John's Suzuki X90
NAME:
John Adams MCC MEMBER SINCE:
1989 WHAT VEHICLE DO YOU USE TO COMPETE IN MCC EVENTS?
I started with bikes, but now mainly a car and I use a standard (two wheel drive) Suzuki X90 which I got 3 years ago for not a lot of money. WHAT MODIFICATIONS HAVE YOU MADE TO IT?
Homemade sump guard, fire extinguisher as per regulations, grab handle for the passenger on the dashboard, lower ratio differential (but not really necessary), Bilstein shocks at the back (good shocks really do make a difference), good Maxxis tyres. I load the boot up with weight which is two spare wheels, sandbags strapped down, compressor and tools. It is always a compromise; weight over the rear against power to get up the hills and it is getting the balance of these two things as best you can. HOW HAS THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AT MCC EVENTS?
The car performs well, highlight being getting up Blue Hills clean in 2019 as per the photos. Lots of finishes, but no medals though as the car is better than the driver and mud in particular finds me out. WHAT ADIVCE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE THINKING ABOUT ENTERING THEIR FIRST LONG DISTANCE TRIAL?
Contact the club and ask to talk to an experienced competitor. Experience helps you through preparation, planning, understanding the regulations and the route card and overcoming challenges. There are always lots of us who are willing to help; we are not so much competing against each other as against the challenge the club sets us. Do Class O first if you have a car with good clearance, if not Class R; both are real challenges in their own right.
John Adams MCC MEMBER SINCE:
1989 WHAT VEHICLE DO YOU USE TO COMPETE IN MCC EVENTS?
I started with bikes, but now mainly a car and I use a standard (two wheel drive) Suzuki X90 which I got 3 years ago for not a lot of money. WHAT MODIFICATIONS HAVE YOU MADE TO IT?
Homemade sump guard, fire extinguisher as per regulations, grab handle for the passenger on the dashboard, lower ratio differential (but not really necessary), Bilstein shocks at the back (good shocks really do make a difference), good Maxxis tyres. I load the boot up with weight which is two spare wheels, sandbags strapped down, compressor and tools. It is always a compromise; weight over the rear against power to get up the hills and it is getting the balance of these two things as best you can. HOW HAS THE VEHICLE PERFORMED AT MCC EVENTS?
The car performs well, highlight being getting up Blue Hills clean in 2019 as per the photos. Lots of finishes, but no medals though as the car is better than the driver and mud in particular finds me out. WHAT ADIVCE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE THINKING ABOUT ENTERING THEIR FIRST LONG DISTANCE TRIAL?
Contact the club and ask to talk to an experienced competitor. Experience helps you through preparation, planning, understanding the regulations and the route card and overcoming challenges. There are always lots of us who are willing to help; we are not so much competing against each other as against the challenge the club sets us. Do Class O first if you have a car with good clearance, if not Class R; both are real challenges in their own right.
