Rock Walls, Driving Simulators And More

By Maria Morrison

As you walk by the Ford tent at Oshkosh, you can’t help but notice the huge bungee jump set up outside. Nearly 30 feet tall, the bungees jump sends you flying up about three times before an attendant lets you down. To participate, you must be 60-200 pounds and bae taller than about 4’5”. The activity is free, along with all of the other Ford activities, but you have to sign a waver and kids must have a parent present to sign.

Another sport from Ford is the rock wall. A little bit shorter than the bungee, this rock wall has five faces, with different difficulty levels for each. All ages can participate. When I was there, a man who was nearly 75 climbed the rock wall and did the bungee jumping. This activity also requires a waver signed, but  if you have a band from the bungee jumping, that can get you in.

Although all ages can participate in climbing and jumping, there is one activity on a smaller scale for little ones. Kids can go on a 10 foot high bungee jump with trampolines below so they can do whatever they want. There is more harnessing and smaller jumps. However, anyone can go on, adults included.

My favorite one of the Ford activities is the driving simulator. Molded after the new Ford Focus, this simulator is accurate and a lot of fun. Four hydraulic pumps lift the driver, two passengers, and four surrounding screens about four and a half feet off the ground. The people buckle up and the screens come alive. As you drive around the racetrack, the machine moves like you were actually in the car. After going around the track a couple times, the ride stops and one of the screens shows you your best lap time. One to three people can go at a time, and they must be 5’2” or taller.

All of these activities are fun for all and great things to try at Oshkosh.

FMI: www.ford.com