Disco look good. Where did you get the arches from?
Thanks
Arches were from Devon4x4, although quite a number of years ago now. At the time they were the only people I knew of who sold arches for a Disco or RR, they imported them from Australia.
The only downside is they are fiberglass, so can break. You can buy flexible ones today though.
My club is very big on trim.
I've had this issue too, the main trouble I've found is the ALRC is full of old fogies, most or all have never once actually read the rules, so instead make up their own version.
Current regs state:
C.11. BUMPERS
C.11.1. Heavy duty bumpers, and bumpers associated with winch installations are permitted on condition they are no smaller or weaker than the originals. See Logbook article Dimensions Chart for bumper widths. (Rules B.12.2 and B.12.3 do not apply in Modified vehicles)
Sadly there is a typo here and it should say B.13.2 and B.13.3 :doh:
But in short what the regs says is "for a modified class vehicle, the bumper doesn't have to be the same shape or size and then references the minimum bumper width in the vehicle sizes chart". As the bumper end cap, by name and definition is part of the bumper, then it does not need to be fitted.
Sadly the bias creeps in at some National events where they in the event SR's remove reg C.11.1 which then implies all of these vehicles aren't allowed to run aftermarket bumpers of any kind.
When i got the range I had to re-fit the bumper corners as the new rear and winch bumper didnt follow the same outline of the old one.
The combination of the regs highlighted above mean a bumper maybe of different shape, there the vehicles outline should not be deemed inappropriate.
Remember reg C.11.1 means this
DOESN'T apply for a modified class vehicle:
B.13.3. On Range Rover / Discovery / Freelander bumpers must be of original size and shape and have at least equal strength to the original fitment. Bumper sizes and shapes may vary with the model concerned.
Only if you want to be a Standard class must the bumper be of the same shape. And for club level events who really cares about modified or standard classes?
I have not had the range rover for long so dont have any big ALRC issues at the mo. What are you hopping to change?
There are three main angles I'm trying to attack/change:
1. The stupidity concerning things like bumper corners. My argument is very simple. As long as the bumper is the right width and in the right place according to the vehicle sizes chart, then it shouldn't matter what it looks like.
I mean, did you know, if you take the front bumper corners off a Discovery, the bumper is still wider than the minimal bumper width listed in the vehicle sizes chart
I had this very argument with a scrutineer at my local club, which resulted in them getting the tape measure out. And then claiming some utter bull**** that "Discovery's" must have the bumper measured along the front of the bumper, the most narrow part.
When I pointed out, that if you measured a Defender bumper in the same way it was too short, unless you measured the Defender bumper at it's widest point, only then does it meet the regs. I asked why are you making up a different rule for Disco's?
2. My other angle extends from this silliness with the bumpers to the fact that the regs allow different mods to different vehicles, e.g.
You can take a 90, fit 33" tall tyres on it, fit a HD bumper, lift it, move the shock mounts, fit bigger wheel flares and an assortment of other off road enhancing bits, yet according to the regs remain a fully standard vehicle.
With a Disco/RR you can't fit the same size tyre without trimming the arches, which means you are automatically a modified class vehicle. Despite the vehicle being 99.99% standard, while a 90 can be 80% modified yet be called standard.
Some examples:
This is according to the regs a standard class 90, which I reckon looks pretty heavily modded.
And here is a MODIFIED class Discovery, which really doesn't look very modified to me.
In fact, the regulations treat the above Discovery equal to this:
Which I think is barmy.
The regs are so heavily biased for 90's.
To take this further, can you think of a way to compete in a modified class 90?
I can only come up with one way:
-something stupid like fit leaf suspension to a 90
3. My last angle is to try and open up the ALRC to new blood. I know declining members is a HUGE issue for the ALRC and has been for a number of years. However the ALRC seem quite content to stay on a sinking ship and can't see the woods for the trees.
My believe for strong membership is to embrace the current 4x4 scene, not try and dictate it. And the current scene is easily seen by flicking through the pages of any Land Rover magazine. Every single 4x4 shop that advertises in these mags sells some sort of fancy suspension, big wheels and aftermarket bumpers. Currently nearly all of these items are prohibited by the ALRC, so those that buy and fit these parts, then have no place with the ALRC and certainly aren't made welcome.
This extends further to the fact that the regs are so biased against Disco/RR/Freelander. Series Land Rover's are getting older and fewer and in the case of Series 1's, more money to buy. There will come a point when people trialling these will be a vast minority.
But unless the ALRC welcomes newer and other LR models fairly into the fold, people will go elsewhere, be it challenge events, pay and play, AWDC or not bother at all.
A Disco is cheap to buy and easy to maintain, it's ideal for trials on this basis. But the ALRC regs rarely let them be competitive (unless you are a supreme driver) and you are penalised at every opportunity.
