POP Adrian Claudiu CHAPTER I ABOUT OFF-ROAD

OFF-ROAD 1

Off-roading is a term for driving a vehicle on un-surfaced roads or tracks, made of materials such as sand and gravel, riverbeds, mud, snow, rocks, and other natural terrain. In most cases off-road terrains can only be traveled by vehicles designed specifically for off-road driving. These types of vehicles often have extra ground clearance, sturdy tires, and front and rear locking differentials. Examples of vehicle manufacturers notable for producing types of off-road vehicle include Land Rover, Jeep, Toyota, Suzuky, Hummer etc.

Military forces usually design their vehicles with off-roading in mind or buy them from off-road manufacturers such as AM General (Humvee) or Land Rover, who have produced vehicles used by the armed forces of many countries. In some parts of the world, off-roading is the normal form of transportation. In tropical countries non-surfaced roads can attain off-road aspects during the rainy season when extra gears and four wheel drive can become necessary. In Western countries the term "off-roading" is frequently used more for recreational pursuits. An off-road vehicle is considered to be any type of vehicle which is capable of driving on and off paved or gravel surface.It is generally characterized by having large tires with deep, open treads, a flexible suspension, or even .Other vehicles that do not travel public streets or highways are generally termed offhighway vehicles, including tractors, forklifts, cranes, backhoes, bulldozers, and Golf carts.Off-road vehicles have an enthusiastic following because of their many uses and versatility. Several types of motorsports involve racing off-road vehicles. The three largest "4 wheel vehicle" off-road types of competitions are Rally, Desert Racing, and Rockcrawling The three largest types of All Terrain Vehicle (ATV) / Motorcycle competitions are Motocross, Enduro, and also Desert Racing like Dakar Rallye and Baja 1000.The most common use of these vehicles is for sight seeing in areas distant from pavement. The use of higher clearance and higher traction vehicles enables access on trails and forest roads that have rough and low traction surfaces. 1

POP Adrian Claudiu SHORT HISTORY One of the first modified off-road vehicles was the Kgresse track, a conversion undertaken first by Adolphe Kgresse, who designed the original while working for Czar Nicholas II of Russia between 1906 and 1916.The system uses an unusual caterpillar track which has a flexible belt rather than interlocking metal segments. It can be fitted to a conventional car or truck to turn it into a half-track suitable for use over rough or soft ground.

OFF-ROAD 2

After World War II, a huge surplus of light off-road vehicles like the Jeep and heavier lorries were available on the market. The Jeeps in particular were popular with buyers who used them as utility vehicles. This was also the start of off-roading as a hobby. The wartime Jeeps soon wore out, though, and the Jeep company started to produce civilian derivatives, closely followed by similar vehicles from British Land Rover and Japanese Toyota, Datsun/Nissan, Suzuki, and Mitsubishi. These were all alike: small, compact, four wheel drive vehicles with at most a small hardtop to protect the occupants from the elements. From the 1960s and onward, more comfortable vehicles were produced. For several years they were popular with rural buyers due to their off-road and load-lugging capabilities. The U.S. Jeep Wagoneer and the Ford Bronco, the British Range Rover, and the station wagon-bodied Japanese Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrol and Suzuki Lj's series were all essentially just station wagon bodies on light truck frames with four wheel drive drivetrains. Later, during the 1990s, manufacturers started to add even more luxuries to bring those offroad vehicles on par with regular cars. This eventually evolved into what we call the SUV today. It also evolved into the newer Crossover vehicle, where utility and off-road capability was sacrificed for better on-road handling and luxury.

