Driver Training
An Overview
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All Club Members are encouraged to participate in Driver Training and while not mandatory, some degree of training or proven past experience may be required to participate in some Club Trips.
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It is strongly recommended that Partners also participate in Training.
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In addition to the obvious driving/recovery skills etc acquired, participating in Training also allows members to learn about the capabilities and limitations of their vehicle and emphasises Safe Driving Practises at all times.
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In particular, Training teaches participants to look for and recognise hazardous conditions, encourages avoidance of these conditions where possible and the safest way to tackle the hazard if there is no acceptable alternative.
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A Club Training event may be a Social outing such as Loveday 4WD Park, or Saunders Gorge; an advertised Training weekend such as Peake, Morgan Quarry; or other training activities listed in the Training Report in Cat Chat. Interested Members should talk to the Training Officer or email training@mitsi4wdsa.org.au (or the listed Contact for the event).
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If our listed training activities don’t fit in with your schedule, there are also opportunities to participate in some training activities with other Clubs. Participation in these ‘other Club’ activities must be organised through our Club’s Training Officer.
4WD Driver Development
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Regular ‘Familiarisation Weekends’ are run for Club Members to:
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Develop practical off road driving skills.
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Develop the confidence required for many club trips.
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Advanced driver development is provided when required.
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4wd ‘Driving Advisers’ (previously called trainers), provide driver support.
- Social driving, for competent drivers, during ‘Familiarisation Weekends’ is encouraged to help maintain driving skills.
- The social driving can be as easy or difficult as you want.
- 4WD Driving Advisor support is provided
- Safe driving practices are followed.
4WD Familiarisation Weekends
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The Club has developed a series of ‘4WD Familiarisation Weekends ‘run by experienced members of the Club, (‘4wd Driving Advisers’ )
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These weekends are designed to introduce you to four wheel driving (4WD) and club trips. (detailed handouts are provided to Members)
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Familiarisation Weekends cover : aspects of vehicle inspection/ driving up and down steep inclines/ across inclines/ through sand/ rocks/ mud and water/ changing a wheel/ vehicle recovery using a Recovery Strap and more – in all cases with a strong emphasis on safety.
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Driver development can be, 1 on 1 instruction, or small group development and then lots of practise.
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Support by an experienced Club Members is always available
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We aim to provide you an opportunity to become familiar with your vehicle in a structured but non-threatening environment with support and help from other Mitsubishi 4WD Club members and 4wd Driving Advisers. Once you feel that you are ready, you can then proceed to more advanced training if you wish.
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Once a basic knowledge and skill level has been achieved, your experience may be further progressed by ‘talking you through’ obstacles and difficult sections via UHF radio from a suitable observation point.
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During Club trips experience may be gained from the Trip Leader or other participating members on how to traverse difficult terrain (as it is encountered), pointing out obstacles at creek crossings/ helping you to repair or change a tyre etc.
Training Venues
Venues commonly used for Training are —
Peake (About 50 km East of Tailem Bend) – Sand driving and rocky terrain.
Deep Creek (15 km East of Cape Jervis) – Ascend and descend hills.
Morgan Quarry (35 km North of Blanchetown) – Hills, some sand and sometimes mud.
Callington (20 km East of Mt Barker) – Mud and water.
Some Final Important Points
Vehicle Recovery – This is one of the most important aspects of Driver Training.
It may be as simple as clearing a bit of sand, deflating your tyres a little and backing out, or you may need an assist from another vehicle – which ever, it is important that you understand the technique, know the recovery points on your vehicle and are aware of the potential hazards.
NEVER, connect a Recovery Strap or other towing
rope / strap to the Bull Bar or Tow Ball.
Basic Recovery Kit
(Note – Most Club 4WD Trips will require you to carry all of the items below as standard equipment).
- Long Handled Shovel
- Recovery Strap and Rated Shackles
- Air Compressor and Tyre Pressure Gauge
- Jacking Plate
- UHF Radio (80 Channel preferred)
Other Necessities and Accessories (For Training)
Common additional items include :
A tarp or equivalent for when there is a need to change or repair a tyre etc.
Gloves for removal of branches from under the vehicle, breaking branches along the sides of tracks or touching hot vehicle parts.
Work clothes for when you have to get down and dirty
Rubber boots (and possibly shorts) if doing mud training.
An old towel or similar for wiping your hands.
A Sand Mast and Flag for visibility when sand driving or driving bush tracks (mandatory when travelling in some National Parks).
