4Play Visit
So what do you do on those days between Christmas and the New Year? Well the 4x4web team went off in our 110 to visit Simon Mulholland and his 4x4 training at 4 Play Offroad Driving, just south of Bristol. A quick dash down the M4 brought us to the outskirts of Bristol. Then a few miles to work our way around to the south and, following Simon's excellent instructions, there we were.
4 Play, as with all BORDA members, is a mix between professionalism and having fun. Safety and a briefing, as normal, started the day after which Simon emphasised the environmental considerations of running this site. This revealled Simon to be quite a wildlife expert - his knowledge of birds flying around was impressive. Combine this knowledge with a group of deer grazing, sometimes within 50 yards of where we were driving, suggests that his maintenance of the habitat and the running of a 4x4 training establishment is close to harmony. It is hard to believe that this was once an industrial site. However, under the areas of bush and quite large trees, Simon pointed out where an old drift mine used to be and also the chimney of a now defunct brick kiln.
Simon first took us around the site in his Landrover 90 showing us how use had been made of the terrain to provide all the necessary exercises to cover the basic training requirements; Side slopes, cross axle, hill climbs etc. After that we had the chance to take the 4x4web 110 around. I had not put the BFG mud terrains on so this was going to be a good test of the new style BFG all terrains recently supplied to us by Southam Tyres (see 4x4-tyres.co.uk for a quote. Unlike the original fit AT's from Landrover back in 1997 these new ones have a series of small lips on the side wall to help the vehicle to climb out of ruts. As it had been raining quite heavily the night before this would be a good trial.
I am a firm believer that how ever much you think you know, then there is always something new to learn when 4x4 driving. Having Simon along side me to check my driving skills and make observations I found really helpful. He picked up one bad habit that I had not noticed I was doing. Although I am always careful to keep my thumbs out of the steering wheel when ever driving off-road I was actually putting my whole hand inside the wheel when reversing around corners!
The 110, as always, proved that it was not just the family and company transport but could deliver the off-road performance.
Lunch was at a pub only a very short distance away and to say the meals were generous in portion would be an understatement. Combine that with an open fire and what better way to relax after the driving.
4 Play offers the BORDA basic and Level 1 course plus the usual introduction to 4x4, corporate events, stag and hen parties etc. For the more experienced, or the fast learner, Simon sets up a short trials course so that the skills learned can be tested. 4 Play currently also offer 6 wheel drive argocats, climbing and abseiling as part of a full days event. So as it was Christmas time, Al and Julian got an afternoon's climbing at the Bristol indoor climbing centre, again under Simon's watchful eye. Usually, for parties taking this option, Simon will organise the second event but then will use the skilled instructors at the climbing centre. Simon tells me that he has built up a team of commited instructors that follow his combination of skill, patience and general desire to make the training safe and fun.
So, if you are looking for some training, to introduce you to off-road driving and what a 4x4 vehicle is all about, to develop your skills further or to just have a good company day out, then contact Simon by Email, Tel 01275 332174 or Web Site
Nigel Leak
Webmaster 4x4web
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Updated 18 Jan 04 NDL Return to the 4x4web Home Page