POP Adrian Claudiu

OFF-ROAD 3

TECHNICAL To be able to drive off the pavement, off-road vehicles need several characteristics: They need to have a low ground pressure, so as not to sink into soft ground, they need ground clearance to not get hung up on obstacles, and they need to keep their wheels or tracks on the ground so as not to lose traction.Wheeled vehicles accomplish this by having a suitable balance of large or additional tires combined with tall and flexible suspension. Tracked vehicles accomplish this by having wide tracks and a flexible suspension on the road wheels. The choice of wheels versus tracks are one of cost and suitability. A tracked drivetrain is more expensive and costly in terms of maintenance. Wheeled drivetrains are cheaper and give a higher top speed. For pure off-road capabilities, the tracked drivetrain has the edge.Most off-road vehicles are fitted with especially low gearing. This allows the operator to make the most of the engine's available power while moving slowly through challenging terrain. A combustion engine coupled to a normal gearbox often has an output speed too high to be usable. The vehicle often has one of two things, either a very low ("granny") first gear (like the all wheel drive Volkswagen Transporter versions) or an additional gearbox in line with the first, called a reduction drive. Some vehicles, like the Bv206 in the picture on the right, also have torque converters to further reduce the gearing.Many wheeled off-road vehicles have all wheel drive to keep traction on slippery surfaces; however, in vehicles designed for use both on and off road, this may be switchable so that the vehicle has fewer driven wheels when on the road.

POP Adrian Claudiu CHAPTER II RECREATIONAL OFF-ROADING

OFF-ROAD 4

Recreational off-roading is popular among a sub-section of the owners of four wheel drive or all-terrain vehicles and motorcycles. There are numerous categories of recreational offroading, with something suitable for all levels of experience and equipment: Dune bashing Greenlaning Mudding (mud bogging) Rock crawling Rock racing Formula off-road Competitive trials A. Dune bashing Dune bashing, also known as desert safari, is a form of off-roading, using an off-road vehicle to explore sand dunes. Whilst in some parts of the world, such as the fragile coastal dunes of Australia, it is illegal, in others such as the Middle East, it is a booming attraction for tourists. Vehicles used: Although most four-wheel drive vehicles are capable of dune bashing, the smaller, lower vehicles like most mini SUVs and compact SUVs are not used because they have a higher risk of getting stuck. Larger sport utility vehicles such as the Toyota Land Cruiser are more common. The vehicles used for this activity are usually equipped with a roll cage to prevent the roof from caving in on passengers in the case of an overturn. Technique: Similar to auto-racing, experience and skill is required to manoeuvre the car and prevent accidents. In most cases, a professional driver accompanies the group. A group can consist of as many people as there are working seatbelts in the vehicle. Before entering the desert in an everydayuse SUV, it is essential to reduce the tire pressure. This is done to gain more traction by increasing the footprint of the tire and, therefore, reducing the downward pressure of the 4wd on the sand as there is a greater surface area (much like the head of an axe, the axe must be sharp in order to split the wood). Upon entering the desert, it is common to meet with a pack of vehicles and a group leader before proceeding. The group leader then leads the pack through the stunts in single file. The main reason for this technique is to prevent vehicles from losing track of direction and getting lost. 4

POP Adrian Claudiu

OFF-ROAD 5

B. Geenlaning: Greenlaning (or two-tracking) is one of the least extreme categories. It is generally suitable for any four wheel drive vehicle, even with factory tires and equipment. The term greenlane refers to the fact that the routes are predominantly along unsurfaced tracks, forest tracks, or older roadways that may have fallen into disuse. For a lot of greenlaners the main emphasis is on enjoying the countryside and accessing areas that may be seldom traveled by motor vehicles, rather than exploring the performance envelope of their vehicle.Greenlaning is popular among All Wheel Drive SUVs with limited off-road capabilities, being designed for only light off-roading in normal use. C. Mudding: Is a form of off-road motorsport popular in Canada and the United States in which the goal is to drive a vehicle through a pit of mud of a set length. Winners are determined by the distance traveled through the pit or, if several vehicles are able to travel the entire length, the time taken to traverse the pit. Typically, vehicles competing in mud bogs are four-wheel drives. Mudding involves finding a large area of wet mud or clay and attempting to drive as far through it as possible without becoming stuck.

The stock tires supplied with four by four vehicles are typically inadequate for this type of off-roading and Mud-terrain tires are required. Strongly attached recovery points are also recommended to enable the vehicle to be towed out if it becomes bogged down. Traction and momentum are important factors in success.This activity has a competitive form known as Mud bogging.

