Classic clash coming at Woodhill 100

Image of Tony McCall at the 2024 Woodhill 100 by Geoff Ridder

It’s the oldest, fastest, toughest endurance race in New Zealand. It’s a race I’ve attended many times, and it’s on the wish list for most serious racers.

It’s also no place for the measured pace racers might use at the 1000km race down at Kurow.

There is literally no race quite like the Woodhill 100. At 150km or more, it’s an enduro distance in punishing sandy trails that wind through the mighty Woodhill Forest northwest of Auckland.

The speeds, though, are very much about sprint racing. With a few days to go, the biggest class entry is the big-banger class one field, which includes no less than four previous winners.

Tony McCall is going for a record-breaking victory in the event. McCall is the most successful driver in the sport, with a huge string of national titles and a garage full of trophies to show for it. He is currently tied for total wins at Woodhill with another icon of the sport, Ian Foster.

Though Foster retired some years ago and will not be running at Woodhill, there are a number of fast ultimate class competitors running, and the UTV S class cars are also contenders for outright honours.

As yet, there has been no entry from defending champion Carl Ruiterman, opening up the possibility of another leading U or S class competitor challenging for the title.

The unlimited (class one) entry includes former winners McCall, Daynom Templeman, Brendon Midgley and Paul Smith, along with Josh Attwood, Donn Attwood and longtime Woodhill regular Rene Sciarone. Class one is the biggest entry to date. It’s fair to say that as long as the big bangers are out there, the lap times will be low and lower.

So far, only a handful of trucks are entered – two class four and two class eight. Among those, Nick Hall’s Toyota Chev Prolite could well be in with a chance if the top unlimited class entries strike trouble. It’s been a while since a truck won Woodhill outright.

The 2025 Woodhill 100 will cover 150km and starts at 11.00pm on Sunday.

Also contested on Sunday is the latest round of the Kiwitruck young driver national championship. There are seven entries: Brett Carlyle, Bryn Willetts, Harrison Mooney; Lily Williams, Tanner Willetts, Oliver Mooney and Zac Rowberry. The Kiwitrucks have a 30-minute enduro after qualifying for the main event.