Temperatures were hovering close to 40C, but the drought was broken at Woodville over the weekend when New Zealand riders took out the winners' laurels from the Australians at the international motocross.
New Zealand's chances looked remote, at best, but a huge fightback on day two of the annual Honda New Zealand Motocross Grand Prix at Woodville turned it all around.
The Australian contingent had the advantage – leading by 410 points to 368 – after the junior phase of racing on Saturday, but the senior Kiwis came on strong on Sunday and rescued the situation.
New Zealand eventually won the FIM Oceania Challenge by 886 points to 829, with Auckland rider Hamish Harwood the main Kiwi aggressor.
Harwood seemed to get faster as the day wore on, the CML KTM Racing team rider apparently in his element in the furnace-like conditions at Woodville.