Story and photos by Andrew ‘Bono’ Gee

With a little help from mega rock band U2’s back catalogue of songs,  Andrew ‘Bono’ Gee reports on the opening round of the 2018/19 Central Zone Club Truck Challenge at Inglewood in Taranaki on Saturday October 27.

Still haven't found what you are looking for? The most achievable motorsport series in the lower North Island has started again, with or without you.

Supported by the Central Zone of the NZFWDA, the Club Truck Challenge (CTC) is a 4WD trials series for registered and warranted 4WD vehicles. It's an excellent place to learn the mysterious ways of your vehicle and how to drive it through terrain.

With this season’s first event being held in Taranaki where the streets have no name, I headed north, just one man in the name of love.  Having blasted through Poi E country I had suggested we start the day with a Waiata but sometimes you can't make it on your own,  there was little aroha in the driver's briefing on the day. 

The day started in light drizzle but by the afternoon it was constant rain, and when it's raining, raining hard, that's when the rain will break my heart.

A load of old…

Alan and Gobbie had pegged out the hazards in Clive's bull paddock, the perfect place for  copious amount of bull that was heard there throughout the rest of the day.  Graham Goble is Mt Egmont Club's newest life member, celebrating his 40 years of club membership and almost as long competing in National trials.  Gail Smith performed some official NZFWDA duties by presenting Judith Hintz the McMinn Trophy that the executive had awarded Judith for her long participation in 4WD club events.  

For the new series Marty turned up on what he called his old tyres, but they are round and black just like everybody else's.  The sandy soil had lots of traction in the morning when it wasn't very wet and the Jeeps were doing spectacular wheel stands when they hit holes in the hill climbs, a consequence of their short wheel base.

A few people had mechanical issues making the pits busy during lunchtime but most of them got going again.   Local club member Nigel tried the Challenge for the first time in his Pajero and made excellent progress, taking instruction and giving all hazards a good go.  Another local novice, Liam was let down by Grandad's diesel engine that stopped them finishing the day but it was good to see him stepping up to the competition.

Rain? In Taranaki?

Torrential rain made the afternoon a lottery (in my opinion). For example our second speed section was the morning's course run in the opposite direction and a few trucks weren't able to stay on the track.  We carried on and finished another great event put on by Alan and Shona. 

Hintzy had a maiden win  with Dave and Mark's  Jeeps close behind. The next hit out will be in Palmerston North before New Year's day , is it for you too?.

Event information, entry forms and series rules are on www.czctc.org.nz or post a question on the NZFWDA forum "Events" page.

Ends

2018/19 Central Zone Club Truck Challenge

Rnd 1 Selected results

To read the full story in the December 2018 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (November 17) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.