I've been fascinated by rock crawling for a while... mostly just checking out the build-up on the vehicles & stuff, but lately w/ all the pics & discussion on here about the competitions, I'm getting more & more interested in it.

I'm starting to make progress with my vehicle & driving skill & I'm thinking about trying a competition or 2. The questions I've got are...

Are crawling competitions very beginner friendly? i.e. STOCK class, etic.

Seems like the teams & competitors are pretty damn good & serious, too.

I guess the best thing to do would be go to some events & watch...

But if a newbie crawler were to aspire to competition (for shits & giggles), what would be a good route to take?

Here is a follow up question, where can someone download the rules, and regs for the different classes, for UROC, Calrocs ect.

Ben

Originally posted by Kilby

But if a newbie crawler were to aspire to competition (for shits & giggles), what would be a good route to take?

Since you are in North Carolina, I suggest checking out www.erocc.com. There events are in (at least this last season) eastern TN. They have a legends class (36" and smaller) that would be a good place to start. At the minimum, come out and check out an event or two if you aren't sure about jumping right in.

Originally posted by jeepboyben
Here is a follow up question, where can someone download the rules, and regs for the different classes, for UROC, Calrocs ect.

Ben

I don't think there is one place..

For starters try:

www.uroc4x4.com
www.calrocs.com
www.erocc.com

Fill out an entry form, and show up! It's loads of fun! You should have time between now and the next competition to look at the rules, and build your rig accordingly.

Based on what I saw at the Indiana ProRocks competition, there will be enough dudes wrenching and drinking in the local campgrounds the nights before and of the competition, that you can get just about whatever answer/help you'll need. At the very least, carry around a twelver of Blatz with you as "equity." It's amazing what a little Blatz will get ya'. ;)

cm "the beer that made Milwaukee famous" k

Kilby, I went to the first 2 ERoCC comps to photograph and take video. After that, I wanted to run because it just looked like too much fun. Having never run one before, I didn't know how well I would do, but I entered anyway just to have fun. Well, I entered ERoCC's Legends class with a '91 Wrangler that I bought just to compete in. I don't have much in the rig, but I still ran with the top 5 both times I went. All I can warn you about is, it is addictive. Now, I can't get enough...

Since you are in NC, ERoCC would be a great place to start. It is close so you can go to one of the comps to get an idea of what it is like.

I can't add to much more than what's been said. Except if your truly a begining wheeler with very little experience, I'd suggest finding a competition with competitors near the same skill level, and with the stockest classes to test the waters. I've found that competitors (first timers) that jump in to a competition with to much challenage may be turned off or overwelmed by the difficulty of the course's and drive of the other experienced competitors. This has happen to a few who jumped in a couple of events that CalROCS has been involved with. They, the newbies were not ready for the intensity of a hardcore challenaging competition.

CalROCS is going to try to do a starter course at each of our events, for the public to try, without the competition heat on them. You'll have to sign waivers and pay to play(win at trophie), but it will give you an idea of the real thing.

Good luck,
Rich

Originally posted by Big Rich

CalROCS is going to try to do a starter course at each of our events, for the public to try, without the competition heat on them. You'll have to sign waivers and pay to play(win at trophie), but it will give you an idea of the real thing.

Good luck,
Rich

What a great idea!!!:cool:

10-1, others will do the same thing by the end of this next season.

Rich

But you heard it here first:D

Originally posted by cmk
At the very least, carry around a twelver of Blatz with you as "equity." It's amazing what a little Blatz will get ya'. ;)

cm "the beer that made Milwaukee famous" k



Bawahahahahahahaha...........
So you think we actually fell for that trick? Have you used any of the info you bought with beer? Now if ya "Got Shine?" we might take ya seriously..................

Big Rich....

I live in the east and plan on flying out west to watch a comp and I think you guys provide the best competor oriented attitude instead of sponsor oriented and I think i'm gonna try to go to a CalRocs compition.. next year..... just needs to be relitivly close to an airport....

