Story by Amy & Doug Christie Photo by Chris Watson
Twenty One competitors fronted up to take on the ten challenges the convenor of the Southern Trail Blazers 4WD club’s latest Landslip 4x4 Rally pegged out at its regular site north of Pukerau on November 10 last year.
The weather leading up to the event was wet and promised plenty of mud and water in the obstacles. Some competitors were new to the sport, others were long time campaigners and some had dragged their trucks out of retirement to have another go. One team had the same truck for a second generation to get into the sport.
The obstacles ranged from mud bogs, tricky jump-ups, off-camber cross-ups and hill climbs. There were four classes of vehicle; Standard, Modified, Greater Modified and Super Modified. Also this year there was a winch class.
The format saw competitors doing two rounds of the course, the first in the morning and the second in the afternoon. At the end of the first round the competitors all queued up for the speed event, which consisted of a time trial, barrel-racing style, around three marker pegs set out in a clover leaf.
Not that easy in trucks set up for agility rather than speed. But great entertainment for the crews and spectators.
During the lunchbreak, while some were carrying out running repairs, others tested their trucks on Daniel’s articulation ramp, with some very modified vehicles getting shown up by some very clever backyard engineering.
Second round
The second round saw some trucks dnfing because of breakdowns, probably due to driver enthusiasm and the course being tougher. The winch guys also had casualties during the day, the remaining battling on for glory.
The winch course was a bit different to that used by the rally boys, having three longer stages away from the rally course (for safety reasons) and two exhibition stages in the rally course which were modified rally sections. It gave the spectators and other competitors a chance to see what goes on in the winch class. Competitors were judged on progress, time and safety.
Open round
After everyone had finished their two rounds, most of those still running put their names in for the open round. In this round, five of the hardest obstacles were selected and altered to make them even more challenging.
The rules for vehicles were different to the two previous rounds, too, allowing for all kinds of modifications and add-ons. Although the loss of forward motion rule still applies, drivers were able to nominate one back-up (which incurred penalty points, but hopefully gained them some further progress). Not surprisingly the course and the change of rules inspired all kinds of strategies to get an advantage.
At the end of the day there were winners and losers though everyone seemed happy with mud on their boots and sunburnt foreheads. Thanks to the competitors and their support crews, marshals and tractor drivers, the crew from the Southern Trailblazers who organised the event, the Ice Hockey girls working hard on the BBQ.
Also a big thanks to the landowners, who, without their generosity and continued support, the day would not be possible. Lastly our sponsors, who were very generous with their support. Please support these good buggers; Harrisons Supplies, Transport Repairs, Carters Tyres, Waimea Truck and Tractor, Custom Build Engineering, Terraquip Christchurch (Ironman products), Wynn’s NZ, Christie Diamond Auto Ltd.
To read the full story in the February 2019 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (January 21) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.
