The 2010 Land Rover National Rally

The past three weeks have been hectic to say the least. I've been working non‑stop getting myself and my Land Rover ready for an adventure from southern Calif., to the canyons and red rocks of Moab, Utah, for the annual Land Rover National Rally, writes Sean Gorman, Technical Trainer, Jaguar Land Rover University.

This year from October 19 until the 23, the Solihull Society Land Rover club based in Denver, Colo., is hosting the annual Land Rover National Rally in Moab, Utah. Moab is a must see location and provides the ultimate playground for any Land Rover. The National Rally is hosted every year by the Solihull Society and changes location from year to year. In its 21st year, the National Rally is one of the largest Land Rover gatherings in North America.

Land Rover enthusiasts from all over the world converge on Moab for a week, bringing together various Land Rover models to display and drive. It's a great opportunity for Land Rover owners to share stories about their off‑road adventures and to meet others who are equally passionate about the brand.

I will depart this weekend for the National Rally; my planned route should take me from Orange County to the Grand Canyon. I'll travel north into Utah through Escalante and then off road from there to the north shores of Lake Powell. I'll then travel by ferry across the lake and then off road again north into Moab, Utah. I can never set any plans in stone, but I hope to make it to Moab by Wed. October 20. Going out solo in the desert is a game‑calculated risk. I've prepared my Defender to try and minimize those risks as much as possible.

Even though I'll be driving a 1984 Defender, it still provides the ideal platform for an exploratory adventure such as this. Its bloodline continues directly into the current 2011 product line up, which consists of the Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, LR4 and LR2. Features such as center differential lock, long travel suspension and enhanced seating positions are all examples of what sets Land Rover apart. They are vehicles bred for adventure.

If you're in the area and share a love for Land Rovers, be sure to come out to the National Rally this year. I'll be there with my fellow Rover enthusiasts and my Defender ready to tear up Moab and make great memories. For more information and to register, visit the event website at www.landrovernationalrally.com

Hope to see you there!