Jeff Mello action shots - Pirate4x4.Com : 4x4 and Off-Road Forum

Tech Tim · 03-05-2009, 02:42 PM

My kid and Welder Donnie headed out to Wrecking Ball with Jason Bunch from Tri-County gear to catch some of the KOH and they just happen to catch Jeff playing turtle...

Tech Tim · 03-05-2009, 02:42 PM

:d

JeepRecoveryTeam · 03-05-2009, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tech Tim

My kid and Welder Donnie headed out to Wrecking Ball with Jason Bunch from Tri-County gear to catch some of the KOH and they just happen to catch Jeff playing turtle...

IMHO, hardest obstical on the course

In fact of all the crap I've driven on, that is one of the hardest period.

Tech Tim · 03-05-2009, 02:44 PM

Damn Dave, don't even give me time to finish posting!

Don't you have a race to plan for?????

Bushwhacker · 03-05-2009, 02:48 PM

Looks like he would have rolled out of it if he had turned to the left?

Tech Tim · 03-05-2009, 02:49 PM

Rob and Nick making the pass.

Tech Tim · 03-05-2009, 02:51 PM

Wayes and team FOH stopping to chit chat with Jeff "Big Sexy" Mello to make sure he is OK.

Tech Tim · 03-05-2009, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushwhacker

Looks like he would have rolled out of it if he had turned to the left?

There is a few more pics in the sequence, Jeff continued on down until he was right in front of the camera. Welder Donnie had to use his ninja skills to jump out of the way before Jeff took him and the camera out.

fuggy · 03-05-2009, 02:55 PM

lol! We almost did the same thing Jeff. Don't feel bad. Luckily our stinger saved the day.

I'd say this was the 2nd hardest obstacle. The plaque at sledge was the hardest for us, especially since all the spectators left and didn't push us back over......

BamaSahara · 03-05-2009, 03:03 PM

That drop was hard. We nosed down it before we knew what we were into and almost did the same thing as Jeff. That and Sledge were both really tough

Im4yotas · 03-05-2009, 03:56 PM

That's one of the best parts of having a trail rig that doesn't have to be small to dodge cones like the we rock guys. 115" wheelbase makes the drop pretty simple

Tim, did they happen to get pics of my tranny that I smashed just a little ways down from there? I know Jason Bunch was there when it happened, I gave him my brake pedal pad after it fell off

Tech Tim · 03-05-2009, 04:06 PM

Not on my camera, Donnie says Jason borrowed sideXside Charlene's camera.

raceanything · 03-05-2009, 05:10 PM

Great pics Tim thanks... I think... for showing what not to do on race day.
No excuses the pictures confirm exactly what I knew from a split second before we touched bottom when I could see the rock on our right. Too late! Shoulda done my homework better.
How awesome is this race that one tiny mistake anywhere on 82 miles can take you to your knees in an instant after months of prep and years of honing your skills to get there. LOVE IT!

wngrog · 03-05-2009, 05:16 PM

When we ran it on Tuesday, it seemed like a no-brainer to just go around that on the left. Why take the fall at all?

Jes · 03-05-2009, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wngrog

When we ran it on Tuesday, it seemed like a no-brainer to just go around that on the left. Why take the fall at all?

Did you drive down the left(bypass) line? I was riding with Andy Couch on Thursday in the bash buggy when we lined up for that and it felt bad. The right rear tire climbing on the peak of the rocks didn't feel right at all.
When we went down the fall line it wasn't really any drama at all, although Richard(Blue52 Team NAXJA) rolled it the exact same way that Jeff did.
Then we made him run it till he got it right.

wngrog · 03-05-2009, 05:42 PM

We were going up. I did not run it down at all, I am just saying that it looked much easier.

JeepRecoveryTeam · 03-05-2009, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wngrog

We were going up. I did not run it down at all, I am just saying that it looked much easier.

When you get on top of the 'easy' line, your front left drops while your back right is climbing. And all you can see is 'Hobie's Hole' 25 feet below you on the left.

As far as the ledge, the pics show it but don't do it justice. You stand on the nose with the front right pinned behind a rock. The only way out is a front dig slightly drivers and pray that your front right climbs before the back passes the front or the Passenger Frt axle breaks.

I'm surprised no one tried the line off the wall on the (downhill) right. To left from Jeff in the cameras perspective.

Dave

COMPLAINE · 03-05-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wngrog

We were going up. I did not run it down at all, I am just saying that it looked much easier.

Going down the line your talking about nolan is much more sketchy than going up.

Jeffs front tires were on the right line just pointed a little far to the passenger side and the rear was about 3 feet off. But it doesnt feel that way going into it.

Tom wayes and i rode our dirbikes up there on wed and checked out our lines. if i didnt do that i would have ended up right where jeff did.

You were kicking ass at that point jeff it sucks that it killed your electrics. You looked verry bummed out when we drove by a while after it happened and i really wish there was something i could have done. One limping brother to another.

