The 2022 New Zealand Rally Championship begins with hurricane strength this weekend, as arguably the most exciting field in the event’s history blows into Dunedin for the Otago Rally.
For starters, the bumper national championship field features two Otago drivers who have 2022 international driving gigs.
The No 1 seed, Cromwell-based Hayden Paddon, will juggle driving his Hyundai i20 AP4 in the NZRC’s six rounds with competing in two European WRC2 rallies in an internationally constructed Hyundai, purpose-built for this second-tier series.
As the first female to drive for McLaren, Dunedin Extreme E series driver Emma Gilmour will also draw the global attention of the motorsport giant’s followers to the 16-stage, two-day event.
The region’s two locals join a further 16 entries in the NZRC 4WD class, and defending champion Paddon (Hyundai) is accompanied by three other competitors who have manufacturer backing.
Rising Waikuku star Robbie Stokes has Ford on board; two-time national title holder Ben Hunt has swapped out Subaru for Skoda; and second-generation hard-charger Jack Hawkeswood has support from Toyota.
Attrition often plays a part in Otago’s podium with the long, fast-flowing stages taking their toll come Sunday evening.
Waiting in the wings to pounce are fast men Raana Horan (Skoda Fabia R5), Phil Campbell (Ford Fiesta AP4), last year’s runner-up Josh Marston (Holden Barina AP4) and Todd Bawden in a new Ford Fiesta AP4.
Devoid of the usual international big-name drivers who tend to dominate, the Otago Classic Rally will this year will be won by Kiwi rally royalty.
Two of the undisputed kings are long-term Christchurch campaigners Deane Buist and Jeff Judd. Amassing 75 years of rally expertise between them, they enjoy a friendly rivalry, though defending classic champion Buist is tipped to come out on top.
Having sold the Volkswagen Golf GTi in which he won the 2021 event, the laidback veteran will be at the wheel of a borrowed, turbocharged Toyota Celica Group B replica.
He will be chased hard by a posse of Ford Escort RS1800s driven by Judd, Shane Murland and Graham Ferguson — along with John Silcock bucking the trend in a Mazda RX7 — all of whom could snatch victory.
The classics will run in reverse seeding order with car 28, Paul Kendrick’s Fiat Abarth 131 R, starting first. Top seed Buist will be last, before the NZRC field hits the 16 stages.
This year‘s guest drivers are drawing plenty of interest from vastly different sporting fields.
Drift champion "Fanga" Dan Woolhouse will be trying his hand at rallying in a Ford Escort BDA in the classic field.
Triple Olympic champion Hamish Bond steps into a Subaru Impreza H6 among the Classic 4WD entries.
The rally begins with the ceremonial start in the Octagon from 5pm today with two days of stages on Saturday and Sunday.
- Catherine Pattison. File photo.
