OCTOBER 2007 Our very own IT Manager Ian Taylor qualified for the 12th annual XTERRA the global tour. XTERRA is the ‘Iron-man’ of off-road triathlons and hold events in various countries throughout the world. Each race offers the chance to qualify for the World XTERRA Championships, which are to be held in Maui in October. For those of us whom don’t quite understand Ian’s enthusiasm for pain, the challenge is an ‘off-road triathlon’ where Ian will have to endure a 1.5km swim in the open sea, a 30km Mountain Bike and finally an 11km Trial Run. World qualification for Ian was achieved at XTERRA UK held in South Wales in September. The lake swim was cold and choppy with Welsh winds keeping the rain clouds at bay, and then it was out of the lake, wetsuit off, cycling shoes on, and jumps on the mountain bike for a very hilly 30km. Ian racing in the 35-39 years age group won his category and a slot for Hawaii. He successfully managed to raise enough sponsorship to allow him the opportunity to challenge his limits and take part in the XTERRA Championships on October 27. Please join us in wishing him well in his ‘gruelling yet enjoyable’ challenge ahead!

NOVEMBER 2007 : Ian’s Hawaiian Adventure The Hawaii event went equally well. The swim was 1500m in the open sea but it was too warm for wetsuits so none of the added buoyancy that a wetsuit gives was aided. Everyone exited the swim safely with the sharks that had been sighted the previous day having gone further out to sea! The bike was rocky but thankfully puncture free. Finally the last element was the run, which was hilly but did include a long section on the beach, which was really hard work with the heat of the sun beating down! Ian finished 16th overall and 8th in his age group category; ranking him 88th in the whole of the race. ‘I enjoyed the race very much; as I first feared the swimming would be my weakest leg and it did prove to be. Although I was still very proud of my swim time, climbing out of the water somehow seemed a relief, as I knew my strongest element was now to come. I over took around 300 competitors during the Mountain biking and then finally made the last slog for the 11km run. Words can’t describe the pain barriers you go through, but likewise words just don’t do justice the sense of satisfaction and personal achievement at the end of it all either!’ We look forward as to where Ian’s next challenge will take him…

NOVEMEBER 2007 : Scheda Technica
As part of our continued dedicated commitment to our customers; we have endured the application process and gained Scheda Technica cover on some of our Vehicles and Step frames Trailers to allow us to travel into Italy.

Since Italy toughened its laws and procedures for abnormal load applications; companies have found it very hard to gain permits and permission from the Italian authorities.

Now for the future if we have another opportunity to go again; we have ‘Scheda Technica’ authentication and would have a head start on the process to apply.