Trial Types
Midland Rover Owners Club organises various types of Off-Road trials.
There is a whole range of off-road events for 4x4 vehicles to compete in, some of which MROC are actively involved in, some not !
Due to the increasing range of vehicle manufacturers producing 4x4 vehicles, many of the more "specialised" events are now run by "All Makes" Clubs rather than Land Rover specific Clubs - as mentioned in the expandable detail descriptions below. Rather than being part of the Association of Land Rover Clubs (ALRC), these Clubs are typically part of the All Wheel Drive Club (AWDC) or directly linked to Motorsport UK (Ms UK)
More information & great videos can often be found on YouTube using it's Search function.
MROC focusses on "Trials" - RTV, CCV, CCV Timed Trial & TYRO. Summarised here, but described in a lot more depth in the "expandable" sections below.
TYRO : Entry level for inexperienced drivers & / or pristine vehicles. There should be no likelihood of vehicle damage. Great starting point to understand the capabilities of your car & have some fun with the advantage that the family can sit in front & rear (if the driver wants – lol)
RTV : Next step up from TYRO – more severe ground features, with minor likelihood of minor damage if not driven with care. Mainly Road Taxed Vehicles (RTV) – although CCV vehicles can take part for practice, but can’t win any awards / trophies etc.
CCV : Highest level of trial – using much more extreme ground features. Vehicles MUST have a “Roll Cage” to protect the driver & passenger in case of the vehicle overturning (Possible if the driver makes a mistake by choosing a bad route). Some of the vehicles competing may be registered for road use (Road Taxed), but typically they are “Specials” which are not suitable for the road & only carried by trailer to events and only resemble old style Land Rovers !
Trials are typically organised to take place in daylight, often on Sundays (sometimes Saturdays). There is a growing trend for “day / night” trials organised by some Clubs perhaps once per year (it gives a very different perspective in the dark !).
Dependant on Club, event & available daylight, trials often consist of between 8 & upto 10 individual “trials sections” per event. Entry costs are relatively low (Varying from £20 ~ £35), fun factor is typically high & they’re very sociable.
An event typically runs from 9am to perhaps 3 or 4pm. However, the amount of competitive driving per event perhaps totals perhaps 60 minutes per driver for 8 sections.
Most Clubs aim to have at least trials every month, but these often include events organised by neighbouring clubs to add variety & share the organising “workload” / increase the social aspects.
For information, all competitive events have to be pre-authorised to go-ahead by Motorsport UK.
This "Permit" also provides Third Party Liability insurance for competitors & the event organisers, BUT requires that everybody involved "Signs-On" via paper or on-line documention to ensure the Club has all names, contact details etc. Due to additional rules introduced since COVID, it's no longer possible to join a Club & decide to compete "On the Day". However, most Clubs encourage "potential" competitors to enter upto 1 or more days before an event with the proviso that they don't pay unless they turn up to compete.
What is TYRO? (expandable >)
A TYRO trial is the entry level off-road trial & is intended for newer drivers or those less experienced off-road and standard road vehicles whose owners don't want to incur any damage. A TYRO is set out so that you can compete with your priceless vintage museum piece or straight from the showroom in your brand new Land Rover / Range Rover, and of course everything in between. It's a great & fun way to gain confidence in the capabilities of your Land Rover - especially if competing against family members & friends !
For those that want to know why it's called TYRO, it's because it's a Latin word to describe a beginner or novice. It's also a great abbreviation for Try Your Rover Off-road !
Drivers need to be 13 years old or above.
Passengers are allowed in front & rear of the competing car (if there are suitable seats). Passengers in the front need to be aged 12 or above.
IF the driver does NOT have a Full Driving Licence there MUST be a front seat passenger with a Full Driving Licence.
Passengers in the rear can be aged 2 or above, BUT MUST be seated in an appropriate seat for their age. Everybody must wear appropriate seat belts.
Rear seat passengers under 18 DO NOT NEED a Competition Licence or Club Membership / Membership Card.
All drivers MUST HAVE an MsUK Competition Licence. See the separate Section about Competition Licences for more detail for Drivers & Passengers - link here.
