MAINLAND WINCH CHALLENGE PREVIEW
AFTER ANOTHER BELTER OF A SERIES LAST YEAR, THINGS HAVE GONE A TAD QUIET ON THE MAINLAND WINCH CHALLENGE FRONT. DON’T WORRY THOUGH, THERE’S A FIVE-ROUND 2020 FOLLOW-UP JUST AROUND THE CORNER…
2019 was certainly an exciting year for the Mainland Winch Challenge Series with the final results being very close.
To recap: Outlaw Class had 11 Series entries, though of that 11 only three (Andrew Garrett, Andy Reeves and Brent Holden) started all five rounds. Then, of that trio only Andy Reeves qualified to be able to drop one round.
Despite that advantage, he still didn’t get enough overall points to win the series, the final results seeing Brent Holden first on 387 points, Andy Reeves second with 380 points and Richard Wilson third on 375 points. Very close indeed. and Brent Holden also won the
NZ1 Title for Outlaw.
The Open Class had 12 entries and again of that 12 only three teams (Scotty Newport, Nathan Hammond, Brock Welsh) started all five rounds. This time though they all got to drop their worst round.
With Scotty Newport getting three out of four wins over the first four rounds he had it pretty much sewn up yet he still entered the fifth round and won it – and with it the NZ1 title for Open Class – anyway.
Points-wise Scotty earned 400 with Nathan Hammond second
on 385 points and Brock Welsh third with 370 points.
Clubman Class had a total of six entries, with none, nada, zero starting all five rounds. Ben Simmons did four rounds so he came first with 380 points, while John Boylet after rolling his Suzuki at round 2 totally rebuilt it and came back to complete – not to mention win – three rounds giving him second place with 300 points plus the NZ1 Title for Clubman Class.
Third was Shane Coskerie with two rounds done and 182 points.
A NEW YEAR AND A NEW CALENDAR
The 2020 Mainland Winch Challenge Series has been a bit slow getting off the ground so far this year with only 13 Series entries confirmed and four more pending.
That said from the number of truck builds, rebuilds and new builds still going on at the moment we could have a few late entries...
This year we have a five-round calendar confirmed, with the first round in May.
Round 1 and we are heading back to Alexandra. This is a challenging piece of land. Not many steep climbs or deep gullies but challenging courses, pee metal as a base and having the Clutha right on the boundary it is wet. This event is only a couple of minutes from Alexandra township.
Round 2 we are heading to the Balclutha area. This is a first for the Clutha Club. They will be hosting Friday night stages and Saturday stages. Closest town is Mataura but camping on site for the keen is available. The site is hilly, with a few gullies and bogs. I’m looking forward to this round.
Round 3 is at Dunedin. Dunedin has been running Mainland Winch Challenges on this land since day one. Some courses are tight but they are challenging. Weather on the day will predict how the stages run. We have had a fab day in Dunedin and then at 2.00pm a storm hits.
Round 4 we head back to Nelson. Nelson puts on a great event and social evening. We even found out last season that there are some talented singers amongst us.
This season Outlaw and Open will get their seat time and challenging stages. Clubman will get more of their own lines.
Round 5 we are back in Methven. Same venue as 2019 but this time we are only doing one day.
2019 season was very wet and most rounds blew out. Here’s hoping 2020 will give us better weather.
Keep an eye on the “Mainland Winch Challenge” Facebook page for series updates. I’m back writing stories, and taking photos for the mag. Hope you enjoy them.