Ian

Bushwhacker · 03-05-2009, 05:52 PM

Looks like 3ft to Jeff's left on the first drop would be smoother??

JeepRecoveryTeam · 03-05-2009, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bushwhacker

Looks like 3ft to Jeff's left on the first drop would be smoother??

3 feet to his left and he would have rolled all the way back to camp

Brad · 03-05-2009, 05:57 PM

One situation the Producer just couldnt get us out of. THANK YOU for the pictures!!!!

El Fabricator · 03-05-2009, 06:46 PM

My touch !!

welndmn · 03-05-2009, 07:13 PM

Bad ass pics!
It was a heartbreaker when we heard he fell over over the radio and Jeff knows where he should of been.
Oh well, it makes a great campfire story.

GENA · 03-05-2009, 07:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El Fabricator

My touch !!

When I went along with Mr. Roxy, Danger Ranger, surveyboy, Paul Gagnon and Crash on Tuesday night to mark the race course on Wreckingball, I knew that spot was going to be a super bitch to come down!

randii · 03-06-2009, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by welndmn

Bad ass pics!
It was a heartbreaker when we heard he fell over over the radio and Jeff knows where he should of been.

You've been hanging out with Yoder WAY too much. OVER!

Randii

03-05-2009, 02:42 PM	#1 (permalink)
Tech Tim Super Willie Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 19067 Location: T90, WA Posts: 4,084	Jeff Mello action shots My kid and Welder Donnie headed out to Wrecking Ball with Jason Bunch from Tri-County gear to catch some of the KOH and they just happen to catch Jeff playing turtle... Attached Images __________________ Tim Lund Yeah, I wear a Kilt... what you're not man enough?! Want beadlocks? Allied Beadlocks.... Best designed and best priced aluminum beadlock on the market! Got 40 SPLINE? Time for you to get 40 spline too! 40 spline hubs, spindles, outer stub shafts, 40 spline 14 bolt & Dana 60 Air Lockers http://www.wildwestfab.com.... WILD WEST OFF ROAD 360-264-5363

03-05-2009, 02:42 PM	#2 (permalink)
Tech Tim Super Willie Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 19067 Location: T90, WA Posts: 4,084	:d Attached Images __________________ Tim Lund Yeah, I wear a Kilt... what you're not man enough?! Want beadlocks? Allied Beadlocks.... Best designed and best priced aluminum beadlock on the market! Got 40 SPLINE? Time for you to get 40 spline too! 40 spline hubs, spindles, outer stub shafts, 40 spline 14 bolt & Dana 60 Air Lockers http://www.wildwestfab.com.... WILD WEST OFF ROAD 360-264-5363

03-05-2009, 02:44 PM	#4 (permalink)
Tech Tim Super Willie Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 19067 Location: T90, WA Posts: 4,084	Damn Dave, don't even give me time to finish posting! Don't you have a race to plan for????? Attached Images __________________ Tim Lund Yeah, I wear a Kilt... what you're not man enough?! Want beadlocks? Allied Beadlocks.... Best designed and best priced aluminum beadlock on the market! Got 40 SPLINE? Time for you to get 40 spline too! 40 spline hubs, spindles, outer stub shafts, 40 spline 14 bolt & Dana 60 Air Lockers http://www.wildwestfab.com.... WILD WEST OFF ROAD 360-264-5363

03-05-2009, 02:48 PM	#5 (permalink)
Bushwhacker Rock God Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9138 Location: Godfrey, IL Posts: 2,488	Looks like he would have rolled out of it if he had turned to the left? __________________ WEROCK Judge RROCK Legends Competitor 97 TJ buggy,4.0,727,Atlas,D60,14B Facebook myspace

03-05-2009, 02:49 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tech Tim Super Willie Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 19067 Location: T90, WA Posts: 4,084	Rob and Nick making the pass. Attached Images __________________ Tim Lund Yeah, I wear a Kilt... what you're not man enough?! Want beadlocks? Allied Beadlocks.... Best designed and best priced aluminum beadlock on the market! Got 40 SPLINE? Time for you to get 40 spline too! 40 spline hubs, spindles, outer stub shafts, 40 spline 14 bolt & Dana 60 Air Lockers http://www.wildwestfab.com.... WILD WEST OFF ROAD 360-264-5363

03-05-2009, 02:51 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tech Tim Super Willie Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 19067 Location: T90, WA Posts: 4,084	Wayes and team FOH stopping to chit chat with Jeff "Big Sexy" Mello to make sure he is OK. Attached Images __________________ Tim Lund Yeah, I wear a Kilt... what you're not man enough?! Want beadlocks? Allied Beadlocks.... Best designed and best priced aluminum beadlock on the market! Got 40 SPLINE? Time for you to get 40 spline too! 40 spline hubs, spindles, outer stub shafts, 40 spline 14 bolt & Dana 60 Air Lockers http://www.wildwestfab.com.... WILD WEST OFF ROAD 360-264-5363

