What are 4x4 Challenges?

4x4 Challenges in South Africa are all about testing the skills of competitors and the ability of their vehicles at rather extreme limits. In contrast to Rock Crawling where the majority of an event is competed on rocks, 4x4 Challenges are contested predominantly dirt and this pose to whole different set of opportunities and limitations alike.

The National 4x4 Challenge Championship Series is sanctioned by Motorsport South Africa (MSA), the controlling body of motor sport in South Africa. The Northern Regions Regional Championship Series and the Western Cape Regional Championship Series and KZN Regional Championship Series are competing under the same rules as the National 4x4 Challenges. The later two also falls under the hospice of MSA. 4x4 Challenges are also considered as the least expensive form of motorsport.

Each challenge consists of 12 obstacles per class. An obstacle consists of a maximum of 6 gates that has 2 clearly marked poles with a minimum distance of 3m measured between them. One of the 12 obstacles is a time trail, a driver start with 200 points a point will be deducted for every second on the clock it takes to complete the track, on the track is several gates which a driver must drive threw 20 points will be deducted for every gate missed or touched. All penalties and points per seconds will be deducted and will leave you with a score at the end. Furthermore will 2 obstacles be marked progressive, every gate will count 10 points and must the rear of the vehicle be passed a gate to score that gates point. No roll backs can be taken and must it be completed in one movement without stopping.

The difficulty of an obstacle is usually a combination of sharp turns, steep inclines (either up, down or sideways), deep ruts, holes, mounds or loose or slippery surfaces.

Although fun for spectators, mud or water deeper than 150 mm is not allowed as it plays havoc with all kinds of parts on the vehicles while not being a true test of competitive performance.

Each competitor starts each obstacle with 60 points and loses points for touching a gate or pole (minus 20 points per touch) or reversing in an obstacle (minus 10 points per each roll back). Competitors may keep on trying until they have zero points left, at which point they must exit it without causing further damage to the obstacle. Only 2 roll backs are allowed between 1 gate and if they cant pass the gate after 3 roll backs, it is also a abandon route and score 0 for this obstacle. There is a time limit to completing an obstacle (6minuts for the Super Modified Class and 4 minutes for all other Classes) and no points are scored for speed at all.

Dirt surfaces means that the difficulty of an obstacle often changes as more vehicles attempt it. Sometimes it becomes more difficult as competitors spin deep ruts, while other times it becomes easier as sheer edges are worn away. To make it fairer for competitors, the starting order for the first obstacle is drawn from a hat and then rotated for each obstacle thereafter.

Each and every class rules are available on the front page under National rules and regulations heading.

The various classes that form part of the National and Northern Region 4x4 Challenge Championship Series are as follows:

Super Modified Class: Special vehicles with no limitation except for a few rules on size tires and diffs, but more info is available on our website, this is a typically pipe frame vehicle with 4-wheel steering, individual brakes and diff locks with body leveling.

This is the premier class of South African 4x4 Challenges where all the tricks of increased off-road mobility are incorporated. The restrictions on this class are that of only diffs from light vehicles (below 3500kg GVM) may be used, rims are restricted to 16.5" maximum diameter and tyres are restricted to 37" maximum diameter and must have at least a 100km/h speed rating. Otherwise anything goes!

Production modified class: This is swb and lwb vehicles with a recognized type of body fitted and a production type of suspension. This is also a class with a limitation on its modifications ex: No individual brakes, LS or lock diffs allowed.

This class consists of Jeep CJ2'S, Suzuki's Cruizers and more. Vehicles must resemble standard production units and their chassis must be from a production vehicle, although it may be modified as required. The main restrictions on this class are that no form of limited or diff lock is allowed, 4-wheel steering is taboo and so is individual brakes. 

This class boasts the most stability as far as competitors is concerned with a number of drivers that have been competing for up to ten years or more. It also often draws the most competitors and is a tough class to end up on the podium at any event.

Modified class: This class is the same as the Production modified class except for the body. This class is complete pipe frame class with a little body panels for safety reasons, but also with the same limitations as Production modified class.

The Rules for this class are the same as for the Production Modified vehicles except that this class don't neat a body and are made of a pipe frame with some body plates for safety reasons. They also do not neat to fit a production type of chassis.

Street legal locker class: Standard production vehicles with limited modifications allowed. These vehicles must look the same as it came out of the factory. The suspension type must not be changed. Front and rear lockers, front and rear bumpers and suspension lifts not allowed. This class allowed the daily type of vehicles as well as the guy whom is looking for a challenge to come and compete.

Due to increased pressure from would-be Production based competitors to upgrade, this class was introduced.Slight body modifications are allowed. Suspension may be modified and fitted with after market kits. The engine, transmission and axles may be changed and diff-lockes fitted to both the front and rear axles. Vehicles in this class comprise of Jeep CJ'S, SVM'S Suzuki's and Hilux's.

Standard Class: Std Production - Standard Production vehicles with limited modifications allowed, mainly to engine, suspension and tyres. No body alterations are allowed. Rear diff locks are allowed.

This class is intended to lure competitors into the sport due to the low technical threshold as a result of the limited modifications that are allowed. However, in recent years competitor numbers have been on the increase marques represented are Toyota with Hilux's, Landrovers, Suzuki's, Mercedes Gelaendewagens, Mitsibushi Pajero's, Jeep but to name a few.

