Ras al Hamra Off Road
Adventure Club (ORAC)
5th Extreme Wahiba
Challenge
6th & 7th February 2015.
The Challenge
Thursday 5th February
Drive a short wheel base (SWB) car along Eastern margin of the Wahiba (Al Sharqiya) desert
from a point near to WC12 start point to a pre-determined camping spot and camp overnight
(~60 km South of starting point).
Friday 6th February
Continue driving south to the end point at which stage participants either follow the given
tracks to the main highway at Qurun or follow the bedu track northwards to Bani Bu Ali.
The detailed instructions containing waypoint coordinates and tracks will be issued to all
participants at a later stage.
ORAC aims to provide an Extreme Challenge for the Fifth time to those off-road adventurers
who may need a more challenging route compared to the regular Wahiba Challenge. Due to
the nature of the crossing only teams with WC veterans and modified vehicles will be allowed
to take part. Be brave, think quickly and choose a challenging path you make yourself -do not
follow roads or previous tracks.
The GDB tracks and waypoints will be issued to Team Captains on completion of the
registration process. All teams are requested not to share this information with anyone
outside of their team.
The Extreme Wahiba Challenge is NOT a race
Night dune crossing is NOT allowed during the Wahiba Extreme Challenge. This means that
teams not able to reach the camp by17:30 will have to camp wherever they happen to be and
proceed with the crossing on the next day. Any team entering the campsite after the above
cutoff time will be disqualified from next year’s Extreme Wahiba Challenge.
Conditions for Applicants/Teams:
Proven WC Veterans. Minimum of 3 team members, including the captain must be two
times veterans of 2012, 2013 and 2014 Wahiba Challenges (we have the database). The
remaining 3 must be veterans of one of them.
Only short wheel base vehicles are allowed.
One winch per team is mandatory.
Minimum of 2 kinetic ropes and minimum 4 or 5 regular type tow rope per team.
Team size is 4 vehicles -6 participants or 5 vehicles -7 or 8 participants
Registration cost is OMR10 per applicant
Limited number of teams allowed, First Come First Serve Basis
Participant’s minimum age is 18
To encourage a safe driving style and increase commitment, only cars owned by
participating team members may be used, so NO rentals and/or company vehicles are
allowed.
All vehicles must be officially registered in Oman.
At least 50%of your team must be RAHRC members.
Recommendations
All drivers should have experienced at least five dune crossings.
Team members must have good mechanical knowledge.
Equipment
Teams should organize their own equipment. Primarily, this should consist of a suitable
vehicle, Minimum of 4GPS units, a satellite phone and recovery equipment such as sand
ladders, dynamic/kinetic tow ropes (at least one per car), spades, air compressor etc. ORAC
has equipment to lend on a first come, first served basis. A list of equipment can be obtained
from our website. Participants are responsible for determining their own vehicle's fuel
requirements, so bring extra 2 jerry cans if needed. In our experience, crossings with Jeep
Wranglers need two jerry cans.
Make sure that your GPS is set to Oman datum and can read UTM coordinates.
Registration
Deadline is Thursday 22nd February 18:00 PM
Team Captains or deputies are to reply to the announcement email with:
Completed team details (spread sheet enclosed)
Scanned copies of RAHRC membership cards
Scanned copies of signed indemnity forms (one per participant)
Scan of the car’s insurance letter or registration card
All required documents must be submitted electronically before the deadline (no paper work
this year). There is no qualification event this year as the ORAC Committee consider
that clear guidance is being provided to experienced drivers who will recognize the
value of the information provided. If individuals decide to ignore that advice they do
so, potentially, at their own peril!
Insurance coverage/ Accident regulation
As stated in the attached Indemnity Form, neither the Organizing Committee, nor the Ras Al
Hamra Recreation Centre, nor PDO, nor our sponsors can be held responsible for any injuries,
loss, damage, etc. which could potentially be sustained during ORAC events. Comprehensive
insurance coverage for yourself, your co-drivers, your passengers, your vehicle and other
property is highly recommended. It is also advisable for every team to work out a plan to deal
with types of accidents which could be associated with driving off road (e.g. how to deal with
ROP, insurance, each other, etc.).
Recovery during the Wahiba Extreme Challenge
ORAC will not provide any recovery service, so every team will have to be completely selfreliant.
Need a Team?
If you have difficulties in finding or forming a team, the ORAC distribution list can be used to
find those looking for additional team members.