Jeffrey AronsonTo paraphrase the line from Field of Dreams, “If you build it, they will come.”
And they did — as we go to press, ANARC (Association of North American Land Rover Clubs) reports that 500 vehicles and 1,000 attendees filled the grounds of the Greek Peak Ski Resort in Cortland, NY.
ANARC called upon Bob Steele, Bon Air, VA and Bruce Fowler, Unity, ME to co-chair the event. With the invaluable assistance of 32 committee chairs and 60 more volunteers, the Diamond Jubilee celebrated Land Rover’s 75th anniversary in spectacular style.
The 23 member clubs that joined ANARC stretched from Canada to Mexico, California to Maine, Florida to Minnesota. As in 1998 for Land Rover’s 50th, the Rovers Owners of Virginia (ROAV) and the Ottawa Valley Land Rovers (OVLR) took the lead as Founding Members.
Founding Supporters included Sarek Autowerke, Quick Draw, Lucky 8, Atlantic British and Title Sponsor Rovers North; 16 off-road and Land Rover-focused vendors also displayed their wares at the event.
We asked participants and volunteers for their reflections on the event:
Diamond Jubilee Honorees
Nick Rogers, JLR Chief Engineer (1984–2022), Hanwell, UK
“Laura and I had a brilliant time at the Diamond Jubilee. The event was a credit to the work and dedication of the team that put it together, and it was thoroughly enjoyable.”
Nick Dimbleby, Author and JLR Photographer (1996–present), Syresham, UK
“Thank you for inviting me to join the illustrious list of Honourees and to speak at an ANARC Expo session. It was a fantastic few days up at Greek Peak, and I thoroughly enjoyed my time with the many enthusiasts from the US and Canada. Everyone should be proud of a job well done. It was a fitting way to celebrate the fabulous milestone of 75 years of Land Rover. Please, can I reserve my space at the 80th?”
Kim McCullough, JLR Brand Vice President (1997–2001, 2011–2020), Pompton Plains, NJ
“Congratulations on an amazing event. I know the amount of work it takes to pull off an event of this scale! It really meant a lot to me to be one of the honorees. As a group, we had not seen each other in years, but it seemed like no time had passed as we all caught up with each other. The Friday night banquet was one of the highlights. The energy, love and mutual support
in that room was magical.”
Bob Burns, Special Events Director, JLR (1987–2018), Boulder Creek, CA
“Thanks to the ANARC team for the invitation to the 75th! It was a great event with wonderful people and vehicles. Thanks for reminding us of why we went to work on Mondays. Please keep me in the loop of other events upcoming. You are Land Rover!”
Daphne Greene, Land Rover Driving Team and Special Events, ’95 Camel Trophy (1996–present) Team, Ross, CA
“Thank you so much for the wonderful 75th anniversary celebration. The best part of the event was watching everyone so happy, sharing stories and celebrating the history of such special vehicles. Thank you for honoring me and the others in such a unique and memorable way.”
Diamond Jubilee Attendees
Robert and Beth-Sarah Wright, Atlanta, GA
“I drove our ’88 Range Rover Classic to New York over three days each way. As the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Atlanta, I must say that by the grace of God, all it needed was gas and oil. My thought has been that if you looked down from heaven and witnessed 500 Land Rovers that weekend, there were probably more prayers emanating from Greek Peak than anywhere in the universe!”
“Beth-Sarah grew up in Jamaica and attended university in the UK and Scotland, so she’s very familiar with Land Rovers — but this was her first time off-roading. There were many expletives shouted out as we pushed through the muddy trails.” [Hopefully, all was forgiven –ed.]
Anna Wilkins, Harrisonburg, VA
“I just wanted to thank everyone who made this event happens. As I was driving the trails, I noticed how much work must have been involved, not only during, but also leading up the celebration. After my first day driving the trails, I will admit that I was nervous and my legs were shaking at one point (after all, this vehicle was how I planned to get home) but I managed, thanks to the help of so many enthusiasts. I learned a lot and have gained so much confidence not only in what my Discovery is capable of, but in myself. I had a great time, and I wanted the organization to know that all your hard work did not go unnoticed.”
