Who We Are?
The Wessex Hill-Runners Offroad Enthusiasts club began in February 1999, Our basic aim is to bring like-minded people together to enjoy off-roading, “green laning” and to understand what their vehicles are capable of. We want our members to make the decisions on what we do as a club and encourage suggestions as to what events we should run from the membership, after all it’s their club.
We are a family orientated club with no airs and graces, we are all like minded people who wish to come together to enjoy driving off-road and we try and achieve this as often as possible, we probably run more events in a year than other local clubs, the types of events vary, from easy green laning to sites that offer extreme challenges, but all events are for all vehicles and abilities. All vehicles are welcome, any age, any make, anybody. Due to this we have a large variety of vehicles from a 6x6 Alvis Stalwart (amphibious) to a brand new Freelander, with all manner of 4X4’s in between, We do our best to cater for everyone.
As in most clubs there is a large variety of members with extensive knowledge and skills which are on offer to all our members. There is always someone willing to help or give advice, or help you find that part you so desperately need.
The Wessex Hill-Runners Supports the continued responsible use of what are generically described as “green lanes”
Green lanes are un-surfaced roads that have vehicular rights, i.e. you can drive down them in any car as long as it is road legal. We are very fortunate in Hampshire, as there is an extensive network of green lanes to be explored and some spectacular scenery to look at along the way. Green lane driving has been compared with ‘rambling on four wheels’ and is more to do with having a drive in the country than pitting yourself against difficult terrain. Many lanes in the area can be driven easily in any car, even the newest and shiniest, without fear of damage or getting stuck.
Of course you need to know where the lanes are and the club can help here by providing an extensive database of lanes in the area. Navigation is an important part of driving green lanes if you don’t want to get lost! If you feel that you need to brush up on your map reading skills then the club is happy to help out with either individual or group training sessions.
The club works with other local and national organisations to ensure that the lanes are preserved for use by future generations. We also run green lane maintenance days where we undertake clearance and other work to help keep the lanes open and usable – it’s really a form of extreme gardening! This is undertaken with the full support of the Council and the relevant landowners.
The Wessex Hillrunners not only arrange offroad fundays, greenlaning days (including Treasure Hunts and “ladies days”), but we have weekends away normally to enjoy the green lanes of another region, there is a club BBQ, and other one off events such as Grey Hound Racing and Christmas Party as well as the Monthly pub meets.
The club is affiliated with the Motor Sports Association (MSA) this means that all events are run within the safety guidelines of the MSA, with all events Marshalled and controlled by our Chief Marshal, we also are fully insured for all eventualities at all events.
We are in contact and friendly with all the other local clubs in our area which benefits everyone, We also get more involved with byway issues (greenlanes) by volunteering our services and manpower to the local authorities through the Hampshire Paths Partnership with a Committee member representing our sport on the Local Access Forum.
Also if you are unsure how to drive off-road, want to know what you or your car can and cant tackle, or want to know what all those levers, difflocks and other bits are for we are here to help! At the driving days we have appointed experienced, safe and friendly Marshals and Committee members to either drive you around in their own car, or sit next to you in yours to advise how to tackle the course, obstacles and explain the what to do in most situations, no member is left stranded or stuck at any event.
So welcome to the club and we look forward to seeing you at the next event,
We will show you that you can have a good day out, get nice and muddy to impress or upset the neighbours, without damaging your car, yourself or anyone else!
All events are listed in the Newsletters and Website, also just before any event we send out flyers by email and snail mail.
Navigation
