Beginners guide & glossary

Trials- The courses of different types of trials are divided into sections, which are marked by pairs of canes (gates) to mark the route. These are precision driving events where competitors attempt to drive their vehicle through a dozen or so gates without stopping or touching any of the gates, the event is not timed, seems easy but the ground used will be bumpy, muddy, hilly, sandy, gravely and water.

 

Tyro Trial- For show room condition or cherished vehicles, the ground conditions will be non-damaging to the body or underside of the vehicle. Also for persons over the age of 16 not necessarily holding a full licence but must be accompanied by an experienced driver holding a full licence.

 

RTVT- Road Tax Vehicle Trial, This event is aimed at competitors with a greater level of experience than a tyro, and may use more severe terrain though still non damaging to sensibly prepared basic production vehicles. All vehicles must be fully road legal.

 

CCVT- This is a more difficult event and competition vehicles are a different specification. They are often cheaper than RTV’s as they don’t have to be road legal. They must be fitted with roll over protection and carry a fire extinguisher but may otherwise be similar to vehicles used in RTVT’s.

 

COMPETITIVE SAFARI- This is a timed event over a cross country course several miles in length with trial and rally parts, so there are very fast and very slow parts. Vehicles must have roll cage, full harness, fire extinguisher and be ALRC approved and log booked.

 

ALRC- Association of Land Rover Clubs.

 

MSA- Motor Sports Association.

 

GLASS- Green Lane Association. Promoting sensible driving in the countryside.

 

GREEN LANE- Unsurfaced road with vehicle right of way.

 

LIVE AXLE- In which the drive shafts to the wheels run within rigid casings.

 

CENTER DIFFERENTIAL- A differential gear device between the front and rear prop shafts, installed at the point where the transfer box splits drive between the front and rear axles.

 

CROSS AXLED- A situation when off road when the vehicles front left wheel and rear right wheel springs are fully compressed, and the front right wheel and rear left wheels are not touching the ground thus causing loss of traction and the vehicle coming to a stop.

 

APPROACH ANGLE- In side view the angle from the ground at the front of the front wheel to the lowest most forward part of the body, usually the bottom front edge of the bumper. It represents the steepness of the slope or obstacle that can be approached or climbed go forwards without contacting the bodywork.

 

DEPARTURE ANGLE- In side view the angle from the ground at the rear of the rear wheel to the rearmost lowest part of the vehicles body. It represents the steepness of the slope or obstacle that can be approached or climbed in reverse without contacting the bodywork.

 

DIFFERENTIAL- Permits power delivered to an axle or a pair of prop shafts to be split in any ratio from 0% to 100% usually self-adjusting according to the load that is at each wheel.

 

ELECTRONIC TRACTION CONTROL- This device inhibits wheel spin by applying the brake to a spinning wheel. This system utilises the ABS sensors.

 

ENGINE BRAKING- Vehicle retardation by engaging a low gear and taking your foot off the throttle. Good for going down hill off road letting the engine control the speed down hill and by not using the brakes which may cause a wheel or wheels to lock and put the vehicle into a slide.

 

GROUND CLEARENCE- The space between the ground and the lowest part of the vehicle.

 

HALF SHAFT- Transmits the drive from the axle differential to each wheel.

 

HI-LIFT JACK- A lever operated mechanical bumper jack capable of a lift of about 1 meter.

 

HIGH BOX- When the two-speed transfer gearbox lever is in the high ratio position for normal road use.

 

LOW BOX- When the two-speed transfer gearbox lever is in the low ratio position used for off road conditions where greater traction or low speed control is needed.

 

M+S TYRES- Mud and snow tyres.

 

MARSHALL- When trailing calls a stop or a touching of a gate with the vehicles body work.

 

TRANSMISSION BRAKE- Found on Land Rovers operates on a single brake drum on the rear prop shaft at the point where it leaves the transfer box.

 

WADING PLUGS- Found on Land Rovers one is located at the bottom of the clutch housing and on the timing belt cover on later engines. Plugs should be installed at these locations when driving through deep water.

 

WADING DEPTH- The depth of water that a vehicle can drive through without modifications.