PARTNER INTERVIEW: OFF ROAD MASTERS LTD, LANDROVER EXPERIENCE EAST ENGLAND

With Landrover's all terrain technology, they are perfect for off-road driving. No matter the conditions, these cars can be pushed further than you would expect, making 4x4 driving extremely popular and adrenaline-fuelled! Off Road Masters is situated in the grounds of Rockingham Castle, and 17 years on from it's creation, we wanted to know more about this supplier and the number of experiences they provide. 

1. How did Off Road Masters begin? 

It was formed from Pro Trax Off Road Adventures to deliver training, which was created in 1993 Off Road Masters was formed in 2002 to work with Land Rover Experience as one of their 6 exclusive franchises in the UK.

2. How do your staff make experiences fun yet safe?

Our instructors go through extensive training, and staff are hand-picked, as it is not just about driving skills and knowledge but what previous experience they have, including driving on different terrains all around the world. A huge part of their critical skills is the ability to communicate well with all people at all levels, and in some cases, they need to have theatrical skills to really bring the best out of the guests. Our professional instructors are what helps to set us apart from the rest.

3. What would your experts say are the top 3 tips for beginners who are trepidatious about 4x4 driving?

Look risk and assess the area, weather and other potential hazards

Slow as possible and as fast as necessary

Don’t overdrive your vehicle: understand your and your vehicle's capabilities

Believe in your instructor and vehicle's capabilities, listen to what they are telling you – trust in them

4. What are your most memorable moments?

Too many to mention, but we run several corporate events with a wide spread of abilities taking part and the new words we didn’t even know existed are phenomenal. 

However, our greatest achievement is our work with aid workers and NGO's in hostile environments, and knowing that the training/skills we have given them has helped save their lives.

We work closely with all Blue Light services, special forces and many other public sector organisations, giving them the tools to perform to their absolute best.

5. Talk us through the different courses you have and their scales of difficulty

All our courses are delivered on a progressive learning scale. As the guest’s confidence and abilities grow, we change up the difficulty factor.

A 1-hour taster is a great way to give someone an opportunity to whet their appetite on the off-road course, fuelling their desire to do more and be challenged more.  Then there are 4 basic options available, full day or half day adventures, which are divided into shared or sole occupancy.  Shared occupancy is where the voucher recipient or client can be put into a vehicle with up to 2 other voucher recipients and the instructor. Sole occupancy is where the voucher recipient/client has the vehicle and instructor to themselves, and can be bring along up to 2 guests to be passengers or drive if required.

Full day courses include lunch at a country inn.

All the adventures cover the same ground: Drops, steeper drops, climbs, side slopes, axle twisters, ruts, rut crossing, wading, technical sections and understanding 4x4 mechanicals and modern electronic driving aids. However, the full day courses can go more in-depth, and give the driver a chance to move on to more testing terrain and obstacles.

Driving time: On a half-day, it is normally 2 hours 10 minutes total. On a full day, it can be over 5 hours, but it of course depends on if the voucher is sole or shared. If shared, driving time will be diluted. 

Half Day - Introductory Course: With the focus on enjoyment as well as an introduction to the basics of off-road driving, this half-day course gives you a taste of what Land Rover vehicles can do, and will undoubtedly whet your appetite for more ambitious off-roading. This is a perfect solution for newcomers to off-road driving, and those wanting to get to know how to get the best from their vehicle.

Full Day Experience: A full-day course covers the necessary skills to drive a vehicle off-road (observation, planning and manoeuvring) while tackling obstacles such as water, steep inclines, side slopes, ruts, ditches and (weather permitting) mud, glorious mud.

Advanced Experience: An advanced experience is open to those who have successfully completed the Level 1 Experience. Building on experience already gained, this advanced course extends and hones driving skills on more extreme terrain. This is an intensive and challenging course.   

6. What are your favourite tracks and why?

The instructors have named several of the areas: Elephants Foot Prints, Smelly Pants (no explanation needed!), and Bungles Hole. Wow Factor and Badgers (40ft almost 1:1) are a few more.  All of them are challenging, and test vehicles and drivers. Our extensive and exhilarating site has been developed to progressively bring out the best of the driver and vehicles.

7. How would you say you differentiate yourself to other 4x4 driving experiences? 

We are a small, family-run business with a high level of professionalism. The standard of instructors, vehicles, site and centre is second to none. Our off-road site is one of the best in the country, offering a multitude of obstacles all set within the very substantial grounds of Rockingham Castle. The views are stunning, and add to the 'wow' factor on the day.