Vehicles used will mainly be Road Taxed 4x4 vehicles – although CCV vehicles with inexperienced / unlicenced drivers are now permitted as a way of getting people into the sport.
A TYRO trial is run in a very similar way to an RTV Trial (described below), but the Sections are laid out so that there should be no likelihood of damaging the vehicle - via use of less severe obstacles / ground compared to the more severe trials.
Trials are run as series of separate, individually assessed, “Sections” or courses – typically between 8 ~ 12 Sections during an event day.
Typically only 1 driver drives at a time and each driver takes it in turn to go through a Section before everybody moves to the next Section. A TYRO trial isn't about speed or finishing in the shortest time, it's about careful initial planning and driving the vehicle carefully to get through each “obstacle” to the end of the Section without stopping.
Each Section will have a route marked out by 10 pairs of numbered canes (each pair is known as a “gate”) - which the driver ideally drives completely through, in order & without stopping, rolling back or touching a cane. The Section’s terrain may be hilly, bumpy, rocky, muddy, sandy, gravely, partially flooded or any combination of all ! Some gates may be hidden by natural features of the land and you're not allowed to cross your own vehicles tracks between gates.
Drivers (& their passengers) have a “Walk through” as a group before each Section is driven. The drivers (& passengers) use the walk-through to identify the best route to drive to give the best chance of getting through all gates without stopping / getting stuck.
Gate numbering starts at 10 and "progress’ down to “1”.
If a cane is touched, you receives the score of that gate. If you get your front wheel through a gate without touching either cane and then stop you will get a score of the next pair of gates.
If the section is completed without stopping or touching a cane, you'll get a zero or ”Clear” score and normally a round of applause!.
Long wheelbase vehicles such as Defender 110, Range Rover and Discovery, which normally have a poorer turning circle due to their length, are allowed a manoeuvre called a Shunt, whereby you can call "Shunt" loudly before stopping, and then reverse to re-position in order to make a turn. A Shunt is available only once per section – so it’s use needs careful thought.
It sounds more complicated than it is, but everyone present is there to help you enjoy the day & improve your skills / gain experience ! Never be afraid to ask questions.
Competitors results are typically divided into separate “Classes” (dependant on their vehicle specification) & Class winners identified by the best (lowest) overall result after adding each drivers individual scores from all of the Sections.
For TYRO trials we normally separate scores for Unlicenced drivers from those with licences due to the significant driving experience differences.
Currently Midland Rovers Club only organise TYRO trials infrequently , but due to low increasing demand from members, you'll now find more in our Events Calendar & we're always open to volunteers of help to run them !
If you'd like a more regular "fix", neighbouring Clubs, CCROC (Cheltenham & Cotswold Rover Owners Club), S&S (Staffordshire & Shropshire Land Rover Club) & W&W (Wye & Welsh Land Rover Club), all organise TYRO events at varying frequencies - so it's always worth checking out their website or Facebook Groups for event information.
CCROC aim to run TYRO trials every month (3rd Sunday) of every month) & also run "RTV1" trials which are slightly more challenging than TYRO, but not as severe as the typical RTV trials run by most Clubs. In CCROC "normal" RTV is known as "RTV2". RTV1 has a minimum driver age of 15.
What is RTV? (expandable >)
RTV trials are a step up from TYROs, as more severe terrain may be used and therefore greater skill and experience are required.
An RTV should still be non-body damaging to sensibly prepared & driven production vehicles and all vehicles must be fully road legal, with tax (if applicable), MOT and insurance. NB We usually CCV vehicles to also take part as well, but they're considered separately for any scoring etc due to their much higher capabilities.
RTV trials are often the “entry” level for new competitors who have perhaps already gained some off-road experience via Green Laning or “Pay & Play” sites. Drivers need to be aged 15 or over. Drivers without a Full RTA Licence under 16 are permitted where the competitor has finished four TYRO Trials AND there is a passenger with a Full RTA Licence. Only 1 front seat passenger is permitted - aged 12 or over (dependant on driver age / experience).
All drivers MUST HAVE an MsUK Competition Licence. See the separate Section about Competition Licences for more detail for Drivers & Passengers - link here.
