Lakshmi Narasimhan

5 minutes ago, Ashok chaturvedi said:

The debate for Pajero from Gears to Intermediate is intersting. The only thing to add is from own expereince.. Pajero are Pajero cant replace Jeeps, FJ and other monsters. I tried everything even spend nearly Aed 20K on modification of Pajero 3.8 but finally decided to buy FJ. These cars Pajero I mean are good upto a point but have a limits. Yes one can with correct skills with courage can succeed on some drives the level of intermediate but then 'NOVA'. Old cars perish in the harshness of such drives.. unless one mates with a garage and has plenty of cash to spend and ability to hide from the spouse.. stop it. Also leads decide the level based on the day of drive. Once I saw our dear @Lorenzo Candelpergher and his dare devil group fly past 'Extreme' on a total dune crest when some in our convoy were shoveling or tugging way down on near flat sands.. i.e. F+ level. So the point is dont overdo.. recognise the limitation of your car first and your skills second. God Bless 

I see couple of leads driving pajero 3.8 and 3.5 LWB and few having SWB, leaving the limitations for extreme level we should be able to do intermediate drives with Pajero. Few cases where theres upshifting problem, we need to carry along to the max level possible and then its up to individuals to upgrade the car based on their interest, budget etc or enjoy the max level they can!!!

2 minutes ago, varunmehndiratta said:

However also agree with @Abu Muhammad - due to recent changes in promotion criteria  many of us have been on similar level drives for quite a bit and at times want to test our driving skills as well - which I am sure you will agree becomes a bit of issue when we have new intermediate drivers on same drives, irrespective of how beautiful the terrain.

I believe as carnity has considered all factors in revising the grading structure which is paying of well. Carnity also makes sure one do complete all the required skills learning for that level before advancing to higher level

I take more drives to complete one level based on how fast I learn and apply that. Every level has its own challenge for the new drivers joining that level.

We cant have specific requirements for each and every terrain, as that is not possible with desert changing shape every now and then.

Yes of course for extreme drives theres qualification based on car capability, drive skills and experience which are valid. 
 

8 hours ago, varunmehndiratta said:

just a query @Lakshmi Narasimhan @Danish Mohammad were you trying the area in M or D mode that it was leading to upshifting?

I was driving my car in automatic mode hardly on my first 2 drives and on another drive on a newbie drive for testing purpose, I drive only on manual mode even after installing 2 auxiliary fans.

I never had upshifting problem in my car. But when I reach 5000+ rpm, engine will cut off the power completely even on manual mode, this was not allowing me to climb steep climbs. 

I complained to habtoor and after service they removed the delimiter i guess and now its holding even on 6000 rpm.

Yesterday I never had problem in climbing steep dunes, it was a perfect drive for me, except for couple of times where i couldn’t start with enough momentum on narrow track with soft patch. Have to try couple of more times before any conclusion!!!

11 minutes ago, Lorenzo Candelpergher said:

DRIVE REPORT

Dear Desert Wanderers, 

My last drive as lead had been exactly 30 days ago, so I came to this drive with some concern whether I was actually going to be up to the task, given that the 1st edition of the 1km ascent quest had created a lot of expectations. 

I must say I really enjoyed the drive today and it was great to be back again on the sand. It was a memorable drive, with endless challenges that put everyone to the test. 

We started very early this morning: by 5am sharp we started to line up the convoy. I feel it was maybe a bit too early, as we had to drive for 45 mins before the sunrise. 

We indulged a bit in the small dunes between our entry point and the 2st group of dunes of Area 53 next to the Dubai - Hatta Road, but we couldn't possibly spend 45 mins there, so I decided to aim to the top climbing in total darkness. Not exactly the easiest way to start the day, but certainly an effective way to make sure everyone was fully awake! 😂😂

We started having refusals right away at the very first climb, I guess mostly because of the additional challenge with the darkness and because of the abrupt ramp-up of the technical level that today's ascents implied. 

Even if with some hesitations, the convoy made it to the top 3 times in a raw on the first group of dunes: it was the perfect warm-up for the day. 

We progressively moved across 11 different areas of big dunes, everytime climbing from all sides and making sure we left our tire marks on every available bowl. 

The first 2 hours were not easy, as we had to deal with several refusals, mostly with the two Pajeros, whose underpowered engines with undesidered upshifting demanded their drivers, @Danish MohammadMohammad and @Lakshmi Narasimhan, every drop of their driving skills to make it to the top.. Kudos to both for the extra effort!

I could sense some frustration by the big and experienced guys at the back, whose desire to unleash their endless horse power was often dampened by some stucks and refusals at the front and even more by my occasional decisions to abort and reroute (or restart from the bottom) when things were getting too troubled at the front of the convoy. 

