2012 - National Round 2 - Mangawhai
Monday, 09 April 2012 22:00
See Galleries Section of the Website for Photos by Mike Peffers www.mikepeffers.com
ORANZ ROUND 2 PHOTOS - CRAIG DAWSON
Monday, 09 April 2012 00:00
Go to www.hardout.co.nz for more photos of Round 2 of the ORANZ National Championships held in Mangawhai
OFFROAD RACNING CHAMPIONSHIP HEADS NORTH
Sunday, 01 April 2012 22:02
OFFROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIP HEADS NORTH
- · Two days of fierce competition at Mangawhai for Easter
- · Four racers hold joint championship lead
- · New cars aim to make an impression
The seaside village of Mangawhai north of Auckland is host to the offroad racing national championship for this first time this Easter, as upward of 60 race teams arrive in the town to do battle.
Buoyed by a massive turnout to the first round of the 2012 Mickey Thompson New Zealand Offroad Racing Championship, organisers of the Mangawhai round are seeing strong early interest in their event that indicates their round will attract a record entry across all classes.
The second round features both crowd-pleasing stadium-style short course racing and a full endurance race, offering North Island drivers the toughest weekend of racing in the championship until the national final in late October. Event organiser – and championship joint leader – Nick Leahy says there is much to draw teams north over the Easter break.
"Drivers who are looking for something new and different, drivers who are chasing points in the championship or looking to make up for points missed at the first round - all will be looking north at Easter, and we've got a fantastic track sorted for them, a real driver's course," said Nick Leahy.
Leahy competes in the popular and close-fought Challenger VW class. He says he has designed a course that will please drivers and excite the crowds.
Both short course and enduro tracks are plotted over rolling farmland off Molesworth Drive in Mangawhai, with fast sections, jumps and tight and tricky sections to test drivers and cars.
“It’s the first time the national championship has ventured into Northland in more than a decade; the course is all-new and self-contained at one venue; several of the big new cars didn’t front for the first round and must now play catch-up on points. All of that ensures we will have two great days of very close competition,” says Leahy.
With additional bonus points available for racers at the third round, the second round points become valuable to drivers with an eye on a class or outright title.
“So racers have to make the most of these early rounds in order to make sure they bring the best possible points tally to the final in October.”
There is also the added attraction of the location and timing of the event: held at the start of the school holidays over a long weekend at a seaside township, the event offers families and race fans a pleasant break anchored around two days of exciting motor racing.
The last time the championship raced at the seaside was at the Whitianga Festival of Speed in 2010, where the combination of new venue and the prospect of TV coverage drew a record entry that included almost every top team in the North Island.
Visitors and Mangawhai locals get their first chance to see the race cars with scrutineering at the track on Good Friday between 3pm and 6pm. Racing starts the following day at 11.00 am and ends around 3pm; Sunday's enduro starts with time trials at 9.30 and racing at 11.00 am.
Nick Leahy has organised camping areas at the track for race teams, and the prizegiving venue is just 1 km away from the track.
"We've put a lot of thought into making this a real social weekend in the old style: fierce racing, good fun, lots to see and do - and all at one venue - so camping's definitely going to be popular."
Four at the forefront
Four racers from very different classes have an equal share of the lead in the 2012 Mickey Thompson New Zealand Offroad Racing Championship.
At the Manukau opening round, Grahame Steedman, Klem Christiansen, Nick Leahy and 14 year old Taine Carrington all won every heat for their respective classes - from the bellowing might of the V8-dominated ThunderTruck class (Steedman) to the tiny VW-engined class seven (Carrington), in conditions that went from cool and overcast to torrential rain that turned the clay-surfaced track to greasy ankle-deep mud.
Leahy and Carrington both survived rollovers on their way to taking top points in their classes; all four have amassed 72 points.
Close behind them in the championship stakes after the opening round, northwest Auckland racer Mike Hay gave his new Toyota Hilux its championship debut outing, winning production class to take 70 points into round two; Jason Delahunty brought his Toyota out for the first time in class four to win and carry 70 points to the next round.
Taupo’s Klem Christiansen was the class six winner and Grahame Steedman took class eight.
In the race car classes Alistair Manning came all the way from Wellington to win the Super 1300s and got 70 points for his efforts. Pukekohe's Nick Hall won two heats and survived a spin and a flat tyre to win the Leader Products Super 1600 class and take away 64 points; Whakatane's Malcolm Langley won two heats and took top points in the Whakatane Commercial Spares unlimited race car class (60) with fellow Whakatane driver Clive Thornton just one point behind on 59. Nick Leahy won the Challenger VW class and 14 year old Taine Carrington won the VW-engined class 7.
Though many had been tipping the new car of Tony McCall to dominate, it retired with gearbox problems after the first heat.
The sport's youth category, Kiwitrucks, saw Marcus Runciman of Clendon win the "J" class, taking equal top points with Jasper Ryder. Manukau's Ollie McCall won the more powerful "M" class. Runciman and McCall were making their championship debuts in Kiwitruck.
The second round of the 2012 Mickey Thompson New Zealand Offroad Racing Championship will be held Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend at Mangawhai north of Auckland.
TOP RACING IN KIWITRUCK YOUTH CATEGORY
Eight Kiwitrucks hit the track at Manukau for the first round of the 2012 Mickey Thompson New Zealand Offroad Racing Championship.
The recently introduced class makes its national championship debut this year and will closely follow the senior classes, providing added family interest at each round of the championship.
Kiwitrucks are built to two specifications: “J” class introduces new racers to the sport, and has a simple, user-friendly drivetrain; “M” class uses a more powerful motorcycle engine and has a manual shift gearbox.
In J class, Marcus Runciman of Clendon and Jasper Ryder of Whenuapai shared top points after four heats, with Fergus Crabb (Albany) third, Dyson Delahunty fourth and Alexandria Bleakley fifth.
The M class races saw Ollie McCall win the day on his racing debut ahead of Colby Langley and Jack Hawkeswood.
Kiwitrucks return to racing at the second round of the championship at Mangawhai during Easter.
Mangawhai National Round No 2
Tuesday, 27 March 2012 00:00
MANGAWHAI - THE PLACE TO RACE AT EASTER
Buoyed by a massive turnout to the first round of the 2012 Mickey Thompson New Zealand Offroad Racing Championship, organisers of the Mangawhai round at Easter are seeing strong early interest in their event that indicates their round will attract a record entry across all classes.
The second round features both crowd-pleasing stadium-style short course racing and a full endurance race, offering North Island drivers the toughest weekend of racing in the championship until the national final in late October. Nick Leahy says there is much to draw teams north over the Easter break.
A Challenger VW racer who currently shares the championship lead, Leahy says he has designed a course that will please drivers and excite the crowds. Both short course and enduro tracks are plotted over rolling farmland off Molesworth Drive in Mangawhai, with fast sections, jumps and tight and tricky sections to test drivers and cars. It is the first time the national championship has ventured into Northland in more than a decade; the course is all-new and self-contained at one venue; and there are valuable points up for grabs. With bonus points available for racers at the third round, the second round points become valuable to drivers with an eye on a class or outright title.
