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There are various formal and informal Land
Rover Clubs in Southern Africa. The oldest and largest is based in Gauteng, formed back in
1960. A few of the founder members are still around today, still driving Land Rovers, and
attending some of the events. Two of the founders Reg
Whitley and Frank Dandridge bought their first Land
Rovers in 1960 and met through the then agents,
Fischer & Simmonds. They were key members in the
LROC for their whole lives from the time that they
became Land Rover owners. They founded the Land
Rover Owners Club of Southern Africa together with
Bill Siebert. The first
rally was held on a disused mined dump in
Johannesburg. Since then the LROC activities
continued to grow to include film evenings, weekend
and long weekend trips, beach clean ups, long safari
trips, driver training, the annual kiddies Christmas
party and many other family related activities. The
club continues to hold trials regularly giving
owners an opportunity to use their Land Rovers off
road.
The great bond that existed
between the members of the Land Rover Owners Club
all those years ago still exists today, ensuring
that you no matter where you may be, the members of
the Land Rover Owners Club can always be relied on
for help and assistance.
The other clubs
formed as splinter groups in the late 80's and early
90's when the original club became too large as
membership grew.
Enthusiasts clubs are dominated by
Defender owners, making up approximately half of the club memberships.
Discoveries are the second most popular model. Recent times have seen the
Series landys decline sharply in popularity, the Series III being the
most popular of the Series derivatives. Range Rovers are also very popular
especially older models that have become more affordable.
In the late 90's a new breed of enthusiast has emerged, spawned by the internet and the
use of mailing lists and
Land Rover Forums. This unique "club" is a virtual one with an ever changing
number of members who may or may not own Land Rovers, but are however keen enthusiasts.
Open to anyone, this is an interesting and dynamic group. The original and
first internet mailing list that is still active
today is the ZA-LRO mailing list.
If you have a Land
Rover club which is located in Africa please tell us about it, we can add
your link or if you don't have a site assist in designing and hosting a
website, mail us. |
