The number of 4x4 vehicles in this country is
staggering, yet the number of drivers who can actually drive correctly
off-road is staggeringly low. Make no mistake about it; there is an art to
driving your huge tyred monster through the swamps, mulga and rain forest.
In Oz, there is a place called Toyota Landcruiser Park and I can still
remember getting bogged while those who “knew” drove majestically
past. Being a bitumen boy didn’t mean much in the mud!
For those who have an eye to the future, there is also
a danger to the environment from unskilled drivers grinding their way
through the once lush pastures of Thailand’s country. Forestry
departments all over the world are seeing decimation of the forest
environment, and I’m afraid the off-roaders have to stand up and take on
some of the blame.
In an attempt to correct some or all of the above
problems, there is an interesting initiative in Thailand called “The
Spirit of 4x4 Driving School” which is an ongoing project promoted by 4
Wheels magazine. This driver training concept is also backed by the 4x4
magazines in Japan as well as the Forest and Animal Preservation Unit of
Thailand’s Forestry Department.
The courses offered are in three levels - Basic,
Advanced and Competition and the course director is well known 4x4
exponent Hiro Seijima, whose experience includes winning the Australian
Safari and runner up in the Paris-Dakkar Rally, the world’s toughest.
Hiro is also the coach for Thailand’s international 4x4 Rally Team.
The Basic course covers one and a half days, with fully
accredited instructors, including input from the Forestry Department
people, ample practice and even some night driving.
There are usually two Basic courses every month and an
Advanced course every fourth month. The Competition course is held in
December. For more details on the Spirit of 4x4 Driving School, contact
the Eastern Offroaders Club at (038) 431 672 or Mobile 01-855 4858. Do it
in the dirt safely and help keep eco-tourism going (while we still have an
“eco” to tour)!
Wanna see China?
It’s probably not too late to scrape an entry into
the Asia Offroad Discovery Tour to Laos and China. Begins on May 20th for
16 days through Laos and China. 98% of the route is on bitumen and covers
7,500 km through some of the most beautiful scenery in Asia. Give Captain
Sitthichoke a ring if you want to try and get a berth. Phone (038) 431 672
or Mobile 01-855 4858.
Autotrivia Quiz
Last week, I asked what was the first Egyptian made
motorcar? They first came out in 1958 and had a thumping great 600 cc twin
up front. It was not the Tutenkhamen - it was the Ramses! This little
rocketship was based on the little twin cylinder NSU.
The quiz question on the race drivers a couple of weeks
back certainly sparked some interest, so here’s one to think about. This
driver was Italian and drove for many manufacturers, some of which
included Fiat, De Vecchi and Alfa Romeo. He was in his mid 30’s when he
died driving a racecar. He won many races in his career, including the
French GP, the European GP at Spa and the Italian GP. His initials were
“A.A”. What was his name? Now that has to be the easiest one yet!
For the Automania FREE beer this week, be the first
correct answer to fax 427 596 or email [email protected]. Remember
that Automania now has its own web page, complete with its own link. Tell
your friends!
Jaguars don’t eat children
Reported in the UK media that Jaguar Race Cars made a
donation to the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children
(NSPCC) at the British Grand Prix. Wee Jackie Stewart presenting the NSPCC
with a cheque for 34 thousand British quids, raised by the employees of
Jaguar Racing. That’s not a bad effort. Automania congratulates you too!
Move over!
Generally the “Silly Season” in motor sport is
towards the latter half of the year, when scribes and rumours get together
to attempt to predict who goes where for the next season. However, this
year the rumourmongers were at it almost from the time the first chequered
flag came down in Melbourne.
First to be singled out was David Coulthard, who was
going to be dropped by McLaren Mercedes said those “in the know”. That
was until he came second in Brazil (later disqualified through no fault of
his own), third at San Marino and then won the British GP. Sure he does
play second fiddle to “Smiley” Mikka, but he ain’t far behind!
The next finger was pointed at Johnny Herbert in
Jaguar. Johnny is regularly quicker than Eddie The Mouth Irvine in
practice, but then drops his bundle in Qualifying and the race. Jaguar say
that Johnny’s seat is confirmed for the 2000 season, but don’t expect
to see him in a green suit in 2001. In fact, I’d say that this is
probably his last season in F1. Nice guy, but the results aren’t there.
Next to cop it was Alex Wurz in Benetton. Alex
unfortunately deserves it. Very patchy performances last year and again
this year. With Renault having bought Benetton, don’t expect the lanky
Alex to be around next year either.
Quite frankly, it is time to get some new blood into
the scene, and hasn’t young Jenson Button shown everyone how good he is!
That young fellow will be a force to be reckoned with in a couple of
years. By the way, he gets 350,000 Pounds salary (not bad for a 20 year
old, I suppose) while team mate Ralf gets almost 7 million British Pounds.
If Sir Frank were a nice chap and helping the kid instead of “using”
him, I’d have more time for FW. Expect Montoya in the seat next year,
but Button will not be out of work long.
Other great young talents in the wings includes Darren
Manning who is currently the test driver for BAR - expect to see him in a
good seat next year (Jaguar perhaps?) and Aussie Mark Webber who has been
doing some development work for Arrows. Both of these guys are every bit
as good as Button, and in fact Manning beat Button convincingly in Formula
III last year.
2000 will be a good year, but 2001 will see a whole new
line-up. Mark my words.
