[tsk1979]

The first non extreme challenge was actually quite extreme.
It involved climbing over a pile of rocks.
This kind of guarantees underbody hit, as the rocks were bigger than the GC of all vehicles present, with probably the exception of the monster Nissan Patrol.
Two vehicles, as Sudev mentioned declined to do the challenge and handed their time cards

The first to attempt was the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, IIRC it had HT tires


We discussed standing there, approach and all, and how 4L slow will do it.
Guess it was all in vain.

The Prado charged, hit the rocks whack and thunk.
5-6 thunks later it was off the rocks and to the finish line. Nothing leaking, mission accomplished. Toyota really gives some solid skid plating.

Next up was the rally prepped GV. It was running continental Cross contact AT, same tires the White elephant runs, in the same size.
With its snorkel and free flow etc., it was probably the loudest machine there.
Engine roaring it charged at the rocks.
But the poor GV does not have as much GC as a prado, and maybe the approach was a little off too. Again nothing wrong with the charge at rocks approach, but when you do that, you leave a lot to luck too.

Anyways, this was the result


This meant me dumping the camera, and heading to the white elephant, and getting the two straps ready.
With a gentle pull on 4L the GV was out, and now it was time for the Pajero.

It was done gingerly, in low ratio, and gently without fuss and drama, and maybe a slight underbody hit, the pajero was across.

Next came the fortuner, and they also did this "slow" method and cleared the rocks.

Second last for Gypsy, and same story repeats, however on the exit from rocks, with a sickening crunch, the rear number plate shattered.

Last was the Nissan Patrol
Nobody had any doubts whether she will do it. And she did it just fine

YouTube - Nissan Patrol Rock Challenge

This marked the end of the challenge, and in my view the GV suffered the most, however rally spec skid plates kept everything intact, except for the rear bumper. But I am told, she had taken a lot of hits at the Raid also, so no worries.

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by tsk1979

The Prado charged, hit the rocks whack and thunk.
5-6 thunks later it was off the rocks and to the finish line. Nothing leaking, mission accomplished. Toyota really gives some solid skid plating.

Next up was the rally prepped GV. It was running continental Cross contact AT, same tires the White elephant runs, in the same size.
With its snorkel and free flow etc., it was probably the loudest machine there.
Engine roaring it charged at the rocks.

I was shocked as I read this.... charging at the rocks? What were they thinking?

This should be done very slowly, like the later vehicles did. Didn't somebody tell them?

[Jaggu]

OT: I have also observed this, most of these motor sports veterans have a habit of taking these obstacles at high speeds, compromising the vehicle. Same with some over enthu newb's also.

I think its high time people have and listen to briefings before entering a trail. Most often their antique's pose great risk to themselves, others and the vehicles. OTR's and extreme obstacle courses are not about the speed, rather the techniques and patience.

Let me stop.

Guys excellent coverage, refreshing the page for more updates

[V-16]

Great coverage guys. Im curious to know how the Jonga performed. Does it have the original engine or is it a swap job. Any ways how was the hippo doing in the wetlands, did it get bogged down?

[sudev]

@Samurai : Could not agree with you more but I think it is the element of competition (doing obstacle in least time) that gets their psyche. That is probably why the giys who were trying to fly through went out of competition quickly.

[sudev]

Articulation challenge was a series of alternate mud piles with slight bends. Watch the wheels lifts as a Toyota Fortuner takes this test:

YouTube - Toyota Fortuner articulation challenge

[sudev]

The first soft trail challenge was a cross country course where the contestants had enter from one "gate" and exit the other. They were timed at these gates. In between they had to chart their own way from flag to flag - a total of six points.



Down two embankments and then up again


If Patrol can do it then so can Fortuner


Prado is not far behind and was smoothest during its run. No wonder it ended up on podium


Either passenger inside the car could touch the flag. If the navigator was outside then it was the driver who had to touch. One could not walk up to flag and touch.


Marshals were deployed near all points to make sure that the flag was touched.


We also had aerial surveillance


It was fun to see how the contestants were all charged up. Look at the navigator pointing towards the next flag while driver is going all out.


And aaahhhh they touch it



I know posting outside links is frowned upon but Harjeev has written a lovely entry in his blog do check it out for participants view of the event.

[suman]

Nice stuff guys, looks like you had some serious fun

Originally Posted by sudev

Articulation challenge was a series of alternate mud piles with slight bends. Watch the wheels lifts as a Toyota Fortuner takes this test:

I have a stupid newbie question - wasn't the Fortuner dangerously close to toppling over? Or am I over-reacting?

[tsk1979]

Nope, none of the cars were near toppling over.
It appears so because fortuner has very poor articulation.
In my next update I will post videos of Patrol and fortuner doing the articulation challenge, and you will see what a real offroader is

[tsk1979]

This was an easy one.
In theory, a vehicle with better articulation would do this challenge the best. But in reality, it did not matter much because the terrain was not very slippery. So even with one wheel in air, you would manage.

Sudev has already posted Fortuner video

YouTube - Toyota Fortuner articulation challenge

As you can see there is hardly any articulation

Now the Nissan patrol
This is what is called articulation

YouTube - Nissan Patrol articulation challenge

Nobody required towing out in this challenge, and everybody completed just fine.

