January | 25th | WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo | |
February | 15th | WRC Rally Sweden | |
18th | Targa Tarmac Rallysprint | ||
March | 16th | Targa Bambina | |
28th | WRC Safari Rally Kenya | ||
April | 12th | Rally of Otago | |
18th | WRC Croatia Rally | ||
28th | Piakonui Rd Rallysprint, Matamata | ||
May | 9th | WRC Rally de Portugal | |
11th | South Canterbury Rally | ||
30th | WRC Rally Italia Sardegna | ||
June | 7th | Targa 2 Day Event - cancelled | |
22nd | Southern Lights Rally | ||
27th | WRC Rally Poland | ||
July | 7th | SBT Group Taranaki Tarmac Rally | |
18th | WRC Rally Latvia | ||
27th | Ventia Rally of Dargaville Tunatahi | ||
August | 1st | WRC Rally Finland | |
18th | Hoddle Rd Rallysprint, Otorohanga | ||
September | 5th | WRC Acropolis Rally Greece | |
14th | Daybreaker Rally | ||
26th | WRC Rally Chile | ||
October | 5th | Battery Town Rally Bay of Plenty | |
20th | Newstead Lodge Waitomo Rally, Piopio | ||
25th | Targa 4 Day Event | ||
31st | WRC Central European Rally | ||
November | 8th | International Rally of Whangarei | |
21st | WRC Rally Japan | ||
22nd | Silver Fern Rally |
January | 25th | WRC Rallye Monte-Carlo | |
February | 15th | WRC Rally Sweden | |
March | 28th | WRC Safari Rally Kenya | |
April | 18th | WRC Croatia Rally | |
May | 9th | WRC Rally de Portugal | |
30th | WRC Rally Italia Sardegna | ||
June | 27th | WRC Rally Poland | |
July | 18th | WRC Rally Latvia | |
August | 1st | WRC Rally Finland | |
September | 5th | WRC Acropolis Rally Greece | |
26th | WRC Rally Chile | ||
October | 31st | WRC Central European Rally | |
November | 21st | WRC Rally Japan |
April | 12th | Rally of Otago | |
May | 11th | South Canterbury Rally | |
June | 22nd | Southern Lights Rally | |
September | 14th | Daybreaker Rally | |
October | 5th | Battery Town Rally Bay of Plenty | |
November | 8th | International Rally of Whangarei |
April | 28th | Piakonui Rd Rallysprint, Matamata | |
July | 7th | SBT Group Taranaki Tarmac Rally | |
27th | Ventia Rally of Dargaville Tunatahi | ||
August | 18th | Hoddle Rd Rallysprint, Otorohanga | |
October | 5th | Battery Town Rally Bay of Plenty | |
20th | Newstead Lodge Waitomo Rally, Piopio |
February | 18th | Targa Tarmac Rallysprint | |
March | 16th | Targa Bambina | |
June | 7th | Targa 2 Day Event - cancelled | |
October | 25th | Targa 4 Day Event | |
November | 22nd | Silver Fern Rally |
9 days ago | 2024 Calendar has been updated. | |
13 days ago | Targa Bambina: Start List for Leg 2 published | |
2 weeks ago | Zeal Jones announces assault on NZ Rally Championship | |
Targa Bambina: Start List for Leg 1 published |
Zeal Jones has announced he will campaign a Skoda Fabia R5 in the 2024 New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) with Waverley Jones sitting in the co-driver’s seat.
Winner of the 2023 Elite Motorsport Academy, as well as representing the Winmax Junior Driver Program, it will be Jones’ second full NZRC season after competing in and winning the 2023 Rally Challenge category. Driving a 1993 Subaru Impreza, the 19-year-old also finished second in the Junior Championship.
“This season is another year in our chapter where we have big ultimate goals and we’ll follow a methodical plan to complete these for years to come,” commented Jones. “However, we have other internal goals with the new car to complete rally by rally to work towards winning the Junior Rally Championship and Overall Elite Motorsport Academy.
“The Skoda is a factory built car so I expect it to be reliable, agile and obviously a lot faster. This car is an old generation model but to me it’s like brand new.
