The draft route for the 2025 Central Machine Hire Otago Rally has been released, offering competitors nearly 280 kilometres of gravel stages.

As the opening round of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship, the rally will be based out of Dunedin on the weekend of April 5 and 6.

Now a tradition for the popular event, there will be a number of new special stages included on the itinerary, as well as many of the traditional ‘rally favourites’.

Being held a week earlier than in 2024, rally proceedings will begin on the Friday afternoon with the successful rally show and ceremonial start in Dunedin’s Octagon.

Come Saturday morning, the expected field of over 100 competitors will undertake eight stages and 135km of competitive driving, with a further seven stages over 139km on Sunday.

Saturday’s gravel action finishes with the challenging 37km Nenthorn test, while a challenging 27km stage in the Berwick Forest will be used on both days.

For the first time since 2012, the rally will venture into the Akatore Forest for a 33km stage, while usual favourites like Waipori Gorge and the Dunedin Super Special Stage are also included.

The rally finishes on Sunday afternoon with the mandatory run over the rollercoaster that is Kuri Bush.

In all there will be 274km of stages, with just 349km of liaison sections, offering intending competitors incredible value for money.

The 2024 rally was won by young Kiwi star Jack Hawkeswood in a Toyota GR Yaris AP4, while international super star, Kris Meeke, drove a Ford Escort RS1800 to victory in the Classic Otago Rally.

New Zealand’s most successful rally export, Hayden Paddon, will no doubt be looking to return to the event next year after missing the rally in 2024 due to a clash with his European Rally Championship commitments.

The Central Machine Hire Otago Rally is grateful to the Dunedin City Council for Premier Event funding.