A combination of challenging off-road drives, spectacular scenery and enjoyable leisure activities got the thumbs up from the 230 people who attended the event and bodes well for the next Jeep® Jamboree in Hawke’s Bay in 2004.
For many owners, the Jeep® Jamboree is a once-a-year opportunity to experience their vehicles in the environment for which they were designed and it is gaining in popularity. In six years the jamboree has doubled in size, bringing owners from as far afield as Kerikeri and Invercargill, and has also attracted interest from Jeep® owners in Australia, who plan to attend next year.
Around 100 Jeep® vehicles converged on Nelson, where Camp Jeep® was set up.
To make the off-road driving more enjoyable, they were split into five groups, including one group dedicated to experienced drivers with modified vehicles, who tackled the tougher terrain, whilst novice four-wheel-drivers were put through a training programme to improve their skills and knowledge.
The Nelson region provided the widest choice of off-road routes seen at any Jeep® Jamboree in New Zealand, including high country farm and bush trails, forests, rivers, coastal drives and historic trails. In spite of the very dry conditions, mud plugs were created on a dedicated four-wheel-drive area to provide interest for the braver drivers and spectators.
And when the driving was over the entertainment didn’t stop, with a visit to Nelson’s Wearable Art and Classic Car Museum along with evening dinners featuring local food and wine, Jazz performers and a show by top comedian Raybon Kan.
“The New Zealand Jeep® Jamboree has become a unique event and many Jeep® owners and their families now plan their annual holidays around it,” says Brett Aspden, General Manager of Chrysler Jeep® New Zealand.
“Nelson provided a superb venue, which helped to make it a success and we will be working hard to repeat that formula in Napier next Waitangi Weekend.”
The New Zealand Jeep® Jamboree is based on an idea that began in the United States more than 50 years ago when a handful of the legendary vehicles drove the tough Rubicon Trail in northern California. That drive has been re-enacted every year as the reputation of the Jeep® Jamboree has grown and there are now similar Jeep® events in more than 30 countries.
