It was a sunbaked hillside that took its toll on machines as Whanganui's defending 4x4 National Trial champion Hamish Auret and co-driver Paul Barnes finished fifth during the second round of the series near Huntly on Sunday.
Temperatures had been soaring for weeks on the Tahuna Rd course in Ohinewai – completely opposite conditions to last season where the drivers faced rain and excess mud as they tackled the 30 hazards.
Final placings for the Bridgestone Huntly National 4x4 Trial are not yet confirmed as the national body was reviewing a protest in C Class.
However, the Top 5 for the D-Class trucks are known, with two-time series runnerup Scott Biggs making a good comeback from Awakeri to win the round for his hosting Counties 4 Wheelers club.
Manukau's Phil Walton was runnerup for the second round in a row, moving to the head of the overall standings, with Hamilton's Russell Luders in third and Hawke's Bay's Greg McDell coming fourth.