The current rules for this class impose a number of restrictions, chief amongst these being that no alteration of the body is allowed. Engine, transmission and axles may however be swapped for other units that were available from the same manufacturer for the specific model. Bolt-on suspension components may also be changed but body lift kits are verboten. Diff-locks may be used in the rear diff but not in front. Central diff-lock and traction control is also forbidden.

Open Class: This is a also a class with no limitation. This class works on a penalty system and is a driver penalized for the extras in his vehicle from which he benefit. The points system is fully explained on our website. This is a class for all vehicles whom does not fit in on any of the classes mentioned above. The 2 wheel drive buggy class will allocated bonus points as they are driving without 4 wheel drive. This class also provide 8 out the 12 obstacles bonus routes (counting 100 points) for the vehicles which get major penalties at the start. A normal obstacle is 60 points. Bonus obstacles counting 100 is also al lot more difficult that a 60 point route. This is a great start point for every one to see where your vehicle will fit in if you consider more serious driving. The costs involved in participating in this class is also minimal for a whole year.

This is a class for any type of vehicle who does not fit in one of the other classes. It is also a good class for new competitors whom want to participate and get a feeling for this great sport before moving on to the more serious classes. This is also a more affordable class as the Motorsport South Africa year license is very cheap and this also gives you the opportunity to participate in other events for instance club events also hosted by the club during the year.

All the classes is National and Regional classes except the Standard Class which only participate in the Regional Championship series and our Open Class which is just a club class. All classes participate under the Motorsport South Africa rules.

 

The venues for the National and Northern Region Championships can loosely be divided into 3 categories, namely purpose build (Polokwane, Pretoria 1, Alberton), quarry or landfill sites (Pretoria 2, Bloemfontein, Natural terrain (Wesvaal near Porchefstroom, Durban and Rustenburg). 

Polokwane

The Pietersburg Challenge is hosted by the Limpopo 4x4 Challenge Club on a piece of land outside the town put aside by the Town Council for recreational purposes. As the area is flat, a lot of earthwork has had to be carried out over the last couple of years to build man-made obstacles for the Challenge. Situated about 270 km north of Pretoria, this event usually heralds the start of each new season. Due to a lack of competitors living in Polokwane the National 4x4 Challenge Club is considering in moving the next Polokwane Challenge to another venue as will be decided on our next AGM in August.

 

Wesvaal

Wesvaal is the mining area south west of Johannesburg centered around Potchefstroom and Klerksdorp. They have recently secured premises next to the Danie Theron monument. This is a venue with all natural obstacles and is situated about 85km West of Johannesburg.

 

Pretoria 1

The Pretoria Challenge are hosted by the National 4x4 Challenge Club. It is also a new venue for Pretoria situated North West of Pretoria at Bundu Inn Entertainment and Holiday Resort. This is a self build flat track course with all the machinery available to build the track and make it very difficult and extreme for the competitors.

 

Pretoria 2

The Pretoria 2 Challenge is situated North East of Pretoria at Sandwani Lodge, Buffelskloofdrift. It was a open mine type of quarry with some hard Rock and Soft sand. This challenge fraternity uses this event to get together and decide on the rules and regulations for the coming year on the Sunday morning after the event over a hearty breakfast.

 

Durban

Even though this event is referred to as the Durban Challenge, it is actually held at Cato Ridge between Durban and Pietermaritzburg in Kwazulu Natal. The National 4x4 Challenge Club members and managing by John Burke are hosting this event in KZN. It is always run on very professional lines and the obstacles are daunting and interesting, thanks in part to the terrain and also the knowledge of John. This event is usually scheduled around the winter months in the middle of the year because then its not as cold as at the higher up country altitude and also not as depressingly hot and humid as in summer. Competitors love traveling down to this event for a bit of sea air and to hear the roar of the Indian Ocean.

 

Gauteng Challenge

This event is also hosted by the National 4x4 Challenge Club and held at the well known Wild Thing Raceway track, in Alberton. This is also a self build course surrounded by turf. This track can get very slippery when its wet. We also changed the date of this challenge as it needs to be hosted outside rain season because of the water.

 

Bloemfontein

This will be the first year in a long time that the National 4x4 Challenge club will be hosting a event in the Freestate. It is also a type of quarry 10km on the outskirts of Bloemfontein. It has some hard Rock and hard walls. The course builders need not have much imagination to set out a more than challenging challenge as this is a first for Bloemfontein.

 

Rustenburg

This event is also hosted by the National 4x4 Challenge Club for the 3rd year in a row. Run in natural environment and side streams of a dry river system it must be the premiere venue on the calendar. Situated on the farm of Robbie Robbertse outside Rustenburg in the North West Province, the obstacles have evolved over the past years to what we have today. A series of obstacles have been created that caters for every class. From steep ups to a technical specialist's dream, they're all there.

 

 

Marshals are an integral and very important part of this sport, more or less like the referee and linesmen at a soccer match. Without impartial observers, the competition would degenerate into chaos extremely quickly! We are very fortunate to be served by an active 4x4 Challenge Marshal Association with members from all walks of life that take pride in being of services to the 4x4 Challenge community.

 

The function of the scrutineering team is firstly to ensure that they comply with the stipulated safety regulations, and secondly to make sure that vehicles comply with the restrictions for their particular classes. Every vehicle has to be checked and passed by the scrutineers first thing in the morning at each event before being allowed to participate in a Challenge. Should a competitor find itself in the unfortunate event of a roll over, the vehicle will have to undergo a safety "check". Only after the scrutineer have signed it off, may that competitor attempt another obstacle.