Welcome to the Auckland Offroad Racing Club
Remembering Louise Houghton
It is with great sadness that the Auckland Offroad Racing Club acknowledges the passing of Louise Houghton, who passed away on 25 September.
Our sincere condolences go to Glen and Louise’s family at this difficult time.
For many years, Louise was an important part of our race meetings, quietly working behind the scenes as our lap scorer and points coordinator. Her dedication extended beyond our club, as she also gave her time and experience to support the Offroad Racing Association and the wider offroad racing community throughout New Zealand.
Louise was one of those people who could always be relied upon to step forward and help. Her contribution may often have taken place away from the spotlight, but it was an essential part of keeping our racing running smoothly.
She leaves behind many memories and friendships made around the racetrack, and her absence will be keenly felt by everyone who knew her.
Thank you, Louise, for everything you gave to our club and our sport.
You will be remembered with great affection by the Auckland Offroad Racing Club and the many people whose lives you touched through offroad racing.
Rest in peace, Louise.
The Auckland Offroad Racing Club calendar.
Welcome to the Auckland Offroad Racing Club, born from the thrilling legacies of two iconic organizations: Auckland Buggy Club and Western Districts 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.
Templeman Reigns Supreme in an Action-Packed
2025 Woodhill 100
Woodhill Forest, New Zealand – June 1, 2025:
In its 40th year, the legendary Woodhill 100 once again delivered an unforgettable spectacle, solidifying its reputation as New Zealand’s ultimate off-road endurance challenge. Known as the crucible of off-road racing, the 160km gauntlet of sand, gravel, and rock saw 36 of the country’s fiercest competitors line up to battle for one of the sport’s most coveted titles.
At the front of the grid, three past champions set the tone for a blockbuster showdown. 193 Daynom Templeman claimed pole position in qualifying, followed closely by 157 Tony McCall, with last year’s winner 124 Brendon Midgley just one second further back. Between them, they had secured ten Woodhill 100 titles — and they weren’t about to make it easy for each other.
When the green flag dropped, the trio wasted no time turning up the heat. Templeman led early, stretching a 20-second gap on the chasers by Lap 2. McCall fended off intense pressure from Midgley until Lap 4, when power-steering system collapsed. The crowd of spectators saw his car trail smoke through the sand tracks. Despite the damage, McCall pushed on valiantly.
Midgley harassed the back of McCall’s single-seater for the next two laps before finally getting past. Midgley seized the moment, diving into second and setting his sights on Templeman. But the charge was short-lived — in Lap 7, while chasing hard, Midgley left the track in spectacular fashion, ending his campaign and paving the way for McCall to reclaim second. Meanwhile, Rene Sciarone capitalised on Midgley’s demise to move into third, with 171 Paul Smith mounting a stunning charge from ninth on the grid to, eventually, finish fourth overall.
Templeman, however, remained untouchable. Perfectly composed, he danced through the treacherous terrain “on rails,” sealing his fourth outright Woodhill 100 victory and cementing his place among the sport’s elite. Only two drivers now hold more titles than Templeman — and both want nothing more than to get 7 Woodhill victories.
“This was a race for the ages,” said event spokesperson Donn Attwood. “The quality of competition, the pace, and the sheer determination across the entire field made it one of the most exciting Woodhill 100s in living memory.”
Beyond the front-runners, the action raged throughout the field. In Class 3, 377 Mike Gibson returned to the track with a rebuilt car and renewed intensity, while 3 Aaron Crabb, the reigning class champ, thrilled spectators with an aggressive, high-speed display. Taranaki’s 368 Jared Nagle thrived in the deep, rutted sand, pushing his machine to the limit.
It was also a milestone day for the youngest driver in the field, C70 Serena Patterson, who went the full race distance and secured crucial points in the ORANZ Challenger Class standings for 2025 — a testament to her consistency and grit.
Waikato Offroad Racing Club, president, Paul Smith’s fourth-place finish was among the drives of the day. Methodically carving through the pack, Smith made up five positions in the early laps and kept the pressure on Sciarone throughout.
S80 Andrew Williams/Neville Smith duo in the Can Am Maverick R were fifth overall , qualifying and finishing first in S Class with a trouble-free race making this three Woodhill S Class wins in a row. But the forest was not kind to everyone. S41 Steven Stokes was in the hunt until Lap 4, when vanished from Radar, only to return to the pits, late in the race, festooned with fencing wire and hazard tape — evidence of a wild off-track excursion. S27 Jayden Cassidy was another hard-luck story, pushing hard all race, and impressing many of the “old Racers”, only to crash in the final sector of the final lap, ending his debut Woodhill 100 in heartbreak.
As the dust settles, Daynom Templeman wears the crown as “King of the Forest” once more — but with McCall, Midgley, and a rising tide of challengers hungry for redemption, the 2026 edition already promises to be another epic showdown.