Tough trucks take on winch challenge

From out of the wilderness the extreme motorsport known as 4WD Winch Challenge powers into the public eye this weekend.
But just because the spectator-accessible TECT All Terrain Park at Pyes Pa is closer to civilisation, competitors shouldn't expect any easier test at the second round of the North Island Winch Challenge series.
The Runva Tough Truck Challenge is the new name for the Geyserland 4WD Club's Mamaku Winch Challenge. The park, halfway between Tauranga and Rotorua on State Highway 36, is a new venue for three three-day competitions which will see about 20 extreme vehicles put through 18 tests in mud, across stumps and logs and between trees.
Most of the stages are within a few hundred metres of the recently completed motorsport base at the park - a large open area used for car club events and the venue for the pits and spectator parking area this weekend.
Rotorua's Aaron Smythe and co-driver Doug Cooper won last year's Mamaku event in a competition class Nissan Patrol. Smythe has been competing in winch challenges for seven years and his Nissan has needed two chassis and two bodies in that time.
"It's going to be a great opportunity for spectators and for our sponsors because most of our events are closed to the public," Smythe said. "It's going to be a tight course. There are lots of trees and stumps and that will probably favour the smaller trucks."
Stages vary in length but each has a 30-minute time allowance before a competitor is failed. Vehicles can be driven through some sections but need to be winched through the more extreme terrain. Smythe says the driving skill basics are: "Slow down and don't brake. It's a thinking game but you can't plan too far ahead, you have to do it on the run."
The second crew member might be called a co-driver - and must be aboard the vehicle fully seatbelted at the start and the finish - but in between they are rarely aboard the vehicle.
Smythe relies heavily on Cooper to guide as well as winch the Nissan. "We're in radio contact the whole time. He's telling me go right, go left."
Smythe competes in winch challenges four or five times a year although the Patrol has been built with a Motorsport NZ approved rollcage so Smythe also turns up at car club hillclimbs and does vehicle recovery work on rallies. He's expecting some tough competition as he defends his title.
"It will be very close between the top five guys this weekend. With just one mistake you could easily go from first to fifth."
Trucks compete in three classes this weekend. Production and competition vehicles must meet warrant of fitness standard and modified vehicles have more extreme specifications. Reliability will play a big role over three days with the terrain not testing not only the durability of gearboxes and axles but also the hard-worked winching gear. The Friday afternoon and night stages are closed to the public but the event is open to spectators from 8am till 5pm on Saturday and from 8am till noon on Sunday.
Entry is by gold coin donation with money going to the Lions Rotorua chapter, who support the Rotorua Community Hospice. Sturdy footwear and warm clothing will be a must.