153D Bryce Donovan & Jay Blakesley
“Crazy Frog”
Drivers
Sponsors
Truck Details
| Name | Crazy Frog |
| Make | Cowper Truck |
| Year Built | 2006 |
| Weight | >1250kgs |
| Engine | GM LS1 5.7L V8 |
| Transmission | Toyota Windom A540e Auto |
| Diffs | Toyota 80 Series Front & Rear |
| Lockers | Howat Hydraulic Locker in Front |
| Suspension | Fox Shocks, 4-Link Front & Rear |
| Wheels | 35×12.5R15 Federal Couragia MT on 15×10″ Steel Beadlocks |
History
| Previous Drivers | Accolades |
| Bryce Donovan (2024-) | First season competing |
| Chris Gifford (2018-2023) | |
| Mike Gee-Taylor (2008-2018) | Top 10 (2010, 2011, 2012, 2014, 2016) |
| Dan Cowper (2006-2008) | 1NZ (2007, 2008) |
Crazy Frog, the original Cowper Truck!
What kicked off the customer vehicle scene in NZ 4×4 Trials was Dan Cowper’s second Homebuilt buggy. After winning the 1998 title in the C Class Suzuki based ‘Moonhopper’, Dan would take a break from the top end of the sport to build the first Super Production E Class truck whilst competing in a handful of rallies with Moonhopper in the early 2000’s.
Built part-way through the 2006 season, Cowper & Dave Hoskin would return with a bang to take 3rd place on debut!
For 2007 Cowper & Hoskin would overcome a DNF at Manukau to take CowperTrucks’ first title. They would then dominate for 2008 to win back-to-back with a round to spare.
For 2009 Mike Gee-Taylor would make the next step after winning E Class in the Cowper Trucks Suzuki SJ413. Together with Alastair Bradley, they would go onto finish in the Top 10 on 5 separate occasions, with a best result of 4th Overall for the 2014 season.
Chris Gifford would then purchase the buggy and make his debut later in 2020. Together with Shaun Joblin they would learn their craft for the next few seasons before building a Nitro Customs buggy.
Bryce Donovan now makes his debut behind the wheel for 2024, with Jay Blakesley also making his debut!