Wind of change
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Ok here’s my report.
Start. First flag missing, pop-out, stuck, pop-out, second flag missing, stuck, stuck, pop-out, third flag missing (pole only), very big stuck, 4 ok, 5 ok, 6 ok! A tale of two halves I think!
A great day though – I think the kids tested me as much as the route did! :thanks:
Ok now I haven’t the faintest idea where to begin writing about our team (Team 2), as writing is not my cuppa tea but considering the effort put in by the marshals to organise this event I thought it only fair to make this attempt. Am sure it won’t be anywhere close to Kumar or Ganesh but then so what, even their driving is superior to mine. 😀 😀 😀
Well once the teams were finalised a few days prior I did have a few thoughts on our team. Happy at being in Rob’s team thinking the winch would be an added advantage for us yet unsure of who Shabeer was and how he drove. But then the objective was to have fun so who cared. Our behind the scenes communication started via PMs and SMSs as to introductions, equipment available with each one and reconfirming ones participation.
Come D-day and we line up, deflate, do our own internal team brief after the Chief’s briefing. Could sense a slight doubt in Robs mind during our team brief when he said “Guys I have never lead before so let’s hope we do well.” But having read Kumar’s report from last week I had full faith in Rob and told him to just enjoy the drive and the lead and we shall follow with no doubts.
After a quick equipment check by the Webmaster, off we went straight on to the sands. I think for a few initial seconds even Rob didn’t know which dune or line to start with. But once he made the plunge hitting the first dune, we were surfing our way over the dunes.
Reaching the first flag quickly was good for our confidence and gave us a nice boost. 😀 😀 😀 We did our modelling session with the flag and moved on to the second waypoint quickly. We did have our equal share of stucks along the way and the winch was used to its full capacity. I did manage a stupid stuck at a bad angle and immediately sent out an SOS to Rob over the radio 🙁 🙁 . Was safely rescued by him and we were on our way in minutes.
The real fun began as we started getting closer to flag 3. Rob and myself started playing our own little game of tag. Rob got himself stuck on soft sand very close to a bowl. To rescue him I had to do so from the edge of the bowl knowing fully well that the only way out for me was down through the bowl. Got him out but managed to get myself stuck while rescuing him. So now Rob got me out but again it was his turn to play tag and he got stuck in the same spot. Shabeer’s car was kept away at a safe distance but we had him close by helping us. We could have played this game all day long and make no headway. Finally we tried a different approach and both of us made it out safely.
As we got closer to the flag the sand got so soft on certain points that stopping meant getting stuck. Rob slowed down for a few seconds to decide on a line to take which made Shabeer stop for a second and before the poor guy knew what happened he was stuck on flat ground with powder soft sand. While doing the rescue I see our ace marshal Kumar sitting in his car 20 meters away smiling and enjoying himself looking at all the stucks around him as I think even some other team had a stuck there.
Finally reached the waypoint 3 but to our surprise no flag was to be seen. We had quite a few teams overtake us during our endless stucks in this leg so we thought we have a “flag chor” who took off the flag and left the pole for others. 😀 😀 :)) :))
Proceeding to Flag 4 we came across a stuck Patrol with a lone chap trying to dig his way out with a spade 3 times his size =)) =)) =)) . Rob decided that on humanitarian grounds we needed to rescue him first before we move on living up to the motto of not leaving anybody stuck inside. The person digging was the car owner’s servant so he had no clue about the car, how to start / drive etc so we did spend some time there. Pulled him out and along we went on our way again.
Conquered Flag 4 and proceeded to the last flag of the 1st phase. With less than a km to the last flag, Shabeer crested his ride very nicely on the chassis. We radioed Rob to wait as I needed to rescue Shabeer, and Rob radios back that since he stopped he too was stuck. Thought would first pull out Shabeer and then head over to rescue Rob but easier thought than done. In trying to get my car positioned properly for the initial rescue I too managed to get my car stuck. Great. So now all 3 cars stuck with no alternative available 😕 😕 :ymblushing: :ymblushing: :-\ :-\ . As we had Thanseer and Khalil providing us the VIP escort we took a penalty and used Khalil to rescue Rob, who in turn pulled us out.
Met up with Sattu at the end of phase 1 and in 5 mins along we went once again on the 2nd leg. The 2nd phase seemed a breeze compared to the 1st one as it was a lot of tarmac and tracks. Of course the route made some interesting sights for us to see as I had personally never seen the camel market etc. Along the way once again we got our personal VIP escort in the form of Thanseer and Khalil. And soon enough we were thundering our way into ADNOC for the never ending wait :-w :-w :-w for lunch / dinner / bbq (as you wish to call it) and the prize distribution.
