The Suzuki Extreme 4×4 Challenge is certainly one of the most spectacular motorsport events in New Zealand. The Challenge is the brain child of Dan Cowper and is held at his property at Turakina.
The event is filmed for TV and sets challenges for the best trials teams in NZ as well as close up action for spectators.
Competitors are the top 10 in the New Zealand Four Wheel Drive Association trials plus two ‘wild cards’. Dan Cowper himself was in that top 10 but opted for three ‘wildcard entries’ to make up the 12 to compete for the honours.
There are 12 purpose-built courses, each with 10 ‘gates’ worth 100 points each (maximum 1000 per course). The starting order rotates ensuring that every competitor is first and last on a course. Competitors are not allowed to touch the course boundary tape and can stop and reverse but must complete the course within a 60 second time limit.
Top of the drivers was
