[Shubhendra]

Originally Posted by dhanushs

The real issue is some fellow Jeepers who instead of promoting new ventures, go ahead and spread negative publicity. .

Dhanush,
its common everywhere, people find their egos bigger than a club or sport.
One quote for you

“Isn't it kind of silly to think that tearing someone else down builds you up?”
― Sean Covey, The 7 Habits Of Highly Effective Teens

At the end of the day, truth prevails and good work speak louder than any negativity.

Shubhendra Singh

[Grace]

+1 to that Shubhendra,

During last 9 years of offroading in India, I have seen best of friendships in OTR scene wither away, trying to prove "my this" is better offroader 'than yours".
Groups formed, breakaway groups, google groups,orkut groups,yahoo grps you name it they have been formed and then just broke up just because, some ones ego was not massaged propoerly. Some how selfishness suddenly appears and everything just dissolves.

Andy

[fazalaliadil]

Originally Posted by dhanushs

Thank you Fazal Sir..

Re: State backing the event.. .. Well, its just the same like all states. There is no special policy. The MLA turned up as he is a patron of the club, who might as well go on and become a member.

The real issue is some fellow Jeepers who instead of promoting new ventures, go ahead and spread negative publicity. .
Would've loved to see one of the most pristine SWB's in India taking part in the event!!

Dhanush,

I was referring not to the MLA but the way Kerala is tying up off roading with tourism promotion program. But it is surely nice to have members from different back grounds in the club.

About the Jeeper's negativity...its a Jeep thing I guess, prevalent all over India. Initially clubs form, only to eventually split and a lot of bad blood goes around.
Reason I have never been a member of any club till date.

Oh yes, really would love to be in this country which is 'God's Own' in my Lynx, of course.
Regards,

[dhanushs]

Enter the track






















Food Point Entry







Nice to see happy faces..









Slushy Enjoyment!

[Grace]

Hi All,

Would like discuss here the various brands of tyres shod on differant vehicles. Prior to coming to this OTR, I removed Yoko Geolander AT and replaced with Maxxis Trepador. To my pleasant surprise 80% of the vehicles had Maxxis Trepador, some of the participants had Maxxis Bighorn, Mudzilla, Cooper Discovery STT and NDMS.

I wonder how they performed, NDMS is a sure shot winner on any terrain, trepadors also performed flawlessly. Some folks came on Yoko Geo ATs and since those were on a Gypsy, so it dint matter, I did see the tractor itself bogged down, what with its winning tyre pattern.

Andy

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by Grace

I wonder how they performed, NDMS is a sure shot winner on any terrain, trepadors also performed flawlessly. Some folks came on Yoko Geo ATs and since those were on a Gypsy, so it dint matter, I did see the tractor itself bogged down, what with its winning tyre pattern.

Hi Andy,

Re: NDMS

NDMS gives you very good directional stability in slush. However, one disadvantage for NDMS is that they lack width, and for the weight of a 540/550/Thar, if you lose your momentum and stop, its difficult for you pull away from the spot, as they tend to dig underneath for hard ground, which will eventually get you irreversibly stuck.

IMO, need ~7.00 inch width for gypsys and atleast ~8.00 inch width for 540/550, then NDMS will work wonders..

With those side lugs, it can beat all MT's in track, where turning sharply matters most.

- Dhanush

[Grace]

Hi,

Agree with you, if you recollect the first challenge, on the 'A' track, there was a run up distance, of about 50 metres, turn sharp right and then climb straight and turn right again, into an incline, NDMS was able to do this effortlessly with momentum, however many MTs got bogged down either due to late turning or simply lack of momentum.

Andy

[Twinn]

Brilliant Pic Man, I know how tough it would have been for the O team to maintain the composure till the end.

Heard even locker bearing machines could not make it through few obstacles?

Originally Posted by dhanushs

The real issue is some fellow Jeepers who instead of promoting new ventures, go ahead and spread negative publicity.

Ha ha ha, there is another saying buddy "What goes around, comes around", remember?

When expectations of people are not met, there will always be a complain.

[Grace]

Hi Amrth,
Long time no see.

I finally got a set of FC axles and fitted that onto my 540, previous page has a lot of pics, see a ka19 orange 540.


You are right on'what goes around comes around''Seen it happening many times.

Andy

[Twinn]

Originally Posted by Grace

Hi Amrth,
Long time no see.
I finally got a set of FC axles and fitted that onto my 540, previous page has a lot of pics, see a ka19 orange 540.Andy

Hey Andy Sorry about the axles. That fellow has not yet returned. Some say he absconded due to commitments and all. I think we were lucky took off even before we got into a deal with him.

So how much did you pay and how is the steering and turning radius affecting?

[Grace]

Hi Amrth,

The cost including shipping+fitment came to about 30k, for both front and back, the perch for the spring had to be remade, to be fitted perfectly to the 540, this is a tricky job. Total vehicle down time 25 days. Joy derived after fitment = Priceless.
For others, there is always shabbirbhai.

Andy

[DeClutch 4X4]

A friend of mine penned his experience about Wayanad OTR on his blog. Hats off to O-team for showcasing such brilliance in organizing such event.

Kudo's to O-team.

Blog link: http://www.vivekvenugopal.info/1/pos...the-road.html?

Cheers,
Deepak Shivanna

Mods: If it's inappropriate, please delete the same.

[sreejeshmp]

Photo courtesy, their respective owners

















More to come .

[Sudarshan]

Originally Posted by dhanushs

The real issue is some fellow Jeepers who instead of promoting new ventures, go ahead and spread negative publicity. .
!

Dont worry too much . Some have habit of complaining about everything , some feel that they have a monopoly over everything related to 4X4 in India .

I have seen various reports of the event & you have clearly got it right & successful.

Having said that, event management is a continuous process of improvements that never stops, & you will surely make it more next time.

I hope to join you at the next event you manage

Sudarshan

[Endeavour333]

My brief report of the event:

I came for the event with a group of SUVs from bangalore which comprised of a Scorpio getaway, Pajero, and another Endeavour. All of which had been lifted 2 inches and had MT tyres. Apart from our group, there were also 2 land cruisers, and one Scorpio.

Since the SUVs were lined up at the end of the pack on the first day, there was a lot of waiting around due to the trail being super slippery and a few vehicles breaking down ahead, but we eventually got to do some really challenging climbs and descents, some of which we had no choice but to get winched out. Still had a great time slipping and sliding around with quite a few "oh sh**" moments mixed in. Certainly got the adrenaline pumping.

The second day was the timed drive through the man made challenging slush filled course that had sharp turns, water pits, articulation pits and sharp climbs and descents. The course was pretty tight so in the extremely slippery conditions the front wheels were refusing to do anything but go straight. It felt like turning the wheel was useless in some places but what I figured out midway was that if I slow down before the turn, rotate the steering completely and then apply some throttle, only then would the car make those super right turns. I had to reverse a few times to make some turns and barely made one climb with a lot of wheel spin and left foot braking to activate TORSEN LSD but apart from that had a good smooth run.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wuTumin6fc&sns=em

After my run I found out that I had made a pretty good time but got beaten in the end by a shorter wheel base Scorpio that didn't have to reverse as much in the turns and driven a bit faster over the obstacles that I took it slower on. Placed 2nd in the SUV category and got some ironman lights as a prize. Overall it was a fantastic and well organised event in which I hope to see many more SUVs next year.

An added bonus is also the spectacular scenery on the drive to Wayanad. from Chennai. We got to drive through national forests and extremely scenic country sides. Highly recommended trip. Few pics from the Wayanad monsoon OTR, my new front bumper, and Ironman underbody protection are below.