"Drivers who are looking for something new and different, drivers who are chasing points in the championship or looking to make up for points missed at the first round - all will be looking north at Easter, and we've got a fantastic track sorted for them, a real driver's course," said Nick Leahy.
There is also the added attraction of the location and timing of the event: held at the start of the school holidays over a long weekend at a seaside township, the event offers families a pleasant break anchored around two days of exciting motor racing.
The last time the championship raced at the seaside was at the Whitianga Festival of Speed in 2010, where the combination of new venue and the prospect of TV coverage drew a record entry that included almost every top team in the North Island.
Visitors and Mangawhai locals get their first chance to see the race cars with scrutineering at the track on Good Friday between 3pm and 6pm. Racing starts the following day at 11.00 am and ends around 3pm; Sunday's enduro starts with time trials at 9.30 and racing at 11.00 am.
Nick Leahy has organised camping areas at the track for race teams, and the prizegiving venue is just 1 km away from the track.
"We've put a lot of thought into making this a real social weekend in the old style: fierce racing, good fun, lots to see and do - and all at one venue - so camping's definitely going to be popular."
MANGAWHAI - TEST JUMP
Tuesday, 27 March 2012 00:00
MANGAWHAI TEST JUMP
MANGAWHAI - SHORT COURSE TEST LAP
Monday, 26 March 2012 00:00
MANGAWHAI - SHORT COURSE TEST LAP
2012 ORANZ NATIONAL CHAMPOIONSHIPS - ROUND 1 - MANUKAU - RESULTS
Wednesday, 14 March 2012 19:25
2012 ORANZ NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS - ROUND 1 - MANUKAU - RESULTS
CLUB WORKING BEE - MANGAWHAI - SUNDAY 18TH MARCH
Tuesday, 13 March 2012 00:00
There is a working bee for all Club members at the Mangawhai track on Sunday 18th March starting about 10.00am.
Please bring a paint brush, sledge hammer etc.
Tasks - Open up the farm fences where required; put in the pegs for spectator fencing; paint tyres white etc etc.
More hands the merrier !!
For any other details - call Tony Saelman on 021 371 181
2011 TORC - Slow Motion
Monday, 12 March 2012 01:16
2011 TORC Highlights
Monday, 12 March 2012 01:14
Professional Offroad Racing Photos
Monday, 12 March 2012 00:00
Offroad Racing Professional Photos
If you are looking for photos from any of the major “Offroading Races” around – there are none better than from local photographer “Craig Dawson”.
Craig was at Round 1 of the 2012 ORANZ Nationals at Colin Dale Park in Manukau over the weekend and took close to 500 photos.
His photos are available for viewing and purchase on www.hardout.co.nz
Instructions to view photos:-
1. Go to www.hardout.co.nz
2. Hover mouse over “Craig Dawson” and click on “Craigs Photo Links”
3. Click on “All Craigs Albums” at bottom of page.
4. Click on “ORANZ Round 1 2012”
FATHER & SON - HEAD TO HEAD IN RD1 OF THE 2012 NATIONALS
Monday, 12 March 2012 00:00
Father & Son – Head to Head in Round 1 of the 2012 Nationals.
Over 20 years ago Ernie “Big Fella” Hogg raced against his father Peter “Hoggie” Hogg in stockcars at the Palmerston North Speedway and history repeated itself last weekend during Round 1 of the ORANZ Nationals held in Manukau when both Ernie Hogg (Car 310) and Peter Hogg (Car 323) entered their Class 3 offroaders.
It was Peter who introduced Ernie to the sport of offroad racing at last year’s National Round hosted by Peter’s club at Palmerston North – the rest is history as they say and it’s all Peters fault!!
It says a lot about the sport when you look around and see how families get involved, be it siblings or father and son - point in case at the moment - you have racing in the same classes Rick & Rene Sciarone, you have the Lammers father and sons and then in different classes you have Greg Carrington Hogg and Taine Carrington, you have Tony and Ollie McCall, you have Jason & Dyson Delahunty - am sure there are plenty of others out there.
The Hogg family over the generations have been very much a “petrolhead” family with Ernie’s grandfather (also Ernie Hogg) and father Peter, and also brother Mike having competed in all manner of different motorsports including unlimited hydroplane racing, A grade stockcars, standard stockcars, offroad trials, motocross etc all at various levels from the top down.
Peter has recently stepped up from his Class 5 offroader that he raced for several seasons and purchased the ex William van der Wal single seat Toyota 4AGE powered Class 3 offroader.
Since the purchase Peter has been busy upgrading the rear suspension amongst a few other things and managed to have one club outing at his home track for the Palmerston North Offroad Racing Club prior to travelling from Levin to Auckland to race last weekend.
The days racing for the 2st Round consisted of 3 x 5 lap sprint races and 1 x 15 lap feature race. The races were held over a 1.1km farm circuit with two jumps.
The track started off slippery after rain from the previous night, and settled down during the day as the rain stayed away, with the track becoming more tacky as the day wore on, apart from the last race when the skies opened again and turned the feature race into an absolute mud bath.
In all 4 races Peter was allocated a grid position on the start line slightly ahead (between 1 and 4 positions) of Ernie in a field that started the day with 16 or so Class 3 offroaders.
Ernie was able in each race to pass by Peter (or as the old man says "allowed") as they both raced for positions but then both cars then remained in touch visually with each other for the majority of each race apart from the last race when Ernie received a puncture on his left rear tyre early in the race.
The last race was very much a lottery as the wet conditions spread the field out as a result of spins, loss of traction, resultant contact between cars as the cars struggled with the handling in the slippery mud.
Final results for Ernie and Peter in the overall field are unknown at this stage as we await the results to be published but it was pleasing that both cars were able to complete each race and were competitive.
We can say though that the top 3 class positions for the day in Class 3 were 1st Nick Hall, 2nd Steven Stokes and 3rd Jay Murray.
Peter was absolutely stoked with his car in all aspects and he finished and returned each time to the pits with his customary smile a mile wide – Ernie was equally happy that he got the car through the day and was competitive with the top half of the field and would have been more so if he had some “paddock / hand cut tyres” to run on the car.
It has to be said that the nostalgia of the event for both of them racing together was pretty cool and it meant a lot to both Peter and Ernie that they could both rub wheels together and compete against each other in such an awesome event and Ernie only hopes that when he too is 65 years old like the old man, that he is still living and enjoying life as much as his dad does.
Bring on the 2nd Round!!
OFFROAD RACING CHAMPIONSHIP KICKS OFF
Monday, 12 March 2012 00:00
2012 NZ Offroad Racing Championship
Offroad Racing Championship Kicks Off
Four racers take clean sweep
Trouble start for championships new cars
Wet and wild end to Manukau race day
Four racers from very different classes have an equal share of the lead in the 2012 Mickey Thompson New Zealand Offroad Racing Championship.
Grahame Steedman, Klem Christiansen, Nick Leahy and 14 year old Taine Carrington all won every heat for their respective classes - from the bellowing might of the V8-dominated ThunderTruck class (Steedman) to the tiny VW-engined class seven (Carrington), in conditions that went from cool and overcast to torrential rain that turned the clay-surfaced track to greasy ankle-deep mud.
