Racers team up for sick kids

Anthony Hewitt's mighty Dodge Ram was imported for racing from the US. Photo / Supplied

Few folk have sat aboard an off-road truck at over 200km/h. But three of NZ's top racers will give three ordinary Kiwis that opportunity, via a Trade Me auction in aid of Camp Quality to benefit children aged 6 to 15 who are living with cancer.

Buyers will sit in the passenger seat at the opening round of the 2010 Asset Finance New Zealand Offroad Racing National Championship. Driver Gary Baker says they'll experience the most spectacular type of motorsport there is.

All three trucks are V8 powered, with Baker's Nissan Navara-based racer joined by two-day Taupo 1000 winner Clive Thornton in his Southern Cross, and NZ Production class champ Anthony "Mr Bilstein" Hewitt and his mighty Dodge Ram.

Hewitt won his title in his first full year of competition with the Dodge which was race-prepped by Gary Baker. The Ram was bought in the US and imported specifically to race.

Though the Ram is a Dodge icon, it's not sold in right-hand drive. If you want the brand here, you buy a Dodge Journey or await the facelift relaunch of the Caliber or Nitro, due mid-year.

Why link off-road racing with sick kids? Baker says, "Every parent thinks 'what if' - and families who find themselves affected by child cancer need all the help they can get.

"So if we can help Camp Quality add a little bit to quality of life for these kids then it's a very worthwhile project.

"If we can scare the pants off a few auction winners in the process and get them hooked on adrenaline, so much the better!"

Access the auction via Trade Me under Camp Quality Ride of your Life, and keep your diary free for the Whitianga Festival of Speed on April 10.