“It is also a bit smaller in size so it will be nimble and fun to drive. We look forward to see how we shape up against the “Top” teams as the youngest competitor in the NZRC in a more competitive car.”
Jones opens his NZRC campaign at the Central Machine Hire Otago Rally, 12 - 14 April 2024, having also won the Otago Rally Scholarship. The Skoda R5 was previously driven by Zeal’s uncle, Kingsley Jones and originally by Esapekka Lappi.
The opening round of the Generator Rental Services North Island Rally Series has been moved to a new date after the organising committee decision to postpone the rally in the light of the recent tragic accident at the Arcadia Road rallysprint.
The Ventia Rally of Dargaville, Tunatahi, was set to go this Saturday with a strong entry list and instead will take place on Saturday 27 July 2024.
“The unfortunate passing of Brooklyn Horan and Tyson Jemmett has affected the whole rally community,” commented Series coordinator Marty Roestenburg. “It is appropriate to pause while we all take some time to grapple with the enormity of this happening. Many are very close to or know both families and the rally committee thought it respectful and appropriate to move the rally to a later date.”
The Ventia Rally of Dargaville will now become the third event on the NIRS calendar with the season now to get underway with the Piakonui Rd Rallysprint, Matamata, 28 April 2024.
The first of two rallysprint events will see competitors competing over the same stretch of road with timed multiple passes. Hosted by the Thames Valley Car Club, competitors will be flat out for 7kms including only one 200 metre straight in the quiet backdrop of the Richmond Ranges.
The six-round Generator Rental Services North Island Rally Series will be contested over a variety of road surfaces including tarmac and incorporating both local Clubsport events through to participating in a New Zealand Rally Championship round.
Generator Rental Services 2024 North Island Rally Series Calendar
Rd1 Sunday 28 April – Piakonui Rd Rallysprint, Matamata
Rd2 Sunday 7 July – SBT Group Taranaki Tarmac Rally, Stratford
Rd3 Saturday 27 July – Ventia Rally of Dargaville Tunatahi
Rd4 Sunday 18 August – Hoddle Rd Rallysprint, Otorohanga
Rd5 Saturday 5 October – Battery Town Bay Rally (NZRC), Whakatane
Rd6 Sunday 20 October – Newstead Lodge Waitomo Rally, Piopio
Prominent Indian businessman, Vamcy Merla, is now the promoter of the Otago Rally’s Asia-Pacific Rally Championship Pacific Cup. He will provided significant support, including through his business Maitri Estates. His support of the rally will be a huge boon for competitors in the APRC component of the event, with prizemoney of $5,000, $3,000 and $2,000 for the first three placegetters.
Merla and his business, Maitri Estates, is a long time supporter of Indian motorsport in many forms, and 2024 will be his second year involved with the APRC.
“I have always been passionate about promoting rallying in India and in the Asia-Pacific region,” Merla said. “I am delighted to be the promoter of the Otago Rally APRC Pacific Cup, and supporting both the competitors and organisers makes the sport stronger. The Otago Rally has a big reputation for providing an outstanding event.”
Rally promotions manager, Roger Oakley, added: “Vamcy Merla’s support is hugely appreciated. The prizemoney is a significant incentive for competitors and we encourage all those who are eligible to register for the Asia-Pacific Championship component of the event.”
The Central Machine Hire Otago Rally is the first round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship and also includes the famed Otago International Classic Rally.
The rally is the second of six rounds of the 2024 Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, with the series ‘grand finale’ to be held at the Rally of Whangarei in the North Island in early November.
The Otago Rally gratefully acknowledges the Premier Event grant support of the Dunedin City Council.
Please be advised that the Ventia Rally of Dargaville Tunatahi has been postponed until further notice to give respect to the boys, their whanau, the officials and competitors at this unprecedented and difficult time.
Please support and take care of each other.
American Rally Association champion Brandon Semenuk will make his first New Zealand rally appearance when he contests the Central Machine Hire Otago Rally in mid-April.
The mountain biker racer turned rally driver from Whistler, Canada, will be a guest driver in the event, taking the wheel of a Subaru Impreza H6 – a normally aspirated six-cylinder four-wheel drive.
