Llanerchindda Farm is situated in a peaceful valley near Cynghordy, Llandovery in Wales... Peaceful, that is until the evening of Friday May the 19th when a convoy of Dakars snaked it's way up the winding valley road to setup base camp for a weekend of off road fun and exploration.

Saturday morning was spent fuelling up in the nearby village and effecting repairs for YUD 728R. Dave  had been so keen to get into the Welsh countryside he had opted for some nocturnal off roading the previous evening and damaged his steering arm whilst driving over a tree stump. By mid morning though we were fueled, fixed and packed up and we set off to explore the several hundred acres of woodland which our host, Nick from Llanerchindda farm, had arranged us access to. 

The twelve strong hoard of Dakars in attendance, made up of equal numbers or Dutch and British vehicles, soon began to split up into smaller teams as the maze of tracks tempted us to explore. Our team was led initially by Tom in one of his Dakar's first off road trips since it's extensive refurbishment and keeping up with this 350 Chevy engined Dakar through the welsh forests was not easy. The first hill climb saw tom gently burble his way off into the distance whilst I struggled for grip on the rock strewn track he had picked for our route. After realising a heavy right foot is not always the answer to getting up the track I and the five Dakar's patiently queued up behind me made our way through the first stage. 

Once all eight of us were through we headed off again into the misty cold woods. Several miles of tracks were followed which took us through forests of evergreens that formed full canopies over the vehicles, occasionally a little too low in places. 

Tight deep gullies which had been dug deep by water erosion and which were literally only just wide enough to clear the rear view mirrors. And wide open areas which were littered with tree stumps from some recent felling which Dave was now giving a wide berth.

Whilst we stopped to eat the packed lunches provided by the Nick back at Llanerchindda, Barry provided the entertainment as he explored the new limits of his Dakar which was now equipped with locking front and rear ARB differentials. I think we were all impressed with what these new toys provided and whilst we all planned on ways of justifying the purchase of similar systems to our better halves, Barry happily hissed and chugged his way to ever more impressive angles.

Saturday afternoon provided the Dutch girls & boys a chance to show off some of their Dakar's additional toys and a winch was added to everyone's wish list. The convoy had been making its way across a seemingly innocent hill side track when gravity got the better of traction and the lead vehicles began to slide sideways! The first few vehicles managed to navigate the track with careful control but with each pass the slippier it became for the next. By the third vehicle the track was impassable to most and Remco's winch equipped Dakar was called upon. With the use of a snatch block and tree strop Remco was able to swing, pendulum style, across the worst parts and position his vehicle to winch through each other vehicle in turn. Painfully slowly each vehicle took it's turn and was assisted through, by the time all the vehicles had crossed light was failing us and cold getting the better us. With both reluctance and relief we headed back to base for hot showers and an excellent evening meal.

Sunday, and the welsh valleys were living up to their reputation for being wet, very wet. Tracks we had driven on the Saturday now resembled streams as the rain made it's exit down the hillside, but we were here to enjoy ourselves and the team, less two vehicles, once more headed up onto the now familiar hillside. Both the purple Dakars of Maikel and mine were left behind, Maikel's Dakar had a transfer box problem and I wanted to concentrate on getting you these pictures instead of driving and so hitched a lift with Dave. At this stage I must thank Dave for the lift and sincerely hope he will be getting some doors or a bigger heater for his Dakar before our next trip.

Nearly an hour into our Sunday exploits the convoy slowed to a halt as it left the shelter of the forest and not having a common radio system between the Dutch and English Dakars meant drivers and passengers clambering out of their vehicles to investigate the hold-up. Up front the lead vehicle had run a front tyre off its rim but had headed the convoy out of the forest in search of suitable ground to effect a wheel change. 

The legendary lighter fuel method of restoring the tyre to it's rim was not attempted and a more mundane tyre change was called for. Whilst the change was taking place Barry attempted to leave the queue of vehicles and bring his Dakar complete with ARB compressor alongside to inflate the tyre. The long grass alongside the track however hid row upon row of tree stumps which soon had even the ARB equipped Dakar grounded. Two highlifts and alot of pushing and shoving eventually cleared the Track rod from Danger and we were on our way again. 

Once a large enough clearing with a suitable vantage point was found we stopped for a team photo and lunch. The record we had set just last month at the Stoneleigh kit-car show of eight Dakar's in one location was broken and even with two Dakar's left at base we managed to get ten vehicles together for a photo.

Lunch was followed by some axle twisting crawls over the rocky remains of a cliff face where drivers nerves were put to the test as vehicles were pushed to progressively greater angles of lean and climb before eventually traction was lost. Barry informed us the Dakar has been taken to 63 degrees of lean before beginning to roll, but for the time being we will have to take his word for it.

The final hours of daylight were spent re-visiting favourite tracks and locations and everyone soon found themselves drawn back to the previous days most talked about spot, the hillside track. To increase the challenge it was to be attempted in the opposite direction and the previous days ruts had filled with rain water. The award for most entertaining method of crossing the track has to go to Remco whose Dakar lost it's grip and slid dangerously close to the tree line. Both for and aft winches were brought into play and worked together to recover the Dakar sideways back onto course, a very impressive sight. The excitement didn't stop there though as after the front winch had been reeled back in the rear was forgotten and as Remco drove off the rear winch man was given an impromptu lesson in mud skiing behind, a full 10 marks for style, grace and remaining on his feet.

I think I speak for everyone who attended that a great time was had and all that remains to be said is a great big thank-you to Liz & Colin Nicholls for organising one of the most enjoyable club events yet.