Katt Min and Gustav “Gus” Dow, Fremont, CA
A favorite moment for Gus and me was the Thursday night performance by the outstanding duo of “Texas Pete” Gerbine and Joey Pitts, who drove all the way from Texas!
Konrad Barraclough, Cincinnati, OH
“It was the best Land Rover event I’ve ever attended. Clearly a ton of work went into it; I can’t thank the organizers enough and I hope that it can be repeated in some shape or form before Land Rover’s centennial!”
Hallie Hawkes, Saco, ME
During the Barbara Toy Tribute trail run, the stunning mountain scenery captivated me, but my attention shifted to the amazing crew inside my Defender 90. I rode with Rovers North’s co-CEO Andrea Letorney, Bridget Bailey, a Rovers North’s administrative staffer and Daphne Greene, one of the event’s Honorees.
Pause for awe.
Daphne shared exhilarating accounts of the Camel Trophy experience and coached me on trail-driving techniques. Meeting her fulfilled a bucket list moment for me. Andrea embodies the lifelong pursuit of adventure; she was also the first female to become a certified Land Rover driving instructor. Bridget organized Rovers North’s substantial contributions to the event. She’s also a mom, balancing career pursuits with family growth, something else we share in common.
Daphne, having noticed it previously, gave me a final report regarding the state of my winch cable. I tried a feeble excuse for its tangled state. A voice then shot out from behind me with equal shock regarding the messy web in my Warn. I turned to see Jim Swett, Daphne’s Camel Trophy teammate, eyeing the crossed, kinked cable. In a moment’s time, Jim and Daphne unspooled the winch and instructed me to drive uphill. I then experienced my own private lesson from these icons as they taught me how to unkink and stretch my cable back to pristine condition. At one point, Daphne walked over, smiled and said, “Just relax and enjoy this moment.”
This experience felt profound, not only the trail ride with legendary women whom I revere, but my realization that I genuinely loved their company. After the trail ride we found ourselves parked and carrying on our chat. It was a fabulous reminder of why we hold events and rallies. Even more special, we were all women, connected because of our love for Land Rovers and what they have helped us accomplish. Like Barbara Toy, Land Rover is the vehicle providing us the opportunity for adventure and travel, for companionship and bonds. If not for Land Rover, I’d never have met these wonderful women (nor my dream man, my husband, Matt!).
Committee Chair Reflections
Rally Control, Scott Preston, Southwest Harbor, ME
Everyone entering and exiting the event passed by Rally Control; it was an honor to be entrusted with this task. I extend my thanks to Barry Enis, who assisted me every step of the way. Thanks, too, to Max Enis, Jeff Porch, Pam Haigh, Rob Wollschlager, Mike Hardick and many more for taking on multiple shifts. I especially want to recognize David Martin, a Kentucky enthusiast, who signed on at the event and volunteered for multiple shifts. His spirit was infectious, and his upbeat personality made everyone smile every day.
Off-Road Terrain Team, Lawrence Michelon, Norfolk, VA
Leading the Terrain Team meant we had the responsibility for creating trails, establishing convoys totaling 150 Land Rovers daily and guiding them through the 30-mile trail network created for the event. Despite Mother Nature’s best efforts, Land Rover owners demonstrated their patience and understanding throughout the weekend — that fact kept my spirits up throughout all the challenges.
Our work began in Spring 2022, plotting out and clearing trails, and continued right up to the event. Many volunteers helped out from start to finish, but I want to highlight the efforts of two individuals: Zack Griswold of Rovers North discovered and cleared many trails and arranged for the printing and posting of trail signs. We struggled to meet the incredible demand for guided trail runs, but that’s where Harrison Preston, Portsmouth, NH, stepped in and went above and beyond for his fellow enthusiasts.