Rob – thank you for a great lead. The lines you took were safe and really amazing. If you ever need someone to follow you in the sand just let me know. A fantastic job in all. :thanks: :thanks: :thanks: :ymapplause: :ymapplause: ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^
Shabeer – you were driving really well. Very confident and positive approach. Focus on your crest crossing approach, other than that your driving was great with superb presence of mind. :thanks: :thanks: :ymapplause: :ymapplause:
Throughly enjoyed driving with you both.
To the marshal and organisers of this event – Hats off to you. Am sure you guys have toiled for days on end planning the event and the minute details and the results were there for all to see. You guys rock. The objective of a fun filled day for all was definitely achieved. And by the way, the new look is a killer. :ymapplause: :ymapplause: :ymapplause: ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^
Amazing report Zarir 🙂 🙂 🙂 :ymapplause: :ymapplause: :ymapplause: ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^
Who said we are better than you in this report business, no way [-X May be, we believed us to be good, but your wonderful report proved it wrong… 😀 😉 So we have one more brilliant reporter to support post drive tasks :ymhug:quote zarir:While doing the rescue I see our ace marshal Kumar sitting in his car 20 meters away smiling and enjoying himself looking at all the stucks around him as I think even some other team had a stuck there:)) :)) :)) I didnt have any other tasks than watching you guys doing an excellent job 🙂 :ymapplause:
quote zarir:Proceeding to Flag 4 we came across a stuck Patrol with a lone chap trying to dig his way out with a spade 3 times his size =)) =)) =)) . Rob decided that on humanitarian grounds we needed to rescue him first before we move on living up to the motto of not leaving anybody stuck inside. The person digging was the car owner’s servant so he had no clue about the car, how to start / drive etc so we did spend some time there. Pulled him out and along we went on our way again.As we had Thanseer and Khalil providing us the VIP escort …………….
Along the way once again we got our personal VIP escort in the form of Thanseer and Khalil……….Great job guys :ymapplause: You all proved once again as responsible offroaders :-BD
Hey, what was the deal for arranging this VIP escort /:) :))
Very confusing indeed. But anyways =)) =)) =)) =)) , not many people (me included) who know the Tiger would believe the number of stucks!!! :p
The report – Group # 8 – Ganesh (Pajero), Julian (Jeep) & Mathews (FJ)…..Started off very well…..very good coordination amongst the team members :ymapplause: :ymapplause: :ymapplause:
1st waypoint – at one moment saw a flag near to us, and were very happy to feel that we have reached the first point….but the flag was of Andy trying to recover one of his team members…..then met Kumar and came to know about Amjed’s “capturing the flag” 😀
2nd way point – this is where we lost the race….I truely accept my mistake and apologies to my team members…..there was a slight error in the co-ordinates entered and I reached nearly 20-25 kms away from the point…then realised it and came back to the point….but we nearly lost 1.5 hrs in this long drive…….nevertheless….everyone enjoyed the drive as we were all alone in the desert with no tracks and vehicles….only camels and gazelles all around…..it was good challenge for me to lead here…..returned to the 2 way point and proceeded further…..
3rd way point – When we reached here, met Tushar, Salim and Yousef trying to recover Andy and group, but the flag was on the other side of the tall crest and the challenge was to reach that point which we all successfully managed…..As we all know that particular pole was without the flag….
4th, 5th & 6th waypoints – All the other waypoints were conquered within no time with some excellent driving skills shown by my team-mates which was also monitered by the marshals who were following us to check if they can inpose any penalty on us….but sorry marshals….we were too good in reaching the points…….
Towards the end…as anyways we were not qualified for the 2nd phase, we reached Adnoc and were happy to see the top three groups reaching there in their best timings…
One important thing i would defenitely like to mention is that….though I misread the cordinates and reached at a very far distance from the point and then to come back and finish the complete drive……THERE WAS NOT A SINGLE STUCK OR POP-OUT OR ANY OTHER PROBLEM………
I salute my group members to drive so perfectly and also giving me the opportunity to challenge myself to lead for the first time and take the risk to cross every dune without any issues…..Great work guys – Mathews and Julian – u rock… :ymapplause: :ymapplause: :ymapplause:
That was the report for the drive…..and now comes a thanksgiving note to the people who were behind this event to make it a grand success…
The entire Dubai Offroaders staff, marshals, cheif marshals, chief rescue units, the founder, and especially Tushar – you guys need a grand salute for organising the event in such a professional manner….Congratulations to all the winners with trophies and also to the winners who couldnt reach up to the podium….theres always a second chance guys….but the important thing is that everyone reached the final destinations without any amjor problems….that itself shows the quality of training we get from our marshals…..
See you all the coming friday for yet another adventure – The LIWA…….
