The 1st Pampanga Offroad Challenge was really spectacular!

Those of you who were there can vouch for this!

That first leg, which consisted of a river crossing then a 20 feet climb up a lahar embankment was a sight to see for participants to conquer. Raw power and of course a little ingenuity certainly helped.

Second leg consisted of going up and down lahar embankments for muddy river crossings. An embankment in this second leg, befuddled some of the contestants, where one of the Angeles offroaders even doing an acrobatic flipover!

But what boggled everyone, bogged down swallowed up by the watery lahar, was the water hyacinth covered river. This water hyacinth field looked beautiful, filled with green water hyacinths and speckled with their purple flowers. So peaceful and serene, but very, very tricky and deceiving.

This leg was conquered only after one of the Angeles offroaders showed them the line. A line straight through the river path and not done at an angle as per standard practice.

The first few teams to attack this crossing took the angled line and had to pay a hefty price for this decision. Freeman can certainly give us a first hand account of this.

Next leg consisted of a dune filled lahar trail, Baja like i think. This was a pretty long snakey stretch, which finally ended up in a man made water obstacle crossing, this slightly before the finish line.

Clearing this obstacle was a sight to behold. With the first participants doing wheelie like attempts to get out of the water once in. Finally a path was cleared up for the team leaders to cross to be able to winch out, rather tow out, other members. Easier said than done with spectators milling about.

You could see the strain to both man and machine at this time. With engines roaring, team leaders jockeying for tow positions, navigators running to and fro pouring water onto overheated cooling systems, navigators acting as spotters, diggers, and whatnots. Just pure energy everywhere!

From here, to get to the finish line, a 5 or so foot lahar embankment had to be climbed. This was fairly easy to most of the participants. But again, Murphy's law came into play! One of the Angeles offroaders in a Wrangler type vehicle, one of the first to do the climb, probably zapped with pure adrenalin, a little heavy on the pedal, roared and literally flew through this embankment, landing on its right front tire and in turn loosing it!

This vehicle eventually made it to the finish line with one of the other team's vehicles strapped it up to its rear and towing it to the finish!

Definitely a team event and was rightly billed as such!

Watched the LRCP team do a two vehicle tow of the last Rover to cross that last watery grave. With the first vehicle towing the next one and the next in turn towing the last. Pretty impressive strategy.

Who won and had the shortest time anyways? Didn't stay long enough to find out.

Bravo to all the teams and participants!

One thing i noticed too was that all the spectators were really enjoying the view. You could hear oohs and aahs, shouts of go-go-go, sayang, ohs and wows!

One other point, the event was billed as stock friendly and that even 4x2s could compete ... after seeing this event first hand ... no way can agree to this!

 Not been there.......... now it is about time to have an amhibian truck for this kind of competition.  From the thread of Rolf..... it was a good SOURCE OF EXPERIENCE
for TEAM X !  Wolfden and Freeman may have mastered Tanay but Lahar laden trail and river with water hyacinths is another ballgame !!!

 Rookie, I agree with you..... that race is for highly modified 4X4, unless you wanted to throw away your investment. i don't have that kind of money.... every centavo spent is hard earned.....with approval of the CFO.

Firstly, I would like to say....Freeman made a comment that this event organized by PORCI  was well organized.  I agree completely, of the many races I've seen, this event exhibited wonderful support by sponsors and participants as well as the various local individuals.  Kudos to all of them.  The event was very professionally handled despite it being the first event by this group.  I hope that this will now be the trend as more and more events take place.

As for the track conditions...... Let's put it this way, I'm glad we were short one vehicle in order to participate because the track was really going to bruise both driver and vehicle.  Not to mention the heat that both driver and vehicle were subjected to.  Ken and I were in relatively shaded areas and we were still dying from the heat.  Surely, adrenalin and sheer will were the only things keeping those participants alive while the baked under the sun.  

The track really required significant traction and horsepower but more importantly, strategy and recovery technique.  As is the case in most offroading competitions, the track will more often benefit the later participants because the previous guys have softened the sharp edges and provided visual lines of where to pass.  This is not to say that the later participants were going to have it easy.  It just means they have a slightly better chance of actually completing the track as opposed to not finishing at all.  It was certainly a great spectacle to behold.

The competition would have been a good clinic in recovery skills.  It showed that winching isnt always the fastest or best solution sometimes a tow rope is just or even more effective.  It also showcased how proper strategy in positioning a winch or tow point could get you out of a jam faster than extending out your winch rope from far away.  Things like this were very beneficial to us observers because we could see the effectivity of each strategy.  Most of all the team work that was required to conquer the obstacles.  some teams were more competent in working together and thinking their strategies through.  I hope they do something like this again.  In the meantime, we may have to discover this amongst ourselves on the trails.  Sounds like a great idea if you ask me.

