Let’s Get Dirty
Off-Road Driving Tours are like on-highway driving tours, but with more dust! And breath-taking views of nature, of course.
The objective: “A safe, relaxed, slow paced, noncompetitive way for members to enjoy backroads and trails, and to learn off-road driving techniques.”
PCA uses what’s called Minimum Off-Road Driving Tour Standards. Those standards establish five trail types with a rating designator 1-5 and are based on trail difficulty.
Right now, AZPCA will run Category 1 Trails, which are graded, well-maintained, all-weather dirt or packed gravel with grades less than ten degrees and wide enough for opposing traffic to safely pass without moving to the right and stopping. No ruts or rocks to crawl over. The current tours may include some sections with more challenging trails but will be easily managed by Macans and Cayennes.
Here’s more detailed information on AZPCA off-roading. If you have questions, contact Kenny Mitchell for answers. Or contact cochair Steve Sapareto.
The PCA Categories
A Category 1-rated trail is appropriate for showroom stock Porsche SUVs.
After that, the PCA categories get more challenging. A Category 2 is dirt, gravel, and sand, with infrequent maintenance and ruts or rocks up to five inches in size. Grades can exceed 10 degrees or 17 %. A Category 2 Trail is wide for two vehicles to pass safely along the entire route. A category 2-rated trail would be more suited for Porsche SUVs with some minor vehicle/suspension modifications such as spring and shock packages.
A Category 3 Trail is characterized by a single vehicle, two-wheel-width track path trail with natural rutted washes or gulches, with water crossings up to six inches in depth, and grades between 10°/17% to 15°/27% and some slick rocks up to 7 inches in size. Safe vehicle passing is only possible in selected spots. Category 3-rated Trails may require an aggressive spring and shock suspension package, larger tires, under-carriage armor with a moderate lift for additional ground clearance.
Trail Categories 4 & 5 are essentially extreme off-road trails with obstacles that have limited bypasses, rock gardens, deep water crossings, steep grades, and off-camber, narrow width trail paths. Categories 4 & 5 Trails are not approved by PCA because of the higher risk of injury or vehicle damage.
Environmental Protection
PCA subscribes to the principles of the environmental organization T.R.E.A.D. (Travel Respect Educate Avoid Do), meaning the Club will stay on established trails and won’t start new trails.
Radios and Gear
It’s become standard practice to use two-way radios on the trail for safety, but we don’t require you to have one.
Some things to consider bringing include: Water/Food, Medication, First Aid/Trail Trama Kit, Spare Tire/Jack, Wheel Blocks, Blankets, Tow Straps, Flashlight, Small Hand Tool Kit, Portable Air Compressor, Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Off-Road Navigation Mapping System, Satellite SOS Position Tracking Device with Service, Portable Chairs (for picnic on the trail runs), Gloves, Trash Bags, Tire Gauge, Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Hand Sanitizer and/or Cleaner, and Automotive Electrical Fuse Kit.
One way to minimize the jostling of rough roads is to drop your tire pressure. Consult your Porsche Service Advisor for your vehicle’s safe minimum tire pressure.
Tours Include Non-Porsches
PCA and AZPCA allows members to drive licensed non-Porsche off-road vehicles on the tours, but no motorcycles, ATVs or UTVs.