ICYMI: February Official message on the events taking place and the Diamond Jubilee
Land Rover turns 75 in 2023, with celebrations scheduled around the world. The Association of North American Rover Clubs (ANARC), a new organization that unifies Land Rover clubs across the United States and Canada, is putting on a Diamond Jubilee event at Greek Peak Ski Resort in Cortland, New York, from Wednesday June 14th to Sunday 18th, 2023.
Tickets are now available for a long weekend of Land Rover fun.
If you're a Land Rover enthusiast who was around in 1998 for the fiftieth anniversary, the terms "ANARC" (pronounced like "anarchy" without the last syllable) and "Greek Peak" may sound familiar. Back in the ‘90s, the Ottawa Valley Land Rovers (OVLR) and Rovers Owners Association of Virginia (ROAV) clubs joined forces with some other Land Rover clubs to put on an anniversary event. The location they chose was Greek Peak, and the event that ensued became a part of North American Land Rover legend.
A quarter-century later, ANARC has reformed as an umbrella organisation to help its member clubs and to put on a 75th anniversary celebration.
ANARC has planned over three full days of activities. There will be guided trail rides (currently about ten miles worth, for all skillsets and vehicles); expo sessions to learn new skills and hear stories of adventure; a six-course competitive RTV trials experience; the ANARC Cup (a test of multiple off-road skills); and appearances by a number of Land Rover celebrities, including several confirmed Camel Trophy alumni. A preliminary itinerary can be found on the ANARC website, or in an earlier OVLR Newsletter
For example, Friday night, there's going to be a banquet to celebrate three-quarters of a century of the Best 4x4xFar, and the North American community that has built around Land Rover for the past few decades.
As for lodging, every registration includes primitive camping at the event site at the base of the mountain. There is also a campground with utilities for those bringing RVs or trailers, and a lodge for those who prefer to have a hotel room. After that, there are Air BnBs and other possibilities in the area.
Tickets are now on sale at ANARC's website, anarc.club. All Land Rovers are welcome to join in the fun.
Email info@anarc.club for more information.
A Spotlight on a Few of the activities:
Guided Trail Rides:
The Greek Peak resort, ski resort by winter, wooded mountain with miles of trails by summer. The Diamond Jubilee has the entire resort of offroading opportunities. For the ANARC Cup, for the RTV, and the open mountain trail network with over 20 miles of terrain. Another activity will be “guided trail rides” for those interested in developing a better understanding of the ski mountain trails or their personal driving skills.
The plan is to hold daily Driver Meetings beginning at eight AM (08h00) in Vendor Village. There will be complimentary morning coffee and lite fare, sponsored by Atlantic British Parts (ABP) along with a breakfast food truck for those in need of a hearty start to the day. Thursday, Friday and Saturday Drive Meetings will conclude by nine AM (09h00) when the guides trail rides commence.
It will be at these Daily morning meetings where drivers can register for guided trial rides or the open trail access. These meetings will split off those needing some instruction. What an excellent opportunity to see how the mountain is laid out and get a bit of experience on the mountain in an organised fashion.
For awareness, ANARC will be using a classifications of trails that is tied to the signage on the mountain used for skiers in the winter season.
The first level is the Scenic level. This consists of trails on the state park lands, connector trails and other green laning tails. From a vehicle preparation standpoint, there is no minimum. The vehicle just needs to be in good running order.
Slightly more hilly trails, that correspond to the ski mountain Green novice level, or Green circle, will require All Terrain tires, or street tires with excellent tread.
Getting into the intermediate Trail level, they are the Blue square series of trails. This rating level comprises the greatest amount of terrain at Greek Peak. All Terrain tires, a well stocked kit of recovery gear and a driver and vehicle comfortable with the more challenging terrain are a must.
Finally, there will be the advanced, or Black diamond trails. These are classified as aggressive, and will be for vehicles with 33 inch tires, or greater and an operating winch.