Leahy and Carrington both survived rollovers on their way to taking top points in their classes; all four have amassed 72 points.
Close behind them in the championship stakes after this opening round, northwest Auckland racer Mike Hay gave his new Toyota Hilux its championship debut outing, winning production class to take 70 points into round two; Jason Delahunty brought his Toyota out for the first time in class four to win and carry 70 points to the next round.
Taupo’s Klem Christiansen was the class six winner and Grahame Steedman took class eight.
In the race car classes Alistair Manning came all the way from Wellington to win the Super 1300s and got 70 points for his efforts. Pukekohe's Nick Hall won two heats and survived a spin and a flat tyre to win the Leader Products Super 1600 class and take away 64 points; Whakatane's Malcolm Langley won two heats and took top points in the Whakatane Commercial Spares unlimited race car class (60) with fellow Whakatane driver Clive Thornton just one point behind on 59. Nick Leahy won the Challenger VW class and 14 year old Taine Carrington won the VW-engined class 7.
Though many had been tipping the new car of Tony McCall to dominate, it retired with gearbox problems after the first heat.
The sport's youth category, Kiwitrucks, saw Marcus Runciman of Clendon win the "J" class, taking equal top points with Jasper Ryder. Manukau's Ollie McCall won the more powerful "M" class. Runciman and McCall were making their championship debuts in Kiwitruck.
The second round of the 2012 Mickey Thompson New Zealand Offroad Racing Championship will be held Saturday and Sunday of Easter weekend at Mangawhai north of Auckland.
TOP RACING IN KIWITRUCK YOUTH CATEGORY
Eight Kiwitrucks hit the track at Manukau for the first round of the 2012 Mickey Thompson New Zealand Offroad Racing Championship.
The recently introduced class makes its national championship debut this year and will closely follow the senior classes, providing added family interest at each round of the championship.
Kiwitrucks are built to two specifications: “J” class introduces new racers to the sport, and has a simple, user-friendly drivetrain; “M” class uses a more powerful motorcycle engine and has a manual shift gearbox.
In J class, Marcus Runciman of Clendon and Jasper Ryder of Whenuapai shared top points after four heats, with Fergus Crabb (Albany) third, Dyson Delahunty fourth and Alexandria Bleakley fifth.
The M class races saw Ollie McCall win the day on his racing debut ahead of Colby Langley and Jack Hawkeswood.
Kiwitrucks return to racing at the second round of the championship at Mangawhai during Easter.
WRT - Auto Electrician Needed
Tuesday, 28 February 2012 07:28
WRT need the services of a top Auto Electrician whose work is at the very highest standard to complete the electrical work on our car - if anybody can recomend somebody please call Ernie on 021 515 854.
March Club Meeting
Tuesday, 28 February 2012 07:20
Please note the next AORC Club Meeting will be held on THURSDAY 8TH MARCH AT 7.30PM at the Ponsonby Rugby Club - Western Springs
1991 NZ Grand Prix - Te Atatu
Monday, 27 February 2012 08:16
This will take you back !!
2012 - BITD Parker 425
Sunday, 12 February 2012 22:23
February 2012 Club Magazine
Thursday, 09 February 2012 00:00
Please find attached "February 2012 AORC Club Magazine".
Missing Lenk Racing - 2011 - Laughlin
Thursday, 09 February 2012 00:00
2012 USA Event Schedule
Wednesday, 08 February 2012 00:00
2012 USA Event Schedule
BITD SERIES
- Feb 3-5 Parker 425
- Mar 23-25 Mint 400
- May 4-6 Silver State 300
- Aug 16-18 Vegas to Reno
- Oct 12-14 Bluewater Desert Challenge
- Nov 30, Dec 1, 2 Henderson 250
SCORE SERIES
- Jan 13-15 Laughlin Desert Challenge
- Mar 9-11 Tecate San Felipe 250
- Jun 1-3 Tecate Baja 500
- Nov 14-17 Tecate Baja 1000
SNORE SERIES
LOORRS SERIES
- Mar 31-1 Firebird Raceway
- Apr 21-22 Lake Elsinore Park
- May 19-20 Speedworld Off Road Park
- Jun 23-24 Miller Motorsports Park
- Aug 4-5 Glen Helen Raceway
- Sep 1-2 Reno
- Sep 22-23 Las Vegas Motor Speedway
- Oct 27 Firebird Raceway
- Oct 28 Challenge Cup @ Firebird
LUCAS OIL REGIONAL SERIES
- Feb 18 Glen Helen Raceway
- Mar 10 Lake Elsinore Motorsports Park
- Jun 9 Glen Helen Raceway
- Jul 21 Glen Helen Raceway
- Sep 29 Lake Elsinore Raceway
- Nov 10 Las Vegas Motor Speedway
TORC SERIES
-
Stay tuned for the 2012 schedule
2012 National Rd 2 - Mangawhai - TV Sponsor
Wednesday, 08 February 2012 00:00
2012 Easter National Round - Mangawhai - TV Coverage Sponsorship
We have received a proposal for the production of, and showing of a 30 minute episode on TV3 for the coverage of the AORC hosted 2nd National Round to be held over Easter Weekend in Mangawhai.
The coverage will concentrate on the Enduro event.
We are now looking for a sponsor for the TV coverage - obviously great exposure for any potential sponsor.
Value of sponsorship required is $8,000 plus GST.
If you know of anybody who may be interested - all we need is a contact name and number and we can do the rest.
Any suggestions / contacts please email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or call Ernie on 021 515 854.
TORC - Greaves vs Johnson - Bark River Brawl
Tuesday, 07 February 2012 00:00
Mangawhai Rd 2 - Easter - Working Bee
Tuesday, 07 February 2012 00:00
2012 1st AORC Woodhill Sprints
Friday, 03 February 2012 00:00
2012 1st AORC Woodhill Sprints
Entry Fee is $45 per driver paid on the day (please bring cash).
Entry is off Rimmers Road, Woodhill.
Entry gates are strictly open only at the following times:-
9.00 to 9.30am
10.00 to 10.30am
12.00 to 12.30
Same track layout as last year.
2012 HDRA Redline @ Stateline Highlights
Thursday, 02 February 2012 00:00
2012 SCORE Laughlin Desert Challenge - Monster Racing Team
Wednesday, 01 February 2012 04:08
2012 - Australian Offroad Championships
Wednesday, 01 February 2012 00:00
A new look 2012 Australian Off Road Championship has just been announced by AORCom. Featuring four rounds, the fresh approach to the championship sees the existing Goondiwindi 400 and Pines Enduro joined on the national stage by the Sea Lake Mallee Rally and an exciting new race at Gatton in Queensland. The change from the existing five round format was sparked by the organisers of the Hyden 450, Finke Desert Race and Flinders 450 withdrawing their events from participation in the 2012 AORC.
As a result, the 2012 championship will kick off with the Sea Lake Mallee Rally on the Queens Birthday long weekend in June. After an absence of over ten years from the AORC the popular Victorian state round, which is the second longest running offroad event in Australia, will once again take centre stage when the off roaders race around Lake Tyrell testing course.
