15 Dec 06
Steering on sand is hardly what I'd call accurate. You turn the wheels and then a few moments later they act against the compacted sand like a rudder to bring the back end of the car around - experts say it's much like steering a powerboat through water. It requires quick reactions and good armfuls of lock to change direction, and you have to keep your thumbs outside of the wheel rim otherwise you'll end up with a couple of broken digits in no time.
Stopping on the shifting surface is very easy - but if you want to be able to get moving again without having to resort to some sand tracks or a good old shovel, then the best advice is to stop facing downhill. That way, at least gravity is on your side once you get the wheels turning.
Still, why would you want to stop when charging over crests, barrelling along the slope of the longer dunes and catching some air over unforeseen dips is one of the most fun things you can do behind the wheel of a car?
Well, if you want to keep your car in a reasonable condition, then it's best to come to a controlled stop at the crest of the bigger dunes and plan a safe route down, otherwise that aforementioned dip might just rip off your rear bumper. Luckily, a well placed boot put it right, but the parking sensor had certainly seen better days.
