For the second year running Bristol and West Off Road Club (BWORC) and 4x4Adventures teamed up to put on a memorial event in memory of Scott Williams. After Scott sadly passed away in May last year from a long struggle against cancer, Jase, and Shaun with the support of Steve, Carol and Jade Scott’s family were keen to put together an event in recognition of Scott and his whole hearted ‘get up and get on’ approach to life. Scott along with the other winch Challenge Competitors from BWORC were keen, regular entrants to the various 4x4Adventures Challenge events so this was an obvious combination. It was decided that a good way to remember him would be to run a two day challenge aimed at all levels for their fellow club members, therefore making it a fun recognition event rather than a full on competition but, giving everyone an insight into the challenge scene.

That said some outstanding prizes had been designed and put together by Steve along with a memento for every competitor. So it was still very much a competition – but with a relaxed atmosphere. There was marshal recovery available and teams were allowed to assist each other.

The BWORC committee put together some excellent special stages ranging from tyre pulls, through to bridge building, blindfolded driving and technical sections. With upto 45 punches and 4 special stages laid on over 4 separate different sites it was certainly going to be a busy weekend.

Competitors arrived Friday night with a wide range of vehicles ranging from the 10 standards (no winch or lockers) to include nearly new 110s and Discoverys through to the Std +1 with locker or winch and modifieds ranging from Toyotas to trayback 90s. There was certainly a large spread of vehicle and driver capability and experience but all had the same goal. To push themselves that little bit further.

Sam Woodbury and Ben Proctor teamed up in Bens vehicle on Saturday to give it a go as their first outing together. Ben did very well last year with no winch coming in with the highest score on the Saturday for punches, this year again they did well on punches coming 9th overall, but they missed all of the special stages meaning 45% of available points were gone straight away. Maybe a little more prior planning and recce before diving in would be of use?!

One team who did remarkable well last year and this for their level of experience was Jo Burgess and Ann Yarr in their standard ex military 90 on 7:50 XCLs. With some good planning and forethought the vehicle could be correctly positioned and the punches achieved with the minimum of fuss – this allowed them to get nearly 80% of the punches without even having a winch, putting them in a sound 5th place in class – maybe the special stages need some more work and we will see them taking home trophies next year!!

Marc Dyer with his team from Wales were down to give their 90 a bit of a run out and try some different terrain. They had an excellent result on the punches clearing all the modified 40 punches which along with high positions on the Special Stages giving them a well deserved 1st overall. If only they had been club members they would have had an extra even better prize to take home. The Scott Williams Trophy, a gorgeous piece of highly polished stainless steel, hand formed and welded into a scaled down ground anchor.

John Parkes with his son Robert were here for the second year in his well prepared Discovery and put in some sterling efforts on the special stages with young Robert running around to help re-rig the vehicle and get it through the various gates/sections. Certainly a good father/son ‘development’ weekend.

Andy Welling was back this year with his green 90 which he was keen to put through its paces having teamed up with Ian Regan (last years winner). Having suffered a little engine mounting problem early on Saturday (soon fixed with a ratchet strap) he worked on until he lost his clutch late on Sunday so decided to call it a day and headed for Bristol on the back of a yellow taxi.

Rich Sims and Corinne were soon in at the deep end. Rich who normally codrives for Jase was enjoying his nice warm drivers seat whilst offering words of ‘encouragement’ to Corinne who was running around doing her best to position the vehicle for the various punches and tasks, it must have all paid off as they had an excellent first in class and first overall club member as well. They achieved all the punches and had some high scoring Special stages, and a particularly low scoring one!!!

The Spirit of the event was this year awarded to Kris Murphy and Cressy Passmore. Kris and Cressy were nominated due to their selfless approach to the weekend. This was ably demonstrated on numerous occasions helping out other competitors who were struggling with the terrain or other issues whilst also competing themselves. Approachable and easy going with a ‘can do attitude’ they are exactly what Scott and this event is about.

Our thanks go to the marshals Tim Jones, Mark Booth and Steve Gittins who have all competed against and along side Scott in the past conjoined with the BWORC committee; Jason Farr, Shaun Harris, Jackie Brimble and Bill Ritch who made the whole event possible. Thank you for your continued support and help.

On behalf of Steve Williams and his family we would like thank all the competitors for their support and ‘event spirit’ over the two days and also Cheddarsigns for providing the event stickers at a ‘friendly rate’ in support of the Event

CLIC Sargent provided support and help to Scott and his family in coping with his illness. From the proceeds of the event BWORC were able to make a sizeable donation to them in recognition of their help.