With extreme wet weather plaguing the Goondiwindi 400 in recent years, the event has slid forward in the calendar from October to August to become the second round of the championship. With the aim of hunting some more favourable weather patterns, to allow the teams to test the full potential of their suspension on the famous Goondiwindi melon holes.
The Teagle Excavations ARB Pines Enduro at Millicent in South Australia will be the third cab off the rank. Its exciting race format will see the stadium style arena at Teagles Quarry and Tantanoola Pine Forests come alive as the off road racers blast down the tree lined forestry tracks and let their race cars fly in the arena.
The grand finale of the 2012 season will be a brand new event at Gatton in Queensland. Organised by the Brisbane Sporting Car Club, the race will be held just an hour west of Brisbane in the Lockyear Valley on virgin terrain, ensuring an exciting conclusion to the 2012 Australian Off Road Championship.
Round 1 Sealake - 8-10 June (Victoria)
Round 2 Goondiwindi – 3-5 August (Queensland)
Round 3 Millicent - 7-9 September (South Australia)
Round 4 Gatton – 10-11 November (Queensland)
ATR Club Day - Ben Howard - Race 1
Tuesday, 31 January 2012 00:00
AORC Club Meeting
Sunday, 29 January 2012 00:00
AORC Club Meeting - The 1st AORC Club Meeting of the year is to be held this Wednesday 1st February at the Ponsonby Rugby Clubrooms at 7.30pm.
2012 - AORC Committee
Saturday, 28 January 2012 00:00
Just confirming the AORC Committee for 2012 is:-
President - Donn Attwood;
Vice President - Troy Tuffnell;
Secretary / Treasurer - Marion Saelman;
Website - Ernie Hogg;
Newsletter - Brendon & Cherie Holland;
Sponsorship & Advertising - Ernie Hogg;
ORANZ Delegate - Tony Saelman;
Forest Liaison - James Buchanan & Shawn Dickens;
General Committee -
Brendan Holland;
Andrew Phillips;
Tim Ackers;
Steve Connell;
Ernie Hogg;
Mike Fraser;
Shawn Dickens;
Gregg Carrington - Hogg;
Shane Wilson.
2012 AORC Membership Form
Thursday, 26 January 2012 00:00
Please find attached 2012 AORC Membership Form.
Payments can be made by:-
1) Cheque posted or
2) Internet payment.
All details are listed on the Membership Form.
No Membership = No Racing.
images/aorc membership form 2012.pdf
AORC Website - New Webmaster - Ernie Hogg
Monday, 23 January 2012 09:09
Troy Tuffnell has now stepped aside from being the Club’s Webmaster to concentrate on Vice President Duties for the Club and Ernie Hogg has stepped in to become Webmaster.
On behalf of the Club I would like to thank Troy for his hard work with the website over the years.
Although I will be the Club Webmaster, Troy will still be available as a backup to ensure somebody is always available to update the website as required.
I am excited to take over the club website and moving forward I would like to concentrate on keeping the website fully updated and relevant to the sport of Offroad Racing not only here in NZ but also overseas.
I have been working on the website for the last couple of weeks making some minor changes and updates and getting used to the website procedures.
Remember the website is not only for those people who are already Club members or already involved in Offroad Racing, but also for those people who may be possibly interested in being involved in Offroad Racing and therefore potential participants.
This website maybe their first contact with the world of Offroad Racing - let's bring the best of what we have to offer for them to view.
Part of the success of the website is getting YOU GUYS & GALS out there proactive in feeding me information for the website.
I would therefore welcome the following articles or items from anybody associated with Offroad Racing:-
1. Race Event Articles (Don’t be shy, everybody has a different story to tell about Race Day!).
2. Classifieds (Cars, Parts & Accessories).
3. Race Event Photos (Send your photos, reduce to web size first if possible).
4. Race Event Videos (Send your youtube links).
5. Workshop Talk (Spread the word on what you're doing and where – especially off season!)
6. Website Links (Specific to Offroad Racing, Suppliers, Clubs, Racing Teams etc!)
7. Race Event Notices & Calendars (C’mon you other Clubs – let us in on the action!)
Only articles that are informative, non-argumentative, genuine and in good humour will be posted and I reserve the right and final decision as to what is posted.
I can be reached on email at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Mangawhai race info,
Wednesday, 11 January 2012 09:16
Beach Holidays Mangawhai has the largest listings of holiday houses and baches for rent in Mangawhai
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Big Thanks
Sunday, 08 January 2012 07:00
Big thanks to Nick((boy)Leahy.
Nicks been hard at work preparing our national track at mangawhai over the break.
keep up the good work!!
Also there will be a couple of working bees up there aswell as everybody's help will be appreciated.
Thanks AORC
Hammer Down Crown and AORC Club Champ Points
Sunday, 19 June 2011 14:59
offroad championship update
Tuesday, 07 June 2011 08:39
The 2011 New Zealand
Offroad Racing Championship
Media release
7 June 2011
|
2011 class sponsors |
HALL’S LEAD UNDER THREAT AS THE SOUTH ISLANDERS HIT PACE
He’s been championship leader for five weeks, but North Island racer Nick Hall looks likely to lose his advantage when the fastest South Islanders race this weekend at West Melton and Ohoka near Christchurch.
Pukekohe-based Hall cannot race in the South Island rounds of the championship, which are divided on a regional basis. He currently holds a narrow six point lead in the 2011 Mickey Thompson New Zealand Offroad Racing Championship.
But a record entry for this year’s championship looms at the Christchurch round, the Mainland Challenge, and among them are several leading teams keen to unseat the Aucklander. As at Wednesday June 1 there were 36 cars and four wheel drives entered, with another half dozen likely to be late entries.
The championship points battle will be keenly fought out in Christchurch. Dennis Andreassend still leads the unlimited category, Whakatane Commercial Spares Class One, after a dominant performance in muddy going at the opening round in Nelson. He held the outright championship lead for just a week between the Nelson round and Palmerston North; he now has his chance to regain the lead with the next round, the Mainland Challenge at Christchurch on June 11 and 12.
The team has been making the most of the break between the first and second South Island rounds to fettle the Cougar Evo VW; Andreassend is an aggressive driver who has always made the most of the stadium-style racing that forms the first day of racing at the Mainland Challenge.
Ranged against him in the unlimited class are Christchurch driver Tim Culling and Nelson’s Ashley Kelly. Powell is bringing out his big US-built Jimco, Culling is also racing an American car while Kelly will contest the round in his New Zealand-built single-seater with Nissan turbo power. Other unlimited-class teams are expected to add to the grid excitement on Saturday.
Racing at his home track and aiming to mount a challenge for AFWE class two (production truck and 4WD) points is Steven Boyd in his fast Suzuki four wheel drive – meaning Blenheim’s Mark French will not have the class points to himself in his Land Rover.
Also out to amass points is Wayne Moriarty, a leading entry in the Bu-Mac Super 1600 class in his Euroblast Cougar Toyota. Moriarty has just taken delivery of a new car from the USA so the 2011 Mainland Challenge may be the final outing for his immaculate Cougar.