POP Adrian Claudiu

OFF-ROAD 6

D. Rock crawling: Rock crawling is an extreme form of off road driving using vehicles anywhere from stock to highly modified to overcome obstacles. In rock crawling, drivers drive highly modified four-wheel-drive vehicles such as trucks, Jeeps, and "buggies" over very harsh terrain. Driving locations include boulders, mountain foothills, rock piles, mountain trails, etc. Rock crawling is about slow-speed, careful and precise driving, and high torque generated through large gear reductions in the vehicles drivetrain. Rock crawlers often drive up, down and across obstacles that would appear impassable. Such vehicles to rock climb are primarily 4x4s.Rock crawling competitions range from local events to national series. A rock crawling competition consists of obstacle courses that are about 100-200 yards long. Each obstacle is set up with gates, similar to a ski course. Vehicles used: Vehicles commonly used include Jeep (the Chrysler and the Mitsubishi Varieties), Lada Niva, Nissan Patrol, Toyota pickup truck, Land Rover and Suzuki Samurai and International Harvester Scout. These vehicles are outfitted with custom parts. Power is usually not an issue, as rock crawlers typically lower their gear ratios in order to drive more slowly over obstacles without stalling the engine. Most vehicles have a low-geared transfer case to make the most torque in the low speeds used for rock crawling. Suspension-wise, rock crawling vehicles sometimes have after-market lift kits installed, raising the chassis and increasing suspension flex, though the rock crawlers running the tougher trails often have fabricated suspension systems, or homeassembled leaf packs to cheaply achieve the goals, making it easier to drive over larger obstacles with less risk of damage to the vehicle. Most suspensions are made to be highly flexible, allowing for the maximum amount of tire area to contact the ground, while keeping the vehicle as low as possible. Due to the conflicting nature of the dynamics and needs of rock crawling and highway driving vehicles, it is not unusual to modify a vehicle solely for off-road recreational usage.

POP Adrian Claudiu

OFF-ROAD 7

E. Rock racing: Rock Racing is very similar to rock crawling in the fact that the vehicles are driven over rocks, the difference is that there are no penalties for hitting cones, backing up or winching as is done in rock crawling. Rock racing also involves a degree of high-speed racing not seen in typical rock crawling. F. Formula off-road: Formula off-road is a high powered version of off-road competition. Vehicles are highly modified,, or specially built, using sand drag tires, long travel suspension components that allow jumps and rough handling and long axle articulation, and a secure roll cage for the driver.Formula off-road cars often use highly tuned V8's with superchargers or nitrous oxide injection systems. Formula off-road originated in Iceland in the 1980s and has since spread to the other Nordic countries. Competitions are often held in sand and gravel quarries where courses are laid out and often include going up nearvertical slopes. The vehicles utilize paddle-like treads on the tires.

POP Adrian Claudiu

OFF-ROAD 8

G. Competitive trials: Trials are probably the safest form of motorsport. All progress is made at low speed and the emphasis is on skill, rather than finishing first although trialing can be highly competitive. There are three traditional forms of off-road trialing. RTV (Road Taxed Vehicle) trialing is the most common form of trialing. As the name suggests, it is for vehicles that are road-legal.This excludes vehicles that are highly modified or specially built. RTV courses are intended to be non-damaging and driven at little more than a walking pace and a course properly laid out would be drivable without damage. However, the terrain usually includes steep slopes, water, side-slopes, deep ruts and other obstacles that could potentially damage a vehicle if mistakes are made or poor driving technique is used, and vehicle modifications increase the chance of success. A good driver in a standard specification vehicle can easily win over a modified, highly equipped vehicle driven by a less competent driver.

Cross Country Vehicle (CCV) trialing is the next step up from RTV trialing and is open to non-road-legal vehicles, which greatly increases the scope for modification. The terrain covered will be of greater difficulty than that found on an RTV trial, and will usually require more judicious use of speed to get the vehicle across certain obstacles, so increasing the risk of vehicle damage. Whilst no trial is intended to be vehicle-damaging mistakes and accidents are inevitable. A standard-specification vehicle would not be expected to be able to complete a CCV course. Vehicles are required to meet certain safety regulations. Roll-cages must be fitted and be built to a suitable standard, recovery points must be fitted front and rear and fuel tanks must meet certain standards. A 4-point harness for all occupants is required and a fire extinguisher is recommended.

