Outback roads can be the death of vehicles, not the Gaz - it was a dream to drive.

Joining us on this test was Bill Lyne and John Stewart - both experienced long distance truck drivers having joined Lyn & I from time to time across Asia, Europe, North and Sth America.

Bill, like myself, has also competed in 4x4 competitions and is well versed in challenges and the feel and handling of vehicles.

The back track to Birdsville takes us via Cordillo Downs.

The sky is blue but there has been patchy thunder storms through the area.

Currently the road is loose gravel and as much as we tried to drift the truck into the corners it stuck true to line.

Our discussion leads us to think it would be a great competition truck.

Those scattered rain showers dropped  some water in a few selected areas.

Just enough to sit in the low points of the road providing a photographic splash.

The Gaz handled the gravel well, even Lyn commented on the comfort.

Driving corrugations is actually surprisingly good.

The parabolic front springs and the seats soak just them up.

In the Japanese trucks with OEM and even aftermarket springs if you are not travelling at the correct speed where the harmonics are in sink the experience is teeth chattering. 

I have not found that in the Gaz.

Even at slow speed and severe corrugations you can feel them but the entire dash board etc is not vibrating and your teeth are still intact !

I am impressed !

Our arrival in Birdsville coincided with the 4pm beer time at the Birdsville Pub.