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GRAF Adventure Trophy for Maxxis-sponsored Gigglepin Racing

Late last month ATV legends, Gigglepin Racing, headed to Northern Portugal for the start of the GRAF 2016 championships.

The three day and three night challenge included stages that would test driver, Jim Marsden, his team and his new ATV (affectionately named ‘Little Lady’) to the limit.

Pitted against 30 other amazing vehicles from six different countries and with challenges taking the team through deep water, over huge rocks and dense forests, the pressure was on. The opening round consisted of a 3.3K night stage in the hills high above the town of Montalegre. Setting off at an eye-watering 3am, team Gigglepin put its Maxxis tyres to the test over manmade obstacles and natural climbs and finished a clear 20 seconds faster than their nearest rivals.

The subsequent rounds consisted of near vertical climbs with almost zero anchor points, suicidal descents, winding through rivers over rocks strewn by powerful winter floods, total submersion in a river and a radio outage, suspected air leaks, a 3 metre near-vertical drop, lots of winching, a sideways tumble and double roll. Heading into the final round, Jim and his crew took on a track built into the side of a quarry with huge man-made pits and lots of water. Opening up the stage with an impressive time, team Gigglepin could only look on as their competitors tried to better their time. When it was time to announce the winning team, the municipal hall in the centre of Montalegre erupted with cheers and applause as Gigglepin Racing was announced as the 2016 winner and handed the GRAF Adventure Trophy.