Jeffrey AronsonRedmond, OR, reminds me of the charm and quirkiness that made Wings and Twin Peaks such enjoyable television programs. The airport’s single terminal has no jetways, only ramps. The food options run toward crunchy granola, and the waiting lounges range from small to smaller. The architecture resembles the Land Rover Centers of the 1990s. Step outside and you see many snow-capped peaks – in late May. In town, coffee shops, brewpubs and Mexican restaurants vie for your wallet and attention.
Along with 175 other attendees, I arrived in Redmond to participate in the Pacific Coast Rover Club (PCRC) Rally. The long-running club has some 300 members from Oregon and adjacent states. As a member club of ANARC (Association of North American Rover Clubs), the PCRC agreed to partner with ANARC to create the event over the Memorial Day weekend last May. (Incredibly, PCRC President Bruce Forner Franklin led a team that organized and administered two additional club events – Rover Rendezvous and the PNW Rally – in the same month!)
Rovers North committed itself to support the creation of RTV courses at the three ANARC-partner club events for 2024: Pacific Coast Rover Club, Minnesota Rover Club and the Gulf Coast [AL] Rover Club. Calef Letorney and Thompson Smith from Rovers North joined me in designing, creating and operating the 5-part course throughout the weekend.
A cross-country flight with multiple stops rarely goes smoothly, and this trip demonstrated the wisdom behind the adage, “A fool and his money are soon parted.” I paid United Airlines to transport my luggage from Portland, ME through Newark and Denver to Redmond; although weather forced a flight change to San Francisco, the airline assured me that my luggage would follow the flight changes. Arriving in Redmond late that night, I found the airport eerily deserted save for one baggage handler, who tracked my luggage 1,100 miles away at the wrong airport.
All my airline frustrations melted away when, the following morning, Gus Braden picked me up at my motel and drove me to his shop nearby. There, courtesy of owner Jesse Coombs, sat a Series IIA 109” pickup with a 2.25 diesel that I could pretend to own for the remainder of the week. In the high desert climate of Deschutes County, the frame and bulkhead looked weathered but corrosion-free. The diesel huffed and chuffed, “full of sound and fury, signifying nothing,” as Shakespeare said. The engine ran out of oomph at low rpm; to actually accelerate required rapid clutch pedal work, many gear shifts and adroit rowing of the Fairey overdrive lever. I loved every moment of driving it and did not want to return it.
Prior to the event, I had learned through the PCRC that Overland Expo had created a driver demonstration course on the Fairgrounds. I began negotiations with Emily Boden, Director of Events for Overland Expo, for permission to use their existing tracks. Fortunately, Christopher Walker, Overland Expo’s Director of Overland Vehicle Training, knew the Land Rover community well and backed our request. In turn, Emily Boden requested that the PCRC create a demonstration RTV challenge at their OE Pacific Northwest weekend at the same location in late June. [Overland Expo published an introductory article on RTVs from Rovers Magazine for its attendees, and the PCRC put on a demonstration RTV -ed.]
Using the ascents, descents and side slopes of the OE course helped the RTV team, with the invaluable work of PCRC volunteers, to lay out three of the five sections quickly. Fortunately, the moguls, ditches and natural terrain of the rest of the Fairground’s acreage provided us with the additional two sections. Three days later, the course was ready for the competitors.
The Fairgrounds offered a compact, comfortable, grassy camping area for attendees with ample space for food trucks and shower facilities. It proved quite easy to meet enthusiasts, chat with their families and play with their dogs, and enjoy the camaraderie that’s a big part of every event. Truthfully, if there were unhappy, pushy, pretentious, mean-spirited people in Deschutes County, I never met them.
An exhibition building served as the site of a Saturday night meal, raffle drawing and award ceremony. ANARC wanted to recognize and celebrate PCRC members whose impact on the Land Rover community went above and beyond geographic boundaries.
