Almost4x4

Great opportunity to discover our skills

I am still buzzing from the incredible energy and success of yesterday’s event! It was nothing short of extraordinary, and I am in awe of the seamless execution and meticulous planning that made it such a standout experience.

A special and heartfelt thank you to Solmaz, our visionary Founder, whose leadership and unwavering support continue to inspire us all. Your guidance and belief in our team have been instrumental in shaping us into the capable, confident group we are today.

To the Marshalls, your expertise and dedication during the training sessions were invaluable. You equipped us with the skills and knowledge we needed to rise to the occasion, and it showed in every detail of the event. Your patience, insights, and encouragement truly made a difference.

And to everyone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes—thank you! The countless hours of preparation, attention to detail, and sheer effort you poured into this event did not go unnoticed. It was a true testament to teamwork, passion, and commitment.

Yesterday was a powerful reminder of what we can achieve when we come together with a shared purpose. I feel incredibly grateful to be part of such an inspiring and dedicated team.


The GPS Challenge was an unforgettable adventure—one that tested our endurance, strategy, and decision-making skills.

Our team, led by Ahmed Hasan, included Sanad and myself. Our plan was set the night before at the campsite, ensuring we were fully prepared for the challenge ahead. At 6:00 AM, I woke up, lit the fire, and gathered the team for breakfast, setting the tone for a strong start to the day.

By 8:00 AM, we attended the Marshal’s briefing, took a group picture, and strategized our approach. Once the challenge began, we moved swiftly, tackling the toughest checkpoints first to maximize efficiency while staying ahead of the sun’s intensity.

As the sun climbed higher, we entered the technical zone, where hidden and more challenging points awaited. Time was slipping away, and we made the crucial decision to adjust our approach. Just when we thought we had things under control, a new challenge emerged—we spent valuable time navigating rough terrain and, to top it off, suffered a tire pop out on slope.

This experience reinforced two key leadership lessons:
Decision-making under pressure is critical—while GPS guidance is essential, your choices and adaptability matter most.
Remaining calm is a game-changer—composure in high-pressure situations allows for clearer thinking and better outcomes.

Other skills can be honed over time, but these two—leadership and resilience—are at the heart of success in challenges like this.

This event was more than just a competition; it was a testament to perseverance, teamwork, and strategic thinking. I am proud of what we accomplished and grateful for the lessons learned along the way.

Dear Almosters
The 3rd GPS Challenge was an unforgettable event. Held this year in a new location, known for being a beautiful place for viewing the Milky way.
I arrived just after dark at around 7pm after an uneventful drive from Dubai. There were a few early birds already establishing camp when I arrived. We set the campfire and settled in around the fire where many campfire “stories” were shared.
I headed off to my camp spot around 11pm. It was cold! very cold 10C with a chilling wind. I had decided against pitching a tent, instead opting for sleeping in the passenger seat of the car. I ran the heater at full blast for a few min and warmed up the interior, reclined the passenger seat and managed to sleep soundly until the alarm at 630am.
Rejoining the group around the fire for coffee and breakfast.
The briefing started on time and before long the course documents were shared, and it was time to load coordinates into our GPS and head off.
Our Team named Garmin1 was quite appropriate as only I was using Garmin, my teammates @aknigge and @mrwkassem were both relying on Gaia app on their phones. They were able to load the coordinates much faster than me. We were I think the last team to leave the camp – however it was our plan from the outset to take a tortoise and hare approach – slow and steady.
We headed off into the southeast direction, hitting the access track and then making a right turn into the dunes – the area was quite technical, and the sand was the softest I think I have ever experienced. Within our first hour we had recorded 5 from 9:22 to 10:39am so we were off to a good start at a good pace. And with 4 toys in our possession.
Unfortunately, from here things started to unravel, one of our cars started to have electrical/mechanical issues with a complete lack of power. This resulted in a couple of stucks requiring Viking rope recoveries as the car was unable to climb even tiny dunes.
We tried everything but the annoying engine light would not go away – eventually we had to contact the base camp and ask for the assistance of @Rashidjass . After a long wait and an early lunch break @Rashidjass and @Ehab arrived like the cavalry to save the day.
Much electrical tape, duct tape and contact cleaner spray later and we were all set to rejoin the challenge, alas it was not to be, after only a few meters the problem returned, this repeated 2 or 3 times – in the end we had to admit defeat and head back to camp.
With only 5 points to our name obviously we were not placed in the top 3. However, we did have an exceptionally wonderful experience all credit to @aknigge for leading and much respect to @mrwkassem for stepping up, driving a temperamental car, and managing the soft sand and technical dunes like a pro!
A huge thank you to @Solmaz for all the hard work organising the event, to the marshals who come together and assisted with setting out the course and being on hand at the base camp to coordinate and help the challengers @Agalon @Rashidjass @Daggerfall , @Mabubaker @Scorpio @Barish of course our infamous founder @alshamsi_m