Now a two-time American rally champ for the factory Subaru USA team, Semenuk won’t be chasing an outright win in the rally, but rather heading to New Zealand as a sort of ‘rallying holiday’ to sample the famed Otago Rally stages.
“Competing in New Zealand is something I’ve wanted to do for some time. They have fantastic rallying roads, a great community and a strong championship,” Semenuk said.
“I can’t wait to be part of the Otago Rally. An opportunity to drive Jeff Judd’s classic 4WD Subaru was too good to turn down.
“I’m there for fun, but that won’t stop me from seeing what I can do,” he added.
Semenuk’s Subaru will compete in the Classic 4WD section of the rally, and his participation in the event is sure to boost spectator numbers and interest from those outside the rallying family.
As an X Games gold medalist and a three-time Freeride Mountain Bike World Tour winner, he has a global reputation and hundreds of thousands of followers on social media.
“Having the current USA Rally Champion at Otago is really great news,” event spokesman Roger Oakley said.
“We’ve watched the US championship go from strength to strength, and Brandon’s entry will create a lot of interest within each county’s rallying communities.
“The fans are in for a treat getting to see him compete.”
The Subaru that Semenuk will drive has previously contested the Otago Rally in the hands of BMX racer Sarah Walker, and triple Olympic Games gold medal-winning rower, Hamish Bond.
He will be partnered by his regular co-driver, Keaton Williams.
The Otago Rally over the weekend of April 13 and 14 in and around Dunedin in the country’s South Island and Semenuk and over 100 other competitors will tackle 14 timed special stages over a distance of 280 kilometres.
It is also the first round of the Brian Green Properties NZ Rally Championship and receives the support of Dunedin City’s Premier Event fund.
For further information on the 2024 Otago Rally, head to www.otagorally.com
Great interest in the 2024 Central Machine Hire Otago Rally is present across the rallying community of New Zealand as the first round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship looms.
At the most recent Intentions to Enter update there are 132 crews on the list hoping to make the start line of the famous rally, with 26 internationals preparing to come to Dunedin, New Zealand, to sample the pristine rally roads and fine local hospitality.
In comparison to years past, this number is a record, and the international number continues to climb after the limitations brought on by the pandemic.
"We are extremely pleased with the level of interest, it's as high as its ever been,” event spokesperson Roger Oakley said.
“While we know that some of the competitors on the list will not be able to come this year, there are others who are not on the list who we know will be here. New Zealand Rally Championship competitors tend to wait until entries come out," he added.
“This level of interest is a great boost for the organisers, volunteers and sponsors.”
The formal regulations and entry forms are expected to be available next week, which this year will be managed through Motorsport New Zealand's new app.
Interest in the event is strong among all classes, however, Allcomers entrants are coming in with record numbers. Twelve internationals are included in the 42 intentions to enter already received.
In 2024, this is looking like being the most popular class of the entire Central Machine Hire Otago Rally field.
Often a feeder class for the NZRC, you can also find many classic rally cars and enthusiasts in this class who keep coming back year after year for the betterment of the sport.
This class features unique rally cars like V6 VW Golfs and a V8 Toyota Corolla, and welcomed international entries like Phil Thomas, Braeden Kendrick and Vanuatuan drivers Julian Langley and Nelson Law.
Competitors preparing themselves for a national championship win are the likes of Raana Horan and Mike Young, while fast drivers such as Kris Meeke, Derek Ayson, Ari Pettigrew and Marcus van Klink will be in the Classic 2WD field.
270km of mainly public road stages will await competitors, with no repeats and a compact route combining for a great feast of rally action for competitors and spectators alike.
Intentions to Enter the Central Machine Hire Otago Rally remain open and can be made HERE, while spectators can access the 2024 Rally Map at any time.
The Otago Rally gratefully acknowledges the Premier Event grant support of the Dunedin City Council.
The Generator Rental Services North Island Rally Series is set to go for a second year getting underway in early March. The six-round series will be contested over a variety of road surfaces incorporating both local Clubsport events through to participating in a New Zealand Rally Championship round.
Early expressions of interest have already indicated a bumper field for the first round, the inaugural Ventia Rally of Dargaville Tunatahi, a one-day event taking place on 9 March 2023.