As the name suggests, vehicles are mainly Road Taxed Vehicles – although CCV vehicles can take part for practice, but can’t win any awards / trophies etc.
As for CCVs , RTV trials are run as series of separate, individually assessed, “Sections” or courses – typically between 8 ~ 12 during an event day. Typically only 1 driver drives at a time and each driver takes it in turn to go through a Section before everybody moves to the next Section. An RTV isn't about speed or finishing in the shortest time, it's about careful initial planning and driving the vehicle as needed to get through each “obstacle” to the end of the Section without stopping.
Each Section will have a route marked out by 10 pairs of numbered canes (each pair is known as a “gate”) - which the driver ideally drives completely through, in order & without stopping, rolling back or touching a cane. The Section’s terrain may be hilly, bumpy, rocky, muddy, sandy, gravely, partially flooded or any combination of all ! Some gates may be hidden by natural features of the land and you're not allowed to cross your own vehicles tracks between gates.
Drivers have a “Walk through” as a group before each Section is driven. The drivers (& passengers) use the walk-through to attempt to identify the best route to drive to give the best chance of getting through all gates without stopping / getting stuck.
Gate numbering starts at 10 and progress’ down to “1”. If a cane is touched, you receives the score of that gate. If you get your front wheel through a gate without touching either cane and then stop you will get a score of the next pair of gates.
If the section is completed without stopping or touching a cane, you'll get a zero or ”Clear” score and normally a round of applause!.
Long wheelbase vehicles such as Defender 110, Range Rover and Discovery, which normally have a poorer turning circle due to their length, are allowed a manoeuvre called a Shunt, whereby you can call "Shunt" loudly before stopping, and then reverse to re-position in order to make a turn. A Shunt is available only once per section – so it’s use needs careful thought.
Competitors results are typically divided into separate “Classes” (dependant on their vehicle specification) & Class winners identified by the best (lowest) overall result after adding each drivers individual scores from all of the Sections.
Typical vehicle modifications to make it more competitive for RTV would be the use of mud tyres & for LWB vehicles (Long Wheel Base) sometimes a 1.5 ~ 2 inch suspension “lift” to reduce the liklihood of "bottoming out".
Vehicles on eg. All Terrain tyres or without a suspension lift can take part, but would be less likely to do well - apart from our quarry based sites.
As drivers become more competitive, additional modifications can include additional protective parts for differentials, steering & sills, more extreme Mud Tyres.
Driver modifications (!) usually include sturdy boots & waterproof / windproof clothing. By definition, the ground is challenging to drive - it's often much more challenging to walk & it can be raining & exposed as you may be on the side of a hill !
As the intention of the competitions is to make the driving challenging, vehicles can get stuck ! Often this only means reversing out of whatever caused the vehicle to stop. However at some sites, the obstacles can be enough to stop the car driving forwards or reversing. When this happens, other competitors help recover the stuck vehicle, typically by attaching a rope to the stuck vehicle's recovery point(s) & pulling the vehicle out. Very rarely, a winch equipped vehicles winch might be used (usually only when the driver wants to test it - lol).
To allow safe recovery, competing vehicles MUST have an acceptable rear & front recovery attachment point. Standard Land Rover towbars / towballs are usually OK - as they will be rated to tow at least 3.5 tons.
We've summarised some of the kit you might use for recovery or RTV trialling on this separate webpage. As stated, you don't need any of it for your first few trials.
What is CCV? (expandable >)
CCV trials are the pinnacle of off-road trials competitions (CCV = Cross Country Vehicle). Typically, drivers progress to CCV after competing for a while in RTV trials - although some move straight into CCV having gained experience via other events first.
CCVs are a major step up from TYROs & RTV trials, as much more severe terrain is likely to be used & there is a much higher likelihood of vehicles getting stuck, stopping, having roll-overs or sustaining possible vehicle damage IF the driver doesn’t identify & drive 1 of the “ideal” routes. As such, greater driver skill and experience are required to take part & the vehicles are typically much more competition focussed (They must have Roll Cages and are typically stripped of most unnecessary features compared to a road legal vehicle). They are often not road legal & are trailered to events.
