Distance dynamics

Time was not a constraint at the recent Sony Ericsson Dune Challenge. The key issue was covering the minimum distance possible, says Philip Shane.

Dune bashing can be taken to the extreme, and on some levels it makes sense to off-roaders to actually compare their skills and risk-taking abilities with other enthusiasts. Results from such contests bring about a sense of pride and fulfilment for participants and winners alike.

Sony Ericsson has made it easy for extreme drivers to test their skills through a well-organised and safety-oriented event called the Sony Ericsson Dune Challenge, which takes place every year in association with the Dubai 4x4 club. This club consists of a large group of off-roaders whose crew members provide support to various off-roading events in Dubai. They also conduct regular member trips to various off-road hotspots in the region.

The Dune Challenge in April had 30 participants who were all geared up to face the heat and other extremes that were in store for them.

To participate in this Challenge you have to join the 4x4 club and own a 4x4 vehicle in good condition, a GPS device and a digital camera. Joining the club can be done by registering on www.dubai4x4.com, free of charge. The event is held annually, either in March or April before the summer really sets in.

The rules are simple. There are a set of waypoints given at the beginning of the event to all participants, each marked with a Sony Ericsson Flag. Contestants need to reach all the waypoints which are sometimes located on slopes or right on top of huge dunes and take a picture of his car next to the respective flag. The pictures will then be viewed by the evaluator in the end to ensure that the person has covered all the waypoints and to validate the person's participation in the challenge.

The most skillful task in the event is not being able to successfully climb huge dunes and take pictures, but to do it all in the shortest possible distance proof of which is taken from the odometer reading on the cars before and after the challenge. So basically, the driver who manages to reach all the waypoints strategically, covering the minimum possible distance, wins.

Time is not a constraint. The 4x4 that finishes last can still win if the driver manages to finish with the lowest odometer reading from start to finish. Another rule is that if you are recovered by a crew member, you are then disqualified. Only self-recovery is allowed a further step up on the driving skills required for this challenge.

This challenge is based on the fact that a good 4x4 driver should be able to judge the size and orientation of a sand dune and reach the said spot in the best possible way by avoiding unnecessary reruns. This skill is acquired through experience and is more of a test of the driver than a comparison of the abilities of the 4x4 vehicles. A powerful 4x4 that manages to reach all the flags and finish first might end up in the last position if the distance it has covered is greater than that of other cars. Vehicle performance, although important, plays a very secondary role here because of the primary need for strategic climb planning and proper navigation.

Contestants are allowed to compete on their own or with the help of another person (navigator) of their choice who can help with the waypoints and taking photographs. Experienced drivers are usually comfortable doing it solo, without a navigator.

Until last year, prizes were given only for the three contestants with the lowest odometer readings. This year, an additional prize was given to the contestant who finished first irrespective of the odometer reading this, however, was not officially announced at the beginning of the event, since it contradicts the whole purpose of the competition.

During the drive the most exciting scenes were the repeated attempts by the contestants to climb the dunes from various angles. It takes a while to understand that even though this event rewards contestants with the least distance covered, there are no prizes for trying to defeat gravity. The effect of gravity needs to be judged before one decides the speed in which the climb is to be done. Unless the dune one is trying to climb is structured to enable the vehicle to maintain the momentum required for the climb, it is pointless to even try.

It's a fact that climb ability varies from vehicle to vehicle, but the basic principles remain the same. Unless you understand the capabilities of your vehicle and have previous experience in different climb situations, it is quite difficult to try and judge the climb.

Cresting is a common occurrence this is when the vehicle lands on top of the dune with all four wheels in the air and only the chassis resting on the dune. This tends to happen when momentum is not properly judged. The vehicle may get enough power to reach the top of the dune, but not enough to cross over to the other side. Also, too much momentum can result in a 'jump' over to the other side of the dune, which, if not done intentionally, will often end up in a 'nose dive' into the sand.

Watching the participants take all of this into consideration and keeping in mind the distance restrictions was quite a sight. An important point, one that only a few contestants realised, is that the competition is not about "trying and trying until you climb". Rather, it is about "getting it right before you climb".

What contestants need to know is that it's pointless to take too many risks in the desert. A basic understanding of momentum and gravity will help avoid many potential problems. Also, a Dune challenge such as this is definitely not the place to do your first desert drive.

A year of small or medium trips with experienced off-roaders will go a long way in helping you undertake such challenges. The progress made will be a lot faster and your vehicle handling abilities will get a lot better. So basically, if you have a 4x4 vehicle and are curious about desert driving, join an off-road club!

Since time wasn't a constraint in this competition, the differences in the completion times among the various participants were huge. Coming in first did not mean that you won, so participants took their time evaluating their strategies. On the whole, it was a fun event. Having a dedicated team of marshals from the Dubai 4x4 club around to ensure the safety of the contestants was comforting.

Details of the event can be accessed by all Dubai 4x4 club members and the challenge is open to anyone who can drive up a dune.