There are seven teams entered in the Super 1600 class including Nigel Sutherland, Bruce Rolls and Gordon Adamson, all contenders for podium finishes and outright race wins.
Leading entries in AFWE class four for modified trucks and 4WDs is are long-time rivals Simon Smith of Christchurch (Nissan Pathfinder) and Darrin Thomason of Nelson (Nissan Navara).
Clint Densem is the first entry in Leader Products class five for Super 1300 race cars.
The crowd-pleasing AFWE class eight for ThunderTrucks is well populated: Donald Preston is making the trip north from Winton, and will race against locals Bryan Chang (GT Radials Ford Falcon) and Neil Falkingham (Range Rover) along with Mike Holmes of Nelson.
Organisers expect strong entries in the VW-engined Coms4U Challenger class will deliver close racing: Nelson class winner Chris Devereaux goes wheel to wheel with fellow Cantabrians Terry Munro, Andrew Johnstone and Rob Palmer and put regional pride on the line with entries from Simon Craig, Paul Strickett and Paul Cooper of Nelson along with seasoned racers Adam Reid and Barry Phillips from Otago.
A stand-out feature of the Nelson round was the close racing among the “Odyssey” race cars in Coms4U Class 10. Murdock Halliday, Glen Milroy and Mark Morris are the leading entries in this class, with Nelson class winner Hamish Lawlor a late entry in his fast Australian-built Barracuda single-seater.
Always a highlight of the racing year, the Mainland Challenge features a stadium-style day of short course racing at the club’s permanent track at West Melton along with an endurance race on farm land.
Stadium-style short course racing at West Melton starts at 11.00; endurance racing at Ohoka the following day gets under way at noon. There are three five-lap races for all classes and an all-in sprint race over 15 laps to finish the first day; on Sunday. Gate admission on the Saturday is $10 per adult, $20 per family with children under 12 admitted free.
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Issued by Veritas Communications Limited for the Off Road Association of New Zealand
For more information please contact
Mark Baker
Mobile: 021 212 0607
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Dennys Woodhill 100
Monday, 06 June 2011 12:02
HORAN MAKES HISTORY AT 2011 DENNY’S WOODHILL 100
· Horan fights off fastest unlimited-class cars to take second win
· Best of American desert technology not enough to topple NZ-built race truck
· 31st Woodhill 100 longest-running race in sport’s local history
Red Beach race driver Raana Horan has made history, becoming the only driver to win back to back titles in the fastest, toughest one day endurance race in New Zealand.
Horan, driving his New Zealand-designed and built Nissan Titan four wheel drive with a supercharged V8 engine, took pole for the 2011 Denny’s Woodhill 100 on Sunday June 5 and backed that up by leaping into the lead at the start. Though he was pursued by a posse of six or more fast unlimited-class race cars he was never headed.
Only Hamilton’s Paul Smith was able to mount a race-long challenge, finishing second in his Eagle Nissan turbo single-seater.
Mt Albert driver Alan Butler had brought his US-built Millennium single-seater to the forest with a new Mistubishi Evo turbo engine and chased the flying Nissan of Horan in the middle-distance laps of the 210 km race but suffered a flat tyre and then ran out of fuel one lap from the end.
Melvin Rouse of Whangarei – always well placed in previous events – came to the 2011 race with a new Nissan turbo engine, and was in the leading group but his challenge fade when his car’s clutch failed.
The 2011 Denny’s Woodhill 100 is considered a “sprint enduro” and Horan set the pace from the outset, posting laps of the 28 km forest track and logging road course in 20-21 minutes.
Behind him at the start a melee formed as the fast and agile unlimited class cars jostled for a chance to take on the big truck: banging wheels and flinging rocks 20 metres into the air were Whangarei driver Melvin Rouse, Hikurangi driver and former race winner Clim Lammers and Paul Smith, all in cars powered by Nissan turbo engines, along with Butler in his Mitsubishi turbo powered car and the new Desert Dynamics Chev V8 car of Clive and Max Thornton.
Keen to test his new acquisition but downplaying his chance of outright victory was a recent convert from the world of national championship rallying, Andrew Hawkeswood. After an impressive one-off drive at the 2009 Taupo 1000, Hawkeswood had bought a new US-built Chev trophy truck which arrived just days before the race.
With minimal time to tune the massive truck for New Zealand forest racing, Hawkeswood was keen only to get some race time and have a chance to prepare for the 2011 Taupo 1000 in August.
A spin in qualifying was followed by another as the race got underway and then the big truck broke an axle, putting Hawkeswood out of the event with only a lap recorded.
He was not the first out of the event though. That dubious honour went to rookie racer Nikos Malamenetios in another unlimited-class truck, built from a chassis developed by Kumeu’s Ant George and running a 410 cubic inch V8 enigne. Malamenetios had crashed during qualifying, snapping a sapling pine tree off at ground level; then on the first lap lost his left front wheel and speared off the track into deep spinifex grasses in a clear-felled section of the forest.
As the race developed, with Rouse’s early challenge gone and the Horan truck developing a commanding lead, it was down to Paul Smith and Alan Butler to chase down the leader.
Smith had gone out hard from race start, but as the race reached middle distance he was being reeled in by Butler, who was enjoying his car’s powerful new Mitsubishi Evo engine.
After four laps, Butler closed right up on Smith and overtook, then set about chasing down Horan who had developed a lead of 35 seconds over the chasing bunch.
In touch behind the turbo cars attacking Horan were race organiser Donn Attwood (West Auckland) in his Bu-Mac RV Magnum Toyota and Clive Thornton in his new Desert Dynamics Chev two-seater.
Attwood put in one of his best ever Woodhill drives, taking his smaller engine car close to the flying turbo cars and staying inside the top five for the entire race. Thornton meanwhile had been swapping out navigators, though his stops did not drop him as far behind the leaders as many expected.
As the race entered its final few laps, Butler pitted to fix a flat and rejoined, racing hard to regain track position behind Horan. The stop had allowed Smith to move back through to second place, and Butler was fighting to retain sight of a podium finish until one lap from home his Millennium single-seater coasted to a stop, out of fuel.
Smith’s second place was assured, and Thornton moved up to hold third overall – a position beyond his expectation first time out in the new car.
Horan took the chequered flag, having dominated the race from flag to flag in an impressive performance and one that augurs well for the coming two-day 1000km endurance race at Taupo August 19-21.
“The opening laps really went to plan for us. I’d aimed to stay out in front and out of the in-fighting and that worked well for us. We weren’t so sure of the win when Alan was closing in on us, and we had to keep an eye on Paul Smith in the last two laps but the truck has gone well all day, never missed a beat. Roll on, Taupo!”
Horan also takes the early lead in the new four-round Hammer Down endurance race series which has the sport’s richest prize purse of $1,500.
The series enables racers to accumulate class points at the Woodhill, the Gwavas forest endurance race in Hawkes Bay in July and the two-day Taupo 1000 held August 20-21. All teams arrive at the final round, the Peter Howell Memorial race at Maramarua on September 25, with an equal chance at outright series victory.
