Event organisers have confirmed a record-breaking field of 132 cars will start next month’s Otago Rally, beating the previous highest entry number set in 2017.
Headed by former Hyundai WRC driver Hayden Paddon, the rally is the opening round of the New Zealand and Asia Pacific Rally Championships, and incorporates the International Otago Classic Rally, and an Allcomers division, all under the overall banner of the Drivesouth Otago Rallyfest.
The field includes 55 competitors registered for the national championship, 37 in the classic rally field, and 15 in the fast-growing 4WD classic field.
There are eight different countries represented among the competitors. Sixteen Australians are heading across the Tasman and crews are also coming from Japan, New Caledonia, the Philippines, Norway, Ireland and Germany.
With Paddon not registering for New Zealand Rally Championship points this year, the fight for national title honours is shaping up as an open battle.
It will certainly feature ex-champions David Holder (Holden Barina AP4), Andrew Hawkeswood (Mazda 2 AP4) and Ben Hunt (Subaru WRX), along with Emma Gilmour (Suzuki), and Australian hot-shot Brendan Reeves in a Ford Fiesta AP4. Dylan Turner returns to the fray in his Audi AP4, while Matt Summerfield, Josh Marston (Barina) and Raana Horan (Skoda Fabia R5) will be in the mix.
The Classic Rally field sees the return of Norway’s Mads Ostberg in a Ford Escort RS1800, who will be pushing hard to overcome the mechanical problems that cost him victory in 2018. Last year’s winner, Regan Ross, will be hoping to go back-to-back, but will come under strong pressure from a host of other Escorts, including those of Derek Ayson, Jeff Judd and Stewart Reid. Christchurch’s Deane Buist looks like the best hope for a non-Escort Classic victory in his VW Golf GTi.
‘‘We are thrilled with the number and quality of entries we have received this year,’’ rally manager Norman Oakley said.
‘‘This year’s route contains many of the favourite event stages such as Kuri Bush, McIntosh Road, Waipori Gorge and Whare Flat, while also incorporating stages that haven’t been used in the event for many years.
‘‘It’s a great mix of new and old.’’
- Photo and story by David Thomson
