A Fantastic Start for the World Series of TER in Southern New Zealand.
The 2026 World Series of TER got off to a great start in southern New Zealand. The 50th edition of the Central Machine Hire Otago Rally Hosted the TER Series for the 3rd year.
After 2 days of thrilling racing on the super-fast gravel roads of New Zealand’s southern region, victory went to the Skoda Fabia Rally2 of Jack Stokes and Hayden Graves.
After a great rally for them, with 9 special stages won out of 16 contested, Jack Hawkeswood and Jason Farmer finished in second place with their Toyota GR Yaris Rally2. However, they were hampered by a 2-minute penalty that prevented them from winning the 50th edition of the Otago Rally.
Third final position in the TER Series for the Skoda Fabia Rally2 of Quentin Palmer and Noel Moloney.
Ari Pettigrew’s Porsche 997 GT3 finished 4th ahead of MacDonald’s Mitsubishi. MacDonald finished 5th in the TER Series.
Positive debut in New Zealand for the 2-time TER – Tour European Rally champions. The Spaniards Edgar Vigo and Fatima Ameneiro completed the long and tough rally with a Suzuki Swift.
Due to a mechanical problem on his Skoda Fabia, Robbie Stokes was forced to abandon the rally. He had finished 2nd in the 2025 Otago Rally.
Among the stars at the start of the 50th edition of the Central Machine Hire Otago Rally, the former WRC driver Kris Meeke repeated the great performance of 2025 with the Ford Escort RS and Stuart Loudon at his side.
The British driver finished the rally in 7th place overall.
Unlucky Otago Rally for the other former WRC driver in Dunedin, Mads Ostberg, with Jared Hudson at his side. The Norwegian was forced to abandon the rally due to mechanical issues on his Mazda RX-3.
The same unlucky Otago Rally also for the Finnish Pasi Hagstrom. He abandoned the race with his Porsche 911.
15th Final position in the overall classification for the 2-time Dakar Rally winner, Australian Toby Price, with a Toyota GR Yaris.
A fantastic edition of the Central Machine Hire Otago Rally, the 50th, has once again provided a perfect season start. Therefore, it was a great beginning for the World Series of TER.
After starting in Oceania the 2026 TER Series, the World Series of TER, will continue at the end of May on the American continent. The next round is the BCIC Rally Barbados.