After the success of the first winch day in April of this year Duncan Munro (Pukerau 4WD) and Stu Glen (Kiwi Overland) held a second day in October. Again supported by Richard Brooks, Auckland 4x4 and Come-Up winches, it was even more of a success than the earlier day.
The weather may have helped as it was fine, although a strong wind blew on top of the hills. Titled a Continuous Winch Day, participants probably winched more during the day than some winch challenge competitors do in two days competition, although their winching was slower and more controlled, as winching should be.
There were nine vehicles participating in the winching and several more vehicles along for a tag-a-long through the Pukerau property and to watch the winching action. Winch challenge competitors, Jack Talbot and Jeremy Walker, even used the day to get some practise in before the Kiwi Challenge, which was a week later. Their day was shortened though when their winch solenoids failed on them in the early afternoon.
In total there were 11 technical winch sections set out by Duncan Munro and some of these had participants thinking very hard. There were hills to winch up, double line pulls using snatch blocks, winching across ditches, up long hills and through a mud bog. There was the now infamous reverse winch that took some thinking and planning to achieve.
The team from Auckland 4x4 and Scott Lea of Union Car Spares (Northern ARB agents) were also along to learn and practise various winching techniques. When you go and talk winches with these guys they do know what they are talking about and have first hand experience with the products they are selling.
John Harvey didnt plan on joining in but during the week leading up to the day he had Auckland 4x4 fit a Come-Up winch and ARB bar to his Prado and then convinced Neil Mans to be the winch man for the day.
They learnt heaps on the day including how good a cable dampener is on wire rope when they broke the winch rope during the reverse winch. The dampener kept the cable from flying and sent it to the ground.
Gareth Hunt and Lee Warren-Cocks were back again in Gareths GU Nissan. Even though they did the first day they still learnt a lot more about their winch and proper use and care of equipment.
A break was taken out of the wind for lunch to enjoy a BBQ sausage with the compliments of Jason from Auckland 4x4 who had been slaving over the BBQ while everyone else was enjoying themselves.
Brett Lysaght is planning an extended trip through the outback of Australia, so together with Chris Tant was along to learn and practise various recovery techniques under a controlled environment. Neil Torkington thought experienced gained would be so worthwhile that he convinced his wife to be the winch person for the day.
For the few that came to watch there was also time for a tag-along tour with Duncan around the Pukerau 4WD property. This is a fantastic place and the views from up top are amazing; a four wheel driving opportunity with views of Sky City and the Hauraki Gulf. Another Continuous Winch day is planned for sometime in April/May 2007..:
