British
Armed Forces Motoring Association
TRAINING
CAN BE FUN!
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The
BAFMA charter:
"To organize and run advanced continuation driver
training in the form of competitive driving events."
"So what is BAFMA"? The British Armed Forces Motoring Association – a tri-Service organization evolved from BAMA and based at the Advanced Training Wing, Defence School of Transport at Leconfield.
"What do we do on these events?" A combination of skills from both driver and navigator. Driver: smooth driving (with the emphasis on time keeping), driving on varied and loose surfaces, cross country driving, obstacle negotiation (in the form of trials). Navigator: route planning and route marking (the driver helps with this!); map reading under pressure using grids, traces and aerial photos. Much of this will be done on cross country routes, green lanes, minor public roads and byways.
"What vehicle do we need?" Standard service Land Rover – any type (except ambulance). No modifications (e.g. extra lights) are allowed, it must be to standard specification. White fleet and unit hired Land Rovers are eligible, as are equivalent types e.g. Pinzgavr.
"Is
it decent, honest and legal?"
Yes!
To all of these. The events are planned with the young inexperienced
soldier in mind; they are fully authoris
ed
training activities; run to strict adherence of permitted drivers hours
regulations and without the requirements to exceed speed limits – these
are rigidly enforced with radar guns! We are extremely aware that the
vehicle is required for duty on Monday. The course is set to avoid
vehicle damage, our record in this respect is excellent.
"Who can take part?" Any serving member of the Armed Forces Regular or Reserve in addition to MOD Civil Servants employed in MT duties may take part. Unit Teams comprise two vehicles although individual entries are also acceptable.
"When and where are the events run?" BAFMA organize eight events each year: six in the UK and two in Germany. Each event awards trophies for Experts, Novices and Beginners. The most prestigious event is Exercise Roadmaster, the Services driving championship which features valuable and historic perpetual trophies for every arm and service.
"How do I take part?" Easy! The Executive Secretary maintains a mailing list. Join our database and you will receive newsletters and entry forms for all the driver training exercises. This really is a cost-effective and worthwhile form of continuation driver training. Come to Roadmaster in November to find out, better still, enter a team!
MOTORCYCLING
BAFMA also look after competition motor cycling. Our charter is to develop riding skills, foster the care and maintenance of the machines and, particularly, to develop the individual qualities of courage, determination, physical fitness and mechanical skill. As an example, a young REME junior NCO, at the end of a gruelling 250 km cross-country route, was forced to change a piston on his ailing bike. Despite his fatigue, the mud and the rain, he completed the change in eight and a half minutes.
“What sort of competitions do BAFMA run?” BAFMA is only concerned with competitions which offer genuine training value; we compete in trials and enduro. Pure speed events like road racing and moto-cross are not for us.
“What are these events?”
We run a “ladder of opportunity” a services rider can start with a
standard military machine and progress to representing BAFMA in the
Olympics of motorcycling, the international six days enduro. A young
REME junior NCO was recently selected to ride (in Brazil) for the Great
Britain national team.
We run eight events each year exclusively for standard military machines, culminating in the Armed Forces championship which is usually held in July. These events test riding skill, determination, fitness, map reading and other personal qualities.
The more gifted riders are encouraged to progress to the British enduro championship, and the very top rungs of the ladder are selected to ride for BAFMA in the Scottish six days reliability trial or the international six day enduro.
“How do I join the action?”
Same as the Land Rover exercises –
contact
the Executive Secretary who will put you on the mailing list and send
you fixture lists, entry details and results.
Lt Col (Ret’d) Bob Birrell, BAFMA, Advanced Training Wing, Defence School of Transport, Leconfield, HU17 7LX
Tel: (9)4775 5243 0190466 5243
E-mail: Lt Col (Retd) D R Birrell
Motoring Beginners Guide now available!
This site was last updated on 02/06/2007 contact: admin.bafmaonline@hotmail.co.uk