| At last, I am writing something for the adrenaline | | | | snow-mobiles, mountain bikes etc. |
| junkies of the automobile world. Although I have | | | | |
| decent driving experience on the road, there is | | | | Off-Roading as a sport has gained tremendous |
| always the urge to try something new off it. A new | | | | popularity over the years and there are member's |
| track, a new vehicle and a new driving condition is | | | | clubs dedicated to further the interests of |
| what appeals to the motorist in me. This is the case | | | | off-roaders. It is a recreational activity for people |
| with most car enthusiasts and I must admit that the | | | | who can afford to spend on it. You can certainly |
| idea of testing a vehicle to its limits can be fun. | | | | enjoy this sport even if you don't own a 4x4 vehicle |
| | | | | by joining one of these clubs. |
| Some would argue that off-roading is strictly for | | | | |
| nature lovers who want to be at peace with nature | | | | Some off-road sports include Green-laning, Mudding, |
| in the most natural of surroundings possible. Don't | | | | Dune Bashing, Rock Crawling and Formula |
| worry; this is just an excuse to go off-road. | | | | Off-Roading. |
| | | | | |
| So what exactly does the term Off-Roading mean? | | | | Although there are restrictions on this kind of sport in |
| | | | | certain countries but that does not stop adventure |
| A technical definition would state that it is the | | | | seekers from exploring natural terrains with their |
| practice of using specialized vehicles to traverse | | | | vehicles. Vehicle manufacturers have spent millions of |
| unpaved roads, river beds, rocks, sand, mud, snow | | | | dollars on research trying to manufacture the perfect |
| or any other natural terrain. These vehicles are | | | | off-road vehicles capable of handling not only |
| exclusively manufactured or modified to handle such | | | | extreme driving conditions and terrain but deliver |
| extreme driving conditions. This concept perhaps | | | | peak performance under normal conditions as well. |
| developed with the idea of specially designed light | | | | Some of the better known vehicle manufactures in |
| combat vehicles capable of conquering most terrains | | | | the world, famous for their off-road models are |
| that were used in the two World Wars. | | | | Jeep, Land Rover and General Motors. |
| | | | | |
| For off-road enthusiasts, it means having fun while | | | | Off-Road enthusiasts do not rely only on their |
| taking their off-road vehicle to places where normal | | | | vehicles. Experienced off-roaders will tell you that |
| vehicles can't reach and on the way testing their | | | | driving techniques are a prerequisite for conquering |
| driving capabilities and the endurance limits of their | | | | extreme natural terrains. Also, there is no point in |
| vehicle to the maximum. | | | | driving a fully loaded off-road vehicle when you don't |
| | | | | know what feature of the car to employ in which |
| For the best experience in going off road, you need | | | | driving condition. In this case, lack of knowledge can |
| a vehicle capable enough to support the activity or | | | | be dangerous. |
| else you will end up stuck in the middle of nowhere. | | | | |
| Such vehicle are specifically designed keeping off-road | | | | Every terrain has a specific driving technique. For |
| conditions in mind and hence host features like high | | | | Example, muddy roads require constant acceleration |
| ground clearance, sturdy tires, four-wheel-drive, front | | | | without reaching higher engine revs. Whatever the |
| and rear locking differentials and powerful engines. | | | | terrain, it is important that you know what driving |
| There are modern off-road vehicles that also come | | | | techniques to employ in order to negotiate the |
| with features like Traction Control, Adjustable | | | | conditions safely and enjoy the drive. |
| Suspension, all-wheel-drive etc. | | | | |
| | | | | Whatever said and done, off-roading is here to stay |
| Some vehicles types suitable for off-road use are the | | | | and I would not be surprised if this practice gains |
| 4x4 heavy-duty trucks, SUVs (Sports Utility | | | | more popularity in the years ahead. |
| Vehicles), ATVs (All Terrain Vehicles), dirt bikes, | | | | |