report
Driver Training 24-25 March 2007
Driver training Day 2 (Sunday)
After meeting at McDonalds on the F4 at Eastern Creek we soon made our way up over the Blue Mountains along the Great Western Highway. After a hour or so of driving we ended up at a service station on the outskirts of Lithgow. The temperature was considerably colder than Sydney, so some Coffee was high on the list of things to do while we waited for some late comers to turn up.
Once all were accounted for we made our way up behind lake lyall where we turned of the black stuff onto dirt, we made our way to the first challenge of the day. We had arrived to an area that had 4-5 small tracks going up a hill, the tracks varied from a simple slope up to what seemed impossible. We reduced air pressures to about 26 psi and gathered around Ian for some instructions. Our first task was Stall start recoveries. After a demonstration from Ian, it was our turn. We practiced reverse and forward starts on the simple slope then made attempts at the harder ones. It was amazing how easy it was to navigate up the not so easy looking tracks. We then practiced wheel placement drills.
After an hour or so of practice we headed off again for a drive. We made our way along a variety of tracks until we arrived at a small creek, We gathered around for another brief then made our way through the creek. After the creek we made our way to a sandy area beside the creek where we practiced snatch strap recoveries. We were all given a chance to supervise a recovery situation.
After the Snatch strap practice lunch was high on the agenda
so we pulled up next to a creek crossing for a sandwich or two. After lunch
we started driving some harder slopes which built the skills needed to tackle
a long, steep, rocky and rutted hill. We walked the hill discussing possible
angles of attack then Ian showed he way. We decided to try the CRV first
just in case it didn’t make it and we all had to go around the hill.
With a bit of wheel spin the CRV made it to the top so the rest followed.
We made our way to a rocky hill with a simular grade to the previous ( just
lots of rocks ).
But now full of confidence we all tackled this with ease.
We made our way to a clearing where Bruce went looking for a bigger challenge whilst we took a bit of time to chat about what we had just done. Bruce returned with some news of a find and we jumped back into the cars to go and have a look. It turned out to be a group of tracks that would challenge Big foot. Paul Arthur gave it a few attempts but it was just to rocky to get grip.
It was time to go, so we headed back to the Great Western Highway and replaced the missing air in our tyres. We gathered around and discussed the outcome of the day. We all went in very apprehensive of what we and our cars could do, we left confident and excited about future trips.
Siva Moodley