Upcoming Events South Island Contact Events Co-ordinator Lori Hryniuk. For Mid-Island run info, contact Darryl Janes November 2001 Nov 1 – Monthly meeting at Royal Roads Continuing Education, 7:30 PM. Nov 4 – South Island Monthly Club Run—meet in Sooke at Western Food at 9:30 AM. Nov 20 – Mid-Island Monthly Club Run—meet in Duncan at Tim Hortons at 9:30 AM. December 2001 Dec 6 – Monthly meeting at Royal Roads Continuing Education, 7:30 PM. Dec 9 – South Island Monthly Club Run—meet in Sooke at Western Food at 9:30 AM. IRC Christmas Party - either Dec 8 or Dec 15 - details TBA

October's monthly run started out at 9:30 at Tim Horton's in Duncan on a cold, wet and ugly day.

After everyone had their coffee and donuts we set out for Mt.Sicker with seventeen vehicles ranging from a new Toyota Land cruiser to Suzukis, Jeeps and a bunch of Toyotas. Oh, and a single Land Rover hauling Eric, Barb JAMES and their new Grandson "Steve" (some of you may recognize Steve from his old days when he was the President of the IRC. Now that he has parked his Jeep his extended family have taken him in as their own).

After a short climb up into the clouds we stopped at the top of the "Chute" and aired down in preparation for the events to come. Most trucks managed to get one or two wheels in the air on the way down the first hill. After some winches cables (one front one rear) made their way onto the Land cruiser driven by David GRAHAM of "Big Foot Safari", we had its belly off the ground and its front end pointed in the right direction. A near miss of a large tree by the left rear corner seemed to concern the other drivers more then David, who never batted an eye.

With everyone down the "Chute" we headed down the creek past "impossible hill" to the "bathtub" where we located a guy on a quad who was stuck about ten feet from shore. A little help for him and off we went up and out of the "tub".

Next stop, the "clay pits", which now were officially mud pits. Up and down and around and around went the trucks. Craig GOOD, in his Green 302 Toyota demonstrated the act of "floating your valves, and testing your rev limiter" as he spun his way up out of one of the truck-eating holes. He paid dearly for it later when his front right Birfield became many little Birfields.

From there it was off to "Hamburger Hill" which proved interesting for most drivers due to reduced traction from the "moisture" falling from the sky. Travis RANKIN joined in the fun in his "2002 home built" (according to its registration papers) which looks a lot like the early 80's truck that got pulled off the road by the cops months ago. His never-ending search for slicks finally let him down on the last hill and he took a cable to get to the top.

Jenny SINTNICOLAAS proved once again that it's the "driver", not the vehicle that makes the sections as she once again got her open front-diffed Zuke through the sections without problems. According to Canada customs there is a front locker on its way north from Randy's Ring and Pinion, in Everett Washington, that will soon fill the void in the front diff.

Kevin ERHART and a few other "Sidewinders" enjoyed themselves as they tackled the hills, most without too much grief, although all managed to get good air on the final face of Hamburger Hill. The attached photos tell the story.

With time running out we made our way back down to the old town site where Craig replaced his Birfield that had now jammed his steering to the point where straight ahead was the only option available. A few dune buggies showed up and demonstrated the art of "speed", as they flew around and around and up and down the nearby hills.

Travis decided to try mating his 2002 with an 80's Toyota in hopes of creating more little "TOYS" but was rejected and thrown to the ground by the unwilling partner. The photos tell the entire tale.


And speaking of photos, thanks goes out to Colin CAMPBELL who joined us for the day with his rig and his camera which took these photos.

A great day was had by all, with good wheelin' and many new friendships made along the way. For info on upcoming IRC runs in the Duncan area contact Darryl Janes