Also kicking off at Woodhill was a youth category endurance race series: the Hawkeswood Mining Kiwitrucks enduro series is backed by rally driver and recent offroad racing convert Andrew Hawkeswood.
It caters to the new breed in offroad racing: rising race stars aged 7-15 who compete in a tiered one-make race championship. The Kiwitruck racers kicked off the day with a 30 minute endurance race of their own, which was won by Dyson Delahunty of Tauranga.
-End-
Issued by Veritas Communications Limited on behalf of the 2011 Denny’s Woodhill 100.
Note to editors: image attached is of Raana Horan in action and of Horan, Paul Smith and Clive Thornton at race end (l-r in image)
These images are available in original file size and images of other leading competitors mentioned are also available by email request to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
For more information please contact:
Mark Baker
PR consultant to the 2011 Denny’s Woodhill 100
Mobile 021 212 0607
Landline 09 296 8636
AORC Constitution
Tuesday, 26 April 2011 00:00
1. NAME : The name of the club is THE AUCKLAND OFFROAD RACING CLUB INCORPORATED
2. OBJECTS ; (a) To operate offroad vehicle activates as a organised sport and hobby
(b) To organise and hold sport gatherings and competitions involving offroad vehicles.
(c) To give assistance and encouragement as may be practicable to individual members of the club to further their sporting interests.
(d) To co-operate with any other clubs, society of association whether incorporated or not whose objects are in any part similar to those of the club and to communicate give and receive information as may be likely to further the objects of the club.
(e) To purchase lease or otherwise acquire land and property for the carrying out of the objects of the club.
(f) To engage rooms for the purpose of the club meetings, buggy housing, garages or parts depots or otherwise for the purposes of the club.
(g) To erect buildings on such land or property, borrow and raise money on mortgage on any such property, sell, lease or exchange upon such terms as the club may decide issue debenture invest and deal with the funds of the club in furthering these objects and generally to do all such things for the benefit of buggy sports and any other form of sport or entertainment.
(h) To use the funds of the club as the club may consider necessary or proper in payment of the costs and expenses in furthering or carrying out the objects of the club or any of them including the employment of counsel, solicitors, agents, officers and servants as shall appear necessary or expedient.
(i) To do all such things as are incidental to the attainment of or for the carrying into effect the foregoing objects or any of them.
3. MEMBERSHIP AND CLASSES OF MEMBERS
(a) The club shall consist of each being a person interested in any manner in the objects of the club or in any of them whether in New Zealand or elsewhere.
(b) The number of active members of the club shall not be limited unless the committee otherwise decides.
(c) Life membership shall only be granted by the club at it’s annual general meeting.
4 ANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION
(a) Every member shall on or before the 1st day of March in every year and forthwith pay an annual subscription as shall from time to time be determined by the committee.
5. RESIGNATION OF MEMBERS
Any member may resign from his membership by giving to the secretary notice in writing to that effect
6. EXPULSION
The committee in a majority decision can revoke or refuse that said person’s membership.
7. .ALTERATIONS OF THE RULES
(a) These rules may be altered, added to or rescind by a resolution passed by three fourths majority by those present at a general meeting at which 14 days notice has been given.
(b) Every such notice shall set forth the purpose of the proposed alteration, addition, rescission or other amendment
(c) Duplicate copies of every such alteration additional rescission or amendment shall forthwith be delivered to the Registrar in accordance with the requirement of the Incorporated Societies Act 1908.
(d) No addition to or alteration of the aims/objects, payments to members clause or winding up clause shall be approved without the approval of Inland Revenue. The provisions and effect of this clause shall not be removed from this document and shall be included and implied to any document replacing this document.
8. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING
The annual general meeting shall be held 1st Wednesday in November in every year upon a date and upon a time and place to be fixed by the President or in his default absence or inability the committee for the following purposes:
(a) To receive from the committee a report balance sheet and statement of accounts for the preceding year and estimate of the receipts and expenditure of the current year.
(b) To fill the vacancies in the committee and to appoint an auditor for the ensuring year.
(c) To decide on any resolution which may be duly submitted to the meeting?
(d) Voting at all general meetings shall be a show of hands
9. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING
The president or in his absence or inability any other member of the committee may at any time for any purpose call a special general meeting and he shall do so forthwith upon the requisition of writing of any ten members stating the purpose for which the meeting is required.
10. PROCEDURE AT MEETING
At all general meetings the President or in his absence, Vice President or any other duly elected chairman shall take the chair and every member shall be entitled on every motion to one vote exercised in person or by proxy or in writing and in case of an equality of votes the President shall have the casting vote as well as a deliberative vote.
11. QUORUM
At all general meeting five members shall constitute a quorum.
12. APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS
At the annual general meeting held thereafter the club shall elect a committee of members which the following core officers namely a President, Vice president, Secretary, Treasurer and committee of no less than six members
The President may also create new positions on the committee to facilitate in running of the club. Who shall hold office until retirement or removal from office or election of successor to office?
13. VACANCIES ON COMMITTEE
The committee shall have the power to appoint a member to fill any casual vacancy on the committee until the next annual general meeting and any member so appointed shall retire at the next annual general meeting together with the rest of the committee but all of any of the retiring committee shall be eligible for re-election.
14. DUTIES OF THE COMMITTEE
It shall be the duty of the committee to generally conduct the affairs of the club. To keep usual and proper books of the accounts and properly posted up with any other records of the business of the club. To notify members of intended meetings and for the business to be transacted thereat and to prepare a statement of accounts for the preceding year. Meetings of the committee may be convened at such times and places as the President or in the case of his absence inability or refusal to act the Vice President shall appoint and three committee members shall be a quorum.
15. POWERS OF COMMITTEE
The committee shall have the power to do everything that the club has the power to do or which is not by these rules expressly to be dealt with by the club in a general meeting.
16. CONDUCT OF MEMBERS
(a) The committee may make regulations not inconsistent with these rules in relation to the conduct of members and all other matters conducive to the good order and management and affairs of the club.
(b) The general conduct of members as shall be subject to the control of the committee.
(c) Every member shall take due and proper care of the club property or will pay for any such property that may be lost damaged or destroyed through his own fault.
17. RULES OF THE CLUB
If the club at a future date should make its own rules these will be held by the Club Secretary.
18. INDEMNITY
The committee and other officers of the club shall be indemnified by the club against all disbursements, expenses, liabilities and losses incurred by them in or about the proper discharge of their duties BUT such indemnity shall not extend or cover any wilful neglect or default or act for personal gain by any officer or committee member.
19. CONTROL AND USE OF FUNDS
All moneys received by or on behalf of the club shall forthwith be paid to the credit of the club in an account with a savings Bank from time to time to be fixed by the club and all cheques or withdrawal slips drawn on the account shall be signed by the President and the Treasury or in the alternative by either of these together with two committee members for the time being.
20. INVESTMENT OF FUNDS
The club may from time to time invest and reinvest in such securities and upon such terms as it shall think fit the whole or any part of its funds which shall not be required for the immediate business of the club.
