588D Kevin Hermansen & Nick Hamilton
“The Gambler“
Drivers
Sponsors
DPS Diesel Performance Solutions, Independent Wrap, Blast & Coat, AFC Motorcycles, CowperTrucks, Rothbury Insurance Brokers
Truck Details
| Name | The Gambler |
| Make | CowperTruck |
| Year Built | 2020 |
| Weight | 1420kgs |
| Engine | GM LSA 6.2L Supercharged |
| Transmission | Powerglide with SCS Transfercase |
| Diffs | Nissan Patrol 9″ Front & Rear |
| Lockers | Howat Hydraulic Lockers |
| Suspension | Fox Shocks, Independant Front & Rear |
| Wheels | 35×13.5-17 Mickey Thomsen Baja Pro XS on 17×10″ Beadlock Alloys |
History
| Previous Drivers | Accolades |
| Kevin Hermansen (2020-) | 2NZ (2022) Top 10 (2022, 2023) Suzuki Extreme 4×4 Challenge Winner (2022) |
The Gambler! The first fully independent CowperTruck, it went through a troubled first season before some modifications in the winter of 2021 saw Kevin Hermansen & Nick Hamilton fight for the title in 2022!
They would ultimately claim 2NZ that season before going on to become the first CowperTruck to win the Suzuki Extreme 4×4 Challenge in 2022.
After a season off, the team from Norsewood return in the latest edition of The Gambler. Now with a lighter front end to join the weight reductions made previously to the centre and rear of the Cowper Truck.
Kevin Hermansen has been competing since 2012, starting out in the ex Hamish Auret C Class CowperTruck. Although the best years were behind the buggy, ‘Hermy’ & Kirk Grant managed to win C Class twice in 2014 & 2016, The only competitors to beat Phil ‘Fireman” Conwell in his new Homebuilt!
Hermy now with Nick Hamilton did a sole season for 2020 in “The Black Sheep”, John Cowper’s Lexus Powered, Coilsprung & Manual Box CowperTruck. For a setup that last won the title in 2008, some 12 years ago, Hermy & Hamilton manage to claim 9th Overall at seasons end and an entry to the Suzuki Extreme 4×4 Challenge, once again showcasing their skills behind the wheel.