munkybizness

My first drive in over a month, and what better way to take the edge off than a night drive with Doc @Chaitanya D. I also haven't been to the gym in over a month - thank you for taking care of that too 😛 The last time I was in Sharjah, at night, was at least a couple of months ago with Srikumar where we encountered very similar challenges to the one we faced last night. Of course, that was a higher-level drive in the Area 53 side of the Sharjah's dunes. But the results were not too dissimilar. And I don't think any driver should be thinking too hard about any of the refusals last night. These are all part of the process in offroading. It was great experience in learning how to do complex recoveries including self-recovery, tethered support, and the tugs of course. So much on the learning agenda in one night. What was extremely surprising and perhaps one of the largest challenges as I followed Doc, was that while the climb up to the top of the dune was hardened, there were deposits of soft sand at the top on seemingly flat surfaces. This required a change in driving styles as most of us let off the power just as about half the chassis clears the top of a dune. Thank you Doc, for giving us the opportunity to still play around at Big Red in the wee hours of the morning. I also felt so much more comfortable returning to the sand in the presence of so many familiar faces, names, and of course the supremely more capable support peers in @Waqas Parvez & @Rajiv Sam. Having you gents around takes the edge off @Dinesh Kumar A - most of your refusals were down to just a general hesitation in powering through. This will go away as you get more comfortable, or blind 😛 @Andrei S - seeing you sideways in the first 30 minutes was quite a sight. I'm certain that the mood inside the cabin was a lot more tense but you handled that supremely well. You worked hand-in-hand with Doc's advice and the result was a recovery executed perfectly. @Felix Obst, @Ashutosh Garg: great driving all around. For all the other familiar faces, thank you for making my night back out so much fun. See you all out on the sands soon! [ 🐵 ]

Supremely well deserved @Hisham Masaad. I think that the page after page of wishes for your promotion is a great testament to the wonderful legacy you've built and nurtured here. I have and will continue to learn so much from your drive, commitment and involvement here on the forums as well as on the scene. Congratulations, and I can't wait to see the amazing drives you will be launching to pass this bug onto so many future off-roaders. P.S. Sorry for egging you on to bump up the level in your exam drive 😛

What an absolutely phenomenal way to fly into this level after those epic ridge rides this past weekend. Congratulations @Karthik Raptor!

Time to kick it up many notches! Enjoy the new level @DP1011 , Deepak wrangler 💨 and good to finally meet you too!

Love the energy you bring to the drives. Congratulations and enjoy the new level @Santoso Marjuki 🚀

Thanks @varunmehndiratta🙏🏽 When the drive is full, I’m unable to choose the manage option. I should’ve informed you earlier. It’s been a while since we’ve driven together and this time in your lead too. Super excited! You know which “tunes” I’ll be playing 😎

Congratulations @Ahmad Shaker! Enjoy the madness 🔥🚀💨

@Waqas Parvez Bhaaiii!! Well done I know how much you’ve wanted this, not just for 7pm trigger release, but more for the immense love you have for being in the outdoors. Combined with the skill, that love only makes the experience exponentially more powerful for yourself and those around you. Also, now that you’re support too, I’ll let you pull out the rope first 😂

Congratulations @Rob S! I know very few people who dived head first into off-roading (and modding 😂) like you have. And it’s been such a treat to watch from afar. It’s nice to be surrounded by likeminded energy and gusto.

Amazing job, @Haitham Khattab, and extremely well deserved. You’ll be flying up even higher through the levels soon just because of your commitment to this sport. An absolute pleasure to share any convoy with you!

Amazingly done @takeshi sobue! Your daughter deserves this promotion too!

Congratulations @Paul Zietsman! Enjoy the new level

Well done @Zubair! So happy to see you running up the levels 🤩

Enjoy the exciting change in pace @Imran Kashif!

Congratulations @Gregory Powell! Enjoy the new level 💨

Congratulations @Alexanderrr! Always amazing to see how well you pilot your machine. You’ll love the new level 🚀

Flying through the levels @Sudhanva Sonawane from that first newbie we were on!! Well done

@DP1011 , Deepak wrangler: thank you! We’ve definitely got to be on a drive together soon! @Jonny90: absolutely! Birds of a flock need to band together 🚀 @Daniel Yang: indeed, my louder and cooler fitekk twin! Thanks 🙏🏽 @Simon Dawood: thank you buddy! We’re due a drive soon.

Enjoy the change in pace, @Paolo Pellegrini!

Stuff getting faster now… enjoy @Suresh K!

Congratulations @Murtaza Bhuria! Enjoy the new level