21. BORROWING POWERS
The club shall in addition to the other powers vested in it have a power to borrow or raise money from time to time by the issue of debentures, bonds, mortgages or any other security founded or based on all or any of the property and/or rights of the club or without any such security and upon such terms as to priority and otherwise as the club shall think fit.
22. PRESIDENT’S AUTHORITY
The President’s decision on all matters relating to procedure shall be final and absolute and nor shall the President be called upon to give reasons for any ruling and nor shall his decision be debatable.
This Authority can only be used within a general, special or annual meeting.
23. PAYMENTS TO MEMBERS
No member of the organisation or any person associated with a member shall participate in or materially influence any decision made by the organisation in respect of the payment to or on behalf of that member or associated person of any income, benefit, or advantage whatsoever. Any such income paid shall be reasonable and relative to that which would be paid in an arms length transaction (being the open market value). The provision and effect of this clause shall not be removed from this document and shall be included and implied to any document replacing this document.
24. MATTERS NOT PROVIDED FOR
If any matter shall arise which is not, or which in the opinion of the committee is not provided for by these rules the same shall be determined by the committee in a manner as it shall deem fit, and every such determination shall be binding upon the club and its members unless and until set aside by a resolution of a general meeting in that behalf.
25. REGULATIONS
The club may from time to time by resolution in general meeting make amend or rescind regulations in a manner not inconsistent with these rules or the Incorporated Societies Act 1908.
26. WINDING UP
In the event of the club winding up or dissolution of the organisation, there remains after the satisfaction of all its debts and liabilities any surplus assets whatsoever the same shall not be paid to or distributed among the members. It shall be donated to ORANZ or any non profit motor sport organisation.
27. PERSONAL BENEFIT
Notwithstanding anything expressed or implied in these rules, the activities of the Society shall not be carried on for the personal pecuniary profit on behalf of any member or individual or associated person.
Our youngest members first nationals
Monday, 18 April 2011 00:00
National Champs Round One Meremere 27 March 2011
Well after weeks of sunshine and dust, the skys opened and emptied their load on the ATR track at Meremere one day before the National round and turned what is a cool track into poo poo city.
An early start Saturday morning to help set up the track and dragging Dad out of bed to drive me there (because I’m only 13 and don’t have a drivers licence), started with breakfast at Pokeno Bacon – a great breakfast cafe stop at Mercer Service Centre next to McDonalds. After some more rain and setting up, it was off to the Irish Pub with Jimmy, Chris, Richard and Fergus for a beer and another snack – well the oldies had beers anyway.
First through scrutineering, with a clean sheet thanks to the old man’s night time help in the workshop. Watched a few cars go through and 188 try to tear the rear end out of his trailer by doing wheelies out of the trailer ( how did he ever get a licence ), and then home for a sleep – Maybe Rear Ender of the Month for you Neville ??
Early start again Sunday and no rain, but Bog City at the track – mud for Africa , I haven’t raced in this much mud before !!!
Class 1 up first to clear the track for a change, but they really just turned it into porridge instead, that got deeper & deeper – Yuk, had to clean the car after every race to see our numbers but great fun skidding around in it. Will be better when the old man get’s his new Class 1 out there so I can waste him in the mud ha ha.
All the other classes had the same squishy mess and I started off the back of the Challengers. Not long before I was going past the Challengers as they were spinning out of control (and parking in tyres). I listened to some advise from the older drivers and drove careful lines which worked through the day – thanks to those oldies for the advise.
In the Feature Race I passed most of the class 2,4 & 6 trucks and finished 13th out of about 20 starters. The big American 2 seater was out again and did well – lucky for the Class 1’s that he took time out through the short course races.
The kids trucks and little offroaders were there having a blast in the poo as well – good on you guys, you will be driving the same size car as me soon.
So Class 1 was won by Neville Smith followed by the Old Man-Racing Colin Meredith I think. Thanks for keeping away from me this time Colin – Dad said the front end repair cost enough after the last time we raced together and I’m still sweeping all the floors and cleaning the workshop and and and ……!
Class 3 was won by Don Attwood (alias NZ1) who gave me some advise thanks Don, and then Paul McCormack second. It took you half a lap to get past me too Don (how did you get NZ1 with that sort of speed?) – Must be the age creeping in I guess. Better let Jarad drive your car next time. Can’t wait till he gets his Class 7 soon.
Challenger was taken out by the speedy Nick Leahey followed by my team mate Trevor Brooks who always spins out. (He spends most of his time parked in weird places or on his roof!) and Wayne Rowe who struggled with the mud in his eyes all day.
Class 5 was a real battle between Nick Hall, Phil Finlay & Troy Tufnell all day with breakdowns from water & mud then Nick & Troy both lost the same front wheels in different races. Nick and Troy coming out first equal in the end.
Graeme Steadman won class 8 in his V8 truck, and all the other 2, 4, & 6 trucks I’m not sure because I was overtaking them instead.
Cass 7 the smallest of the big cars was won by myself and yes my trophy is bigger than yours Trev !!
Thanks to ATR for the day and bad luck on the weather. Thanks to Troy for a good engine – not bad really Troy, 3 first places on your engines.
Taine Carrington 730
taupo google map
Thursday, 14 April 2011 07:45
Max Masters The Mud
Sunday, 27 March 2011 22:37
Beachlands racer Neville “Max” Smith has leapt into an early lead in the 2011 Mickey Thompson New Zealand Offroad Racing Championship.
Racing in slippery conditions at Meremere today, Smith drove his unlimited-class Cougar Honda turbo single-seat racing car to outright victory in the first heat and continued in winning form to the last race of the day, which put all surviing racers on the track together for a ten lap sprint race.
Smith, one of the founders of the Cougar brand, was able to master the greasy track despite driving one of the most powerful turbocharged cars entered.
Nick Leahy, driving one of the least powerful cars in the class, won heat after heat in his Challenger VW Cougar to end the day just four points behind Smith. Colin Meredith, driving an Australian-designe dSouthern Cross two-seater race car in the unlimited class, was third on points for the day on 62 points despite striking engine problems in the final all-in heat.
Defending champion Donn Attwood, finding the conditions difficult in his Bu-Mac RV magnum Toyota, remained in touch despite finishing one heat well down the order with a flat rear tyre.
“The car doesn’t hook up very well in the wet no matter what we change, and for some reason I always seem to get flat tyres here. Frustrating,” he said after the second heat.
Attwood amassed 60 points for the day, his total keeping him close enough to the front that he is well placed to continue his title defence.
Media: Mark Baker 27th Mar 11
Forest Sprint
Sunday, 06 March 2011 10:01
Forest Sprint
Sunday March 13th
Another New Track at the Jeep 4WD Adventure Park
Entry Rimmers Road to Inland Road, Woodhill Forest
Sign posted from State Highway 16
Gates open 9a.m to 9:30a.m and briefly 11.30a.m
Entry fee - $45.00 per driver
Multiple drives and drivers per vehicle, everyone welcome!
Open to public, you don’t need to be a club member
Any offroad vehicle or 4WD vehicle as long as you have seat belts and a helmet. Must have functional brakes and steering!
