Anyone got any farm tracks!?

[benjj]

I know this is a tough ask but if ever there was a place to put a question like this it is on PH.

I'm looking for the use of some private land/tracks to give the Citroen a bit of a shakedown ahead of a rather challenging April of rallying.

Something like this would be ideal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iY8KjjOi_gI

I'm based between Skipton & Harrogate but happy to travel a bit to get my hands on some gravel and an owner who doesn't mind me spending an hour or two giving it some

[YorkshirePudding]

I'm at work atm the moment so can't see y/t clips, there used to be a moorland road up by Pateley Bridge that was a bit rough.

Used to be used by road rallies alot, but I'm not too sure if the rights of way has changed in recent years.

Give me chance tonight and I'll have a check on Google maps and send a link to you if I think it's ok.

[benjj]

Thnks Jez, that would be magic.

The clip is the old Citroen works guys and cars having a crack at the Rallye de Maroc in 2010. It was a press day to show off the cars.

What I'm looking for is gravel / loose stuff rather than boulders and potholes - basically to get some practice going sideways in the car.

[Greensleeves]

Sounds like you need to hire the loose at Manby for the day. Near Louth. They have some nice sweeping and quite smooth loose tracks which are absolutely fabulous for going sideways. The last I heard it was only fifty quid a day.

Or enter the Lookout Stages at Melbourn on Sunday. Couple of last minute entries left.

[benjj]

Greensleeves said:

Sounds like you need to hire the loose at Manby for the day. Near Louth. They have some nice sweeping and quite smooth loose tracks which are absolutely fabulous for going sideways. The last I heard it was only fifty quid a day.

Or enter the Lookout Stages at Melbourn on Sunday. Couple of last minute entries left.

Thanks for that, I've just dropped Manby a line, see what they have to say. Half a day should be ample.

[YorkshirePudding]

Guessing you'll be off to Manby, but I've sent you that link.

[tjob]

This sounds fun! Fancy a passenger?!

[benjj]

Cheers Jez, just replied to email, looks great and I'll go up this week for a look

Tom, yep, will give you a shout once I've been up and sussed it out with my nav.

[benjj]

Jez, I've just been out to your map reference. Just a few points

1) I may have got lost
2) Good job I was in a 4x4
3) If I did get the right place then the road has 'deteriorated' somewhat!
4) I grounded out the Rangie 3 times on offroad suspension setting. That is 283mm
5) Needed low range in 1st gear + hill decent control just to get down a few slopes and it was bone dry
6) I've just had the best morning wagging off work I can remember in years. Thanks

[velocemitch]

Is that fountains Earth? if it is we went over there on the Ryemoor Trophy, middle of the night last month.
It's been repaired and filled recently but is bloody rough in parts, it was hopeless for us in a standard car on road tyres but the fast boys cleaned it.... that's averaging about 45 to 50MPH. I wouldn't take the DS down it mind....;)

[benjj]

velocemitch said:

Is that fountains Earth? if it is we went over there on the Ryemoor Trophy, middle of the night last month.
It's been repaired and filled recently but is bloody rough in parts, it was hopeless for us in a standard car on road tyres but the fast boys cleaned it.... that's averaging about 45 to 50MPH. I wouldn't take the DS down it mind....;)

It can't be Ian. If I'd have done 20 in the Rangie I'd have either rolled it, binned it, ripped off half the undercarriage or all of the above. Seriously, grounded out 3 times in the top suspension setting.

2/3mph max on the descents.

The only car I know of that could have done over 30mph for any amount of time is one of those Bowler Wildcat type Dakar jobbies.

Plus no repairs in evidence anywhere.

[velocemitch]

The upper bit looks like it. I think there is more than one way in, can you send me the map ref

[benjj]

Just re-run it on Google maps.

Yep, I went straight on and down the hardcore (not actually a road) section to the reservoir. If I'd have made a sharp right as indicated on Jez's original route (which I didn't take with me) then that was probably your route...

Google map link: http://tinyurl.com/ckzy84b

Edited by benjj on Thursday 29th March 13:56

[velocemitch]

Yes that's it you should have turned north then east and come back out on to the yellow a mile or so west of grewelthorpe. It's rough but fine for a range rover.

[benjj]

Oh I had great fun on the properly tough bits further down on my accidental detour.

I know the right I should have taken though, will go back up again some time soon.

[YorkshirePudding]

benjj said:

I've just had the best morning wagging off work I can remember in years. Thanks

Daft bugger,

Well I did say it was a while since I'd been up there.

[benjj]

It was bloody brilliant, Jez

Your directions were spot on, I just should have taken them with me!

[velocemitch]

Going up in the DS next then?

[benjj]

Yep, when I get her back next week.

Just had to spring for 2 new front wheel bearings (ouch) and two new propshafts (double ouchy ouch ouch)

Oh well, what's a grand between chums?

[YorkshirePudding]

benjj said:

It was bloody brilliant, Jez

Glad you had a good time,

Just been having a think and it must be the best part of 25yrs since I last went out on a road rally, a good 12yrs since I last did any trail riding up there not to mention some green laning in Land Rovers in between.

Had a good laugh doing them though,