Looper

Some of us bought their new Jeeps in stock configuration from the authorized dealer and set out to modify gradually over time choosing the right parts and accessories. While others prefer to buy fully pre-built and modified cars from either of those two garages in Al Quoz. I did not intend to drive off-road when I bought my car. When the salesperson asked if I intend to off-road, I gave him a resounding NO, because a) I did not even know what Off-Roading meant at that time b) because we were buying it as a school ferrying vehicle (hence the color) for my wife to drop my son to the school As I never had to compare these options, I never had any thoughts on this but want to know from those who have bought a new Jeep and had compared these options - what was your thought process and why you decided to buy from either authorized dealer or from one the off-road garage.

A bit late in the day for my thoughts on the drive but, nevertheless. It was my second newbie drive with @Islam Soliman but first one driving myself. As usual we started with an elaborate briefing by the lead and wonderful weather to drive that day. Margham area presents a unique landscape where one hone their off-road skills and boy we did practice a lot. While off-roading you not only get to know your car, but the car gets to know you. It's not just poetic to say so - because it is a fact. You learn to what extent you can push it and how to push it. You know how it behaves in certain situations and manages it. Similarly, your car learns from you what you expect and gradually both the car and the driver become one. There were some refusals along the way, but they were good refusals in my opinion. Better to get stuck while going slow to cross a dune than to go fast and fly off the other side. Because it is safer to gradually increase the speed than to be at high speed and get into trouble and then try to reduce it. First of all, a big thanks to @Islam Soliman for a great fun drive. @Suresh K you did well as the second lead and @Sharat Nambiar as the sweep. It was great to drive with you @Haitham Khattab, @Serhat Yalcinkaya, @Krishna R, @Mahmoud Taha, @karim hamandi, @Awais Zuberi and @Yesu Yarlagadda (also congratulations are in order on your promotion). See you all soon in another drive.

A little late in the day for a post but better than never. It was long time since I drove here and was my first drive under the stewardship of @Hisham Masaad. This area is a spaghetti of tracks - you would be hard pressed to see even a single square foot of land which has not been used and abused and the fun is in navigating them masterfully. The specific characteristics of the Big Red area which are for our enjoyment are: Those medium sized dunes between camel rock and Big Red - it is fun navigating them at high speed non-stop You get to use your manual gear here - the automatic would not work all the time - especially on those tall dunes. And finally of Couse the Big Red and Camel Rock themselves. In this drive we did everything and more. and a big thanks to @Hisham Masaad to lead us on a wonderful trip round the area. All were present ahead of time and ready to go and we hardly had anything that can even be called refusals. Everyone gave their top performance and drove masterfully. Few observations - In the desert one needs to have a good distance between cars - which means you not only not drive too close to the car in front but also not too far away. I noticed a few were driving a bit too far from the car in front. Please be mindful that you might not only lose track of the convoy also in certain cases it can be troublesome because you will miss how a specific dune needs to be tackled. There are hundreds of permutations and combinations that affect a climb up the dune or navigate in the sand. There is a element of chance that everything falls into a perfect place, and you achieve great heights and often silliest of things go wrong and you don't. All I have to say here is don't worry - you will come here many more times - do it many more times as well. As you drive more and more you will learn to manage all those tiny permutations and combinations that can go wrong and achieve it - just give some more time. Thank you @Thomas Varghese for your services at the rear end of the convoy and ensuring the flock is moving. Also, a big thank you to all present @Joji varghese, @Junaid120120, @topgear, @Rsjiv Samuel, @Davie Chase, @Sunil Mathew, @Chris Wing and @Daniel Yang see you all in a new drive very soon.

Still in planning stage

I would say that everyone should plan to be the previous night. It is next to impossible to drive the entire day without camping. I will be leaving Dubai around 2:30 pm on Friday and reaching the meeting place. I suggest you all should reach there on the evening of 18th. Request - guys with bigger cars bring one bag of firewood.

Just counted 24 in the waitlist- 2 more convoy worth. Amazing response.

Congratulations @Sree - Fortuner well done

Congratulations @Yesu Yarlagadda the baby wheels are off now. well done

Congratulations @Antony Abraham well done

Congratulations @Rasif ABDUL RAHIM well done.

Congratulations @MMansoor, it is quite well deserved now isn't it? well done

Congratulations @Daniel Yang well done.. see you soon

Congratulations @Naveen Raj well done

Congratulations @Michel Van Woudenberg looking forward to many more drives with you.

Congratulations @Rob S well done.

I was speculating a couple of more drives. It’s going to be a test for the fastest fingers.