Monday 6th July 2015

Rock racing finals: Time For Tea?

Independence Day weekend gives us an excuse to celebrate this most American form of motorsport

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There are two main schools of thought when it comes to off-roading. The sensible and thoroughly British approach - which you'll be taught if you ever do a Land Rover event - is to stay slow and steady at all times. Think carefully about what you're going to do, walk the route beforehand, measure the depth of standing water and then - when you do go for it - travel as quickly as you have to, but no faster.

Then there's what could be termed the American approach, as demonstrated by this spectacular video: attacking seemingly impossible obstacles on full throttle and trusting raw horsepower to get you over or through them. Sure you'll crash and break your car more often, but it's hard to deny that it looks like considerably more fun...

Rock racing is popular in much of the U.S. - normally the parts where you'll hear banjo music playing when you go rafting - and the forthcoming July 4th celebrations give us all the excuse we need to share some of this most spectacular form of motorsport. The buggies themselves are basically just roll cages, axles and massive V8 engines. There's definitely some technique in evidence, and we love the steering rear axles many of the cars have. But for the most part the approach of most competitors could be summed up as "if in doubt, flat out." We see nothing wrong that!

Watch the video here.

 

[anonymous-user]

A more concise article could have read:

'As in every other aspect of the American way of life, there is little to no finesse. Now enjoy this.'

I bet the Finish and Icelandic racers would walk all over them though.