Quote from: rvt722 on March 10, 2003, 12:29:15 PM

 Not been there.......... now it is about time to have an amhibian truck for this kind of competition.  From the thread of Rolf..... it was a good SOURCE OF EXPERIENCE
for TEAM X !  Wolfden and Freeman may have mastered Tanay but Lahar laden trail and river with water hyacinths is another ballgame !!!

 Rookie, I agree with you..... that race is for highly modified 4X4, unless you wanted to throw away your investment. i don't have that kind of money.... every centavo spent is hard earned.....with approval of the CFO.

With all due respect to you gents. Highly modified my arse!

More on this later.......

Quote from: Wolverine on March 10, 2003, 01:03:12 PM

Firstly, I would like to say....Freeman made a comment that this event organized by PORCI  was well organized.  I agree completely, of the many races I've seen, this event exhibited wonderful support by sponsors and participants as well as the various local individuals.  Kudos to all of them.  The event was very professionally handled despite it being the first event by this group.  I hope that this will now be the trend as more and more events take place.

First time for me to watch this type of event and was really impressed with the professionalism and management of this one.

One thing i felt that can probably need improvement is the staging of the race by section or leg, and with the swipe cards being used on the start and finish lines of each leg. Points then are based on actual start and finish times, instead of teams being bunched up together, waiting and watching each other complete a section.

A different staging area for each new leg is a must and teams given a particular time to finish a particular section, instead of finishing the entire course in a prescribed 3 hours as in this case.

In case a member of a team gets bogged down and can not be helped out by the other members, they are penalized for this but are given rescue and allowed  to continue the race. Penalty probably based on time plus number of members needing rescue.

This then affords no advantage to the latter starting teams, where they are unable to see the lines taken by the other teams.

Then again, a short track/course and the time frame needed makes this suggestion quite improbable.

But did i enjoy watching this race and learning so many new things!

There were things i never thought that a 4x4 machine could do!

Kudos to the organizers and participants of the 1st Pampanga Offroading Challenge!

Quote from: Wolverine on March 10, 2003, 01:03:12 PM

As for the track conditions...... Let's put it this way, I'm glad we were short one vehicle in order to participate because the track was really going to bruise both driver and vehicle.  Not to mention the heat that both driver and vehicle were subjected to.  Ken and I were in relatively shaded areas and we were still dying from the heat.  Surely, adrenalin and sheer will were the only things keeping those participants alive while the baked under the sun.  

Wolverine,

What happened to you guys?

Saw Ungas and Afrasay and both said you were there. Talked with Freeman and think he said he was expecting you and Delta Recon to race.

Did you see those Sammys? Any assessments of their setups?

Quote from: rookie on March 10, 2003, 05:08:12 PM

Wolverine,

What happened to you guys?

Saw Ungas and Afrasay and both said you were there. Talked with Freeman and think he said he was expecting you and Delta Recon to race.

Did you see those Sammys? Any assessments of their setups?

Rookie:

Ken and I watched the race intently.  We should have coordinated with you guys so we could meet up.  Delta Recon did not manage to participate  because we were short one willing vehicle  in order to make a team.  Looking at the race, I would have felt bad about abusing my ride in that track.  Presently my vehicle is set up more for trail rides in that my winch is inboard on a cradle so that it is installed only as needed.  The reason for this is so that my approach angle is not compromised by a protrusion from the winch.  This setup, while very beneficial on the trail, is not ideal for competition where you may have to constantly utilize the winch.  It was a judgement call on my part to design the setup that way.

As for the setup of the suzuki's that participated, I  must say that they were competently setup and this was evidenced by their showing on the podium.  The track required a combination f horsepower and traction but sometimes lightweight vehicles can get by with less power due to the fact that they dont dig in too deeply.  Problem is when you dig in too deeply, you dont have the juice to get out anymore.  In the case of the wet lahar, It didnt matter if you had tons of HP, if you were stuck down to the chassis, you were stuck, PERIOD.  I guess this is why the suzukis managed to perform quite stellarly.  There was nothing out of the ordinary with their designs other than more appropriate tires (in this case wider to impart floatation).What's your opinion?

Basing from spectator comments and reactions, everyone was intriqued on how the team composed of 3 Suzuki Beavers (?)  would perform, comparing them against the performance of those who have started out earlier.

