First outright win for Queenstown drivers

Otago Daily Times

2 days ago

Caleb MacDonald and Larisa Biggar, in a Mitsubishi Lancer EVO 6, scream down the road at the 2025 Barry Robinson Memorial Wyndham Rally, where they took out their first outright win on Saturday. CREDIT: DAVE LOUDON PHOTOGRAPHY
The 2025 Barry Robinson Memorial Wyndham Rally had drivers battling wet and wild conditions, with one driver taking his first outright rally win.
The first of six stages began early on Saturday morning — but the conditions soon turned it into a tug of war against the weather.
Torrential rain bucketed down on drivers, reducing visibility and bogging up the roads, adding an extra layer to the race.
Coming into the final stage it was anyone's race, with Caleb Macdonald and Larisa Biggar in the lead by 18 seconds, but the pack closing in.
However, the duo were able to pull off the win, their first outright victory in rally sports, taking the Barry Robinson Memorial Trophy back to Queenstown.
Rally committee member Roger Laird said the event was fantastic for both drivers and spectators, with the weather adding to the displays of driving skill.
Laird said he was impressed by the competitiveness of the drivers but was especially happy for the winners.
"I'm absolutely thrilled for Caleb and Larisa. It was a very close-fought battle," he said.
Macdonald, who was racing in a Mitsubishi EVO 6, said despite expecting a bit of rain, the scale of it was a bit of a shock.
"We put the window wipers on full tilt, and we still couldn't move the water, couldn't see where we were going.
"It was a good challenge,"
In stage 2, Macdonald pirouetted down the road at 120kmh, which led to a bit of self-critique, but some keen driving pushed him ahead of the pack.
He said he had himself a ball of a day.
"The roads are magic. It was just so fun. You can't beat a Southland road when the rally gods are on your side," he said.
To take out his first outright win was a great feeling.
Macdonald said it was a special weekend with a lot of history behind it.
Now he and his team could look forward to campaigning in the North Island in the New Zealand Championship with a lot of confidence.