R.T.: So, Rudi: First off, I must say that I am quite happy to be able to talk to you, as I have always felt an attraction towards the G4 Challenge because of it's endurance tests and it's fame. So getting the story from one of it's winners is something I've looked forward to for a long time. As a rule of the thumb I always start with the most obvious of questions? Why off road? Why not motorcycles or stamp collection?
Rudi: I'm somebody who always likes to look for adventure and adrenaline. I also like to spend my time traveling and preferably in nature and wildlife. This combination automatically pushed me into adventure racing and 4x4.
R.T.: How did you find out about the G4 Challenge event? Were you already a die-hard off road fan before participating?
Rudi: I already owned a Land Rover defender 110. As an active Defender driver, I followed all the news concerning Land Rover, of course. Once, I saw the advertisement for the G4, I filled in the application. I was lucky to be selected out of an enormous list
We were together with 200 other candidates that had to compete each other in the National selections. After the first day, we were with only 50 left. End of the second day Land Rover picked 2 people to compete in the pre-selections in the UK. I was selected in the UK to perform for Belgium in the G4 2003.
R.T.: The competition requires an almost surreal amount of energy. How did you train before the race?
Rudi: Yes indeed. I was an air force pilot flying F-16 fighter jets for several years. Because this job is physically demanding we were allowed to train during working hours. I trained for about 2 to 3 hours a day. Running, swimming, orientating and fitness training. My hobbies are mountain biking, climbing and diving so I had a large range of sports, plus the fact that navigation was part of my job. This happened to be one of the most important skills of the race.
R.T.: Did you already have an idea of what the competition would demand of you, in terms of skills and physical strength?
Rudi: Not really. But in the air force I was taught to always prepare for the worst and so I did. It would be the same for everybody. I knew driving wouldn't be a problem for me. I feared the fact that some competitors were semi pro's - triathlon, adventure racing and so on. Luckily the physical part was only a part of the race. Navigation, stamina, teamwork, using your brains were all part of it as well.
R.T.: Tell us a bit about how the events unfolded? Where did the adventures take the competitors?
Rudi: We started of in New York where team selection took place. I was joined with Canada in the first week. We moved from NY all the way up towards Vermont, Skill Mountain category. This week was typically a cold week with temperatures of under -10°C.
Every day there was driving , navigation and physical tasks to perform.
The second week started in South Africa. I was at this stage on the second place. Canada was in the lead. I joined with Australia. In the first day, the Canadian had an accident and had to leave the race which moved me to the 1st place. In this stage we had intensive canoe rides and basic 4x4 driving.
Stage 3 was in Australia. Teamed up with with Germany I started again on the first place. Driving here was more difficult due to the region, dessert like with no roads, not to mention the +40°C temperatures.
The forth and final stage was the region of Las Vegas with all their National parks and famous off road courses such as Moab, Lions Back and so on; Western style environment with big canyons. Again I ended final stage as number one which lead me to victory. A range rover worth 50.000£
R.T.: The G4 Challenge Event is a multi - stage competition that is focused on a lot more than just driving skills. There are also a good deal of physical tasks. What were they? How did they blend with the off road side of the event?
Rudi: Due to the fact that it was not environmentally friendly to just cross woods and cut down trees, Land Rover tried to set up an event that attracted not only 4x4 enthusiasts but also all other outdoor people.
The G4 was an event where you had to perform outdoor tasks. But before you could do these you had to find your own way through good navigation to the start point of the task. Of course there were roads we were not very used to as well. Driving skills were important in order not to lose to much time by becoming lost or stuck.
R.T.: What would you say was the most difficult stage you had to go through?
Rudi: Stage 3. Everybody was already very tired. We were already using our reserve energy. Australia is a very harsh country with very high temperatures. Try to run 15km in 1 hour in temps of 40°C. Not easy. Even for the cars the increased temperatures created a suite of problems. Think about air suspension of the Range Rover for that matter, and extrapolate from there.
R.T.: Was there any point when you felt like giving up?
Rudi: Giving up???? My motto is NEVER GIVE UP!!!
R.T.: So you finally got to the end, made it on the first place and got the new Range Rover. How did that feel? I presume it compensated for all the effort...
Rudi: Look. I worked hard during 4 weeks. A lot of adrenaline and stress moved through my body. Always performing on the edge of your skills is very demanding. When you pass that final line all this stress immediately falls of your body. You just collapse to the ground. It takes some time before you realize the race is over. But it's not the Range Rover that I aimed for but the performance. The fact that I could do it.
R.T.: I understood that before you won the competition you were a fighter pilot? How did your views change after it?
Rudi: I actually realized more after the race that I learned a lot in training being a fighter pilot that can be used in real life. Stress handling, teamwork, planning, multitasking and so on. Even in my business today I still use my background as a pilot to run my company.
R.T.: I know that you opened your own off road company, as an extension of your hobby. Some time ago I interviewed Simon Buck, from Devon 4x4, so it's quite an interesting thing to see what drove you to start your own company. Did you do it before or after the G4 Challenge? What does your company specialize in?
Rudi: I started my company after the G4. I thought it was the right moment to do something else and what is more interesting than your own hobby. We sell accessories, expedition and overland equipment for 4x4's. Also I'm starting up an other business in giving courses, training (GPS, navigation, driving, expedition preparation, desert survival, first aid etc,...) also expedition support , logistics, etc. for overlanders as well as government or NGO's.
R.T.: What other races have you participated in or won over the years?
Rudi: Libya Desert Challenge, Extreme Offroad Challenge, Active Challenge. I did expeditions to Morocco, Tunisia, Libya, South Africa, Botswana, Laos, Thailand, Bolivia, etc
R.T.: What do you think about Land Rover being taken over by TATA?
Rudi: As long as the company keeps on putting effort in Land rover, it's fine by me. I know TATA is a big and strong company. Maybe (hopefully) They decide on continuing with the defender.
R.T.: How do you feel about the latest edition of the G4 challenge being cancelled?
Rudi: I feel very sad because I was asked to join the staff. I've been on the last event as well as press driver. It's a very special atmosphere. You meet all your G4 friends again. I know that marketing plans always are cancelled first in crisis so I was not really surprised.
R.T.: Thank you very much for your time.
For more information about Mr. Thoelen, overlanding equipment as well as expedition organizing, please visit:
Radu Tudoroiu
Radu Tudoroiu is a photographer and an editor for 4x4 Off Roads and other publications as well as an off-road enthusiast. Radu lives in Romania.
