Average Joe 4X4 Challenge & Expo

[ben]

Hello,
Just wanted to get the word out about an event this coming Feb 17, 18, 19th 2006
Where: Ft. McDowell Rodeo Grounds 15 miles N.E. of Mesa, AZ on 87.
Check out the details at:
www.averagejoe4x4challenge-expo.com
See you there
Ben

[Steve]

Last I knew it was Jan 6,7,& 8th. I was going to be out of town. I won't be able to enter it because of my lift. It throws me into a class where I'll need the lockers which I don't have money for. Maybe I'll make the show.

[mynameiscj]

My dad is thinking about entering. What does it mean when they say: Vehicle must meet manufactures stock specifications, with medium to major alterations allowed.?

-cj

[ben]

dbkcs said:

Last I knew it was Jan 6,7,& 8th. I was going to be out of town. I won't be able to enter it because of my lift. It throws me into a class where I'll need the lockers which I don't have money for. Maybe I'll make the show.

Lockers won't make or break someone in this competition, you could place just fine without the lockers. BTW what class would you lift put you in?
Ben

[ben]

mynameiscj said:

My dad is thinking about entering. What does it mean when they say: Vehicle must meet manufactures stock specifications, with medium to major alterations allowed.?

-cj

O.K. I hope I don't open a can of worms with this, but here goes:

Basically a quote meaning that the vehicle needs to be a production 4x4, not a fabricated 4x4. Not that fabricated 4x4's are bad, we are just promoting the average joe who goes out, gets a mass produced 4x4 and improves on it. (Jeep, Ford, Chevy, Dodge etc...)
So "Vehicle must meet manufactures stock specifications, with medium to major alterations allowed" would mean that you have a mass produced vehicle with medium to major improvements. i.e.. a Jeep in the pro-stock class.

Hope that clears it up, feel free to ask me if you have more questions
Ben

[ben]

dbkcs said:

Last I knew it was Jan 6,7,& 8th.]

Originally it was, but we ran into some small snafu's that prompted us to change dates.

Ben

[mynameiscj]

Clear as mud.

-cj

[Steve]

Uh No. All I know is that the last time I looked at the classifications my lift alone which is 6in w/35in tires places me in the pro class. This class allows the use of lockers with which I have not had the money to add yet. Next question would be is I took my leaf springs off and replaced them with coil springs, basically it's a newer Jeep now but still has the square headlights does that still allow me to qualify or not? It not factory or even close for this reason alone but it is a daily driver. It does pretty well on trail but as always there is always room for improvement.

[ben]

dbkcs said:

Uh No. All I know is that the last time I looked at the classifications my lift alone which is 6in w/35in tires places me in the pro class. This class allows the use of lockers with which I have not had the money to add yet. Next question would be is I took my leaf springs off and replaced them with coil springs, basically it's a newer Jeep now but still has the square headlights does that still allow me to qualify or not? It not factory or even close for this reason alone but it is a daily driver. It does pretty well on trail but as always there is always room for improvement.

Yes you will be in the pro-stock class, the coil spring change over won't change your class, But the square headlight might put you in the open class, since we all know that square headlights kick a** (I have a 95 wrangler with squre headlight)

Ben

[mynameiscj]

It's hip to be square!

-cj

[Steve]

;D ROTFLMAO

[ben]

Some course info for you all,
The course difficulty in terms of trail ratings.
Stock -up to 2.5
Super- Stock 2.5-3.5
Pro-Stock 3.5-40.
Open 4.0 +
Just a FYI for everyone, these rating are an approximate and you could add a fudge factor of about +/- .5 to each, but they will give a little better insight on how the course will be.
Hope this helps
Ben

[Steve]

On a prior message you had mentioned that the lockers aren't necessary. I'm taking it that this is mostly based on speed and accuracy of course. It is not necessarily the obstacle it is how easily quickly you and your spotter work together. I ran 3.5 to 4.0 trails when I had only had 2.5 inches of lift. Sometimes it was slower but always got through it. Now I have more clearance making it easier to get through those obstacles. Thanks

[I Am Batman]

Can you run any class higher than the one you qualify for? Like Id wanan run pro stock, cause I think Im the shit.. But I doubt my truck would push me into it.

[Steve]

You know as I understood it you could cross over to the next level and gain bonus points but just don't go down a level. Never stall or break you loose points. Run the right class and every chance you get hit that next level and pick up those bonuses. Correct me if I'm wrong Ben

[ben]

dbkcs said:

You know as I understood it you could cross over to the next level and gain bonus points but just don't go down a level. Never stall or break you loose points. Run the right class and every chance you get hit that next level and pick up those bonuses. Correct me if I'm wrong Ben

Correct,
you will get bonus points on each obstacle if you go up to the higher class lane.
At the half way point of an obstacle you can go up a class to pick up bonus points, now once you go up to that level you have to finish that obstacle out to keep those points, in other words you have to do at least 1/2 of the obstacle at the higher level to get those points, not just poke a tire in for a few feet and back down.
Ben

[ben]

motherfucker said:

Can you run any class higher than the one you qualify for? Like Id wanan run pro stock, cause I think Im the shit.. But I doubt my truck would push me into it.

Sure can, but within reason, we don't want to register a stock 4x4 into the pro, or open class that would be way over the 4x4 capabilities, and have them get stuck in an obstacle for an extended period of time which would tie up the show. But if you want to jump up a class and your 4x4 could handle it yea sure no problem.
Also if you do go up a class and you have trouble on the obstacles and have to drive around or use the lower class lane to get over an obstacle then points will be deducted.
Clear as mud?
Ben

[Steve]

So back to the original question. Is this mostly a time trial more than just the obstacle.

[ben]

dbkcs said:

So back to the original question. Is this mostly a time trial more than just the obstacle.

There is a time component in it just to keep the competitors moving along, but those who go thru the course the fastest are not automatically the winners. If a competitor goes thru at a fast pace we feel that they will get damage and or get stuck causing a loss of points or and the worst case breaking down and not being able to finish the course.
So it will be both a mix of time and points that declares a winner.
Points will be weighted heavier than time.
Ben

[Steve]

So how are the points based? Obviosly there is bonus points for doing 1/2 or more of the next level. Do you have pictures or can you give us a better idea of what the courses are? I am tempted but feel being put into the pro class without the lockers puts me at a disadvantage. I know what I can run but I'm familair with the trails I run also. That definately makes a big difference. Are you at all knowledgable of any of our local trails if so what trail would you put the pro class in comparison with. I know what you rated it at but that does not necessarily mean anything. I've seen trails rated 4.0 that should have been 3.0 and 3.0 that should have been 4.0+. Thanks for the help. Steve