8 JUNE 2013: Back in Red Rock country for some intensive work on driving and navigating, but this time we are adding something new into the mix — “endurance.” Spent some time picking over rocks, and playing in “black sand” — well not exactly sand, “cinders.” The ash from an ancient volcano makes a unique environment for training to drive the dunes of the Sahara…
19 MAY 2013: Overland Expo, an annual event held near Flagstaff, AZ brings together an eclectic mix of people, vehicles and vendors for three days with the only commonality being an interest in road trips of one sort or another. The expo combines sales and exhibition opportunities, with seminars, hands-on-trainning, and test driving obstacle courses. There is an opportunity to network and even a film festival. We had a chance to learn a few things that will prove useful for the Sahara and also got a chance to play on their purpose built mini-trails…
10 APRIL 2013: Got a chance to spend some time in the dunes of the Moroccan Sahara where we will be doing the Gazelle Rally next year. This was a great opportunity to learn about driving dunes, soft sand, and Saharan pistes. The best part was the exhilarating feeling of true freedom when we realized the only tracks in the sand are our own……
6 MARCH 2013:The team got some training in Jeep driving, spotting and terrain assessment with Barlow’s Jeep School in Sedona. Under the expert guidance of internationally-certified 4-Wheel Drive trainer, Nena Barlow, we could “push the envelope,” experimenting with options we would not choose if we were out there on our own. It was a process of discovery (not to mention a lot of fun). But most importantly we were building the foundation of a solid working method as a team.…
