Driver technique day - Bill's block - Sunday October 13th

[gwagensteve]

Hi everyone

I've noticed that we have quite a few new/prospective members in the club with limited off road experience. Traditionally, we've run a "new members" trip, roughly once a year, which is has been a good opportunity to introduce new members to some of the techniques unique to driving a 4WD offroad.

This has normally been held on actual tracks. There's a problem with this though - it's hard to get everyone to see and hear the same thing, and tracks are tracks - they get traffic and other users, so blocking them up with a bunch of stationary cars while we discuss something is never ideal.

I recently had the chance to visit Bill Larman's bush block in Dixon's creek. This is a small property with heaps of obstacles, a ramp travel ramp, and a large camping area, so there's room to park and observe without being strung along a track somewhere. I've just had a chat with Bill, and it looks like the 13th October is free for us to use his property to run a driver technique day.

Bills property is 5km from the Melba Highway - it's about 20 minutes form Lilydale. It's 2WD accessible. I'll put address details in a post in the members section. If any prospective members wish to come who don't have full forum access, please let me know on here or by PM and I'll provide details.

This trip will be completely suited to novice drivers and standard vehicles. There is no need to carry recovery gear etc, although I'd recommend bringing any equipment you have, especially if you are unfamiliar with its use.

We'll be covering:

Convoy procedure and basic safety, including use of radios.
Recovery equipment use and safety
Stall stops/key starts (for manuals)
Automatic transmission driving technique
Traction control demonstration
Practical demonstration of tyre pressure reduction
Application of diff locks

That's a start. Please chime in if you want anything else covered

We will meet at the property at 9.00am sharp. I will post detailed instructions on getting there. I will put a sign on the gate.

Please bring prepared food. This will be a busy day and we won't be setting up a camp fire/ BBQ for cooking.

I'd like each car to bring $15 we can pass on to Bill as a thankyou for allowing us to use his property.
I'd rather people did not bring their dogs. They're likely to be a distraction whether they are in or out of the car.
Just a reminder for new members, as per club bylaws, there's no alcohol consumption whilst driving during a club trips.

I'd really like some experienced members to come along so we can split up a bit for some little driving challenges. As a carrot to encourage the experienced members along, there is some insane terrain on the block that you're welcome to drive once the "formal" part of the day is over. This will be equally interesting for new members I reckon.

I know this sounds dry, but it will be a really great day, and should lead to more events on Bills block.

Please respond on here if you can attend and check the member's section for address details.

Steve.

[Mike57]

Steve

I will be in this one and might encourage my son to come along. I would like to add winching techniques only because I am yet to use my winch. (but then maybe I never will so it is a waste of time)

Mike

[Matthew]

Count me in.

[luigi]

Hi Fellas.
I will be there. Sounds really good. Thanks Steve.
Regards. Wayne.

[jonfromhamilton]

I'm keen

[jono165]

I'm keen, I have my final year uni assignments due in around then so i'll see how I go, I'll confirm when its a bit closer.

[Richardnclark]

Thanks Steve,

Put me in. Always good to do a refresher. Cheers Richard

[lbzook]

I'll be there too

[Greg]

I'm up for this trip.

Probably just in passenger / spotted format though.

[gv2010]

I'm in