The Alfa Kilo Challenge event details.

vinod_nookala · 20th June 2010, 16:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

So, did the THAR do it in 2WD ? I heard that you folks doing recce to ensure that THAR does the trail and is not a let down there in front of jeepers from all over India

Khan,
Never thought from this angle

. Infact Thar wasnt even there for the recee.

p.s I will leave it to Behram for your comment on 2wd capability

. I believe in 4wd.

@SHA- I do not know about Munnar story, but what ever recovery team i had the drivers ( Sawant and Todankar) and Ninad Bhosle on Bolero were equally capable and did not sweat even a bit manevouring large vehicle like Marshal and Bolero 4wd on Karjat trail.

headers · 20th June 2010, 17:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by khan_sultan

So, did the THAR do it in 2WD ? I heard that you folks doing recce to ensure that THAR does the trail and is not a let down there in front of jeepers from all over India

LOL KS, Please do NOT post negative comments on the forum!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinod_nookala

Khan,
I will leave it to Behram for your comment on 2wd capability

The THAR IMO should do the gradient the yellow jeep stuggled with in 2WD

, if you use the right technique!

satan · 20th June 2010, 19:40

"This is a jeep terrain just like Alvakponda trail. So gypsy guys beware."

Beware of what? Pl be explicit

V-16 · 21st June 2010, 14:55

Im sure he means slipping while coming down. When we went for the first recce there was a spot (amongst others) which had an intensive slope where the M&Ms crawled down effortlessly using the engine power (or engine braking) but the Gypsy had a problem as even while coming down in the first, the speed seemed too fast and i can imagine what it would be now since the terrain had gone mushy and slippery. Imran Ladak was there with GS Ferrari, they will fill you in with first hand experiences. Both did brilliantly inspite of all odds.

vinod_nookala · 21st June 2010, 16:00

Guys,
Here are some shots to fuel your appetite-

vinod_nookala · 21st June 2010, 16:06

Some more pics. The gully pic is where i almost lost my finger.

Red Liner · 21st June 2010, 16:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by vinod_nookala

Some more pics. The gully pic is where i almost lost my finger.

What were you doing with your finger you naughty boy vinod!

DHABHAR.BEHRAM · 21st June 2010, 16:24

Dear Shahnawaz - hello after a long time. Its nice to converse again. I've been very busy lately, things came up on the personal front.

Today I think I have the credentials and the capability to confidently state that when a test vehicle fails, it makes the test engineer very happy. A test vehicle is supposed to fail because that is when conversation between the test engineer and the test vehicle takes place. The beauty is in the test engineer knowing beforehand exactly what will happen, exactly when required performance will not get delivered, exactly when what will give way etc, because that's when the exact FMEA (Failure Mode Effect Analysis) gets born. Then you implement logical corrections which ensures that the particular failure mode is eradicated forever. If the test vehicle does not fail, as a test engineer, I become quite uncomfortable, because the test vehicle is actually not a vehicle, it is a veritable moving laboratory on wheels. Remember the first principle we teach to all our test engineers - if the test vehicle does not fail, the customer's vehicle will fail. Its a mindset Shahnawaz, believe me. We love it.

Something more on driving by test engineers. When we take our test cars out for a spin, we manage to subconsciously overtake just about everybody, even when we are not in the mood to go fast. A deft twist of the steering wheel, a slight tap on the "chamcha" (accelerator pedal) and we just disappear. It just happens! It becomes quite a chore for us to drive in RWUP mode (Real World Usage Pattern), as is required for some FMEAs.

As far as being able to go through obstacles in 2 wheel drive is concerned, it all depends on the situation "on the ground". For example, in Alibag, there was this Japanese Pajero which refused to climb a gradient, even after repeated attempts in 4 wheel drive. I offered to help the gentleman, sat on the driver's seat, just went up the gradient and parked. There was nothing wrong with the car as well as the gentleman. It just did not happen, that's all. That day, I did not prove anything to anybody. I think we are all professional enough to agree that we are not trying to prove anything to anybody. At least in my case, those days are over. We are all going to enjoy ourselves without looking over each others' backs, seeing how each vehicle is behaving or misbehaving, so shall we enjoy? Please?

