Ae 4x4 Club
The Ae 4x4 Club was formed in 1993 by a group of off-road enthusiasts who originally used the Barony College as a base and decided to formalise their activities. The club now has a steady membership of around 100, from as far a field as Edinburgh, Glasgow, the northeast of England and Cumbria and is registered with the Motor Sports Association (formally the RAC)
The annual highlight is the Ae forest Challenge, with competitors from all over the country and even from Holland. This is run in September and is usually a weekend event. The aftermath of Foot and Mouth restricted it to one day in 2001. All proceeds after expenses are donated to local charities. The 2003 event is intended to be on the basis of a "family" event on the Saturday and a serious challenge for experienced drivers on Sunday, with camping overnight.
As the name implies, there is a strong association with Ae Forest, the local Forestry Commission management being supporters of responsible off-road driving on their land. In fact such is the strong relationship that the club manages and maintains off-road routes in Ae forest on behalf of Forest Enterprise. Interested organisation can access these routes through the Club Secretary in the first instance.
National off-road competitions have made use of these facilities, as have local police and other organisations for driving training, as well as other motor clubs.
The club caters for all types of driver, from novice with "shiny motors" to no holds barred competitors who have done well in national competition and everything in between. There is a club event at least once a month, usually on the first Sunday. There are also "green lane runs" including family events on Boxing Day and a summer barbecue.
In 1996 club members mounted an overland expedition to Gambia, by way of Spain, Morocco, Western Sahara, Mauritania and Senegal, taking over £10,000 worth of equipment to a school there. Gordon Hood, one of our members donated the Land Rover in which he had travelled!
