Pioneer Centres of San Diego Wins Entry Into Land Rover TReK '99 Finals
21 May 1999
Pioneer Centres of San Diego Wins Entry Into Land Rover TReK '99 Finals BODEGA BAY, Calif., May 20 -- A three-member team
representing Pioneer Centres of San Diego qualified to compete in the final
round of Land Rover TReK '99, the annual inter-retailer competition. Land
Rover TReK, launched in 1996, is a unique challenge designed to test the
spirit and enthusiasm of all Land Rover retail employees. Teams representing
individual retail outlets from around the country compete against one another
in a friendly -- but still highly competitive -- contest of skill and
endurance. The day-long competition involves numerous physically and mentally
rigorous tasks, including written logic quizzes, orienteering, rally-type
navigation, running, canoe racing, bike racing, and precision off-road
driving.
Eight teams competed in the fourth of six TReK regional trials, held at a
600-acre ranch north of San Francisco. In all, 48 Land Rover retailers will
take part in TReK '99 -- the maximum number event organizers could
accommodate. The winning team from each of the six regional trials will
return for the finals of TReK '99, to be held on Thursday, May 27th.
Bob Smith, Shawn Lawler and Scott Morgan represented the San Diego-area
Land Rover store in the grueling competition, which began when competitors
were rousted from their tents by a 4:30 am wake-up call. Under cool but sunny
skies, the teams worked hard to remain enthusiastic as the day wore on.
Service technician Morgan said, "TReK is a huge morale booster that translates
to the customer in everything we do." Smith, a service technician, added,
"Since we all have prior TReK experience, it helped a lot to prepare. One of
the keys was paying attention to all details. Still, it was a bit tougher than
we expected -- a lot more physical."
In this unique competition, a premium is placed on the team's four-wheel
drive skill. Competitors are required to negotiate an autocross loop, complete
an off-road TSD rally and battle head-to-head through an obstacle course that
includes precarious log bridges, deep ditches and the challenge of recovering
a submerged vehicle. The vehicles used by the teams are identically prepared
1999 Discovery Series IIs.
The special TReK-edition Series II features a number of upgrades designed
to support the Discovery Series II's off-road prowess. The vehicle rides on
245/75R-16 BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires mounted on 16-inch Lightning alloy
wheels. Up front, there's a unique grille and bumper treatment, featuring an
integrated Warn 9000i winch.
For added protection and capability, the special-edition Series II
features Safari Gard rock sliders mounted along the doorsills and a rear-
mounted Hi-Lift Jack for use in extreme conditions. There is a full-length,
aluminum roof rack with mesh flooring, integrated bike racks, four roof-
mounted Hella FF100 driving lights and rear-mounted work lights. Inside the
vehicle, the door panels and seats are covered with two-ply supplex waterproof
fabric. The carpets have been replaced with more durable and easier to clean
rubber matting.
Support for Land Rover TReK '99 was provided by Bauer Vehicle Gear, Inc.,
BF Goodrich, Giant bicycles, Hella, Hi-Lift, Inc., Safari Gard, Safety
Devices, Warn and Land Rover Special Vehicles.
Land Rover North America, Inc., established in 1986, imports Range Rovers
and Discoverys manufactured in Solihull, England, for sale in North America
and is a wholly owned subsidiary of The BMW Group, Munich, Germany.
