[sameerpb]

The story begins a month before on Friday I reached the office bit early and met few of my collogues in a break out and we discussed about going for trekking or going off-road trip, I knew about Mahindra adventure and we explored about the same. Due to some reason I enrolled and others were planning but couldn’t ,due to personal commitments.


Next Friday I registered myself for getting Dirty course, There were 2 options 1 was Getting Dirty (Basic) and the other was Trail Survivor (Basic +Intermediate). Since I was novice with That and had no experience , I decided to go with Getting Dirty. Later completely forgot about the same until few days before I realized that I have to check with my collogues if they have enrolled or not later I received an email from Manish indicating details for the drives and Do’s and Don’ts. It also mentioned about carpool for outstation folks, so I extended my help and then Manish called me and told that we were just 2 of us in the course rest have enrolled for Trail survivor. This made me to think should I go for it or not, but then Manish assured me that , the lesser the better and I would enjoy the course.

Next day Morning I got up at 6:30 and started from home at 7:00 and reached Mahindra off-road academy at 9.40AM. Mahindra off-road academy is situated next to Mahindra Igatpuri Plant and just behind R&D center.


It was a rainy Saturday morning was the perfect start to an off-roading. Mahindra off roading academy is spread over 28 acres surround by lush greenery, mud and soil. On reaching the venue we were welcomed by a lineup of Mahindra Thars and legend ,Mahindra Major. Followed by crew that included Trainers, support staff and a doctor with an ambulance.

The fleet :



Right after getting freshen up ,we were handed over the Thars to start off the drive. Thars were turned to 4L. the Thars had a walkie talkie fitted in so that we could clearly hear instructions from Trainers.

We were welcomed by Selvin Jose our instructor for the course, the knowledge we got from him was unimaginable. The best part of being there is no actual classroom. Gathering in an open playground, over a hot cup of tea, surrounded by our cars for the weekend – the Mahindra Thar, Scorpio and Bolero. Selvin started off by giving us an insight into the Thar. We were then familiarised with all 4×4 terminologies like 4H, 4L, differentials, diff locks etc. A very important aspect off-roading is to walk the obstacle before you do it. Torque is more important than speed in off-roading. Also it is important to let the vehicle do what it wants ,otherwise you will land up in trouble or even topple.

Briefing By Selvin :



It was the time to get into action. Safety has prime importance and we were provided with helmets and belted up.

We started off with the first obstacle that was called ‘Home Run’. Firstly we walked along with Selvin and he explained us about the difficulties and what needs to be absorbed from the track specially the potholes and how the surfaces look like.

Here, we had to drive down a deep rut with caution and drive up from the other end. Each obstacle was demonstrated by Selvin with the Scorpio before we attempted it. Each of the Thar went through the ‘Home Run’ very smooth. The trick was to put the car in 1st gear and 4 L release the clutch and do not accelerate the car, it will roll in its own speed. Once you are on slop brake gently and slightly accelerate while turning the wheel.

Though the slope was a bit steep but the Thar made it look easy. The trick was to brake and accelerate was crucial while turning the vehicle.

Home Run first attempt :













Home Run second attempt :







The next obstacle was ‘The Zig Zag Hill’. Here we have to climb the incline and then pass the deep rut and turn to right hairpin and come all the way down hill. This was a test of your steering and throttle input skills. It is very important to strike the perfect balance between the two. Else you will end up between a rock and a hard place.. We walked the obstacle it was incline then zig zag in the deep rut and turn hairpin and get down the slope. Praveen gave us a demo by Walking ‘The Scropio’.What he does here is he slots the Scorpio into first gear and 4 low and as it starts moving, he gets out and starts walking next to it as it moves forward, steering it from outside.

First I tried the Thar CRDe and climbing incline was easy but moving out of rut was bit tricky and I got stuck at one point, to move on had to reverse the car get on to 1st gear and increase the throttle to 2000 RPM and zig zag in the deep rut, then turn at hairpin and roll down without touching brakes.

Second time I tried the same in Thar DI (Bolero Engine) I climbed incline in 1st gear then switched to 2nd gear. I passed the zigzag swiftly, switched back to 1st gear turned right to cross hairpin and rolled back to the base. I found the torque levels in 1st gear and 4L of DI better than CRDe specifically on rough surface and in rut.

Reaching Zig Zag hill :





View from top of Zig Zag hill:



Attachment 1664388

First attempt for Zig Zag hill :







Playing with Deep rut, it was very slippery:



Hair pin turn :





Lush green view from zig zag hill :



Next obstacle was the ‘Sarpanch’ was my favourite obstacle in the entire course as it had a hairpin like banked uphill turn and a very tight crawl down over loose gravel and a rocky step. This obstacle was named after the challenge of towing a Mahindra Sarpanch tractor through this very tricky and technical section. We walked obstacle with Selvin and he explained the specific spots to look at the track,it was a bit narrow so we had to follow a specific route. There was a rocky patch that could make drive easy so it was suggested to avoid the rocky patch.

While passing this obstacle it started raining, I started the car in 1st Gear and 4L, pressed the throttle gently and crossed first right then a pot hole and a incline hairpin, I had to increase the throttle to get more traction on the rug increased RPM to 2000 and crossed the hairpin and then slop was easy to pass on 1st gear and 4L.

Selvin Explaining us Sarpanch :





My first attempt :





Got stuck at hairpin turn:









My Second attempt:



After Sarpanch we did 2 more obstacles 'Railway crossing' and then 'SUV challenge' more to come on this

[sameerpb]

Next obstacle was the "railway crossing"; in this we had to climb uphill cross the obstacles and take a U turn and return back. While doing this we had to engage normal 1st gear increase throttle to 2000 RPM climb incline, then engage 4L, get the extra power to cross obstacles which were pot holes and then climb incline, take a U turn. while returning it was normal 1st gear and 4L and brake gently while rolling down.

