In pictures: Extreme 4x4 challenge draws hundreds to Turakina farm

Hamish Auret and co-driver Paul Barnes cross a tyre obstacle.

Vehicles flew through the air with showers of mud and ear-splitting engine noise at the Suzuki Extreme 4x4 Challenge in Turakina on Sunday.

Hundreds of people flocked to Dan Cowper's farm to watch 4x4 trucks do the seemingly impossible.

The event was the last of the North Island 4x4 trials season. The competitors were 13 pairs who placed in the top 10 in 2020 and 2021. They lined up to compete across 12 courses, each with 10 gates or obstacles, and in a variety of vehicles.

The crowd included many children, many gumboots and Swanndris and a lot of chips with tomato sauce were sold from food trucks. An extra lane was set up on SH3 for the many cars heading for the farm.

Chronicle photographer Lewis Gardner was there.

Hamish Auret and co-driver Paul Barnes cross a tyre obstacle.

Some vehicles broke down or overturned, and had to be towed away.

Scott Biggs and Sam Thomsen head Nitro into the mud hole on the Heavy Duty Grime Time course.

Some 4x4 vehicles became airborne.

The hillside was covered with people watching the challenge.

222 Racing (Left to right) Hamish Auret and Paul Barnes. Suzuki Extreme 4x4 Challenge, Turakina.