Congratulations to the winners, to all the challengers and commiserations to those who were not so lucky at the end of the day.
This was a fantastic event that highlights the amazing effort and commitment of our Marshalls to ensure Almost4x4 is the best off road club in the region.

Not enough ways and words to describe the GPS Challenge experience, it is truly one of a kind.

Preps started weeks ahead of the event, discussions with the TAM-TAM team, all the trip reports etc. However, one simply cannot comprehend the size, scale and of course quality of this exceptionally well planned event by Solmaz, Abu Salem and all the supporting marshalls. I was suggested to camp overnight considering the long day ahead, and ensuring proper rest and full focus during the gruelling drive. So, two firsts for me, the challenge itself and camping with the Almost4X4 crew.

Everything packed and ready the night before, day had finally arrived. Left home late evening, multiple stops for coffee and a final stop at the last ADNOC. Here I met a fellow participant, Kuba, and we decided to drive together taking the Razeen road to camp. Pitch dark, no street lights and nearly an hour to campsite. Once we reached the meeting point, we decided to find our way, which led to a mini adventure and somewhat lost in the middle of nowhere only to find a other Almost4X4 member, Shehzad, trying to figure his way to camp. Few minutes of mapping out the final point, we made our way to the camp and reached at around 11ish pm. A few members, including Rashid, Solmaz, TAM TAM and others were still awake, with a nice and warm bonfire. Some tea, chit chats and visit from a "tiny friend" brought the night to an end. We setup our tents, weather was getting chilly, and I barely slept that night. Excitement, uncertainty, and the freezing cold weather had me waking up every hour. The early start was accompanied by a beautiful sunrise, another bonfire and bodyfuel to get us started for the challenge.

Solmaz gathered all the team members for a very detailed briefing and at around 8-815, we headed into the vast plains of the desert. Fellow members, @Aljamhi and Ahmed2dxb, both of whom I had driven with on several occasions, were brilliant comrades. Navigating, leading, from point to point as we encountered various terrains. After the first 3 points, strategy was shifted to focus on the red pins, and we then dealt with what was some of the softest sands I'd had ever driven on. Soft sands, some big dunes and then technical dunes, it was a full platter! Despite of the nature of this challenge, we there were no major hiccups, but the usual second tries, a few recoveries and some intense moments of sprinting against other teams to grab the points we lost some time on the tough red points, and shifted the strategy to focus on points around the camp while making out way back, and then the delay hit us. A pop out.

After fixing it, we made our way back to camp, reaching a little after the extra 30 mins buffer. Everyone gathered you, winners announced, celebrations and an unmatched community spirit!! This energy is what made the 8-hour offorad felt like a breeze:) Endless lessons learned, so many memories of a lifetime made.

A very heartfelt thank you to @Solmaz @alshamsi_m and rest of the marshalls @Rashidjass @Daggerfall @Agalon @Mabubaker @Mghoneim @Scorpio @Barish @Ehab for creating this incredibly unforgettable event

Hi Everyone
First of all, I would like to thank @Solmaz & everyone was participated for this well-organized challenge.
@alshamsi_m , @Rashidjass , @Scorpio , @Agalon , @Barish , Daggerfall , @Mabubaker.
Our team consisted of @Quique, @Moustafa & myself.
At 8:00 a.m. @Solmaz gathered the challengers to brief and give us the instructions, by 8:30 a.m. we start moving considering our "Gallopers" Team strategy was very simple: Let's have fun, play safe.
We crossed the sand using all the skills which we learned before, we succeeded to reach 10 points only.
I believe that the all the challenge tams are winners not only the 1st team specially that all the teams reached back to the camp point safely.
Finally, congratulation to the winners & see you all soon.

