In The News Trip Reports Features Land Use Doh! Photo Album Videos Cover Shots
Project Vehicles Product Reviews Vehicle Reviews Quick Looks Wrenching Featured Vehicles YJ FAQ Calculators
4x4 Suppliers For Sale Ads Wanted Ads
Coming Events Message Board

Morningside's reputation for vehicular carnage was re-affirmed at the 2000 Morningside Tough Truck Challenge. The main difference between this year's event and last year's was the fact that the sections were more spread-out and the spectator turn-out was down. Paul Cooper, the event organizer and host was concerned with the huge numbers of spectators last year so he asked that nobody publicize the event for this year. Even so, there were over 100 spectators who heard about the event through the grapevine.

Another change from last year's event was that the competitors were divided into groups of five and each group started at the same time on different obstacles. This meant that at any one time, there would be five vehicles working their way through a section. This arrangement, combined with the fact that the sections were hidden from each other by trees and hills, made this a very difficult event to cover.

As expected, there were over a half-dozen roll overs but fortunately, no one was injured. And yes, Ben Olson's Suzuki accounted for at least two of those rolls or side-flops.

Rob Brooks performed an excellent multiple roll and then went for another roll later on in the day.

Andy James snapped yet another Birfield, about 2 seconds after I jokingly told him to beware of breaking another Birfield. That brings his total to five broken Birfields since last year...and those are only the ones I've personally seen him break.

Richard Sheridan avoided the Birfield problem in his Toyota axle by modifying it to use D44 open knuckles. That's why he was able to break his axle shaft u-joint. For added measure, he also cut down two of his 38" Swampers.

Paul Cooper should be congratulated for once again organizing another great event which was even more organized than last year's. And in case you're wondering, Al Berikoff of 4Offrd won the event for the second time in a row. Congratulations, Al!

...lars


Paul Cooper, the demented mind behind the Morningside Tough Truck Challenge.

Just like previous events, broken parts flowed freely. Richard Sheridan swapped to Dana outers on his Toyota but he still managed to shred his axle shafts (that's Richard crouched under the vehicle).

Why did Richard switch to Dana parts? To avoid breaking Birfields. Here's a photo of Andy's reaction when he just broke a Birfield on this trail between sections. I think this is Andy's fifth or sixth broken Birfield this year.

This YJ also snapped an axle shaft. Fortunately, they had spares for both sides. Unfortunately, they snapped the same side shaft shortly after the repair.

With only 3 wheel-drive, the driver continued to compete in the Jeep.

It may be hard to believe, but this competitor did NOT roll over.

Rob Brooks claws his way to the top.

Toyota pickups were a popular vehicle in the event. This is Shannon Cupper's.

And here's Shane "Beener" Hofer's Toyota. Beener placed 2nd.

This determined Suzuki driver tried his best to climb out of this hole (it looks easy in this photo but believe me, it was tough). If you look carefully, you'll notice that both front wheels are off the ground. A loud BANG-CLICK-CLICK-CLICK sound marked the end of his attempt.

Of course, leaving your vehicle on the course when Donny's big Mercury is behind you is always a bad idea. The Suzuki took some door damage.

Andy James' Nissan/Chevy/Toyota hybrid coming down one of the easier sections.

Richard "Tiny" Reimer made the spectators nervous by bring his V8 up to redline before virtually every obstacle.

Ben Olson and his infamous "Airzuki." At one point, he had it sitting on its rear bumper.

In the previous photo, you might not have recognized the Airzuki because it wasn't on its side. Does this one ring a bell?

Gorilla in the mist.

The reigning champ of MTTC '99 and '00, Al Berikoff! It was tough getting photos of him because he flew through each section before I had time to set up for a shot.
 

Scoring

Penalty points will be given as follows for each section:
  1. Backing Up (up to 3 points)
    One penalty point is given for backing up more than 2 feet or for engaging reverse and attempting to backup.
  2. Stalling (up to 3 points)
    One penalty point is given for stalling.
  3. Out of Bounds ( 5 points)
    Five penalty points are given for driving out of bounds. A vehicle is out of bounds if any part of the vehicle crosses or displaces tape strung between two markers or displaces a marker.
  4. Complete - (up to 8 points)
    If more than eight points were accumulated for backing, stalling and/or Out of Bounds penalties, but the section is completed (the vehicle rear bumper passes between the section exit markers), eight penalty points are given.
  5. Winch - ( 9 points)
    If the vehicle rear bumper passes between the section exit markers but the use of a winch was required, nine penalty points are given. Driver must remain in the vehicle while his designated assistant will manage the cable and attachments.
  6. Incomplete ( 10 points)
    Ten penalty points are given for any of the following:
    • vehicle rear bumper does not pass between the section exit markers
    • driver leaves the vehicle
    • vehicle breaks a marker tape, or permanently movers a marker
    • vehicle passes left of a blue ribbon or right of a red ribbon
    • vehicle is assisted by pushing, pulling, or jacking
  7. No Attempt ( 15 points)
    Fifteen penalty points are given if a vehicle rear bumper does not pass between the section entrance markers.

