“It’s a way of getting these talented drivers and vehicles out to the public.”
Spectators can watch from a natural amphitheatre on the hill as off-road 4x4 vehicles scale banks, hills, mud bogs and other difficult terrain at speed.
Drivers have 60 seconds to complete each course and pass through as many gates as possible – with 10 per course, each worth 100 points.
The driver with the most points at the end of the day wins.
The competition will be televised by Sky Sport and live-streamed on YouTube.
“We try and keep the action going non-stop,” Cowper said.
The Suzuki Extreme 4x4 Challenge follows a different format from a typical New Zealand 4×4 Trials Series competition.
A smaller pool of racers complete the courses one at a time in front of a central spectator area, instead of simultaneously across a large site.
This made the event easier to watch and more exciting, Cowper said.
“When you get all the spectators ... and all the cameras watching you one at a time, that’s when the drivers put their best foot forward and give it everything.
“It makes for a really good action-packed show.”
Drivers of note this year include two-time champion Andrew Garner, three-time winner Scott Biggs, and defending champion and Wanganui 4WD Club member Kevin Hermansen.
Hermansen’s buggy, The Gambler, was built by CowperTrucks.
Drivers will race in vehicles of up to 850 horsepower with a mix of high-powered engines – including V8s, a V6 turbo and two four-cylinders.
There will be live commentary, music and food vendors throughout the day.
Attendees can follow competitors’ scores on a live rolling scoreboard.
Podium places will be announced between 3pm and 4pm.
“I’ve been passionate about the sport all my life,” Cowper said.
The event was a way to promote 4x4 trials racing.
“We’ve got this property here, which is ideally suited for it, and we’ve invested a lot of time and money into the layout.”
The event takes three to four months to prepare, with the courses made more challenging each year “to keep them interesting”.
Cowper sculpts the tracks and course features using a 14-tonne digger.
“Running events is a big gamble,” he said.
“The weather is the biggest part of the puzzle.”
They needed some rain to soften the ground and create muddy areas, with dry conditions on the day for spectators, he said.
“It is a big ask.”
He said at this stage Sunday’s weather was “looking good”.
Admission is $25 for adults and $60 for families, payable at the gate.
More information is on the Suzuki Extreme 4x4 Challenge website and Facebook page.
Erin Smith is a multimedia journalist based in Whanganui.
