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Thank you for your great response on the pre-opening form submission. As we were struggling with few merchandising, so here are the final: WINNING TEAM PRIZES Desert Champions Trophy 500 AED - Carnity Account Credit for each participant. Carnity's Winning Certificate for each team member. Social Media campaign for winning team with pictures. Part of "Desert Champions" User group on the site. Entitle to use: Winner of Desert Champions Trophy 2021 in signature. Carnity Weatherproof Safety Flag Carnity Metallic Weatherproof Sticker Carnity Cap Carnity T-Shirt

Dear friends Please note convoy numbers for today. @Gregory, @JAISROCK, @qaiser ijaz, @Hitham mohamed, @Max Beloenko, @Vaibhav, @Daniel Rodas, @hasan hamadeh, @MMansoor, @Pacific, @Zixuan Huang - Charlie , @Looper, @Thomas Varghese @Russ We will use Chanel 1 for radio. Myself, @GauravSoni, @Craig Finlayson and @Anish S will manage recoveries if any. We will call you out if we need more help. Experienced members will be tested today on churned up tracks at the back of the convoy. Please deflate to 15 psi for regular tires, and 12 psi if you have all terrain tires. Deflator, compressor, flag, shovel and a programmed radio are mandatory for this drive.

congrats @Prakash Anoop👍

The FJ Cruiser is of course a fantastic offroader, and with the Toyota reliability you cannot go wrong. Just make sure you get one that has not been abused too much in the desert. You are better off looking for a stock unmodified model that has only seen malls and the occasional dirt track I had an FJ before and bought it with 250,000kms on the odometer and it still ran super smooth. Just make sure it has received proper maintenance. Ask for the service history !

Fantastic post trip report @Ale Vallecchi as always, perfectly captured our Saturday morning marathon!

Well done @Prakash Anoop. Very much deserved. You are constantly improving, and surely will enjoy the new level a great deal.

Thank you. This week is going to be an epic week for me. 3 drives.

Yup lost already one flag as thought hand tightened is good enough..I guess quick release soln! seems better ..been using it only for couple of months so while seems good I hope it will stand the test of time.

Me going 200km/h, The guy in Nissan Patrol behind me

I am always inspired by your amazing trip reports Ale @Ale Vallecchi 👍

We expect each team to finish within 3-4 hours, but due to any unforeseen situation your team might extend to 6-8 hours, so keep good amount of buffer for such events, as it's not a regular off-road drive.

This is a fair question - for everyone who doesn’t know my name, it’s Mayank. Thank you @Gaurav & @Frederic for your guidance and knowledge so far. It’s been an absolutely enlightening experience. @Islam Soliman 🙏🏽 - can’t wait to get on a heavyweight LWB drive with you soon.

Dear @Rouaj. Please go through the trip report on the Absolute NB drive you joined last weekend friday. It is important you keep checking the drive threads you join We have a sequential promotion for members from NB to Fewbie and so on. Right now you are a newbie as you have successfully completed Absolute NB and you are allowed to join newbie drives. If you feel you have the experience to get to fewbie level, do a self declaration for getting yourself promoted.

I didnt know that, however I choose fewbie is it possible?

That's a funny story: As a European (who had never seen an FJ Cruiser), i moved to Saudi Arabia in 2012 and found this wonderful blue FJ which was an American Import with a bit of miles on it, but zero offroading history. On the first weekend i took it into some sandy area (not really dunes) and though i was deflated, the car got stuck in minutes. Soon, some locals approached me and tried to get the car out (blip blip was unknown to me back then..) And suddenly one of the locals got inside the car and asked "where is the 4H lever" to which i had to admit this car did not had it and i assumed this was because the FJ was permanent 4x4. Long story short: my nice Blue FJ was a 4x2 model (yes not a 4x4). 😅 Kept it anyways as during that time i was not in a club and only went camping and BBQ ing with friends on nearby flat areas with gentle dunes, so with some deflation i could manage. Sold it in 2014 as i moved back to Europe for a year, and only came back to Middle East in end of 2015 and bought my little Pajero in 2017 here in Dubai.

