FOR most people, the idea of steering the car off the paved road and driving full throttle into the wilderness isn’t practical.
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But for those heading to Orange for the 2012 Toperi Tough Dog 4WD Challenge, it’s all they can think about.
The event, hosted by the Canobolas Four-Wheel Drive Club, will see 36 teams from across NSW and the ACT take on the challenging Toperi Park course on November 24 and 25.
Now in it’s fifth year, the tough dog sees teams tackling a purpose built course to accrue points.
Each team is comprised of two heavily modified four-wheel drive trucks, each controlled by a driver and a navigator.
Penalty points are deducted if a truck touches the course barrier tape, becomes stuck or bogged or has to be winched from the course.
Canobolas Four-Wheel Drive Club publicity Officer Greg Simpson believes up to 1500 spectators will be drawn to the course next weekend.
“It really is quite a spectacle”, Simpson said.
“The club may be fairly small, with only about 40 active members, but we somehow all pull together and put this terrific event on each year.
“The four-wheel drive tracks, the spectator areas and the club amenities look absolutely fantastic, and we just can’t wait for the competition to start.”
The tough dog not only offers $5000 in prizemoney to competitors, but also acts as a fundraiser, with the club donating proceeds to charities within the Orange community.
Last year over $5000 was given to the Borenore Men’s Shed, the Borenore school, and Ronald McDonald House.
The action will take place at Toperi Park, located on Curtins Lane at Borenore.
An adult day pass is $20 and school aged children, if accompanied by a paying adult, are free.