@Watteau was very vocal when he asked not to give up and to make sure the cars at the back could have their fair chance to make it to the top. I know my choices may have disappointed, @Watteau or @Abu Muhammad, but the point for me was that ALL drivers (and cars) today had to make it to the top and I believe that is what happened 80% of the over 40 straight bottom-to-top climbs we performed today. 

The sand was tricky today, with lots of unusual pockets and patches of very soft sand caused by the unusual winds of the last weeks, combined, in the 1st part of the drive, with an immense number of tracks everywhere. This is where most of us had our good share of refusals and stucks, which required a great deal of brilliant self-recoveries, including the spectacular ones by @Danish Mohammad and @Mario Cornejo in deep bowls and with great inclines. 

Just to make sure we didn't miss anything, we also had repeated overheating issues and two pop-out for my myself and @Dodi Syahdar! What a day! 

The drivers in the front didn't have the horsepower nor the experience of the big guys in the back, and I must say I was proud to see the enormous improvement in self-confidence and actual car handling that @Danish Mohammad achieved trough-out the drive as he shifted to 2nd lead. It is only by being challenged a bit beyond our comfort zone and by our mistakes and struggles that we become better. Kudos, my friend!

I must say I was also a bit disappointed to see how convoy discipline today was often neglected.. Impatience to climb and not to lose momentum often led to a split convoy or to overtakes and confusion, as we had to slow down and reorder the convoy multiple times. I still believe, as frustrating this may be, that if a car in front struggles, those behind should avoid overtaking and should patiently allow as many attempts as may be required for whoever has difficulties in a specific passage.. 

In the last two hours of the drive we drove more, stopped less and enjoyed fantastic, virgin dunes that repaid us of all the waiting, digging, rerouting and struggling of the first two. The climax of the day for me was the stretch at and after Suhail Dune, where we had a quick photo stop:

With some concerns about overheating and running out of fuel for some cars, we then headed towards Iftar Bowl, where we took 3 full rounds back to back before eventually making our exit. 

We drove for 4h and 35 mins, covering 68.6km at an average moving speed of 16.7km. 

As far as the goal of the day is concerned, I'm glad to say that -  despite all setbacks - we hit the 1670m ascent mark, which is 100m than last month. See the analysis below:

Congratulations to @Mario Cornejo (you' conquer that high bowl) @Danish Mohammad (full throttle!!) , @Ranjan Das(great new Rubicon!), @Lakshmi Narasimhan(Iftar Bowl is now yours), @Ilya(a walk in the park for an Expert like you), @Watteau(we did get to the top, eventually), @Dodi Syahdar("when I enjoy the drive I get a pop-out", you said 😂😂😂😂😂), @Abu Muhammad(we were all inexperienced IM drivers at some point!) and big big thanks to @M.Seidam and @Hisham Masaad for their outstanding support at all times. 

See you at the next stuck! 

Just a small suggestion to add, as @Lorenzo Candelperghermentioned when there is a refusal ahead we should hold our positions in order so that it will be easy to start again, lets not lineup side ways in very narrow track with soft patch. I have learnt a lot in today’s drive both do’s and dont’s.

@Vanessa8580 can you please reload this drive more frequently!!!

@Lorenzo Candelpergherwhat a fun filled drive it was today. Even though there were quite few refusals, you have paced it perfectly and made the drive very interesting. The second half was absolute fun, tall dunes, nice criss cross and ending the drive in Iftar bowl was icing on the cake. I truly believe that carrying the entire convoy is team effort and definitely you have done that well as a lead and demonstrated its a team sport. Personally it was very satisfying drive for me in total, with Iftar bowl and without popout. 
Truly amazing support team and entire convoy did very well. Thanks to every one for joining and having raised your tolerance level. Hope we get to enjoy once again reload of the area soon!!!!!

Thanks for adding me, I have missed todays drive, looking fwd to meet you all.

@Ale Vallecchi sorry i couldnt join drive, was awake for last 40 hrs and slept without control got up just now, I am really sorry missed your drive.

1 minute ago, GauravSoni said:

Hi @Lorenzo Candelpergher due to some technical Issues with car I have removed myself from the drive! I was so looking forward for Reloaded action packed drive. Hope you guys have safe fun filled roller coaster ride!  Missing it already😭

I am sorry for you buddy, i will take your spot for now and enjoy on your behalf and see you soon on sand on another drive!!!