They looked pretty much stock, except for the MT tires and the roll bars, and they didn't come with doors either. Am suspecting thought  that they have regeared transfer cases and differentials, probably tweaked suspension too!

Certainly no eye catcher, as compared to one i've seen pretty up close in one of those trails in Tanay, these performed rather well, pausing here and there, gingerly wading through obstacle after obstacle, winching and towing at certain points, must have done the course in superb time. Prove's your point that it is not all a big block, all power game.

But really would have wanted to see you guys in action!

Methinks this 1st Pampanga Offroad Challenge is not a race at all, but an extreme form of trailing!






 

Quote from: rookie on March 11, 2003, 08:04:10 AM
Prove's your point that it is not all a big block, all power game.

Methinks this 1st Pampanga Offroad Challenge is not a race at all, but an extreme form of trailing!

rookie,

couldn't agree with you more!!! pure muscle has never been the only factor in winning...all you have to do is reflect on the usa's experience in vietnam  

it all boils down to driver's skill and what's inside his head ....IMHO. Sometimes, having all that power underneath you can give you a false sense of security. big trucks, big cars, big planes, big guns....you can kiss my ass if you don't know how to handle it or don't know your opponent.

so to a certain extent, i will agree with freeman that you don't need too many modifications on your truck to handle the lahar course, but basically a winch, the right tires, a well maintained ride, excellent team work, a little experience, a well-thought out strategy, a little patience, and last but not least, superb driving skills. bada-bing, bada-boom!!! IMHO  

as for rvt's comment on not throwing away his money, i think like that too. but c'mon man, we're not in the league of freeman, wolverine, wolf den, etc. for them its a sport, and like any sport, you've got to be ready to bite the bullet. PEACE  

Quote from: tmc306 on March 11, 2003, 11:21:33 AM

couldn't agree with you more!!! pure muscle has never been the only factor in winning...all you have to do is reflect on the usa's experience in vietnam  

it all boils down to driver's skill and what's inside his head ....IMHO. Sometimes, having all that power underneath you can give you a false sense of security. big trucks, big cars, big planes, big guns....you can kiss my ass if you don't know how to handle it or don't know your opponent.

We're not talking Iraq here, are we?

Quote from: tmc306 on March 11, 2003, 11:21:33 AM

rookie,

couldn't agree with you more!!! pure muscle has never been the only factor in winning...all you have to do is reflect on the usa's experience in vietnam  

it all boils down to driver's skill and what's inside his head ....IMHO. Sometimes, having all that power underneath you can give you a false sense of security. big trucks, big cars, big planes, big guns....you can kiss my ass if you don't know how to handle it or don't know your opponent.

so to a certain extent, i will agree with freeman that you don't need too many modifications on your truck to handle the lahar course, but basically a winch, the right tires, a well maintained ride, excellent team work, a little experience, a well-thought out strategy, a little patience, and last but not least, superb driving skills. bada-bing, bada-boom!!! IMHO  

as for rvt's comment on not throwing away his money, i think like that too. but c'mon man, we're not in the league of freeman, wolverine, wolf den, etc. for them its a sport, and like any sport, you've got to be ready to bite the bullet. PEACE  

Ted,

You took the words out of my mouth and sprinlkled them with your eloquence!

Gents,

You must first equip the man before the machine, with the skills, attitude and frame of mind.

I agree with Ted that hardware can give one a false sense of security, case in point - last Saturday's race : Some teams had the V8 conversions and all the goodies in their rigs, yet they did not place in the top 10.

I'd like to think that there are 3 types of 4x4 offroaders :

1. "Tamiya Boys" - Above all else, it is the vehicle, the gadgetry and the hardware that draws them to this sport/disipline.

2. "Shotgun" - Loves to get out of the city and hit the trail as often as possible. A 4x4 to him is A means and Not THE means to take him to his element. He tends to abuse his rig and forsake basic maintenance.

3. "True Blue" - a balance of combining characteristics of offroaders 1 and 2.

Quote from: tmc306 on March 11, 2003, 11:21:33 AM
pure muscle has never been the factor in winning... all you have to do is reflect on the usa's experience in vietnam  

I don't want to get heavily into this cause this is totally off-topic but have to comment.

I studied the Vietnam war quite fairly in high school and I wrote a term paper about it when I was in Ateneo titled "America's Failure in the Vietnam War" or something of the sort.  However, I don't claim any expertise in American military history but I do know some.

In short, America didn't use enough muscle in the Vietnam war.  Combat capable enemy units were not totally eliminated before sending in ground troops.  Why put too much reliance on ground troop victory when you can bomb the hell out of everything before putting your men out in the open/in the jungle?

