Jeff CampbellAnnually every October, Land Rover enthusiasts from around Texas gather at the Hill Country Rover Rally for a weekend to share stories, drive off-road trails, talk all things Land Rover and support a great cause at the spectacular Hidden Falls Adventure Park in Marble Falls, TX.
This year’s event, the ninth, included nearly 400 participants in 200 Land Rovers of every model, from the San Antonio, Austin, Dallas and Houston areas, as well as Oklahoma, Louisiana and New Mexico. Sponsor support, individual donations and volunteerism ensure that the event remains free to participants. This year, many enthusiasts also purchased raffle tickets in support of the event, with prizes ranging from radio-control Land Rovers to the grand prize of a rebuilt, fully kitted-out ’11 LR4!
Josh Gilbert of Hill Country British, San Antonio, told me, “In 2011 a group of us attended a Land Rover rally in Arkansas which we felt was done ‘right.’ The free event was hosted by like-minded Land Rover enthusiasts and focused on family and fun. We enjoyed this event so much that, in 2015, we created the Hill Country Rover Rally as a non-profit 501(c)(3). Our mission statement focuses on family, fun, Land Rovers and most importantly, community. The many donors, sponsors and volunteers deliver a no-charge event, open to any Land Rover enthusiast with all proceeds supporting other non-profit entities serving those in need within our community.”
For 2023, the HCRR again selected the Brighton Center of San Antonio as the recipient of $35,000 in proceeds. Katrina Campbell [no relation -ed.], CEO of the Brighton Center, wrote “The Hill Country Rover Rally empowers Brighton Center to show parents what their child can do when the rest of the world is telling them what their child can’t do. It is humbling to see these enthusiasts come together to fundraise for the 4,000 children we help through Pediatric Therapy, Inclusive Education, and Special Education Advocacy. They are compassionate champions for children with disabilities. Our gratitude is endless.”
The Hidden Falls Adventure Park features over 200 trails spread out over 2,100 acres. It offers Land Rover owners of every skill level the opportunity to challenge themselves. HCRR specifically pre-runs and provides trail guides throughout the event to ensure participants are on trails that match the driver’s skill, as well as the capabilities of their specific vehicle. As a result of the variety of overnight camping spots within the park, many HCRR participants stay onsite. The camping options include RV campsites, heated/cooled cabins and primitive tent camping sites. Additional amenities include showers, restrooms – even a convenience store onsite.
The 2023 HCRR proved itself as one of the best yet. The premier raffle prize, a 2011 LR4 with full kit, incited significant interest from registrants. This exceptional vehicle featured an immaculate maintenance history and spectacular interior. The Prospeed roof rack and underbody protection, Tactical Rovers front winch bumper, rear spare tire carrier bumper, Warn winch, overland radio, various tools and other upgrades, were installed by Hill Country British at the request of the original customer. Hill Country British purchased the vehicle from a current customer, inspected it, and added the donated kit.
Nearly 400 enthusiasts can’t all be wrong. I’m booking my reservation at the 2024 Hill Country Rover Rally and urge everyone to do the same.
[For more information, visit www.hillcountryroverrally.com and
www.hillcountrybritish.com -ed.]
Land Rover Boerne
Land Rover Boerne has served as the Premier Event Sponsor for the past three years. Thomas Fagan of the dealership noted, “Land Rover Boerne is dedicated to going Above and Beyond in everything we do. It’s our pleasure to be a part of the fun-filled Hill Country Rover Rally. We look forward to the continued sponsorship with all the Land Rover enthusiasts who participated in this event that helps raise money for such wonderful non-profit organizations like the Brighton Center.”