Ditto on what most have said, the courses may seem daunting at first but at least at Erocc's (maybe others) they have adopted a Legends Gate to take the ugly out of some obstacles.

Being in NC Erocc is the likely choice, with an event at Paragon or Attica within a days tow. At Erocc the competitors are VERY "competitor friendly" many are now considered friends. How can you not like a big sumbitch that wear pink Izod wifebeaters, or the cute female spotter that throws down a mean grill fest for all during the after comp tailgate party?

Almost to a team the Legends competitors there helped, advised, and cheered for each other. Almost didn't seem like a competition! June this past summer was my first sanctioned comp, I got bit by the bug hard and am so anxious for next season so I can practice NOT making the same mistakes again! Who'd of thought 6 months ago "I" would be IN the SuperCrawl, certainly not me :D

Hope to see ya out there. And BTW, I didn't intend ANY of my comments to be negative towards ANY other events/series, just sharing my personal experiences. Maybe someday I'll get to enter some western comps.

CalROCS puts the Modified Stock class on their own course's, techincal but not damaging (most of the time:D ) This helps keep the modified vehicles toghter for the whole season without great losses, I hope.

Rich

Kilby,

Actually for a fairly stock vehicle in NC the best bet would be a club type event to start with. Southern Four Wheel Drive has hosted a rock crawl at the last 3 Dixie Runs. This type event would be the best "learning experience" you could have prior to actually hitting a sanctioned comp.

Robert

Originally posted by SpaceGhost
Bawahahahahahahaha...........
So you think we actually fell for that trick? Have you used any of the info you bought with beer? Now if ya "Got Shine?" we might take ya seriously..................

Next time, I'll bring a bottle of my gramp's "juice." It's in a clear glass bottle with a masking tape label that has "XXX"written on it. I'm assuming that is what you're looking for. ;)

cmk

My $.02:

The ONLY difference between a "competitor" and a "prospective competitor" is the balls to enter.

No matter how competitive you think you may or may not be able to be, there is NO substitute for actual seat time as a "competitor". Definitely start out in a class with comparable vehicles and skill levels, although it's just about impossible to compare skill levels until you actually compete, so that all factors are equal. Don't expect to win your first one(or second or third or...)

My first competition was all about fun, and from there I started learning what to do and what not to do. The more you compete, the more natural it is, the more you learn, the easier it is to be successful.

It's still all about fun, but once you realize you have a shot at winning, the serious side shows up a little more.

At the Supercrawl, one weak moment ended up costing us about $4000-$5000. If you're not in this for fun, that kinda stuff would drive you absolutely insane.

Kick yourself for screwing up, but only until you learn whatever lesson is in it for you to learn.

Originally posted by Ryan
My $.02:

The ONLY difference between a "competitor" and a "prospective competitor" is the balls to enter.

No matter how competitive you think you may or may not be able to be, there is NO substitute for actual seat time as a "competitor". Definitely start out in a class with comparable vehicles and skill levels, although it's just about impossible to compare skill levels until you actually compete, so that all factors are equal. Don't expect to win your first one(or second or third or...)

My first competition was all about fun, and from there I started learning what to do and what not to do. The more you compete, the more natural it is, the more you learn, the easier it is to be successful.

It's still all about fun, but once you realize you have a shot at winning, the serious side shows up a little more.

At the Supercrawl, one weak moment ended up costing us about $4000-$5000. If you're not in this for fun, that kinda stuff would drive you absolutely insane.

Kick yourself for screwing up, but only until you learn whatever lesson is in it for you to learn.


you guys did good! I know you feel you coulda done better but consider that everybody is world class there...

Totally addicting...
I'm willing to bet that you will be sorry you haden't entered the first comp you go just to watch.
Beginner friendly? It's like a fraternitery party and you are a member.
Prepare your rig by closely reading the rules and adding strength where ever possable, and prepare yourself by tackling obsticles beyond what you are now comfortable with.
Try to be more technical while wheeling. Become more aware of exactly where your tires, diff pumpkins, etc. are and consentrate on every line you take while trying to understand what's going on underneath.
Plus, learn how to brake turn. That will really help your score right off the bat.
Good luck, ... and have fun.:)

Originally posted by Big Rich

CalROCS is going to try to do a starter course at each of our events, for the public to try, without the competition heat on them. You'll have to sign waivers and pay to play(win at trophie), but it will give you an idea of the real thing.

