Leaderboard

As a proud husband, what can i say ? From the very early stages she has understood the Carnity DNA, by mastering her own skills and at the same time supporting other Offroaders to take the journey together. Carnity has become for both of us a big part of our life, from the first year i was in Carnity she would often complain i would come home covered in sand, while now we both come home covered in sand and laugh about it every week. Her main strength is the ability to overcome any situation and come back stronger, and her ability to grasp the drive planning, support, and entire organizational structure behind the club. I mentioned many times to her that becoming a Marshal is not an endpoint, but only the beginning of many new adventures and challenges !!

The proud new MARSHAL @Vanessa8580

Congratulations @Vanessa8580 for reaching the Marshal level with Carnity Offroad Club. We are all delighted to welcome our FIRST LADY MARSHAL. Vanessa has Joined Carnity exactly a year back with very high spirit, enthusiasm and energy. Her passion for off-road drives, contribution and intelligent support on multiple weekly drives were always been appreciated. Since beginning she has been very keen to support and help newbies and joined Absolute Newbies and Newbie drive regularly while advancing her off-road knowledge and recovery skills. Everyone likes her straight-forward approach with open mind and creativity to fit at any place and walk out with a smiling solution always. She has worked hard to master her Big Blue Pajero and successfully completed many challenges to prove that it's always the person behind the wheel, matters the most. MARSHAL is one of the most prestigious and sought after title that comes after a lot of hard work, patience, tolerance, and dedication. Just like all the levels in Carnity offroad club is "NOT" only based on driving skills but instead based on the combination of your personality + intelligence + team spirit + adventure. This Marshal title is an epitome for all levels in the offroad grading structure. So if anyone wants to grow, they can set any of Carnity Offroad Club Marshal as a PERFECT example for not only following the driving skills and style but also observing their behavior, teamwork, presence of mind, calculative approach, patience and tolerance to teach and support new offroaders. Carnity Benefits Earn reward and recognition from 1:1 Desert Driving Course Off-road Certification with rank and skills achieved Full access to Carnity without any paid subscription Join any drive in “Manage” tab even when drive is full Carnity Contribution Committed to drive with Carnity off-road club only Lead/Support drives as per Carnity drive planning Carnity off-road club betterment and advancement Drives Attended (Indicative) Minimum 20 drives are required for Marshal promotion along with mandatory attendance to leaders lead drives. (Promotion will be based on Marshal / Crew feedback.) What you'll learn Trip route planning as per convoy’s response Drive topic and calendar posting and management Deal with different cultures, mind sets and nationalities Explore new areas and conduct recce trips independently Basic car technical and electronic management skills Skills required Humble, approachable and social person Matured, pro-active, calm and composed Mentor-ship skills to train off roaders at all levels Car Worthiness Capable 4x4 vehicle with low range gearing Suitable approach and departure angle High profile tires Off-road gear required Safety flag, tire deflator, tire pressure gauge, shovel, fire extinguisher, medical kit, radio (walkie-talkie), air compressor, tool kit, rated recovery rope and 2 rated shackles, GPS, Floor jack and jack board, tire repair kit, tool box, tie-down straps, fluids. Drive teamwork Lead ALL LEVEL drives independently Assign and manage second lead, center forward and sweep Support and supervise senior offroaders at all levels Drive Joining All Levels Forum participation Active participation on the forum Share drive experience + feedback Share drive pictures in the gallery Post trip report after the drive

At one level, @Vanessa8580 you are simply and excellent leader - so what's all the fuss about? You deserve your promotion and I am truly delighted that your capabilities have been recognized and acknowledged. It's fantastic to welcome you wholeheartedly into the marshal group where you will continue to be an incredibly valuable member of the team. Why my first sentence? Because it should be natural that you earned this prmotion on your merits and it should not be BIG news that you happen to be female as well. Sad thing is (and I know this not just because I am the father of three daughters) when a woman does something as well or better than a man it seems to be cause for surprise or additional celebration. So, I will stick to my guns and say it again. You earned this on your merits because you are a brilliant leader, because you, probably more than anyone else did the 'hard yards', supporting the less high profile drives time and time again, because you support everyone else and help them reach their potential, because you almost always have a beaming smile on your face behind the wheel of big blue for everyone to see. And yes, it's great that you are the first female marshal in Carnity - frankly it was about time. Fortunately, there is a fantastic crop of new leaders, both men and women following in your footsteps. They have in you an incredible role model up to which to look.

