Surrey/Hants Laning 20 January 2008

Piece written from Laning Event which will appear in April's Total Off Road magazine

Pajero UK – Surrey/Hampshire Laning Event, Sunday 20 January 2008
by Sadie Gordon

Sunday 20 January 2008 and a few members of the south east contingent from Pajero UK are out and about again in the search of mud, fun and, of course, a few off-road challenges.

With the heavy rainfall of recent weeks there were high expectations that all of those thrills would be fulfilled – and the Surrey and Hampshire countryside didn’t fail to deliver! The day was also an ideal platform for one particular member to test his navigation skills ready for the Mac 4x4 Challenge as one half of the official Pajero UK Team – Nick Gage. Nick will be partnering Mac Challenge expert, Carl Liversage, as they bid to complete the event in March this year and raise as much money as possible for Macmillan Cancer Support.

The meeting point for the five club members and a guest in a Range Rover was the National Trust Devils Punchbowl Car Park, Hindhead. The morning section took in a local lane that runs past Gibbet Hill, culminating in the toughest of the Punchbowl sections - the descent to Creedhole Farm then the sandstone steps of Ridgeway Farm Road (aka Rockey Lane). Any one seeking a challenge and an off-road thrill that morning certainly weren’t to be disappointed. Slippy, rocky terrain with deep ditches and ruts were to provide a definite test to even the best prepared Pajero. But not even this tough climb could stop the might of Mitsubishi as all five club vehicles battled their way to the top and the only damage being a punctured tyre on the lead vehicle. Sadly though the Range Rover fell victim to its standard road tyres and was forced to retreat to more level ground.

With the tough section complete and a few of the more gentle lanes on the route taken in, it was off to Millbridge and the aptly named Sandy Lane, across Frensham Common, for lunch and meet up with the other half of Team Pajero UK for the pre-arranged Mac Challenge promotional photo shoot.

Having already survived the biggest challenge of the day without damage (except for the unfortunate puncture), it really wasn’t destined to be a good day out for group leader, Nick, as mechanical gremlins struck and he was to play no further part in the day. But the five remaining vehicles, armed with GPS, continued on their way. After heading south west for further byways, the route skirted Bordon before heading North East up to Headley, Arford and Churt to pick up Grayshott Lane. As the light began to fade the group then turned south to Waggoners Wells for the final big thrill of the day, which produced some spectacular front end wheel waving. The route came to a close with a run up the long lane through Holly Hill, ending at Griggs Lane.

Pajero UK run off road events all over the UK for its members and 4x4 enthusiasts. To join in the fun or find out more about our club, visit www.pajerouk.co.uk