Create successful ePaper yourself
Turn your PDF publications into a flip-book with our unique Google optimized e-Paper software.
Photo: Janet Poelsma<br />
An LR3<br />
Enthusiast Tells All<br />
[How do Land Rover enthusiasts get started? We asked that very<br />
question of Tami Sutherland. Here’s her response –ed.”]<br />
“I am an internet software developer and run a small business out of<br />
my home in Grottoes, VA. However, I grew up in Napoleon, MI, a<br />
small farming community. As the saying goes, you can take the girl out<br />
of the country but you can’t take the country out of the girl. I escape<br />
to nature whenever I can.<br />
“I love to travel and my business allots me the freedom to do so,<br />
so I take advantage of that often. Road trips are my favorite. I enjoy a<br />
variety of outdoor recreation: wheeling (of course), gardening,<br />
camping, hiking, canoeing, swimming, biking; anything that gets me<br />
away from concrete and into God’s country.”<br />
“I had a 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee and the transfer case failed<br />
at 150,000 miles, right after the payments ended. I wasn’t planning on<br />
a Land Rover. I test drove it at Dimitt Land Rover in Clearwater, FL. I<br />
test drove it and I took it home. Then I wondered, “What have I<br />
done?” I didn’t even haggle over the price. People warned me not to<br />
go alone. I bought the ’05 in 2006 with 13,000 miles. I’ve had no<br />
issues with major components.”<br />
“As of now my Java Black LR3 SE now sports Nitto Terra Grappler<br />
tires, a Superwinch EP9.0 and custom bumper, Hella 4000 driving<br />
lamps and a G4 raised air intake. Oh yes, I also have a pink air tank<br />
mounted in the rear of the truck. The color is right for me and the<br />
tank lets me deflate and inflate tires without worry.”<br />
“I’ll never own anything else but I would love a Series Rover one<br />
day. I like to tinker on cars. I was in auto mechanics in high school<br />
but engines have changed a lot since then.”<br />
“I’m part chicken and part daredevil, if that makes any sense.<br />
I’m kind of shy and get unsure of myself when faced with a new<br />
challenge. But I push myself and don’t let my fears get in the way of<br />
trying something new, I just close my eyes and leap in with both feet.<br />
That’s how it was with my LR3.”<br />
“When I bought it in Florida I had no plans to take it very far off<br />
the pavement. It was to be your typical grocery getter and used for<br />
road trips. Then I got to know some of the Land Rover folks – need I<br />
say more? Ha-ha! They encouraged me to take it off-road saying, ‘The<br />
LR3 is quite capable in stock form, maybe get some better tires’. At<br />
first I was like yeah right, I don’t think so, but the next thing you<br />
know, I buy some tires and the addiction begins.”<br />
“I’ll never forget the maiden voyage to the swamp. It was at the<br />
J.W. Corbett Nature Preserve in the Florida Everglades. I pleaded<br />
my friend Tamy to come with me and we roll up to all these heavily<br />
modified rigs in my shiny new LR3. The people were very friendly and<br />
welcoming, but we couldn’t help feeling a tad out of place. It was a<br />
double whammy; we were women and we were in an LR3. Had that<br />
fight or flight moment, but gave it a go.”<br />
“As my head’s spinning going down the trails, trying to figure out<br />
what to do with all these gadgets like terrain response control, hill<br />
descent control, stability control, somebody says over the CB, ‘Ok<br />
we’re coming to our first mud hole. Get ready to winch out the Tami’s<br />
in the LR3.’ Panic strikes and all eyes are watching. Well, I went a<br />
little too fast and sploosh, a wave of water comes up over the hood,<br />
up over the roof, but then out we come, successfully, on the other<br />
side. Hoots & hollers everywhere! My truck got the nickname Rubber<br />
Ducky that day.”<br />
“I’ve traveled to the SCARR [South Central Area Rover Rally,<br />
Texas Land Rover Club] and hope to make it to northeastern events<br />
this year.”<br />
_______<br />
________<br />
49