Well, folks as you've probably gathered with the help of RAPTURR's pics, we went out and mapped the courses with GPS. (yes files will be available as stated earlier in the thread)
We had to make a lot of changes to the courses for a few different reasons.
1-The weather this year has washed out some of the trails we planned on using making them pretty difficult to get 50+ trucks through with various degrees of skill levels and modifications. Remember, we need to make sure this event is stock truck capable & fun for all skill levels.
2- The overall flow of traffic & fun level played a huge factor in the final route choices as well as varying degrees of technicality.
3- Raptor's aren't Jeeps, and while our trucks are incredibly capable, at the end of the day we're still as wide as a HUMVEE, if we can't go down the trail without ripping off trim, mirrors and paint... then we probably should stick to trails wide enough to fit down. That being said there are quite a few spots where your truck is going to feel quite large, but I promise you'll fit. The FRF & GLRE can't, however, control overgrowth and vegetation downfall between now & then so branches rubbing across your truck at some point should be expected and prepared for accordingly.
What can you expect... Well, a little bit of everything from relatively high speeds to crawling up & down steep rocky trails with a little bit of mud & water in between. You will go from moving at a good clip through what only can only be described as a slippery roller coaster to rounding a corner, putting it in 4X4L and rock crawling your way to the next section of trail.
You'll be out in the open, in the woods, on ridge lines and down in the valleys & in spots where reverse is will be needed... during every lap. On Day 2 there is even a small water ford spot (there is a drive around in case of rain or you lose your nerve.) & a section that I recommend the use of hill descent control. (1000' at roughly a 20 degree angle drop on a loose rocky surface)
There are spots with massive amounts of pucker factor and areas where you heart will race faster than your truck and when you make it through you won't be able to help celebrating.
Both RAPTURR & I's trucks were running stock BFG's. Mine's a '10 5.4L SCab on low perch & his is a '13 SCrew mid/Icon and both trucks made it through every obstacle of every course without breaking anything. Even though there were frustrating moments during the mapping at the end of the weekend I think I can safely say we had a lot of fun and we definitely think you will too.
Mark
