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Driving lesson with off-road zone

Driving off road is one of life’s many pleasures in the UAE. With vast stretches of desert just a short distance from Dubai, it’s a pastime many people enjoy – but one not everyone masters instantly. Whether it’s a lack of confidence on the dunes or getting to grips with the gears, everything is made easy at Off-Road Zone’s Off-Road Drive course at Jebel Ali, so we grabbed our keys and put our 4×4 through its paces.

WHAT IS IT?

Off-Road Drive is a purpose-built car assault course set up within the grounds of the Jebel Ali Shooting Club. Drivers have to tackle a number of challenges, including potholes (to test suspension), a curved hill (to learn how to prevent getting stuck) and a summit (to know where to stop on a dune) among other things.

While the course may look easy, it does test your nerves at times – especially while tackling the log hill, where we were warned the car might bounce off it. Not surprisingly, I was more than a little relieved when we made it over to the other side in one piece.

JUST LIKE THE REAL THING?

While the course does not fully represent the conditions you can experience in the open desert, the principles are the same. The soft sand area is a great test for turning on the gas round corners and teaches you how to avoid grinding the tyres in the sand.

And don’t worry, an instructor is in the car at all times offering tips and explaining techniques such as the difference between four wheel drive high and low, as you steer round the obstacles.

EXTRA TESTS

Team work is encouraged throughout the session with passengers offering encouragement and guidance to the driver. They are particularly helpful in pointing out posts during the reverse drive but are put to the test during the blindfold challenge. Co-drivers must guide drivers through the potholes, which didn’t go well for my team as I veered more towards the posts than the potholes.

Overall, though, this is a great day to get to grips with your car and learn the techniques before they are needed for real.

HOW DO I BOOK?

Visit www.off-roadzone.com or call 050 774 2346. The course costs Dh750 per person with discounts for group bookings. Customers can take their own car or use a supplied one.