CM Drive - Desert Stars III
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CARLOSS
- Advance
- Posts: 191
- Joined: Sun Sep 20, 2020 2:10 pm
- Location: Dubai
- Has thanked: 851 times
- Been thanked: 1006 times
Hi everyone!
Another CM under my belt (13 as per the App) & another batch or eager Newbies willing to commence their journey in the off-road world. All the best to all of them
This time it was a sort of a VIP CM drive as I could count more support than new members so they should not complain too much. Actually, the drive itself went well with just a few second tried and stucks, nothing major I would say. Kudos to @rapailo
and his fantastic lead adjusting the level at any time.
General @Barish , made an excellent briefing introducing the club rules and values, inclusive of a comprehensive theoretical training. After, he made sure that the convoy drove safe along other marshals (@Rashidjass , @Scorpio and @presa ) and founder @alshamsi_m .
Selected playground was well-known for most of us, from Al Qudra to somewhere in E66. Nice and bushy
On my end, I supported the convoy with a few bits and pieces here and there and an unforgettable massive pull to an old Chevrolet beast that almost killed
my poor FJ chassis.
We finished with everybody happy which it the reward to a training session in the desert.
See you soon
Carlos
Another CM under my belt (13 as per the App) & another batch or eager Newbies willing to commence their journey in the off-road world. All the best to all of them
This time it was a sort of a VIP CM drive as I could count more support than new members so they should not complain too much. Actually, the drive itself went well with just a few second tried and stucks, nothing major I would say. Kudos to @rapailo
and his fantastic lead adjusting the level at any time.General @Barish , made an excellent briefing introducing the club rules and values, inclusive of a comprehensive theoretical training. After, he made sure that the convoy drove safe along other marshals (@Rashidjass , @Scorpio and @presa ) and founder @alshamsi_m .
Selected playground was well-known for most of us, from Al Qudra to somewhere in E66. Nice and bushy
On my end, I supported the convoy with a few bits and pieces here and there and an unforgettable massive pull to an old Chevrolet beast that almost killed
my poor FJ chassis.We finished with everybody happy which it the reward to a training session in the desert.
See you soon
Carlos
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brett
- Crew
- Posts: 234
- Joined: Fri Jul 26, 2019 10:08 am
- Location: Dubai
- Has thanked: 1530 times
- Been thanked: 937 times
Dear Almosters
It was that time again when we welcome new members to start their journey learning the basic skills of off-road driving in the deserts of UAE.
With the very nice start time of 8:30am the weather was very pleasant. We had a fantastic turnout of Marshals, Advanced and Intermediate members to assist with our new members introduction to the basics.
The attendance was taken by @Barish who then gave the theory introduction on how Almost4x4 organise the drives and the best safety practices we follow to ensure it is an enjoyable and safe experience for everyone.
Initially it was intended to have 2 convoys, but it was then decided we would have one large convoy – I think in the region of 30 vehicles. After the briefing it was time to line up the convoy and head off to the dunes (in Al Qudra)
I was positioned as 2nd lead behind our lead marshal for the day @rapailo . Scattered between the New Members we had intermediates to assist if (when) any situation would arise. We had floating marshals keeping an eye on the progress, Founder @alshamsi_m , The General @Barish , @Scorpio , @Rashidjass and @presa . Also floating around to assist we had Advanced driver @CARLOSS . The intermediates consisted of @AhmadHasan , @Aljamhi , @Giovanni , @Jasper , @Mghoneim , @Moustafa19 , @nidal78 @Rooies @mpodroid @BuTouma.
The chosen track was a gentle introduction for the newbies giving them an opportunity to get a first feel of how they and their car would react and handle driving in the sand for the first time, important points to get their heads around, tire pressure and how it affects the ability of your car to cope with the soft sand conditions, following distance to ensure you are not disconnected from the convoy in front while maintain enough distance to ensure you have time to react to what happens to the car in front. Radio communication to ensure the way is clear in front when crossing dunes where you lose site of the car ahead. Understanding what affect gravity has on your ability to safely negotiate arches and crosses. Approach speed when doing a straight cross – too fast you will fly (landings are dangerous) or not enough momentum resulting in being crested and needing recovery.
There are many more lessons to learn and master as your journey continues to become a safe and confident driver in the dunes, Almost4x4 will be with you every step of the way to impart on you the skills needed.
Overall, the new drivers did really well with only a few situations requiring intervention by the support team. Remember you need to remain 100% focused when driving in the Desert, things happen very quickly, and you need to be ready to adapt on the fly. Toward the end of the drive as some drivers were becoming fatigued from having to concentrate 110% for the past 2hrs our lead marshal @rapailo upped it a notch and started adding some more challenging obstacles for the New Drivers, this resulted in a few stucks and recoveries taking place under the guidance of the marshals. Remember there is no shame in becoming stuck, it is a learning experience that we have all been through, being stuck is better than flying or worse outcome.
At the end of the drive many new members took the opportunity to have one of our marshals check their tools. Once the tools have been approved the new drivers officially become “Newbies” and are eligible to continue their journey with Almost4x4.
Looking forward to seeing the newbies on their first 5- drive "Stars Track XIX" this coming Saturday afternoon with @Barish finishing in time to join our annual “Meat & Greet- 8” event.
It was that time again when we welcome new members to start their journey learning the basic skills of off-road driving in the deserts of UAE.
With the very nice start time of 8:30am the weather was very pleasant. We had a fantastic turnout of Marshals, Advanced and Intermediate members to assist with our new members introduction to the basics.
