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Rocks and Ruts series bigger, better, longer

Adrian Parker in the mud on the Proex stage. Picture: Pene Stevens

The 2014 Perth 4x4 and Halogen Electrical Services Rocks and Ruts Racing Series roared into action on May 3 at Arcadia Farm in Jurien Bay. Four daylight stages and one night stage were held this year, with longer tracks, bigger steps, deeper dams and longer mud runs.

Six cars racing wheel to wheel, in 40-minute timed races saw three teams of two vehicles jostle to complete as many laps as possible.

The Opposite Lock stage required several teams to winch through sill-deep mud with navigators wading in chest deep to reach anchor points. Tyre pit and rock sections showed no remorse, claiming several CV joints, front hubs and radial arms.

The Coastal 4x4 stage challenged teams with two sets of six-foot undercut and side by side step-ups. Only sound strategy and skill avoided winching up the vertical face. One competitor was left track-side with snapped rear coil-overs and suspension links.

Screaming TB's Racing and Tom 'n' Clint Racing pushed the limits with three vehicles plunging simultaneously through five dams in the fast paced ProEx stage, spraying spectacular waves of muddy water.

After leveraging the last sunlight for repairs, the VisionX night stage required teams to rely on their spotlights to negotiate the layout. Todd Staben rounded the last corner on two wheels but Ashley Delich won the stage by four seconds with a time of 2:13.16.

On Sunday morning, the Midland 4WD Centre track's bonnet-deep dam claimed a couple of Range Rovers. The remaining course was fast paced, giving those teams still rolling a chance to put some laps on the board. Ian Tomlinson demonstrated skill and strength, man-handling a dead Ranger Rover without power steering for four laps while under tow from his teammate to meet the rule that both vehicles must cross the line.

This never-say-die attitude makes this event truly memorable. One driver used his winch to hold his front diff in place and pit crew members donated parts off their own vehicles. Of the 12 starters only six teams drove home from the competition - but all vowed to be back.

"The most memorable part for me was seeing the smiles on everyone's face when they finished a race, and every single person was having a blast," Team Ricochet's Ian Tomlinson enthused. "Despite the competitive nature of this style of comp, the camaraderie between the teams is amazing to see."

The organisers would like to send a special thanks to Perth4x4, Halogen Electrical Services, Opposite Lock, Proex, Coastal4x4, Midland 4WD Centre, and all other sponsors for their continued support and a huge thankyou to timekeepers Kim Stevens and Linda Watkins, all other officials, marshals, families, friends and volunteers. Congratulations to Convoy for Sids and Kids WA who raised $1229.25 with their onsite food van.

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First: Team Whatever Racing of Ashley Delich and Adrian Parker
Second: Team Looney 2 of Simon Ried and Chris Elst
Third: Screaming TB's Racing of Darren Rafferty and Matt Gray