Off-Road Inspiration

A lot of engineering goes into making a vehicle capable off-road. Four-wheel-drive systems, differential locks, suspensions, tires, and even body designs must be optimized to make a vehicle able to crawl over rocks, climb steep hills, and slog through mud. But in the course of normal driving, very little of that capability is ever tapped. Jeep, Hummer, Porsche, and Land Rover offer company-sponsored off-roading opportunities to let customers know just how capable their products are. The offerings range from driving schools to family-oriented weekend festivals.

Camp Jeep

With its 60-plus year tradition of off-road prowess and "Trail Rated" marketing approach, Jeep is most involved in promoting factory-backed off-roading events. The largest of these is Camp Jeep, a three-day family-friendly Jeep "reunion" open to Jeep owners. It is held annually in a different part of the country. The 2007 event is scheduled for July 26-28 at the Oak Ridge Estate just outside of Charlottesville, Virginia. The cost is $295 per vehicle, and participants must make their own travel and lodging arrangements. While the organized trail rides are the biggest attraction, other family-oriented activities are available, including arts and crafts for kids, extreme sports exhibitions, sports and adventure activities, scrapbooking, and even beading. And for music fans, country artist Tim McGraw will be performing at this year's affair.


Jeep also sponsors about 40 Jeep Jamborees across the country each year. These weekend get-togethers include two days of a trail rides led by experienced guides. Prices are typically $250 for adults and $125 for kids. The events are open only to Jeep owners and their vehicles must be equipped with four-wheel drive and low-range gearing. Like Camp Jeep, participants are responsible for their lodging and transportation.

Hummer Driving

Like Jeep, Hummer is a brand built on off-road capability. The Hummer H1 is a civilian version of the Humvee military vehicle, and it has just as much off-road ability. Hummer's other products, the H2 and H3, were also designed with off-roading in mind. Hummer owners can go to the Hummer World Driving Academy at the AM General test track in South Bend, Indiana, where lessons of varying degrees of difficulty are available. They all include classroom and behind-the-wheel instruction by experienced professionals. The sessions last three (H2 and H3) or five days (H1). The school provides vehicles to drive and offers complete packages that include airport transfers, meals, and lodging.

Land Rover Lessons

Land Rover also offers a factory-sponsored driving school, as well as local dealer-run "Wheels" off-road outings and full-blown off-roading vacations. The Land Rover Experience Driving School is held at three scenic and luxurious locations: the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina; the Quail Lodge in Carmel, California; and the Fairmont Le Chateau Montebello in Montebello, Quebec, Canada. Lessons and trail driving are available in sessions lasting one hour up to two days. Corporate events are also offered, with activities that include scavenger hunts, team-building exercises, off-road challenges, and group lessons. Land Rover provides the vehicles for all the driving school programs, and customers cover the lodging, meals, and transportation separately. Customers don't have to own Land Rovers to attend, but owners do get a discount.