@Christian Andras @Mus_hus78 @Rizwanm2 @Denizzalbayrak @GauravSoni @luwaimn Thanks for signing up for this challenging drive in one of the most extreme terrains UAE has to offer. A few words of caution though: 1) Make sure your vehicle is in top notch condition, check your fluids and battery. Recovery in this terrain is very challenging. 2) Due to the nature of the terrain, you will need to push your car to the ultimate limit several times throughout the drive. If you are not comfortable please refrain from joining this drive. Moreover if you have a genuine fear of heights this drive will be too much for you to handle. 3) Make sure you have completed sufficient Fewbie drives recently so you are still on top of your game. The plan is to explore the entire area and keep a high pace throughout the drive. This can be mentally challenging so make sure you are up for this. This Fewbie+ level drive will be much more challenging and enduring than a regular Fewbie+ drive in Dubai or Sharjah area.

@Vanessa8580 becoming a marshal with near stock Pajero LWB is a the perfect example that highlights “ the car is as good as the driver” especially on the dunes. I look at you with admiration and hope that I too can reach this level with determination and right skill. Kudos!

Congratulations 🎈 very Happy to join the drive this weekend

Congratulations @Vanessa8580, well earned. You were the sweep in my very first drive with Carnity and was extremely encouraged and motivated with your passion and energy towards this sport and carnity family. Thanks for all the support and guidance and looking forward to driving one under your leadership.👍

Congratulations @Vanessa8580

Congrats @Vanessa8580! absolutely deserving... 👏

@Vanessa8580 congrats again. Truly one of the most deserved promotions. 🥳🥳

Congrats @Vanessa8580. Its a deserved promotion. Would you mind if I will post a picture of yours sitting proudly in your car which I took last time you assisted us for the drive with @Frederic?

I would like to change the standard system I have in the X for something that will support Gaia GPS and Apple Car play. @Nivin I hear from @Shamil that you have a pretty good set up. Any advice would be greatly appreciated

Amazing new. Nice to hear that Vanessa Many many congrats.

Congratulations @Vanessa8580...Well deserved!!!!

wow....many many congratulations to our First Lady Marshal @Vanessa8580🤩... so well deserved and well earned.. your teamspirit and enthusiasm never go unnoticed ... 👍

Van harte gefeliciteerd @Vanessa8580

CONGRATS @Vanessa8580 for the very well deserved promotion.

Congratulations @Baskaran P.R

Congratulations @Vanessa8580!

Congrats @Vanessa8580. Well deserved and many congratulations

Congrats @Vanessa8580

@Vanessa8580 congratulations and wish you all the best.

Sure, go ahead 😉

Wooooow! Awesome photos! I'm sure you know all the basics very well. So you can help others! Great camera! True, small brush is handy at times! Awesome! You should get great pics! True! Now I feel myself as a beginner among the pro photographers with their beasts 😃 However, we all know that camera is not the most important element but the person behind the camera!

@Mikhail Lukichev The camera I will bring is a Nikon D850 with a 24-70mm f/2.8 lens. Apart from the camera: tripod and a remote timer as I want to test for long exposures. One item I've found useful and would like to suggest is a small brush, I carry one with me to remove sand from camera and first element of the lens I am using.

@Mikhail Lukichev Sony A7ii with 28-70mm kit lens will be used for milky way photo. Nikon F3 or FE2 with Vivitar 24mm f2.8 with Fujifilm c200 film. This will be used for star trails. I have some previous experience on this but it`s been a few years. Quality is very low i got screenshot from my instagram.

I personally won't go for a steel bumper mainly because of the weight. Especially with a LWB, I already feel the car is heavy enough and actually I want to get rid of weight. Secondly when u go for vehicle testing during renewal, they can be picky and might ask to put some rubber padding etc...

Did some first evening trials behind our community. Hope to get better shots in Faqa but I still have a lot to learn 😅 ISO 400 - 8 seconds- F2.8 14mm Samyang I think my horizon line should have been lower, so more sky would be exposed. Tried with the iPhone 12 as well, but the wide angle effect is much less, and the colors are more bright (can be tuned). This was taken without tripod.

@Alex SidorovYeah it is impossible to avoid it all completely when driving in the desert. Take it from me, I used to have a car detailing center back home as I used to be really particular about no scratches or swirls on the car. Offroading and having a spotless car is not going to happen. I finally decided the car can be detailed anytime I want but I was not giving up the off-road drives for it. Tough choice but that's what it boils down too.

@Vanessa8580, my sincere congratulations. I’m sure you deserve this promotion! I always enjoy to be in the Team lead by you. It is all the time very interesting, sometimes challenging and always fun. Interesting routes in beautiful places. Looking forward for the new drives together. Congrats!

congrats @Vanessa8580!

congratulations @Vanessa8580

Well-deserved indeed! Fantastic achievement.

congratulations @Vanessa8580. well deserved..

