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Wikipedia
Spyker, 60hp, 6cyl
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Andre Huard and his modified CJ with hand controls allows him to access the lands and spend time in the great outdoors with his family and friends
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The Tillaart Family attends many events and takes long weekends out on the lands enjoying everything the off-road sport has to offer
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Tami Hamilton learns decent control on a steep rock near Minden Ontario
By Brian Sibbles
Have you noticed people often ask “Why do you enjoy wheeling the trails in a Jeep or 4X4 vehicle? Why not just use an ATV or dirt bike?”
It is because we enjoy being a part of, and experiencing history. After the horse, the 4WD became the choice for off-road travel, dating back to 1893 when the first concept was designed and patented by Bramah Joseph Diplock. Not long after, in 1903, the first 4WD car with an internal combustion engine was produced called the Spyker. A 60hp 6-cylinder engine, 2-seater sports car presented by two Dutch brothers Jacobus and Handrik-Jan Spijker of Amsterdam.
Since that time, history has seen all sorts of four-wheel drive vehicles that have taken us further into our continents, developed business and trade, and won wars. Without the 4WD, the world would be a much different place.
These vehicles are used as tools in people’s livelihood, as a daily driver and recreational activity of choice. The off-road community is likely one of the most diverse communities and is spread across the globe. In my ten plus years of off-roading, I have met people from countries and continents around the world who thoroughly enjoy the 4X4 sport. Australia, Asia, Russia, Europe, Africa, South America, and North America all have 4X4 clubs and 4X4 recreation is a very popular past time. No matter what language you speak or religion you worship, we all share a common bond through our love of our 4WD’s.
Virtually everyone I have ever met, male or female, child or adult, has some sort of love or interest in 4x4’s. We love to drive around town with the top down and doors off as the children point, women smile and occasionally, men drool over the woman driver sitting high and mighty in her Jeep. Just to be clear, the male drivers get the same reaction however the on looking men are likely mesmerized by the vehicle, or ticked off because their girlfriend is smiling at the driver. Either way, people from all walks of life are attracted to 4X4’s.
Un-like some other motorsports, the four-wheel drive allows people with accessibility issues to enjoy the more rural and remote areas. For example, the Ontario Federation of 4 Wheel Drive has members who are paraplegic and have had their Jeep modified for hand controls, allowing them to enjoy the same sport and mental health benefits of recreational off-roading. Some people have medical problems such as musculoskeletal diseases or heart conditions, and as a result an ATV or dirt bike would not be comfortable or safe for them.
Many families enjoy the off-road sport as an affordable way to get outdoors. In today’s economy, most households do not have the disposable income to afford off-road only vehicles nor do they have the space for them in their suburban homes and driveways. A family can own one 4x4; drive it to work during the week while enjoying it recreationally on the weekend. Equipped with seat belts for child seats and tons of trunk space, young families can now head out on an educational and active adventure into the great outdoors without spending their life savings or putting their kids at risk on higher speed machines.
The recreational 4X4 sport is the safest motorized activity available. The vehicles move very slowly through the trails at about 5-10 km/h on average. With the slow speeds, people have plenty of time to pick their path of travel, avoiding possible tipsy situations and enjoying the scenery. If a vehicle does have the unfortunate incident of a flop or a rollover, the drivers are well protected by the vehicles roll cage and seat belt systems much like any other vehicle. The rollover momentum is usually very slow and not aggressive which protects the occupants and for the most part minimizes damage to the vehicle.
The aggressive rollovers you see on TV or the internet generally come from the competition style vehicles that must adhere to strict guidelines and undergo rigorous inspections for safety. Competition drivers are only about 2% of all 4X4 drivers. Many of the competition drivers actually teach off-roading 101 courses or become trail guides, teaching people how to pick the right path and what not to do when riding the trails. These guys are a wealth of information.
So whether you are from Canada, across the border, or across the seas, a man or a woman, or have accessibility or medical issues, the four-wheel drive sport can be adapted to you. You too can have the mental and physical benefits the sport has to offer while meeting lifelong friends and enjoying the great outdoors. Be proud of being a four-wheeler and as always, tread lightly and respect the trails no matter where you are enjoying them.
Brian Sibbles is Executive Director OF4WD