ROCK CRAWLING STADIUM STYLE

Since the conception of BIG FOOT the first monster truck known to the general public America became more in love with off-roading. Way over sized terra terrain tires, massive full blown V-8 horse power under the hood mounted to an old ford truck chassis entertained crowds for years by crushing junked automobiles, leaping over small jumps and performing the crab walk with hydraulic controlled four wheel steering. Awe… those were the days.

Those early editions of monster trucks were certainly interesting and fun to watch but wouldn't hold a hill of beans if put to a challenge against today's monsters. The incorporation of real racing style ladder work chassis, center mounted engines, and much better suspension systems are now the norm.

So how does all the above relate to a rock crawler? For that answer we first have to look at the rock crawl event. Just as the name implies, these guys in their specialized rigs are driving over rocks, and were talking big rocks, meanwhile trying to keep all fours on the ground, for maximum traction and not high centering.

For the past several years, usually the last weekend in July, Myrtle Creek, Oregon is home of the Myrtle Creek Rock Crawl. The event is part of the annual Myrtle Creek Summer Fest and run by the X-TREME OFFROADERS 4X4 CLUB. There the rock crawl course consists of huge boulders placed strategically in about a two hundred foot long stretch. Some water holes, a log and other obstacles are thrown in just to make the event a bit more challenging. The object is to drive over the course from one end to the other in the least amount of time and if your rig doesn't break you move into round two for the return route. The over all shortest time of both directions added together is deemed the winner.

Upon seeing the track from the grand stands, your first thought is" right? no way!" "The rocks are huge!" Vehicles vary from Everyday-4x4s to the exotics. Most are street legal Jeeps and Toyota trucks modified with extremely long travel aftermarket suspension components and tire diameters starting at 33 inches. Lower gear ratios are a must and usually placed in locker style differentials. As the event name implies, this is not a full speed event. These vehicles are literally crawling over the rocks! Taking full advantage of their modifications and the aid of a spotter, who helps the driver navigate. Most of these competitors are able to make a full pass without breaking something. When it comes to the exotics, there's no doubt that their creators had one thing in mind. Go forward and never look back. Some of the most extreme rigs we've seen there resemble lunar land rover proto types. They feature light weight chassis, smaller lighter engines, 24 inch plus suspension travel, and four wheel steering. These exotics sport the same engineering technology as the monster trucks we mentioned earlier, but in a much smaller and lighter package needed to negotiate the rocks.

The Myrtle Creel Rock Crawl has been a crowd pleaser from its beginning. The Hosting Club goes to an all out effort to ensure crowd safety and comfort. The shaded grandstands, concrete safety barriers plus other efforts will have both the audience and competitors returning year after year.

For future events and information contact Virgle Osborne: 541-784-1757