News
Otago Rally in New Zealand to kick off the new TER World Series
09.12.2022
New Zealand event joins the Series ahead of new exciting developments
Scheduled from March 31st to April 2nd, the Otago Rally, in southern New Zealand, will be the first event of the new-for-2023 TER World Series. A further step in the project of the newest concept of Rally series, aiming to stretch the concept of great sports events in unique tourism locations to reach new heights.
Otago Rally is based in Dunedin, a beautiful town in the south of New Zealand. It is the second-largest city in the South Island of New Zealand and the main one of the Otago region. The city has plenty to offer embracing all the visitors’ interests, from art to history, wildlife and natural wonders.
The Otago Rally has been running since 1976 and is part of the NZ Rally Championship since 1993. In recent years the Otago Classic Rally has attracted former World Rally Champions Miki Biasion (Italy), Ari Vatanen, Juha Kankkunen and Hannu Mikkola from Finland, Bjorn Waldegard from Sweden, and France’s Didier Auriol, as well as international stars Mads Ostberg, Markko Martin, Pasi Hagstrom, Piero Liatti, Jimmy and Alister McRae and Alex Fiorio.
The 2023 event, to be held from 31 March – 2 April 2023, will begin with a ceremonial rally start in Dunedin’s centre, The Octagon, on Friday night. The gravel special stages will be held on Saturday and Sunday, with the Rally of Otago’s traditional mix of challenging stages awaiting competitors, and the iconic Kuri Bush stage to round off a weekend of great sporting action in a unique setting.
The TER World Series events will benefit from the same global TV promotion of the Tour European Rally series, celebrating in 2023 its eighth season.
Luca Grilli - TER Series Promoter and Organiser: “Together with all the TER Staff, I am delighted to welcome the Otago Rally and the New Zealand crews and fans to the new TER World Series. Our project continues to grow, just like its reach, and to aim for a global series is another important step forward for us. New Zealand has a great appeal, history, rallying and tourism background to attract and delight crews and fans. I wish to thank our TER Ambassador Hayden Paddon who, during a busy 2022 season which saw him secure a record 6th National crown, clinch the Overall TER Series and win the APRC title, was paramount to the development of the new World Series and to Otago Rally joining our family”.
Roger Oakley - event spokesperson: “For many years we've been working to build the profile of the event, and along with the Kiwi competitors have hugely enjoyed being hosts to the international competitors and spectators. To join the TER World Series is exciting, the worldwide profile for our region and the Otago Rally is fantastic. Being part of a series that promotes the love of the sport is what we are all about”.
Hayden Paddon - TER Series Ambassador: “The Otago Rally is one of my favourite events, the Dunedin and Otago region are perfect for rallying, great roads, great landscapes and a really passionate team of organisers. I've always been impressed by the support of the City of Dunedin and the way the community gets behind the rally. I can't wait to be there again, and meeting all the competitors”.
