Driver Training – February 2022

Our first Driver Training weekend of 2022 was held at Janowen Hills 4WD Park. Members were taken through their paces learning practical skills to safely recover their vehicles, maintaining their vehicle and recovery equipment, track awareness and wheel placement and general theory. 

The weekend started with a Friday afternoon drive along the creek to the original camp ground. Driver Training commenced early Saturday morning with a round of theory, discussion and vehicle awareness and maintenance. While the students were hard at work the rest of us headed out on a drive around the park. We started with a drive up to the lookout. The steep track had a new obstacle of a small landslide. After some photo opportunities we headed back down the lookout track and took a couple of hours to explore the tracks across the park. 

Following lunch, the afternoon was spent relaxing around the campsite with everyone finding something to occupy their spare time. The kids entertained themselves with a styrofoam plane with a exceptional flying ability and a little air rocket launcher or laps with the dogs. Towards late afternoon the hill tracks and rock walls along the edge of the campgrounds turned into a competitive 4WD skills competition with drivers testing their vehicle and personal driving skills climbing the steep tracks. Camp chairs were lined up to watch the action. 

Then it was time for camp ovens to make an appearance for dinner and the three hour damper (more on this later). Following dinner at approximately 7pm some members decided to take a night drive to experience the track challenges and scenery under the cover of darkness. Not to mention the night time navigation challenge which had us assisted by the Tail End Charlie position who had the tracks mapped on an app. There may have been a few crossed paths in the dark. 

Finally arriving back at the campsite at around 8:45pm we could settle around the fire in anticipation of the three hour damper. Thanks to Loz those of us still maintaining a fireside vigil got to taste test the long awaited damper served with butter and golden syrup. It was delicious!  

After an early rise our students headed off to practice recoveries while the rest of us again relaxed and milled around the campsite. I finally finished my book and started the slow pack up. By lunch time / mid-afternoon it was time for everyone to head home to prepare for the week ahead. 

I’m looking forward to our next track adventures!