[ex670c]

Hi Guys,

A very good coverage from The New Indian Express, Indulge Magazine 22-11-2013

Regards,

Arka

[vroom666]

Good one Arka. You guys seem to be getting some good media coverage. I badly wanted to make it to the event but my vehicle is still being done up so unfortunately cannot. Wanted to meet you, Vikram & Amar.

Hope to make it the next year. But waiting to see some good reports, photos & videos after the event.

[ex670c]

Hi Guys,

We successfully concluded the SUV off-road excursion calendar for 2013.

On 24th November we had 2 Pajeros, 1 Endy and 1 Thar CRDe, Palar in the rains is a very different experience, if you forget on a Riverbed, water has the right of way!!!.

Enjoy the first set of pics.

Regards,

Arka

[Endeavour333]

Hi all, we had a fantastic time at the SUV Off-Road event last weekend. From the Palar Challenge just a few months ago, the riverbed looked totally different. Where there was just sand and rocks, there was now a thick swamp of water and tall grasses that were totally impassable. The first water crossing to enter the river bed turned out to be the deepest one I have EVER done with the Endeavour but luckily the ground beneath was quite firm and all the SUVs got through without a hitch.

Our plan was actually to take the SUVs to 3 of the Palar Challenge Special Stages but we soon found out, after taking several diversions due to the overflowing water, that there was just no way to access that part of the river at the time. So we turned around and found some interesting obstacles with all the water and slush around. It was a great experience for the participants to learn how to drive in sand. The most important lessons of which are to use momentum and to learn when to stop pressing the accelerator when the wheels start spinning (or risk burying your wheels deep in the sand in a matter of seconds).

Here are a few pics I've collected from others that captures the fun we had:

[ex670c]

Hi Guys,

The second set of pics.

Regards,

Arka

[sticksnpedals]

Have you done this with your SUV yet? I HAVE

0830 IST
Chennai - Pondicherry ECR

It was rendezvous on the road this time. Peggie and us(Dr.Praveen and I) drove up behind Arka and gang on the ECR. It was straight breakfast at Mahabs before the most awaited...

DAY 2

After breakfast we were joined by the beastly endy and we headed to the great Pavanjur Farms our briefing point. The marshalls got into their respective vehicles and we headed towards the Palar river bed as we formed the final convoy - Arka's MM540, Pajero(TN), Pajero (KL), Endy, and the Thar. It was 4 x 4 time.

First obstacle before entering the river bed was a water crossing. The water level seemed to be a 2+ feet deep. As we lined up, we watched a vehicle cross it first from the opposite end. It was a 2 wheel, 8 leg driven, 2 bull powered bullock cart. Atleast we now knew which line to take. Arka took the lead. It was the deepest crossing I had done. One more and then we were into the sands of the Palar. Gears all the way to 4LLc.

The MM540 was on 2WD because of a glitch in the free wheeling hubs. The sand forced us to stop and Arka did a few adjustments to make it work. Despite the drizzle, it was demo time of the inside of a hub. After a bit of trail driving we got off the trail to fix a first obstacle course.

Drive through a pool of water, a soft sand patch, drop into another pool of water and climb out of it into a sand patch, drop down, another climb, drop down again and stop. Pajero(TN) went in and came out on top, followed by the Thar and the Endy. Pajero (KL) tried to do the run at a slower pace, but the pool of water caught her cross-axle. The Endy tried to tow, but it was hard to find a place with enough traction. So we decided to use the Pajero(KL)'s winch for self recovery. Arka used the time to give a demo on 'how to' and 'how not to' load a two shackle. The Pajero (TN) was used as an anchor, but wasnt sure footed enough. So had to move to a different spot to work as an anchor. Pajero(KL) was able to self recover using the winch. We did another run through of the same loop and this time Pajero (TN) got stuck. Pajero(KL) came along and extended a winching hand. We decided another run through the same loop. Everyone was through. The Pajero(KL) went one wheel in the air over the second drop flaunting the modified rear suspension.

Obstacle course 2 was a soft sand climb through a narrow path, sharp right turn and then a steep drop. I must admit the sharp right turn had to be judged and turned more on throttle control than steering and the steep drop down was quite intimidating. All the vehicles went through on one attempt though. So what do we do? We do the loop from End to Start! Pajero(TN) attempted the steep climb a couple of times, but couldnt make it and stopped for a breather. The Thar tried as well but had to stop for a break. The MM did her part with a number of lines, but decided to take a break. Finally the auto Endy conquered the climb. Behind the success of every auto Endy, there is mostly an MM, a Thar and a Pajero who have done the ground work . Pajero(KL) followed successfully. By now a trail was set and the Thar, MM and the Pajero(TN) went through as well.

