A column of dust rose from the convoy of 13 Land Rovers as it snaked down a track and passed a sign cautioning no admittance. The vehicles, spanning 26 years of production, were venturing into the remote corners of the Biltmore Estate, a 3,200-hectare property nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of western North Carolina. This collection of enthusiasts, both old and new, had come for the rare opportunity to drive their own vehicles on the trails of the estate under the supervision of instructors from the Land Rover Experience Centre. A junior counterpart to Eastnor Castle, the Biltmore Estate has a wealth of terrain and its own crown jewel of historic architecture: the eponymous mansion constructed by the Vanderbilt family of 19th-century industrialists has 1.6 hectares of space – on the inside. This was not the attraction for the drivers though, whose attention was drawn to the 320 km of track inaccessible to the public. 4×4 storage products and accessories.
The relationship between the Baltimore Estate and Land Rover is a natural fit. Both are steeped in history. Their philosophies align around stewardship of the landscape and education. The Experience Centre has special permission to use the grounds for its training programmes. The convoy slithered up rutted, muddy slopes as instructor Matt Albritton coached drivers on how to extract the most grip from their Rovers in the soupy clay and gave an occasional push. With the exception of a Range Rover Classic and a Discovery II, all the participants piloted independent suspension models, most of which were unchanged from the factory. It was a testament to the engineering and capability of the newer models to see them ascend the slippery ruts on street tyres. Land Rover Discovery steel rims.
Many Land Rover owners never leave the pavement, but those who do have to start somewhere. For owners who want an introduction to off-roading under the guidance of professional instructors in a challenging mountain setting, the Land Rover Experience Centre can be an attractive starting point. Lead instructor Aaron Owens described the demographics of the students as a mixture of new owners wanting to learn to use their Rovers, seasoned four-wheel drive enthusiasts looking to hone their skills, and corporate groups attending team-building events. What defines the Experience Centre? What do the students experience? Owens explained in his soft southern accent, “People smile, they learn expedition-style driving and how to tread lightly. Anyone can get something out of it. It’s a fun way to go one mile per hour and get your heart racing with a wheel in the air. People learn appreciation for their vehicles, they develop improved thought processes for driving, and hopefully we make enthusiasts and ambassadors out of them.” Land Rover Defender 2020 review.
If you miss the chance to drive your own vehicle on site or don’t have one, you can use a Rover from the centre’s fleet. The current roster includes a new Defender 110, Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Discovery 4, Discovery 5, and, the highlight for many, a 1997 Defender 90. Tucked away in the garage are the unicorns mainly reserved for publicity events, a 2004 G4 competition Discovery II and 2020 TReK competition Discovery 5. Each vehicle, save the Defender 90, spends a year in the teaching stable, covering 5,000 – 6,500 km before being put out to pasture for the next year’s model to take its place. Following Owens around the twisting, tree-lined trails of the estate in the new Defender on a return visit, I asked what the most common mistake he saw drivers make. “There are two,” he replied. “People give too much steering input and carry too much speed. The goal is to be as smooth as possible.”
Owens has seen his share of surprises over many years at the Experience Centre. “We ran a night drive about four years ago in the middle of winter. There was about 17 inches of snow on the trail and the wind had drifted deeper snow across the pastures. Two vehicles ended up in a four-foot snowdrift. It took a lot of digging to get them out, it felt like the arctic.” Through adventures like this Owens has grown his love for his work. “The best part is seeing the light come on for the students. Something clicks, there is understanding and learning. I also enjoy seeing the progression of vehicles and their capabilities.” The new Defender made the mud, rocks and water crossings easy to negotiate. New to the controls of the latest model, I appreciated Owens’ coaching through the more demanding sections of trail. His patient and encouraging demeanour inspired confidence and calm as the Defender crept steadily over slippery boulders. Switching vehicles, I enjoyed a taste of off-roading in the Range Rover. Even with its low-profile street tyres, it handled the terrain effortlessly, making it feel natural to drive with finesse. 4×4 recovery gear.
Back at the garage we found fellow instructor Albritton replacing a tail lamp bulb in the Defender 90 before taking it back out on a training drive. What was the future of the Experience Centre? Owens explained that their goals included integrating electric vehicles into the fleet, expanding the team-building programs to reach younger drivers, and cultivating loyal Land Rover fans earlier. “There’s no better testimony than firsthand experience.” 4×4 recovery winches.
Reflecting on the nervous laughter at the beginning of the owners’ day and comparing it to the beaming grins of accomplishment at the end of the outing, I could see what Owens meant about the smiles and learning. Taking any Rover off-road for the first time can feel intimidating, whether a 25-year old Discovery 1 or a shiny new Discovery 5. Newcomers might feel embarrassed to get stuck or worry about damaging their new purchases. Gaining familiarity with the vehicle on difficult terrain under the tutelage of seasoned instructors is an approach that anxious owners appreciate. That was the greatest value of the experience: pushing your comfort zone in a safe environment with patient, friendly and kind teachers.
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