Friday Morning Intermediate Challenge Drive – 22.03.2013

WASIIIIIIIIIIIII

where is the drive report?

What a magic, I’m able to click the reply button now.???. :yesss: There are lot of techniques used by a marshall during the lead, 😕 many times Marshall is going to the critical parts of the dunes to check the slopes for others to follow & if its not good for other, another routes are getting designed. We, the trails are always thankful to the Marshall for guiding us through the safe path. :ymapplause: Sometimes Marshall is getting himself falling to the soft ditches & sand traps to check sand stability for others 😮 . I must recommend others to sit in the passenger seat of the Marshall to know how the they are traversing from one dune to another. Its all about experience that makes a perfect dune master. It was really a confidence boosting drive, i had experience a lot of difficult slopes & slides with an experienced master #:-s and that’s on a low powered (small engine problem) vehicle, Imagine what dunes they can climb with fully powered car.

:thanks: to DADA for making the drive in a different way & different style…Now to drive or navigate :-\

My apologies if some points are repeated but I had already written my report on Saturday put could not post it earlier and now too lazy to modify.

Firstly, my thanks to Ganesh for squeezing in this extra drive at the last minute. And also a thank you to taking in my late entry.

10 cars in and 10 cars out safely. We all meet at the Badayer shops at the determined time. I think Razik and David were the first to arrive and were sipping on a hot cuppa when I got there. A nice chit chat as others trickled in. Kumar and Ashok also dropped in to exchange the morning pleasantries along the way to their rendezvous point. All deflated and the briefing done quickly with all being experienced drivers. Ganesh assigned Razik at the second lead (who did a fantastic job but more on that later), Sanjay and Paul in the middle to oversee the first half of the convoy with myself sweeping at the rear under the able eye and guidance of Saif.

The drive was progressing really well with a good pace as we were breezing through the tall dunes. Unfortunately, Ganesh’s car started to act up with jealousy seeing the fun we were having. Took a break as Ganesh and Saif tried to sort out the 4 wheel drive issues. I must admire Ganesh’s spirit here in continuing with the drive with an injured car to ensure that the fun goes on.

Well we had our fair share of bowls, refusals and re-attempts, stucks and recoveries but then that is the fun of these drives. We encountered one sinister of a bowl along the way and had one other bad stuck by Ganesh which had to be handled carefully under the supervision of Saif. Am sure the photos will bring out the visual aspect of that stuck. Will leave the bowl episode for the relevant person to include in his report if required.

Reached Iftar bowl and all played around a bit. To me the highlight at Iftar bowl was Razik and Wasi who reached atop as if they had forget that they were on sand and not tarmac. Razik your line taken to cross over and climb atop was absolutely perfect. Once Iftar bowl started becoming crowded with other convoys from other groups joining in, we decided to make our move. Saif bid goodbye to us and headed on to tarmac from there. Requested Sanjay to move behind in the sweep with me and he kindly oblidged. We moved along to Badayer shops breezing through a few dunes with Ganesh’s car still jealous of our fun. All in all a great drive guys. Thank to all for some nice company and chit chat.

1. Convoy discipline – is a must at all times. If the car in front of you is stuck or making another attempt, the car following behind MUST stay put and not overtake him. It causes mayhem when you do that as the cars behind you also follow and then the car with the re-attempt has no where to go. In case you are already committed to the dune and risk getting stuck yourself then by all means proceed and clear that patch and then wait for the person you overtook to come back and retake his spot.

2. Multiple cars in a bowl – The fact that there are 4 cars inside the same bowl attempting to get out is only due to the fact that the drivers were not keeping safe distance. So the minute the first car slide inside the bowl, the rest had no choice but to automatically follow. Please ensure adequate distance from the car in front at all times. This is for your own safety.

Some feedback / my opinion based on my observations.

Dada – You rock with the route taken. Even with the limping Pajero you ensured all had fun. Great spirit buddy.

Rein – Great driving at all times. Safe and controlled approaches. Pleasure to drive with you.

Shabeer – You never cease to amaze me with the way you make the Vitara dance to your tunes on the dunes. As we spoke try and focus a bit on the convoy disciple piece and you are a rock star.

Wasi – Wasi wasi wasi, what can I say about you. Desert driving is not just about speed or just stepping on it. The most important feedback on safety for the drive I have already given you personally my friend, your choice to heed or ignore. Overall a great driver with a can do attitude who has tamed the Pajero to obey at his beck and call.

Sanjay and Paul – Always a pleasure driving with you guys. Be it just for the drive or the break time entertainment by Paul or the usual chit chat. A truly dependable team.

Duncan – You were gliding through the dunes absolutely effortlessly in your toy. Was enjoying the way you were handling your toys.

Carl – With just a few sand drives under your belt you are doing a wonderful job. As discussed, the wider and smoother you have your approach angles, you will lose less momentum; as against sharp turns or angles. Great presence of mind with responsible driving and a team oriented approach.

Myself – ???? Well this is where you guys get to fill in the blanks and throw the bricks at me so please let me have it as that is the only way I know my mistakes and can improve.

Saif – Tussi great ho ji. Was great sweeping under you learning the finer points.

Well all done I guess, covered all drivers……………………… And here I can practically hear our star for the day/week/month, Razik screaming me me me, you left me out. Lol. Haven’t forgotten you brother. Just wanted to save the best for last.

Razik – Well a true star in every aspect. You have come a looooong way in a very short time. It was only yesterday, that you did your first drive with us at the GNFD (am happy we were a part of that team together). Great driving, super spirit, perfect team player on the sands. You did really well yesterday all through the drive as well as at Iftar bowl. Your guidance to the team following behind you on the radio at appropriate times was also helpful. Keep up the spirit buddy and never change the attitude.

Thanks guys, see you all soon.

The new trend of reporting individual driver’s performance is an excellent idea and provides us newbies with valuable insight … Hope this is here to stay