New classic album established by Buist

The hopes of an epic battle between the two former WRC stars were frustrated at the rally opening stage, when the direction in Paddon’s escort broke, forcing him to retire from the first day of competition.

Meeke then dominated, establishing the fastest classic time during all eight stages of Saturday, breaking several stage records along the way and ensuring an advantage over the night of almost a minute and a half over Buist.

However, the 34 km of Akatore on Sunday morning proved the ruin of Irish-He and co-pilot Noel O’Sullivan lost the intercom contact on stage, then drilled and finally suffered a broken stub axis in their Ford BDA. These dramas cost four minutes and left them behind Buist and companion Ari Pettigrew (Rangiora).

While Meeke managed to review Pettigrew to be second in the end, Buist was very ahead. He made it easier to make sure to reach the end and add the title of 2025 Otago Classic to those he previously won in 2007, 2021 and 2022.

“Somebody [Meeke] He handed me the lead, and I’m not interested in returning it, “Buist admitted to the final three stages. For sure, he came home just over a minute of Meeke, with Pettigrew approximately two minutes further.

Domingo’s action of the classic Rally was also animated by the return of Paddon and, although no longer in dispute for an overall place, Ace Kiwi has changed the stage wins with Meeke throughout the day, highlighting the battle for definitive honors that could have been.

“It’s a pity that Hayden caused problems anytime soon; we may have to rematch next year,” Meeke offered. Paddon also expressed interest in a possible rematch in 2026.

Behind the first three, Hasting driver Ben Harding (Mazda RX-7) ran home a solid room in the classics after a good dispute with the Winton Stephen Gill driver (Ford Escort). The Harri Silcock of Rangiora (Toyota Starlet) completed the classic top six and won the classic division 1301-1700cc, while his brother Josh (also in a star) won the 0-1300cc category.

The victory in the classic four -wheel rally was for Christchurch Tim Smith, who dominated this event component with a cargo race in his Subaru Impaza H6.

Paddon’s WRC Run attracts the crowds

The hundred fans filled each of the viewer’s four points on the rally’s final stage of Kuri Bush to witness Hayden Paddon’s demonstration of his world rally car Hyundai i20.

Having completed the stage in his classic Ford companion with co-pilot Jarrod Hudson, next to Paddon, he returned to the beginning of the stage, joining this time with his regular international co-pilot John Kennard for his special race.

The pair impressed the crowds as they called the stage, lowering the previous 7-minute record of 12.8 seconds for the 15.05 km test (defined by the 2023 pair), but falling about three seconds less than seven-year-old minutes that Paddon was also possible.

“The conditions of the road were not as good as in 2023, with some sections swept [of gravel] And almost like Tarmac, but others quite slippery, “explained Paddon.” Seeing so many fans out there to watch us was very special. “

By David Thomson