.

Right now, I am concentrating on making Thar a success within the framework of a large progressive organization which is a task in itself. I need your support to be able to succeed, and succeed I shall, there is no doubt there. I am sure I can count on all of you in this regard.

.

Please accept my best personal regards,

Behram Dhabhar

PS - I have not taken the Thar on the Karjat trail.

khan_sultan · 21st June 2010, 18:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by DHABHAR.BEHRAM

Dear Shahnawaz - hello after a long time. Its nice to converse again.....

..... I think we are all professional enough to agree that we are not trying to prove anything to anybody. At least in my case, those days are over. We are all going to enjoy ourselves without looking over each others' backs, seeing how each vehicle is behaving or misbehaving, so shall we enjoy? Please....

I need your support to be able to succeed, and succeed I shall, there is no doubt there. I am sure I can count on all of you in this regard.

.
...

Arre Behram Bhai, 100% agree with you. It's just some friendly banter going on and nothing else. After all, more than off-roading & the terrain it is the time spent with fellow off-roaders on the trail that is more memorable -- and some joke here/there is all part of the banter. nothing else.

Look forward to a memorable AKC soon.

vinod_nookala · 22nd June 2010, 13:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Red Liner

What were you doing with your finger you naughty boy vinod!

Height of imagination

. You will also encounter that precise gully very soon and yeah keep your fingers safe

motocamp · 22nd June 2010, 18:27

Everyone who owns a sleeping bag,carry it with you....just in case you are one of the lucky ones

also anyone who has, and is well versed with pitching his or her tent may bring it to the AKC.

Guys make sure you carry enough mosquito repellent as the area has more than it's fair share of tiger mosquitoes.

I will not be available online from tomorrow morning as i will be at the venue wrapping things up.

See you all on Friday!

MileCruncher · 22nd June 2010, 21:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by motocamp

Everyone who owns a sleeping bag,carry it with you....just in case you are one of the lucky ones

also anyone who has, and is well versed with pitching his or her tent may bring it to the AKC.

Guys make sure you carry enough mosquito repellent as the area has more than it's fair share of tiger mosquitoes.

I will not be available online from tomorrow morning as i will be at the venue wrapping things up.

See you all on Friday!

Kunal, why don't you upload the GPS track to your farm house so that people can find their way to your farm house.

davids4x4mm550 · 22nd June 2010, 21:49

Anyone leaving from bombay 25th evening directly for akc.
We can plan a central meeting point.

Jaggu · 22nd June 2010, 23:29

Ok guys we are all set and starting tomorrow morning from BLR, plan to stay at Belgaum for night and then proceed to Pune.

motocamp · 23rd June 2010, 05:18

Sorry guys , I do not own a GPS device.

For Directions to the AKC call me when you reach karjat Town.

20th June 2010, 19:40	#183
satan BHPian Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: mumbai Posts: 394 Thanked: 1,377 Times	"This is a jeep terrain just like Alvakponda trail. So gypsy guys beware." Beware of what? Pl be explicit
	() Thanks

21st June 2010, 14:55	#184
V-16 Senior - BHPian Join Date: May 2005 Location: mumbai Posts: 4,594 Thanked: 950 Times View My Garage	Im sure he means slipping while coming down. When we went for the first recce there was a spot (amongst others) which had an intensive slope where the M&Ms crawled down effortlessly using the engine power (or engine braking) but the Gypsy had a problem as even while coming down in the first, the speed seemed too fast and i can imagine what it would be now since the terrain had gone mushy and slippery. Imran Ladak was there with GS Ferrari, they will fill you in with first hand experiences. Both did brilliantly inspite of all odds.
	() Thanks

21st June 2010, 16:00	#185
vinod_nookala Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,737 Thanked: 430 Times View My Garage	some shots to fuel your appetite Guys, Here are some shots to fuel your appetite- Attached Thumbnails Last edited by vinod_nookala : 21st June 2010 at 16:01.
	() Thanks

