photo by Submitted photo

Spectators watch as a performance rock crawling jeep makes its way over demolished cars at the last year’s “Jeeps That Rock” rock crawling event at Performance Dodge Chrysler Jeep Sept. 26, 2008. This year, the event will take place at the Catahoula Recreational area in Sicily Island Nov. 7 and 8.

Performance Dodge to hold second rock crawling event

By Michael Kerekes (Contact) | The Natchez Democrat

Published Saturday, October 24, 2009

NATCHEZ — When it comes to rock climbers, most people envision men and women with long ropes fastened tightly to their belts by karabiners scaling large cliffs in hopes of reaching the summit.

Rarely would anyone associate a Jeep with the sport, as it’s hard to imagine a motorized vehicle of any kind making a vertical ascension along a rock formation.

When Performance Dodge Chrysler Jeep puts on its second-annual “Jeeps That Rock” rock crawling event Nov. 7 – 8, there won’t exactly be any Jeeps scaling cliffs.

There will, however, be a large gathering of Jeep enthusiasts with modifications to their vehicles that allow them to scale rocky terrains. The event will take place at the Catahoula Recreation Area in Sicily Island, and will offer Jeep rock crawlers several different levels of courses to tackle, event coordinator Chuck Davis said.

“We’ve rented the entire park,” Davis said. “The three categories are trail ride, intermediate and hard core. The hard core courses are where (stuff’s) going to break. The owners of those Jeeps have about $30,000 to $50,000 invested in them. Them boys don’t mess around.”

Davis sad he’s expecting 200 to 300 people to attend the event, and that the recreational area should prove to be an even better location than last year’s.

“Last year we did it at the dealership,” Davis said. “We dug a mud pit and had barbecue. This year, we’re going to have the trail ride as an option all day Saturday, as well as Sunday morning. We’ll have an awards banquet Saturday night from 6 to 8 p.m., and (local band) Black Bayou will play from 8 to 11 p.m.”

People from all around the South came to last year’s event, Davis said, with representatives from Alabama, Pensacola, Fla., Louisiana, Texas and Arkansas. Natchez and the surrounding area makes for a great location, Davis said, because of its location relative to those states, and the ability to get access to good off-road areas.

“If you’re in an area of too much privately-owned property, and you don’t have a lot of access to those places, it limits your ability to use your equipment tremendously,” Davis.

“Arkansas is only three-and-a-half to four hours away. The farthest away is Alabama and Florida, but because you’re located between all these areas, it makes it a good place to come out to.”

The Jeeps used to compete in rock crawling events are usually heavily modified vehicles, Davis said.

“The suspensions and axles are beefed up and the engines are stronger and more powerful,” Davis said. “The bumpers also have shorter ends, so when they pull up to a big rock, they can clear right over it without it slamming into the bumper.”

Davis said Jeep rock crawling is something he’s been doing for more than 30 years, which inspired him to try and start a local event.

“Before I lost my eyesight in my right eye, my wife, son and I would go up to North Carolina to do it,” Davis said. “It’s something I fell in love with, and it’s a lot of fun.”

Word of mouth has been the most important tool in letting people know about the event, Davis said, and he added that he’s expecting more local participation in 2009.

“I don’t care where you bought you’re Jeep, just come out here and have fun.”