Cool Stars 06/08/21

[Barish]

Hello everyone,

The day started so hot but turned out to be a drive-convenient right after noon. We met in Qudra to try a chain of mixed terrain.

These kind of areas are good when there is a wide range of drivers from multiple Newbie levels, you try low, you increase; if the convoy responds, you try higher. Thanks to my second lead @Gabor in those tricky spots drawing my alternative tracks exactly as requested. Overall the convoy did amazingly well, pace was good and interruptions on the pace was minimal.

Special thanks to support team guiding the convoy in every situation, drivers as the Cool Stars of the day and thanks to @alshamsi_m for assisting 2 early leavers out from our convoy.

We had a nice gathering with full of shares, joy and relaxation.

One small note; go ahead with the change as soon as you can improve. @optimus , nice one, love ya man

See you next time.
Barish

[brett]

Dear Almosters,

“Cool star” drive was indeed the Cool-est drive I have been participating in so far!

I learned so many new things, also did new mistakes .. but hey I’m improving!... or at least I think I am!

@Barish , thank you a lot for organizing this day for us!
Such a nice track, technical parts, safari style for the others, very very enjoyable! Very nice idea to make 2 separate lines on the arches (your car high line and second lead for lower) and let us choose which one we’re confident with! Of course I aimed for the highest..

@Tomvanhouten , as second lead is really a pleasure to watch you drive! I was fortunate to come also 3rd car for the last part of the drive .. and had a chance to see you close so that I can try to adjust to your speed and momentum (sorry for the Nissan which had to end the trip a bit early).

@alshamsi_m .. you were everywhere and I had the pleasure to watch you take the Nissan out of the bowl from VIP seats (I was the car behind and stopped on the opposite dune - perfect angle). There is so much to learn when you just stay and watch.. When driving I get to miss some points! Thank you!

For this trip, we were lucky to have with us @optimus , @Rashidjass , @Gabor and @Arminjune !! Big Kudos to you!! Thank you for constantly watching and guiding us in difficult moments!

It was so nice you on every key points (@Rashidjass always on the side of big dunes, @Arminjune on top of challenging areas..). I was lucky enough to get a bit stuck (in between 2 dunes on very soft sand area, towards the end of the drive), and special thanks to @optimus tips and tricks (also encouragements), I managed to climb back up. No rope this time either.. Experience +!

I also did a mistake, when I completely missed the track and went on the floating team track (I lost the car in-front due to a slow start, and followed further the freshest tracks.. which definitely were not for our level). I apologize I didn’t pay enough attention.

My takeaways from the drive:

• always visualize the route, better to stop if in doubt than just follow “fresh tracks”, even if they may seem easy..

• always try to buy branded equipment (even if a bit more expensive), especially for tire gauge.

FYI: I discovered that between my last week gauge (dragon mart brand) and the new one I bought for this week (ARB).. was at least a 5 PSI difference.. which triggered 2 pop-outs back then, when I though I had set my tires to “11”..)

• stop always with nose down, or reverse if nose is up (even if very small incline)

With this drive, I reached count 7 ++ ( one + is from EIB experience where @Barish spent a lot of time to teach me different tricks to get unstuck – even though I was only audience, and second one from today @optimus ) Man, that EIB saved me at least 3 self recovered crests :)

The drive ended with a beautiful sunset and the usual chit-chat session and coffee, which was marvelous! I can’t wait for working days to pass.. to be back with you, to have fun and enjoy the desert!! Even if it’s summer, the experience is amazing!

Thank you Almost 4x4!!

Best regards,
Danutz

PS: @Arminjune those dates,… wow, were very very nice! I would even... pay for them!! Just send me the bill

uhmmmm. I was not second lead. @Gabor was..

correct!!! Thank you!! Sorry, I always confused the 2 yellow Jeeps! My bad! But I think I will have fun with you second lead also! I will update

My my you have some homework to do
@Gabor has a yellow Jeep
@Tomvanhouten has a yellow FJ

[alshamsi_m]

Hello Everyone

The meeting point was the same as the meeting point that we had for our BFG treasure hunt game last year. But was a bit tricky for some members to reach due to the constructions work and some members even got stuck before the real action happens . I arrived 1 hour a head of the meeting time to find at least 3 early birds ahead of me, well done guys/girls.

Since we are having our new club members coming at the beginning of September the marshals wanted to finish all the newbies 5- and clear 10- too. So if you are still 5- from the previous batch then it is definitely your fault because we did our best to push all up and you were not there to help yourself .

The drive itself was a mix between 5- and 5+ which really shows the capability and the skills of the leading marshal who can change the level in the same area at the same time ... well done @Barish , Also the showing up of @Rashidjass & @optimus made the job of our leading marshal much easier so thanks guys. I should mention that the advance/intermediates who came to help were amazing too


I had to " Drive tawrds the sunset " earlier than expected to escort a car with brake issue. Unfortunately, I had to miss the sitting after the drive but I'm sure that everyone had a great time at the gathering.

Till next time stay safe and looking forward to see you soon

Shamsi