Dear all - with respect to my good friend Arka's interactions with the Thar (I respect his capability with highest regards), my comments are as follows:
Incident 1 - with respect to comments in posts 618 and 619, I gave the key of the Thar to Arka and invited him to drive it. He accepted, which made me happy. He may not have seen a rock and unknowingly drove over it (I did not see so many rocks myself). The rock nicely wedged itself below the rear axle. He came out of the car and told me that he could have taken the rock out using the Thar's own power but he preferred to winch it out so as not to damage anything underneath. I agreed because it was a very logical request, correctly put forth. Any knowledgeable offroader would do the same thing. Therefore it was winched out. That's all there is to it. As it is, everybody has seen me driving the Thar at that spot, where I successfully negotiated the same obstacle and parked right on top of that huge rock. I remember that I thoroughly enjoyed that drive, giving high fives to Vinod and Allan after completing it. I also thoroughly enjoyed it when Spike showed me the video (oh my God!, I did that!). I have saved it in my laptop.
Incident 2 - there was this side tilt obstacle which UBS Sir, Arka, Vinod and I were quite apprehensive about taking others through as it could have been dangerous. So we four worked together, took the Thar and forged out a different route through huge boulders and 6 feet tall dense bushes. I enjoyed that activity because we did something which is rarely done, forging through a forest where there is no trail at all. After that spot, I offered the keys to him again. He drove for some distance with me next to him and commented that - "the crispness of the steering is very good. I am getting a very positive feel of what the front wheels are doing". Then he made my day by telling me that - "Behram, my next
every day drive vehicle shall be the Thar". He also mentioned that - "Behram, you have a wonderful vehicle, it would become the last word in off roading in India if you gave a solid axle up front". I appreciated his comments and again explained the reasons and advantages for providing IFS. I mentioned to him that "Arka, today we have proved that IFS works". He readily agreed to my comment. He is entitled to his point of view but I appreciate his geature in providing positive critique.
I may also mention here that I have demonstrated the shortcoming of a leaf spring fitted solid axle by actually showing everybody how traction is lost in compressing and decompressing of a leaf spring, which does not happen with IFS. I do not remember who all were there but after my interaction, quite a few people came and told me that they agree with me as they are now seeing it happen.
Incident 3 - In the AKC, a TATA 207 2 wheel drive vehicle bringing food for all of us got stuck quite badly. The poor driver was terrified even to sit inside his car. Arka and I worked together and we winched him out. I wish somebody had taken a photograph of the poor terrified driver. He told me in Hindi - "aap log sub paagal hain". I replied - "aapne theek kaha, hum nahin sudhrenge". He smiled only after his vehicle was on sure ground once again. A pat on his back got him going again otherwise we would have all gone hungry that day.
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I finally told Arka in Hindi - "tujhmein aur mujhmein kuch to special hai yaar!". His expression and his eyes said it all. My day was made. I have found a knowledgeable friend for life. Isn't it Arkabhai?
Please accept my best personal regards,
Behram Dhabhar
PS to all those who were there - I shall choose not to comment on the Thar's performance. However, I shall share what somebody told me. He said, "Behram, your vehicle has passed all EXAMMs with first class honours with distinction, also securing the first rank". Thanks Dude. We appreciate.
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