National Awards
Biggs Family Cup
Class Winners
NZ 4×4 Trials Top 10
2025/2026 National Awards
Sportsperson of the Year: Rachel Buckthought
Rachel Buckthought has become a friendly face within the scene, as a part of the team hosting the Pairs Event each year with her local Mt Egmont 4WD club, Treasurer as well as Secretary for the Competitions Committee in recent years. As she stands down from her role at the end of this season, it was only fitting for the sport to recognise the countless hours and going the extra mile she has put in each year!
Tomalin Engineering Excellence: John Hawken
An award that has gone to new builds in recent years, now finds another meaning to acknowledge excellence in the finer details. John Hawken was recognised this year for finding ways to improve the Nissan FWD transmission often seen within the C Class buggies and helping his fellow competitors to make the same upgrades.
2025/2026 Biggs Family Cup Standings
1st
Counties 4 Wheelers
498 Points
The Biggs Family Cup determined by a Clubs Top 3 Class finishers at each event, was once again a one-sided affair with Counties dominating all season! Counties continue their reign with the cup, going back-to-back once again to secure their fourth title!
From top to bottom: Scott Biggs, Shayne Towers, Dave McKie & Jarred Biggs
2nd
South Waikato 4WD Club
496 Points
South Waikato would bring the fight to Counties over the season, thanks to the on form results of Chris Gifford, Shaun Nicholson & Glenn D’Ath.
From top to bottom: Chris Gifford, Shaun Nicholson & Glenn D’Ath
3rd
Eastern Bay Twin Diff Club
494 Points
EBTDC would back up their strong result last season staying in the top three, With Paul Taylor, Rhys O’Brien, Wayne Weatherly & Gary West bringing in the points.
From top to bottom: Wayne Weatherly, Paul Taylor, Rhys O’Brien & Gary West
2025/2026 Class Winners
C CLASS
Angus Hamilton & Daniel Howat
Thames Valley
Nitro Customs
From one rally in a tippy Polaris to the undisputed C Class champ for 2026, Angus Hamilton has burst onto the scene winning C Class in each round bar a sole DNF. The Honda K24 finally claims its first title in C Class too!
D CLASS
Chris Gifford & Sam Thomsen
South Waikato
Nitro Customs
Getting their first win at Round 1 would set the tone for the year with the crew in The Punisher, only falling off the podium once throughout the season to claim D Class by seven points!
F CLASS
Paul Taylor & Danielle Taylor
EBTDC
Toyota Landcruiser Prado
Paul Taylor & Danielle Taylor would fly the flag for F Class once again this year, taking a fifth title and putting him tied at the top with Dave Hintz.
2025/2026 NZ 4×4 Trials Top 10
#10
Wayne Buckthought & Rachel Buckthought
Mt Egmont
Howat Engineering
Bucky & Rachel crack the Top 10 for only the second time, thanks to strong performances over the year with three Top 10 finishes. With an ageing Howat buggy now over 10 years old, it’s a testament to the father-daughter teams driving this year.
#9
Chris Tomalin & Richard Verner
Waikato
Tomalin Engineering Services
After just squeezing into the ‘ten last season with a last gasp effort at the final – It was a much smoother season for the Waikato team of Chris Tomalin & Richard Verner, as they took 3 Top 10’s on their way to 9th.
#8
Mitch Caldow & Jamie Elms
Mt Egmont
Cowper Truck
The defending 2NZ pairing of Mitch Caldow & Jamie Elms would have a slow start to the season, with two strong finishes at the end bringing them into 8th. With talk about having a season off, time will tell if Mad Wolf comes back for another bite.
#7
Ash Tonkin & Dyon Ross
Thames Valley
Nitro Customs
It would be a similar story for Ash Tonkin & Dyon Ross, the defending 3NZ’s would claim a win at Mt Egmont jumping them up nine places into the Top 10, where they would remain till the end.
#6
Angus Hamilton & Daniel Howat
Thames Valley
Nitro Customs
It may be the best rookie season in over twenty years, but no one could imagine just how far Angus Hamilton & Daniel Howat would go at the start of the season. Five Top 10 finishes, a podium and afternoon honours at the final would put C Class back in the fight at the sharp end.
#5
Shaun Nicholson w/ Mike Fergusson, Beau Taylor, Tom Baeriswyl, Bryce Nicholson & Cody Fogen
South Waikato
Nitro Customs
High fives all round!
Making his debut in the Top 10 is Shaun Nicholson and his roster of co-drivers throughout the season. With Top 10 placings throughout the year, scoring a maiden podium at Mt Egmont before going one better with his first win at the final round. A force to be reckoned with come next season!
#4
Scott Biggs & Phil Walton
Counties
Nitro Customs
Three podium finishes over the year would see the four-time champs in fourth place for the second year running. The consistency at the top makes it a hard one to crack, with only one point separating them from third!
3NZ
Jarred Biggs & Fleche Crawford
Counties
Nitro Customs
The defending champs Jarred Biggs & Fleche Crawford would score two wins to put themselves into the mix, however with their other results off the podium it would open the door for their clubmates to sneak in…
After some damage at the Suzuki Extreme 4×4 Challenge, Hot Wheels is rumoured to be new and improved for next season.
2NZ
Dave McKie & Reece McKie
Counties
Nitro Customs
The father-son duo of Dave & Reece McKie would be a familiar face in the Top 5 over season. Scoring three podiums along the way, with their consistency rewarded as they score their best ever result of 2NZ for 2026!
1NZ
Chris Gifford & Sam Thomsen
South Waikato
Nitro Customs
There was one team who had a hand on the cup throughout the year with their grip only getting stronger – With two wins and three second places for 497/500 points, Chris Gifford & Sam Thomsen are the undisputed champions for 2026!