The northernmost round of the national four-wheel driving trials is hosted in Whangarei this weekend, giving Northlanders a chance to watch one of the world's fast-growing motorsports.
Although it doesn't always get a lot of media coverage in New Zealand, the sport's popularity in the United States has Whangarei FourWheel Drive Club, which hosts this weekend's event, hoping that this year's six-round competition held between Labour and Easter weekends around the North Island will add momentum to its growth.
Tomorrow at the VTNZ station on Port Rd, the vehicles are scrutineered for the first round. This takes place between 1.30pm and 5.30pm, and allows the public to get up close to check out the vehicles and meet the drivers. The Cowley's Hire 4x4 National Trials main event will be held on Sunday on Pukehuia Rd at Tangiteroria, between Whangarei and Dargaville.
Thirty-two obstacles comprise the event, from long mud bogs to vertical hill climbs, to what some call "insanely scary sidling". There are six classes of vehicles from standard four-cylinder to V12s, all competing on the same obstacles and - with 15 obstacles running at once - there is no shortage of action.
The event starts at 9am and is signposted from the main road. Car parking is free.
Entry to the event is $10 per adult. A family pass is $20, which includes two adults and up to five children under 16 years of age. Food and drink will be available for purchase. As this is a working farm, no alcohol or animals on site.
