Advanced Driver Training
16-17th September 2006

Written by Andy Loader.

Bleary eyed, we met up just outside Bathurst for the advanced driver training. The last time some of us had met was for basic driver training … and we were back for more. Among this group were Gav and Bob in their Mazda Bravo, Pete and Su (and Charlie, the tiny terrier) in their TD5 90, Andy C and Vanessa in their disco 300 tdi, as well as Andy L as trainer. New faces to some of us were Corey in his Nissan Patrol ute (with his two huge dogs) and Al, in with Andy L.

We set off at about 9.30 heading to a local property where we were to learn how to rescue ourselves when we had got ourselves stuck. On the way we discovered another 110 defender lurking in the sidings and Brian and friend joined the conga. It wasn’t long before we were bouncing over bumps, and rocks and avoiding ruts and other inconveniences as we headed down to the valley bottom. Where do we put our wheels, guess we should have avoided that bit, clunk, bang …………….

But we all made it to the bottom in one piece and started setting up camp, although this was interpreted in various ways – those with tents set up the whole thing, those with swags offloaded them and those with tents on the roof thought better of going anywhere off road with the tent properly set up!! Whilst at the campsite we had a visit from the landowner. He strode purposefully towards us and greeted us with a ‘who are you?’ He’d expected us the previous weekend but we hadn’t showed up. Oops!! It seemed there had been a crossed wire somewhere along the line ….. or deliberate forgetfulness on Andy L’s part when he saw the weather forecast for the previous weekend. I suppose he could be given the benefit of the doubt……..

Andy L had given us prior warning that on this course electric winches tended to break and unexpected faults in vehicles occurred …… after we’d rocked, wobbled and spun over logs, carefully placed to make the way bumpier, we turned around to find that Andy L had somehow managed to get his Defender stuck nose first in a ditch. Scenario one – how to get it out again. After a few ums and ahs, common sense prevailed and some bright spark suggested lifting the car up with a high lift jack and pushing it sideways. Some faces showed a bit of scepticism but apparently that was what was required. Andy L’s high lift jack was stuck and so he demonstrated what to do if that happened. It couldn’t have been planned better. We placed the high lift jack and theoretically we got the car out!!! Success on scenario one.

And then it was on to scenario 2. As we drove up over the logs again and back towards the ditch we noticed that Andy was still stuck. His car wouldn’t start – and that wasn’t planned! It was a dodgy wire or something apparently. It gave us the ideal opportunity to practice a snatch recovery. Gav got himself deliberately stuck on the creek exit setting up scenario 2. How to get him out? The eagle eyed spied a nice big T-shape cut in the ground and there just happened to be a suitable log, that just happened to be a perfect fit for the T. Convenient. After a bit of a chat about the techniques and practicalities, we got to work securing the log in the dirt to attach to the winch. Solid as a rock. Corey either had no such faith or just wanted to demonstrate a particularly cunning technique to see if the log was going to move – stick a branch in the top that the driver can see. Brilliant idea but we weren’t sure that Gav in the driver’s seat could see the twig!!!

Next up was creek driving and route finding. Corey went first to show how it was done. Things didn’t look quite so easy from behind the wheel though. The creek sides seemed that bit closer, the corners, that bit more acute and the rocks that bit bigger. But everyone got through alright, some with a little help of rocks being moved or flattened. Between the creek and the campsite (and lunch) was a dam. The gap around the edge was too small so we had to go around the edge with 2 wheels in the water. Corey’s attempt was quite spectacular as water sprayed everywhere - not sure if his dogs got a wash in the process…

Back at the campsite we migrated to the shade for lunch which, although nice for us, was a torment for Charlie who wanted a bit of everything. After lunch the consensus was to play on a hill before going to the water but as the long, steep and rocky hill came into view there were possibly a few regrets. We had a bit of a non start when the Bravo’s brakes started playing up but eventually it was all go again.

Scenario 4 was how to get a broken down car up a hill using a car behind it. This one posed a few problems until some one had the idea to use the car behind as a counterweight. Setting up a rope from the front of the first car, up to a tree, and back down again to the car behind. We realised the plan, whereby the car behind reversed, pulling the front car up the hill, was good …. but not when the first car weighs considerably more than the car behind!!! We got the general idea though!! Having been warned about a tricky dog leg section going up the hill we all made it to the top with no real problems, and were shown how to lower a car downhill off a tree, using solely a strap and friction. I don’t think it was a method many of us were keen to test out in a hurry! But it seemed to work, although Andy C in the car being lowered did seem to have a foot hovering over the brakes. Such faith!

The waterhole didn’t look too bad, not too big, not too deep, just a little murky - it was the murk that hid the problem. Andy C was volunteered to be pulled across the waterhole by Pete. They were strapped together and the process explained. The strap tightened….Andy entered the water…and the strap slackened as Pete took his foot of the accelerator that little bit…. Oops! With loud shouts of go, go, go! Pete accelerated again and managed to get Andy out of the waterhole with not too much water on the inside of the car. The look of sheer disbelief on Andy’s face when his 2.5 tonne landy started to float was a classic!!

Undeterred, Gav had a go and learned a lesson he’s not likely to forget – never go through water with an open window!!! His effort also highlighted the need for a car heavier than yours to pull you across - otherwise you get stuck, and sit with water seeping into the car until the other car stops spinning its wheels and gets you out!!!!! A wet Gav got out of the car ….. all in the name of experience.

