When BARBOUR ALL TERRAIN TRACKING LTD was approached by Mercedes-Benz Middle East & Levant to help it launch its first compact SUV, the GLK, it was a series of first for the company.
With considerable experience of more rugged of-road machinery, the task was to put together a route that fulfilled the Dubai-based Mercedes-Benz operations requirements and brief to tick a number of boxes so that regional journalists understood that although the new Mercedes GLK was a compact SUV, it performed like a sedan on road yet had more than enough capability off-road.
Mercedes-Benz had already chosen a location for the event, Salalah in Oman, and following a number of recce trips starting in May 2008, and 16 days of route finding, Duncan Barbour came up with a 285 kilometre route that more than satisfied the manufacturer’s expectations that it delight and excite the Middle East journalists whose experiences off-road ranged from zero to expert.
The brief was to create a route that was about 80 % on road and 20% off road with the off road section being made up of gravel tracks and a section of very technical off road trail. The route also had to provide elements of interest that would keep the journalists engaged during their days adventure behicnd the wheel of the new GLK.
Starting at sea level on the shore of the Indian Ocean, the route wound its way along a spectacular shoreline to the former summer palace of the Queen of Sheba, Khor Ruri, before riding some 1300 metres into the Dhofar Mountains and returning some eight hours later to the event hotel via a challenging eight-kilometre off-road section that set its own challenges for the drivers and the cars.
The route took in 1300 metre views off the cliffs above Mirbat and showcased some of the unique features of the Dhofar region. These included the Baobab forest above the Magic road to the varied terrain of the hills and Nahj, the stony plateau influenced once a year by the local monsoon called the Khareef. This results in what would normally be a very green lush environment in places but the Khareef this year was not as wet as usual so therefore not as green as previous years.
Always finish on a high is one of BATT’s mottos and Duncan and Bob had organised some driving for the end of the day which is more commonly known as ‘Wadi Bashing’ in the Middle East. However Wadi it was but Bashing it wasn’t! The route created by Duncan and Bob was technically difficult in places and with only millimeters of clearance as the vehicles climbed over steep rock steps and twisted their way through gullies ‘Wadi Bashing’ was not the order of the day if the journalists were to keep their vehicles in one piece.
‘Drive as slow as possible and as fast as necessary’ were Duncans’ instructions. Expert spotting from Duncan and Bob and keeping the speed down meant all the journalists were able to make the most of the excellent off road abilities of the Mercedes GLK. The general consensus from all participants was that their driving experience in the GLK and in Oman exceeded their expectations. Some were extremely surprised to the capabilities of the vehicle and couldn’t believe how rugged the route was that they completed.
Above all Health and Safety was a key requirement and as usual BARBOUR ALL TERRAIN TRACKING LTD made sure the event was run to European Health and Safety standards with all the participants required to sign a form to say that they had read and understood the extensive Risk Assessment Report for the driving route. There was also a requirement to fill in a medical history form so that the doctor who accompanied each wave had instant first response information in case of an accident. The Safety element of the event was also further reinforced by a very comprehensive pre drive Safety briefing before the journalists even got the keys for their car for the day.
After many weeks of hard work, the event was a huge success with Mercedes-Benz highly satisfied with the feedback received on the car and event and BARBOUR ALL TERRAIN TRACKING LTD perfectly matching the original brief of� ‘Expect the Unexpected’ and confirming the tag line for the vehicle….. The New Mercedes GLK ‘The Unexpected.”
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Photos:
Jorge Ferrari… http://www.ferrari-photos.com/