POP Adrian Claudiu

OFF-ROAD 9

CHAPTER III OFF-ROAD MOTORCYCLING Part of the thrill in riding a dirt bike off-road is coming around a corner or cresting a hill, not knowing what you'll be facing but just handling it as it comes, or enduring a test of threading trees your handlebars barely fit through and powering across the nastiest terrain to the next check point to be on time. It really doesn't matter if you're climbing stuff that a mountain goat would have trouble traversing, working your way through ruts that your footpegs are dragging through, holding it wide open across an open field before diving back into the woods, or trying to survive a man made X-treme course. Off-Road motorcycling is certainly something to experience and this page outta give you the info you need to get started. It doesn't matter whether you're competing in an EnduroCross, Hare Scramble, GNCC Race or just trying to take it easy in the woods without losing your friends and family. Riding off-road anyway you like it can be some of the best fun there is to be had behind the bars of a dirt bike.

POP Adrian Claudiu

OFF-ROAD 10

CHAPTER IV SAFETY IN OFF-ROAD

In preparation for your first off-road adventure, here are some things to do before you ever leave home: 1. Make sure you know your vehicle well. It's important to recognize your limits and those of your vehicle and not to exceed them: Know how your 4x4 system works and how to use the controls. Know where the spare tire and jack are located and how to use them. Know your vehicle's dimensions - height, width, length, approach angle, departure angle and ramp angle - so that you can pass through tight areas without damage. Know where the lowest point of clearance is - usually the differential casing. Get used to driving your 4x4. Get a feel for its size and driving characteristics. Practice using the low ratio gearbox. If your vehicle is equipped with manual locking hubs, try them out. Know where your engine's air intake and engine computer are located so you'll know the maximum depth of water that you could cross. Keep track of maintenance on filters, belts and hoses and keep all fluids topped up. 2. Be prepared. You never know when you'll find yourself stuck or broken down, without help around, so be sure to pack all of the appropriate "emergency" supplies. And be aware of changing weather conditions before you go. 3. Travel with at least one passenger, and at least one other vehicle whenever possible. 4. Let someone know where you are going, and set a time to contact them to let them know you are okay. Don't forget to take along their phone number, the local sheriff's phone number, in case of an emergency. And don't follow-through by calling at the pre-arranged time, so they don't send out the search teams for you! 5. Make sure your vehicle is in good condition and ready for the off-road experience. Before leaving civilization, do a complete check of your vehicle before leaving. Make sure your tires (including the spare) are in good condition and inflated properly. Look under your vehicle for any leaks or mechanical problems. Make sure all of your fluids are topped off. Check the condition of your steering and brakes. All repairs should be carried out before leaving home. 6. Pay attention to how you load your vehicle. Loads should be distributed evenly within the vehicle if possible. Loads behind the rear axle will sag the rear of the vehicle, limiting your departure angle and clearance. If you have a roof rack fitted, be aware of weights and how they are distributed. Excessive loads will change the center-of-gravity, thus making the vehicle less stable. Also, remember the additional height of your vehicle due to the rack. 7. Always know where you are, where you're going, and which route you intend to take. Be time-conscious... What may look like a short trip on the map may take many hours in 4wheel drive -- so allow enough time for safe travel. 10

POP Adrian Claudiu

OFF-ROAD 11

CHAPTER V - CONCLUSION Wheel drive, crew, friends, leave a fucking work, differential, 4 x 4 is not all that with 16, Mountain, shock absorbers, the more left engine, winch, forest, adrenaline, put gas reducer, turbine, bullbar sun, where the hell are we?, logs, suspension, stay as broke, rain, valves, mud, raising kit, clutch, chassis, high-lift jack, heybreak, strength, ambition, keep it right! , satisfaction, night, other countries, softening, logs. Another life. How many people know what is that off-road? More than he could imagine one. E credit history, current affairs and, unfortunately, the future stewards of our roads. Toate.Practicam kind of offroad daily, even among large cities. Ditches, pits, bumpy you already professional approach: France, assess the situation, make the decision, take courage and handle carefully. Emotions that you include mainly concern the integrity of the vehicle earned with hard work, you are exposed daily to such expeditions. Imagine your emotions like that, transplanted in the mountains, shared with friends, but multiplied by 100, resulting not care beast, but doubts about mental or bodily integrity of those who pull the beast in question. Peak is never going more than an invasion of adrenaline that washes fatigue, stress and remembered meeting urban sites. In addition, the stage is set (more or fewer accidents) success full of enthusiasm for night of madness with healthy peers. In short, that's about it take it off-road. That p-join. If I have anything better to do, I say it's only human activity that applies the principle of from each according cheerful powers, each as needed.

11