Cheers
quote j3r3miah:I had some fun pulling out the mighty nissan patrol with the wranglerNow I know why you disappeared in dunes :)) :)) :)) It reminded me an old episode =)) =)) =))
Crisp report Dada :ymapplause: :ymapplause: :ymapplause:
Indeed you did a great job at lead to cover the tricky route, especially the extra distance without any stucks :-BD
Good job by the team :ymapplause: :ymapplause: :ymapplause:
quote desert knight:amazing stuff guys wish i was there to see you all in action …………. ganesh well done in the drive part but the gps challenge first u need to put the rite coordinates ….lol ….. all the best for next year ………Absolutely agree Chief….mistakes makes one learn….wl defenitely bounce back in future 🙂
Excellent Report Kumar!!!
The first rule for a gentleman…in the desert or in life is to help those need assistance…so that was a job well done!!!
Excellent attitude Rob!!! Your action is even more exemplary as you were participating in a competition and even then you assisted the stranded family…even at the expense of some precious minutes!!!!
:ymapplause: :ymapplause: :ymapplause:
quote Ahmad Pervez:Excellent attitude Rob!!! Your action is even more exemplary as you were participating in a competition and even then you assisted the stranded family…even at the expense of some precious minutes!!!!
:Thanks Ahmed, just following the offroaders Spirit 🙂
quote zarir:Ok ………………………………….. killer. :ymapplause: :ymapplause: :ymapplause: ^:)^ ^:)^ ^:)^Very nice report Zarir, thanks! Now you are a proven reporter and can join Kumar’s and Ganesh’s club! 😀
Trip reports are still missing from the following convoy leads :-w :-w :-w
Team 1 – Jayesh
Team 3 – Ashok
Team 5 – Humayun
Team 6 – Gerry
Team 9 – Amei
Team 10 – Kashmir
:YMBRINGITON: :YMBRINGITON: :YMBRINGITON:
quote GKumar:Trip reports are still missing from the following convoy leads :-w :-w :-w
Team 1 – Jayesh
Team 3 – Ashok
Team 5 – Humayun
Team 6 – Gerry
Team 9 – Amei
Team 10 – Kashmir
:YMBRINGITON: :YMBRINGITON: :YMBRINGITON:Kindly give me a chance to submit my report after 2 days.regrts i m trvlng.Hope u ll b flexible on this issue.
Ok Here goes my trip report!
Started off with Mehul second and Shekhar last. Wound our way through till we go to the first slope, where I got stuck. Winched myself out and proceeded. Climbed up a couople of dunes and looked back and saw no one following! Turned back and saw mehul stuck in very soft sand. After a bit of struggle in soft sand we were out. Then we take a look at Mehul(Chris’) old ride the jeep cherokee and see that the Tie rod may/may not come off! Mehul very gamely still wanted to proceed, but I would need to take care of approach angles (IN AL FAQAA!!!). Then Climbed up the first dune and saw something only Jeep Cherokee guys can /will do – Mehul taking the Dune in REVERSE!!!! After closing my astonished mouth, told mehul not to do that again although he was more confident in reverse on that car!!! 😀
Now the real challenge, find easy approach and departure angles in al Faqa!! While stopping at a point where I couldnt go on because the angle would be too steep, got stuck. Mehul tries, Shekhar tries, and then the cavalry shows up! Tushar, Salim and Yousef. Yousef pulls me out in a jiffy and we are back on track. Speeding away get to the first check points and see no frickin flag!! Recheck the coordinates on 3 GPS’s and then convince myself , some very nice guy has taken the Flag!! 😀
Head on to the second checkpoint and on the way see gazelles springing about. Few more stucks , this time by shekhar (WHo was driving excellently , I must add) and then we stop for a breather. Frustrating to not go straight up dunes when its so easy, I know mehul misses his Pajero!!
Finally we get to second flag, and everyone suddenly has energy again and speed towards the third – In the dunes, shekhar gets stuck again and We are still unsure if the Cherokee will make it , when Gkumar gives me a call – Times UP!!
Decide not to go to the 6th checkpoint thorugh dunes, much safer to hit tracks , but dont know where the tracks hit the road. Apparently they hit the road after 20 minutes and the road is going towards Emaar Stables !!!!!!!! 6 million calls from Tushar worrying about us (Thanks Man! No Pressure – Just everyone waiting for us!!! ) and We hit route 66 and make our way to ADNOC to see my friends!!! :-w :-w :-w :-w :-w :-w :-w :-w (-| 😀
My apologies to everyone, but I had a choice, take the direct route to point 6 , risk a breakdown or play it safe and take all three vehicles out, without a scratch. I chose what is actually no choice – the latter.
hmmmm think the cherokee misses me already =((
I never noticed any trouble with the tie rod though, I’m sure it would have taken some more abuse in al faqa without trouble :p
And if it breaks Yousef is close to McGyver it back together :ymhug:
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