Sherwood no stranger to extremes (+video)

A change in extremes is simply a slight gear shift for self-confessed Manawatu adrenaline junkie Levi Sherwood.

And that gear shift in March next year will be from two wheel to four when he makes a guest appearance at the Suzuki Extreme 4x4 Challenge on Dan Cowper's farm in Turakina on March 26.

The World FMX superstar is one of the 10 competing drivers and he will guide Cowper's current NZ1 truck.

When he's not travelling the world wowing crowds with his bike skills, Sherwood comes home to Palmerston North where he's carved the ultimate motocross playground out of a hilly paddock. Sherwood credits the compound with helping him become the most successful rider in the history of Red Bull X-Fighters (in terms of event wins).

Sherwood was just 17 when he won on debut at the Red Bull X-Fighters in Mexico in 2009. He repeated the dose in 2010 in Moscow and 2014 in Osaka, while he won the world championship in 2012. He was also the winner of the first ever Nitro World games.

Cowper said the half time break at the March event will include Freestyle Motorcross (FMX) displays with performances by Sherwood and one other rider weather permitting.

"The event is great spectator viewing with corporate display/function packages available," Cowper said yesterday.

"We are proud to have Suzuki NZ back on board as the event naming sponsor and we are proud to be offering another great event to the Wanganui/Rangitikei districts."

Sherwood conceded his 4x4 experience was extremely limited and he was certainly happy roll bars were a major feature on the powerful machines.

"I've only had three practice drives in Dan's machine and it quite a bit different to what I'm used to. I'm glad they have roll cages," Sherwood said yesterday.

"My bike would be right out of place on these tracks, although I will be performing some moves in March."

The event in its third year features sightly different and often more demanding obstacles for the powerful, agile trucks to navigate than those at the National championships series.

Last year's Suzuki Extreme 4x4 Challenge went viral on social media as millions logged in to watch footage of former New Zealand champion, Whanganui's Hamish Auret and navigator Paul Barnes became the first New Zealanders and only the second pair ever to complete a full 360 degree flip.

The pair will rest of their laurels with that particular challenge, but will again contest the event in their ridiculously powerful 7-litre LS7 Pirtek Wanganui Corvette.

Auckland racer Scott Biggs won last year's Suzuki Extreme 4x4 Challenge is in the current leader in the national series.

He will return to defend his Turakina title in March.