I read the other day that Land Rover is the only automotive manufacturer that consistently builds vehicles for the one percent of people who will actually use them for what they were designed for – serious off-road travel. Maybe this is why I love and respect this marquee – they get the sales but more importantly, the designers and manufacturers understand their one percent owners and make sure that their vehicles continue to meet the needs of these unique people.
Click here to see the web gallery!
Click here to see the web gallery!
Snell Motor Companies owns the three Land Rover dealerships – one in Dallas, one in Frisco and one in Austin. Twice a year, the combined dealerships host an off-road adventure for their new owners to put them through the paces to learn exactly what their Landys are capable of doing. It takes some guts to take your brand new $75,000 vehicle to an off-road track – especially if you have never driven off-road before. The track is a three mile long circuit designed by the guys from the US Camel Trophy team and it definitely pushes the envelope for these new owners. Located at Rough Creek Hunting Lodge, an amazing 57 guest rooms on 11,000 acres designed for the outdoors.
The dealership asks the local Land Rover club, the Texas Rovers, to help at these events. The newbies are broken into three or four groups depending on how many vehicles participate with club members leading each group. At each of the more difficult obstacles, a club member is posted to help talk each person through the spot – it helps instill confidence and keep everyone safe. And some of the obstacles are a challenge even for the experienced drivers! The 38 degree decline on loose gravel could quickly send someone flying without direction. There is also some great off-camber bits that are often the most challenging – we are all used to going up hills and down but rarely do roads drop one side of your vehicle to a sharp 25 degree angle!
After the trail, there is a timed obstacle course and then a full-buffet sponsored by Rough Creek Lodge. The Lodge is worth a visit on its own whether you own a Land Rover or enjoy blamming poor animals – it is truly spectacular. Peter Greenburg of the Today Show named Rough Creek Lodge ‘one of the top five places in the world to get married’ and Condѐ Nast voted it the top lodge in North America. Pretty good accolades in my opinion and worth a visit if you find yourself in Texas to say the least.
Between the trail and the lunch, the newbies enjoyed themselves and a few even joined the Texas Rovers to try their hand at a little more adventure. These dealer events are an excellent way to introduce new owners to the remarkable capabilities of their new vehicles and help them understand why the rest of us love our Rovers!
The dealership asks the local Land Rover club, the Texas Rovers, to help at these events. The newbies are broken into three or four groups depending on how many vehicles participate with club members leading each group. At each of the more difficult obstacles, a club member is posted to help talk each person through the spot – it helps instill confidence and keep everyone safe. And some of the obstacles are a challenge even for the experienced drivers! The 38 degree decline on loose gravel could quickly send someone flying without direction. There is also some great off-camber bits that are often the most challenging – we are all used to going up hills and down but rarely do roads drop one side of your vehicle to a sharp 25 degree angle!
After the trail, there is a timed obstacle course and then a full-buffet sponsored by Rough Creek Lodge. The Lodge is worth a visit on its own whether you own a Land Rover or enjoy blamming poor animals – it is truly spectacular. Peter Greenburg of the Today Show named Rough Creek Lodge ‘one of the top five places in the world to get married’ and Condѐ Nast voted it the top lodge in North America. Pretty good accolades in my opinion and worth a visit if you find yourself in Texas to say the least.
Between the trail and the lunch, the newbies enjoyed themselves and a few even joined the Texas Rovers to try their hand at a little more adventure. These dealer events are an excellent way to introduce new owners to the remarkable capabilities of their new vehicles and help them understand why the rest of us love our Rovers!
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