Auret leads after climb through forest

Whanganui driver Hamish Auret as snatched the points lead in the Porter Group 4x4 National Trial series after a strong third round in the forests of Okoroire in South Waikato on Saturday.

At the halfway point of the six round series, Auret's Corvette-powered truck finished third in the Class D super modified trucks and third overall after conceeding 395.8 penalty points, following Opunake's Rowan Huckstep (338.66) and Waikato 4x4 club president Greg McDell (348.46).

Most importantly, series leader Scott Biggs of Auckland had a tough morning session and dropped off the pace, finishing seventh in Class D.

"He was 11th overall, so for the standings, that puts us back in the lead," said Auret.

However, the points could swing as Biggs may drop the result of this round from his final tally if it is his worst performance, which could give him back the lead as Auret finished sixth overall at the previous round at Waihi Beach in December.

"We're only half way through, it's a mixed bag, not very clear cut," said Auret.

Hosted by the South Waikato 4x4 Club, the Okoroire course was unique in the national trials as drivers navigate their way through native bush courses, rather than open farmland.

Auret said while he and rival Biggs prefer "big ball hazards", such as the near-vertical muddy hill climbs, the change of scenery made for a fun day.

"It was quite neat to do something different.

"More tight, technical hazards, but still enough in them to test the bigger trucks.

"Mechanically, the truck was brilliant all day.

"We were third at lunchtime, we had a good morning but made one mistake before lunch that cost us.

"We held our [top 3] position, the points are tight between the top ten people."

In the Class C competition, Whanganui's defending champion Kevin Hermansen had a good day - coming third in his division and ninth overall with 515.08 penalty points behind Lower Hutt's Daniel Howat (419.72) and Wellington's Phil Conwell (475.2), the 2016 Class C series runnerup.

Whanganui's Grant Harrison did not have a great day in Class C, with 882.6 points seeing him finish ninth in class and 31st overall, while John McGonigle blew his engine out in Class D.

The next round is in Mangaroa, near Upper Hutt, on February 12.