Drivers need to be aged 15 or over. Drivers without a Full RTA Licence are permitted where the competitor has finished four RTV Trials & there is a passenger with a Full RTA Licence. Only 1 front seat passenger is permitted - aged 14 or over (dependant on driver age / experience) .
The vehicle may only be driven between observed sections by a crew member holding a valid full RTA licence.
All drivers MUST HAVE an MsUK Competition Licence. See the separate Section about Competition Licences for more detail for Drivers & Passengers - link here.
As for RTVs, CCVTs are run as series of separate, individually assessed, “Sections” – typically between 8 ~ 12 during an event day. Typically only 1 driver drives at a time and each driver takes it in turn to go through a Section before everybody moves to the next Section. A CCVT isn't about speed or finishing in the shortest time, it's about careful initial planning and driving the vehicle as needed to get through each “obstacle” to the end of the Section.
Each Section will have a route marked out by 10 pairs of numbered canes (“gates”) - which the driver ideally drives completely through in order, without stopping, rolling back or touching a cane. The Section’s terrain may be hilly, bumpy, rocky, muddy, sandy, gravely, partially flooded or any combination of all ! Some gates may be hidden by natural features of the land and you're not allowed to cross your own vehicles tracks between gates.
Drivers have a “Walk through” as a group before each Section is driven. The drivers (& often passengers) use the walk-through to attempt to identify the best route to drive to give the best chance of getting through all gates without stopping or getting stuck.
Gate numbering starts at 10 and progress’ down to “1”.
If a cane is touched, you receive the score of that gate. If you get your front wheel through a gate without touching either cane and then stop you will get a score of the next pair of gates. If the section is completed without stopping or touching a cane, you'll get a zero or ”Clear” score (and normally a round of applause!).
Competitors results are typically divided into separate “Classes” (dependant on their vehicle specification) & Class winners identified by the best (lowest) overall result after adding each drivers individual scores from all of the Sections.
What is a CCV Timed Trial? (expandable >)
Timed Trials are a relatively recent re- addition to MROC events.
Ref the Motorsport UK Blue Book, the definition of a Cross Country (4x4) Timed Trial is :
"A trial taking place on one area of private ground in which the marking during the event is mainly based upon the ability of competitors to climb hills or traverse difficult sections non-stop, but where the results are decided predominantly by the time taken to traverse those sections."
The quick summary is that it’s basically a CCV Trial, but timed. As such, it's usually exciting for both competitors & spectators !
It also a different challenge for the drivers & often much harder on the vehicles !
A Time Trial has many similarities with Competitive Safaris (a.k.a. “Comps.”), but unlike in Comps, there are multiple individual sections of upto 320m length & the average speed used to set the target time is based on 22mph maximum average speed (For comparison a Comp. typically has a single course of length upto a few miles & with a target average speed set based on upto 50 mph).
Compared to our more typical untimed CCV Trials, there are additional mandatory Regulation requirements to maximise safety.
The main ones are that competitors must wear Motorsport UK approved crash helmets & goggles or visors must be worn if the vehicle does not have a laminated glass or 4mm thickness plastic windscreen. It’s also MANDATORY that competitors use full 4 point harness seat belts.
Drivers at Timed Trials must hold a current valid RTA Licence appropriate to the vehicle, the SRs may permit drivers aged 16 or over who do not hold a current valid RTA licence appropriate to the vehicle where the competitor has finished four Cross Country Trials. The vehicle may only be driven between observed sections by a crew member holding a valid full RTA licence,
A single passenger is permitted aged 16 or over.
All drivers MUST HAVE an MsUK Competition Licence. See the separate Section about Competition Licences for more detail for Drivers & Passengers - link here.
Entry Fees for Time Trials may be slightly higher than typical untimed events due to various additional costs. Again, please read the event invite & / or SRs for specific info. & to ensure you have the necessary additional safety requirements in place.