03-05-2009, 02:55 PM	#9 (permalink)
fuggy Registered User Join Date: Oct 2006 Member # 80664 Location: Arizona Posts: 2,054	lol! We almost did the same thing Jeff. Don't feel bad. Luckily our stinger saved the day. I'd say this was the 2nd hardest obstacle. The plaque at sledge was the hardest for us, especially since all the spectators left and didn't push us back over...... __________________ "Even if you get to the line first are you really "winning" if you do it in a Toyota?"-raceanything

03-05-2009, 03:03 PM	#10 (permalink)
BamaSahara Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Member # 36746 Location: Birmingham, AL Posts: 2,595	That drop was hard. We nosed down it before we knew what we were into and almost did the same thing as Jeff. That and Sledge were both really tough

03-05-2009, 03:56 PM	#11 (permalink)
Im4yotas H M F Join Date: Dec 2001 Member # 8758 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 3,903	That's one of the best parts of having a trail rig that doesn't have to be small to dodge cones like the we rock guys. 115" wheelbase makes the drop pretty simple Tim, did they happen to get pics of my tranny that I smashed just a little ways down from there? I know Jason Bunch was there when it happened, I gave him my brake pedal pad after it fell off __________________ Drive it like Tim! *H . M ..F* Check out the HMF page on FB

03-05-2009, 04:06 PM	#12 (permalink)
Tech Tim Super Willie Join Date: Apr 2003 Member # 19067 Location: T90, WA Posts: 4,084	Not on my camera, Donnie says Jason borrowed sideXside Charlene's camera. __________________ Tim Lund Yeah, I wear a Kilt... what you're not man enough?! Want beadlocks? Allied Beadlocks.... Best designed and best priced aluminum beadlock on the market! Got 40 SPLINE? Time for you to get 40 spline too! 40 spline hubs, spindles, outer stub shafts, 40 spline 14 bolt & Dana 60 Air Lockers http://www.wildwestfab.com.... WILD WEST OFF ROAD 360-264-5363

03-05-2009, 05:10 PM	#13 (permalink)
raceanything Registered User Join Date: Aug 2002 Member # 13471 Location: danville,CA Posts: 1,088	Great pics Tim thanks... I think... for showing what not to do on race day. No excuses the pictures confirm exactly what I knew from a split second before we touched bottom when I could see the rock on our right. Too late! Shoulda done my homework better. How awesome is this race that one tiny mistake anywhere on 82 miles can take you to your knees in an instant after months of prep and years of honing your skills to get there. LOVE IT! __________________ Jeff Mello Rage 4th "safety is our #2 concern"

03-05-2009, 05:16 PM	#14 (permalink)
wngrog Moderating Midget Join Date: Jun 2000 Member # 1154 Location: Canton, MS Posts: 22,054 Blog Entries: 4	When we ran it on Tuesday, it seemed like a no-brainer to just go around that on the left. Why take the fall at all? __________________ Nolen Grogan 1997 FZJ-80 Land Cruiser, 37's 2010 RZR-4 www.cottonlandcruisers.com www.rockmidgetphotography.com USAF Veteran 1988-1998 GOD Bless America

03-05-2009, 05:42 PM	#16 (permalink)
wngrog Moderating Midget Join Date: Jun 2000 Member # 1154 Location: Canton, MS Posts: 22,054 Blog Entries: 4	We were going up. I did not run it down at all, I am just saying that it looked much easier. __________________ Nolen Grogan 1997 FZJ-80 Land Cruiser, 37's 2010 RZR-4 www.cottonlandcruisers.com www.rockmidgetphotography.com USAF Veteran 1988-1998 GOD Bless America

03-05-2009, 05:52 PM	#19 (permalink)
Bushwhacker Rock God Join Date: Jan 2002 Member # 9138 Location: Godfrey, IL Posts: 2,488	Looks like 3ft to Jeff's left on the first drop would be smoother?? __________________ WEROCK Judge RROCK Legends Competitor 97 TJ buggy,4.0,727,Atlas,D60,14B Facebook myspace

03-05-2009, 05:57 PM	#21 (permalink)
Brad Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Member # 3239 Location: Benicia,CA Posts: 7,440	One situation the Producer just couldnt get us out of. THANK YOU for the pictures!!!! __________________ B-RAD Fabrication TDO DYSFUNCTIONAL ROCKCRAWLERS

03-05-2009, 06:46 PM	#22 (permalink)
El Fabricator Canadian crawler Join Date: Aug 2006 Member # 77897 Location: Qc , Canada Posts: 67	My touch !! __________________ My english is bad , sorry , I'm french Canadian

03-05-2009, 07:13 PM	#23 (permalink)
welndmn Well Done Man! Join Date: Mar 2000 Member # 398 Location: Bay Area, CA Posts: 17,434 Blog Entries: 3	Bad ass pics! It was a heartbreaker when we heard he fell over over the radio and Jeff knows where he should of been. Oh well, it makes a great campfire story. __________________ Mark 71 Bronco. 42's and bolt on goats. 47' CJ2a, 302, C4, 33's. 2012, year of the flat fender.

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