HH Marwan Al Muala Solo Race Round 3 - Pro
Posted: Sun Mar 02, 2014 10:26 am
Thanks to everyone who took part in this event, a great experience to add to my Almost 4x4 Diary.
Met at the Emirates Motorplex where Strawb, FrancisJK, Eric Hummer and Refad were waiting. Had some Chit Chat waiting for the Afternoon Beach stage to finish. Once everyone present, Al Shamsi took the roll call and nominated stage points, I was Rally 10 in Shamsi's group with Eric, Iskander, Francis JK and Hockey. After a huge dinner courtesy of Emirates Motorplex we set out to our respective points. Al Shamsi had generously loaned his Montana to one of the rally drivers hence a change of strategy for getting to our points. Shamsi had each one of us lead the way to our own points, with him as second lead. Everyone did brilliantly and found the points without difficulty. I was second to last point and led Shamsi with Hockey behind to my point. First time in the Desert at Night, and first time leading. VERY Exciting! Once I was within 30m of the point I was left to find a good spot to watch the action. After a bit of exploration, I got myself up to the highest point above the rally track and set up for the evening - hot flask, radio (which didnt have a great signal!!) and my cameras at the ready.
The race started at 1030pm (so I was informed by relay messages!). I didnt see any cars for about 90 minutes and was about to give up hope when the first car came into view. To be honest, the first couple of cars seemed to have a good idea where they were going, then it went a bit crazy - saw the same car (turned out to be No 28) 4 times passing from different directions! At about 1:30, No 28 appeared again and asked me how he could get back to the start - no GPS on board! Showed him the general direction and off he went. Shamsi appeared a little while later and off we went to the Marhsalls point for Karak - chasing a rabbit with Shamsi en-route. We didnt catch it!
Back out to our points ready for the 3:30AM next stage which went a lot smoother and the drivers seemed to knwo where to go this time - apart from the driver of the Polaris who I saw a couple of times in the distance but he never passed my point. The radios went silent for quite a while so I decided to move to where Francis was to see what was going on. Arrived at his point and got the call from Abu Jimmy to return to Marshalls camp. I led Francis back there for Karak, Chit Chat and then back to the Motorplex. I was yearning for more but had to re-inflate and say goodbyes as I had to get back to Dubai.
All in all a great experience. Lessons:
You need GOOD light coverage at Night especially when Solo or lead. I used my new lights for first time (2x4" HID floods on windscreen corners to replace 2 x WARN 4"spots and 2 x 7" HID floods to replace 2xKC Daylighter spots) 1000% improvement.
Always use your GPS and trust what it says. Also, follow the compass pointer - it WILL get you to where you need to go without dramas. BUT - always pick your route carefully and safely.
Stay with the family of ALMOST 4x4 - having seen the antics of some of the professional drivers, and their lack of equipment for self help, the club will be there for you at every opportunity and occasion of needing help and guidance.
Sorry for long report - had to share it. See a few photos I took at Link:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/jeremy.spen ... 414&type=1
See you in the Sand sometime soon. :grin:
Met at the Emirates Motorplex where Strawb, FrancisJK, Eric Hummer and Refad were waiting. Had some Chit Chat waiting for the Afternoon Beach stage to finish. Once everyone present, Al Shamsi took the roll call and nominated stage points, I was Rally 10 in Shamsi's group with Eric, Iskander, Francis JK and Hockey. After a huge dinner courtesy of Emirates Motorplex we set out to our respective points. Al Shamsi had generously loaned his Montana to one of the rally drivers hence a change of strategy for getting to our points. Shamsi had each one of us lead the way to our own points, with him as second lead. Everyone did brilliantly and found the points without difficulty. I was second to last point and led Shamsi with Hockey behind to my point. First time in the Desert at Night, and first time leading. VERY Exciting! Once I was within 30m of the point I was left to find a good spot to watch the action. After a bit of exploration, I got myself up to the highest point above the rally track and set up for the evening - hot flask, radio (which didnt have a great signal!!) and my cameras at the ready.
The race started at 1030pm (so I was informed by relay messages!). I didnt see any cars for about 90 minutes and was about to give up hope when the first car came into view. To be honest, the first couple of cars seemed to have a good idea where they were going, then it went a bit crazy - saw the same car (turned out to be No 28) 4 times passing from different directions! At about 1:30, No 28 appeared again and asked me how he could get back to the start - no GPS on board! Showed him the general direction and off he went. Shamsi appeared a little while later and off we went to the Marhsalls point for Karak - chasing a rabbit with Shamsi en-route. We didnt catch it!
Back out to our points ready for the 3:30AM next stage which went a lot smoother and the drivers seemed to knwo where to go this time - apart from the driver of the Polaris who I saw a couple of times in the distance but he never passed my point. The radios went silent for quite a while so I decided to move to where Francis was to see what was going on. Arrived at his point and got the call from Abu Jimmy to return to Marshalls camp. I led Francis back there for Karak, Chit Chat and then back to the Motorplex. I was yearning for more but had to re-inflate and say goodbyes as I had to get back to Dubai.
All in all a great experience. Lessons:
You need GOOD light coverage at Night especially when Solo or lead. I used my new lights for first time (2x4" HID floods on windscreen corners to replace 2 x WARN 4"spots and 2 x 7" HID floods to replace 2xKC Daylighter spots) 1000% improvement.
Always use your GPS and trust what it says. Also, follow the compass pointer - it WILL get you to where you need to go without dramas. BUT - always pick your route carefully and safely.
Stay with the family of ALMOST 4x4 - having seen the antics of some of the professional drivers, and their lack of equipment for self help, the club will be there for you at every opportunity and occasion of needing help and guidance.
Sorry for long report - had to share it. See a few photos I took at Link:
https://www.facebook.com/#!/jeremy.spen ... 414&type=1
See you in the Sand sometime soon. :grin:
…lesson learnt….
