It was a risk running Rd 2 of the Superwinch Mainland Winch Challenge in Alexandra in July. But despite a definite nip in the air, a good time, generally, was had by all.

Story and photo by Vicky Newport

Hosting Rnd 2 was a combined effort between the Queenstown and Alexandra 4WD Clubs.  We were all quite envious of what the two clubs have to play with and on.  The Alexandra venue is a great spot with a lot of options for stages. 

With four night stages set up to start at around 6.30pm and 25 trucks/teams entered I thought we would be in for a long night but I was wrong.  To my relief my team was finished by around 9.00pm so we headed back to the comfort of our room at the camp. 

We were up pretty early the next morning and though we got to the pits at 7.30am there were already others there. Because it had been raining most of the night one of the stages had to be pulled as there was too much water in it, the organizers having already been out doing their final check of the stages and making any changes deemed necessary.

Only one truck (that of Nic Aymes) didn’t start the day stages.  He had issues in his last night stage and was unable to carry on.  Tim Lucas (Outlaw), Craig Bramley (Outlaw) and Tom Green (Open) also either DNFd their first day stage or had issues which made it impossible for them to carry on for the rest of the day. 

Clubman Class:  All four entries started every stage. All but one of them (Ben Simmons who DNFd Stage 5) finished them as well.  Ben had a few winch issues and had to be recovered by Outlaw team Scotty and James.  Lockie Coskerie won 11 of the 13 stages.  Pretty good going for a  first time entry.  It’s actually awesome to see the new teams this year, too because Clubman Class is intended as a starter class.  Most get the bug, of course, in Clubman then build their trucks up and enter Open. SO the class is doing its job.

Open Class:  Rick/Brian, Adam/Ash, Greg Craik, Brock/Nic all started every stage and completed them.  Both Nathan/Daniel and Steve/Matt started every stage as well only to DNF one stage each.  Greg in the red Suzuki should be smiling after this round.  With a fill-in co-driver  and still running 33" tyres he had a great run, winning one of the stages and getting fourth place overall.  This is the first round for Greg this season so hopefully his luck lasts.   Rick/Brian and Brock/Nic won five of the stages each, with one each going to Nathan/Daniel and Adam/Ash. 

Outlaw Class:  Stage 6 was all go at the early hours of the day. Though 19 trucks started this stage, two (those of(Brent/ Arron and Daimeon/Kerry) both DNFd it.  It took a lot to get these two out and there were two trucks queuing to start it at the end of the day (4.30pm).

Time had run out, however, and the organizers had to make a decision….which was to pull the stage from the day bringing the number down one more to nine.  Scotty/James, Andrew/Joel, Richard/Michael, Robin/Paul and  Stan/Chris all started the 10 day stages and completed them, but their times for Stage 6 were taken off them.  Richard/Michael won six of the total stages for Outlaw.  From there the rest were pretty much shared around the other competitors.   

At the end of the day

The stages were challenging and very much enjoyed by most.  Some struggling but it  certainly was a winch challenge and from my own point of view it was great to see so much winching.  Over the past couple of years not only the  trucks are getting bigger, faster and capable the winches are also going that way.  The organizers of the first two rounds have thought about this and have put winching in each stage, even if it had to be a compulsory winch.   

I have to mention and thank our scorer.  Megan has dedicated herself to do all the scoring this season which is a huge ask and lugging a wee man around with her is a bit of a mission.  Megan had flown to Queenstown from Nelson a few days prior to the event and spent a few days catching up with family with her wee son Archie (seven months) in tow.  They both arrived on site around mid-morning Saturday and juggled baby and scoring for the afternoon she managed to get it done.  

Thanks also to all the organizers and marshals who put time into the Alexandra round.  A huge ask and a lot of time spent setting up stages. 

Prizegiving was at the local Monteiths Bar.  Great to see so many people attend.  Great weekend. 

2018 Superwinch Mainland Challenge Rnd 2 Alexandra Fri-Sat July 06-07

RESULTS

Clubman
1. Lockie and Jake (Alex) 1285pts
2. 212 Richard and William (Blen)  1174pts
3. Ben and David (Qtown) 1142pts

Open
1. Brock and Nic (ChCh)  1235pts
2. Rick and Brian (ChCh) 1227pts
3. Adam and Ash (ChCh) 1131pts

Outlaw
1. Richard and Michael (Qtown) 1144pts
2. Scotty and James (Nel) 1095pts
3. Robin and Paul (Wgtn) 1023pts

Superwinch draw
Chris Hearn (Dunedin) marshal and organizer

NZ4WD Magazine Sticker winners:
Lance Goodman (driver) and Danny Richmond (co-driver) from Wellington.
For full results see our Facebook page: "Superwinch Mainland Challenge" 

To read the full story in the September 2018 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (August 17) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.