Coverage of the action at Tuff Terrain Off-Road Centre.
Just under 20 trucks gathered at the site for the start of what would prove to be an amazing weekend of off-road action. The weekend's proceedings began with the mandatory scrutineering and driver briefing.
With the start imminent, competitors left for their cars and made for the startline. Trucks queued as steering wheels were clenched as challengers eagerly anticipated the sound of the horn that would kick things off.
The horn was sounded and engines roared as vehicles sped away in search of their opening punch.
When it came to punches, Challenger 4x4 had implemented a clever system that made sure there was enough variety for the whole weekend. On the Saturday half the competitors were told that they were odd
( the numbers that is) and the other half were told that they were even. This meant that they could only attempt that strand of punch number on that particular day, the halves would then swap for the next day. Also worth a mention would be the double punch-cards. Unlike any other events cards were placed on the passenger's side and the driver's side meaning that scores could be doubled when attempting a particular punch.
The site was varied in terrain, but the unpredictable weather over the duration of the weekend brought an all new element of danger to all of the punches. We saw rain, gales, snow, sun and hail over the two days, but come rain or shine challengers would plough through whatever lay in front of them.
After a short walk to the centre of the action I caught up with Challenge 90 itself; getting stuck into a punch that made up a small collection that lined a heavily wooded and steep verge. The first day of punches would be Odds for Challenge 90.
( the numbers that is) and the other half were told that they were even. This meant that they could only attempt that strand of punch number on that particular day, the halves would then swap for the next day. Also worth a mention would be the double punch-cards. Unlike any other events cards were placed on the passenger's side and the driver's side meaning that scores could be doubled when attempting a particular punch.
The site was varied in terrain, but the unpredictable weather over the duration of the weekend brought an all new element of danger to all of the punches. We saw rain, gales, snow, sun and hail over the two days, but come rain or shine challengers would plough through whatever lay in front of them.
After a short walk to the centre of the action I caught up with Challenge 90 itself; getting stuck into a punch that made up a small collection that lined a heavily wooded and steep verge. The first day of punches would be Odds for Challenge 90.
The truck ploughed through the mud ahead, churning its way down to the punch below, narrowly avoided the tightly packed trees that surrounded the area.
The truck got the punch and headed out waiting for fellow competitor Andrew 'Skinrash' Nash to complete his punch, both were on the Evens. His punch involved getting up close and personal with a sprawling network of trees and branches.
Following the truck to its next punch we arrived at a trench full of mud that came up to at least the wheel arches of anyone who dared enter it. In first was Chris Berryman who was on Odds, his was a further drive than the easier Even punch placed closer to the start of this treacherous mud run.
As Chris drove his way through the pool, Challenge 90 attempted the earlier punch with a amble drive up to the punch through the shallow end.
Once Skinrash had vacated the punch, Challenge 90 got straight into it.
Next up was the first of two Special Stages; a time trial that involved a punch set deep into a boggy wood, but before competitors even got to this stage they would have to navigate the lengthy track that lead to wards the punch.