Rovers North RTV Trials Course, Jeff Aronson, Vinalhaven, ME
Rovers North created the ANARC 6-section RTV course (one section used exclusively for the ANARC Cup competition). The natural topography and layout of the Greek Peak acreage enabled a very dedicated, hardworking volunteer crew to build courses with superb ascents, descents, side slopes, ditches and forest runs that met the expectations of novice and veteran competitors.
How often will the marshals of a trials course be Camel Trophy drivers such as Fred Monsees, Jim Swett, Tim Hensley, or Land Rover celebrities such as Nick Dimbleby and Kim McCullough? Thanks to them for volunteering to help, as well as the Rovers North staff and event attendees who donated their time to the RTV.
Expo Sessions, Chris Browne, Sherborn, MA
It was so educational to listen to the collective knowledge. The camaraderie from the former Camel Trophy competitors was remarkable. It was wonderful listening to and learning from all the presenters, especially Bill Burke and Chris Cole [Safe Extract -ed.], and Whittam Engineering [electric conversions of Land Rovers -ed.]
Podcasts: Stephen Beres, The Underpowered Hour
The Underpowered Hour team, Ike Goss, Abigail Hall and I, left the West Coast for a weekend of podcast interviews, off-roading and above all, time with some new friends. What we got was so much more. Ike Goss (Pangolin 4X4) noted, “It’s hard to have an event with more than 50 people and have the food be good, the events run smoothly and have fun. They did it and were able to really offer something for everyone. It was worth the 6,500-mile drive!”
Producer Abigail Hall enjoyed her first Land Rover club event; all others will pale in comparison. “Riding around with Rebelle Rally competitor Jenna Fribley in a Series I, with the windshield down, in rain, was a pretty great experience,” she said.
For me, it was about connecting with great people and doing some really fun work, like the daily Live Show with my good friend Jeff Aronson. We also had the opportunity to interview Camel Trophy competitors, ANARC Honorees and Land Rover personalities.
John Kostuch, The CentreSteer Podcast
For nearly a year, the CentreSteer podcast previewed the ANARC Diamond Jubilee — a celebration of 75 years of Land Rover — then finally there I was, standing on a deck near the Land Rover Lounge looking over Vendor Village and the Expo tent with the mountain trails before me. No matter where I looked, there was a Land Rover. It was at that moment that I said to myself, “Stop and take it all in. This may never happen again on this continent.”
The Historic Vehicle Display delighted me. Bill Cooper let me take the machine gunner’s seat in his Series III ‘Pink Panther.’ Jim Macri brought several Land Rovers from his High Meadow Farm collection, most notably the Center Steer prototype replica. “You can sit in it if you take your shoes off,” said Jim. Then came a blend of the old and the new — the Whittam Engineering electric-powered Series III which retains the Series III gearbox and transfer case.
The Jubilee was more than an event focused on a special motor vehicle; it was a celebration of adventure, capability and camaraderie. The Jubilee would not have been so successful if not for the sponsor support and the volunteers; the latter were the event’s oil and grease, allowing the Jubilee engine to hum. A few attendees asked for the Jubilee to be an annual event; I don’t think there is a higher compliment than that!
ANARC Honorees
Mark, Calef and Andrea Letorney, Rovers North,
ANARC Lifetime Achievement Award For Services to the Land Rover Community.
ANARC President Mike McCaig presented the award to the Letorneys. “Thanks to their commitment to all things Land Rover, Rovers North serves not only a center of Land Rover expertise and quality parts, but a major supporter of Land Rover enthusiasts, their clubs and events, across North America. On behalf of enthusiasts throughout North America, ANARC presents this Lifetime Achievement Award.”
In response, Mark thanked ANARC and noted that the award meant so much precisely because it came from an organization created by enthusiasts, serving the same enthusiasts who are the reason Rovers North started and continues to this day.
Bill Burke, Grand Junction, CO,
Bill Burke’s 4-Wheeling America, ANARC Lifetime Achievement Award for Contributions to Off-Road Education.
“Each time I try to say, ‘Thank You,’ I am brought to tears. The event, the organization, the family that has been in my blood since I was a child, overwhelmed me beyond the English language! Phenomenal event, great times, best conditions for wheeling — home run!”