The awardees included:
- Tim Hensley, Camel Trophy competitor and Land Rover Driving Team member
- Pamela Petroff, advocate and organizer of women’s off-road events, All British Field Meet
- Doug Shipman, Ship’s Mechanical Services, Portland, OR, and off-road competition organizer
- Gord’n Perrot, Lamorna Garage, Seattle, WA, Land Rover expertise and off-road competitions
PCRC president Bruce Forner Franklin spoke of his appreciation for all the 177 club members and guests in attendance. He extended his commendation for Gus Braden, who served as “our man on the ground” in Redmond. Lou Tauber, Portland, OR, a former PCRC Board member, participated on a committee “to determine if we could pull off the Rally in addition to our annual Rover Rendezvous event held in May.” The club’s Vice President Bryce Oliver and Secretary Rebecca Oliver worked effectively to secure sponsors, and Karen Gillette became Bruce’s “catchall for every aspect of running the event.” Bruce also lauded Steve Neubauer as “a super volunteer, a rock for me,” and Jesse Coombs, “a spirit-lifter with an unbelievable amount of enthusiasm.”
Bruce surprised the attendees with the participation of Doug Mays, a Camel Trophy competitor (1997, Mongolia) who gave a brilliant presentation on the challenges of that year’s event. He even helped design and judge the ANARC Cup tire change competition, mirroring one of the Camel Trophy tasks.
Deschutes County has millions of acres set aside as National Forests and the region proved fertile ground for the Rally’s off-roading. Led by Kellen Field, the event’s off-roading attracted so many participants that we had to delay the scheduled start times for the RTV. Rohan Grace, Ran Freundlich, Chauncey Curl, Nathan Tucker and Jordan Elliot split time as trail leaders on the Crooked River Grasslands scenic trails. Doug Shipman, Gord’n Perrot, Steve Schoenfelder and Allen Minner shared leadership for the intermediate groups in the Lava Fields and Edison Butte areas. Jesse Coombs and Dean Minner took responsibility at the Cline Butte OHV Park’s 12 miles of extreme trails. Sarah and Mark Caldwell re-created their Barbara Toy Tribute Run each day as an introduction/refresher run for women drivers only.
The same high desert climate that fosters such good spirits also preserves Land Rover models rarely seen at East Coast events, especially the Series I’s. The early Series I had a wheelbase of only 80”, which makes maneuverability their calling card on RTV Trials Courses and off-road trails. It helps to have Ike Goss’ Pangolin 4×4, Springfield, OR, nearby as it specializes in Series I parts and restorations. For additional inspiration regarding the capabilities of Series I vehicles, the famous Timm Cooper arrived with one of his brilliantly engineered creations to entice every enthusiast.
Perhaps the greatest compliment to the PCRC came from the local organizer of a 4-H equestrian competition held adjacent to the RTV course location on the Fairgrounds. As we wrapped up the RTV session on the final day, the organizer came up to me to commend “all the Land Rover people for their courtesies that day. Families of our riders had expressed concern when they found out our events would be held at the same time and location, but I want you to know that I heard no complaints whatsoever. Land Rovers and horses seemed perfect for each other today – please give my thanks to everyone.” That’s just what I repeated to the PCRC attendees that day.
PCRC Rally Reviews
Bob Steele, Treasurer, ANARC, Bon Air, VA
“Truly, all of us connected with ANARC enjoyed partnering and supporting the PCRC event in Redmond for their inaugural Pacific Northwest Rally. The Pacific Coast Rover Club has a strong membership and their leadership team sure knows how to host a memorable gathering of Land Rover enthusiasts. We received so many positive comments and heard many times over the desire for this to become an annual Rally.”
“A solid foundation has been set for the future with approximately 100 vehicles and 200 participants on hand. There is no doubt that this club is one of the strongest in North America. Club President Bruce Forner Franklin, Bryce and Rebecca Oliver, Lou Tauber, Karen Gillette and Jesse Combs were among a core group of volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure the PNW was a huge success. Congratulations to the PCRC for your spectacular PNW Rally!”
Bruce Fowler, Board of Directors, ANARC, Benton, ME
“As someone who created and organizes the Maine Winter Romp each year, I know how much work is involved in running an event. Kudos to everyone involved for a remarkable job with the event! It was very well structured and administered, and whatever hiccups occurred (there are always some) did not interfere with enjoyment of the Rally. I’m delighted that the PCRC thought the event to be so successful that they might make this an annual event. It was well worth the cross-country flight to attend and participate.”
