Major sponsors ATECO WARN are again supporting this most gruelling of 4WD-events which will be run by the Yarra Valley 4WD Club over the weekend of 14-16 August 1998.

Yarra Valley, 1 May 1998: The toughest off-road 4WD winching event on the Australian calendar is on again! And this year the field is boosted to at least 25 of the most talented and competitive four wheel drivers in the country. There may even have to be a stand-by list, the demand for a position in the field is so great.

Listed in the International 4x4 Calendar, along with events such as the Rainforest International Challenge of Malaysia, the ATECO Warn Challenge is sanctioned by the World 4x4 Council for amateur off-road adventures.

In the tradition of the world famous Warn Challenges this event will show the versatility and power of the Warn winch in extremely trying conditions.

Emphasis to be on Winching - Correctly, Safely

If you think that sheer grunt will win the day, guess again. This year the Challenge has been devised to level the field as much as possible, so that it will be the teams that handle their winch safely and correctly, and with proper regard to the environment, that will stand the best chance of taking a place when the final points are counted.

Many different and challenging winching situations will be crammed into the three-day event, and horsepower will play a lesser role in the competition. This will cause a rethink of tactics by many of last year's competitors.

Last year's Challenge winner and Malaysian Campaign veteran Mike Smith is likely to start this year as the one to beat, but with the close finish seen for all placings in '97 and the winching stages this year being closer together, the 1998 ATECO Warn Challenge is shaping up to be a nail biting battle for trophies.

This year will see many of the young drivers who were so competitive in 1997 line up again, and with some tough experience under their belt they will be strong contenders.

This Challenge had its origins in 1996 as a trial for what was then the Malaysian Trans-Pen, for pioneering Aussie entrants Mike Smith and Chris Hummer, and Roger Smith and Jim Patterson. This year several entrants are using the event as a run-up to the 1998 Rainforest International Challenge of Malaysia, and the competition is expected to be every bit as tough as that great International 4x4 Adventure.

This is not a spectator event. The hostile terrain to be covered and the strict controls on course safety will limit coverage to officials and invited media. And again there will be the opportunity for competitors and organisers to socialise with a Bush Dinner planned for Saturday night, to allow the competitors to relax and rest before tackling the final stage on Sunday morning.

Who will take out this exciting event? Watch this space for news!

For details of the Challenge, contact:
C.Hummer, tel: 9761 9000 or
Yarra Valley 4WD Club,
PO Box 450,
Croydon,
Vic 3136

Go to the Off-Road, winch and 4WD-Events pages