Latest news with #CTCivilNewZealandOffroadRacingChampionship
Scoop
23-06-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Ruiterman Conquers The Carnage At Golden Downs In Gruelling Ruff 'n Tuff Enduro
Golden Downs Forest, Nelson — June 21, 2025 The 2025 Ruff 'n Tuff Offroad Racing Enduro has lived up to its brutal reputation, delivering 240km of unrelenting punishment through Golden Downs Forest as Round 6 of the CT Civil New Zealand Offroad Racing Championship. Yesterday, 30 of the country's toughest offroad racers took to the sodden, wind-battered tracks — and only the Tuff survived. When the mud settled, national champion Carl Ruiterman (S22) emerged victorious, completing all 12 laps and once again proving why he wears the NZ1 plate. He was followed closely by Ash Kelly (192) and Daynom Templeman (193), both also clocking 12 laps in a high-speed, high-attrition battle through the forest. As forecast, the attrition rate soared above 50 percent. Only 26 of the 34 starters made it past the halfway point, with nine competitors failing to finish — several retiring early due to mechanical failure or incidents in the treacherous terrain. The forest proved unforgiving, with bent rims, shredded tires, and battered suspension systems common across the paddock. Flat tires, often ignored in desperation, were seen destroying rims and turning wheels into shrapnel. The relentless nature of the course — likened by racers to driving from Nelson to Kaikoura on gravel — took as much toll on the drivers as the machines. Many struggled to maintain focus through the conditions that led to costly misjudgments. For some, it was not the car that gave out — it was the human behind the wheel. Despite this, the nation's elite offroaders brought fierce competition. Racers from the North Island descended on Nelson to challenge the local South Island contingent. But the cold, rough terrain gave the edge to the Southerners familiar with these conditions, who made their presence known throughout the field. Notable performances included Dyson Delahunty (U87) in fourth with 11 laps, followed by Slim Slee (165), Dale McKenzie (858), and Kadin Thomason (U45), all of whom endured to cross the line with 11 completed circuits. Michael Green (U29), Jacob Brownlees (U28), and Keegan Terrell (U81) rounded out the top ten. In the end, it was a race that delivered everything its name promised — Ruff. Tuff. And unrelentingly brutal. Official Results: CT Civil NZ Offroad Racing Championship – Round 6 – Ruff 'n Tuff 2025 Carl Ruiterman (S22) – 12 laps Ash Kelly (192) – 12 laps Daynom Templeman (193) – 12 laps Dyson Delahunty (U87) – 11 laps Slim Slee (165) – 11 laps Dale McKenzie (858) – 11 laps Kadin Thomason (U45) – 11 laps Michael Green (U29) – 11 laps Jacob Brownlees (U28) – 11 laps Keegan Terrell (U81) – 10 laps David Templeman (S91) – 10 laps Wayne Spicer (S07) – 10 laps Kevin Cooper (398) – 10 laps Louis Carlyle (122) – 10 laps John Hodgson (1006) – 10 laps Martin van der Wal (866) – 10 laps Grant Rosenburg (898) – 9 laps Liam Earle (385) – 9 laps Geoff Densem (S77) – 9 laps Chris Eldridge (366) – 9 laps Sareena Paterson (170) – 9 laps Todd Graham (107) – 8 laps Donald Preston (166) – 8 laps Arron Crabb (357) – 7 laps
Scoop
18-06-2025
- Automotive
- Scoop
Ruff ‘n Tuff Offroad Enduro Returns To The One Forty One Golden Downs Forest For A Brutal 240km Showdown
Wakefield, Tasman — One of New Zealand's toughest offroad motorsport challenges is back. This weekend, the rugged One Forty One Golden Downs Forest near Wakefield will roar to life as 30 of the country's best offroad racers tackle The Battle of the Golden Downs Forest, better known as the CT Civil Ruff 'n Tuff Offroad Racing Enduro. As Round 6 of the 2025 CT Civil New Zealand Offroad Racing Championship, this 240-kilometre winter enduro is notorious for pushing both machines and drivers to the brink. Competitors face treacherous forest roads, muddy bush tracks, freezing temperatures, and high winds—all part of what has earned this event its fearsome reputation. 'Ruff 'n Tuff is exactly that,' says event spokesperson Darrin Thomason. 'It's relentless, and we expect a finishing rate of less than 75 percent. This is survival of the fittest, both mechanically and mentally.' Organisers predict fewer than 20 finishers as vehicles fall victim to the punishing terrain. While some retire quietly with mechanical issues, others meet a more dramatic end—bogged down, rolled over, or colliding with the forest itself. Flat tyres are expected to be a frequent issue, with some drivers choosing to push on to the pits on shredded rubber—often destroying the wheel rims in the process. Yet for many, it's the drivers themselves who will reach their limits before their vehicles do. 'Driving 240km here is like doing Nelson to Kaikoura on a gravel road that cuts through rivers, not over them,' Thomason adds. 'It's cold, it's wet, and the adrenaline is constant. That's where mistakes creep in.' Despite the conditions, the field is stacked with experienced offroad talent. Drivers from across the North and South Islands are converging on the Nelson region, bringing fierce inter-island rivalry with them. Local South Island racers may hold the upper hand in the cold, muddy conditions, but North Island entrants are not expected to back down easily. Spectators are welcome, with free entry to the forest via signposted access from Wakefield. Food and coffee will be available at the pit area, and families are encouraged to bring a picnic and enjoy a weekend of high-octane action deep in the bush. Let's go racing. The forest awaits.
