4x4 Training
With over 250 acres of land to use at Rockingham Castle and a 75 acre disused sandstone quarry nearby we have two of the largest off-road sites in the country, which is split into four specific areas.
The driver training course commences with a briefing in the classroom which explains the fundamentals of the 4x4 systems, i.e. part time and full time 4x4, wind-up, difflock use etc as well as covering other practices involved in off-roading. This normally requires 35 minutes before the client heads off on to the site for a visual demonstration of 4x4 drive systems.
After the initial technical briefing in the classroom, on the first training stage the drivers will be initiated into the basic skills to help build confidence and to acclimatise themselves into the features of off-road driving. They will be shown how to understand the difference between torque and power and how to use it while using the low box and other related controls. In this area the drivers will have to negotiate mild ditches, side slopes, climbs and descents with also rutted and extremely muddy tracks. This helps to build confidence in them and to understand the requirements of off-road driving and vehicle appreciation.
Stage Two is through a disused quarry cutting with water, rock climbs and steeper slopes to negotiate, this is a more confined area and encourages the client to sharpen his reflexes and develop his ground reading skills and approach angles. Which are imperative when choosing the correct gears and the right amount of throttle, maximising the throttle control and negotiating the best route the vehicle should take.
Our main training ground is a disused sandstone quarry covering nearly 80 acres and is a totally different type of terrain to Rockingham castle and is suitable throughout the year as traction is never a problem in this area. This site has everything from deep water to steep climbs, mud and rocky areas, technical sections to test even the most experienced drivers and plenty of hard sandy hills to test the vehicles climbing abilities.
For Stage Three the drivers enter the Adventure Drive area and it will soon become clear why so many magazines use this area as a photographic location and why the British Team use it for advanced training in readiness for expeditions. Here one could be almost anywhere in the world as some of the areas have an almost jungle-like quality about them - civilisation seems many miles away!
The drivers will be encouraged to drive through these incredible tracks using their newly acquired skills to conquer the woodland terrain. As they drive through the woods twisting and turning, tackling technical sections to test new found skills and all while negotiating breathtaking climbs and descents through the undergrowth.
One will feel not only the rush of pure adrenaline, but also the sense of personal achievement as it becomes clear that with the correct tuition and with all safety precautions accounted for it is possible to drive in areas which previously would have been judged as impassable.
And then to Stage Four - the Trials Area - where the drivers can put all their new found skills and confidence to the test. It is here they will drive over a designated route through the valleys, over the hills, down into the mud and ruts and through axle-twisters hidden in the bushes. Now all the previous training can be put into practice! Before the wading techniques!
Stage five is where we cover wading techniques; we first go over vehicle preparation with a visual check and demonstration. This is followed by an explanation into the techniques applied when wading or fording rivers etc, this is followed by several attempts at wading through water of varying depths
The day ends at 4.00pm with a debrief and the presentation of certificates and “aid de memoirs”. Please remember that with Pro-Trax’s expertise in all fields off 0ff-road driving and our experience worldwide we can cater for specific personal requirements.
Half Day Training Session £135
Full Day Training Session £235
