Driver Training : ACT 4WD Club

Driver Training

Timetable

The ACT 4WD Club provides the opportunity for its members to obtain driver training through guidance from experienced members on organised Club trips and or via more formalised training provided through the Club Driver Training Coordinator.

Members are encouraged to participate in the formal training to ensure a solid grounding in the basic skills involved in four wheel driving is achieved prior to embarking on some of the Clubs more challenging trips. As a minimum, new members would have to demonstrate a level of proficiency prior to participating on these types of trips; this is to ensure the safety of all and the protection of equipment and environment.

The Club does not impose training levies on new memberships or on existing members. As such each participant requiring or desiring to participate in formal training provided by a commercial provider pays the cost themselves.

Training conducted on trips by experienced members is limited to that necessary to cope with given situations on the particular trip being run and as such, broader experience can only be achieved over a long period of time on a number of different trips.

The Club formalised training provides a basic understanding and limited experience in areas such as the following;

Understanding of how the four wheel drive components of your vehicle differs from a standard passenger vehicle and how and when to employ the different 4WD features.
Understanding the dynamics of your vehicle in relation to weight, height, ground clearance and power.
Packing guidelines for short and extended trips.
Driving techniques including wheel placement techniques, engine braking and starting techniques for controlled ascent and descent situations.
Water crossing techniques and protecting your vehicle from water ingress.
Driving techniques and vehicle set-up for different terrain.
Tyre pressures to suit different terrain.
Recovery equipment requirements and how and when to use them safely.
Trip leading
Communication equipment and techniques
Observing the 4WD Code of Conduct

There is no substitute for experience but the correct training will ensure the experience is not costly to equipment or environment and the experience can be enjoyed safely.

Timetable

When	Where	Trip Leader
16 Jan 2010	Driver Training- Black Top Skid Pan	Les Briggs
27 March 2010	New Members Driving Training Introduction	Les Briggs & Team
28 March 2010	New Members Driver Training Practice	Les Briggs & Team
18 April 2010	Introduction to Trip Leading	Les Briggs,Graeme Pigram & Guests
22 May 2010	Introduction to Towing a Caravan or Trailer	Les Briggs & Chris Fenton
June 2010	4WD Competency DTU- Trials	Les Briggs & Team
July 2010	Snow Driving - Berrydale	Les Briggs & Snowman
Sep 2010	Sand Driving & Vehicle Recovery-Stockton	Les Briggs