The course for the 2015/16 series final was set in a basin area with Mt Taranaki in the background. It was a spectators’ dream as you could position yourself to see most of the short but challenging obstacles.

In true Taranaki tradition the ground had some lush grass cover but once the surface was broken the ability to dig holes became clear.

A field of 54 vied for the day title and then there was the national points where the top teams were aiming to get the best from the day to edge closer to the title.

With the condensed area you could watch multiple obstacles at one time but this also meant you could miss the interesting angles in an instance.

Eventual event winners Dan Cowper and Andrew Beilby had a scare in the afternoon when they were on two wheels on their side coming off a sidling at an angle but somehow saved it, as did Dave McKie & Reece.

A tight horseshoe sidling proved a challenge, with a lot of luck thrown in. You just have to ask Brian Howat and son Daniel who, using four-wheel-steer in their Howat-built V12 managed a good save but not good points.

Dave and Reece McKie took out some pegs but looked awesome on two wheels, but the cake had to go to Phil Hobart and daughter Brittany who hardly got off the start before rolling.

At the end of the day there were only three dnfs with most buggies able to be driven onto the trailer unaided for the final challenge, getting out of the pits with the black clouds rolling in.
 
To read the full story in the June 2016 issue of NZ4WD go to Zinio.com (May 23) or purchase your own hard copy at the Adrenalin store.