110D Chris Southwick & Conner Southwick
“Phatboy“
Drivers
Sponsors
Full Send Fabrication, Wise Treecare,
Truck Details
| Name | Phatboy |
| Make | Brunton Engineering (Rebuilt by Full Send Fabrication) |
| Year Built | 2008 |
| Weight | >1300kgs |
| Engine | Chevrolet LS3 6.2L |
| Transmission | GM 4-speed auto with custom transfercase |
| Diffs | Toyota 80 Series Front (with 9″ Diff) and Rear |
| Lockers | Tomalin Hydraulic Locker Front, Brunton Hydraulic Locker Rear |
| Suspension | Profender Shocks, 4-Link Front, 4 Link Rear |
| Wheels | 35×12-15 Journey Claw XTR on 15×10″ OMF Alloy Beadlocks |
History
| Previous Drivers | Accolades |
| Chris Southwick (2025-) | First season in new truck |
| David van der Shantz (2016-2022) | Best Presented NZ (2017) |
| Neville Dunton (2014-2014) | One off rally |
| Derek Smyth (2008-2014) | 1NZ (2010 & 2012) Top 10 (2009-2012), Best Presented CZ (2012) |
Heading into their second season is Chris Southwick & son Conner Southwick, this time in Phatboy.
Getting to grips in their first season of trials, the two of them have shown what they’re capable with Conner achiveing the teams best result behind the wheel at the 2024 National Final.
Phatboy started out as the brainchild of Brunton Engineering from Palmerston North, as one of the most technically advanced Trials Trucks when it made its debut with Derek Smyth & Michael Riepen in 2008. Featuring air suspension & hydraulic lockers controlled by computers, coupled with the age-old classic Leyland P76 modified to be a 5.0L V8. With Todd Charman jumping onboard in 2009, Phatboy would win its first trial in Nelson the same year, before going on to win the title in 2010 and again in 2012.
With the Hamish Auret 222 Racing CowperTruck making its debut in 2013 with a 7.0L LS7, Phatboy was soon upgraded to the 6.2L LS3 to keep up with the competition. Scoring a few podiums across 2013 & 2014 whislt Smyth & Charman wouldn’t complete full seasons before selling to Neville Dunton.
Dunton would do a sole rally, before Phatboy would find a new home at Full Send Fabrication, being rebuilt and returning with David van der Shantz in 2016. Another rebuild would follow roughly five years later, with the air suspension making way for the popular air shocks.
