits, but I do have a fairly reliable way of getting spares around the country via our network of engineers. My company sponsored me in the 2010 event and I'm sure if I asked, they would 'bend' some of the routes a bit if it would help t get stuff to you from 'Darn Sarf'