“We are very excited about the coming season,” commented Series spokesman Marty Roestenburg.
“We really appreciate both our sponsors coming on board, such as Generator Rental Services, Semog Racing Products and Racetech plus the ongoing support from local motorsport clubs, officials and volunteers.
This was a huge part of last season’s success and will be an important ingredient going forward.”
The second round will be the Piakonui Rd Rallysprint, 28 April 21024, the first of two rallysprint events which sees competitors competing over the same stretch of road with timed multiple passes.
Hosted by the Thames Valley Car Club, competitors will be flat out for 7kms including only one 200 metre straight in the quiet backdrop of the Richmond Ranges.
The SBT Group Taranaki Tarmac Rally takes place 7 July 2024 and is a favourite amongst sealed road specialists. Hosted by both the South Taranaki and the Taranaki Car Clubs, the rally will take place around the tight and twisty roads of Stratford.
The Hamilton Car Club are the organisers of the Hoddle Road Rallysprint event on 18 August.
The fourth round takes place on a gravel stage previously used in the Rally of New Zealand round of the World Rally Championship.
The penultimate round of the season, the Battery Town Bay Rally, will be part of the national series arranged by Motorsport Bay of Plenty and takes place 5 October with some of the best gravel roads in the Whakatane region.
The final round takes place three weeks later on 20 October 2024. The Newstead Lodge Waitomo Rally is a Hamilton Car Club Clubmans ‘blind’ event over 80kms around Piopio in the Waikato.
Last season’s series champion, Phil Campbell (Ford Fiesta AP4) is expected to return along with several national competitors who also competed in several events.
Generator Rental Services company director, Raana Horan, a well-known name to Kiwi rally enthusiasts says he is delighted to support the fledgling series.
“My son Brooklyn and I both individually competed in the 2023 Series and really enjoyed the vibe,” said Raana Horan, who finished runner up in the national series.
“The NIRS organisers have gone to great lengths to target young competitors with the inclusion of clubman-level events, which has been a major drawcard for our family.
The season ending prizegiving will be combined with the Northern Rallysprint Series on Saturday 30 November 2024 at the Northern Sports Car Club from 4:30pm.
Intentions to enter the Central Machine Hire Otago Rally are rolling in, with 17 internationals looking to challenge themselves on the Dunedin roads so far.
Opened in September, many competitors have shared their intentions to compete in the event, with several in each of the relevant classes of the rally.
The Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) and the Otago Classic Rally will take centre stage alongside the growing Alllcomers and 4WD Classic Rally sections of the event. The leading competitor in the national championship registered thus far is the Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo of Raana Horan, who’ll be looking to improve on his best finishing place of third on what is the opening round of the championship.
As previously announced, the leader of the classic rally field will be Irishman Kris Meeke, who is joined on the list by several former winners of the event.
Three-time Otago Classic Rally winner, Derek Ayson, will compete in his works-spec Opel Manta, while Deane Buist will run in a Ford Escort RS1800, like he did when driving to victory in 2007.
Australian-based Irishman, Glenn Alcorn, who drove his own Ford Escort RS2000 in the NZRC section in 2023, is looking to return in a BDA Escort this time around, with many aiming to join him from across the ditch.
As is usually the case in the event, the Australians will be coming thick and fast in their various cars and classes.
Names like Bryan van Eck, Tristan Carrigan, Matt Jones, Owen Polanski and Paul McCroy are just some of the 13 who are planning to be in Dunedin when the event gets underway in April.
Steve Cox will be piloting his beautiful Audi Quattro E1 S2 works replica which is sure to be a crowd favourite, but the Classic 4WD pace setters are likely to be in the form of Sean Haggarty and Tim Smith who have great experience and speed in their H6 Subarus.
“With more than 100 intentions to enter already received, things are looking great as we head into the New Year period,” Central Machine Hire Otago Rally spokesperson Roger Oakley said.
“Thus far, we have 17 internationals from five different countries on the list, which is a testament to the whole organising team and the Otago region for attracting such competitors from all over the world.
“We’ll be working hard to provide yet another popular event.”
This year’s Otago Rally will cover 270 competitive kilometres on largely public roads with no repeated stages. Two-pass reconnaissance will take place on Thursday and Friday in the Otago region, before competitors drive the stages against the clock on April 13 and 14.
