Pajero Challenge '98

This annual event is organised by the Pajero 4WD Club of Victoria and has become one of the best and most challenging self guided, off-road touring events in Australia. This year it was held during the weekend of March 21st and 22nd on the tracks around Mount Baw Baw, the Aberfeldy Valley, Woods Point and the Upper Yarra area in Victoria.

Above: Phil Viney and crew (2nd overall) tackle the optional hard in section one. Above: Mike Smith and Ian Morrison (5th overall, 2nd in team event) make the uphill optional hard look easy. Left: Gary McLennan and his Troopy (32nd) making a power run uphill at the optional hard in section 1. Below: The crew of Peter Farrer's Pinzgauer (37th) route planning at the half way point.

The Pajero Challenge is a 24 hour, 4WD-event that is more challenging towards the driver and crew than the vehicle. The event covered approximately 400 kilometres through a good variety of Victoria's best 4WD tracks, some of which were very demanding in the optional hard sections. Members of any Victorian Association of 4WD Clubs (VAFWDC) affiliated 4WD club can enter the Challenge which can be undertaken in a standard 4WD vehicle with good off-road tyres.

Without doubt one of the most challenging parts of the event is being able to stay awake for up to 24 hours and the have the ability to map read and navigate during the day, night and in the early, tiresome, twilight hours of the morning. Throughout the event there were 20 checkpoints, over 80 grid references to plot as well as track notes, stick charts, compass bearings, secret checkpoints, river crossings and some optional hard sections for the more adventurous drivers.

The 48 competitors started their grueling journey at around 10.30am from Noojee, just 45 kms west of Mount Baw Baw Alpine Village, and finished at the Upper Yarra Reservoir reserve during Sunday morning. During the event there were two, compulsory half-hour breaks and a welcome half way meal break with fuel for the vehicles available at specified points enroute. In contrast to last year's Challenge there were no muddy bog holes to contend with but many tracks had demanding, dry and dusty conditions as a result of the extreme lack of rain in the area. Speed was of no importance in finishing or winning the event as navigation and four wheel driving skills were regarded as the most important aspect.

The organising committee, headed by Shane Murray and a dedicated team of Pajero 4WD Club members, spent many months planning the event to ensure it's safe and timely progress did not have a detrimental effect on the environment, other track users or the competitors vehicles. Enthusiastic members from the Pajero 4WD Club of Victoria and VAFWDC affiliated 4WD clubs manned the checkpoints and special recovery points at difficult sections of the route.

The overall winner of the event was Pajero Club member Alan Mai in his 80 Series Toyota LandCruiser. Phil Viney (Pajero Club) and his crew were placed second in a Pajero NJ. Michael O'Grady (Werribee 4WD Club) and Ian Robertson (DR4WDC) finished in joint third place after putting their Nissan Patrols through the difficulties of the event. The major sponsor of the event was PGS Accessories with other sponsors contributing some exceptional prizes, ARB, Bendix Mintex Brakes, BP Australia Limited, Elite Mechanical, GFS Communications, Hema Maps, Highway Tyre Service, Independent Tyre Distributors, Kaymar 4WD Accessories, Kevington Hotel, Ladco Australia, Melbourne Map Centre, Metro Office Equipment, Mitsubishi Motors Australia Ltd, National 4x4 Show - Melbourne, Officer Smith Automotive, Southern Cross Canvas Products, Total Tyre Service, VDO Instruments Australia, and Webster Driver Training.

A special mention must be made to Shane Murray (Event Coordinator) and his team of keen volunteers who worked tirelessly to make Challenge '98 a fantastic success. The Pajero 4WD Club of Victoria would also like to acknowledge the support of club members and affiliated clubs involved in the success of this event and look forward to new entrants and supporters for Challenge '99.

Words and Photos by Nigel Beresford, 5/'98

Challenge '98

Final Results

Go to the page-2, Challenge x-ref and other 4WD-Events pages

Below: (i) Alan Mai and his crew, overall winners, arrive at Upper Yarra Reservoir finishing point. (ii) Rod Salinas and Leonie De Bruyn demonstrating two wheel drive up a 4WD track. They were placed 4th overall. (iii) A great effort from Tony Corke and Sue-Anne Stuart in their Suzuki Sierra who finished 18th overall. (iv) Ian Garbett and his crew in their Landcruiser HJ60 kicking up a lot of fine powder dust going up the optional hard in section 2; Ian was placed =45th.