38 - Driving really, really fast with Bruce Garlard, 4WD and Dakar Rally Driver
08/02/18 • 28 min
We look at the number of people who don't finish the Dakar Rally. It is a very tough course, expensive to compete in and there is some unforgiving terrain, so the failure rate is very high.
The vehicles aren't stock, so they are heavily modified to make them capable of surviving the terrain at speed, whilst trying to keep the weight as low as possible. There are some fundamental changes to the vehicle, including moving the radiator to behind the cabin. There is nothing in the car that doesn't need to be there.
Recovery is another issue. You have to be able to self recover, so vehicle design is done with recovery as a big issue.
Bruce talks about how the change in temperature in the sand dunes can make a big difference in how hard the driving is.
We talk about the mental preparation that you need to be a Dakar Rally driver. How can you prepare to do some epic Big Dune driving.
We look at the technique required to drive down Big Dunes. It is not as easy as it looks and getting the technique correct is really important.
Bruce talks about the Australian Safaris, which was a smaller version of the Rally. It no longer runs because of the cost to run the event, which is sad.
The Redex trials were a precursor to all of this and gave a big boost to the Australian 4 wheel drive industry.
The Rallies are a big bart of 4WD tourism, and in countries like Chile, hundreds of thousands of tourists go to Chile to visit some of the places that are highlighted by the Dakar Rally and the Desert Challenge.
We discuss Bruce's experience as a mechanic and the kinds of things that he learnt that helped him with his Rally driving.
We talk about some of his driving in Asian countries.
Join the conversation about the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum. www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.
If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch. The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast! It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.
We look at the number of people who don't finish the Dakar Rally. It is a very tough course, expensive to compete in and there is some unforgiving terrain, so the failure rate is very high.
The vehicles aren't stock, so they are heavily modified to make them capable of surviving the terrain at speed, whilst trying to keep the weight as low as possible. There are some fundamental changes to the vehicle, including moving the radiator to behind the cabin. There is nothing in the car that doesn't need to be there.
Recovery is another issue. You have to be able to self recover, so vehicle design is done with recovery as a big issue.
Bruce talks about how the change in temperature in the sand dunes can make a big difference in how hard the driving is.
We talk about the mental preparation that you need to be a Dakar Rally driver. How can you prepare to do some epic Big Dune driving.
We look at the technique required to drive down Big Dunes. It is not as easy as it looks and getting the technique correct is really important.
Bruce talks about the Australian Safaris, which was a smaller version of the Rally. It no longer runs because of the cost to run the event, which is sad.
The Redex trials were a precursor to all of this and gave a big boost to the Australian 4 wheel drive industry.
The Rallies are a big bart of 4WD tourism, and in countries like Chile, hundreds of thousands of tourists go to Chile to visit some of the places that are highlighted by the Dakar Rally and the Desert Challenge.
We discuss Bruce's experience as a mechanic and the kinds of things that he learnt that helped him with his Rally driving.
We talk about some of his driving in Asian countries.
Join the conversation about the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum. www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.
If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch. The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast! It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.
Previous Episode
37 - Rally Driving with Bruce Garland
If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch. The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast! It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.
We talk with Bruce Garland who has a huge amount of experience in 4WD rally driving. He has done some awesome rallies and we look at how he got started and why and what adventures he has had.
Bruce shares his experiences doing the Dakar rally. He talks about driving some of the huge dunes.
What does it talk to do a Dakar rally? What kind of driving is it? What do you have to do to be in the Dakar? How much does it cost? What is the role of the rally support team?
How do you navigate in a race where there are no roads and you are travelling at 150 km / h?
How dangerous is the Dakar rally? Dehydration and fatigue can create significant problems for drivers and navigators?
Bruce has done 5 Dakars and is one of Australia's most experienced rally drivers and has some amazing stories to share.
We talk about the accident that broke Bruce's back and how he recovered from it.
Next Episode
39 - New 4WDs and Utes coming out with Robert Pepper
Robert recently drove the new Ford Raptor recently and he gives us his opinion on what it is like to drive. We talk about the engine and where you could drive the Raptor. What would it be like towing? Would Robert buy one?
Jeep Wrangler Ute! This will be due out next year and looks really interesting. A ute will fix one of the big problems with the Jeep - lack of space in the cabin, so it will be very popular. I am pretty keen on checking it out.
What does Robert think about the Colorado ZR1? Is it something that is worth a look or is it a skip?
What is it that is causing the recent spate of utes that snap their chassis? Is it related to overloading?
We also discuss tyre pressure management systems. TPMS are becoming increasingly popular - are they worth the money.
Navarra D40s - is there an issue with the automatic transmission on them when you take them offroad?
Lastly, we bid farewell to Pete Brett, AKA Mr Rum, a regular around a lot of campfires around NSW, Victoria and South Australia. Mr Rum was out driving through the Victorian High Country when he went around a blind corner and there was a tree across the road. Despite traveling very slowly, the icy road meant he slid of the side of the road and down the gully. Our condolences to Jen and Steve and the rest of his family and friends.
Join the conversation about the 4x4earth podcast on the 4x4earth forum. www.4x4earth.com is Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel driving website with over 200,000 visits per month.
If you are loving 4x4earth.com, check out the 4x4earth Merch. The sales help to keep Australia's largest free and independent 4 wheel drive website and the largest Australian 4x4 Podcast! It helps us to keep on doing the work to keep tracks open.
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