MagicMtnDan
FRF Addict
Awesome thread TP - thanks for doing this.
I've been involved in getting Raptor owners together for desert runs since the Raptors first came out.
And each time I did it I made sure we did a driver's "meeting" to discuss the ground rules and etiquette and potential dangers. I even handed out pre-printed sheets with key info on it.
Perhaps my biggest concern (and a number have been mentioned so far) is driver experience.
These are generalizations but take them for what they're worth (if this is you please pay attention):
For the most part, NO Raptor owners have previous off road experience.
For the most part, NO Raptor owners have any high-speed off road experience (or on road, for that matter - I'm not talking about freeway driving - I'm referring to closed road courses).
And for the most part, any high-speed off road experience Raptor owners do have may not be useful at all unless the driver realized how quickly he can get into trouble at speed.
These are big, heavy trucks and they're being driven in bad (bad but fun) conditions with limited visibility and on UNFAMILIAR terrain.
In a blink of an eye things can go very wrong and bad things can happen (and they do). A very fun day at a very fun event can quickly turn into an awful experience for you, your passenger(s) and for the group.
Being prepared is very important.
But UNDERSTANDING YOUR LIMITATIONS is paramount, IMO.
It's way too easy to drive beyond your limits and to be influenced by others in the group who may not be as safety conscious as you. (If you've ever ridden street bikes in a group you know what I'm talking about - group influence and peer pressure can really cause bad things to happen).
I've been involved in getting Raptor owners together for desert runs since the Raptors first came out.
And each time I did it I made sure we did a driver's "meeting" to discuss the ground rules and etiquette and potential dangers. I even handed out pre-printed sheets with key info on it.
Perhaps my biggest concern (and a number have been mentioned so far) is driver experience.
These are generalizations but take them for what they're worth (if this is you please pay attention):
For the most part, NO Raptor owners have previous off road experience.
For the most part, NO Raptor owners have any high-speed off road experience (or on road, for that matter - I'm not talking about freeway driving - I'm referring to closed road courses).
And for the most part, any high-speed off road experience Raptor owners do have may not be useful at all unless the driver realized how quickly he can get into trouble at speed.
These are big, heavy trucks and they're being driven in bad (bad but fun) conditions with limited visibility and on UNFAMILIAR terrain.
In a blink of an eye things can go very wrong and bad things can happen (and they do). A very fun day at a very fun event can quickly turn into an awful experience for you, your passenger(s) and for the group.
Being prepared is very important.
But UNDERSTANDING YOUR LIMITATIONS is paramount, IMO.
It's way too easy to drive beyond your limits and to be influenced by others in the group who may not be as safety conscious as you. (If you've ever ridden street bikes in a group you know what I'm talking about - group influence and peer pressure can really cause bad things to happen).
Last edited:
