Tag Archives: ARB

Snorkeling Down Under – Jeep Wrangler Unlimited

Chrysler group CEO Tom LaSorda launched the new wider third generation ‘JK’ Jeep Wrangler at the 2006 North American International Auto Show in Detroit by driving it up the steps of the hosting Cobo Convention Centre and through a plate glass window just as his predecessor Robert Lutz had done when he launched the Jeep Grand Cherokee in 1992.

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Chantal Binding, Reynolds River, Litchfield National Park

Third generation Wranglers, descendents of the originals built by American Bantam, are built in short wheel base 2 door or long wheel base 4 door Unlimited form like the 2009 model seen in these photographs taken in Australia.

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Australia

This particular vehicle called Rockzee belongs to my friend Chantal who for several years has been working far off road with communities in the Australian outback where often a lone tree or an unusual pile of rocks in the landscape are her only navigation aids.

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Darwin, Australia

Rockzee is powered by a VM Motori 4 cylinder 2,766 cc / 168.8 cui turbo diesel R428 double over head cam (DOHC) motor, note Chantal has recently had an air intake snorkel fitted for trailing through even deeper waters than the Reynolds River in Litchfield National Park seen here.

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Chantal Binding, Reynolds River, Litchfield National Park

Enjoying her off roading at work Chantal bought Rockzee 3 years ago from a Doctor in New South Wales and had the ARB Bull Bar and spot lights fitted, to enjoy off roading in her spare time.

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Chantal Binding, Litchfield National Park

Next Chantal hopes to get the suspension adjusted to lift the chassis by 3 inches so the that the wheel arches can accommodate some more serious off road tyres.

Jeep Wrangler Unlimited, Alice Springs, Australia

Since recently relocating from Alice Springs to Darwin Chantal has hooked up with like minded Jeep enthusiasts the NT (Northern Territories) Jeepers which was founded by Andy Swaka, any one passionate about the four letter word JEEP can get in touch with the NT Jeepers on the facebook page linked here.

My thanks to Chantal for sharing her photographs taken at Alice Springs and in Darwin and for arranging for us to see the photographs taken by Andy Swaka’s partner Brenda who took the photo’s of Rockzee wading through Litchfield National Park.

Thanks for joining me on this “Snorkeling Down Under edition of “Gettin’ a li’l psycho on tyres”, I hope you will join me again tomorrow when I’ll be looking at a California Highway Patrol car. Don’t forget to come back now.

Wishing all Psychoontyres readers and contributors a Happy and Healthy New Year.

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Unlimited Grass Track Racer – #SS11 Xtreme Chevrolet

It is a great privilege to get down and dirty on the 11th Day of Christmas with Adrian Turners eye popping Unlimited Class 10 #SS11 Xtreme Chevrolet grass track racer built in 2009.

State of the art Xtreme Race Car chassis have been built in Somerset by South Somerset Autograss Club founder members and regular race winners John Gay and Russ Shepherd since 2006.

Adrian Turner a building contractor started racing in 1984 and qualified for the 2010 Nationals with this car.

The National Autograss Sport Association (NASA) Class 10 is for open wheel vehicles with motors over 2065 cc / 126 cui with no limits on the tuning. Adrian’s car is fitted with an all aluminium (US pronunciation) 5,665 cc / 345.7 cui LS6 engine more usually found at home in the front of a Chevrolet Corvette.

Lighter than a Formula One car at 600 kgs / 1323 lb and with around 480 hp at the rear wheels transmitted by a two speed gear box the #SS11 Xtreme Chevrolet is capable of over 100 miles an hour on 1/4 mile muddy grass tracks thanks to the grip afforded by 15 inches of rear suspension travel.

Sadly soon after I took my photographs of the #SS11 Xtreme Chevrolet it was badly damaged by crash barriers after a roll while in the hands of one of Adrian’s friends, thankfully no one was hurt. Adrian plans to rebuild the chassis around a smaller engine with a FIAT Seicento body.

I’d like to thank Tim Street of Rebel Racers for his assistance and the last photo in this blog and Adrian for his time, I am sure you will join me in wishing them both the best of luck for the season ahead, I look forward to catching Tim and Adrian at the first grass track meeting of the year at Oak Tree Arena on the 20th of March.

Hope you have enjoyed today’s grass roots edition of ‘Getting a lil’ psycho on tyres’ and that you’ll hop aboard with me tomorrow on the 12th and final day of Christmas for a ride on an icon from London. Don’t forget to come back now !

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