[mac187]

Annual Bangalore OTR 2013 – Event Report

This is the first time I was attending a OTR event in Bangalore. Due to various reasons missed Raid and another OTR session conducted by Dwarka Sir, hence was looking forward to it eagerly. To avoid delays in starting the event and to give outstation off-roaders enough time, the registrations were held on 24th evening itself. Which turned out to be great as I got to meet lot of participants and eventually all of us were part of the same group.

25 January 2013

It was announced during dinner last night that it would be an early morning start and breakfast would be available 7:30AM onwards. By 7:30AM most of the participants were up and getting ready. The first group moved around 8:00 – 8:30AM. The plan was to divide the 100 vehicles (upper limit) into 4 equal groups and set them off to 4 different trails. Each group was to complete 2 trails a day there by ensuring proper time and participation for all participants. On the morning 98 vehicles were participating but the division of the vehicle was not equal to accommodate groups who wanted to stick together, this coupled with the numbering of vehicles not being done correctly played havoc on Day 2 when announcing which team needs to set-off towards which trail. We were part of group 4, the good thing about being the last group was that in the end only 12 vehicles were left for the fourth group. This proved advantages to the first timers in our group as they could spend more time and tries in conquering the obstacle.

Group 4 heading out



My previous OTR’s were in Wayanad and Sakleshpur, where the weather was pleasant and the trail was slushy. I knew that I should expect a Sunny, Rocky and Dusty day but was not really prepared for it. Once the initial excitement wearied down and the sun was dancing on top of our heads, the reality set in that this is different. Thankfully each participant was given a liter of Orange Juice and each vehicle, 5 liters of water. This helped a lot in recharging my drained out body and fried brain. The rocky terrain gives the driver a few heart stopping moments will all the loud bands and screeching sounds. The dust ensures than you work overtime to keep your camera clean.

















Special mention to Marshall Siddu onbehalf of the first timers, he was very clam and composed and guided the drivers perfectly.

Day One conquered

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by mac187

Special mention to Marshall Siddu onbehalf of the first timers, he was very clam and composed and guided the drivers perfectly.

Siddu was in-charge of Quarry (trail 4), not slush.

[mac187]

26 January 2013

The trail ensured that we got a good nights’ sleep, all that pain and tiredness puts me to sleep right away. The tasty food played its part too. This day was special and it was celebrated by hoisting the Tri-colour and the kids singing the National Anthem. After sorting out the combination of the group & trail, we headed out. Day two had its share of surprises as well, our group had reduced from 12 vehicles to 6, as few participants decided to head home. This gave us enough time on hand to tackle each obstacle and have a photo-shoot. One of the Jeeps' brakes were not working properly but they got it to the trail anyway. This proved to be nice reminder as to why one shouldn’t take basic things lightly. It took 2 jeeps and an hour to get the Jeep out of the mess it was put into.











In all Day 2 was great and things finished on time. The event was well organized and the number of Marshalls around ensured that help is always around the corner. Met some nice people and had fun on the trail. This is was its all about, isn't it.

[Driving_Nomad]

Originally Posted by mac187

26 December 2013

Shouldn't it be January ? Or, is it too late in the night that am reading it as December?
Thanks for the report !!

[mac187]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Siddu was in-charge of Quarry (trail 4), not slush.

Right. Our group was sent to Trail 4 first and then to Trail 1.

[svsantosh]

Dear all,

Why no updates? Eagerly awaiting more pics and vids. I like the way Arka designed the post TPC report for each year, can someone post it in a similar format?

[Blue Thunder]

A couple of videos of the 4X4 AT Endeavour of Endeavour333 :

(available in Full HD also)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrOJcbb2iRU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SNb4E4WChlk

[sreejeshmp]

This time I started the Obstacle with Blast from Dwaraka I was driving the 57" Track first time in Offroad so took little time to understand the turning radios and The NGCS especially the steering return of MRCB.

Vijay was kind enough to wait for me and put me between the marshal vehicles while driving back to the camp. My Jeep got a electrical short circuit & Overheat Breakdown after climbing the query stage at night.

