MCube 2012, pics and report

[Ravveendrra]

Sometime in the summer of 2012 when the land was parched and heat searing, the MCube 2012 was announced. People flocked to attend and registrations were closed much before the announced last date for entries.

E-mails with precise GPS co-ordinates to the accommodation for the first night came through and it was a breeze finding the place. The parking area was full as the BLR guys had got there before us. Ravi's Volvo right in front grabbed a few eyeballs till Tejas's 'Cavity' was spotted. In spite of the drizzle, we guys walked around admiring the jeeps in the compound. Tired and bedraggled after a 650km drive from Hyd. we trooped in to find the usual suspects sitting in the restaurant waiting for us. A quick wash later we trooped down for a fabulous hot meal.

The rooms were spacious, neat and clean. The bathrooms were spotless and hot water was available in plenty.

Next morning we went down to be led to the venue for the first day's programme. It was an advanced driving school for rally/race/off-road drivers. Just after Khopoli (coming from Pune). Vehicle scrutiny was a breeze and breakfast was served - hot! The dosas were outstanding.


Two jeeps that travelled together from Hyderabad. The Lynx and a Thar CRDe with a bikini hard-top.






Yours truly with the Thar



A shower ..


Turns into pelting rain


Tyres for the occasion


Aditya from Ahmedabad




Fazal saab calls him "Jeep Doctor". Taj the man who executed the Lynx. A brilliant mechanic.

Day 1 was a competitive event in the Gymkhana format. This was a brilliant idea and was great fun. There were 4 tracks. Each was timed (except for the last but, more about that later). There were penalties for touching the track markers.

Track 1 was a pure technical one with articulation pits, boulders etc. It was tough at the beggining of the day but became easier as the day wore on.


The Thar goes first


Into the pit


It stays there


Till pulled out


The Lynx gingerly puts one foot in the pit at a precisely calculated angle.


Then drops the rear in


Out in a jiffy!


Lynx approaches the boulders with mud caked tyres that gave it no grip


This boulder moved a bit and threw off the Lynx with aplomb.

Track 2 was a slush track with a shallow water trough. Deceptively simple looking, the enemy was the clock ticking away.

























Limit of 30 pics reached! More in the next post.

[adnan_1212]

What a great event this was for me. Thoroughly enjoyed on road and off the road with my jeep. Accommodation for the early birds was very comfortable. Day 1 of the event was very exciting. 4 tracks, completed 3 with an ease but could not clear obstacle 'A' due to clutch wire problem.

After the day long offroading, we were taken to a very beautiful resort. The rooms were very nice, very comfortable. The food was again great.

Day 2 of the offroading started off well. Challenging trails kept me excited through out. Lunch again was good. When it comes to food, these guys make sure, its as amazing as the event. My cousin who witnessed these monsters in action for the first time, kept on asking, when is the next OTR, which itself shows not only the drivers but the co participants too were very happy.

What happened after lunch was also exciting. a new experience for many participants. I really appreciate the way the organizers have handled the issue. They kept their cool throughout while negotiating with the forest officials. Not every member of the 'O' team got involved into the negotiations which could have taken things beyond control.

Even under the circumstances were every member of the O team was under immense pressure, they made sure that the participants were comfortable and had every bit of information on the issue. There was absolutely no compromise on providing comfort to the participants.

I dont know whether it is appropriate to mention this here but i strongly feel that i should say this as i was very dissapointed with the attitude of few jeepers who lost their temper and demonstrated their ignorance about the law and uncooperative attitude towards the O team. After spending thousands of rupees on your machine, do you really abondon your jeep, if it breaks down? criticize it and demand explanation? Common guys, it was only our departure that was delayed by few hours otherwise everything was just perfect. We cant imagine how much efforts the O team has put in and how much pain they have taken to provide us such a great trail to enjoy with our machines. What all steps the O team was taking was to ensure our safe departure. We are all jeepers and without each others support this sport will not survive.

MCUBE team is rocking. Next OTR please choose a place near to Pune or may be in Pune. its really back breaking journey on a three speed tranny.

There are lot of photos to be posted, will do it soon.

[MileCruncher]

Looks like an eventful OTR

Please bring on the pictures and the narration about the Forest Official episode

Cheers

[bantejas]

Awesome! How did xenon perform? Isn't it a LWB, which I thought was not allowed as many obstacles were supposed to be for SWB?! Waiting for the pics, hope someone will upload soon! Were M/Ts a must?

[bblost]

Thanks for sharing.
The pictures are really good.
Looking forward to more pictures and a more details.

Also wish you a very Happy Birthday, Ravveendrra.

[adityasiera]

Excellent start to the thread. rated 5 stars!! waiting for more..

[King413]

Request all to post more pictures. The event looks very well organised.

[fazalaliadil]

Sorry not much but very few shot by my nephew.

Mission - YouTube

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RxlQa...ature=youtu.be

[4x4army]

I had awesome time on both days of event. It was very well organized !!

I enjoyed each and every obstacle and after finishing each one thought, "Wow, this was really great and how will be the next one?" And keep waiting eagerly for the other trail.

Specially mudding and water crossing was superb!!
I dont have video of my jeep, if anyone has, pls mail me.

Out of 5, 4 and 1/2 stars for Organization, Food & accommodation.

Here are some pics.

[adnan_1212]

Here is my willys sailing through the water

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv1LZGg5Gno

[mashmash]

Brilliant Action Pictures and story telling narration. Love those Jeeps in full flow. Rated 5*.

[fazalaliadil]

AVR (Aditya Rathore) runs on a DCM powered beast.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VuXdfwylkHw

[Ravveendrra]

Pics of track 2 continued:












Track 3 was a drive through mud/slush. One entered via a muddy slippery descent and went through water logged fields, negotiated a bund and then came out after crossing two dips in the track that had water flowing across them. The path to the exit was again a slippery slope with two curves where the vehicles slid.

[beetle_boy]

Excellent pics which speak a thousand words.

Saleem

[esteem_lover]

Fantastic report and pictures Raveendra. Loved the pics where the Xenon goes into the slush with clean headlamps and comes out with a neat coat of mud (almost looks like red paint).

Originally Posted by 4x4army

Here are some pics.

Who is that cute kid doing his own off roading with his toy ?