Motorsport legend Toby Price to tackle Central Machine Hire Otago Rally

The Central Machine Hire Otago Rally has secured a major international coup for its milestone 50th Anniversary event, confirming that Australian motorsport superstar Toby Price will join the field this April 10-12.

Price, a two-time winner of the gruelling Dakar Rally in the motorcycle category (2016, 2019), has recently made a seamless transition to four wheels.

The off-road legend is fresh from the 2026 Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia, where he drove a factory-backed Toyota Hilux to a historic eighth-place finish — the best-ever result for an Australian in the car category.

Price holds a record nine Finke Desert Race titles and has rapidly come onto the scene in the Australian Rally Championship, with several national starts now under his belt.

His entry into the Central Machine Hire Otago Rally is expected to significantly boost international interest in the event, which is already shaping up to be the largest in its half-century history.

For his New Zealand debut, Price will get behind the wheel of a brand-new Toyota GR Yaris, prepared by Auckland’s Force Motorsport.

The four-wheel drive, sequential-gearbox machine is the first car built for the newly announced GR Yaris Rally Cup, a one-make series set to launch in New Zealand in 2027.

“I jumped at the opportunity to compete at the Otago Rally; it’s got a big reputation in Australia,” Price said.

“I can’t wait for the challenge of driving on those fast, smooth Otago roads against a quality field, and I’m really looking forward to meeting the New Zealand drivers and fans.

“To drive a brand-new Toyota GR Yaris is a dream — it’s such an awesome car. This 50th Anniversary event is shaping up to be huge; we are expecting up to 30 international teams to join the New Zealand field.”

Event spokesperson Roger Oakley welcomed the addition of the Australian icon.

“We’re delighted Toby is coming to the Central Machine Hire Otago Rally. He’s achieved a huge amount in motorsport, especially in the intensely demanding field of desert racing.

“Equally, his achievements in rallying are increasingly competitive. He’s a great ambassador for motorsport and an inspiration to young people.”

Tony McConachy of Force Motorsport echoed the excitement.

“When we conceived the GR Yaris Cup, the aim was to attract a wide range of competitors with a high-performing car. Having Toby as the first driver is a thrill, and we are really looking forward to working with him.”

The Central Machine Hire Otago Rally will feature 280 competitive kilometres across 15 special stages on Dunedin’s world-renowned gravel roads.

More than 120 teams are expected to enter the event, which serves as a round of the New Zealand Rally Championship, the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship, and the TER Series.

The Otago Rally acknowledges and thanks the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment for support through its Events Boost Fund, and the City of Dunedin for Premier Event support.