LAND ROVER CLUB

INFORMATION PAGE

There has always been a group of Land Rover fanatics here in Panama, but there was no “formal” group or club where everybody could share their experiences and have a sense of belonging. The Land Rover Club Panama was formed in December 1997. This club is a chance for all to share with others that have the “adventure bug” some good times off roading and at the same time a chance give something back to our community.

When we do expeditions we try to find hard to access communities so that we can help charitable institutions deliver food, take doctors, medicines and any type of needed help to small villages that are not accessible through regular means. In this manner our club members have an opportunity to drive their Land Rovers off road on very tough expeditions, with the added bonus of an even more philosophical meaning, by helping others in our community and participating on a worthwhile cause. Our club members have the capable vehicles and the will to get there, the charitable institutions have the resources; together we create a helping hand to these remote villages as goodwill ambassadors to Land Rover.

With the growing resurgence of the Land Rover brand in Panama and the popularity of off road driving, the club is adapting to the needs of the Land Rover owner of this new times. The club is 42 members strong [not including families and friends that come along on many expeditions] and growing monthly due to the fact that, between the local dealer and members, word is spreading fast. Annual membership is US $60 per vehicle and entitles members to many advantages at the local dealership like discounts on parts and in the workshop, adding to the rewards of being on outings, close to nature, with other club members.

In 1999 the club’s goals where to got to the extremes of Panama. We wanted to go to the Colombian Border through the Darien Gap, following in the footsteps of an expedition done in Land Rovers in 1960 and then again in 1970 with Range Rovers. We also set up to go to the highest point in Panama, the summit of the Baru Volcano. We are very proud to have accomplished both and had a brilliant time doing it.

We have also done a Land Rover caravan to Costa Rica, to help celebrate the 50-year anniversary of the franchise in that country. The “Ticos” where one of the first in the world to sell Land Rovers! It was a fantastic experience to cross borders, visit a foreign land, and to be with 800 other enthusiasts and their vehicles celebrating Land Rover proud heritage.

“Panama” means abundance of trees, birds and fish in the native tongue. As many soon find out when they visit us, it is not just a canal. It is nice to have a dense jungle and intense tropical rainforests at our backyard. Some of our members are expert birdwatchers and others are outdoor experts. When we go on expeditions many times we bring our kids along and the outdoors turns into a classroom of sorts for all participating when the knowledgeable start explaining many of the flora and fauna of Panama.

To get your feet wet if your are a newcomer, or to keep sharp if you are an expert, you can get to our Land Rover Experience Track with a 50 minute drive from Panama City, at Coronado Beach, a local popular spot. We have had visits from the factory certified instructor, Mr. Paul Lloyd, that helped us with the design aspect of the track as well as certification in Instructor Training  as "Land Rover Factory Certified Instructor" to Toti Calvo [TC]. The track is 3.5 km long and full of challenges, with 3 distinct levels of expertise, used accordingly to the driver's skill level.  

Roughly each month, the club organizes day trips and weekend camping trips to various places of interest around Panama and sometimes Costa Rica. These trips are designed to cover as many different aspects of four wheel driving as possible and to cater to the novice as well as the experienced driver - our driver training courses can provide you with practice for this experience.

You do not have to have a Land Rover [although it helps] to become a member. You just need to have a zest for adventure and willingness to help others.

If you would like more information please contact TC at landroverclub@yahoo.com.

Cheers!

Satelite View

Track Layout

Panama Facts: 

Contrary to what you may think, Panama is one of the top 3 Latin-American countries in standard of living, life expectancy and quality of life.

Currency: The Balboa - B/. 1.00 = US$ 1.00 [We use the Dollar as our currency]

Geography: Area: 77,381 sq. km. (29,762 sq. mi.); about the size of South Carolina. Cities:  Capital--Panama City (pop. 950,000).  Terrain: Mountainous (highest elevation Baru Volcano, 3,475 m.--11,468 ft.); coastline 2,857 km. (1,786 mi.). Climate:  Tropical, with average daily rainfall 28 mm. (1 in.) in winter.

People: Nationality: Noun and adjective--Panamanian(s).  Population (1991):  2.4 million.  Annual growth rate (1991): 2.5%.  Ethnic groups: Mestizo 65%,West Indian 14%, white 15%, Indian 6%.  Religions: Roman Catholic 93%,Protestant (Evangelical) 6%.  Languages:  Spanish (official); 14% speak English as their native tongue; various Indian languages.

Recommended Links

PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR DRIVING TIPS AND FOR YOUR SAFETY ON ANY EXPEDITION

Do you want to be part of the group? Here's how to contact us - 

Correspondence:

Email: 

tcpty@yahoo.com

landroverclub@yahoo.com

toticalv@sinfo.net  Club President

Short, plain email messages to the cell phone: 6128684@speedmemo.com

Snail mail:

Cesar Calvo

Land Rover Club Panama

PO Box 6-5916

El Dorado, Panama

Fax: 507-236-8990

Cell phone:

507-612-8684 [TC] Club President

You do not need to have a Land Rover [although it helps :-) ] to become a member.

All it's needed is a zest for adventure and the willingness to help needy communities get the donations we gather

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Become a member of our expedition group!

Please follow this link to our Membership Form. 

You can download,   fax, print it and call us or email us the pertinent information