Bookmark and Share

 

Jump to the Comments
Recent Content You Might Have Missed

In The News

  • Ford F150 Airbag May Suddenly Deploy, Not As Funny As It Sounds
  • A Garage-Sized Shop Crane
  • A Valve Cap Worth Spending Money On
  • Get Your Geek On With Jeep's Call of Duty: Black Ops Edition
  • Vision X Releases New LED Work Light

Feature

  • Getting Started in Four Wheeling - What You Need
  • Why You Need a Ham (VHF) Radio
  • Cruiser Days 2010
  • KORRBC - Race 2
  • Kamloops Off Road Racing Series

Featured Vehicles

  • Cummins Traveler
  • P40 Warhawk
  • HULK! A heady blend of North American grunt and Mercedes Unimog engineering
  • Chris Olson's Willys Jeep
  • Ben Olson's Air Zuki

Product Review

  • OR Fab Cherokee Armour
  • OR Fab Rear Tube Bumper
  • OR Fab Rock Slider Front Bumper
  • Wheelspacers.ca
  • Napier Precision Heavy Duty Jeep Cherokee Fender Flares

Project Vehicles

  • Project XJ: a New Beginning
  • Hi-Steer Conversion
  • Kilby High Volume Automatic Transmission Pan
  • Bestop Trail Max Aqua Sport Seats
  • Teraflex Revolver Shackles

Trip Report

  • The Elaho Giant
  • Exploring the Britannia Mines - Part 2
  • Exploring Beaverdell
  • Exploring the Britannia Mine and Mt. Sheer Town Site
  • Sylvester Snow Wheeling

Wrenching

  • Fixing the Jeep Neutral Safety Switch (NSS)
  • Fixing A Loose Steering Column In A Jeep
  • How To Re-Assemble Your Drum Brakes
  • Diagnosing a No-Start Condition
  • Winch Rope

Quick Looks

  • Garmin's Oregon GPS
  • SPOT Satellite Messenger
  • Garmin's New Colorado GPS Unit - A Quick Look
  • LEDSupply's Flashlight Upgrade Kits
  • Gilsson GPS Antenna

Vehicle Review

  • 2010 Ram 2500 HD Cummins Crew Cab
  • Jeep Rubicon Test Drive
  • Dodge Ram Mega Cab 4x4
  • Toyota FJ Cruiser Test Drive
  • Diesel Grand Cherokee Now Available in Canada


BC4x4 Main Page
Click to Send Email
to BC4x4
(20-sec delay)
SEARCH
ARTICLES
In The News
Trip Reports
Features
Land Use
Doh!
Photo Album
Videos
Cover Shots
TECH
Project Vehicles
Product Reviews
Vehicle Reviews
Quick Looks
Wrenching
Featured Vehicles
YJ FAQ
Calculators
MARKETPLACE
4x4 Suppliers
Message Board
FOR SALE Ads
WANTED Ads
RESOURCES
Coming Events
Message Board

Except where otherwise noted, all contents on this site are Copyright 1999 - 2019 © 599244 BC Ltd. All rights reserved. No content on this site may be reproduced without express permission from 599244 BC Ltd.
Disclaimer: Activities and vehicle modifications appearing or described on this website and its pages may be potentially dangerous. We do not endorse any such activity for others or recommend it to any particular person - we simply describe our experiences and opinions. If you choose to engage in these activities, it is by your own free will and at your own volition. Use common sense and remember that none of this material is presented as being recommended by a professional mechanic or driving instructor. This information is presented for your amusement only. Do not take unwise risks, consult a certified professional if you are not sure of something. - 599244 BC Ltd. (bc4x4.com) and the authors of these articles assume no liability for how any particular individual chooses to use the information presented here.
Terms of Use
Copyright