The popular event is New Zealand’s traditional start to the rally season and once again qualifies as round one of the Asia-Pacific (APRC) and New Zealand Rally Championships.
Perhaps the biggest surprise is the absence of 10-time Otago Rally winner Hayden Paddon, who is expected to announce his 2024 plans very shortly. However, his place will be taken by the super-quick Indian driver, Gaurav Gill.
The three-time Asia-Pacific Rally Champion will drive Paddon’s Hyundai i20 N Rally2 in the APRC field (promoted by Vamcy Merla), and will provide a major challenge to a host of local rivals.
There are eight drivers registered for the Pacific Cup section of the APRC, five of which will also be in the running for first-up honours in the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC).
With the top three placegetters from last year, Paddon, Raana Horan and Josh Marston, all not competing this year, it may give local driver Emma Gilmour her best chance of winning her home event.
It will be the first time since 2017 that Paddon hasn’t won the rally for Hyundai, with Gilmour keen to put her Citroen C3 Rally2 at the top of the time sheets. However, she’ll have tough competition from Ben Hunt’s Skoda Fabia, the Ford Fiestas of Robbie Stokes and Tod Bawden, and Jack Hawkeswood in his Toyota Yaris AP4.
Zeal Jones impressed a lot of people in 2023 in an older Subaru, and this year a lot of eyes will be on him as the Otago Rally scholarship winner is stepping up to a Skoda Fabia R5.
The 4WD Classic event is now stronger than ever with top-seed Andrew Graves the hot favourite in his Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 3. A big challenge is expected by current American Rally Champion, Brandon Semenuk, who will be the crowd favourite in his Subaru H6, but he won’t have it all his own way with third seed Christchurch’s Tim Smith also Subaru mounted.
A little further down the field, Steve Cox’s magnificent Audi Quattro S1 works replica is certain to keep spectators entertained.