Horan ruled out of Otago with injury 

A freak accident has cost Raana Horan a chance to compete at this week’s Winmax Otago Rally with the last-start winner ruled out of the Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship opener due to injury.

The Generator Rental Services Skoda driver broke a rib after a fall on a boat last week and has been forced out of the two-day rally this weekend.

It is a big blow for Horan. The ex-off road star proved himself to be a rally winner in 2019, winning the final rally of the 2019 season in Waitomo, and was someone many people were expecting to be in title contention during the fiercely competitive 2021 championship.

He will give up a massive haul of points from the two-day event.

Horan’s withdrawal sees total NZRC entries fall to 49 at Otago, which is expected to be extremely competitive.

The Winmax Otago Rally begins with a ceremonial opening in the Octagon in downtown Dunedin on Friday night before competitors head south of the city for fast, flowing special stages, including the iconic Kuri Bush test on Saturday.

A second day south of Dunedin awaits Sunday before returning to the city for a winner to be crowned.