2004 London to Brighton Land Rover run is ON!
September 17th, 2004

Following numerous problems we can confirm that, after speaking with the show organisors, the annual London to Brighton Land Rover run is still on this year! The date has been confirmed as Sunday October 3rd and there are still a few places available, tickets are available on the day and can purchased at Crystal Palace before the start of the run. Camping at Crystal Palace on Saturday night is permitted, but no caravans please!
For more information on taking part, trade stands for Madeira Drive Brighton or the Auto Jumble, please contact Brian of the Surrey and London Land Rover club on +44 (0) 2088 587 452

Dakar wins Land Rover Owner Show award 2003
September 7th, 2003

On only it's second public outing the Dakar belonging to Robin, Julie, Charlie and Cuddles the dog, storms into 1st place in the best modified vehicle category at the 2003 Land Rover Owner International show.

We'd very much like to publicly thank our winners for all their hard work in preparing their Dakar for the show, and maintaining it's shine through the odd rain storm and multitude of finger prints. As well as for donating their prize money to the clubs Marquee fund, which is now a whopping £150 better off. Congratulations!

New authorised Dakar dealers
April 29th, 2003

We've a new authorised Dakar dealer opened in the East Midlands (UK) under the control of Club member Steve Bennet. 

Having built several Rotrax and Dakar kits in the past few years Steve has developed many custom modifications to the base build, including glazed fibre glass doors, radiator grilles, nudge bars, bumpers and steps.

Steve will now be able to supply everything from Dakar kits to custom built vehicles to your specification and budget. He can also prepare donor vehicles and part build the kit, leaving you to finish the trimming and personalisation yourself. For more details contact Steve at his workshop on +44 (0) 1664 444 774.

Discussions are also under way between Dakar Cars and East Coast Rovers to setup a North American dealer, for more details watch the ECR website for coming announcements.

Change of Management
August 13th, 2002

Due to work commitments Liz & Colin have decided to take a break from running & administering the Dakar Club, and I have agreed to take over. The format will remain the same with newsletters and subscriptions rates remaining the same, but please note the new address & contact details (see 'contacting us' from the main menu). The next newsletter will be the Christmas edition and I hope to be able to produce it on PC-CD-ROM as well as paper format for those who would like it. The CD versions will include additional data like a local copy of this website and various pictures from this years events - Let me know your preference, hardcopy or CD-ROM. I'm also on the look out for articles for the newsletter, be they just photos, write ups, letters, classifieds etc... I'm also looking for ideas for things to do next year as part of the clubs calendar - anyone interested in a Dakar 4x4 off road trial?

Dakar Hybrid on BBC TV
May 23rd, 2002

Introducing Dazey, the push me pull you Range Rover built with two Dakar 4x4 fibre glass front bodies on each end. Dazey makes her debut in the BBC TV series Panic Mechanics in which a team of two have to navigate her around an obstacle course against the clock to win goodies. The goodies ultimately go towards whatever build challenge the teams have been set - Dune buggies, Gravity racers, Dragsters etc...

You may be able to make out from the pictures the 2nd drivers seat which is upright and offset at 90 degrees to the normal orientation - and that's just while Dazeys parked. When in use the seat tilts back at an odd angle to disorientate the driver still further.

The vehicles are custom built, by JE Engineering, who assembled parts donated by Dakar Cars - 2 chassis and bodywork, Land Rover - V8 Engine & gearbox, Hella - LIghting and Recaro - Seats, amoungst others. The final cost of assembly and fitting was in the region of 60,000 UKP. I wonder what the SVA would make of it? 

I understand the vehicle is currently on display at the Motor Heritage museum at Gaydon in Warwickshire.

For more information checkout the Panic Mechanics website.

'Anneka Rice' Dakar destroyed
October 18th, 2001

A horrifying arson attack on Warren Barn Farm, used by Green Dragons Paragliding, thankfully injured no one but completely gutted the Dakar used by Anneka Rice in the Challenge Anneka series. A second Dakar stationed on the farm was rescued from the inferno and later had a timed incendiary device on it defused by Army bomb disposal experts. It is believed that Hunt saboteurs are behind the attacks aimed at the farm as it has hosted hunts, Green Dragons Paragliding and their Dakars are believed to of been victims simply by using the same location for their business.

Despite the Anneka Dakar being totally destroyed there are plans in place by Dakar Cars for it to be recovered and completely rebuilt to the original specifications.

Two Dakar's were made featuring the Challenge Anneka colour scheme and livery, but only UCF 450Y featured the roll cage modifications and was used by Anneka Rice. The second Dakar is currently believed to be located in France.

Australian Army evaluates Bush Ranger.
October 20th, 1999

Well, not quite, but I bet I had you going for a minute there. In fact the exclusive Bush Ranger pictures you see are none other than Dave Maunder's repaired and resprayed machine. Following the accident in which his pride and joy rolled Dave seized the opportunity to go for a different image. 

After considering various other schemes Dave finally opted for the scheme you see here. Missing from these pictures are the roof and A-Bar mounted lights which were demolished in the accident.

From the pictures I've seen I personally think it is an excellent colour scheme which suits the tuff Bushie image and as far as I know, totally unique for any other Bush Ranger or Dakar. More pictures of Daves transformed Bushy are available in the gallery.