However, for all levels, during the rally, a driver and trucks rating could be up-rated based on driver skill based upon our Trail Hands assessment on both fronts.
Do note, each category will have a vehicle minimum standard. Depending on class, certain types of recovery gear will be required. These standards will be assessed by the Trail Hands and a coloured sticker on the windscreen will determine eligibility and preapprove the vehicle for the different trail networks. The matching of vehicle ability to trails will be enforced by the Trail Hands.
The Trail Hands lead all guided trail rides – they are scheduled for nine AM (09h00) each morning. Vehicles will be grouped together according to capability and small groups will set out at regular intervals on trail rides that will be a maximum of three hours in length. The objective is to avoid “three hour tours”. The idea is you leave at nine and are back for lunch.
The Trail Hands will try and keep the learners in a group where they have the ability to experiment and learn. Bill Burke, and other noteworthy certified off road instructors will be on site to assist you develop the skills you seek.
The Jubilee (Friday) Dinner:
Those readers who were at the ANARC 50th, forget everything you thought about the Resort. Millions have been invested into the facilities over the past couple of years. In fact, the Diamond Jubilee is the first major event that the resort has hosted since the renewal was completed.
Greek Peak has build some multi-use venues for conventions, weddings. It is all brand new, just opened. It is a beautiful facility. The dinner venue overlooks a small lake. Clubs are encouraged to bring their banners and flags to put up in the Hall.
The tentative plan calls for a five thirty (5h30pm) cocktail reception. As this is across the road, there will be shuttle buses available, or you can walk there. It is only a quarter mile from the Primitive Camping area (thirteen hundred feet or four hundred metres). Take note: there is no parking available at the venue. Walking or shuttle bus are your two options.
Reception - The reception runs from five thirty to six thirty. This is an opportunity for members of the various clubs to meet one another and socialise. For folks, some of whom may not have seen each other since the Fiftieth Anniversary Rally, to get reacquainted.
DINNER
Around six thirty, people will move to their tables in the venue, or adjacent tent. Depending on attendance, four hundred folks can fit in the venue proper, a further two hundred in an attached tent. At seven the buffet dinner will start, with people called up by table.
At approximately eight PM, once everyone has eaten and clearing the tables is underway,
After dinner, anyone can come. The garage doors on the side of the venue will be opened and people are encouraged to bring chairs, or blanket to sit on the, grassy knoll.
At this time, there will be awards presented, the ANARC Cup for the competitions that have taken place over Thursday and Friday. This will segue into an auction and raffle. The event ends at ten thirty (10:30PM).
As reference, the focus for Saturday will be the RTV, car show and vendor village. At eight, the bar is still open (cash bar). The free drinks (tickets included with your registration package) will be Thursday and Saturday evenings
The (Saturday) Drive In Party:
The Saturday Drive in Party is many faceted. It is the closing for the Diamond Jubilee and is sponsored by Sarek AutoWerke.
The Saturday evening event will start over in the Vendor Village at 5:30pm. The Trax deck, with outdoor fire pits and full service bars will be used. It is a huge deck overlooking the Vendor Village and some of the central Expo and Club tents. Drinks and food will be available.
At approximately, 7:30 - 8pm people will migrate over to the drive-in movie screen. This venue is right next to the primitive camping area. So, you do not have far to go. No, a movie has not been chosen yet, and yes there is a leading choice! Send your suggestion into the info@ANARC.club email address.
At the movie venue there will be a big bonfire in a big ring. Bring your camp chairs and blankets and prepare to watch the movie offerings. Do note, while a “Drive-In”, there will be no vehicles allowed at the drive-in for the movie as the venue layout does not really make for good sight lines with vehicles. Though, how many will actually watch the movie is conjecture. This really an excuse to go socialise!
At this venue, there will be an ice cream truck, with free desserts, candy bars &c. There will also be some food trucks at the perimeter.
During the evening, the restaurants will be open and fully staffed. Everything will be open and available.