Llanrwst man’s passion for Land Rovers grew into a thriving off-road business

Jun 3 2010 by Samantha Castle, North Wales Weekly News

HAVING an overly keen interest in Land Rovers and off-road driving from an early age has only ever been a positive influence for David Mitchell, who has managed to turn his passionate past-time into a thriving adventure business.

David, from Llanrwst runs the popular Land Rover Experience Centres based in Bala and Cheshire.

After buying his first Land Rover in 1967, a Series one 88’, which he still owns, Liverpool born David has been providing off-road tuition for as long as he can remember.

“I began giving off-road tuition in 1971,” he explained.

“It was while I was working for Heron, the main dealer for Land Rover in Merseyside and North Wales back then.

“When I bought that Series one my fascination for models began at much the same time, although it didn’t become a business until much later.”

David was born in 1948 – the same year as the Land Rover, and is a fully paid-up member of no fewer than 14 off-road clubs and is also vice-president of the Liverpool Motor Club, Britain’s second oldest car club.

“Like many of us involved in off-road tuition, David is happiest when sitting in the passenger seat of a Land Rover or Range Rover imparting the wisdom of his years to others,” added Cheshire based instructor Wayne Mitchelson.”

David eventually put his money where his mouth is and started his own off-road tuition company Landcraft in 1986. When Land Rover started the Experience Centre in 2002 David was head-hunted to run the North Wales centre, now know as Land Rover Experience Snowdonia.

David added: “I run two centres and have a pool of 10 experienced off-road tutors with me including Wayne and fellow Llanrwst lad Alex Brown, between them they average around 18 years Land Rover ownership and off-road driving experience, mines more like 40 years worth!”

If you want to ditch the pinstripes, lose the tie and treat yourself or your family to an unforgettable driving experience, book a day at a Land Rover Experience Centre on 0844 848 6001 or see www.LRESnowdonia.co.uk