First Annual SJC Navigational Event
What is it
The SJC committee has been talking about running an event that, if works out well, could be run as an annual invitational club event. This year will be our trial run, and participants will only be from the Sydney Jeep Club.
When is it
The event will be run on
Sunday 29th May. Drivers briefing will be from 9am and the driving will commence at 10am, finishing at 4pm.
Where is it
ZigZag Railway and surrounding areas. ZigZag railway is about 30 minutes before Lithgow if you're coming from Sydney. You can access it by going up the Great Western Highway into the Blue Mountains, or via the Bells Line of Road.
What's involved
The purpose of this event is to test navigational skill using maps, as well as off road driving skill and strategy. GPS units will not be permittied during the course of the event, as we want to test driver's map reading skills.
Teams will be given a map of the area covered in the event, and information about trails that are available to be completed. Teams will be able to nominate a trail which they will complete and receive award points apon returning to the martialling area with proof that they have completed the trail (details on proof will be given at drivers briefing). Points will be awarded based on the difficulty of track chosen to be completed by the team.
Tracks with varying difficulty levels are available for choice, ranging from A grade (steep and difficult terrain, requiring vehicle modifications and driver skill/experience) through to D grade (flat dirt roads which do not require modified vehicles or driver skill, but rely on the team to navigate a further distance using the map). Higher graded trails will be awarded more points, but may also take longer due to the difficulty of the terrain, and may end up being impassable by a team. This makes track selection a strategic part of the day.
A maximum speed limit of 40kph has been implemented for this event, to ensure safe driving.
Two vehicles will be patrolling the area and will be contactable via UHF radio if teams require recovery assistance, or become lost. If a team requires recovery, they will only earn 50% of the total points for the track they have chosen to complete if they continue to complete the track. If they do not continue to complete the track they will not be awarded any points. The patrolling vehicles will also be keeping an eye out for safe vehicle speeds and other safe practices. Penalties will apply for unsafe behaviour.
Where do I sign up!?
Send an email to either
abtrip@sydneyjeepclub.com or
cdtrip@sydneyjeepclub.com with your registration for this event. It's important that we get as many participants from the club as possible for this event so that we can test the design of it and increase the number of clubs invited in the future.
SJC Club Navigation Event - 29th May - ZigZag Railway
