Basic Driver Training Weekend
A New Members Perspective
28th - 29th May 2005

Saturday May 28 dawned sunny and cool and Fran, my wife, and myself set a northerly course on the F3 expressway en route to the AWABA RV Training Ground. Exiting the F3 at Freeman’s Drive we spent some time familiarising ourselves with the first two kilometres of this piece of blacktop until a quick phone call to Fred Mayer directed us to the mound of dirt that marked the beginning of the track to Awaba. On the track we met Kylie and the girls who had kindly set out to find us, and we were soon among the group.

The group comprised the trainers and some partners. Boss Fred was there along with the training team of Kylie Godden, Dave Casey, Bob Bignall and Dave Glover.

We the trainees comprised three new member vehicles (2 Defenders & 1 Disco) also we had the company of other club members who seemingly had done the course before, but wanted to revisit the crime scene. This group included a Rangie a Defender and young Eric with mum Anne and sister in a Disco complete with camper trailer.

After a session on theory including inspection of the vehicles we all looked for our tow points for the inevitable recovery. Not all vehicles passed muster and lots of advice was tendered on where and how these vital bits should be located. Now the practical stuff started. We learned that our vehicles could in fact negotiate extremely steep gradients with the right training and mental attitude. The training proved to be the easier part. We accomplished reverse recovery from a stall on a steep slope using the “drive thru the hand brake” technique, crawling over rock shelves and descents of the same, cross axeling & wash outs, a water crossing – read that as a small lake. Oh! said the Trainers it was not that deep last time we were here! Must remember to walk the crossing first. Thanks to Anne for lending us her “bonnet bra”. This certainly stopped my V8 from flooding but I still managed to get a nice tidal wave through the car. After crossing, Dave Glover suggested that we open the doors so the water could drain back to where it belonged. We were hard at it all day and the training was delivered with expertise and a little humour to break the tension among us learners. We were never asked to attempt anything that we did not feel confident about and there was no peer group pressure, well not much anyway. At the end of the day we summarised the things we were taught and set off to the bush camp in the adjacent forest. Here the learning curve continued. Seasoned club members built a beaut log fire similar to the one used to signal the fleet in olden days while us trainees set up camp. Lesson learnt here was nobody uses a gas light any more and a 6 person tent is not the best equipment for over nighting. Around the camp fire the banter flowed like beer and we were entertained to stories of club trips some successful and some not. Over night temperature fell to around 10 below –anyway it sure felt like it.

Sunday dawned cold and overcast and after breakfast and a demo on winching procedures ( amazing what one can do with a hi- lift jack) we departed for Stockton Bight. Some of the group headed home as other commitments called. Our sincere thanks went with the Trainers who left for imparting their knowledge and being so patient.

We convoyed to Lavis Lane and met other trainees. This added a couple of Defenders and a Pajero to our group. Clutching our Sand Permits we headed north to Anna Bay eager to deflate our tyres and get stuck in. Again Fred aided by the other Trainers, gave us a detailed briefing on the perils (& joys) of sand driving and off we set to get stuck on our first sand hill. Mr Pajero had no problem following Fred to the top and this was an inspiration to us all. Read that as a challenge. On top of the dune Fred reminded us of the techniques to employ and as the day progressed we all improved. On a personal note despite having air lockers fitted my Disco’s traction control thought it knew better and caused us some grief. Fred to the rescue. “pull the fuse” he whispered. No problem from then on, and when asked by Fred if things improved I had to say – like driving with the hand brake off. We travelled southward on the dunes and as confidence grew it became a great and satisfying day. Fran and I took our leave south of Tin City and turned north to Shoal Bay and a shower. As we drove we mused what a great experience, we gained heaps of knowledge delivered with just the correct amount of humour and banter. We can’t wait to have a go at the Advanced Course.

Foot note: The gas lamp has gone, replaced by a 12v fluro, the traction control has been wired into the lockers and we’ve bolted on BFG All Terrain T/A’s

Derek Gates