Hi everyone!

This was my third and last GPS challenge competing.

To me, it has been the best so far considering significant number of teams (9, if I am not mistaken), there were no accidents at all (just one car breakdown), terrain was very challenging, and weather was perfect.

And I am saying that it is my last for a simple reason, now it is time for others to win or at least to be in the podium and it is not fair for our intermediate/newbie fellas to compete against more experienced drivers. I realized that when I saw the results and felt sorry about them.

Nevertheless, it was an amazing experience and unexpected challenge as I thought that it would have been like the previous editions with a “forgiveness” terrain which was not the case this time with a sort of a massive Eggs in the Basket area.

My team comprising Sharhan and Alex performed very well and hope that they will end up leading convoys in next GPS editions to come. We had a great time driving and entertaining the competition.

Next year, if joining, I will take it easy and will try to join Marco’s team for a 2 hours lunch break.

Thanks a lot @Solmaz for making my favourite event happening every year and all marshals, crew and founder for their time and dedication.

See you soon

P.S. I almost forget, congrats to Imran and his silent stormers for a deserved victory!

They say second place is just first place… but with extra heartbreak. And boy, did we feel that heartbreak in GPS Challenge 2024. We were so close to glory, we could practically taste the victory champagne (okay, maybe just the victory Gatorade). But no! Fate had other plans, and we landed in the soul-crushing-yet-motivating second place.

So when GPS Challenge 2024 ended, and we stood on that cruel, heartless, cold second-place podium, I made a vow: Never again.

The moment we stepped off that podium in 2024, my brain went “Activate GPS Domination Mode” for 2025. From that moment, my mind transformed into a strategic war room. 2025 planning started before the dust even settled on 2024. Forget mourning, forget resting—we had UNFINISHED BUSINESS.

Last year, I was the newbie, the apprentice, the Padawan of GPS sorcery, still figuring out what a compass actually does. But this year? My training arc was complete. I evolved like a Pokémon into an INTERMEDIATE. That’s right, no more rookie label for me! Time to pass on my questionable wisdom to the next generation.


Then, like clockwork, @Solmaz dropped the much-anticipated “IT’S TIME” post, and the GPS Challenge hype train left the station.



Now, to form a team, you don’t just pick people—you hand-select warriors.

Enter @Spyda . One drive with this guy, and I knew—I had found my newbie. I wasted zero time. I grabbed my phone, sent the world’s shortest message: “We ride at dawn.” Boom. Team locked.


But wait. PLOT TWIST.

Originally, it was me, @Msharhan , and @Spyda . Solid squad, right? But then we learned that even advanced members could join. That changed everything.

BIG BRAIN MOMENT

Me and @Msharhan had the same thought at the same time:

“What if… we REASSEMBLE last year’s squad but with a fresh rookie?”
“Bro. Say less.”


And that’s when I called @ImranFJ . Did I even need to explain why I was calling? NOPE. The man picked up and said, “I’m in.” Before I even spoke.

This guy was born ready.

And just like that, Silent Storm was born. A name so intimidating, even Google Maps would think twice before recalculating our route.



Now, here’s the crazy part—we NEVER actually drove together before race day. Not once. Our training consisted of exactly zero practice runs. Nada. Zilch. Pure unfiltered chaos.


Our strategy?

Step 1: Be your own boss.
Step 2: Never trust your teammates (even when they have the “I swear this is the wrong way” face).
Step 3: Drive like you stole it.
Step 4: Don’t think too hard—overconfidence is key.



AND IT WORKED.

We didn’t just podium—we DETHRONED LAST YEAR’S CHAMPIONS.

We won the whole thing.

