Andrew John Melvill

@Kashx2, there is already some excellent advice on this thread. For my 2 cents worth, I have been driving a pajero for just shy of 18 months now. I can confirm the following: 1. Tire pressure is critical; the car needs to float over the sand and not drive through it, suggest that you go down to 11 - 12 on your next drive and I promise you will feel a change. Once you are comfortable at those pressures you can drop to 10. 2. Throttle control is a vital skill and can only be learned by seat time in the car. Knowing when to give a burst of power to "pop" over small obstacles and how early to go full throttle on longer climbs will come with time. Just as important is to know when to throttle back to keep your momentum at a safe level. It is all about managing your momentum. 3. The comments about Pajero lines is very true, some points on this. Keep high on ridges when climbing, buy this I mean try keep the car off the side slope as gravity will rob power. This little tip when at Iftar bowl a few months ago got me to climb to the top 3 times in a row when on my 1st two attempts I only made it about 70% of the way. Also search for slightly flatter ground or follow the contours to give your car a chance to get its momentum back. 4. Engine maintenance is also critical to keep power level optimum. When I had injector cleaning and new plugs done at the last major service, I could really feel the extra grunt from the engine. If you drive a lot in the sand shorten the service intervals as every 10 000 km if far too much for the amount of work the engine does in the dunes. Also check your suspension and wheel alignment on a regular basis. Most of all have fun and enjoy the learnings that this car will give you!

Congratulations @Sunstreaker, was great to see your neat lines in my rear-view mirror last Sunday! Enjoy the new challenges and pace of FB+!

Massive Congratulations @Ana, has been a pleasure to see your growth in confidence and ability over the last few months. Enjoy the new challenges and pace that Fewbie level will bring!

Will be a mad bunch of adventurers who go on this one!

Great FB drive this morning, cleared the stress of the week and ready to face the next one! Thanks @Frederic and @Zed to all on the convoy well driven today with no stucks or refusals, just two pop outs that were dealt with quickly. Here is our route today.

With all the talk about african animals today I thought this clip was relevant https://www.instagram.com/reel/DJWvljKs6Mr/?igsh=MWQ5bGNmbmRwNGF1OA==

Another lovely @Ale Vallecchi classic today. 88 km of mixed conditions. Started with some sand tracks, with a few soft patches and climbs for good measure. Then an extended ridge riding lesson on some great parrallel dunes. A number of refusals and stucks kept @Emanuel, @Aser and @Mike M. busy while i chilled at the back enjoying the well flattened ridges. A bit of criss crossing farming and urban areas got us to some stunning mountain tracks on the way to Masafi for a well deserved lunch. Well driven by all! Enjoy the week ahead.

For me a drive home to Cape Town from Dubai, I spend hours looking at potential routes. Follow changes in the politics and war status in various counties I would need to drive through. Have my Cape Town waypoint set as Home on my Garmin. So in reality just the button and go. Or anything that Itchy Boots does on her you tube channel, have been following her adventures for years.

Massive Congratulation @Mike M., a very well-deserved promotion. Your love for the desert, the outdoors and the two vehicles you have put your personal stamp on is palpable to all who meet you! You will be a great mentor to many that pass through the drives that you will be supporting. Cheers Andrew

Congratulations @Johannes Roux a very well-deserved promotion. Enjoy the faster pace and new challenges!

Hi @Ale Vallecchi is the drive start time still 8am?

@vinayak n please check the post from Ale

Well Done @Myrko, enjoy the new technical challenges and increased pace.

@Juzer Talib following your transmission overheating issues on the drive yesterday. Please have a read of this forum post:

Thanks all for a great Saturday afternoon! Well driven by all the newbies! Here is a pic of our route yesterday.

@Ale Vallecchi unfortunately.my car has not been able to be repaired since my check engine light came on during Saturdays drive. I will have to remove myself from the drive. Hope you all have a fantastic afternoon!

@Vanessa8580 car is at the workshop and unlikely to be ready in time with a temp fix. The MAF failed after only 4000km, so mechanic wants to sort it out with the oem supplier. Still had a fun 53 min of looping this morning before it was cut short. Will unfortunately remove myself from the drive. Have a great morning tomorrow!

Hi @Vanessa8580 my MAF sensor failed this morning while on a drive with Looper. Have made it back to Dubai and am trying to source a new one. Hope i come right! Will let you know if i have to remove myself from tomorrow's drive.

Hi all, thanks for the short for me drive! I tried Mitsubishi in Al Ain but they were out of stock, picked up a new air filter while i was there. Called my mechanic in Dubai and he is trying to source a MAF sensor for me. Now waiting on the news. Hope I can get it fixed and make the drive with Vanessa tomorrow. Hope you all had a fantastic morning!

I would like to propose the 4runner Storm Trooper of @Marek. Love the way yours has progressed over the last year. Subtle mods to the looks, great suspension and the recent super charger providing some wild horses.

Massive congratulations to @Benje_Junior, you are an inspiration to many already and will be to many more as you continue on your journey! All the best and see you on the sand soon.

Thanks @Ale Vallecchi for another great exploration style drive, always enjoy drives in this style! To @Aser and @Luke K P great support for the few issues along the way, and often assisted by @Glenn W @Mike M. and @Alexanderrr. To @Steffi was great to see your confidence improve through the morning on your 1st FB drive! Some great lines and an introduction to ridge riding. Well Done. To everyone on the convoy, Thanks for a great day out! Cheers Andrew

Wow, this drive filled up in less than. 30 seconds!