4X4 EXPO

Billed as Britain’s biggest and best indoor 4x4 show, the 4x4 Expo is held at the Stafford County Showground and is the first proper 4x4 show of the year.

With the opening time advertised at 9.30am, I decided to rock up at just before 8.00am so I could get a quick video and a few photos before the thronging crowds arrived. It was also fun to mither a few of the traders as they were trying to organise themselves. Sorry, not sorry!

Lauren from GLASS was the first person to interrupt, then the folks from at the Northern Monkeys 4x4 club, then on the opposite side of the building to chat to the UK All Terrain team.

Dave from Ox Overland was on hand with his roof top tent and new free standing 270º awning. He also sells the very handy and portable Bivvy Loo, and of course the Tire Table.

I also manage to squeeze in a couple of words with Charles from Redmoon, and as well as his super simple yet effective pedal lock for series Land Rovers, he had an interesting collection of expedition ready lightweight stainless steel stoves and ovens on show.

As the crowds appeared I managed to catch a few words with Roy from 4x4 Obsession, he had his usual selection of Lightforce spots and LED lightbars on offer as well as ActionTrax. West Coast Off Road Centre were on hand with two fantastic looking Land Cruisers, and highly modified 80 series with a tray back, and a brand new 79 series with factory lockers and a stocking 4.5ltr v8 diesel. Hopefully I’ll have more to share about these in coming months.

In the second hall, on one side where Tuff-Trek, DT Adventure and West Midland 4x4 Response, and the other side was the Off Road Motorsport Zone with a small stage and plenty of amazing comp vehicle on show from all across the sport, from AWDC monsters to the Team-X Freelander.

Diana Tigwell was on hand hosting eleven stage shows talking about everything from extreme trials through to comp safari championships.

On my last walk around I was introduced to Dave Fisher of Kingfisher Kustoms - he built the beach buggies for Clarkson, May and Hammond for the Grand Tour episode in Namibia. I’m now really looking forward to getting our own Bugster back on the road within the next few weeks so I can visit his workshop, weather permitting.

What I like about the 4x4 Expo show is that it has plenty of traders and a real emphasis on people who actually use their 4x4s, rather than just the lifestyle and show trucks. Overall it was a cracking show with pretty much something for everyone, from competition, recovery, touring, parts and everything in between. More importantly, after past two torrid years it was great catching up with lots of old faces and meeting new ones.

more at » http://4x4expo.co.uk