Congrats @Prakash Anoop

Congratulations @Prakash Anoop!

Congratulations @Prakash Anoop

Thanks @Frederic.

I get my insurance the same day I inspect the car in the RTA and in the same office, so I haven't have any issue with that.

Thanks @Ale Vallecchi for the great drive and report. Couldnt continue due to some other commitments, but enjoyed the picturesque and scenic areas we crossed and the ridges we rode...smoothly flowing through , although i had done the same area on our previous ride. But ..isnt "defection" too strong a word for a poor guy succumbing to familial pressures , and going for some mall crawling ?? 😂 Looking forward to the next adventure!!

@Looperand @Rawadyou've been added. RSVP is now closed.

@Chaitanya D Confirmed. Thanks for adding me 🙂

Congratulations @Prakash Anoop

@Islam Solimancan we know the meeting point please.

Yes I am in. Thanks a lot @Chaitanya D

Hi @Prakash Anoop congratulations

@Islam Soliman can u pls add me to WL

Hi, can you please add me to the waiting list

No doubt a fixed mount will be long lasting and bear the brunt of off roading, especially with a heavier flag pole. One should always tighten the pole with a spanner or wrench, hand tightened poles (especially for the heavy AOR)tend to loosen on the drives which will damage the threads @M.Seidamhas used the sticky whimps for quite a long time on all levels .

Have to concur with @Foxtrot Oscar. I've been using the 9 foot plexiglass AOR flag with the single suction cup. While the fit of the cup is solid as long you provide a clean flat surface, after 20 drives, the threads on the suction cup have worn out from the weight of the flag causing stress at the joint. I've since moved to a fixed mount with a quick release 3-way split flag.

I beg to differ, I don’t know how many AOR flags and suction cups I lost coming through the ranks I personally think the AOR flagpole is too heavy for the suction cup . the flag always starts to slip , even at newbie level I had sticky whips too….also a pain in the derrière 🤣

Have been looking for this option....best input I could get is to get it screen printed ..not really convinced if it will stand the time.

I am using this one for almost a year now , super light , easy to handle , no issues ( stick on clean glass and pull )

@Mark DolmanI used the AOR suction cup initially but it pretty quickly drove me crazy with how often it would slip and I even had one snap altogether (which they did replace FOC to be fair). Eventually I went with the plate Alex mentions above on the rear corner of the truck bed and it’s perfect. Just remember to keep all of the bolts that come with the flag when you purchase it as you’ll need those.

Hi @Mark Dolman You can get a AOR suction cup with a flag, which is pretty sturdy till IM drive when it tends to fall off . Another light weight and good option is a sticky whimps off road flag, comes with double suction cups and light weight flag that holds well. Both don't need any mounts , and come with their suction cups. Friends @Alex Raptor , @Russ, @Dodi Syahdar who drive a raptor, could help in guiding you with regards to flag mounts for raptor

Not really related.. Do we have a way to order our 'own' flag? I am looking for a while an Italian flag 🇮🇹 but not able to find one