It was time to move on to find another location for obstacles. This time, it was an island of soft sand. Drop in through water puddle, climb into the soft sand patch, drive through it, climb out into the exit trail. The first to go in was the 'automatic' Endy who got stuck! The MM540 had to winch the Endy out and then the Endy took another line, crossed through and completed the circuit. Pajero(TN), Thar, Pajero(KL) went through, some repeated the circuit.

The fourth obstacle was a longer course with a lot of wet patches and soft ground. Drop into a pool of water, climb out into a sand patch, drop again through the pool, climb into a trail, drop down again, drive through a soft sand patch, climb out the opposite side, drive along the trail, drop down into a sand patch, through a water puddle and climb out to the exit. The MM went through, followed by the Pajero(TN), the Endy, the Thar and the Pajero (KL). All vehicles went through for a round2 and the Pajero(TN) got stuck half in the pool of water before the second climb into the trail. The MM540 had to winch, but couldnt find a good footing, so used the Endy as an anchor. Pajero (TN) went in for a couple of trials, but couldnt make the climb and the approach line was only getting weaker. So decided to back out and climb at another place. This time the soft sand patch caught her cross axle. It was decided that the auto Endy would do the recovery, but came in and got stuck herself. We had a new problem. The tow strap was at full stretch and couldnt be removed. So it was two vehicles stuck together. The Pajero (KL) had to come, use the winch to pull the Pajero(TN) closer to the Endy to remove the tow cable. Then the Pajero (TN) was winched out followed by the auto Endy. Finally with all the vehicles free and the day closing in, we decided to call it a day.

It was a very educating day with many terrain and climatic conditions being simulated. Hard tarmac, soft sand patches, deep water crossings, shallow marshy puddles, small climbs, big climbs, shallow and deep drop downs, no rain, drizzle and a short burst of heavy downpour.

We got to experience getting stuck in quite a number of possible ways, in puddles, on climbs, on drop downs, even being stuck together. But, so also did we get to experience various recovery tactics from removing and refitting a free wheeling hub, shoveling, using tow straps single & double to using winches.

The vehicle line up was mixed bred too. MM to SUVs, pimped to down right stock, manual and auto, all had their advantages and disadvantages. Drivers got a chance to learn more about them and use them to their benefit. And when someone got stuck, everyone was more than willing to help them out together.

As the ground turned to tarmac, 2H engaged, it was a wonderful year of SUV excursions. To Palar, the weather, the vehicles, the drivers, the friends, especially the organisers, Cheers! Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. God Bless!


Hold on!! Can we do the loop again?

[ex670c]

Hi Guys,

The last set of pics.

Regards,

Arka

[desertfox]

Did the participants deflate the tires to 20 or 18 psi to tackle this sand terrain ?

[ex670c]

Originally Posted by desertfox

Did the participants deflate the tires to 20 or 18 psi to tackle this sand terrain ?

Hi Shahid,

The terrain is sandy riverbed with man made gravel tracks.

IIRC Vishnu, deflated the tyres of his Ford Endy.

Regards,

Arka

[Blue Thunder]

Nice writeup, sticksnpedals

Originally Posted by sticksnpedals

.... Behind the success of every auto Endy, there is mostly an MM, a Thar and a Pajero who have done the ground work . ..

Now, that's a very good one !!! Though I am not sure Vishnu would agree... LOL !

[Maverick79]

Vow! What an experience was it.

My first Off road venture is only making me restless day by day, to grab any of the working 4X4's available in our T-BHP classifides!

Though, I was a mere spectator / photographer this time, I was always wanting to try those mean machines.
Unfortunately, my pal who has a Thar, couldn't make it this time.

Any ways, let me add some more photos to this thread!

Starting with Arka's One Ton - Jonga and Gypsy

The Cj3B Petrol and Our Guide for the day - MM540

Found this passenger resting in the rear seat of CJ3B!
Arka, it too needs a ride it seems. Let's take her next time!

My ride

The participants

The odd man out here is your's truly!

The convoy starts

The grand Entry!

And it all started now..

Apologies to Arka for this delayed post. Took some time to escape from the daily routeen and reduce the size of each of the shortlisted 85 photographs from a total of 200 nos.