I have been to meet Colin and Simon at The 4X4 Solutions in Eastwell Manor nr Ashford Kent to see if they could pull together an event for us.
A bit of background, Eastwell Manor was the location for the Land Rover Experience centre in Kent until recently when it was merged with another centre and moved to Luton.
Simon and Colin were the lead instructors at LRE Kent and have negotiated with the land owner to use the same ground for 4x4 driving and training. This is not a bash’em pay and play site.
The area is quite extensive (approx 7 miles of tracks) with different areas and tracks that will suit all levels of experience.
The format for the event is for a maximum of 12 vehicles on the site. After a 30 minute briefing you will be driving round the large demonstration area in your own vehicles (humps, side slopes, steep inclines etc) with radio contact with a central instructor who will be hopping in and out of your vehicles providing instruction as and when is necessary.
After lunch we will be able to drive around the wooded areas and tracks deeper into the estate, again with instructors jumping in and out of the vehicles.
As this was a LRE centre the site is non damaging if driven correctly. The ground is quite flinty so there are possibilities of punctures etc (as always).
Cost for the event is £100 for the day, this includes the instruction throughout and donation to the site. Cost is per vehicle, so passengers welcome, although there will need to be a spare seat for the instructors to jump in and out. Dogs are not allowed.
No confirmed dates yet, would just like to gauge if there is interest in setting up an event and anyones thoughts on it.

I will posting this on Disco3, RRSport, FFRR and Def2

Surprised there has been no interest from Freelander 2. As this is an Ex-LRE centre it will be F'lander friendly and a chance to see what they can really do.

Might be the £100 thats putting folk off. Can drive off-road in Scotland for a tenner! ______________________
2011 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8
2012 FL2 SD4 Auto HSE
2013 Kawasaki Versys 650

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Dave wrote:

Might be the £100 thats putting folk off. Can drive off-road in Scotland for a tenner!

I can drive off road in Kent for free. But some people do not have access to the facilities that others might. The are very few non scratchy green lanes in Kent so off roading is limited.

It is quite expensive but this is a fantastic location in Kent. 4X4 sites are not cheap darn sarf. You are getting quality instruction all day long as and when you need it. We have exclusive use for maximum of just 12 vehicles. This isn't a £40 pay and play site with 30 odd knuckle draggers hooning around with no regard for others.

Snowy wrote:

This isn't a £40 pay and play site with 30 odd knuckle draggers hooning around with no regard for others.

Love it, you obviously have a sense of humour  ______________________
2011 Full Fat RR 4.4 TDV8
2012 FL2 SD4 Auto HSE
2013 Kawasaki Versys 650

There's nothing worse than them darn knuckle draggers!!

Joking aside though, I am popping down to kent for a few days in May, is this course now open for a visit or only to groups on pre arranged days?

my son and I and a mate would be up for it.... Sept 1 2010 Now the PROUD owner of Galway Green Auto Diesel HSE

I'm suprised more aren't intrested, the only thing putting me off is the distance from Cumbria!

wizking wrote:

is this course now open for a visit or only to groups on pre arranged days?

yaugher wrote:

my son and I and a mate would be up for it....

Then click on the sign up and will PM you when I have further info and dates

I am still waiting for some replies, but so far the most popular day is Monday 30th June. I have sent a PM to those who have confirmed they can attend on this date. Once I have recieved 6 or 7 confirmations the guys at Eastwell can run the day. If anyone else is interested in coming along, please get in touch.

I got the impression when talking to the guys from 4x4 solutions that as long as you phone to book you do not need a group.

As long as they are running a day, I expect that is the case, but I don't think they will open the site just for 1 or 2 vehicles and they are not open every weekend for people just to turn up.
I have nothing to do with 4X4 Solutions so do not know how they operate their business. I have never even been on one of their organised days, if they have had any, as we were one of the first organisations to enquire about running a day. I am organising this event as a number of people from D3 have been asking for an event in the South East