GOLD.
TROPHY IN HAND.
LOOKING COOLER THAN EVER.

(Okay, fine, everyone who participated is technically a winner… but we got the physical, shiny, hold-it-above-your-head-and-gloat trophy, so… you do the math. )

Massive shoutout to @Solmaz , the marshals, and founder behind this event. Every year, you somehow manage to make this crazier and more intense.

But know this: We will be back.

In 2026, Silent Storm returns to defend the title. Or… we get so lost, we end up in another country. Either way, it’s gonna be legendary.



SEE YOU ALL IN THE SAND.

The GPS challenge was a highly anticipated event in the club calender and one I was very keen to do after missing eggs in basket due to work commitments.

Paddy approached me during Pink drive and asked if I wanted to be in a team with him. I agreed and silent storm team was in the making. After it was allowed to have an advanced member Imran came to lead us. We was all of the mindset to win this event and whatever it takes to get victory. Paddy and Imran had unfinished business as runners up from last year. As the newbie I felt that I could be the thing that makes or breaks this great team and for me it was making sure I didn't get myself into situations that would require us to waste time in rescue. We had a plan and formation I was 3rd car in the convoy, if Imran got into a soft patch or line was bad Paddy would lead me on a better line. After a while we switched and I took second lead, everything clicked and I could see Imran hitting bad soft areas. Without stopping I would take an alternative line with Paddy following me in case I got into a situation and he was quick to give me a pull on the viking. As second lead on tricky terrain I really come to appreciate what an amazing job Imran did leading us through that, but I also realised I have learnt the basics in how to read dunes and pick safe lines still much to learn.

The last hour Imran put the hammer down, we was flying across the desert and the flow was incredible. On our way to the last point we made the decision to just leave it and go back to camp. Better to leave 5 points then be too greedy and get a 50 points penalty or worse DQ for missing the time. We was quietly confident at this point we had a good score and it was just about getting back safely without getting stuck and on time.

If you had come to me a year ago or even 6 months ago and told me you are going to drive in a team and win the club's GPS challenge I would have humbly said no way I don't have the ability to do that yet.......... FFWD a year and with the Founders, Marshalls amazing drives, training and leadership I have developed enough basic skills to do this.

The area chosen for the challenge was beautiful, clean fresh sand. It offered various terrain with some very challenging soft technical areas, one lapse in concentration and the car would be swallowed by the sand. I can really appreciate the effort Solmaz, our founder and Marshalls must have gone too just to set this up. Can only imagine the hours they must have spent scouting and setting this up for us to participate in. So big thank you for this and looking forward to more events and drives

What an incredible experience the GPS Challenge was! Our team, Silent Storm, made up of me , Paddy, and Kareem took on the challenge with one goal in mind—winning.

Excitement for the event had been building for weeks. Everyone was preparing, discussing strategies, and looking forward to pushing themselves in the desert. The GPS Challenge is not just about driving, it’s about teamwork, strategy, and adapting to the ever-changing conditions of the dunes.

The night before the challenge, we arrived at the campsite. The atmosphere was great, with teams gathered around campfires, sharing stories, and memories. We knew that a good night’s rest was crucial so we set up our tents with the beautiful night sky.

At sunrise, we were up and ready. After a quick breakfast, we attended the marshal’s briefing. The rules were clear: find as many GPS points as possible, navigate through the terrain efficiently, and make it back to camp on time. With maps loaded and a plan in place, we were ready to go.

Our strategy was simple—stay smart, stay safe, and stay together. As soon as the challenge started, we moved quickly to grab some of the closest points first, knowing that the soft sand would become even trickier as the day went on.

The terrain was challenging—deep soft sand, high dunes, and tricky technical sections that required careful navigation. But our teamwork was on point. Kareem followed closely, reading the dunes and adjusting his line whenever necessary, while Paddy stayed sharp, making sure we were efficient with every decision.

We faced some intense moments, including areas where the sand was unexpectedly soft, forcing us to adapt our route. There were times when we had to make quick decisions—take a longer, safer path or risk a shortcut through difficult terrain. Every choice mattered, and we relied on each other’s instincts to make the right calls.

