Nice write up last week JP. You celebrity you.
-Travis
-Travis
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- Thread starter Mongofj60
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ClemsonCruiser
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Thanks travis, do you happen to have a copy of one that I could see sometime, I forgot to pick one up 
Good job JP. The picture looks familar.
http://www.upstatelink.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060919/LINK/609190306/1125/LINK03
Off-road: rocks and mud
A four-wheeled sport that wallows and roars
Published: Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 6:00 am
By Justin Chappell
STAFF WRITER
jchappell@UpstateLink.com
What's your view? Click here to add your comment to this story.
It's one thing to play "Grand Theft Auto" and take that vehicle all around the non-roads, but it's a whole 'nother story to do it in reality, finding mud pits, streams and rock-infested straightaways.
That's what J.P. Virgo, 23, of Clemson, does in his spare time as a member of Upstate Cruisers, a Toyota Land Cruiser club.
Virgo took a break from off-roading to tell us what his sport's like. Here's what he had to say.
How did you get into off-roading? Really, by accident. I stumbled upon a 1977 Land Cruiser for sale here locally and bought it on a whim. The real reason I bought it was I wanted something to get me up into the mountains during wintertime snows so that I could go backpacking and skiing. My current car at the time, a Mazda Miata, wasn't cut out for the outdoorsy lifestyle.
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What was your first experience like? My first experience came after meeting some fellow "Cruiser heads" at Clemson University, and we discovered a local wheeling hole in Pickens. I was hooked after my first trip. The adrenaline rush you get at crawling three mph over car-sized boulders is hard to beat.
What is it about the sport that's intriguing? The most intriguing part of off-roading to me is taking my vehicle and heading deep into remote locations where few others can go and getting away from civilization. Living off-the-grid for a few days, it really helps put life in perspective sometimes.
Have you had any close calls? I have had a few close calls in my short time off-roading, mainly from taking my vehicle into areas that far exceed its capabilities. On several occasions, I have rolled my Land Cruiser completely over. Luckily, because of my seatbelt and roll cage, I have never received any injuries while off-roading. I can't say the same for my Land Cruiser, though. She definitely isn't quite as pretty as the day I bought her.
Is this sport dangerous? I would classify off-roading as a hazardous sport. But if you use common sense you should have a safe, enjoyable experience. Wear your seatbelt, have a roll cage for protection, and stay within your vehicle's and your own ability range.
What are the best types of off-road cars? In my opinion, the best off-road vehicles are the wagon styles, such as a Toyota Land Cruiser, a Jeep Wagoneer or a Land Rover Discovery. I tend to prefer expedition-type off-roading. I love the adventure of it and the self-reliance it requires, and these types of vehicles suit this style of off-roading best, mainly because of their large capacity. They allow you to carry all the things you will need for, say, a weeklong trip out on the trail.
What is the best type of off-road terrain? I think there are two types of off-road terrain that come to mind for everyone: rocks and mud. I prefer rocks. To off-road on rocks requires slow-speed climbing and finesse, where mud is usually a full-throttle affair that ends in a big mess.
What is the camaraderie of the sport like? Surprisingly, the camaraderie is really what has kept me in the sport for so long. I have met so many good people who have a great passion for this sport and their vehicles, and it is infectious. Many of my fellow club members have now become my close friends, and I greatly look forward to our monthly trips. I don't think I have missed one yet.
Justin Chappell can be reached at 298-4267.
http://www.upstatelink.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060919/LINK/609190306/1125/LINK03
Off-road: rocks and mud
A four-wheeled sport that wallows and roars
Published: Tuesday, September 19, 2006 - 6:00 am
By Justin Chappell
STAFF WRITER
jchappell@UpstateLink.com
What's your view? Click here to add your comment to this story.
It's one thing to play "Grand Theft Auto" and take that vehicle all around the non-roads, but it's a whole 'nother story to do it in reality, finding mud pits, streams and rock-infested straightaways.
That's what J.P. Virgo, 23, of Clemson, does in his spare time as a member of Upstate Cruisers, a Toyota Land Cruiser club.
Virgo took a break from off-roading to tell us what his sport's like. Here's what he had to say.
How did you get into off-roading? Really, by accident. I stumbled upon a 1977 Land Cruiser for sale here locally and bought it on a whim. The real reason I bought it was I wanted something to get me up into the mountains during wintertime snows so that I could go backpacking and skiing. My current car at the time, a Mazda Miata, wasn't cut out for the outdoorsy lifestyle.
Advertisement
What was your first experience like? My first experience came after meeting some fellow "Cruiser heads" at Clemson University, and we discovered a local wheeling hole in Pickens. I was hooked after my first trip. The adrenaline rush you get at crawling three mph over car-sized boulders is hard to beat.
What is it about the sport that's intriguing? The most intriguing part of off-roading to me is taking my vehicle and heading deep into remote locations where few others can go and getting away from civilization. Living off-the-grid for a few days, it really helps put life in perspective sometimes.
Have you had any close calls? I have had a few close calls in my short time off-roading, mainly from taking my vehicle into areas that far exceed its capabilities. On several occasions, I have rolled my Land Cruiser completely over. Luckily, because of my seatbelt and roll cage, I have never received any injuries while off-roading. I can't say the same for my Land Cruiser, though. She definitely isn't quite as pretty as the day I bought her.
Is this sport dangerous? I would classify off-roading as a hazardous sport. But if you use common sense you should have a safe, enjoyable experience. Wear your seatbelt, have a roll cage for protection, and stay within your vehicle's and your own ability range.
What are the best types of off-road cars? In my opinion, the best off-road vehicles are the wagon styles, such as a Toyota Land Cruiser, a Jeep Wagoneer or a Land Rover Discovery. I tend to prefer expedition-type off-roading. I love the adventure of it and the self-reliance it requires, and these types of vehicles suit this style of off-roading best, mainly because of their large capacity. They allow you to carry all the things you will need for, say, a weeklong trip out on the trail.
What is the best type of off-road terrain? I think there are two types of off-road terrain that come to mind for everyone: rocks and mud. I prefer rocks. To off-road on rocks requires slow-speed climbing and finesse, where mud is usually a full-throttle affair that ends in a big mess.
What is the camaraderie of the sport like? Surprisingly, the camaraderie is really what has kept me in the sport for so long. I have met so many good people who have a great passion for this sport and their vehicles, and it is infectious. Many of my fellow club members have now become my close friends, and I greatly look forward to our monthly trips. I don't think I have missed one yet.
Justin Chappell can be reached at 298-4267.
ClemsonCruiser
Supporting Vendor
hehe, sorry about the pic I didn't have any good ones 
