Meeke and O’Sullivan Return to Otago Rally in New Zealand to Defend Title
Kris Meeke is heading back to New Zealand to try and win the Otago Rally again, and he’ll have Killarney’s Noel O’Sullivan calling out the notes beside him.
The Otago Rally is one of the biggest rallying events in New Zealand, known for its challenging roads and passionate fans. Meeke, who won convincingly last year, promised he’d be back, and now he’s making good on that promise.
He’ll be driving the same car as last year, the iconic “Black Beauty,” a Rossendale Wines Ford Escort RS1800. Meeke is clearly thrilled to be returning.
“I’m super excited to return to the Otago Rally for 2025,” Meeke said. “Noel and I had such a great time last time. It’s rallying heaven down there in New Zealand, the roads, the competitors, everything. We’ll be again driving the Rossendale Ford Escort BDA which has to be one of the best cars in the world to enjoy such a great event. I can’t wait!”
The rally gets underway at 7:50 PM Irish time on Friday night, April 5th.
Roger Oakley, the rally’s promotions manager, is just as excited to have Meeke and O’Sullivan back. “They were hugely popular with the fans and competitors in 2024,” he said. “We loved their enthusiasm for the sport and the spectacular masterclass of rally driving they provided for the fans.”
The 2025 Otago Rally will cover 280 kilometers across 15 special stages, testing the drivers and their cars to the limit. The event is made possible in part by funding from the Dunedin City Council.
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