[ex670c]

Hi Guys,

Terratigers is please to announce the dates for the 11th Palar Challenge - TPC2017

28th September - Reporting
29th September - Competition Day#1
30th September - Competition Day#2
1st October - Competition Day#3
2nd October - Awards Function and Drive Back

There are some changes to the Team Format each team will comprise of
ONE Competition Vehicle (Winch/6Point RollCage/Safety Harness)
OPTIONAL TWO 4x4 Support Vehicle/Chase Trucks

Maximum Number of Personnel in the competition Stages 6/3 Vehicles

Regards,

Arka

[Blue Thunder]

All the best, Arka and the Terra Tigers team for the 11th edition of the oldest and the toughest 4X4 competitive event in India

[dhanushs]

Originally Posted by ex670c

Hi Guys,

Terratigers is please to announce the dates for the 11th Palar Challenge - TPC2017

Arka, have you decided on the pricing of the event? When do the registrations start?

[robinson.s]

Arka,

Great to see the format has changed and some new initiatives which could be more competitive and workable as its individual entry.
Why don't you share more details such as the format, spec, scoring structure, facilities provided and also the entry fee.

Thanks & Regards
Robinson

[ex670c]

Originally Posted by robinson.s

Arka,

Great to see the format has changed and some new initiatives which could be more competitive and workable as its individual entry.
Why don't you share more details such as the format, spec, scoring structure, facilities provided and also the entry fee.

Thanks & Regards
Robinson

Hi Robinson and offroad competitiors,

The Terratigers have had a good run with TPC from 2006 to 2016. From 2017, The Palar Challenge will no longer be an offroad competition.

It will be an offroad drive for 4x4s with Low Range.

The offroad drive is suitable for
ISUZU Mu-X & V-Cross
Ford Endeavour
Toyota Fortuner
Mahindra Thar, Scorpio 4WD, Bolero 4WD
Mitsubishi Pajero

Registration Fee is Rs4000 per Vehicle.

Regards,

Arka

[Blue Thunder]

Originally Posted by ex670c

... From 2017, The Palar Challenge will no longer be an offroad competition.

It will be an offroad drive for 4x4s with Low Range.
...

Why????Why???Why???

[dhanushs]

Arka, sad to see this update. It was one of the best competitions in India.

[CAPTAIN REX]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

Why????Why???Why???

Will need to grill Arka to find out the real reason, but my guess is that it could be due to the poor response from the participants.

And now, with the Palar Challenge being changed over to the Palar Off road Drive, the 'challenge' was open to all those who had a proper 4X4.
Close to 30 participants would have registered and were there on Saturday, 30th September.
The line up of participants 4X4 SUVs included a Nissan Patrol, a Ford Endeavour, 5 to 6 Isuzu V Cross and loads of Mahindra, mostly Thars, and this was supplemented with around 10 vehicles of the Terra Tigers marshals.

Among the participants, there were quite a few hard core off-roaders, who regularly visit the Palar river bed.

With 'competition' out of the mind of the participants, and the rain gods turning a blind eye to this part of Tamil Nadu, this turned into a fun filled event.

And for those participants (including me ) who only knew the pot holed and non tarred by-lanes of Chennai, as an off-roading track, this came as a 'god sent' opportunity for them to put their 4X4 vehicles to the ultimate off road experience.

Under the watchful eyes and guidance of the Terra Tigers, participants who had never taken their 4X4s off the tarred road, were formally initiated into the principles and practices of off-roading.

All participants were lead, in batches, onto the various 'special stages' (different off road terrains) of the Palar river bed, and given the opportunity to drive these stages. The regulars could cope up with these without much guidance, while the novice were instructed and guided by the Terra Tigers on the best way to tackle each terrain.

Few photos and videos of the event

The traffic encountered en-route to the Palar river


The first casualty of the day - the V Cross sits on the sand dune. A drawback of having a long wheel base.


The participants were taught on Team work while off-roading. One participant helps the other in getting unstuck.


The drawback of having a long overhang. The rear bumpers torn away. The experienced came with the bumpers and footsteps removed.


Having FUN in the sand. Knowing that getting un-stuck is just a shout away, guys tried their vehicles to tackle the terrain, with out a second thought.


Up and down the dunes.


The key to getting to the top - control, traction and momentum. And of-course the will to reach the top.


The novice being guided on 'NO ABC' (accelerator, brake, clutch) while descending, letting the 4X4 roll down in gear.


Lunch was Curd rice, chicken and vegetables. The get together for lunch. Was organized so well, with sufficient food and water, and garbage bags collect all waste and avoid littering.


A Terra Tiger patiently advising a novice on how to get off that rock


Marshal Arun estimating the best track to bring the Thar back on ground


A novice Thar driver being effectively guided up. (the spotter is not in the camera view)


Another novice being navigated to take on the rock in the best way.


The man himself - Arka, walks back after giving a tip to an eager novice, and seeing him drive down safely.


One of the regulars - looking up at his spotter, waiting for the signal to proceed.


The day belonged to the Thar owners.


The impressive axle articulation of the Thar ensured that all 4 wheels were on the ground.


Fortuner, with its long wheel base, makes it tricky to tackle the rock.


The same position on a Thar


The Terra Tigers keeping a watchful eye, ready to spring into action, while the boys play with their 4X4s


One stage of Palar river bed.


Few videos of the rock climbing. Mahindra ROCKS.

Mahindra Bolero 4X4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Btw8H4aXy5g

Mahindra Thar 4X4 (pls excuse the shaky video)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FlnkEEbGXtY&t=10s

Isuzu V Cross

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CbgO__3v5yI

Toyota Fortuner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1HBKUIToSPc

I am now seriously contemplating on getting a Thar, and to wait for the next Palar Off road Drive.

Thanx to the Terra Tigers for organizing the event, the tips on off-roading, for the curd rice and chicken and for the freely flowing cups of Tata Gluco+ which kept us all hydrated during the day long event.