Renee Harrison loves competing in the national 4x4 series.
Renee Harrison loves competing in the national 4x4 series.
There is a lot to look forward to when the 4x4 Stampede National Final is held on Turakina's Glencairn Rd in just under a fortnight.
Whanganui's defending national champion Hamish Auret and co-driver Paul Barnes will enter the sixth and final round of the series hoping to overtake Auckland's Scott Biggs, who is desperate to claim the title after getting 2NZ for three straight seasons, only missing out by a solitary point last year.
Former national champion Dan Cowper, who came fifth in D-Class at the previous round in Taranaki, will likely also be eager to have another crack on home soil, ahead of hosting his own Suzuki Extreme 4x4 Challenge on April 29.
However, the exciting V8-powered motor sport which sees souped-up trucks tackling tough obstacle courses is not all about the guys, as women with a love of competition and spirit of adventure are more than welcome to take part.
Two women specifically who are bucking gender trends in recreational motorsport are Whanganui 4WD Club members Lois Smith and Renee Harrison.
Smith is the navigator for her husband Nathan Smith, a role she shares across events with Palmerston North friend Blair Gillam, who is noteworthy as the only paraplegic to compete in the NZ National 4x4 trials.
Navigators work with the driver to ensure they know which line to take on each hazard, are in some truck classes they are co-drivers as they are responsible for the break levers and can have control of all four of the truck's wheels themselves.
Lois Smith's interest started when she followed her husband Nathan to 4x4 events, which seemed like just another pumped-up male sport with loud engines, until she decided to hop into the navigator seat herself.
"Being a woman in a male prominent sport is fantastic," Smith said.
"As a woman you are treated no differently to the male competitors and that is refreshing."
This is her third season competing, enjoying how the family has merged the sport into their lives on the farm and being part of a social group which gives so much back to them.
Lois Smith followed husband Nathan into 4x4 competition and loves what it has brought to their lives.
Harrison understands the family dynamic very well as her love of the sport began when father Grant Harrison bought his first 4x4 truck.
Having to wait until she was 15 to be able to take part, Renee Harrison travelled everywhere from Kerikeri to Wellington in the back of the ute as the support crew.
Finally getting to sit in the co-driver seat, in 2014 Harrison was awarded the NZ4WDA Outstanding Young Person of the Year award, for services to the sport.
The Harrisons have been fixtures in the 4x4 scene, and last season won the Best Presented Vehicle for the Central Zone at the conclusion of the series.
"I just consider myself lucky to be able to compete alongside dad in a motorsport that we both enjoy, it really is something special", Harrison said.
Far from being underestimated, there are always fellow competitors willing to show the young lady the tricks of the trade, as being willing to take advice from veterans is often the best way to improve.
"There is a lot of respect for the females involved in the sport," Harrison said.
"It is through this sport that I have gained life-long friendships, whom many memories have been made with."
Anyone interested in 4x4 competition, man or woman, can take the first step by contacting the Wanganui 4WD Club, who will "steer you in the right direction" on how to get involved.
