Headline beetle: sandpit games for large children and small cars

Before we go straight into the area, we catch them history again from the beginning. After I bought some urgently needed utensils for the current screwdriver project in the shop, there was a black Suzuki Samurai outside the door next to the squeaky-yellow Jimny with large, coarse-treaded wheels, proper ground clearance and an external roll cage. Obviously this car was not only converted to pose. The winch in the front of the bumper and the bucket seats with four-point harness belts look like serious operation off paved roads.

While I look at the samurai and compare the similarities between the two cars, the owner also comes out of the shop and stands by. This is how we get into conversation and of course the question arises how well the new Jimny would do in the field. Our first attempt at Prince Forrest was unfortunately a shot in the oven and since then we have been waiting for an opportunity. This is followed by the offer to take us on the next trip to the Offroad Park Extertal. Of course we don’t say no.

The desired message follows less than three weeks later; Sunday starts, are you there? You bet! Nic is also at the start as a passenger. So we meet at 9 a.m. at the bakery and drive from there in the convoy over the highway to Silixen. For communication on the way, we have provisionally installed a CB radio in the Jimny. In the trunk there are recovery straps, shackles, folding spades, provisions and rubber boots. We will probably need the latter most because rain has been announced for the whole day.

Free driving is planned for today, from 10am to 6pm the fun will cost us 25 € per vehicle. For this we have a complete sand pit with various obstacles and unreasons. Of course, we won’t go all out, we don’t know enough about off-road driving and the capabilities of our Jimny. How practical that we have an experienced companion who wants to introduce us a bit into the matter.

That is why we drive the first round through the terrain not behind the wheel of Jimny but in the passenger seat of the samurai. There is noticeably less space here, which is reinforced by the bucket seats and four-point belts, but there is now hardly an obstacle that can stop us. Nevertheless, we must not start blindly now. First there is the instruction for correct behavior. Rule number one: mutual respect. There are no right of way rules off-road, so always pay attention to the other drivers.

Second important rule: Never put your thumbs in the steering wheel as you are used to on normal roads. If there is an obstacle in front of the steering wheel wheels suddenly flicking around the thumbs can be broken. And the third rule: only drive as fast as absolutely necessary. If the speed is not sufficient, try again with more momentum. In addition, the clutch should not be allowed to drag for a long time, since the engine cannot produce any braking effect at this moment.

We have already found out in the past how to activate the all-wheel drive and the reduction ratio. We will find out later how the electronic assistants help us in the field. As a first exercise, we are now trying to conquer a rather steep slope on the high plateau. Then get to work. Just drive off without a run and see how far we can get on the wet floor. Do not accelerate too much on the way, only so much that the engine runs smoothly. In this way, we make it much further than we previously thought possible.

As soon as it stops and the wheels just spin, step on the brake and clutch immediately. Nevertheless, the car slides a little bit down the hill. You have to get used to it first. No reason to panic. Engage in reverse gear, look in the mirrors to see if everything is free behind us, keep the steering wheel straight and then suddenly release the clutch and brake so that the car does not move backwards but is caught directly by the engine brake. Thanks to the gear reduction, the engine has the necessary braking power and brings us back to the start.

Now we really want to know. A little more start-up, a little more speed and then it works with the Summit ascent. Once at the top, we first get a picture of the area on which a dozen different SUVs and quads are now on the road. The descent is again exclusively with the engine brake; Drive to the edge and then roll down slowly. If you now panic and try to brake, the car could turn sideways and roll down the slope. Of course we don’t want that. With the downhill help, it actually works quite well.

The following 90 minutes we repeat the maneuver from different directions with growing enthusiasm. After the rain has completely softened the ground, we have to start the climb in 2nd gear with a good start to get to the top. We also dare to make small water crossings after the samurai has explored the depth beforehand. Even the deep modder is no problem for the Jimny with street tires, you just never have to stand still and always have to be on the gas so that the wheels throw out the mud that sticks in the profile. In fact, we didn’t even get stuck all day long that we needed mountain aid.

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Christina Cherry
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