23-06-2025
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