Intending competitors can register their intention to enter via the event website, while spectators can now access the 2024 rally map.
The Otago Rally gratefully acknowledges the Premier Event grant support of the Dunedin City Council.
Irish rally star Kris Meeke has been announced as the star driver for the classic field on next year’s Central Machine Hire Otago Rally to be held from April 12-14.
Loved by fans the world over for his spectacular, flat-out driving style, 44-year-old Meeke is a five-time World Rally Championship (WRC) event winner.
His five WRC wins included success in the world’s most famous event, Rally Finland, and came with French manufacturer Citroen. He also drove factory cars at the highest level for Mini, and the all-conquering Toyota Gazoo Racing.
It will be his first visit to the famed Otago Rally, but one that Meeke is already looking forward to with great excitement.
He’ll be at the wheel of a Ford Escort RS1800 previously driven to victory by rallying greats such as Ari Vatanen and Juha Kankkunen, and recently Mads Ostberg and Markko Martin.
“When I received the invitation, there was no hesitation in agreeing to it,” the Irishman said.
“The Otago Rally has a big reputation, and coming to the South Island of New Zealand is something that any rally driver would look forward to.”
Just last month Meeke contested the five-day Roger Albert Clark Rally in the United Kingdom in a Ford Escort RS1800, but unfortunately retired from the rally lead early on with an engine problem.
“I’ve always loved competing in the BDA Escorts, and the opportunity to tackle the fast and open Otago Rally roads in the famous Rossendale Escort is too good to miss.
“I’m looking forward to meeting the competitors and fans as I know they love their motorsport.”
The Otago Rally is thrilled with Meeke’s addition to next year’s entry list, which continues the tradition of having a WRC legend contest the rally each year.
“We’re delighted that Kris accepted our invitation, and have always hoped he would compete here one day,” event spokesman, Roger Oakley, said.
“Everyone in rallying knows how fast and spectacular Kris is, and along with his reputation for engaging with the fans, he’s going to be hugely popular.
“The competitors in the Otago Classic Rally have got a world-class competitor to compare themselves against.”
The 2024 Otago Rally will offer 275 kilometres of entirely public road stages, with no stage being repeated.
Also counting as the opening round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship, the event has already attracted intentions to enter from 45 crews, including 10 internationals.
It is expected that a full field of over 100 crews will start the rally in Dunedin’s Octagon on Friday, April 12.
Intending competitors can register their intention to enter via the event website, while spectators can now access the 2024 rally map.
The Otago Rally gratefully acknowledges the Premier Event grant support of the Dunedin City Council.
Rally of Otago |
Targa Bambina |
Pos | Driver | Total |
---|
1 | David Rogers | 1:40:42.3 | |
2 | Mike Tubbs | +3:33.3 | |
3 | Andrew Oakley | +5:02.3 | |
4 | Dylan Thomson | +5:27.3 | |
5 | Nigel Patterson | +6:52.7 | |
6 | Nicolaas De Waal | +7:34.8 | |
7 | John Thomson | +13:27.4 | |
8 | Brian Green | +14:03.6 | |
9 | Derek Moore | +14:45.9 | |
10 | Matt Tubbs | +15:59.5 | |
11 | Bob Boniface | +19:01.0 | |
12 | Andrew Greville | +23:09.9 | |
13 | Anthony Butler | +31:44.9 |
AASA Tarmac Championship |
Pos | Name | Points |
---|
1 | Mike Tubbs | 90 | |
1 | Andy Oakley | 90 | |
1 | Nigel Patterson | 90 | |
4 | David Rogers | 86 | |
5 | John Thomson | 82 | |
5 | Nic De Waal | 82 | |
5 | Tony Butler | 82 | |
8 | Dylan Thomson | 80 | |
9 | Derek Moore | 78 | |
10 | Andrew Greville | 76 | |
11 | Bob Boniface | 74 | |
11 | Brian Green | 74 | |
11 | Matt Tubbs | 74 | |
14 | Jason Gill | 70 | |
15 | Timothy James | 64 | |
16 | Ivan Knauf | 50 |