Paul and Sharyn Vanderhorst
Husband and wife team Paul and Sharyn Vanderhorst, head up Australian 4wd Events which runs the successful Outback 4x4 Challenge and the new Alpine 4x4 Challenge.It was in 1999 that serene country on the outskirts of Broken Hill New South Wales was first introduced to the Outback Challenge. Initially the brainchild of 4X4 Australia Magazine Editor Ron Moon and Paul Vanderhorst, it has since been taken over by Australian 4wd Events and has grown to be one of the toughest and most popular 4wd competitions in the world.
The Outback 4x4 Challenge is held in May each year where more than 100 competitors put their highly modified four wheel drives through 20 special stages.
Unlike other four wheel drive events in Australia, the special stages at the Outback Challenge are extensive, creating a true test of endurance and skill for all teams, which have included international teams from; Malaysia, France, England, Scotland, New Zealand, The United States, Alaska and South Africa.
In September 2004 Australian 4wd Events will also host the inaugural Alpine 4x4 Challenge. Hosted by the only freehold village in the Australian snowline, this event is sure to become a fixture on the calendar of many Aussie four wheel drivers. Unlike the outback event, the Alpine 4x4 Challenge's close proximity to Australia's east coast will ensure that the opening motorkhana will be popular with spectators.
Videos and DVDs are produced on each event and are available, along with merchandise from ARB and Procomp stores or Australian 4wd Events.
Paul Vanderhorst
A four wheel driver at heart, Paul was either perched on a motorbike, sailing or at the wheel of his off road buggy well before he took to the roads in his four wheel drive, at 18 years of age. Now with more than 20 years of four wheel driving under his belt, he has turned four wheelin into his work through the running of the 4x4 challenge events.Paul's love of four wheel drive competition was born through his active involvement in his four wheel drive club, and was further fuelled when he joined forces with Roger Smith to take out the coveted Malaysian Rainforest Challenge in 1998. Paul backed Ron Moon's initial magazine forays with his experience as competition manager and continues this roll with the Outback 4x4 Challenge and Alpine 4x4 Challenge.
Paul has travelled extensively overseas and throughout Australia. His adventures include:
- Sailing the Tongan Islands
- Competing in the sailing race from Melbourne to Tasmania across the Bass Strait
- Scuba diving
- Many four wheel drive competitions
Sharyn Vanderhorst
After an introduction into the world of four wheel driving and the outback through husband Paul, Sharyn played a key role in establishing an office for the Victorian Association of 4wd Clubs in the eighties.It was through this organisation that she became more involved in the four wheel drive recreation and access movement whilst travelling and continuing her love of writing.
In 1991 Sharyn took a position at 4X4 Australia Magazine and remained with the title until the title moved from Melbourne to Sydney in 2001. Much of her tenure at the magazine was as Deputy Editor and it was this appointment that saw her travelling not only Australia but the world's most famous four wheel drive destinations, testing vehicles and scribing these destinations.
Over the years Sharyn has continued her travel writing for a number of publications whilst also taking on the organisation of the challenge events.
Sharyn and Paul have a daughter Olivia who was born in 2000 and twins Parker and Isabella born 2003.
Apart from the most obvious Australian four wheel drive destinations, adventures include:
- Melbourne to Sydney via 4wd routes
- Perth to Sydney via Central Australia
- Darling River via jetski
- Hannibal's Trail - France, Italy
- Scottish Highlands
- Rubicon Trail - USA
- Jordanian Deserts
- Malaysian Rainforests
- New Zealand's South Island
