Rockbouncing, by it’s name, means to bounce over every rocky obstacle in sight. Instead of taking the technical and tactical way through every last trail, the throttle did all of the work, the tires took all of the punishment and the spectators got a show that was a something to behold. It was less ginger, less delicate. Loud noises and violent actions ruled the day. But a lot of the runs that we’ve seen rockbouncers take on haven’t had anything to do with rocky surfaces. They are hillclimbs, complete with tree roots and an ever-evolving line, or they are more in-tune with Icelandic Formula Offroad’s rally course from Hell approach to things. With Formula Offroad being our current highwater mark for off-road insanity, having a course lined out is a good thing, but so is a rocky, rough course that provides obstacles that will remain for the whole of the stage.
This section of rockbouncer action comes from Hawk Pride Offroad Park in Alabama, and it’s properly rocky. Hill one is a neat little course that isn’t too bad fro the competitors, but hill two demands a heavy right foot. Not asking, not “be gentle” or “be careful”…there are two lines and both of them are jumps to clear a gap up to the second tier. You’re going to hear noises that you don’t hear often…like a transmission sprag packing it up and the sound of a crowd after they have seen a four-wheel-drive contraption whip X-Games style moves in the air after a slight misjudgment in the line.
