Mojo's Story
Murray O’Donnells – aka Mojo”
Driver for the 00 Zero Car
VOLUNTEER VOICES
Read the stories from the heart of the Rally
Every month we’ll be shining a spotlight on the unsung heroes of our sport – showing our appreciation for everything they do.
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The Rally Family
The Unsung
Heroes
At the heart of Rally NZ is a passionate, dedicated community of volunteers who make everything we do possible. From stage crews and safety teams to admin support and zero car crews, every single person plays a vital role — and we’re so incredibly grateful for the time, energy, and heart they bring to the sport. Naturally, with such a diverse group, there are some truly amazing stories behind the hi-vis vests, and through Volunteer Voices, we’re shining a light on the unsung heroes and their stories.
It’s hard to imagine Rally New Zealand without Murray O’Donnell — or as we all know him, Mojo. Mojo’s been a cornerstone of our rally community for more than 50 years, and while he’s not one to make a fuss, the impact he’s had on the sport — and the people in it — is incredible.
His rally journey started in 1973, when he was in charge of six service vans for the Woolmark Team, supporting four Escorts and a young Jim Richards. They went on to finish 1st and 2nd, and from there, Mojo was all in. Just a few years later, in 1978, he stepped up to run Rally NZ under the Motogard sponsorship — leading the way until 1983. Since then, he’s continued to serve the sport in the best way he knows how — out on the stages in the 00 Zero Car.
For the past 37 years, Mojo’s been part of the dynamic duo in the 00 Zero car with Davey, forming one of the most trusted and respected partnerships in the sport. Quietly consistent, calm under pressure, and always up for a chat, Mojo has been an unsung hero for generations.
When I asked what first drew him into rallying, Mojo talked about his early days helping run events with the Auckland Car Club, working with Arthur McWatt and Mike Marshall. “It was the mates,” he said — and even now, those friendships are still going strong, some 60 years on.
One memory that particularly stands out though is from 1975, when he and a group of five mates built the first Mark II Escort rally car in the world — from scratch, in just six weeks. They won outright that year and “partied for a few days after that.”
But with so many years under his belt, what keeps him coming back? The answer’s simple. “Driving on gravel has to be one of the biggest buzzes you can have,” he says, “and the good times had with mates, doing what we love.”
Naturally, if he could jump in a car tomorrow, he’d choose a Ford, and head straight for the Rally of the Thousand Lakes — full of big brows and flat-out commitment. But even after travelling to view rallies around the world — from the Acropolis to Canberra, and six years helping in New Caledonia — Mojo reckons Rally New Zealand is still the best.
And while rallying is a huge part of Mojo’s life, so is giving back. From decades with the Variety Bash, to helping run the Southern Dash charity event in the South Island, Mojo’s always found a way to bring people together for a good cause.
Mojo, your passion, stories and heart are what make this community so special. Thank you for everything you’ve given to the sport, and for the way you’ve led. Rally NZ certainly wouldn’t be the same without you and we can’t thank you for your dedication enough.
Sample Subtitle
PARTNERSHIPS
With each leg of the NZ Rally Championship hosted by local car clubs, we as a volunteer body are there to provide extra manpower and support as and when needed. We also provide organisational support if required, with many of our volunteers belonging to more than one car club.
The Rally NZ Club takes pride in working closely with the NZRC – and enjoys providing our volunteers the opportunity to travel across the country to various motorsport events, getting to do what they love in new and exciting environments.
We are also the first point of call for large-scale international events, including the International Rally of Whangarei and the World Rally Championship.
Mojo's Interview
Year first started volunteering:
1973.
How long have you been involved with Rally NZ / in the motorsport scene? And what was it that you started off doing?
I first was involved with Rally NZ in 1973. I was in charge of all the Service vans (6) for Woolmark Team, we had four Escorts to look after and finished 1st and 2nd that year.
Since 1969 I had been working for John Andrew Superford, however in 1978 I took over running Rally NZ under sponsorship to Motogard Rally. My term finished in 1983, where I have been involved ever since with the 00 Zero group, and Dave Hargreaves has been my Co Driver for the last 37 years.
What was it that made you first get involved in Rally?
Prior to Rally NZ I got involved with Auckland Car Club, helping to run Rallies with Arthur McWatt and his team which lead into me helping out Mike Marshall and Arthur with their efforts in Ford Escorts.
Back in the day it was all the great people that we would meet, and are still all good mates some 60 years later.
What is your favourite memory/what has been the highlight moment from your years in the sport?
In 1975 a group of 5 mates and I built the First Mark 2 Rally Escort in the world.
We built it from scratch in just 6 weeks. We were outright winners that year, and partied for a few days after that.
Out of all the things you love about rallying, what is it that keeps you coming back for more?
Driving on gravel has to be one of the biggest buzzes you can have. That, and the good times had catching up with mates on-event.
If you could drive in any rally in the world, what one would it be, and what car would you drive – and why?
It would have to be in a Ford, and I think it would have to be the Rally of a Thousand Lakes. The blind brows etc make the stages look incredibly fun.
If you could spectate any rally in the world, what one would it be and why?
Has to be Rally NZ as we have great roads and easy access to view. I personally love the long stages that we have here in NZ.
I have been to the Scottish Rally and the roads were not that great once the first car had gone through. I have also viewed the Acropolis Rally which is just very hard conditions – and have helped with servicing Mike Marshall’s car on the Canberra Rally which again were very hard conditions and very dusty under foot. I’ve also been to New Caledonia helping Mike for 6 years, which I was the co-driver for in 1976.
Any other highlights to note/stories to tell?
I was involved with the Variety Bash (a Charity event with old cars, buses and trucks) from 1979 up until when Covid hit in 2022. I do still organise an event called the Southern Dash which is a Charity event for kids which has ran for the last 12 years just south of Wellington (and 3 years ago we took 56 people to Chatham Island for 5 days via this charity), essentially every year we are in a different part of South Island – it’s great fun for a good cause.
On top of this, a group of us started the Silverfern Rally which we ran for 8 years before selling the event on. For those involved they were great events bringing back the good old years of the past.
Any other note-worthy comments?
The last WRC event held here in NZ was a highlight, especially to do with all the redtape around Electric Vehicles, and the pressure on the Zero Car group by FIA.
Then to get the highest score handed out by Michele Mouton – FIA Safety Officer, being awarded as the best Zero group in the World!!
Overall, I just love the sport and would like to say a very special thanks to all the wonderful people I have come across through Rallying.
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