driving
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Our journey north to Inari was in a EuroTech 6x2 rigid powered by the 310hp Cursor 8 engine. The Michelin tyres were fitted with studs, although surprisingly few local trucks use this option. Their cost and short life (around two weeks of regular use) encourage the natives to rely on a combination of winter tread patterns and experience. with snow chains held in reserve for when the going gets really tough.
In winter, main roads in the area are frequently ploughed to a width of barely six metres leaving a thin film of packed snow and ice—a surface that Is difficult even to walk on. Snow banks on either side mark the edge of the safe route, and woe betide anyone who crosses that line as the smooth surface con
ceals all kinds of hazard. This was graphically illustrated when we happened upon a Lada incoming from the nearby Russian border that had left the road and required considerable effort to extract from the roof-high snow.
Rule number one is to be smooth. Whether accelerating, braking, steering or changing gear, everything must be done gently to maintain traction and momentum. The best chance of recovering from any problem is created by driving along the centre line, giving way only to vehicles at least your own size. The first few head-on encounters with a fully freighted timber-hauling artic or school bus approaching at 90km/h can be rather unnerving, to say the least.
After a few roundabouts in town gave an intensive demonstration of just how slippery the road was, we headed out into the countryside. Initial restraint soon turned into brisk, but still respectful, prog ress with speeds of over ftikrnih being achieved fairly confidently. The Cursor's impressively broad and level torque band was a great asset in the tough conditions, significantly reducing the number of potentially traction-breaking gearshifts.
We made considerable use of the engine brake with no sign of the drive-axle slippage reputed to appear on low-grip surfaces, while the studded tyres allowed quite firm, but smooth, use of the service brakes without the ABS having any work to do.
Eventually. though, with all going too well, a misguided combination of courtesy and aver-caution saw us come to a halt in the face of an oncoming snow-plough. Although we were on only a gentle uphill slope, it proved impossible to pull away in the EuroTech so we had to reverse the fortunately short distance to more level ground.