The attendance was taken by @Barish who then gave the theory introduction on how Almost4x4 organise the drives and the best safety practices we follow to ensure it is an enjoyable and safe experience for everyone.
Initially it was intended to have 2 convoys, but it was then decided we would have one large convoy – I think in the region of 30 vehicles. After the briefing it was time to line up the convoy and head off to the dunes (in Al Qudra)
I was positioned as 2nd lead behind our lead marshal for the day @rapailo . Scattered between the New Members we had intermediates to assist if (when) any situation would arise. We had floating marshals keeping an eye on the progress, Founder @alshamsi_m , The General @Barish , @Scorpio , @Rashidjass and @presa . Also floating around to assist we had Advanced driver @CARLOSS . The intermediates consisted of @AhmadHasan , @Aljamhi , @Giovanni , @Jasper , @Mghoneim , @Moustafa19 , @nidal78 @Rooies @mpodroid @BuTouma.
The chosen track was a gentle introduction for the newbies giving them an opportunity to get a first feel of how they and their car would react and handle driving in the sand for the first time, important points to get their heads around, tire pressure and how it affects the ability of your car to cope with the soft sand conditions, following distance to ensure you are not disconnected from the convoy in front while maintain enough distance to ensure you have time to react to what happens to the car in front. Radio communication to ensure the way is clear in front when crossing dunes where you lose site of the car ahead. Understanding what affect gravity has on your ability to safely negotiate arches and crosses. Approach speed when doing a straight cross – too fast you will fly (landings are dangerous) or not enough momentum resulting in being crested and needing recovery.
There are many more lessons to learn and master as your journey continues to become a safe and confident driver in the dunes, Almost4x4 will be with you every step of the way to impart on you the skills needed.
Overall, the new drivers did really well with only a few situations requiring intervention by the support team. Remember you need to remain 100% focused when driving in the Desert, things happen very quickly, and you need to be ready to adapt on the fly. Toward the end of the drive as some drivers were becoming fatigued from having to concentrate 110% for the past 2hrs our lead marshal @rapailo upped it a notch and started adding some more challenging obstacles for the New Drivers, this resulted in a few stucks and recoveries taking place under the guidance of the marshals. Remember there is no shame in becoming stuck, it is a learning experience that we have all been through, being stuck is better than flying or worse outcome.
At the end of the drive many new members took the opportunity to have one of our marshals check their tools. Once the tools have been approved the new drivers officially become “Newbies” and are eligible to continue their journey with Almost4x4.
Looking forward to seeing the newbies on their first 5- drive "Stars Track XIX" this coming Saturday afternoon with @Barish finishing in time to join our annual “Meat & Greet- 8” event.
Until the next Adventure
Brett
Red Baron
Brett
Red Baron
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Barish
- Marshal
- Posts: 227
- Joined: Sun Oct 19, 2014 9:54 am
- Has thanked: 18 times
- Been thanked: 82 times
Hello everyone,
As we always experience, CM drives are for ever exciting since we have new drivers, new excitements, new experiences.
We mainly focused on basic concepts and safety rules to the new members in the briefing as well as the convoy discipline which has been well demonstrated and experienced in the drive followed after the briefing.
Welcome again to our club and congrats for your stars; dont forget: changing is good as soon as you improve.
See you next time.
Barish
As we always experience, CM drives are for ever exciting since we have new drivers, new excitements, new experiences.
We mainly focused on basic concepts and safety rules to the new members in the briefing as well as the convoy discipline which has been well demonstrated and experienced in the drive followed after the briefing.
Welcome again to our club and congrats for your stars; dont forget: changing is good as soon as you improve.
See you next time.
Barish
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Rooies
- Intermediate
- Posts: 107
- Joined: Sat Mar 10, 2018 3:50 pm
- Has thanked: 56 times
- Been thanked: 157 times
It was not a working weekend so I was able to join the CM drive. We met at the meeting point, did the normal drills. Mett he new members, chatted with the old members, some I have not seen in a long time.
@Barish told the new members about the club, gave the briefing/explanation on how to drive, the do's & don'ts of driving in he desert. It was decided to make 1 convoy. I had a work call & when I returned I learned that I would be sweeper.
I counted 30 cars in total (marshals, Intermediates & new members). It was a long convoy & only now & then I was able to see the leading car. There was the normal CM drive "issues", following distances, radio communication etc. just like when I did my first CM drive
.
overall it was a good drive, not to many stucks, or other problems. There was a technical issue far ahead but that was sorted out after a while & we were on our way again. We ended up finishing at the E66. Inflated greeted everybody & headed home.
Thank you for @Barish for organizing the drive, the other marshals, Advance & Intermediates for the support & welcome to all the new Club Members/Newbies.
Till we meet again in the sand, stay safe.
Greetings
Rooies
@Barish told the new members about the club, gave the briefing/explanation on how to drive, the do's & don'ts of driving in he desert. It was decided to make 1 convoy. I had a work call & when I returned I learned that I would be sweeper.
I counted 30 cars in total (marshals, Intermediates & new members). It was a long convoy & only now & then I was able to see the leading car. There was the normal CM drive "issues", following distances, radio communication etc. just like when I did my first CM drive
.overall it was a good drive, not to many stucks, or other problems. There was a technical issue far ahead but that was sorted out after a while & we were on our way again. We ended up finishing at the E66. Inflated greeted everybody & headed home.
Thank you for @Barish for organizing the drive, the other marshals, Advance & Intermediates for the support & welcome to all the new Club Members/Newbies.
Till we meet again in the sand, stay safe.
Greetings
Rooies
Nobody Gets Left Behind
