Quick look:
- ORIC – Off-Road In the City – is an inaugural event which allows owners of SUVs and pick-up trucks to experience the adventure lifestyle their vehicles are designed for.
- The ORIC site at MAEPS outside Kuala Lumpur has a specially-designed course that will allow off-road driving in safety.
If you own a SUV or pick-up truck – as many do these days – you’ve probably wondered if it can really be driven off-road, not just crossing a flooded stretch after a heavy downpour or crashing along a badly maintained road.
The answer is ‘yes’ in conditions that are not too muddy or rough. Even with only front-wheel drive available, most SUVs can easily travel over rough tracks as they have the ground clearance to avoid being damaged underneath.
The only thing is that the tyres on most SUVs today are the dual-purpose type which is designed for road use and mild off-road use. They are tougher than street tyres, have a bit more ‘bite’ in their tread designs but are also designed so they don’t make too much noise on the highway like the ‘hardcore’ off-road tyres.
For those who want to experience off-road driving, the inaugural ORIC (Offroad In The City) event which is on this long holiday weekend is just the place to do it. The core concept behind ORIC is to enable SUV owners (and truck owners) to experience off-road driving in a controlled and safe environment, with assistance on hand.
ORIC is held at the Malaysia Agro Exposition Park Serdang (MAEPS) outside Kuala Lumpur. This huge 130-hectare site was originally established by the Ministry of Agriculture and Agro-based Industry to serve as a centre for agro-based events. Over the years, some areas have also been used for other activities like ORIC, drift sessions, advanced driving and its halls have also hosted the Malaysia Auto Show.
The organisers of ORIC have created an off-road course with different trails that any SUV should be able to tackle. The course has 2 distinct driving environments: an SUV ‘Softroad’ Track designed for standard, factory-spec family crossovers, and a more technical 4×4 Offroad Track tailored for proper the hardcore 4×4 machines.
SUV drivers will be able to experience active safety systems things like traction control and intelligent transfer of torque in the slippery conditions. They’ll also appreciate the extra ground clearance as they clear bumps without scraping the bottom. Some SUVs also have cameras that show the ground ahead or under the vehicle – a great feature for crossing rocky or rough ground.
While you can just drive there and enjoy the off-road course all day (a fee is charged), there are also other activities on-site for the SUV lifestyle. Owners can camp overnight under the stars at safe and clean spots, which can be a new experience for families.
With many of the latest fully electric SUVs, there’s also a feature known as ‘vehicle-to-load’ (V2L) which allows the electricity from the battery to be used to power external devices and equipment. And for those who prefer to sleep inside the EV, it’s now possible to have the air-conditioner running the whole night – without noise and exhaust pollution, or running out of fuel.
Various clubs will also be present so there’s an opportunity to meet those who have already made off-roading a part of their lifestyle. Some car companies also have booths where their latest models can be tested and there are also used SUVs and trucks available for purchase.
The ORIC event wraps up tomorrow evening (Monday, June 1). If you’re interested in going, click here for Google Maps directions to get to MAEPS or visit www.oric.my for more information.