I think next time we have to randomly select the trials By putting the Group number rather than selecting by any particular group.

It was really a good Event and I really got a nice track to test My Jeep.

few pics from My side.

Our team..


My NGCS & Sold MM550 XD



Dhanus's MM540 XD


Biju's CJ3B with MDI3200


Rajith's 540 with Isuzu Engine &GB

[sreejeshmp]

Few random pics from Ribin's Camera.

[Rajith]

Originally Posted by sreejeshmp

Vijay was kind enough to wait for me and put me between the marshal vehicles while driving back to the camp. My Jeep got a electrical short circuit & Overheat Breakdown after climbing the query stage at night.

I think next time we have to randomly select the trials By putting the Group number rather than selecting by any particular group.

Sir, Moving in a group has given a lot of advantage , except the incident which you have written above, we never came to know this.

To refresh.

You forgot how CJ3B towed Roys 540 to base camp when one cylinder failed in the middle of the trail ?.

You forgot how CJ3B towed Dhanush 540 to base camp when GBox failed in the middle of the trail ?.

You forgot how Ribins 550 was fixed with FIP power supply issue on the trail?.

You forgot how you was lifted out with high lift jack from Dhanush when you jumped out of the track on rocks?.

Seems your upset with NGCS non performing to your expectations when your old MM550 performed excellent with a newbie with out any drama.

All in the game..

[Samurai]

You have to forgive Sreejesh for forgetting all that. He somehow believed NGCS will perform better. When that didn't happen on trail, he was truly distraught as one can expect.

[DHABHAR.BEHRAM]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Sreejesh somehow believed NGCS will perform better. When that didn't happen on trail, he was truly distraught as one can expect.

Dear Sharath / Sreejesh - can you please post your exact comments on why tou think the NGCS did not do what you expected out of it? This is going to provide interesting learning, only good can come out of it, please give this information.

Best regards,

Behram Dhabhar

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

Dear Sharath / Sreejesh - can you please post your exact comments on why tou think the NGCS did not do what you expected out of it? This is going to provide interesting learning, only good can come out of it, please give this information.

Only one answer sir: Lack of Articulation.

Where old Jeeps didn't even see an obstacle worth planning, the NGCS was spinning wheels crazily.

Eg: Please check the third picture in Sreejesh's first post. I distinctly remember one of his front wheels and one of his back wheels in the air, a little bit into the obstacle.. (Or was it? )

[Rajith]

My MM540 with ISZ heart after succesfully completing the slush trail on the last day evening , got a good MUD THERAPY in a authentic kerala style.

[sreejeshmp]

Originally Posted by Rajith

Sir, Moving in a group has given a lot of advantage , except the incident which you have written above, we never came to know this.

To refresh.

You forgot how CJ3B towed Roys 540 to base camp when one cylinder failed in the middle of the trail ?.

You forgot how CJ3B towed Dhanush 540 to base camp when GBox failed in the middle of the trail ?.

You forgot how Ribins 550 was fixed with FIP power supply issue on the trail?.

You forgot how you was lifted out with high lift jack from Dhanush when you jumped out of the track on rocks?.

Seems your upset with NGCS non performing to your expectations when your old MM550 performed excellent with a newbie with out any drama.

All in the game..

I didn't forget, But I thought no need to point all the break downs of the other Jeeps.

Now I remember Rajiths Jeep was struggling at 3-4 places with enough torque,bhp,OKBJ,PS etc.. what was the reason ? and when Dhanush got steering it climbed like a leopard .

About the NGCS I still say Its a beautiful platform to build a Jeep. I really liked /surprised the way it jumps and lands. all most all other jeeps are with modifications (good or bad) and the NGCS was stock with 12 ply tyre with normal tyre pressure. My old jeep was build with enough patience and time with the help of Pratheesh,Sudashan,Sibi Paul.. will do the same once more with the best platform, "The NGCS" but don't ask me How .



- Sreejesh

Forgot one more thing Rajith's radiator fan was touching the radiator while articulating, but we managed to fix it, that too in the middle of the trail.