Ralf Sarek, Sarek Autowerke, ANARC Sponsor, Glen Allen, VA
“My 4-day journey started in Richmond, VA, for the drive across the country to the PCRC Rally. Since my wife Kathleen and I had never been this far west, we only had clichéd ideas about what to expect from this visit. Not only was the journey to Oregon beyond my expectations, but the Town of Redmond and surrounding areas were just incredible!
Beautiful mountains, lava rock, ponderosa pines, snow and dry desert. Just a wonderful mix of trails and views. With its partnership with ANARC, the Pacific NW Rover Club put on an incredible event at an amazing venue. We thoroughly enjoyed the wonderful people, beautiful Land Rovers, and an extremely entertaining RTV competition – including an entertaining and memorable ANARC Cup competition. Kathleen and I will be planning our return to this wonderful part of the country very soon!”
Calef Letorney, CEO, Rovers North
“Too many years had passed since I first/last attended a PNW Land Rover Rally. My father Mark and I had visited Doug Shipman in Portland, OR, and then convoyed to the PNW Rally in his two-door Range Rover Classic. (I’m guessing that was in the early 1990s, as I was far too young to drive on-road). When the PCRC partnered with ANARC for this rally, I signed up to represent Rovers North and help construct the RTV Trials Course at the 2024 ANARC-PNW Rally.”
“I had the pleasure of repeatedly test driving each of the five sections in a lovely Series IIA 109” pickup (courtesy of Jesse Coombs) as the team continually refined the cane positions to produce a very challenging course. If this 109” could successfully wend its way though all the sections without penalties, then so could any other vehicle! The course came together beautifully and thanks to Overland Expo’s existing tracks, turned out to be one of the most fun and exciting RTV Trials Courses I’ve seen yet – as measured in smiles and laughter throughout the weekend.”
“We love RTV Trials Courses here at Rovers North. It’s a special event where participants of all ages and abilities can challenge themselves off-road, yet the primary risks are to pride and ego. This was the third RTV course Rovers North has created and donated the canes, flags, and banners with the host club. With more in the works, we hope that these RTV Trials Course materials will continue to be used at their future Land Rover events.”
“From the trail rides to the social events, the PCRC Rally could not have gone better! It was especially rewarding to meet and become friends with so many Rovers North customers, particularly those whose names I’d seen on countless orders over the decades. I’m already looking forward to attending future PCRC and ANAC-partnered events.”
Jesse Coombs, Corvallis, OR, Original Iron, Event Sponsor and PCRC Board Member
“I was blown away by our Land Rover community. The organizers and volunteers made a monumental effort that resulted in a successful inaugural event. Having such great people come from all over the country to spend four days enjoying Oregon, meeting new friends, and celebrating our shared Land Rover enthusiasm was more fun than I could have hoped. I am deeply thankful to everyone involved and to count so many friends new and old.”
Emily Boden, Director of Events, Overland Expo
“We were fortunate to have a custom-built driving and demonstration course at the Deschutes County Fairgrounds. It was great to work with the Pacific Coast Rover Club to maximize the utilization of this space in new and innovative ways, like their RTV course. The Trials Course demonstration was a new feature for Overland Expo, and we hope to work with the Land Rover community at future Overland Expo events. We were really pleased to share our facilities with the PCRC and ANARC.”
Geoff Hinds, Executive Director, Deschutes County Fair and Expo Center
Geoff and his wife like to vacation in Costa Rica. “We see Land Rovers all the time when we’re there,” he said. “It’s nice to see them here.” At 320 acres, the Fairgrounds, which opened in 2000, ranks as one of the 5 largest in the United States; plans are in place for the addition of another 200 adjacent acres. The Deschutes County Fair runs over five days every August, and in addition, hosts music festivals, equestrian events and even local graduations. Overland Expo draws very well. “They do a great job. It’s one of our marquee events. Coming out of Covid, it showed the world what the facility could handle.” Along with the PCRC Rally, we get to tell the world just how majestic this property is – especially with that view of the Cascades!”