Capturing the unfolding story of off road motorsport from around the world…

With British drivers flying high in international events, it’s time to bring together the moments, drivers, crews and cars that have made, and are making history…right now…and archive the stories for us all to share, from the past and the present, and to treasure them right along side the future of this incredible sport.

We have world class crews, events and organisers and still nowhere near enough coverage…time to get that sorted and off road motorsport recognised as the top level area of competition that it is. There’s even going to be an area for a proper Fan Club for the crews out there busting their butts and doing us proud representing the sport…and that’s well overdue!!

This is a whole new way of collecting and sharing the news, views, stories and histories, bringing together the ‘elders’ of the sport right along side the reigning champs, the movers and shakers, and the up and coming crews in full cry for those top titles and honours.

The organisers, safety crews, time keepers, marshals and comms units will all take a place in the intricate web of off road motorsport, with presenters in every nook and cranny mulling over, debating and just wallowing in moments and events across the off road season.

The ‘virtual studio’ will be open to everyone to put questions to the guest crews. Live ‘vs’ events will happen regularly in the Cider Barn or LR shed, as well as at other venues and events all round the country…indeed the world!

We are eternally grateful to the film makers, journalists and photographers, who have given us access to their events, footage, stories and archives….these are the people who are already getting the sport out there and creating a thousand treasured moments in film and word. The whole story though, is only possible because of the people who move heaven, and quite often earth too, to create the theaters where those moments are created. The event organisers. Many will also be appearing in the ‘broadcasts’ and sharing their take on the whole scene from their own viewing platform.

We are not going to hit the course, full chat, as it were, bashing 7 bells out of the the rev limiter,  screaming through the season. We’re going to start at a pace that gives us chance for a bit of trial and error and for us all to see which route we want to take. You’re welcome to come along for the ride….. we’ve got a great navigator, a solid crew …. but the driving may be a bit dodgy … so I’ll be tagging with lots of others who are top notch!!

To start the season, we would like to say a massive off road congrats to the Scottish Land Rover Owners Club, who have just celebrated their 60th AGM!! So brassed off not to have been able to get there, but we raised a glass to you all in thanks for the massive contribution the club has made from its early days, as the first recorded and committee-ed Land Rover club, to it’s current superb place in the off road story. A truly exemplary club, with a massive heart and the warmest welcome. So proud to say its where it all started for so many of us. Keep flying the Saltire high for Scottish off road…you’re just the best!! See you later in the year!! xxx

KOH – Heading further out on course, to the lake bed of Johnson Valley. That’s where we tag in the people who talk the trending talk, with full on, off road passion, and a hell of a depth of knowledge…..which brings us nicely to the  joys of international competitor and commentator, Gigglepin Jim Marsden, who also has a massively shelf bending, mind blowing haul of top pots from around the world, and is carrying a hefty bag of titles to defend from a blasting 2018 season, with one hell of a story to go with them. We’re massively proud of this British driver … it is an extraordinary feat. We’ll bring the whole story from last year before we fire up on this year’s trail to see how he gets on.

Hoping over the channel, we’ll be following the Brit crews en France and uncover the stories of the successes over the years in the Tout Terrain events, from the crews who broke new ground out at the Rallye Infernal, to the 1st glorious win for a British team, Pat Willis and Robbo Aliperti, at the notorious Rally des Cimes, and the deepest joy when Stephanie and Rachel Simmonite took the entire French championship, again a British first, with a cliff hanger of a final run on the last event…

Most brilliantly, to get the full story, John Hilton has let us loose amongst his incredible and vast archive store of events home and abroad. You can see his own, brilliantly captured vids of the French Tout Terrain c’ship and much more by hopping over to jmhilton.co.uk. You’ll need a comfy chair and a good hour at least…it’s fantastic!! We’ll be following him as he films the events through 2019, with interviews, vids and possibly even a live show from one of the events.

Jon Aston and his BXCC crew will be featuring throughout the year, along with the stunningly glorious backdrops of the Hillrallys. Mini mes, trials, comps, clubs….there’ll be a bit of all of us in the mix…..really looking forward to some Mini me commentators coming in too!!!! Steve Grogan doesn’t know it yet, but hopefully his international trialling story with the Bandit will be a major highlight for us trailers.

If we’re missing anything, pick up a phone, tablet, camera, hit rec. and just send your clip to ……..

For the start to the ‘virtual studio’, Challenge South West’s Hons Pres, Chris Peddlar, will be hopefully, weather depending, in the studio with us, bringing a wealth of experience, knowledge and love of off road motorsport. There will be much, much more, many more familiar faces plus a wealth of new names, vehicles and off road disciplines to share….plus, no doubt a shed load of errors and cock ups.

But for now it’s time set the plan, aim for the tracks and trails for a frighteningly ambitious journey across the completely unpredictable terrain of off road motorsport.  

For all off road motorsport hearts and souls, this is our shared life, on film….for everyone.

Over many years writing, I signed off with “Keep Talking”…. time to ditch the pen and paper and make friends with the web cam, so …..

“Keep filming!!”

Diana xx