4x4 of the Year 2017: Meet the Judges

DAVID COOK
1st 4WD: GQ Petrol wagon
Current 4WD: GU wagon
4x4 Career started: 2008 as 4WD mag journo
current role: Marketing manager for Tough Dog
Favourite Dest: Fraser Island
Bucket List trip: Kimberley

DAN EVERETT
1st 4WD: 1986 Toyota 4Runner
Current 4WD: 60 Series Cruiser
4x4 Career started: 2012 as 4WD mag journo
Current Role: Freelance writer
Favourite Destination: Cape York
Bucket List trip: Siberia

DEAN MELLOR
1st 4WD: Series 2 Land Rover
Current 4WD: D22 Navara
4x4 Career started: 1994 as 4WD mag journo
Current Role: Freelancer; Tech Ed for ARB
Favourite Destination: Northern Simpson
Bucket List trip: Simpson Desert in topless LC

RON MOON
1st 4WD: 1955 Jeep Wagoneer
Current 4WD: GU Patrol; LC79; Dodge Ram
4x4 Career started: 1981 as freelancer
Current Role: Editor-at-Large for 4X4 Au
Favourite Destination: Cape York
Bucket List trip: Africa (again)

NORM NEEDHAM
1st 4WD: Series 1 Land Rover
Current 4WD: 100 Series single-cab Cruiser
4x4 Career started: Early 80s (Traction 4)
Current Role: Guru of all things Toyota 4WD
Favourite Destination: Vic High Country
Bucket List trip: Iceland

MATT RAUDONIKIS
1st and ONLY 4WD: BJ73 Cruiser
4x4 Career started: 2000 as 4WD mag journo
Current Role: Editor 4X4 Australia
Favourite Destination: Flinders Ranges
Bucket List trip: South and Central America

BRYAN WELLS
1st 4WD: TD42 GQ Patrol
Current 4WD: 79 Series dual-cab Cruiser
4x4 Career started: 1993, Mitsubishi mechanic
Current Role: Top Of Down Under
Favourite Destination: Nimbi Nimbi Sinkhole
Bucket List trip: Rubicon Trail (USA)

PENNY WELLS
1st 4WD: Daihatsu Scat
Current 4WD: 79 Series dual-cab Cruiser
4x4 Career started: Top Of Down Under
Favourite Destination: Poppy’s Pools (NT)
Bucket List trip: Tasmania’s west coast