Hummer announces off-road driving academy in the Sahara

Driving prowess is something many automotive enthusiasts take pride in, and off-road driving skills are an equally difficult subset, which few have the real opportunity to develop. Hummer hopes to help 14 teams build their skills with a school that includes a 1,300km trip that crosses a portion of the Sahara Desert.

Taking place from November 7-12 in Morocco, the Hummer Driving Academy claims to be the first of its kind. Rather than the monstrous V8 Hummers of American vintage, however, the school vehicles will be fitted with 3.7L five-cylinder engines, automatic gearboxes, desert tires and GPS navigation systems to help ensure students don't wander too far into the desert.

Tuition costs 3,995 per two-person team, consisting of driver and co-driver. The fees cover the cost of the vehicle rental, luxury hotel accommodations in each stop along the route, and food throughout the trip. Each team member will be given specialized instruction in both driving and navigation techniques, then they will apply their skills across the 1,300km route through some of the harshest desert conditions in the world.

The route stretches from Agadir in southern Morocco through Taroudant to Marrakech, then over mountain trails to Ouarzezate, finally hitting the Sahara's dunes on the stint to Chegaga then Taliouine, and finally participants will spend a night in a bedouin tent at Erg Chegaga before heading back to Agadir.