Land Rover Monmouth WHEELS Event Draws Record Number

Land Rover Monmouth WHEELS Event

Draws Record Number

PHOTOS BY LARRY CAMPBELL

By JOSEPH V. KUCA

OCEAN, New Jersey, November 22, 2010 - Fifty Land Rover owners and enthusiasts attended Land Rover Monmouth's Annual Fall Wheels Event, this year held at and in conjunction with the 116-year-old Monmouth County Hunt, a new venue for LRM, at their facilities in Allentown, NJ.  "We're extremely pleased with the turnout," commented Centre Manager Richard F. Williams.

With crisp autumn morning temps hovering in the 40's and with the day's forecast projecting temps into the 70's, the Fall Wheels Event hosted by Land Rover Monmouth drew record numbers.  "This year is the first year we did this event and we were fully-booked with clients wishing to attend nearly three weeks out," continued Williams.

Traditionally LRM's regularly scheduled 'Off-Road WHEELS Events' are quite well-attended events, but this year's unique event venue, Opening Day at the Monmouth County Hunt, really brought out the crowds.  Attendees enjoyed the privilege of watching the traditional 'Blessing of the Hounds' and were invited to join the members of the hunt in the ceremonial 'Stirrup Cup' toast to the hunt on the lawn of the MCH's 200-year-old clubhouse.

After the ceremonies those gathered got to enjoy watching three flights of mounted riders and hounds set-out for the chase.  As privileged guests of honor, Land Rover Monmouth's clients were invited to follow-on the progress of the hunt and enjoy rare views of equine and canine working in unison in the field.  And so, led by a new 2011 Range Rover Supercharged, the gathering of Land Rover enthusiasts took to their vehicles.  The vehicle make-up of the convoy ran the gamut.  From an early vintage Range Rover to a 1997 Defender 90, with numerous Discovery Series II vehicles in evidence as well as a few Range Rover Sports and some Land Rover LR2's, Land Rover LR3's and Land Rover LR4's.  The field of steel steeds well-represented the Land Rover brand. 

The following-on of the hunt encompassed a wide range of off-road and on-road activites within a 12- to 16-mile radius of the Monmouth County Hunt Club, primarily within the environs of the Assunpink Wildlife Management Area.  The off-road tracks ran from deceptively easy, well-compacted, 2- and 3-mile sunken sand roads through the forest, to extremely fun and challenging open field runs over sandy and muddy tracks pocked with challenging, but not daunting, mud puddles.  All the drivers and their vehicles performed flawlessly.     

Afterwards, all convoyed back to the MCH club facilities to enjoy a traditional 'Hunters Breakfast' hosted by the members of the Monmouth County Hunt.  Displaying their legendary hospitality, the members welcomed LRM's clients with open arms to enjoy their gracious hospitality.

"Everyone seems to be having a really good time," said Carol L. Crawford, fiscal director for the Schneider+Nelson family of fine dealerships, of which Land Rover Monmouth is considered first among equals.

Land Rover Monmouth clients raved about this event as much for its fun off-roading activities as for the uniqueness of the venue and execution overall.  Just a few reactions from those clients in attendance:

“Awesome.”

-Ken Swiss

“Amazing experience and a stellar day.

The feeling of being so far from New Jersey, yet we were so close to home, was absolutely incredible.  Taking the vehicle off-road,

splashing through the mud, was a great experience.

And then, enjoying good food and drink

with interesting individuals truly capped-off the day.”

-Vic & Di Melillo

“The wonderful mix of off-roading combined with exposure

to this wonderful sport was great.  You've perfected a really good blend

of activities.  The off-roading, the hunt festivities and a magnificent

brunch are a happy mix.  And, of course, being able to interact

with all the members of the hunt was just great.”