Rally organisers have confirmed Australian motorsport superstar Toby Price will join the field for the April 10-12 event.
Price, a two-time winner of the gruelling Dakar Rally in the motorcycle category (2016, 2019), has recently made a seamless transition to four wheels.
The off-road identity is fresh from the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, where he drove a factory-backed Toyota Hilux to eighth place, the best result for an Australian in the car category.
Price holds a record nine Finke Desert Race titles and has rapidly come on to the scene in the Australian Rally Championship with several national starts now under his belt.
His entry into the Otago Rally is expected to significantly boost international interest in the event, which is already shaping up to be the largest in its half-century history.
For his New Zealand debut, Price will get behind the wheel of a brand-new Toyota GR Yaris, prepared by Auckland’s Force Motorsport.
The four-wheel drive, sequential-gearbox machine is the first car built for the newly announced GR Yaris Rally Cup, a one-make series set to launch in New Zealand in 2027.
"I jumped at the opportunity to compete at the Otago Rally. It’s got a big reputation in Australia," Price said.
"I can’t wait for the challenge of driving on those fast, smooth Otago roads against a quality field and I’m really looking forward to meeting the New Zealand drivers and fans.
"To drive a brand-new Toyota GR Yaris is a dream — it’s such an awesome car."
Price said the 50th anniversary rally was "shaping up to be huge" with up to 30 international teams coming to challenge the Kiwis.
Otago Rally spokesman Roger Oakley welcomed the addition of the Australian great.
"We’re delighted Toby is coming," Oakley said.
"He’s achieved a huge amount in motorsport, especially in the intensely demanding field of desert racing.
"Equally, his achievements in rallying are increasingly competitive. He’s a great ambassador for motorsport and an inspiration to young people."
Tony McConachy, of Force Motorsport, echoed the excitement.
"When we conceived the GR Yaris Cup, the aim was to attract a wide range of competitors with a high-performing car," McConachy said.
"Having Toby as the first driver is a thrill and we are really looking forward to working with him."
The Central Machine Hire-sponsored Otago Rally will feature 280 competitive kilometres across 15 special stages on Dunedin’s renowned gravel roads.
More than 120 teams are expected to enter the event, which serves as a round of the New Zealand Rally Championship, the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, and the TER Series. — Allied Media
