Ultimate Adventure 2013

[Jim Oaks]

I was looking at the article "Ultimate Attendees" in the November 2013 issue of 4-Wheel & Off-Road Magazine (can you say - on the news stand early!), and recalled how a certain readers Ford Ranger was pretty much none existent in the 2012 Ultimate Adventure video (even though he was wheeling trouble free during the whole trip).

Looking at the article I noticed that there are:

10 - Sponsors
7 - Readers
5 - Old Cronies (Friends of the mag)
And of course, the magazine staff

I always enjoy reading about the Ultimate Adventures. I guess I never paid attention to how many 'sponsors' were wheeling in the group. More sponsors than readers.

At first I was disappointed. But then I thought how important it is for off-road manufacturers to participate at this level. Maybe there should be an event held like this every year that engineers and designers should be given the opportunity to attend (or their company can send them to) to better appreciate the off-road community & their customers needs.

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

Those sponsors give up a lot of merchandise to the participating readers as well....tires, winch parts, repairs, etc.

From following what the Canadian people from this site and another I frequent (crawlinbc.com) it's a hell of an event and most have nothing but good to say about the experience.

I'm sure Mr. Wahlstrom can chime in with his experience.

 

[Jim Oaks]

it's a hell of an event and most have nothing but good to say about the experience.

I'm sure it is. I watch for it and the Top Truck challenge every year.

For me, I like to see the rigs and the modifications people have done more than anything.

 

[MastuhWaffles]

At first I was disappointed. But then I thought how important it is for off-road manufacturers to participate at this level. Maybe there should be an event held like this every year that engineers and designers should be given the opportunity to attend (or their company can send them to) to better appreciate the off-road community & their customers needs.

Wasn't that how they developed the Ford Raptor? Or was is just they did it in some secret building somewhere...

 

[kcm1582]

No the Raptor was the SVT teamed up with Fox Racing

 

[dieseldane]

Those sponsors give up a lot of merchandise to the participating readers as well....tires, winch parts, repairs, etc.

From following what the Canadian people from this site and another I frequent (crawlinbc.com) it's a hell of an event and most have nothing but good to say about the experience.

I'm sure Mr. Wahlstrom can chime in with his experience.

Don't forget about Bray either!

 

[country0001]

I forget his name but a B2 went with Wahlstrom

 

[86MUDRCJ]

Was the b2 brown?

 

[wahlstrom1]

Shay, Bray and I have gone from here, and another fellow Artur from a local forum 'Ryda and I know have gone.

It's a helluva time, and the sponsors actually pay a substantial amount to be there as well as giving parts and time helping us and others along.

I'm going to try and get in again, it was a great trip.

 

[jhammel85]

I bet its an awesome experience

 

[Bray D]

Those sponsors give up a lot of merchandise to the participating readers as well....tires, winch parts, repairs, etc.

False. The readers aren't showered with gifts, nor should they be. The event is more so a marketing opportunity for the magazine and sponsors. Keeping the participants to a short list ensures that everyone lucky enough to go is truly capable of what will be required of them.

The readers are responsible for all expenses during the trip. That includes food, lodging, passes and/or admission that are required for parks, etc. It's an expensive trip, and I couldn't be more honored to say that I was selected as one of the lucky 6 to go in 2012.

Sorry for the short rant, but I frequently hear people say that the participants all get new tires, winches, gears, shafts, etc. It doesn't work like that. They may offer up discounts once the official participant list is posted, but it's up to the manufacturer if they wish to do so.

Regarding the 2013 UA, I just watched the DVD this past weekend. It was awesome, as always, and got me excited to start planning my adventures for 2014.

Also, I know this thread is old, but I did a search and it popped up so I felt obligated to post, haha.