As the hours passed, We had a short lunch break and stayed hydrated throughout the day. The competition heated up. We saw other teams pushing hard, and we knew we had to maintain our pace without making costly mistakes. One wrong move, a stuck car, or a mechanical issue could cost us valuable time.


With time running out, we had a tough decision. Go for one more point or head back to camp to avoid penalties. We played it smart and decided to return, ensuring that we didn’t risk losing our hard earned score. As we raced back, the excitement built. We knew we had performed well, but would it be enough?

Back at camp, the results were announced, and Silent Storm had done it! We won! The feeling was unreal. hours of intense driving, and flawless teamwork had paid off. Standing on that podium, was an unforgettable moment.

Lessons Learned

The GPS Challenge wasn’t just about winning. It was a test of endurance, strategy, and teamwork. It taught us valuable lessons:
• Decision-making under pressure is key – Every choice, from the route we took to how we handled obstacles, played a role in our success.

• Communication and teamwork matter – Trusting each other’s judgment and supporting one another made all the difference.

• Adaptability is everything – No matter how well you plan, the desert always has surprises. Being able to adjust and keep moving forward was crucial.

A massive thank you to Solmaz, the marshals, and everyone who worked tirelessly to make this event happen. The effort that goes into planning and executing such a challenge is incredible, and we appreciate every detail that made it such a great experience.

In the end, the GPS Challenge 2025 was more than just a competition, it was a true test of skill, strategy, and teamwork. We gave it everything, and we’re incredibly proud to have come out on top. But beyond the victory, this experience was about the journey, the memories, and the passion we all share for the challenge. A huge congratulations to Carlos’s team for coming so close and for their incredible efforts throughout the challenge. I will see you next year at Marco’s picnic for a different strategy . In the end, we are all winners, because we pushed ourselves, supported each other, and created memories that will last a lifetime. Congratulations to everyone and Thank you again Solmaz!

Hi Guys,

My report comes a little late, but better than never, I guess.

As usual, my GPS Challenge adventure began a little earlier than everyone else’s.

The playground where we played the last two games was great, but this year, I wanted to cook up something different for you. So, Agalon, Daggerfall, and I scouted this new area a few months back and immediately knew it was exactly what we were looking for.

The new playground—beautifully described by the challengers above—offered a mix of the softest, most technical dunes, stunning patches of orange sand flats, and a few high dunes sprinkled in for good measure.

When we set the flags last week with Scorpio, Rashid, Optimus, and Agalon, we predicted that the number of points visited this year would be far lower than last year. And we were right.

Our winning team this year visited 19 points—a significant drop from the 29 points achieved in the previous location. This was a clear sign of a tougher terrain. This new playground didn’t reward the risk-takers or a direct “point-to-point” approach. And honestly, that was exactly the challenge we envisioned. We wanted our challengers to work the terrain, read the dunes, and build a smart strategy—using the land to their advantage rather than brute-forcing their way through.

Overall, every team performed brilliantly. We had ZERO accidents and only one minor technical issue, which unfortunately forced Garmin1 to leave the game early. We also had a few latecomers—probably too caught up in the thrill of the challenge to notice the time.

I did hear whispers of a legendary triple pop-out, though I never got the full story.

Offroad Outlaws had an especially rough turn of luck. Not only did they lose a team member at the very last minute, but they also mistakenly grabbed a stamp from the worst possible location—a deep, powdery technical nightmare. By the time they realized and notified us, turning back wasn’t an easy option. It was a shame because they had been doing great and looked like they could have challenged our winners, the Silent Storm. But instead of giving up, they faced the nightmare head-on and returned the stamp to its rightful place. It may have cost them the game, but in my eyes, they earned a chivalry award.

All points—except poor Point 10—were visited. Two points, in the busier section of the game area, disappeared—most likely claimed by curious campers.

It might sound a little crazy, considering how we all come from such different walks of life—some of you managing teams, running businesses, and leading in your own fields—but out here, in the dunes, we step into a different dynamic. And in that dynamic, I couldn’t be prouder of how well you all did.

Thank you all for an unforgettable day.

Solmaz