Jeep Club PH goes off-roading

By Alvin Uy June 07,2016
SOME 30 Jeeps from the Jeep Club Philippines joined last weekend’s event.

SOME 30 Jeeps from the Jeep Club Philippines joined last weekend’s event.

 

Photos by Alvin Uy

 

The back roads of Tanay, Rizal, offered a different kind of challenge to Jeep owners. From dirt roads to muddy trails and an occasional splash of running river crossing, it was a different kind of environment.

 

Auto Nation Group sponsored the off-roading event in partnership with the Jeep Club Philippines, who organized the off-road trailing event.

Two years ago, Auto Nation, the country’s distributor of Chrysler, Dodge, Ram and Jeep vehicles, organized its first off-road adventure for its clients dubbed as “Jeep Thrills” in Mount Pinatubo.

The desert-like landscape and rock formations gave its participants various terrains to play around with their beloved Jeeps.

According to Auto Nation, all Jeep owners have one common trait, which is the passion for outdoor freedom and adventure.

The group met at the Jungle Base, an off-roading enthusiast site run by the group of 4×4 expert Dennis Javier.

Before the group set off the trails, Kit Aragon, a trailmaster and another 4×4 expert, gave some pointers for the newbies. He also made sure there was an experienced driver on board their vehicles to coach them.

Some Jeep Club members came from as far as Pampanga to join the event, like Ricky Hizon who came with highly modified Jeep Wrangler.

ALL ROADS led to Tanay for Jeep owners last weekend.

ALL ROADS led to Tanay for Jeep owners last weekend.

Another participant was Mon Mendoza, whose highly modified Jeep was recently displayed at the 2016 Manila International Auto Show.

These Jeeps may have looked like show cars, but they were out to have fun in the rain and mud.

The trail planned by Jungle Base was a mild course that was meant for the newcomers as an introductory ride, although has all the technical aspects of basic off-roading.

From river crossing to muddy trails to steep slide slope encounters, it gave the participants a chance to engage in some challenging terrain, and to appreciate and see how capable their Jeeps are.

Almost all the participants came with their Jeep Wranglers of various models and trims.

A number of them had modified their Jeeps by adding air intake snorkels, beefed-up suspensions, exhausts, and bigger wheels and tires to enhance its off-roading capabilities.

In its stock form, the test units provided by Auto Nation, the Jeep Unlimited Sport variants proved to be highly capable.

The Jeep’s DNA stems back some 75 years ago in 1941 during the World War II and evolved into the models they are today.

EVEN a classic Jeep Cherokee joined the event.

EVEN a classic Jeep Cherokee joined the event.

IT’S ALL go for Jeep owners and true off-roading enthusiasts like Ricky Hizon from Pampanga.

IT’S ALL go for Jeep owners and true off-roading enthusiasts like Ricky Hizon from Pampanga.

The ubiquitous WWII Jeep served the American GIs so well that it continues to appeal to off-roading enthusiasts with its very capable Wrangler platform.

With decades of improvements and tuning, its all-new powertrain is paired with better creature comforts like a better interior and other premium features that appeal not only to hardcore off-roaders but also to a growing audience who simply love the outdoors.

The boxy and iconic Jeep Wrangler, still sporting its seven-slot grille that remains true to its heritage as the original fun-and-freedom machine, with its removable rooftop and doors, is the only 4×4 convertible SUV in the market today.

The fully framed off-roader has diesel and gasoline engine variants, and body-on-frame design, front and rear five-link suspension system, live axles and electronic lockers designed to overcome almost any off-roading situation.

Owners also appreciate the minimal engine and cabin noise, offering very civilized road manners for the a daily driver. One can practically use it for off-roading in the weekend and drive it to work in a suit the following day.

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