NZRC welcomes back international competitors in 2023 

The Brian Green Property Group welcomes back international competitors in 2023 with five overseas drivers and one team set to contest the season opening Otago Rally in three weeks.

After three seasons interrupted by COVID restrictions, the borders are now open and the championship is able to welcome back offshore visitors this season.

Popular Australian Richie Dalton returns to the New Zealand championship and will peddle Kingsley Jones’ Skoda Fabia R5 at Otago.

Joining him in the field is New Caledonia’s Eugene Creugnet, a regular visitor to the championship prior to COVID, who will drive the ex-Brian Green Mitsubishi Mirage AP4.

Pierre-Henri Brunet of Vanuatu will compete in the ex-Jack Hawkeswood/Glenn Inkster Force Motorsport Mazda 2 AP4. Brunet visited New Zealand for Rally New Zealand last year.

Australian Glenn Alcorn has entered the Open 2WD championship in his Ford Escort while fellow Australian Stewart Reid will compete in the Historic 2WD class in the ex-Richard Kelsey/Bert Murray Mazda RX-7.

Japanese aftermarket part manufacturer Cusco are backing and running the talented Mike Young in the Toyota C-HR in the Open 4WD class.

Otago Rally begins with a ceremonial opening in the Octagon in downtown Dunedin on Friday March 31 before two days of gravel action on April 1-2.