[sudev]

Challenge : Rumble Strip

This was a straight line path from the starting line in to a tight 180 degree turn and again a straight line out at the starting gate. Schematic:


Only problem was that the straight line was strewn with old tyre's. Some just thrown around and some half embedded in to the ground across the line of travel. And instead of ditch at the end there was a row of JCB tyre's embedded along the line of travel.

When you started the crew - driver and spotter - had to be inside the car and belted up. And you had to do the same when coming out. In between the spotters got out and tried directing the drivers.


Whether or not they were effective we really do not know because one of the fastest time was set by nicely decked up Land Rover with both driver and navigator inside!


Right from start to end it was bump bump bump.....


Of course the edges were marked with cones and flags - real narrow - and if you knocked one it was 5 seconds penalty and so on and so on...


Drivers struggled to keep momentum and at the same time tried keeping their cars in a straight line within the course boundary. I am wondering why Bobby Bhogal is giving left turn indication???


The pictures are in reverse order of the attempt. A little 4x4 exercise for you too!!!

[sudev]

Many who did not take the correct line or tried using the little extra space on left side of the JCB Tyre wall got struck. This challenge became the third highest in terms of DNF - did not finish.

Once Gypsy busted its prop shaft attempting to torque through this. And lots of clutch burn smell pervaded the area. JCB Uncle had to be called in a number of times to take out the DNF's.

[karizma9292]

Hey guys awesome event , wonderful pics and awesome tricked out jeeps & gypsys .

Can anybody post few more pics of this particular gypsy (if anybody has it)

[sudev]

Look at the FaceBook album linked at 4 Guna 4 pages but a few pictures for you:

Entering slush pit


Turn two at slush pit


Approaching ninety degree left at exit

[sudev]

One more giving frontal view while coming out of slush pit:



Even he found slush pit "very cool" :



Okay okay okay you can call me an MCP for assuming "he"

[xtreme power]

sudev, as you go about describing each obstacle, could you please give timings as well, so we know where we lacked and come better prepared next time

[sudev]

Watch the Polaris 4 guna 4, this weekend on the NewsX autoshow, sat 5.30 pm sun 11.30 am and 6.30 pm.

[sudev]

Describing two challenges, both of which, tested articulation capability of the vehicle.

Challenge one : This was all out test of vehicles capability. Schematically:



A single ramp where you could take up either of the front tyre. The challenge was to see how much distance to the end you could reach AND hold. Not just a momentary push. The challenge picture is all I am able to find right now. May be others may pitch in.


Challenge two : This was even more punishing. The articulation ramps were placed alternately on right and left side. So the spotter also had to guide the steering effort of the driver. Schematic:


Let the pictures do the talking. I will only add that as organizers we need to build stronger ramps. We had configured the weight of vehicles but not the punishment the ramps got from constant jerks from wheel spin and ramming effect of momentum build up in attempting to cross over.
In hindsight it was good that the welder was not able to remove his equipment from site on Saturday night. He was called in few times to re-weld the ramps after "abuse"





You had to steer the vehicle a bit between the ramps to line up properly. But going too far to the outer edge meant that some thing or other from under chassis could foul up on edges.








And as usual JCB Uncle was called in to "lift" out many with slipped tyre syndrome!!

[sudev]

The Gurkha, last picture, almost toppled over due to rear tyre digging in a sizable pit due its all wheels locked effort. There was lots of power but tyre's were not able to deliver it to the ground. Combination of articulation lift and tyre choice??

See also very closely at the ramp in picture of Land Rover Defender from rear. Missing cross piece on the ramp meant even more effort when tyre was climbing up. Unfortunately even the welder by this time was unable to do anything.

[sudev]

Articulation challenge picture:



SO one had to balance the side roll, wheel slip and torque to maximise the result on this.

[adnan_1212]

Now that is what i call a truly professional offroading event. I don think so these kinds of obstacles were ever introduced in any event in India. While you people are trying out new things, we are struggling here to organize an event due to various problems. One cant imagine how jealous i am of the organizers and the participants too. Good job. Will try to be there next time.

[sudev]

@adnana_1212 : Thanks for appreciation. We were trying to contact people from Hyderabad to come and participate (and also other parts of the country...) as it becomes a lovely learning experience. You are not only able to try things yourself with a back up recovery but also see how others manage the challenges. More on this later.

Challenge : Ditches & Dumps

Not really named that but is apt summary of what the challenge was all about. A figure of "8" from start to finish going through four pits and four mounds and just a wee bit of slush. A tight track marked with flags so that plain rush through did not work. Not a great challenge by the time SUV's attempted it as the pits had been partially filled and mounds had been flattened out a bit by the monster jeeps before them.

Sandeep Kwatra and his daughter, both driving this independently in their X-Trail. See Kevin and Gurjot parked in background in their Ford Endy watching and judging their best line.




The figure of eight was had lots of variation in terms of half side ditch and sharp kinks against the obvious easy line.




See the flag penalty being incurred by rear left wheel knocking off a flag.




Hark back to past - The Xtrail doing the "log" crossing with daughter spotting for the father.

[sudev]

Challenge : Tight turns and gates

This challenge turned the tables on the monster machines with crawlers, huge tyres etc. etc. The objective was to pass through three asymmetrically placed gates in given order, enter a tight turning box and then exit through three gates in reverse order. Schematically:


SUV's also did this challenge. The XTrail going in through gate #2 with Delhi metro service in the background. The back of picture also shows partially the box where the vehicles had to enter and then use five point or more maneuvers for turning around.


The constant lock to lock steering and powering through turns meant that the surface was ground to fine powdered dust.


No wonder not many pictures from this area.

[fazalaliadil]

Sudev,

Been following this thread since long, apologies for the delayed reply.

Great job on the track design. So much happening right in the city, the man made obstacles are very well planned testing the man and his machine in unison. A very good turn out. Loved the slush pit.

Thanks for providing the diagrams of the obstacle layout.

Wish this was closer to Hyderabad.

Regards,

[sudev]

@fazalaliadil : May be we can plan something....DKG??? Should be doable if we put our mind together. PM/Email me.

Challenge:



The schematics above describes what we wanted the technical part of challenge to be. The physical layout on the ground was series of three ditched. With incline entry and a straight wall to be climbed. Two are visible here the third is just beyond the crowd getting briefing on the challenges:


Getting ready for it. You were timed in and out so the objective was to also be quickest:


You could be quick and damage your vehicle by using brute force. Here goes pit one:


Here goes pit two but be careful you have to stay inside of line of white markers so a little change in direction :


And here we are struck in pit three, which also has slush at the bottom:


So we attempt again and again while well wishers pour in advice to crew. Navigator should get out and place ramps.


We try to use ramps after a while but combination of bad line upslush and slush mean we are still stuck


But in the end Uncle JCB pulls us out:


Watch out for the most fun part next....