Another great event put on by Mike Gee-Taylor and the Wanganui Club. With only 45 entries it was at least going to be a short day. Dawning  with a light shower and some horrible clouds to the east, we got off to a quick scrutineering and some 'day' memberships, a drivers briefing and then it was all on.

A number of drivers for the season had given up their seats to allow their co-drivers to sit in the hot seat and others had allowed sponsors or friends to get a taste of the action in the navi seat.  John Hawken let Daniel King take the controls and they managed to put it onto its side. Dan Cowper was flipped onto his side by the recovery vehicle, but the long bog was a great place to get some action photos.  Great to see Jenni Templeton in a Cruiser for a change getting a taste of power, although she looked surprised at how far they ploughed through the mud and was trying to cover her face, as was Nonnie Cowper – they say that mud is a great face pack!!!!! 

The Bog became just like pig swirl and saw many struggle to get down the sheep race and only a few to clear the exit, that was if they could see where they were going.  

The morning saw a few thrills, one was even a tractor driver who got into a position unsuitable to all, including himself. Paul Williams did a spectacular pirouette  at the brow of a hill and a number found the climb up the gut, across from the bog, a little daunting as you dropped into it and it bought the front up and onto drivers side. Lunch was a very welcome feed and put on by the locals, and then back into the afternoon round. Some notwithstanding the rigors of the morning, like Malcolm McLeavey who had trouble keeping the lent green machine on its wheels – obviously it’s been trained to well by the owner.

 Julian Rivers, sharing with brother Joseph, came unstuck when Joseph was driving and took a tumble of some sort as the front sustained a fair hit. Karen took Moose for some thrills and spills as she conquered the hazards with her driving skills and Beccy Templeton took the wheel of the little Suzuki to leave her mark.  Stuart Earle took a high tumble off a hill and it was great to see the enthusiasm  of the drivers throughout the day.

The first through on some hazards found the going a bit tough with the green grass, as some tyres couldn’t get the grip. Some decided to follow others but found that you need to recognise your own capabilities and not copy, as it can turn a simple hazard into a nightmare. Russell Biggs found that the mighty machine was quite low when it came to ploughing through the bog and broke a strut or shock and was lopsided most of the day,  Mitch Seymour had a bad day again and was on the trailer early, as was Phil Cameron, and even the ‘TUI” truck came out for a day in the mud.

The local Lions supplied the Marshalls for the day and they were guided by a group of volunteers who roamed around the course sorting any hassles, but as this was a FUN Day all went pretty well. An enjoyable day finished with an after function and some delicious food, where  it was confirmed

Results are on www.4x4trials.co.nz/ results/special Event.  And photos  at www.justphotos.co.nz .

Day was won by Brent Ward – Wairarapa, 2^nd Hamish Auret and 3^rd Mike Gee-Taylor

Gail Osman (who advises that she has now 'signed off' from competition reports. Ed.)