What is Comp Safari? (expandable >)
Comp Safaris are Cross Country / Off-Road “Speed” events that are timed from start to finish & usually involve a marked out course a few miles long (or multiple laps of a shorter course). They are run similar to a single venue stage rally, but average speeds are slightly slower & the terrain more challenging ! Due to the length of the courses, drivers are set off at timed intervals, so there’s typically multiple vehicles on the course at any one time – great for spectators. Average speeds are typically much higher than CCV Timed Trials.
They typically require additional vehicle modifications & protective / safety equipment compared to un-timed & Timed CCV trials & are carried out in-line with different rules compared to trials – either using ALRC or Motorsport UK Regulations. Vehicles Modifications include full roll cage to ALRC / Motorsport UK specifications, full harness seatbelts, rear lights, mud flaps, fire extinguisher and spill absorption kit. Competitors must wear approved crash helmets & neck supports.
These events can still be entered with very standard looking Land Rovers (with appropriate safety modifications), but they can also be entered by spectacular custom built vehicles with fully independent suspension, large supercharged or turbocharged engines & plastic composite bodyshells / body panels (if using the more flexible Motorsport UK Regulations).
As a club, due to their more specialised nature, we do not hold this type of these events.
However, our relatively close neighbours Staffordshire and Shropshire Land Rover Club run numerous Comps regularly throughout the year from approx Easter each year (website : https://saslrc.co.uk/).
Our members are able to take part in these Comp Safaris or others organised by other ALRC clubs.
What is Team Recovery ? (expandable >)
An event where the objective is for a team of 2 vehicles, "by self recovery or team effort, to proceed through an observed section in the shortest possible time".
The "observed Section" is typically a relatively short CCV trials type section where some parts are so severe that a vehicle wouldn't be able to get through it without assistance such as team vehicle pulling it through while positioned on less severe ground. Passengers often have to get out to couple a recovery rope between the vehicles. All team members (passengers & drivers) have to start belted in their vehicles & also finish belted in their vehicles - so passengers work hard, running (sometimes climbing) up & down steep slopes. Usually very good for spectators.
Events are typically not very frequent, being organised at large interclub events where there are enough "volunteers" to enter & spectators to enjoy it.
What is a Hill Rally ? (expandable >)
A Hill Rally is similar to a Comp Safari, but usually comprises multiple stages run over sometime a few days & to the maximum average speeds allowed by the relevant regulations.
Due to the higher speeds, safety requirements are high and very few Hill Rally events place each year.
There are no Hill Rallies run local to the West Midlands.
Due to their specialised nature, they are typically OPEN to vehicles from all manufacturers.
What is a Winch Challenge ? (expandable >)
Winch challenge events are an extreme test of 4x4 vehicle, driver & passenger capabilities !
A winch challenge competition is typically an event made up of multiple off road stages set over rough terrain where the teams race one at a time, attempting to be the fastest to get their 4wd from the start to the finish. The stages use ground (mud & water) that is so severe that regular use of the vehicles winch (or winches !) is needed to make progress. The passenger has to be able repeatedly jump out of the vehicle to attach the winch rope to suitable anchor points to enable the winch to pull the vehicle through / up / over the obstacles on the stage.
Vehicles are typically similar to CCV vehicles - with short front & rear overhangs, but with the addition of 1 or more winches.
Viking 4x4 is possibly the nearest Club that regularly organises such events in the West Midlands.
What is Ultra 4 Racing ? (expandable >)
Ultra 4 Racing is a very extreme combination of Comp Safari & "Rock Crawling" involving timed races using specialised 4x4 off-road vehicles . The vehicles have to climb through large "rock gardens or man made obstacles & rough ground as fast as possible. Winches are sometimes needed to get over / through the most extreme.
Highly modified Land Rovers are sometimes involved, with very large tyre diameters (35 inch and above). Overall winning vehicles have often more than 800 hp from huge V8 engines , upto 20 inches of suspension travel (vs standard LR 8 inches !) tyre diameters larger than 40 inches.
Vehicles are all started at the same time, so racing is spectacular.
Most famous Ultra 4 event is the world famous annual US "King of the Hammers" - that generates a huge quantities of videos via Facebook & YouTube each year. Within Europe there is a European Ultra4 Championship including a "Ultra4 King of Britain " event at different venues each year.