The Palar Challenge – TPC2019
In line with the TerraTigers (TT) tradition, the Palar Challenge (TPC) was held on 28th September, 2019.
As in 2018, this year too, the competition was taken off the TPC, and the event was meant to be a challenging, fun filled off road drive.
The assembly and registration was arranged at Motel Mamalla at 8.30 on the 28th. This year close to 40 participants had arrived at the Motel for the event, and the line up included Fortuners, Pajeros, V Crosses, MUX, Gypsies, Gurkhas, and and the usual Thars and Jeeps from Mahindras stable, both in the stock form, and modified to offroading beasts form.
After a sumptuous breakfast at the motel and the initial briefing, the participants were split into convoys of 8 to 10 vehicles, and then led to the offroad venue, which was the Palar river, around 80 km from Mahabalipuram.
This year, 7 special stages (SS) were set up, in lines with the challenges of a competition, and each stage had 5 obstacles to tackle. Although not easy, all SS were previously recced by the TT marshals to ensure that the stages were safe and do able for the participants. The stages were set up such that the participant had to use their skills and caliber, along with the capabilities of their steed, to complete each obstacle of that stage.
Upon reaching the Palar, all participants were briefed on the code of conduct to be followed for the day, and on the terrain. All were instructed to deflate tyres to around 20 psi, as the major portion of the travel was going to be through loose sand.
The entire participants was split into 4 convoys, and each convoy was led by the TT marshals to different SS, to maximize participation and utilize the time effectively, without participants having to wait in queue to tackle the SS.
Lunch was arranged for the participant at one of the SS, where all gathered at around 2pm.
The event successfully ended late in the evening, barring a couple of incidents, and a few jeepers, who post lunch, got possessed by certain spirits, and created some confusion at the SS by some unruly driving and creating concerns for the other non spiritual participants.
This is the link to the
https://www.team-bhp.com/forum/4x4-e...e-conduct.html (Offroading Protocols & Code of Conduct) , and would appreciate that these set of instructions are seriously followed to have a safe outing.
And as it is the spirits treat you better when the sun goes down and you do not have to keep your hands on a wheel connected to a live axle.
Thanx to Arka and the TerraTigers Team, including the breakdown recovery team consisting of the TT mechanics to assist in the eventuality of any breakdowns, and for giving all an opportunity to try out their 4x4s, and for the umpteen Tata Gluco + that kept us well hydrated through out the day.
Below are the photos of the event.
.... photos to be continued.