Land Rover Retailers Gear up for TReK '97

25 September 1997
Land Rover Retailers Gear up for TReK '97

    LANHAM, Md., Sept. 25 -- In an automobile market flooded with
sport-utility vehicles, one marque stands apart from the crowd.  Land Rover,
whose ability to craft rugged four-wheel drive vehicles has been honed over
the past half-century, has become the authority on negotiating tough terrain.
And so too have the many retail employees of Land Rover.  To put this
assertion to the test, Land Rover North America, Inc. has developed a unique
competition: Land Rover TReK '97, an inter-retailer challenge modeled after
the annual Camel Trophy Adventure -- considered by many to be the
international Olympics of four-wheel drive.  It provides an opportunity for
the staff of Land Rover's retail outlets to showcase their off-road skill and
enthusiasm, knowledge of the product and strong will to succeed.
    Three-member teams from 36 Land Rover retailers (33 U.S. and 3 Canadian)
will participate in the second-annual Land Rover TReK.  On October 11, 1997,
one team will be crowned as the champion.
    The competition will be held at the 800-acre Tinmouth Hunting Preserve in
Tinmouth, Vermont.  The area is approximately 20 minutes north of The Land
Rover Driving School at The Equinox, in Manchester Village, Vermont.
    TReK begins with a series of five 12-hour "Territorial Trials," one per
day, beginning on September 29.  Territorial Trials pit up to ten teams
against each other.  The team with the highest score at the end of each trial
qualifies to return to Vermont for the Land Rover TReK '97 Final, to be held
on October 11th.  This event will be televised on the sports channel espn2 in
mid-November.  Scores from each of the five Trials and the Final event will be
 posted on Land Rover's web site: http://www.LandRover.com.
    The Trials and Final present the TReK teams with a diverse array of
challenging competitions:  off-road driving, orienteering, rally navigation
and product knowledge.  Physical strength is challenged in the mountain bike
obstacle course -- which combines running and biking -- and a canoe race.  And
since Tinmouth Hunting Preserve is one of the top ten sporting clays courses
in the country, such a competition has been added to Land Rover TReK for 1997.
    No luxury hotel rooms await the TReK men and women participants after
their 12-hour event; all will camp in tents on-site at the Tinmouth Hunting
Preserve.  This event is Miss America in the Mud, an occasion for all Land
Rover retailers to showcase their talents, knowledge and verve.  And a chance
to confirm which retailer has the mettle to be considered the best of the
best.
    "At Land Rover TReK, members of the extended Land Rover family come
together for a few days to meet one another, exchange ideas and enjoy the
excitement of a little friendly competition," says Charles R. Hughes,
president of Land Rover North America, Inc.
    "Most of the men and women employed by our retail outlets are
knowledgeable off-road enthusiasts.  And this is a real benefit to our
customers.  It's the same principle as purchasing skis in a specialty shop
from a salesperson who skis and understands skiing techniques and equipment,"
Hughes added.
    Land Rover's Range Rover 4.6 HSE will be used in all TReK '97 driving
events.  Each vehicle is identically equipped with an AA Yellow paint scheme,
body-colored mirrors, bumpers and brush guards.  Rugged three-spoke wheels,
eight Hella flood lights, a 9000-lb Warn winch and a roof rack designed by
Safety Devices are special additions to these TReK Range Rovers.
    The following companies have provided either sponsorship or equipment for
Land Rover TReK '97:  Hella Lights, Warn Winches, Virgin Atlantic Airways, and
Safety Devices.
    The world's only manufacturer of exclusively 4WD vehicles, Land Rover has
nearly fifty years of worldwide four-wheel drive experience.  Dedicated Land
Rover Centres provide Land Rover owners with expert sales and service
facilities, plus a full line of accessories (Kit), apparel (Gear) and driving
schools.
    Land Rover North America, Inc. is a member of the Rover Group of
Companies, importing vehicles manufactured by Land Rover, Solihull, England.
The Rover Group is a wholly-owned subsidiary of BMW AG.
    For information about the dealer nearest you, contact Land Rover North
 America at 1-800-FINE-4WD or http://www.LandRover.com.

SOURCE  Land Rover North America, Inc.