2cvTravel


Raid Afrique of 1973

Raid Afrique of 1973

Raid Afrique of 1973

2CV - DYANE 6 - ACADIANE - MÉHARI

II. THE TEAM

SAND
Driving on sand requires even more visual awareness. You must anticipate where the vehicle needs to be steered continiously, while far as possible, maintaining a good constant speed, and avoiding any braking. If you have to stop, you must do it very slowly to avoid getting the car stuck. Short stretch: take the sand with a maximum of impetus and power.
Long stretch: in this case, the tyres may be deflated down to 1/3 of their normal highway pressure. Often the successful crossing of stretches of sand mainly depends on inflation pressure. But you should know that by deflating your tyres you put them at the mercy of a puncture at the first stone you meet. As the tyres must be re inflated once back on hard ground (dirt, rocks, gravel), this implies that you are equipped with a pressure gauge and a tyre pump (capable of being set on a sand mat for use on sand). Moreover, if you have a fast car, you will have to refrain from driving at too great a speed on under-inflated tyres as this will cause them to overheat. Use the variations in the level of the land to the maximum, while avoiding tracks and deep ruts and inclines in the dunes. Chose places where vegetation is growing, if there is any.

Attention: getting stuck in the sand is always possible and must not under any circumstances be considered a dishonour. Bearing in mind that getting stuck is almost inevitable, you must not persist in futile efforts of going forward but stop before the vehicle is too deeply buried. “Rocking” between forward and reverse gears should NEVER be entertained; it only bogs down the vehicle even more and makes its extrication more difficult, without mentioning the danger of serious transmission damage. Get out of the car, study the situation, dig it out, put sand mats under the drive wheels (or a sack, branches, etc.) start slowly with someone pushing if possible. In all cases, avoid getting excited, which will result in hasty and disorganised moves that will only make the situation worse.

CONVOY
On unsurfaced roads, keep your “dust distance”. Keep out of the dust from the vehicle in front and maintain constant visibility. This distance is based first on the density of the dust raised by the preceding vehicle and second, on the wind direction. On long stretches on firm sand (of the Ténéré type), vehicles may spread out several metres on each side of one another to avoid driving in the tracks or the dust raised by the tyres of those ahead. In this case, the vehicles must follow a line strictly parallel to the track of the lead vehicle. Never try to take short cuts, which will upset the driving order and frequently leads to getting lost. Many vehicles have become lost because of a dip in the terrain suddenly hiding
the convoy from the view they had been keeping in the distance. In such a case it is imperative to follow one’s own trail backwards until one finds the trail of the convoy. Nothing is a deceptive as the contours of the Sahara; a “hamada” that seems perfectly flat is sometimes covered with valleys. In addition, it is very difficult to appraise distance in the desert.
While driving in a convoy, if the first vehicle gets stuck, the next vehicle must not try to pass to show that he is more talented, nor stop close by and risk getting stuck as well. He should stop before the soft zone and on foot explore a possible passage to be taken once the first vehicle is freed.

CAMPING
The vehicle should be parked so as to protect the occupants from the wind during the night. To provide for changes in wind direction during the night, the sleepers should always set up their cot with their head next to the side of the car or a wheel, to keep the sometimes very chilly breezes from blowing into their sleeping bags. It is not always essential to use a tent, as pitching it and taking it down are sometimes sources of added and often unnecessary fatigue. Transporting a tent, stakes, etc. is also and added load on the car. Sleeping on the bare ground is not recommended because of insects, scorpions, snakes, etc., or thorny vegetation. Under no circumstances should a fire to be made near the vehicle. Driving time in the Sahara: departure at sunrise (equipment loaded, coffee drunk), meal break between 9 and 10 o’clock (45 minutes), end of the day’s run about 5 pm., setting up of camp, dinner, bed about 6 or 6:30 pm. One or two rest and re grouping stops will be planned each day and agreed on before departure.