Night Newbie Desert Drive - Qudra - Dubai - 4 Nov 2022

[Krishna R]

Looking forward to meeting you again @Senthil Kumar

[Chaitanya D]

Dear friends

• Harshal @Harshal
• Karthik Raptor @Karthik Raptor
• topgear @topgear
• Yerem Davtyan @Yerem Davtyan
• Gary F @Gary F
• luwaimn @luwaimn
• Usman Basit @Usman Basit
• Beide Worku @Beide Worku
• Andrei S @Andrei S
• Georges Kazan @Georges Kazan
• Adnan Halepota @Adnan Halepota
• Goh KP @Goh KP
• Imteeaz  @Imteeaz
• Krishna R @Krishna R
• Senthil Kumar @Senthil Kumar

• Vaibhav @Vaibhav
• Waqas Parvez @Waqas Parvez

 

Please note the following

• Be at the meeting point by 8 PM (or before) and start deflating your tires 15 PSI for regular tires and 12 psi for AT tires
• Please ensure your programable radio is on, fully charged and set to Channel 1 (446,006)
• Briefing will be done on on the sand before we start moving
• Please ensure everything in the car is tied down and there are no moving objects 
• Ensure you have front and rear tow hooks/recovery points and in good condition
• Please check all car fluids, tow hooks, and ensure no hanging parts below the chassis.
• please ensure you come with a full tank (as much as possible) in addition to all necessary gear for this drive level specially your tire deflator, pressure gauge and a compressor, safety flag and radio. (NO FLAG or RADIO = NO DRIVE)

Meeting Point - https://goo.gl/maps/WMzZ8CdXhEzT8n9Y8

Night Drive - No need for special off road lights, regular lights in high beam with fog lams is enough. Please don't lose sight of tracks taken by car in front and don't lose sight of car in the back. Some area will be extremely challenging at night

Please carry extra torch/lights to see where you step in the dark. Ensure you stay safe from creepers at night, see where you walk and stay away from Bushy areas as much as possible

 

please wear full trousers and covering foot wear 

 

Convoy listing as below

See you tonight!!

My contact number is 0529970964 in case if you need it

 

 

[Yerem Davtyan]

10 minutes ago, Chaitanya D said:

Dear friends

• Harshal @Harshal
• Karthik Raptor @Karthik Raptor
• topgear @topgear
• Yerem Davtyan @Yerem Davtyan
• Gary F @Gary F
• luwaimn @luwaimn
• Usman Basit @Usman Basit
• Beide Worku @Beide Worku
• Andrei S @Andrei S
• Georges Kazan @Georges Kazan
• Adnan Halepota @Adnan Halepota
• Goh KP @Goh KP
• Imteeaz  @Imteeaz
• Krishna R @Krishna R
• Senthil Kumar @Senthil Kumar

• Vaibhav @Vaibhav
• Waqas Parvez @Waqas Parvez

 

Please note the following

• Be at the meeting point by 8 PM (or before) and start deflating your tires 15 PSI for regular tires and 12 psi for AT tires
• Please ensure your programable radio is on, fully charged and set to Channel 1 (446,006)
• Briefing will be done on on the sand before we start moving
• Please ensure everything in the car is tied down and there are no moving objects 
• Ensure you have front and rear tow hooks/recovery points and in good condition
• Please check all car fluids, tow hooks, and ensure no hanging parts below the chassis.
• please ensure you come with a full tank (as much as possible) in addition to all necessary gear for this drive level specially your tire deflator, pressure gauge and a compressor, safety flag and radio. (NO FLAG or RADIO = NO DRIVE)

Night Drive - No need for special off road lights, regular lights in high beam with fog lams is enough. Please don't lose sight of tracks taken by car in front and don't lose sight of car in the back. Some area will be extremely challenging at night

Please carry extra torch/lights to see where you step in the dark. Ensure you stay safe from creepers at night, see where you walk and stay away from Bushy areas as much as possible

 

Convoy listing as below

See you tonight!!

My contact number is 0529970964 in case if you need it

 

 

Awesome! That's a major convoy of 18 see you all tonight!

[topgear]

It was a great convoy of 18 cars and given the number of cars we’re doing quite well in terms of issues. It was a nice evening. My first trip back to the desert since my last drive in the summer. Nice to see a few old faces in support roles. Thanks Dr @Chaitanya D and the reliable support crew  @Vaibhav  @Waqas Parvez  @Karthik Raptor

[Yerem Davtyan]

Some good practice in recovery and shoveling last night

[topgear]

Shared some photos at the gallery

[Chaitanya D]

Drive report : 

Some issue with google maps took some members elsewhere - about 20-30 km away, and i had to send them my location on whatsapp but glad they could make it on time. Will try to include some pointers on next drives so that we don't become entirely dependent on google maps and have a visual perception as to where the meeting point is.

All prepped and briefing done, a loooooong convoy meant @Waqas Parvez probably run out his first battery on his radio calling out the members positions and radio checks. Thank you for your help all along the drive buddy.

Making way for a long convoy, I myself ended up in some situations in soft pockets where it it was great to see everyone come in as a wonderful team to sort out the issues. 

@Andrei S played 2nd lead role to perfection correcting lines and stopping in time when I ended up in some soft patches/pockets. Well done.  

@Georges Kazan drove his FJ well , managing some tight spots and soft patches with few refusals. I hope by next time around you would be better prepped and ready to get better for that fact you have a fantastic car. I was wondering what could be the reason for your compressor to stop working after inflating 3.5 tires , may be you need to give a break in between so that it doesnt overheat as the onboard compressor on a FJ is tiny and slow. Another option is to have a faster compressor with higher flow rates .Never the less, you can drive safely even with underinflated tires >15 psi  (not fully flat)  upto 80 kmph. Just remember not to turn aggressively

@luwaimn good to see you finally after a long hiatus, you did well most of the drive except for some soft patches where in you needed some more momentum.

@Goh KP again coming after a long hiatus, did well with his SWB pajero. Well done

@topgear was wonderful as usual, great energy and enthusiasm . Wonderful to see your family and especially the Jr after a long time.

@Vaibhav was very helpful as the first Center Forward. Jumping into situations quickly to assist. Long convoy meant you had to relay messages to the back

@Gary F riding a long wheel base gladiator meant it would be tricky in some tight spots we ventured, ending in a crest situation which was tugged by Vaibhav well. 

@Usman Basit another trukker, riding a LWB GMC did well . IN fact all the LWB trucks along with more experienced @Harshal riding a  Tundra and @Karthik Raptor did well. Karthick was great supporting as second center forward in the back advising as and when needed.

The more experienced bunch riding at the rear end including @Krishna R, @Adnan Halepota, @Yerem Davtyan, @Imteeaz and @Senthil Kumar hardly had any issues . well done

Sweeping all together - infact a long bunch was no less task for @Waqas Parvez. Thank you for your help.

It was a long convoy , we managed to clock 45+km with good pace, picking up speed towards the end which I hope every one enjoyed. I would advise again for members who wish to join night drives to come prepped with some extra lights for better visibility when you step out, wear full trousers and covering shoes.

Getting on sand every time makes you learn some thing new in terms of recovering and in terms of making new friends and knowing each other in a better way. If you were not stuck or having any issues this time around, next time come prepped as it might be your turn 🙂.

Untill next time, see you soon, Enjoy the off roading season safely considering winter has set in!

 

[Gary F]

Only managed to get one good photo from last Fridays night drive.