2 minutes ago, Ale Vallecchi said:

Dear Desertnauts,

a quick update on next Friday's drive. Even though summertime reduces the number of off-roaders, and the desert has enough time to cancel most of the tracks that have scarred it during the winter time's high-season, we are always in search of pristine areas to explore. Even though Lisaili is not the most visited area by Dubai's clubs, finding untouched sand still requires a good amount of planning and searching. Hence, we'll use its "backdoor" to access Lisaili's less beaten paths, to get away from the area closer to the pylons, directing the convoy toward Murqab, where we'll spend some time playing on its tall dunes, before re-entering Lisaili's heart through the Highway to Solar Park's sand track. The terrain will be a mix of long range dunes and technical areas. The speed will vary, from fast to slow, and all off-roading skills will be tested.

@Chinthaka Ruwan, @Russ, @Alain Canivet-Abikhalil, @Niki, @Nithin Vaidir, @Werno, @Matt.T, @Lakshmi Narasimhan and @Humayun Ghias welcome to the drive.

More info on Thursday evening. See you soon out there.

Interesting @Ale Vallecchi, see you all soon

Wowwww, thanks @Gauravfor sharing this. Excited to see my car featuring twice. Thx @Veedooshee for the nice pics!!!

1 hour ago, Enrico Biscaro said:

Thanks! Looking forward to share a drive with you although is going to take time fo Rome to catch up with you 

Its easy to catchup with many drives been posted!!! See you soon…..

Congrats @Dwain Fernandes, well done

Congrats @Zixuan Huang - Charlie, well done

Congrats @darren thompson, well done

Congrats @James Thorn, well done

Congrats @Aisha S, well done

I came to Dubai in 2008 a tax free land with almost all the brand car running on the streets and later got to know about cars running on desert while on a desert safari and was very much excited. Had a strong feeling to get in to desert driving, my job demanded me to travel a lot on work which didn’t allow me to even think of my passion. Then came blessing in disguise Covid lock downs truly enjoyed work from home. Was watching my old pictures and then came desert safari pictures. It just flashed to my mind why not go for off-roading, told my wife about my decision. Her first response was a big NOOOOOOOO. Then i was sure I am getting into it, worked out my way to sell my Nissan Sunny and bought a Pajero. Now my wife wanted me to be sure I am not lost in chasing my passion. I believe how much struggle, delay we go through in achieving our dreams, passion the more we enjoy the success. I found carnity, I found my passion, driving through it now. In 4 months, I have done close to 47 drives, still feel every drive like my first drive!!! Happily found the right balance between family, work and my passion!!!! @Enrico Biscaro you have taken the best decision of joining carnity and the best start with @Frederic as I did, am sure you will enjoy a lot!!!! Welcome to carnity family!!!!!!

@Lorenzo Candelpergher can you pls add me to wait list for my second drive

2 hours ago, varunmehndiratta said:

we have been blessed with a little doll just 11 days back

Congrats for the new addition to your family. Wish your adorable daughter fill your family with joy!!! Take your time before taking her for a ride on the sand!!!!!

Thanks @Wrangeld, it was really a fun drive!!! Hope you organize more of this over landing drive during winter were we can extend the drive and enjoy more with few breaks. It was very different terrain and drive, loved it. Thanks for the team effort in fixing my pop out. Hope every one enjoyed today and thanks to @Wrangeld, @Abdul Rahman AK, @Danish Mohammad, @Niki, @Ashok chaturvedi, @Dodi Syahdar and @Watteau  and special thanks to the brief cloudy weather and few seconds of drizzle, which was a nice treat!!! Few pics posted in the gallery!!!

16 minutes ago, Wrangeld said:

Good Morning All, 

• Ashok chaturvedi @Ashok chaturvedi
• Niki @Niki
• Watteau @Watteau
• Dodi Syahdar @Dodi Syahdar
• Lakshmi Narasimhan @Lakshmi Narasimhan
• Danish Mohammad @Danish Mohammad
• Abdul Rahman AK @Abdul Rahman AK
• varunmehndiratta @varunmehndiratta

To be honest, I have vascillated this week. Should we try to cross the whole of the Carnity Sharjah/Dubai territory in a single drive or not. The concern: we heard through the grapevine that there were checks being made in some areas. 

There's been some great drives taking place in Sharjah this week without issue. So. it's on with plan A.

It all depends on us whether we make it 5, 10, 20 or 100km! I am not making promises of extensive ridge riding or criss cross - we have a lot of distance to cover and we will take what ever conditions come along the way. 

I'll publish a convoy a little later in the day, however, as this is an IM drive, the buddy system will be in place so be preapred for that. 

See you soon in the sand. 

 

Excited with your drive plan, of course we are waiting to follow you  where ever you lead us and prepared for what ever is in store on the way, cant wait for long!!!!!

Congrats @Ranjan Das, well deserved, ur new Jeep is lucky enough to complement your skills and will power!!!!!