21st June 2010, 16:06	#186
vinod_nookala Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mumbai Posts: 1,737 Thanked: 430 Times View My Garage	Some more pics. The gully pic is where i almost lost my finger. Attached Thumbnails
	() Thanks

21st June 2010, 16:24	#188
DHABHAR.BEHRAM Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: MUMBAI Posts: 3,060 Thanked: 5,353 Times	Dear Shahnawaz - hello after a long time. Its nice to converse again. I've been very busy lately, things came up on the personal front. Today I think I have the credentials and the capability to confidently state that when a test vehicle fails, it makes the test engineer very happy. A test vehicle is supposed to fail because that is when conversation between the test engineer and the test vehicle takes place. The beauty is in the test engineer knowing beforehand exactly what will happen, exactly when required performance will not get delivered, exactly when what will give way etc, because that's when the exact FMEA (Failure Mode Effect Analysis) gets born. Then you implement logical corrections which ensures that the particular failure mode is eradicated forever. If the test vehicle does not fail, as a test engineer, I become quite uncomfortable, because the test vehicle is actually not a vehicle, it is a veritable moving laboratory on wheels. Remember the first principle we teach to all our test engineers - if the test vehicle does not fail, the customer's vehicle will fail. Its a mindset Shahnawaz, believe me. We love it. Something more on driving by test engineers. When we take our test cars out for a spin, we manage to subconsciously overtake just about everybody, even when we are not in the mood to go fast. A deft twist of the steering wheel, a slight tap on the "chamcha" (accelerator pedal) and we just disappear. It just happens! It becomes quite a chore for us to drive in RWUP mode (Real World Usage Pattern), as is required for some FMEAs. As far as being able to go through obstacles in 2 wheel drive is concerned, it all depends on the situation "on the ground". For example, in Alibag, there was this Japanese Pajero which refused to climb a gradient, even after repeated attempts in 4 wheel drive. I offered to help the gentleman, sat on the driver's seat, just went up the gradient and parked. There was nothing wrong with the car as well as the gentleman. It just did not happen, that's all. That day, I did not prove anything to anybody. I think we are all professional enough to agree that we are not trying to prove anything to anybody. At least in my case, those days are over. We are all going to enjoy ourselves without looking over each others' backs, seeing how each vehicle is behaving or misbehaving, so shall we enjoy? Please?. Right now, I am concentrating on making Thar a success within the framework of a large progressive organization which is a task in itself. I need your support to be able to succeed, and succeed I shall, there is no doubt there. I am sure I can count on all of you in this regard.. Please accept my best personal regards, Behram Dhabhar PS - I have not taken the Thar on the Karjat trail. Last edited by DHABHAR.BEHRAM : 21st June 2010 at 16:25. Reason: add info
	() Thanks

22nd June 2010, 18:27	#191
motocamp BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: pune Posts: 452 Thanked: 102 Times	Everyone who owns a sleeping bag,carry it with you....just in case you are one of the lucky ones also anyone who has, and is well versed with pitching his or her tent may bring it to the AKC. Guys make sure you carry enough mosquito repellent as the area has more than it's fair share of tiger mosquitoes. I will not be available online from tomorrow morning as i will be at the venue wrapping things up. See you all on Friday!
	() Thanks

22nd June 2010, 21:49	#193
davids4x4mm550 BHPian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: pune Posts: 330 Thanked: 88 Times	Anyone leaving from bombay 25th evening directly for akc. We can plan a central meeting point.
	() Thanks

22nd June 2010, 23:29	#194
Jaggu Team-BHP Support Join Date: May 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 20,215 Thanked: 15,907 Times	Ok guys we are all set and starting tomorrow morning from BLR, plan to stay at Belgaum for night and then proceed to Pune.
	() Thanks

23rd June 2010, 05:18	#195
motocamp BHPian Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: pune Posts: 452 Thanked: 102 Times	Sorry guys , I do not own a GPS device. For Directions to the AKC call me when you reach karjat Town.
	() Thanks