Good luck,
Rich

I've been thinking about this for a couple of days now and it sounds like this is just a run-what-you-brung deal with no rules. Is that correct? I am sure that roll cage (not roll bar) seat belts, and a helmet are required but what else?

It would be a course that would be scored (for trophy) but open to the general public, after signing a wavier of course. Just one, and not open to experienced competitors. We migh have helmets for use, yes roll protection, and seat belts manditory.

Just something to see if anybody might be interested in starting to compete.

Rich

I'd be up for it a few times.

Originally posted by Moab Austin



you guys did good! I know you feel you coulda done better but consider that everybody is world class there...

Thanks. Yeah, we don't feel too bad about finishing where we did, especially considering that Chris has only driven 4 comps and spotted 1, and I've only driven 2 comps, and spotted 2. The thing I have to continually remind myself of, is that the guys that placed below us would have beat US if they didn't have a weak moment or two as well. It goes both ways. Everybody is up against the same pressures, rules, courses, etc. I don't feel like we got lucky, and I don't feel like we got screwed. Basically, at the end of the day, everybody finishes in the place that they earned.

If we would have ended up dead last, I still would have had just as much fun. Wheelin' is addicting, but for me, competition is infinitely MORE addicting. Just can't get enough...:D

Originally posted by Ryan


Thanks. Yeah, we don't feel too bad about finishing where we did, especially considering that Chris has only driven 4 comps and spotted 1, and I've only driven 2 comps, and spotted 2. The thing I have to continually remind myself of, is that the guys that placed below us would have beat US if they didn't have a weak moment or two as well.

Snipped.....

If we would have ended up dead last, I still would have had just as much fun. Wheelin' is addicting, but for me, competition is infinitely MORE addicting. Just can't get enough...:D

Thats a mouthful, good job Ryan! Can't win shit with a beer in your hand and a camera swinging from your neck, just bring it! I drove 3500 miles round trip for a 17th place finish, think I'd trade the experience? Well maybe another shot at # 5 and 7, heheheheheh...................

Originally posted by SpaceGhost


Well maybe another shot at # 5 and 7, heheheheheh...................

I never want to see #5 again as long as I live, LOL.

The first UROC I competed in, just about EVERY course was a flat ground cone-fest. They've gotten a LOT better since then.

It was nice to see only one or two this time.

I met bigdude for a minute at the BFG trailer while checking scores after the last day(we just chatted briefly, he might need a pic to remember who I am), but didn't get a chance to meet you. I'll have to catch up with you sometime down the road.

And BTW, I gotta hand it to you guys back east. That's one HELL of trip. And I was whining about 14 hours round trip, LOL.

I personally like #5... more technical than all that crazy ledge BS... we coulda held our own with more obstacles that were technical like that.

As for #7... damn that was one forked up climb with that cusp/hollow section to the right... those two cones were begging to get eaten.


14 hours round trip... damn that ain't so bad... it took us 16-17 hours to get out there, and 17 to get back. That's what happens when your delusional driver thinks that his fuel filter is clogged and the head wind is keeping him from doing over 55... I got behind the wheel after 4 hours of that drill and immediatly cleard 80... I swear...we were WAY too tired to be driving back Saturday night.

#7, those cones, do you mean the ones that mark the course and get ya sent home if ya hit them? Don't ask me how I know:flipoff2:

I finally got around to looking at the pics on my camera, WTF.........
Some pencil dick fawker took self portraits, you biatch. Thought your mission was to capture nippage, and tuna taco's? Who can ya trust :flipoff2: :flipoff2: :flipoff2:

Nice meeting ya TexasTeadrinker, I believe you owe me a :beer: