Francois Germishuys

@Kalahari thanks for your feedback on the issue. Yeah definitely later in the year, need a break and got some business to sort out. Take care. 

16 hours ago, Lorenzo Candelpergher said:

Dear @Francois Germishuys, the one on your flag was a joke.. I guess you didn't get it.. 😂😂. Usually all those who have a falling flag ask for permission to remove it, whereas you asked for permission to fix it.. So I made a joke saying you "ignored" my instructions to just put the flag away, concluding that it was anyway better to be safe than sorry and you had it fixed in no time.. I see no reason for you to get upset! Keeping the flag up can only be commended. 

Regarding my comments about the sweeping position, I have no reason not to believe, as you say, that you plainly had no chance to realize we had lost two cars. @varunmehndiratta's explanation further supports it. 

This is not the point, however, and you seem to have missed the context of my comments, which were meant to address the overall issue that I keep on seeing in recent Intermediate Drives among big dunes, ie the fact that, when someone in some mid-convoy position has a stuck or a refusal during a climb, convoy order keeps on being lost beyond reason, with chaos as a consequence: cars from behind overtaking and continuing the climb, with no or delayed announcing of the problem or simply ignoring it. This leads to split convoys, lost tracks, etc, exactly the same dynamics we witnessed today. 

I invite you to read my comment again and to realize that it wasn't written as a specific critique to YOU as such, but as a general comment about the problems that originate with poor convoy discipline and the fundamental function of sweeping in these circumstances. I was indeed taking today's case as an example to make my point: convoy discipline in the specific case was not followed, and the result was that two cars in trouble were left behind. Neither the car in front, ie @Lakshmi Narasimhan nor the car behind, ie @varunmehndirattarealized and announced the problem nor stopped to wait for the troubled cars to recover. 

In fact, @Lakshmi Narasimhanhad just climbed up behind my tail as I had come back to help him overcome the difficult spot.

When I came back, before leading @Lakshmi Narasimhanup, I had made sure the convoy was all toghether, Sweep included.

What happened next is that apparently @M.Seidam followed but had a refusal on his way up, circled around and reattempted multiple times, while the rest of the convoy, five cars, inexplicably, must have inadvertently climbed up along a different route, thus leaving the two cars behind with all five drivers not realising what had just happened. As improbable as it may sound, this may have happened and I don't question it. 

@varunmehndiratta is probably right when he says there was a bit of delay when the convoy restarted while he was on a bio break: I remember joking about it while circling around to check the situation. 

All of this, however, again proves the point that excessive distance, poor or no radio communication, no visual checks on the car behind and in front, overtaking or unintentional rerouting caused a split convoy. 

@Francois, you are right when you say nobody asked you to intervene. In fact you are an Extreme driver, not an Advisor and it was probably my mistake to even give you the responsibility to be Sweep, as supporting roles are meant to be for Advisors, who have been specifically selected and have experience in undertaking the role. 

Having said this, you did your part as Sweep today, communicating well and frequently whenever required. If you want me to be specific on a feedback about YOU today, I'll say that I felt you were often driving too far back behind @Abu Muhammad roaming around (a temptation that comes to all when in sweep), but I'll say also that you were often helpful and present, for which I even thanked you in my post (you must have missed that).

In the past you have been always very open and vocal in sharing your comments and criticism (often quite direct, not to say harsh) towards your fellow drivers. I'd expect you to be equally open to receive some comments and potentially even criticism from the Drive Lead, as the purpose is never name shaming but always, and only, giving all participants opportunity to reflect on what happened and learn from it. 

I am sad to read you were upset by my comments, but I stand by them, even more now that I had the chance to explain better what they meant. 

I'm equally sad by your decision to leave Carnity and wish you best of luck and fun in your future Desert adventures. 

@Lorenzo Candelpergher Yeah i clearly didn’t catch that joke ? 😂

I hope that next time you will be able to make a better choice for the sweep as pointed out in your clarification that i’m not cut out for it as i’m of a lower rank and not capable enough to support your drives (funny though as I was sweep in your last extreme drive) and mostly only do sweep since I've started with Carnity…..not sure how my rank matters one day and the next it doesn’t, but it made it into your clarification in anyway, i dont see how it was relevant to the day’s events…..

Just to add to the issue you have with my rank, I'm at Extreme rank and was promoted from previous rank by Carnity, i must have been seen as someone capable enough for the promotion, I did not request for it, I also chose to remain at this rank as i’m comfortable there, I’m not currently in a position where any upgraded rank will work for me as I don't want to take on any further commitments which I cant meet. So with that said I find your comment about my rank irrelevant and of bad taste as it does not all of a sudden make me a better driver/ sweep if i have a higher rank… but i guess pulling rank when trying to make a point helps to fluff up the story line….

I also got a funny feeling when reading your initial report that there is more to play here and not just the Sweep issue of the past weekend but a more fundamental issues you have with me and what I've contributed before and i was right, your clarification summed it up nicely, so I guess I can also point it out here, I have on many previous occasions voiced my opinion/ helpful criticism of other drives and some drivers to improve the whole driving experience here at Carnity and it was mostly well received, these observations was clear and straight to the point, no jokes or issue I had to clarify later, maybe something you should consider when writing your next trip report? 

I’m always open to comments and criticism and if I have to take one on the chin like a champ and learn from it, then so be it, it’s always welcomed, however I failed to see how your initial drive report reflected any useful information about me other than jokes? and a sensationalized observation which did not contain the actual summary of events which you felt needed such an elaborative clarification and comments from the involved drivers to support the initial report….. maybe this was the way your report should have been written in the first place not to create unnecessary confusion and “upsetting” some drivers…

A learning curve for all it seems now. 

No hard feelings, i’m sure we will drive together again (with me somewhere in the middle). ✌🏼

Thanks for reading and seeing it from my point of view. 

@Shehab Alawadhi thanks mate, looks good. 

16 hours ago, varunmehndiratta said:

@Francois Germishuys just noted that it's your last drive...if the reason is something like what happened on the drive --- seriously dude,.you kidding us? Such thing happens in all team sport.. If something else, wish you all the best and surely will miss you at the end of convoys - I guess all drives we did together you have always been at the end with your lovely ride..looking after us all. Hope to see you sometime on sand, cheers..

Hi @varunmehndirattano mate, got other plan for the summer, might return after will see….. 

@Lorenzo Candelpergher another frustrating drive it seems.

I have a few comments on your report; Firstly with regards to you reporting that i ignored your instructions? It comes as a surprise as I did request over the radio to fix it quickly as its not a good idea to drive without it especially in the big dunes where we could possibly be crossing other convoys, it was fixed in 1 minute, but its up to you to interpret that as you wish. 

Secondly your comments on the sweep, the center forward (senior) and the car following him did not communicate that they got lost, neither did the car following them radio in that he cant see them as he was able to see the rest of the convoy in front of them as we all followed along, I was 5 cars behind them and as a result was in no position to see them or even try to find them in those big dunes, in addition no one said anything over the radio for me to act on, only when we all passed them hundreds of meters on did they radio in that they are lost, this was then i then ask where are they and i got out to look for them, this was told to you at the time but it seems like you ignored what was told to you and still are of the opinion that I was not able to carry out my responsibility for the drive, your frustration noted and as you were not at the back and did not see what was taking place I informed you of what was happening.

Lastly I want to thanks everyone I’ve driven with over the past 1+ years while being part of the carnity team, i learned a lot from you guys, its been fun, this was my last drive with Carnity.  

I wish you all the best. 

Thanks and take care.

Hi @Lorenzo Candelpergher waitlist me for 1st drive thanks 

@Lorenzo Candelpergher yes for sure it was a busy drive, i can recall getting my arms tangled few times trying to get my truck going in the direction it was supposed to go 😂

2nd time my tuck went to its limits on fuel ⛽️ ! 
 

Was a good drive by the whole team, i just have one comment, keeping a good distance is essential to avoid getting to close to the car in front if you need to suddenly slow down and then on the other hand dont give to much space to not being able to see what the driver in front of you are doing. I always like to keep an eye on the car in front of me to be able to judge my moves especially when it gets fast and bumpy. 
 

see you all next time. ✌🏼

Congratulations @Craig Finlayson 

@Lorenzo Candelpergher. I’ll be joining ✌🏼

Sounds good but I’ll confirm on Wednesday/Thursday only 🤞🏻

Hi @Foxtrot Oscar if there is a spot open please add me to the drive, thanks 🙏🏻 

23 minutes ago, Ahab Shamaa said:

@Lorenzo Candelpergher, thank you for all the support and teachings you’ve given me and the group as a whole! I tell you this; no matter what driving level I’m at, I’ll always bring my pampers on your drives 🤣

I think both @Lorenzo Candelpergher and @Luca Palanca Falsini drives are excellent, its always exciting to see them going over dunes etc and making me at the back think like lol good luck to the rest follow that ... 😜✌🏼It sure proved to be a challenge as ive seen in my last few extreme drives ! 
 

the extreme drive in Abu Dhabi was just great as well with @Emmanuel , no drama at all, all excellent drivers on that day, good fun, the way it should be! 

@Thomas Varghese as you found it necessary to attack me in you original response and due to subsequent response by the trip lead on the events of the day, I see no need to further entertain any discussion. I hope you understand.  Thanks and have a good day. 

Hi all, so the issue with my car was normal  wear and tear as they say, the front drive shaft bushes are starting to wear out and as a result caused light knocking noise/ feedback into the cabin, obviously the regular desert driving adds more strain on a vehicle than normal street driving and then occasional speed bump and sidewalk you drive over... they will replace them under warranty. It’s always a good idea to listen to your car when something isn’t as it normally is rather than keep on pushing just to save face.

Please add me to the drive, thanks 

@Lorenzo Candelpergher thanks it was an exciting drive, i started feeling a bit jealous towards the end as everyone was having so much fun with their refusals, stucks and popouts that i had to participate, that crest’ing took Zero effort  🤣✌🏼, thanks for coming to rescue me!

But one a serious note, this was one of the drives with the most refusals and stucks that I’ve experience with carnity.... (except for Liwa )

See you all next time. 

Hi @Lorenzo Candelpergher please add me to the drive, thanks 

@Ale Vallecchi yea im in! Thanks 

@Ale Vallecchiis there still a spot open for me? Add me please. Thanks 

Good drive today @Luca Palanca Falsini

Good that it was a short convoy so didnt take to long for stucks and recusal to get sorted and the convoy moving....
Good to hear the chat and advice we gave to the guys helped them enjoy the drive and their vehicles more! 
 

see you guys next time ✌🏼

Hi @Luca Palanca Falsini yes thanks, c u tomorrow 

Hi @Luca Palanca Falsini

is this a Fewbie or intermediate drive? I see mixed driver in here? If its IM please add me to the drive! 

Hi, still a spot open to accommodate me? 🙏🏻

3 hours ago, Thomas Varghese said:

I have all that except the medical kit

Mate how did you get promoted to IM if a medical kit was part of the kit requirements to have in order to get promoted? Interesting, best you get one and not expect to use someone else’s if anything happens.

Also can everyone with winches remove them before the drive (😬), i think it has become a luxury these last few months, to easy to use.
Those that repeatedly get stuck needs to do it the old school way and shovel 🥄, its the best way to learn, and if your  health is put at risk due to excessive shoveling then reconsider this drive 😎✌🏼

I like how @Wrangeld has put it above, if you got stuck it’s because of you and not the guy in front of you, you need to manage yourself by keeping a safe following distance, focus and dont get distracted, and follow the leads tracks, if you feel the need to blame the guy in front of you for getting stuck then that means you did not manage that situation like you should by now in the IM level be able to do.  
 

have a good weekend all, see you Saturday!