John's been christened
Posted: Fri May 08, 2009 7:04 pm
Yep, went on an AHG recreational 4wd course today. Got it free when i bought the forester. Got to use our own vehicles so that was a plus. Day was great, only a couple of hours theory and hen hit their 4wd course. Was expecting something pretty lame but they had a good variety of climbs, descents, articulation tests and boggy stuff.
Was going great guns, got through all the obstacles without ripping the bumper or mud flaps off. Couple of scrapes on the sills but nothing major. Did the track in 1 direction a few times then changed direction for a run at the end of the day, that saw me needing to take 3 goes at 1 climb, just needed the right gear and a bit more speed and popped over the top nicely.
Got to the boggy stuff and had to stop in probably the worst place as the vehicle in front (BMW X5) got stuck. i jumped out to try help push to no avail, instructors went to get their car to pull him out. Couldn't be bothered hanging around so went back to my car to scoot off to the left, moved about 6 inches and sunk, quick attempt at reverse and sunk a bit more. Got another car on the course to snatch me out backwards, here's a couple of pics
and another one of from another forester owner, 4 cars got stuck in that spot, first casualty for the day was a 200 series landcruiser, 2nd was this forester, 3rd the X5 and 4th was me caused by the X5
all in all the day was much better than i expected, although i wouldn't have done it if it wasn't free. But it was a good way to spend a friday and great for figuring out the forester's capabilities in a controlled environment
Was going great guns, got through all the obstacles without ripping the bumper or mud flaps off. Couple of scrapes on the sills but nothing major. Did the track in 1 direction a few times then changed direction for a run at the end of the day, that saw me needing to take 3 goes at 1 climb, just needed the right gear and a bit more speed and popped over the top nicely.
Got to the boggy stuff and had to stop in probably the worst place as the vehicle in front (BMW X5) got stuck. i jumped out to try help push to no avail, instructors went to get their car to pull him out. Couldn't be bothered hanging around so went back to my car to scoot off to the left, moved about 6 inches and sunk, quick attempt at reverse and sunk a bit more. Got another car on the course to snatch me out backwards, here's a couple of pics
and another one of from another forester owner, 4 cars got stuck in that spot, first casualty for the day was a 200 series landcruiser, 2nd was this forester, 3rd the X5 and 4th was me caused by the X5
all in all the day was much better than i expected, although i wouldn't have done it if it wasn't free. But it was a good way to spend a friday and great for figuring out the forester's capabilities in a controlled environment
(Pity I couldn't convince mum and dad to get a XT, but very happy with the XS