National Offroad series returns to Mangawhai

 

Everyone likes a little action to liven up their Easter break, and after a four-year absence Offroaders are returning to Mangawhai.

On Easter Saturday the Hilltop Rd property of Wayne and Nicky Preston will echo to the roar of up to 70 teams of V8 Offroaders, all vying for points in stadium-style short course racing.

For the uninitiated off-roaders are high powered vehicles, heavily reinforced for safety, purpose built to withstand cross country racing at high speeds bringing an excitement and adrenalin rush that only petrol heads can appreciate.

This is a new track so none of the drivers will have been on it before competition and, as this is the first round of the national champs it will be down to car preparation and driving ability to make split-second moves travelling over rough terrain at almost 200 kph – not to mention the weather.

Local driver Nick Leahy, again in the frame after a working stint in Aussie, is back and doing what he does best.

“Different from the 2012 event which was held on flat land along the Causeway, this undulating country will offer big jumps, lots of air, plenty of noise and spectator-friendly viewing,” says Nick. “Major sponsors are Enzed Hose Doctor but there has been great local support as well.”

ORANZ (Offroad Association of NZ) now has a large following of youngsters who will also have their mini stadium Kiwi trucks really cranking and the relatively new class of UTVs is something else. These are side-by-side modifieds, 1000 CC turbo or in other words, something akin to a super-powered Polaris farm quad on steroids. Mark the date now, March 26, and check out oranz.co.nz for updates.


ROUND ONE: The adrenaline will be surging when Offroaders hit the track at Mangawhai over Easter.