The Otago Rally is set to join the new TER World Series, becoming the first rally in the Southern Hemisphere to do so.
Originating in Europe, the TER Series sees drivers compete in rallies across a range of iconic locations with the World Series now seeing them travel further afield.
First up on its tour of the globe is the Otago Rally, a longstanding event in the New Zealand Rally Championship, based in Dunedin.
The event will be broadcast globally, exposing a myriad of international viewers to our renown rally roads while boosting the Otago region’s tourism.
Following the event’s announcement as part of the TER World Series, event origanisers have heard from nearly 100 competitors regarding their intentions to enter.
“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,” event spokesperson Roger Oakley explained.
“To join the TER World Series is exciting, and to increase 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.”
The event will also see 18 or more international entrants arriving from Australia, Finland, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines.
New Zealand’s very own Hayden Paddon welcomes the international attention.
“The Otago Rally is one of my favourite events. The Dunedin and Otago region is perfect for rallying: great roads, great landscapes and a really passionate team of organisers,” he said speaking to Otago Rally.
“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 meet all the competitors.”
The 2023 Otago Rally will commence with a ceremony in Dunedin’s Octagon on March 31, 2023 while rallying gets underway from April 1 to 2.
Main image: Otago Rally
