Welcome to the Auckland Offroad Racing Club
Imagine roaring engines and adrenaline-fueled races through New Zealand’s diverse landscapes. Auckland Buggy Club, rooted in the sandy dunes of Muriwai Beach, pioneered the art of offroad racing, in New Zealand, with legendary events like the epic “Great Race” — a gruelling day, night, day enduro in the airforce bombing range. They also hosted lively Gymkhanas and club days that brought enthusiasts together in camaraderie and competition.
Meanwhile, Western Districts Offroad Racing Club set the standard for chequered flag offroad racing with their prestigious Woodhill 100, an annual highlight on the national offroad calendar. Their legacy extended into the dense woodlands of Maramarua Forest, where they established the revered Peter Howell Memorial Offroad Race. Not to mention their thrilling Shortcourse Offroad Racing series at Meremere Dirt Track, a proving ground for speed and skill.
With hundreds of passionate members sharing dual loyalties, the amalgamation of these clubs was a natural evolution. Challenges in securing event permits for the beloved Bombing Range underscored the need for unity, preserving traditions while embracing new horizons.
Join us at Auckland Offroad Racing Club, where the spirit of offroad adventure continues to thrive, honouring the heritage of both clubs while paving the way for exhilarating new experiences. Whether you’re a seasoned racer or a curious newcomer, discover the thrill of offroad racing with us.
Woodhill Forest Gears Up for Iconic Off-Road Racing Showdown
AUCKLAND, NZ – The rugged trails and sand tracks of Woodhill Forest will thunder to life this Sunday, 1 June, as the fifth round of the 2025 New Zealand Offroad Racing Championship rolls into action. Hosted by the Auckland Offroad Racing Club, the event will bring together the North Island’s top off-road racers for a day of high-octane endurance and skill in one of the most celebrated fixtures on the national offroad racing calendar – the Landscape Yard Woodhill 100.
Now in its fifth round of a six-round national series, the championship sees drivers accumulate points across three of six regional rounds – three held in the North Island and three in the South. The top contenders will ultimately face off for national honours at the Championship Final, held at TECT Park, Bay of Plenty, over Labour Weekend.
This weekend’s event is more than just a race. The Woodhill 100 is New Zealand’s longest-running one-day off-road endurance race, tracing its origins back over four decades. Held in the dense and unpredictable terrain of Woodhill Forest, northwest of Auckland, the race is regarded as a cornerstone of the sport. Competitors must complete 160 km of punishing track, navigating multiple laps of shifting sand and treacherous gravel in a test of mechanical durability, physical resilience, and raw speed.
The race attracts an elite field of purpose-built vehicles, from unlimited-horsepower Pro1 race cars to mighty Thunder-trucks. For most, it’s a quest for championship points. For a few, it’s about glory—winning outright and claiming a place in the storied history of this prestigious event.
Among those chasing legend is six-time Woodhill 100 winner Tony McCall. Known for his relentless driving style and fierce competitiveness, McCall’s decades-long rivalry with fellow six-time winner Ian Foster has become the stuff of off-road folklore. Now, McCall returns to Woodhill chasing a record-breaking seventh title—one that would place him alone at the top of the all-time leaderboard.
“It’s not just another race,” says race organiser, Donn Attwood. “For racers like Tony, it’s personal. It’s obsession. Winning the Woodhill defines their careers.”
Also returning is #193 Daynom Templeman, who clinched his third Woodhill title in 2023 and is known for treating the grueling 160 km like a sprint. With cars pushing upwards of 700 horsepower, competitors must fine-tune their machines for the punishing dual nature of sand and gravel. Sand destroys drivetrains; gravel demands razor-sharp handling and braking, especially on the infamous Coast Road – a 4km straight that ends in a high-speed right-angle turn.
Keeping your head while all others are losing theirs helps a lot, but also the Mechanical attrition is brutal—only half the starters finished in 2024. Preparation is paramount. Qualifying, too, is critical. Last year, McCall (#157) claimed pole position after laying down the fastest time from the eighth qualifying run.
Before the main event, spectators will be treated to the Landscape Yard Junior Enduro – a 30-minute timed battle on a shortened junior circuit. With the crowd lining the track and roaring support, New Zealand’s youngest off-road racers will demonstrate their emerging talent, pushing KiwiTrucks to the limit in an all-out sprint that is as thrilling as the main race itself.
The Auckland Offroad Racing Club, formed through the merger of the Auckland Buggy Club and Western District Offroad Racing Club, continues to build on a proud legacy. The ABC was born in the Muriwai dunes and was known for its legendary sand enduros, while WDORC created the original Woodhill 100, a race that remains the crown jewel of the championship calendar.
The Woodhill 100 is more than a race—it’s a proving ground, a tradition, and a rite of passage for those who dare to conquer it.
