Final countdown was dedicated to our three junior trainees who were not able to attend the final drive of Basic Training.

Other Junior drivers who had successfully completed basic training were also invited to join this drive to give our trainees the experience of driving in a large convoy.

The final drive of Basic Training is a graduation drive, and is therefore quite a grueling drive that requires a fair amount of stamina. Our trainees looked like they were up to the task and raring to get the show started.

The convoy quickly established great flow with good convoy discipline. They nailed all the small  and sometimes tricky challenges while showing off the straight cresting, side sloping and vehicle control skills that they learnt during the course of their basic training.

Towards the end of the first hour signs of fatigue were starting to show by way of a series of second tries. This signaled the need for a break, and that’s exactly what we did. After a leg stretch, a snack and a sip of coffee we were of to complete the rest of the trip.

Our trainees completed the usual high climbs around Big Red with the ease of seasoned drivers. From that point on the convoy gathered momentum as they sped around all the bowls west of Big Red. Sadly one of our Junior Fellas experienced technical problem with his car just before we reached Pink Rock, and had to be escorted out of the desert by Marshall Marc, who was the sweeper on this trip.

The rest of the convoy made their way to the big bowl behind Pink Rock before finally ending the drive at 22 December.

The end of the drive also marked the end of Basic Training for the three trainees on this trip. Congratulations Prasad, David and Marc. You are officially Junior drivers as per Desert Fellas standards and are welcome to sign up for future Junior & fun drives. We look forward to seeing you all back on the sand real soon.