Back at the campsite Brian and friend left as they had plans for the Sunday, thinking the training was the previous weekend…… Those who hadn’t set up camp did so while others started the campfire. The satisfying sounds of beer being opened could soon be heard. But it wasn’t a rest time for everyone. The Bravo was still having problems with it’s brakes and so Gav and Bob were trying to fix it. They eventually joined the campfire, leaving the Mazda wheel less.

It was a crystal clear starry night but a bit chilly away from the fire which wasn’t surprising as the fire was a raging inferno!! The log chopping had dwindled as the evening got on – the size of the logs increased proportionately. The final log of the evening resembled a tree and needed 6 people to roll it to the fire!! Andy L proudly carried on the supervisory role from his chair by the fireside. A nice big fire, a few drinks, good food – not a bad way to spend the evening.

Sunday morning saw the early risers working on Gav’s car and eventually got everything back together again. It wasn’t certain if it was fixed but they carried on anyway. After a delayed start we headed off into the bushes. Andy L had warned that we might want to close all windows as the track was narrow and this was no understatement - anyone who was precious about their paintwork would have been gritting their teeth and cursing! We wondered where we were being led but eventually came to a stop on a hill as Andy L came over the radio saying he had a flat tyre. Some of us still weren’t cynical enough and asked if it truly was a flat tyre or just another scenario. As soon as the hill was seen the penny dropped…….. After various suggestions we finally settled on using the hand winch to secure the car while building huge chocks in front of the tyres - Andy L still maintained that his damper would have worked just as effectively as rocks...

Having sampled the joys of the hand winch and the high lift jack on a sloping surface we theoretically changed the tyre and set off just down the bottom of the hill to where we had to imagine Pete had somehow managed to overturn his 90. We struggled a bit with this one but eventually conceded to strapping up and over from the underside of the overturned car and pulling. Just had to find the right points on which to connect to and we righted the car – it was just so light it was done in a flash with no strain whatsoever. From there we called it a day and headed to Lithgow to have a bit of fun there. There was just a problem hill in the way - Andy L even suggested the best vantage point for photographs. Must be serious. On the way Pete stopped to move a blue tongue out of the way. It was an aggressive little thing and firmly stood his ground. It wasn’t clear what it did as Pete was letting it go, but he dropped it and jumped away. Andy had carried on ahead of us so we didn’t see his effort up the hill but he explained the problems and how to go about getting up the steep, rocky hill with no grip whatsoever. Sounded … erm … fun?

Pete was first to go. And did he go – foot to the floor … until he came to an abrupt stop and sat wheels spinning. Down he went again…and charge…..and spin again. He got further this time and it looked like he was going to make it but no. On the 3rd attempt he got all the way to the top with the 90 sending dust, rocks and whatever else was in the way flying. The 90 bounced, swerved and did what it wanted, but it got to the top. Pete got out looking a little bit pumped! We didn’t hear from Sue and Charlie for a while…….. Next up was Andy C. In an attempt to escape the trauma, Vanessa got out to act as photographer. She’d seen enough! The car revved and revved a bit more and then he was off. He made good progress and then, at about the same spot as Pete, came to a halt. Take two and the same again. With advice about how to gain more traction around the bottom bend, Andy launched up the hill, alternating between 2, 3 and 4 wheels on the ground, spraying dust etc everywhere and generally half driving half flying up the hill. Those who weren’t expecting such a charge cleared the track quickly, diving for the sides. And he made it to the top! Andy C emerged looking a bit shaky and rushed with adrenalin!! Next up was Gav. Expected to have a few problems with ground clearance, he solved this problem by simply not staying on the ground. He seemed to bounce up the hill, often, it seemed, having no wheels on the floor. It was an amazing effort and he reached the top coming to an abrupt halt, kicking over to the left a bit. The exhilaration of the climb carried on as he inspected his car and then again as though he couldn’t believe there had been no damage. The second inspection proved his disbelief right. He’d snapped the front drivers steering arm in two! Oops!

Now this posed a few problems. Still not at the top of the hill, still with a distance to go on 4wd tracks and then all the way back to Wollongong…..something needed to be done. Heads combined to think what could be done … Plan A - Corey pulled out his sat phone to ring the auto shops in Bathurst for a replacement. Unfortunately nobody had the part. Plan B. Can we do that…no…..can we do this….does anyone know how to……. and then lunch. Maybe feeding the brain would help. Andy C’s box of tricks came out as a certain item was requested. It was amazing what was in there – even a mini vice and a threaded bar which came in handy but was unfortunately that bit too small to work properly.

After much deliberation it was decided to drive the Bravo out with the steering bar fastened together with a ratchet strap…and hope it held. The first challenge was to get it of the hill but bit by bit, stopping before the corners Andy C pulled Gav up to a point where he could be re-attached to Andy L’s car with lower gearing which would help. And then off we went, heading back to the campsite. Once there the strap was double checked. It had come a little bit loose but seemed alright. It was re tightened and we headed out. As we all aired up Gav and co decided they would try and make it back to Wollongong so they didn’t hang around.

After a bit of a chat the rest of us headed off home (plans to go to Lithgow having been aborted), and soon passed Gav slowly crawling along, hazard lights flashing. A bit of a wave, a quick hello and we were all past. Only to stop at the service station to get important chips and chocolate.

Gav passed us while we were stopped but the last we saw of him was as we overtook for a second time, as he faded away into the distance……hope he eventually got back ok.