Former 4x4 NZ champion continues his Turakina business expansion

Former NZ 4x4 champion Dan Cowper is building up infrastructure for his 4x4 experience on his Turakina property. Photo / Bevan Conley

Tucked away in small town Turakina is an adrenaline-seeking experience and the home of one of the country's most renowned 4x4 competitors.

Turakina promoter and builder Dan Cowper has been expanding one of the arms of his business, Extreme 4x4 Experience.

Cowper, many times New Zealand champion in the sport, is continuing to build his corporate and conference experience on his property.

The founder of the popular Suzuki Extreme 4x4 Challenge on his home property, Cowper takes people through the same courses the competitors take.

"I've sculpted a track for the can-am buggies. It's a real thrill ride, lots of jumps and hang-time."

He has four buggies for the experience, all with varying limits and capabilities.

Cowper sees his venture as perfect for group bookings such as stag dos or work functions.

"They're unbelievable. They give you a beautiful, smooth ride. They can't really experience anything like that in our area.

"You get all sorts of people. People that just say nothing and just hang on and you don't know what they're thinking or if they have their eyes open. Then you have guys just pumping their hands."

He plans on adding more to the hosting side of the experience, building a shelter at the base of the course where people can drink and eat.

CowperTrucks builds custom 4x4 trucks from scratch in his garage, which take about a year to complete.

"We are trying to build the vehicles, showcase what we do on TV and get everyone excited and interested and then give people the opportunity. It's something different you know.

"If you go to a 4x4 trial, there are probably 15 to 20 trucks that are built in this workshop, it's enough to keep me going."

Cowper has been at his Turakina address since 2000, custom making 4x4 vehicles and carving out the 12 different tracks on his own. Photo / Bevan Conley

The Suzuki Extreme 4x4 Challenge returns on May 16 after being cancelled in 2020 due to Covid-19 uncertainties.

Cowper applauded the Rangitikei District Council for reaching out and supporting the return of the event.

"It's the first time we've had the council endorse the event and get right behind, and they're helping greatly."

Reporter Logan Tutty gives it a go

Besides fishing and riding a motorbike once, anything you can think of that happens outside a city, I most certainly haven't done.

Over the years, I have done white-water rafting and been on a jet boat. But the only thing I go "fast" o, on land is when I'm feeling frisky in my Peugeot and overtake a caravan.

So when Dan Cowper asked if I had ever experienced anything like this, I replied with a swift "no".

His rebuttal is, "You wanna do this then?".

After strapping on my helmet and goggles, I slide into the passenger's seat. We drive down from his garage and head on to his farm where he has dug out his 12 different courses.

With literally zero knowledge of the abilities and capabilities of the 700kg, 195-horsepower Can-Am Maverick X3, I went in with an open mind.

We went for a bit of a joy ride to start, "Let's just warm her up a bit, I need to get my eye in too," added Dan.

I was immediately surprised by the balance of the vehicle. Every little bump, hill or drop, the can-am ate easily.

After a couple laps, he chimes in, "Alright, let's do this."

My back is sent back into the chair as we fly around the first bend. I see a jump nearby, I think I know where we're going.

The air-time was seriously impressive, and before I can even think about it, we are flying on to the next corner.

Able to go up and down a basically vertical hill, travel up to 90km/h and tackle what seem to be near impossible angles, the can-am is an extraordinary vehicle.

In saying that, it was the man behind the controls that made the experience.

I would recommend this to everyone and anyone. It was super-safe and Dan is an awesome, fun guy and makes the whole experience.

I would love to go back with a few mates, have a few beers and a barbecue and be driven around by one of the best any day.

Visit the Cowper Truck Facebook page to learn more about what Dan offers - https://www.facebook.com/www.cowpertrucks.co.nz/.