[star_aqua]

Moved to new thread so as not to clutter the confirmation thread.

A quick pick from Sunday's recce pics. guess what khan is trying to do here



more pics to follow..

[navpreet318]

Tumbling sideways-checking the roll cage?
Checking the laws of centre of gravity and reaching the point of no return?

Trying to get out of a tumbled car?

[The Wolf]

WOW that gypsy is on its right side!!!!!! This OTR is going to be interesting

[svsantosh]

OMG, did he topple?...!!

[mjothi]

Originally Posted by svsantosh

OMG, did he topple?...!!

Look those trees. It did topple. But did he? Not sure

[star_aqua]

The sequence follows..

Jaggu driving and khan spotting




jaggu had difficulties in climbing and later realized that the FWHs are unlocked. okay now jaggu locks the right one and khan locks the left one





then jaggu climbs with great difficulty and was about to cross a tricky section, jaggu was not able to and left the spidey in an awkward position, passed the driver seat to khan. khan entered from right door, cranked and throttled for few seconds and exited from left window.

[livyodream]

Was it this obstacle that we did last time?

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by star_aqua

The sequence follows..

Jaggu driving and khan spotting

Is it me?

Well ok, my version of what happened.

We start off in a hurry and for the nth time forget that FWH exists. Spidey being spidey passes obstacles with 2 wheel drive. When we attempt the second obstacle which is a climb filled with ruts (ref pictures by Star and Livyo). Spidey slips and slides its tail.

Khan is spotting and comes down and asks: Did you lock?
Usual reply: ehmmm NO!!

This is a usual thing between us, taking rotation with the above conversation.

So i get off lock the RT hub, Khan assist me with LT one and move on. Spidey is still slipping and sliding. Maybe i was not doing it right but i tried to control the steering as much as possible at the given situation. StarAqua is still yelling the front wheels are not locked. Am doubly sure it is coz we locked it.

I power on till the last bit just before the turn to LT. Took a quick glance at the front RT wheel and i felt they were not locking/spinning as they should, i still dont know if they were or not.

While trying to negotiate rear slips and falls into the ditch. There is a mount between FT and RR right wheels and spidey and me are stuck. Tricky situation coz if i overdo it vehicle starts to lift off, to front. Towards rear is a bigger risk since its a decent drop and if i roll, it will be nasty. Am getting bugged since i cant asses what the spotters are saying sitting inside. So decide to get out and look at it before i attempt again.

I climb out and realize that spidey is indeed stuck. We are alone, just 3 of us and one stuck spidey. Am scratching my head, lil scared when Khan will give it to me for getting spidey stuck.

Now please understand that the more capable the vehicle, the more it can get into very difficult sticky situations And once it does, then one has to really really plan a rescue.

So i look towards Khan and he knows whats coming, and jumps into the seat. Tries some rocking front and back, nothing is happening. Then he puts on his offroad hat and tries to power it out. The brilliant spotters Star and me are watching.

Me about 7-8 mtrs on top of another mount under a cool shade. Star with camera in hand.

We see Spidey lift, this is usual and pretty boring for us. Then lifts again, panic is slowly stricking. I start slipping and sliding run towards it, Star is yelling and asking Khan hold on, are you alright?? Spidey is at almost 80 deg and holding the position. But then physics take over, and in a very slow motion vehicle tips over to the side.

Some swearing inside my head, Star and me run to the front and see Khan sitting inside, having taken a meditation pose. 2-3 secs silence.

Suddenly all 3 starts to laugh our guts out

Again spotting starts to get Khan out, he is wondering which way the window winde's at this angle. He slowly climbs out and again the lolz continue.

We see petrol leaking, so decide to take a break from smoking and cautiously make the call to Swastik Viji and team who are in front.

Me: Viji come back.
He: hmmm ok

Synergy between the crazy lot is such that just one line is good enough and conveys the message of what to expect and what has happened. Maybe Star can post the expressions of rest of the gang as they arrived for the rescue.

Originally Posted by livyodream

Was it this obstacle that we did last time?

Same location but the rut after these shot, just before the left hander.

[starter]

Holy s***!! Hope spidey is alright.
Its fun to read Jaggu's post and see Vijay's pictures. Can imagine how much fun you guys must've had.
Were there any major damages on spidey, snorkel intact?
Another question, how did Swastik's Gypsy perform?
Please share more pics and on how was it rescued.
Cheers,
Deepak

[pdev29]

any damage to spidey??

I am sorry Khan but yes i more concern about spidey than you.

where are the recovery pics?

Khan next should be a rollcage for spidey.

[Jaggu]

Originally Posted by starter

Holy s***!! Hope spidey is alright.
===========
Please share more pics and on how was it rescued.
Cheers,
Deepak

Both Spidey and Khan are AOK. Once the rescue team arrived spidey was standing up in 5 mts, basic check under the bonnet + to fix a loose earthing cable and back in action. We drove the complete day yesterday and back home without a single hitch.

That is Gypsy for you!!!

Damage:

• Jaggu dipped in guilt
• Khan kicking himself
• Dented bonnet
• Lil coolant, brake fluid and battery electrolyte spill
• Bent battery clamp bolt
• Loose negative terminal

Swastik's gypsy aka Doberman (viji will kill me for this) is SUPERB! It is a lean mean beast in reality more like a Rottweiler. You should see it now!

I will post pictures and narrative once am back home in the evening.

I just typed what really went on, and tried to narrate as much as possible on what really happened out there. The BLR nut cases ensure that fun is an important ingredient in OTR's. Though this time we were little casual and that costed us.

Note to self: Engage FWH as soon as one enters trail. Double check and remind others also. Ensure that when in doubt get the required help before attempting difficult situations

Originally Posted by pdev29

any damage to spidey??
===========
Khan next should be a rollcage for spidey.

Some questions answered above ^^^

The flared wheel arch really came to the rescue yesterday, not even a scratch on the side apart from the dent on the bonnet. Paisawasool as Khan said.

Please note that it was one of the slowest and softest tip over and thank our luck for that. More over the hardtop business though i hate it, works superbly from safety aspect apart from keeping the passengers safe from the elements.

[starter]

Originally Posted by Jaggu

Swastik's gypsy aka Doberman (viji will kill me for this) is SUPERB! It is a lean mean beast in reality more like a Rottweiler. You should see it now!

DOBERMAN, nice name
I did see it Jaggu. I was with Viji the previous evening.
Just wanted to know how it performed on the trail. I'll wait for your report.
Cheers,
Deepak

[fazalaliadil]

Liked this (arrow) message in the situation.

[Jaggu]

Lol I was wondering who was going to point that out. This was one of the most safest and softest tip over in the history of toppling. Quite amusing in real life to watch

Said bye to Khan at night when he dropped me off by saying "Don't repeat it!'.

[gsferrari]

Do you think SPOA might have contributed to this tip-over because of the higher CG? A video would have shed some light on how this happened. This is also why I hate inertia reel seat-belts because they never work when you are in a hurry to put them on. I guess Khan was wearing the seat-belts when this happened.