[robinson.s]

It was one of the most exciting weekend at Elak plantation, Malampuzha, Palaghat, God's Own Country for the OFF ROAD EXTREME ELAK Drive (5th Feb Sat)

The event was organized by;
Sherry (Owner of Elak Plantation)
Benji &
Thomas

Three cheers to the organizers, the event was very well organized and coordinated, With proper arrangement of all the basic facilities (Lunch / Energy drink / snacks etc on the trail) and more than everything had to offer a superb terrain.

This terrain had everything to offer what an off roader desire to drive on.
Extreme slush / Water cross / Sand dune / and a challenging plantation drive.

All of us were put at KTDC garden house on 4th night. The trail was aprpox: 45mnts drive from the base camp. A very scenic stretch really enjoyed the drive.

Participants and Vehicle;

Total 12 vehicle and 37 participants

Pramod – Thar CRDe -1
Benji & Gang CJ3B - 7
Thomas - Scropio-1
Rajesh & Viji - Gypsy -1
Kurien - Land cruiser-1
Robinson & Prabhu- Invader-1

All the vehicles lined up in front of the water cross and slush patch to start the trail. We had two options, cross the water or drive through slush patch, few vehicles did through water cross and rest drove through slush. We had the first break down, a CJ3B got stuck in the water; as the water got inside the filter. So we towed it back to the main road, and got ourself started.





















To be cont.......

[svsantosh]

How did the thar perform?

[robinson.s]

The first obstacle - Water cross

Invader / LC / Scorpio / 2 Cj and Gypsy did this obstacle without much fuss. One CJ got stuck and was towed back to the main road.

All of us were waiting to see Thar to get inside the water, but Pramod didn’t wanted to attempt, as it didn’t have the snorkel and wasn’t sure how the sensors would behave underwater.

[robinson.s]

Originally Posted by svsantosh

How did the thar perform?

SVS,

No doubt the vehicile is a Killer. Besides the quality of plastic and final finish, the machine is super strong.

I drove the vehicile on the extreme slush patch, the drive was really comfortable, and the engine was very responsive and smooth, Felt as if I was driving a car.

But the most unfortunate part was, it was getting stuck in slush many time. The wheels were spinning so much, i just couldn't get traction on the wheels.
But then the questing was, were the tyres making the difference, it was running on BFG A/T.
But then there were CJ's with A/T and came out from the slush without any fuss.
We had to rock the vehicile or jerk with the clutch and throttel input to take it out.
I personal feel the vehcile is over powered, and it needs some amount of modifications Such as; front and back locker and MT tyres.

I have been hearing for the last few month, Thar is gonna take off in Palar challenge, but i do reserve my comments, feel its gonna dig dipper in extreme sand than take off.

Am no expert to say that, Ita my feeling after a test drive.
I feel the trubo power and the torque transfered to the tyres will make the wheels spin then pull up.



Stuck. Rajesh & Myself giving guidance.

[NFS]

Hey guys,

Never knew there was an active TeamBHP group in Palakkad that too into off-road extreme (my Bad). I spotted four of the CJ3B at Sulthanpet Palakkad on 4th afternoon (three or four going one after the other, 3 camel browns). Glued to this thread and wanted to see more pics.

Is this an annual event? is it like every Feb? Wanted to participate in this next year. Hence the questions, sorry to take the thread off-topic. We may continue on the purpose of this thread after these answers please. I am requesting this on the benefit of many interested in Palakkad and surrounding areas.

[robinson.s]

Originally Posted by svsantosh

How did the thar perform?

Originally Posted by NFS

Hey guys,

Never knew there was an active TeamBHP group in Palakkad that too into off-road extreme (my Bad). I spotted four of the CJ3B at Sulthanpet Palakkad on 4th afternoon (three or four going one after the other, 3 camel browns). Glued to this thread and wanted to see more pics.

Is this an annual event? is it like every Feb? Wanted to participate in this next year. Hence the questions, sorry to take the thread off-topic. We may continue on the purpose of this thread after these answers please. I am requesting this on the benefit of many interested in Palakkad and surrounding areas.

NFS,

Unfortunately these guys are not part of TeamBHP. It was the first organised event for them. Otherwise, they have been doing short private OTR's in this stretch every year.

But they do have plans to make it a annual event in a big way from next year. By then, Sherry will have his Elak plantation resort completed.

Regards
Robinson

[robinson.s]

After the river cross and slush patch, all of us drove to the sand dune. All the drivers jumped into the sand like wild boar.

The stretch had to offer wet sand / dunes / dry sand and water.
The most difficult or impossible one was the wet sand, were the surface was so soft, that any one steps in, it just sinks in.

The most exciting one was the short incline, were we tried to lift our vehicles as much we can.

[Spitfire]

Hey Robinson, nice crisp report. Waiting to see and read more.

One question, what happened after you got that much air below the Invader? Thats some serious height.

[cool_dube]

Originally Posted by Spitfire

One question, what happened after you got that much air below the Invader? Thats some serious height.

I guess the vehicle would have landed relatively gently - the sand would have coushioned the impact to an extent. That said, that sure is one hell-of-a jump!!

[starter]

Wow Robbie! You spiderman, eh?
That's some serious air, the invader has caught.
Please share some details on the landing (after effects if any) and which is this White Gypsy that Viji's driving?
Cheers,
Deepak

[robinson.s]

Originally Posted by Spitfire

Hey Robinson, nice crisp report. Waiting to see and read more.

One question, what happened after you got that much air below the Invader? Thats some serious height.

Originally Posted by cool_dube

I guess the vehicle would have landed relatively gently - the sand would have coushioned the impact to an extent. That said, that sure is one hell-of-a jump!!

Originally Posted by starter

Wow Robbie! You spiderman, eh?
That's some serious air, the invader has caught.
Please share some details on the landing (after effects if any) and which is this White Gypsy that Viji's driving?
Cheers,
Deepak

Spider-man I like that

The vehicle dint have any problem. Drove back to Bangalore same night without any problem.
The landing was from the front wheels, slid little and the rear wheels touched the ground.

Am running Procom off road dampers. They are quite good in terms of holding / stability and really strong enough to hold the vehicle without bouncing or damaging the shackle mount.

Regards

[hisunil]

Lovely pics & Nice Jump Robby! Ahem Spider Man

Cheers
Sunil

[scarecrow]

@ Robby wanted to understand how the scorpio performed given its weight..?

[swastikviji]

Once again, one of the best organised OTR i ever attended, thank you Benji, Sheryl,Thomas and team.

Few more pictures from my camera.

[swastikviji]

Second set of pictures, briefing and on the way to trial.