By then I got a good feel of the car so i did not paddle the brake it was just a engine breaking.
Reaching Railway crossing :





Manish explaining me Railway crossing :



My start on Railway crossing and accelerating to 2000 RPM



Crossing pot holes while engaging 4L :







Next incline to reach on top:



Returning back :





This is my personal favourite picture, in true sense getting dirty:



After completing Railway crossing we went for lunch and later we did a SUV challenge

Final obstacle was The 'SUV challenge' it looked fairly simple but it was the most difficult one and I had lot of fun and, tested driving skills and petitions. This obstacle was crossing deep holes which were in zig zag style.

I started the drive with with 1st gear and 4L. While crossing each obstacle, I learnt a good trick raise the accelerator upto 2000 RPM, once it reaches to 2000 RPM release the clutch, that will generate a good power to move from the obstacle.











Finally a video link, this is the only video i captured:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhuVWuwkBsg&t=22s

Conclusion : It was a fulfilling day for me, I could spend sometime on what I wanted to do for a long while. I also learnt the new skills such as engine breaking, Driving 4X4's, learning how differentials work. Most importantly my childhood dream came true, of driving a Jeep / Willys.

About Mahindra Off-roading Academy : The experience was awesome, great hospitality, infrastructure was apt and perfectly set up. Trainers and support staff were very professional and very friendly. The best part there was Bolero packed with Tea thermos and support staff was courteous to check if I need anything.

Special thanks to Manish Sarser & Selvin Jose, who were very supportive and excellent off road trainers.

How to register for a course : http://mahindraadventure.com/off-roading-we-go

Lastly This is my first off road experience and I am a novice in off-roading.

My journey is just started.

Thank You ! Live to Drive !

[Aditya]

Thread moved from the Assembly Line to 4X4 Excursions. Thanks for sharing!

[Samurai]

Wonderful report. First offroading experience is unforgettable. You actually learn a life skill, which will remain with you forever.

I am a bit curious about this pic. While you were talking with Manish, isn't that Dippy right behind you? You haven't mentioned him in the report. You probably know, they are both very old BHPians, pre-dating even me.

[sameerpb]

Originally Posted by Samurai

Wonderful report. First offroading experience is unforgettable. You actually learn a life skill, which will remain with you forever.

I am a bit curious about this pic. While you were talking with Manish, isn't that Dippy right behind you? You haven't mentioned him in the report. You probably know, they are both very old BHPians, pre-dating even me.

Thanks Samurai for the comments, Yes, first offroading experience is always special one and that is the reason I thought of writing up a thread.

Oh Yes, Dippy and F50 visited Mahindra off roading academy for some time and yes I could recognise him, I had a good chat with both of them

[nit787]

Awesome thread. I will definitely try. Is this camp organised only in monsoon?

[drifter]

The Off-Road Academy runs throughout the year on almost every weekend. Monsoon however, is the best time to come and have fun.

[gadadhar]

Thanks for the useful post, I never knew something like this ever existed in our country. Hope Mahindra will open one here in the South soon.

[sparky@home]

That was a great review, shows you had a good time.will have to try it one of these days. All the best.

[Engine_Roars]

Great report, just came across this tweet by Mr. Mahindra. Thought you might like!!

[sameerpb]

Originally Posted by gadadhar

Thanks for the useful post, I never knew something like this ever existed in our country. Hope Mahindra will open one here in the South soon.

@gahadhar Thanks, Mahindra off-road academy is unique one who offer off-road training. The location is also very well connected to Mumbai.

Originally Posted by nit787

Awesome thread. I will definitely try. Is this camp organised only in monsoon?

@nit787, They run this through out the year, best time off-road is in monsoon.

Originally Posted by sparky@home

That was a great review, shows you had a good time.will have to try it one of these days. All the best.

Sparky@home Thanks, Trust me this was the best time ever spent with cars.

Originally Posted by Engine_Roars

Great report, just came across this tweet by Mr. Mahindra. Thought you might like

Engine_Roars Thanks, indeed this was the best complement I got for my first ever review, this made my day.

More pictures to come !

[vasist]

Great post @sameerpb .. never knew about it! Good initiative from M&M .. Hope they set up such centres in many more cities. Also seems pretty reasonably priced considering the amount of fun to be had

[sameerpb]

Originally Posted by vasist

Great post @sameerpb .. never knew about it! Good initiative from M&M .. Hope they set up such centres in many more cities. Also seems pretty reasonably priced considering the amount of fun to be had

Thanks Vasist, Yes it is a very good initiative by M&M. Its very easy to reach Mahindra off roading academy from Mumbai and it is spread over 28 acres with no tar roads and buildings.

[Motoringlover]

Hi Sameer - The thread was a pleasure to read thanks for sharing. Now experiences like this is a great way to get a sense of what off road experience is all about, something i hope to do it someday. Have you ever contemplated owning a Scorpio 4X4 or a thar, now how would that be to live with on a day to day basis ? may be the scorpio would still be easy to live with, Also How was your experience between the DI and CRDE thar, any thoughts.

Lovely Pictures mate.

Cheers

[manas_270]

Wonderful report Sameer!
Seems like a good fun event combined with the knowledge gain. The pricing seems reasonable considering they are providing a vehicle too. Your thread has made me check out the site and itching to book one in September

Originally Posted by sameerpb

It also mentioned about carpool for outstation folks,

Can you share more details on this since this is something I couldn't really find on their site. Like, is transportation arranged for folks arriving from other cities?
Based on that I will have an idea of the logistics I need to take care of.