4x4 Adventures Ltd Taunton, Somerset
(6034521)
Scott Williams Memorial Challenge
Wellington, 14th/15th Jul 07
The Bristol and West Off Road Club held their annual 2 day event over the 14th/15th July 07. This years event was a very special one as it was held in the memory of one of their most cherished members Scott Williams who sadly passed away earlier this year in the prime of his youth.
 
Scott was a true outdoor enthusiast not only off roading but also a keen shot, angler and show jumper. At the age of 14 he recovered from a brain tumor operation and carried on with his life without looking back. From here he continued to excel with everything he turned his hand to. Unfortunately just after his 17th Birthday a routine scan showed another tumor. Despite this Scott and his Dad Steve built a challenge truck and competed in many events with Challenge South West, 4x4 Adventures and at the Munster 4x4 Three Peaks Challenge. In March 07 they ventured North with other members of BWORC for the Muddy Truckers and followed the Bristol team every step of the way and their encouragement helped them lift the 1st Place trophy. Sadly Scott passed away in May 2 Months after his 18th Birthday at home with his Parents Steve and Carole, and his sister Jade. They would like to thank everyone who has made his time off roading enjoyable.
 
Scott was a regular at local and national Winch challenge events and was the kind of person to put his best into all he did, so as a memorial to Scott ,the BWORC committee (Shaun Harris, Jason Farr, Bill Rich and Jackie Brimble) decided to run the event, with the kind permission of Scott's parents, along the lines of something Scott would have been keen to do. This entailed maximum participation in multi disciplines with a very limited amount of time for sitting around and resting!!!
 
The committee teamed up with James Trembath of 4x4 Adventures to organise a complete two days of events at a popular site near Wellington, Somerset. Day one saw 26 competitors lined up from as far as Devon, Wales and Buckinghamshire. The first day a 40 punch challenge took place and ran along with it was a 30min special stage (The Wheelie tough Stage) where brains were more important than vehicle capability or speed. After a 45 minute breather the competitors were straight into a 60 minute Navigational Challenge Special Stage were memory skills and planning rather were again pushed to the limit. After another brief 45 minute interlude the competitors gathered for their final briefing of the day, a Night Navigation Stage. Tulips diagrams were issued on the start line and soon some 20 odd vehicles were moving through the forests looking for the ever-elusive punches. Some vehicles were out a little longer than perhaps was originally planned! With the last competitors in for 11pm it was time to sample some local brew, count the scores and prepare for Sundays Challenge.
 
Sunday saw a twist to the event as std class were informed their scores were now on the sheet and they had a new punch card on the drivers side for their 40 Punch Challenge. Mean while, much to the amusement of the Standard drivers, the Modified crews were informed that to date they had no score for Saturdays 40 punch challenge and points would only be awarded if both punch cards now fitted to the vehicles had the same punch recorded. This worked a treat and certainly kept the Modified crews busy for the day with their determination not to rest on the laurels after a hard day on Saturday. Meanwhile the standard class were in with a very good chance of being on the podium and they all took on the day with renewed enthusiasm, very much in line with the approach Scott would have taken. Even the torrential rain wasn't enough to deter competitors, although it did make the sight even more Challenging!
 
The individual vehicle results are shown below. The overall event winners being Steve Gittins Crew, closely followed by Husband and Wife team Debbie and Paul Milsom, with Craig Hope on his first 2 day Challenge coming in a very respectable 3rd place.
 
Team No Team Name TOTAL Position Sat 40 Punch Sun 40 Punch Navigation Score Blind Punch Wheelie Tough
1 Andy Welling 2640 14 1100 400 240 600 300
2 Sally and Austin Stevens 2130 17 100 200 70 1200 560
3 Kevin Hudd 3040 8 1000 600 180 900 360
4 Mark Bunting 2390 16 0 800 90 1200 300
5 Kev Gunter 1940 21 0 1000 DNS 500 440
6 Jeff & Nicola Brimble 1790 23 400 100 190 800 300
7 Dave Smith and Dan 2670 13 800 500 170 700 500
8 Kev Saunders 2960 9 1400 1000 220 DNS 340
9 Robin Watson 500 25 300 DNS DNS 200 0
10 Kevin Butler 1840 22 300 DNS DNS 1100 440
11 David Dunn 2120 19 1000 700 80 DNS 340
12 Ian Regan 3750 6 1000 800 250 1200 500
13 Captain & Tracy Obee 2130 17 800 DNS 130 900 300
14 Paul Milsom 7260 2 0 6000 60 1200 DNS
15 Keith Knight 4270 4 1600 1000 230 1000 440
16 Simon Elvins 2800 11 0 1200 140 1000 460
17 Jo Burgess 2780 12 900 400 120 900 460
18 Steve Gittins 8850 1 0 7000 110 1200 540
19 Kris Murphy 2890 10 0 1000 150 1200 540
20 Shaun Jones 300 26 0 DNS DNS DNS DNS
21 Craig Hope 6000 3 2500 1600 260 1200 440
22 Toni Deacon 4120 5 1100 1800 200 700 320
23 Chris Parsons Bristol 1760 24 300 200 100 800 360
24 Simon Parsons 1970 20 300 300 70 900 400
25 Ben Procter 3640 7 2100 DNS 220 1000 320
26 Lawrence 2560 15 0 800 160 1200 400
 
1st Blind Drive: Paul and Debbie Scott Williams Trophy: Ian Regan
1st Wheelie Tough Challenge: Sally and Austin Spirit of the Event: Captain and Tracey
1st Navigation: Ian Regan  
 
Some pictures from the event