The U.S. did not have public support during the Vietnam war nor did it have congressional approval.  Slowly escalating the war caused the loss of many American lives.

Nevertheless, America won the battles in Vietnam but lost the war.  While over 56,000 American lives were sacrificed over 4 million Vietnamese lives were lost.  In my book, that's winning the battles.  However, the Vietnamese were willing to lose the entire population to gain victory thus achieving their objective.

America learned in Vietnam and did not repeat the same mistakes during the Gulf War.  America used more bombs in 1 month during the Gulf War than 10 years in Vietnam.  They muscled their way to victory without hesitation and gradual escalation.

In truck-speak, they nailed the throttle on that 2,000hp blown, nitrous-fed and alky burning sand dragger without looking back.

Again, my apologies for going way off tangent.   Just PM me for further arguments.

Reading the responses on this thread is certainly refreshing.  It seems that I have come across the thoughts of very insightful individuals.  TMC, Rookie, Freeman.  Your observations and opinions on this particular topic and event are both eloquent and candid.  Perhaps Freeman, we have found a crop of "true blue's" in AIOrg.  This after all is best exemplified by the "thinking sportsman".

It's not all gadgetry and equipment (though they certainly serve a purpose) and it certainly isn't all guts ( though you do need some amount of it)  It's a homologation of skill equipment and brain power.  This is what makes sure that the vehicle is preserved at the end of the trail.  The diehards tend to abuse the vehicles and, because of their inherent sturdiness, the vehicles manage to complete the task.  This doesnt mean that they dont breakdow afterward.  The thinking driver possesses a keen understanding of when to sacrifice a little scrape and dent in order to get through an obstacle and when to sacrifice a little ego in order to preserve the vehicle and back off.  Just my own personal thoughts.  Like a few of us here, I'm still trying to learn the ropes  

Quote from: johnqpublic318 on March 11, 2003, 01:01:39 PM

In short, America didn't use enough muscle in the Vietnam war.  Combat capable enemy units were not totally eliminated before sending in ground troops.  Why put too much reliance on ground troop victory when you can bomb the hell out of everything before putting your men out in the open/in the jungle?

America learned in Vietnam and did not repeat the same mistakes during the Gulf War.  America used more bombs in 1 month during the Gulf War than 10 years in Vietnam.  They muscled their way to victory without hesitation and gradual escalation.

johnq,

i had a feeling you'd have something to say about this and i'm sorry if it put your back against the wall there ...but analogies are useful tools in driving home a point, and thus renders this discussion still relevant to the pampanga race.

from the army colonels and other Vietnamese citizenry i taught at a refugee camp in bataan over a span of 7 years...i was also their student. the superior hardware of the USA proved inutile against the ingenuity, courage and determination of the Vietnamese armies, certainly one of the poorest of the day. Why? a major factor, unknown to many, is because of the labyrinth of tunnels created by the VCs, that exist to this day, which the VCs utilized to their advantage. i've seen those tunnels personally in Hanoi. The US did not know their enemy as they should have. in other words, poor intel.

As for Iraq, otherwise known as Russia's Vietnam, I believe their caves and tunnels served the same purpose. And as far as I can tell, the Americans are still waving their guns out there, trying to gain control over a situation which is far from being in their control.  

Many of my enlightened American friends will readily admit that America's false sense of superiority saw to their demise in Vietnam, and remains a strong possibility in Iraq.

A race is simply impossible to win by superior hardware alone...how you handle what you have in a given situation is what really counts. I mean what good is a big block engine if your eyes don't or can't read the signs clear enough? and of course in a team situation, the timeless cliche...a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.

This is all I have to say on the subject, thank you for hearing me out. Peace!  

  Freeman,

  That was a very good analogy of yours.  I may be a little bit of 1, 2, and 3 !!!  Not that sure.... somebody should do the rating for me.... I like that because more than a year ago I've been involved in TAMIYA 4WD racing, even in toys its still a 4 X 4 !!!

  tmc, JohnQ, Wolvie,

  Your individual perspectives summarized how each person look a certain situation in his own different way.
A war is not absolutely out of line....... a difficult trail or a circuit has resemblance to a WAR to certain extent.
Intel info is very important.... need to study the terrain.... what are the major variables? how will the weather affect the trail and the ride?.... and so on......

  Rookie,

 You started this, if not for you, somebody will surely do.

This AIORG has many offroad enthusiasts and hardcores that can express analyse situations eloquently with style
and a lot of sense.  As a member, I feel honored to be a part of this Informal Org.

Keep it coming .........