Off-roading can be compared to an iceberg. From a distance, it seems like everything is straightforward; big SUVs get stuck in the mud and then come out. However, as the Titanic found out, there’s so much more to it than meets the eye. From calculating how many pulleys you’d need, to being wary of snapping recovery lines, it’s not something that should be approached with a carefree attitude.
That’s where Learn Offroad comes in. Founded by Dr Tejas Kothari, a dentist-turned-mud junkie, the school covers everything from “What are mud tyres?” to more advanced topics like “What is drivetrain wind-up and how to avoid it?”. If you’re wondering what makes a dentist an expert at off-roading, he’s also Asia’s only International Four-Wheel Drive Trainers’ Association (I4WDTA) certified trainer.
The American association is considered the gold standard in 4WD education worldwide, and Dr Kothari has trained over 500 civilians, soldiers, and even OEMs to tackle off-roading in a safe and calculated manner. He’s also been a part of the Autocar India family before he opened Learn Offroad. As part of this year’s anniversary celebrations, he was joined by another I4WDTA trainer, Bill Wheeler, from America.
Interacting with Mr Wheeler was a genuine honour. He has over 20 years experience training the American military in off-road driving, and despite the torrential rain that poured all weekend, he always found time to get himself dirty while assisting in a recovery and share an anecdote from back home.
Mr Wheeler provided us with a masterclass on how to safely recover a vehicle that has rolled over. From checking for fuel leaks to keeping an eye out for sharp edges that could snag a line, it wasn’t as simple as ‘tie rope here and pull the car’. Considering the weight of the vehicle, the availability of other vehicles, and the environment around you, there are multiple points to keep in mind for a safe recovery – key word being safe. By the end of the session, we wrapped up Day 1 with far more confidence in tackling such situations, should they ever arise.
Day 2 was more about tackling the trails at Learn Offroad’s massive training grounds in Khopoli, located on the outskirts of Mumbai. A convoy of over 50 4WD machines – from nimble Jimnys to luxobarges like the Defender, and purpose-bred SUVs like the Wrangler and modified Thars – gathered at the venue. Vehicles navigated various obstacles for six-odd hours. The muddy challenges were tough enough to begin with, but the rain made things even more complicated. While some vehicles crossed sections with ease, others altered the ideal ‘lines’ while trying to get out of the obstacle.
The best part was the overwhelming support among participants. There was only words of encouragement when someone didn’t manage a section, with spotters offering advice on steering and throttle input, drive modes, and more. Our long-term Thar Roxx 4×4 took part in the festivities and thoroughly enjoyed itself (even though it has beige interiors). However, to read more about that, wait for Rahul’s long-term report.
By the end of the day, everyone was drenched and caked in mud. Vehicles were scratched by thorns and scraped by rocks, and one even developed a minor coolant leak. But despite all that, there wasn’t a single sad face in the crowd, just people grinning ear to ear every time an obstacle was cleared, even if it took a while. That is the spirit of off-roading that I personally love. No matter what you drive, it’s how you drive it and how much you respect your surroundings, because, as we found out, nature can and will bite back.
Tejas conducts classes throughout the year; beginners, experts, young and old, everyone is welcome. Head over to https://www.learnoffroad.com to book your session today.
Also see:
Autocar India SUV Off-road Day 2024