Next was the log challenge. All it meant was climbing a slippery surface, and then going over a log. Again a challenge requiring finesse and skill

Two videos : Gypsy

YouTube - Maruti Gypsy log challenge

Nissan Patrol

YouTube - Nissan Patrol Long Challenge

I had positioned the safari so that if anybody fell into the pit they could be rescued, but no towing was needed here too.

This marked the end first section of challenges.

For the next task, it meant driving to a different location, and do a flag hunt(as sudev has elaborated)

[tsk1979]

The first stage had 3 challenges
1. Rocks
This challenge involved climbing a pile of logs. The vehicles which did it the proper way actually were slow. So unless you are willing to risk major damage, you cannot come first here.
This was the flaw.
Moreover a pile of rocks is unstable, and a high speed thunk dislodged many rocks. so every vehicle did a different pile. This brought in the element of luck which should not be there.
Ideally, it should have been a pit, in which big and small rocks should have been put. Put some mud to stabilize the rocks partially.
Also make it double L shape, with 2 L bends.
This would ensure only skill would get you across.
At one end put one rock pile, followed by sand etc., and then another rock pile, so that you cannot jump.
Make the track such that there is a way which allows any vehicle, even the GV to cross it slowly without underbody kissing.
So a skillful driver can do this challenge without any damage to vehicle whatsoever.
If somebody wants to do it the rally way, well and good.

2. Articulation
Again, this challenge was not partial to vehicles with good articulation as the terrain was grippy. Some sand and more mud would have made it more challenging. It was a little too easy. Later vehicles had some difficulty due to terrain damage.

3. Logs
This was good, but again the logs were very thick. Make it thinner, so that the navigator has to actually guide the vehicle very very carefully.
Since length of logs was very less, once front wheels got off, the drivers simply roared away, as momentary slipping of rear wheels will not lead to getting stuck.

[GTO]

I came here looking for TSK's usually detailed reports, and also got Sudev's narration as a bonus. Some really unique vehicles & obstacles. Importantly, organised events such as these are a must to get more & more enthusiasts addicted to offroading.

[sudev]

@GTO: Thanks and completely agree with you. This and Trail Blazing is effort by Northern Motorsport to make this area of sport more participative.

The second natural challenge for soft track was a slush pit. Actually it was a irrigation dam that stores rain run off. But with monsoons having receded only slush remained at the bottom with very little water.

Here are the officials of rescue tow standing at watching the competitors coming down the slope


The course was timed at start and end. Starting off on top of the "Bund" with a narrow track, you had to take a 90 left with steep downhill. The driver had to trust his navigator when he called "hard left".


A larger perspective of the inbound part of challenge. You can see the markers gates through which every one was to pass.



At bottom of the slope was a rock that could cause some serious damage but it also prevented speed pick up to cross the slush. There were two paths crossing the slush marked with gates which had to be done in a sequence and in between the two there was obligatory touch the flag marker.

Okay now he is stuck with wheels spinning uselessly. Time to call for tow help.


Got Tanveer to pass the tow but where is the stupid tow hook??


Driver also comes out gingerly on to slush and both look at underside closely. Time is ticking.


Oh no it is on the other side.


Now attached tow very fast and signalled a pull. But W*# the tow knot slips. Back at job again loosing precious time. And that joker "official" is not even lending a helping hand as the tow attachment/de-attachment was to be done by competitor!


See Abhishek in action quickly pulling the tow rope towards the stranded Parado. He seems to be pulling Tanveer's white elephant itself!!


So quick and desperate was he that he even let go of his left shoe and returned later to recover it from the slush


He is wondering if he should just wash it is the water....NAH!!


The same path is cleared by the Patrol without any difficulty.


Then you had to climb back the dam wall using a different uphill path through bushes and take an extreme right at the top which was just wide enough. Thence to finish.

[tsk1979]

After the challenges a 30 minutes rest period was announced before we moved on to the other destination
I decided to check out the extreme section.
The first pit had been scrapped after nobody could do it.

A new pit which allowed speedier approach was decided.
But even that was too much.

The first jeep got hopelessly stuck


Even tractor did not work


Due to the angle, the engine was taking in air, and repeated tries were unsuccessful

However, I must say, the driver was very skillful.
These videos will do more justice

YouTube - Jeep Stuck in mud

Winching out. The winch was on a fortuner

YouTube - Jeep winch and tow out

This is a video of another jeep driven by an expert too.
But alas, the pit was too much

YouTube - Jeep slush attempt

Anyways, after that we assembled again, and started driving to the next destination, the flag challenge

I would not bore you with repetitive narration there, as sudev has already detailed everything.

However, I would like you to see this video of GV. Notice the loud exhaust and the broken rear bumper. This machine was doing everything rally style.!

YouTube - Grand Vitara Flag challenge

And finally some random pics from flag challenge

[Samurai]

Originally Posted by sudev

Got Tanveer to pass the tow but where is the stupid tow hook??
Attachment 444691

Driver also comes out gingerly on to slush and both look at underside closely. Time is ticking.
Attachment 444692

Oh no it is on the other side.
Attachment 444693

That is odd, for GV has two tow hooks in the front, on both sides.