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

1. Carl Ruiterman (S22) – 12 laps
    
2. Ash Kelly (192) – 12 laps
    
3. Daynom Templeman (193) – 12 laps
    
4. Dyson Delahunty (U87) – 11 laps
    
5. Slim Slee (165) – 11 laps
    
6. Dale McKenzie (858) – 11 laps
    
7. Kadin Thomason (U45) – 11 laps
    
8. Michael Green (U29) – 11 laps
    
9. Jacob Brownlees (U28) – 11 laps
    
10. Keegan Terrell (U81) – 10 laps
     
11. David Templeman (S91) – 10 laps
     
12. Wayne Spicer (S07) – 10 laps
     
13. Kevin Cooper (398) – 10 laps
     
14. Louis Carlyle (122) – 10 laps
     
15. John Hodgson (1006) – 10 laps
     
16. Martin van der Wal (866) – 10 laps
     
17. Grant Rosenburg (898) – 9 laps
     
18. Liam Earle (385) – 9 laps
     
19. Geoff Densem (S77) – 9 laps
     
20. Chris Eldridge (366) – 9 laps
     
21. Sareena Paterson (170) – 9 laps
     
22. Todd Graham (107) – 8 laps
     
23. Donald Preston (166) – 8 laps
     
24. Arron Crabb (357) – 7 laps

DNF: Clint Densem (S06), Tim Culling (S46), Alan Saunders (348), Scott Munro (S83), Nick Leahy (887), Bruce McKeown (843), Grant Adamson (375), Karlos McKay, Andrew Green (341)

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