| u own a car like a jeep or a 4x4, then there is | | | | of the hazards you might encounter. This is |
| quite a chance that you will have bought it | | | | especially true if you are adventuring in the wild, |
| because you are interested in some form of | | | | rather than a specially design track. Always be |
| off-roading. OK, so many people will own these | | | | careful driving around corners (slow and steady |
| cars for the school run, which is definitely over kill, | | | | wins the race!), to make the ride as smooth as |
| but at the same time many will be wanting to | | | | possible. In the same vein, never put your foot to |
| drive off into the bush at the very first | | | | the floor on the accelerator, or alternatively, |
| opportunity. If that is you, and you have just | | | | never push the break right to the ground |
| shelled out on your very first new or used Jeep, | | | | – unless in an emergency. Steady |
| then there are few tips and pieces of advice that | | | | acceleration and breaking will make it easier to |
| you will want to listen to before you charge off | | | | keep control of the car, and should give you |
| into the jungle for your first session. After all, | | | | more traction. Always start in a low gear if you |
| off-roading is a skill, and that means it has to be | | | | are going up hill, and gradually speed up, that way |
| learnt. | | | | you are less likely to spin or slide. |
| To start off on the right foot, you must | | | | Whilst all these tips are useful, you will still make |
| remember to always be cautious. Don’t | | | | stupid mistakes unless you admit to your amateur |
| just be cautious whilst you are getting to grips | | | | status. You will NEED to take an off-road driving |
| with off-road driving – always be cautious. | | | | course, because all the practicalities of driving are |
| That way you will be best prepared if you end up | | | | very different when you are on tarmac to when |
| in a dangerous or challenging situation. Make sure | | | | you are actually off-road. These courses |
| to always check the area you are driving into | | | | aren’t all too expensive, and you can do |
| before you go in – if you’ve seen | | | | an intensive one for a week or two to really learn |
| Indiana Jones, you will know juts how treacherous | | | | everything there is to know. Even better, these |
| adventures can be! You need to identify any | | | | courses are all around the country, giving you lots |
| debris, drops or other such obstacles that could | | | | of places to try out your skills. You could even, if |
| hurt you if they go unnoticed. | | | | you were really dedicated, head to a foreign |
| When you actually get driving, make sure to take | | | | country and make a holiday of it – |
| care. This isn’t the sort of environment | | | | Australia, for example, has some great |
| you care tear off wildly into, due to the | | | | off-roading holidays and adventure getaways that |
| unpredictable nature of it and the random quality | | | | would be great fun! |