Driving off-road is a very interesting and entertaining experience but there are a few basic things you need to check first before heading for your first off-road drive with Carnity Off-road Club. Every driver should know when to join for an offroad drive and when to pass until all below things are checked. VEHICLE Ground clearance: Minimum 8 inches under front and rear bumper is must. You will need to be careful while driving and slow down while descent and approach to avoid any minor bumper damage. If your 4x4 have EAS (electronic suspension), lift it to the max height and then measure it. Also read the manual to know what is the max speed you can drive with off-road height, as many manufacturer limit up to 60 Kmph with off-road height, which is plenty in most cases. Knowing that limit is better in case you go above that speed, so you can lift it again once you slow down. Tow hook: Your 4x4 should have at least 1 tow hook in the front and 1 tow hook at the back, more the better. Also you should check the integrity of all tow hooks and its appearance, if they are shaking or rusted or missing a bolt, then get them fixed before joining any off-road drive. Engine: Your engine should be in perfect working condition without any check engine light or any warning lights on dashboard or leaking oil or coolant. Engine takes more stress while off-roading so well serviced 4x4 performs better on off-road. If you recently bought the car and have no idea of last service, then it's highly advisable to get the engine service before your first off-road drive. Gear / Transmission: Your 4x4 should have 4L and 4H gearing option. AWD or SUV without LO/HI gearing option are not advisable for sand off-roading. Suspension: Your 4x4 vehicle suspension should be in reasonable and drivable condition. You can drive with stock suspension perfectly fine and then you can decide to modify it, if really needed. Any suspension lifted up to 2-3 inches are accepted, anything above 3 inches lift need trip leader approval before joining any drive to make sure if you have widened the wheelbase to lower the center of gravity in an orderly manner. Tires: Your 4x4 tires should be in good condition with enough tread and more than half life left. Tires nearing their end usually fail while off-roading, so check for date of manufacturing shouldn't be more than 3-4 years. No visible cuts or lost tread chunks or cracking sidewall should be there. Fuel Tank: You should always join the off-road drive with full fuel tank, as all vehicles consume double or triple the amount of fuel while off-roading. You don't need to change the fuel type from special to super for off-road purpose, continue with your fuel type as per manufacturers recommendation. Sign up: Once you have checked all these above points then RSVP the drive calendar and post an introductory message on the drive post - sharing your 4x4 details, previous off-road experience (if any), so that trip lead can acknowledge and plan the drive accordingly. OFF-ROAD GEAR You don't need any off-road gear or recovery gears for your first off-road drive, but if you have a shovel, flag and a radio (walkie talkie) then please carry it with you. Rest all the off-road gears and recovery tools will be shown to you once you attend the briefing and you can read more about them here: https://carnity.com/advice/offroad/most-comprehensive-list-of-off-road-gears-and-recovery-tools-r81 OFF-ROAD DRIVE Always wear long pants and closed shoes (no slippers) to avoid any injury or sun burn. Carry hat/cap/scarf, in case you need to spend long time under the sun. Carry plenty of water and soft drinks of your choice to keep you hydrated. Carry your camera mounts if you like to record the drive (no hand held). No carrying or consumption of any type of alcoholic drinks on the drive.

Hi @Chaitanya D, count me with the Pajero. Cheers!

Dear @Islam Soliman I totally agree your statement. I haven’t jumped the queue and as per attachment my name is showed as attending. So I will consider myself to be in Waiting list as per your statement. will wait for the final listing to be posted tomorrow thank you

Hi @Islam Soliman, I’m sorry but I’m going to have to pull out of this weeks drive…something has come up. Please take me off the list. I’ll see you soon hopefully

@Pacific @MMansoor @Looper @Hitham mohamed and @Craig Finlayson You will be added to the drive- do you confirm?

The sand trac has its indications and in some specific situation they can be helpful . I have used them twice personally with Carnity and they worked like magic. However given the fact of the non flat surface where most of our gliding occurs makes it to look almost completely useless .

looking forward to my debut night drive! This relates to my motivation to join a offroad club: A week before my Absolute Newbie, I was with friends in Fossil Rock area, and struggled to find the way out as the sun started to come down, God blessed us that we eventually reached pylon just 10 mins before the complete darkness, but I was totally terrified that we definitly wouldnt make it out of desert in darkness Right after I joined the club, I installed a small 20 inch light bar and replaced with brighter LED fog lights just for my sense of safety. and here I am, to test that if the lighting is sufficent. It looks sexy as decoration on your roof rack @Chinthaka Ruwan

Hi @Islam Solimani need to leave the event, something came up. Enjoy👍

@Foxtrot Oscar Pls add me to the WL as a 2nd drive

Congratulations @Prakash Anoop

Thanks a lot @Gaurav for the promotion , would push my limits to do more.

@Prakash Anoop Congratulations 👏