@Vanessa8580 huge congratulations and certainly deserved 👍 I am sure you will continue to inspire all the lady drivers ( as you are always saying : girl power 😄 ) toward the highest and finest contribution to Carnity offroad club . Well done and again congratulations once more 🙏🏻

Hi Nikki, I got at home (will fly soon and will bring it to UAE) Olympus O-MD Mark II with 3 different lenses, if I'm not mistaken. Bought it for my son, he never used it) And I do have my iPhone 12)...

Based on my experience below are a must for prado: Skid plate front and back Ensure skid plate its made of aluminum with 6 MM thickness. Aluminum is light weight so i found it to be best. Offroad Tyre - Geolander ATS 2" Lift would do alot of wonders if you want to continue with your prado until Intermediate and above.

@luwaimn a proper bash plate (6mm or more) will keep the bumper pretty safe unless you maneuver extremely to make impacts and cause damage. We have members who drive Prado, probably can advise better with their experience( @Tero Vallas, @Mahmoud Hamzawy , @Nizam Deen , @asif , @Mikhail Lukichev) Slightly altering your approach and departure with some controlled speed will save your bumper for sure with a bash plate. Yes the air dam or low liners have to be removed .

Congrats @Vanessa8580 and obviously to a proud husband @Frederic I started my 1st ever drive with you guys, and i always mention you wherever i brag about offroading I must quote here tht on my 1st ever drive, i noticed you went to every single car who were there, checked the tyre pressure and guiding everybody very patiently and with a big smile . Also you told me the best hack of removing the abs/traction plug from the hood . Thank you for THE CARE YOU DO, thank you for the drives you take us to. Thank you for being there. see you soon, on the dunes.. 😎 cheers.🍭🤘

Most of the stuff is supporting the android system not IOS in X . However what are you suggesting Angela is worth digging to find out as my I phone holder , one more jump , and game over ! I have an android build in from previous owner and I don’t wana shift from apple which I am using since appeared in this lovely country !

Congratulation @Vanessa8580, although didn't join you earlier, but heard about you from one of the members, who really enjoyed the drive under your leadership. I have booked the drive with you next Friday. Look forward. All the best.

veel felicitaties aan een goede chauffeur en leider, groet je empathische begeleiding. congratulations@Vanessa .

@Mikhail Lukichev I will primarily bring Nikon Z6 with 24mm 1.8 Z series. I will try to bring rest of my kit as well which is mostly geared toward Portrait, travel and Street photography consisting mostly of primes and kit lens.

Hi Mikhail i have a Nikkon D5100 with couple of lens 18-50mm, 50-200mm and I believe a 50mm.

You spoke my mind @Christian Andras

Easy...just go the evening before, and camp at the meeting point...(of course not together, we have to maintain distancing). Anyone thinking the same...?

@Abdul Rahman Abdul Kader I have joined the coming friday drive with @Ale Vallecchi. Thanks for your kind words and considering me as your friend. I was at the garage with my Xterra when the RSVP opened. Unfortunately my car's axle came loose from the front differential and has destroyed the axle as well as the differential. Fortunately we got a replacement from Sajaa and it will come out of the garage tomorrow. Since the time I found out that the axle has come out from the differential I'm wondering how it happened. Any body in our forum can answer me on this? My conclusion is that the axle was already weak - possible as the car had done 600000 kms till date and I have no idea if the previous owner changed it before. Another possibility is I had forgotten to switch back from 4HI to 2H when the drive got over and I damaged the axle and differential by driving in 4HI on tarmac with speeds exceeding 130kms/hr. As per the manual I found that 4HI can be used on tarmac's but speed shouldn't exceed 100km/hr. It can create torsional forces more than what the axle can tolerate. There was a moment in the last friday's drive with @Wrangeld when the front hit the ground hard while coming down after a ridge crossing and from that moment I suspected something may have got damaged. The shock of the hard hit to the ground may have caused the axle to get dislodged from the differential slightly and my forgetting to switch from 4HI to 2H after the drive may have aggravated the injury already caused to the system. Or all 3 contributed to the damage. My advise to all of you after spending couple of thousands and looking like an idiot - PLEASE REVERT BACK TO 2H AS SOON AS THE DRIVE IS OVER.

I also got mine from a friend who had it from day one of the showroom floor. But mine is 20 years old now and needs some work. But not bad for a 20 year old car to run like a dream. The only older models are @Gaurav bhai and @Frederic Pajeros and @Srikumar XJ.