BYO food and drinks.
This event is part of a three race day series put on by the Auckland Offroad Racing Club. We welcome all to race, watch or help. Race day calendar on www.aucklandoffroadracing.co.nz website.
The JEEP 4WD are sponsoring free access to their whole park for each Class winner!!!
Note: we are privileged to have access to this area and no one is to venture out of the racing area into the 4WD Park if you have entered through Inland Road. Please take any rubbish you bring in with you.
Jeep Park Sprints
Sunday, 30 January 2011 09:51
Sunday February 20th
New Track at the Jeep 4WD Adventure Park
Entry Rimmers Road to Inland Road, Woodhill Forest
Sign posted from State Highway 16
Gates open 9a.m to 9:30a.m and briefly 11.30a.m
Entry fee - $45.00 per driver
Multiple drives and drivers per vehicle, everyone welcome!
Open to public, you don’t need to be a club member
Any offroad vehicle or 4WD vehicle as long as you have seat belts and a helmet. Must have functional brakes and steering!
BYO food and drinks.
This event is part of a three race day series put on by the Auckland Offroad Racing Club. We welcome all to race, watch or help. Race day calendar on www.aucklandoffroadracing.co.nz website.
The JEEP 4WD are sponsoring free access to their whole park for each Class winner!!!
Note: we are privileged to have access to this area and no one is to
venture out of the racing area into the 4WD Park if you have entered
through Inland Road. Please take any rubbish you bring in with you
Woodhill 100 shirts
Tuesday, 22 June 2010 00:00
2010 Woodhill 100 T-shirts are available!
$25 each.
Sizes: Large and X-Large are in stock.
Woodhill 100 Race History
Wednesday, 09 June 2010 00:00
HORAN’S NISSAN MAKES WOODHILL RACE HISTORY
First ever Woodhill 100 pole position for 4WD
First ever 4WD-class outright victory
Flag to flag dominance for Horan
South Head’s Raana Horan has made history at the 30th annual Woodhill 100 offroad endurance race, becoming the first driver to win the event in a four wheel drive vehicle.
Thanks to Bryan for the video
The punishing 175 km endurance race is rated the toughest in the sport in this country. The event celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and is believed to be the only New Zealand motorsport event to have been run in the same location throughout its duration. Through the past 29 years, the race had only ever been won by specialist “space framed” offroad race cars.
Horan qualified on pole and leapt into the lead with a dominant start, launching the massive Nissan Titan utility down the short straight to the “holeshot” first corner.
He was chased hard as the field entered the forest by Whakatane’s Malcolm Langley, who hung off the big Nissan’s rear bumper in his Mitsubishi EV0 VII engined Bakersfield single-seater. Hawkes Bay driver Shayne Huxtable followed Langley in his Nissan turbo-powered car.
The only truck able to stay with Horan and the leading bunch was the rear wheel drive Nissan of Gary Baker, who was fourth overall.
As the field emerged from the first 28 km lap, Horan was in control, throwing the big truck into corners as if it were a rally car half its size. He led Langley by 20 seconds. Missing from the front-running bunch was Huxtable, whose Nissan engine had exploded at half distance.
Baker was up to third, chased by west Auckland driver and race organiser Donn Attwood in his Bu-Mac RV Toyota Super 1600. Kumeu driver Rene Sciarone was fourth, driving a Chenowth Toyota as part of the two-car Pinepac team.
Disaster struck the Baker team just four kilometres into the second lap when the Camp Quality Nissan Navara V8 hit a tree and rolled, partly blocking the track in the process.
The race was stopped while the stricken truck was pulled back onto its wheels and recovered from the forest. Both Baker and navigator Mark Hobson were shaken but unhurt.
At the re-start, Horan once more swept into the lead and was never headed. Once he had established the pace needed to stay in front, Horan drove for the finish, using his mirrors to maintain a gap over Langley in second.. Rene Sciarone had moved through to third, the best of the local “gang of four” Super 1600 entries that had aimed to dominate the race.
Deep in the forest, the punishing sand tracks were exacting a toll on competitors and cars. Among many to become bogged or damage their cars were Richmond Autos Class Five front-runner Phil Finlay of Pukekohe, who suffered a total of three flat tyres during the race; AFWE production truck racer Anthony Hewitt, who found his big Dodge Ram stuck behind a smaller, slower production-class truck in the rough going; and Hamilton driver Paul Smith who suffered a flat tyre and arrived back at the pits running on a bare front wheel rim.
Aucklander Mike Gibson smashed his front suspension – one of many to do so as the Woodhill exacted its customary heavy toll on the field.
Horan had lapped several back-markers and was clear of Langley as the field entered the final lap, Langley grappling with a slipping clutch that forced him to drive on part throttle.
On that final lap, the deeply rutted sand tracks decided the end of the race. So many lower-order cars had become bogged in the tight sections that when the bunch arrived there was no viable way through. After attempting to winch some of the cars clear, organisers decided to declare the race and redirect the field to the start-finish compound.
Winner of AFWE ThunderTruck and outright winner Raana Haran said the Woodhill was the one race he has wanted to win ever since first hearing of the sport.
“Today was just sensational, and it was great to be the one to finally put a truck on the top step of the winner’s podium.”
Behind him, Malcolm Langley was second overall and won Southern Lakes Transmissions class one. He is vowing to overcome the car’s clutch woes and go head to head with Horan’s Nissan at coming rounds of the championship.
“We were staying with Raana okay even when the clutch as slipping; for the last half of the race I could only use part throttle or the clutch would just slip, so I know we are well on the pace.”
Third overall and first in BigPosters class three was Rene Sciarone, who says third place “will do” for this year. He still has his sights set on a win at Woodhill and points out the race is won as much by good fortune as by driving skill and car preparation.
AFWE production truck honours went to Auckland ’s Anthony Hewitt in his Dodge Ram 4X4 ahead of Nigel Newlands of Hamilton . The win also hands Hewitt the class lead in the national championship.
Gary “Gunna” Scott was another local driver to score well, winning AFWE Sport Truck class for impr oved four wheel drives and utilities in his Mitsubishi Pajero Evo .
Racing for event sponsor Denny’s New Zealand , Darryn Bell of Muriwai brought his TVR-engined Range Rover home first in AFWE class six for Challenge Trucks. He said though he had been driving “ten tenths” for most of the race the Range Rover had only stepped off line once, its four wheel drive drawing it back onto the road and away from the ever-present trees.
Drury racer Nick Hall was first in Richmond Autos Class Five after a race-long battle with Pukekohe’s Phil Finlay.
Experienced racer Geoff Matich added another class win to his career tally, taking out Vee-Dub Shoppe Challenger class for cars with VW 1600 flat four engines.
Confounding predictions that his Subaru Leone – “Heidi the Paddock Car” would become stuck in the deep ruts of the sand tracks, Hamilton racer Simeon Gilbert brought the rough but ready racer home to win Vee-Dub Shoppe class nine.
But the weekend belonged to Raana Horan, who now takes over the ThunderTruck class lead for the national championship and also leads the North Island ThunderTruck class points race.