INTERMEDIATE: AD4x4 GPS Hunt 13th Edition

Dear Members,

AD4X4 Club is running the GPS Hunt 13^th edition, the event is aimed to sharpen the navigation, leading, time management and team work skills of the club members.

The GPS Hunt is an internal event organized by AD4x4 Club, it’s managed by the club Marshals to help develop and train our fellow off-roaders / club members through an adventurous & fun day.

THE CONCEPT OF THE GPS HUNT: The concept of the event is simple, imagine you are in two big circles, the starting point of the drive is at the center of the circle and the checkpoints are scattered all around that circle. Each team will be given a set of GPS waypoints in DDM format "Degrees, Decimal Minutes" and each team needs to work together in finding their way to the next checkpoint. Each team will be free to choose the next destination in that circle. Each check point will be flagged and will have a stamp/code/word that you have to use in order to prove to the organizers you have reached that check point.

TEAM REQUIREMENTS: Each Marshal or Explorer will choose his team that consist of minimum 5 members including the Marshal/Explorer (maximum 8 members per team) as follows:

• Marshal/Explorer
• Advance Driver (Leader)
• Intermediate Driver (Sweeper)
• Two Newbie Drivers

Above is the minimum requirement to have a team (but the more, the merrier), any additional Newbie Driver will earn the team 10 points and any additional Intermediate Driver will earn the team 5 points.

Members will register individually first, then teams will be formed by the Marshals/Explorers. Each team will have a supporting Marshal/Explorer to ensure the teams safety.

INTERMEDIATE members should register on this trip, you will be contacted by one of the Marshals/Explorer to inform you which team you will be joining.

Event Details:

Date: Saturday November 16, 2024.
Area: max 90 minutes from Dubai and Abu Dhabi.
Aim: train AD4x4 teams for Desert Navigation.
Start of event: 8 am at base camp, you need to present before time.
Finish: 6 hours of desert driving, 1-2 hours of preparation, briefing, feedback, pre and post drive chat.
No. of Teams: For safety reasons and as per the club rules, ALL teams will have a Marshal/Explorer and therefore we will base initial sign-ups based on the number of Marshals in attendance, but we are expecting 8 to 10 teams.

TEAM LEADERS PLEASE CONTACT ALL YOUR TEAM MEMBERS FOR LOGISTICS, TIMING and EQUIPMENT.

Recovery Team: we will have many marshals floating around the area. In case of any kind of problems, supporting Marshal can immediately contact them.

Track: NEWBIE LEVEL (i.e: only straight cresting is allowed) and your supporting Marshal will make sure Team Leader are complying with that for every ones safety. Team Leaders you can refresh your knowledge about Newbie Track from the logbook description about Newbie level.
Event Fees: Big Smile thought out the day.
Prizes: Fun, Sand & Sun, in addition top three teams collecting highest points will receive prizes
Fuel: Your vehicle MUST be filled up with gas, extra fuel tank is not required. But if you feel you want to carry extra fuel with you it’s your choice but please keep it secured.

We will stay for an hour or two afterwards to chill and chat if you are interested to stay.

Time Schedule:

Meet Point:
All Team Leaders should coordinate with their team members and make sure that all team members arrive on time at the meeting point.
Meeting at 8:00 AM at base camp (coordinate will be provided later).
Start: 9:00 AM sharp from base camp (coordinate will be provided later).
(it will take 25-30 minutes to get from the nearest ADNOC to the meeting point, so be fueled and ready to leave) the Marshal/Team Leader will guide you to the camp will not wait for late arrivals so Team Leaders (Advance drivers), your team is your responsibility (part of trip management).
8:30 AM: All participants will be briefed and provided with maps and co-ordinate lists

9:00 AM: Start Your Engines THE EVENT WILL BEGIN
Driving duration: 5-6 hours
4:00 PM: All teams should be heading back to base camp ARRIVING NO LATER THAN 4:30PM
5:00 PM: Scoring and feedback.

Late afternoon / Evening – for those who wish to stay, some of us may BBQ or sit and chat.

IF YOU WISH TO PARTICIPATE PLEASE REGISTER.

PLEASE READ THIS WHOLE POST TO UNDERSTAND WHAT IS INVOLVED.

The aim is to get teams working together, learning navigation, convoy and time management and being mostly self-sufficient, while spending a fun and adventurous day.
The teams will be selected by Marshal/Explorer whom will be looking after your, guiding you & transferring his knowledge to you, please make the most of this amazing learning experience.

TEAM LEADERS: 
Team Leaders need to CHECK carefully THE EQUIPMENT LIST and ensure all team members have all the required equipment, any team with missing equipment will NOT be allowed to participate. No equipment means no drive (and that includes a correct spare tire).

ALL vehicles should be in top notch condition, please inspect your vehicles & make sure all required services & fixtures are done couple of days before the event.
Members on the waiting list if you want to join at the base camp, you are more than welcome, we will have a nice gathering, just let us know beforehand. We do not want people turning up on their own as the area will have many groups navigating the dunes, so safety is priority.
Notice: Please Check FAQ below for team formations

Scoring: There are two types of checkpoints:
Easy: less points for passing through them
Medium: you get more points passing through them, but they may be further or in more testing areas.
Important notice: Any team arriving after the finish time will be penalized in points for every minute of delay.
The Terrain: In General, the whole area where the event will be located is easy to moderate in difficulty.

Rules:
Each team should be completely self-sufficient; you should carry your own supplies, GPS’s and recovery gear.
Your team should be able to deal with tire pop-outs, broken flags and other off-road related incidents. With the exception of mechanical breakdowns & accidents, that require physical assistance from the organizers.
You are to travel with your convoy at all times and in convoy (single file). If you are in a situation where you have to break your convoy you have to alert the organizers otherwise you will be disqualified from the event.
If you are late in the morning you will be also penalized.

How to register:
Register on the trip, members will register individually first, then teams will be formed by the event organizers/Marshals. Each team will have a supporting Marshal/Explorer to ensure the teams safety.

 What equipment do I need? (The list is mandatory for safety and good practice)
GPS device (mandatory 1, preferably 2 for each team) or alternative mobile applications. Waypoints will be given in DDM format "Degrees, Decimal Minutes" (make sure you know how to change the format & use DDM).

Flag and pole (for each team member)
Communication device (for each team member)
Recovery equipment to include as a minimum rated snatch strap, rated shackles, gloves, spade, jack, jack plate d. spare tire (matching size for your car)
Vehicle to have suitable recovery points front and back

Pressure gauge & deflator
Basic first aid kit
Air compressor (at least 2 per team)
Pen or pencil

 **AD4X4 Trip Rules Apply

By agreeing to register for this trip you have read, understood and agreed to the AD4x4 Club Indemnity.

If you have any questions, please contact the following Marshals:

FidoDido: 050 200 1035

PHARAOH: 052 677 3115

Tompa-Bjorka: 050 580 5045

Wassim: 050 592 2235

Shiroy: 054 777 7899

Wish you an unforgettable experience, Good Luck.