The Reporoa and New Zealand Targa Rally communities have paid tribute to a man killed in a crash this week.
Rally enthusiast and retired dairy farmer Graham John Marshall, 73, from Taupo, died after the car he was driving crashed into a ManaBus on State Highway 5 near Ohaaki Rd.
Police are continuing an investigation into the cause of the crash, which happened around 4.50pm on Wednesday.
Targa Rally managing director Peter Martin said Mr Marshall was "an active participant" in the event.
"His last event was the Targa Tour 20th anniversary on the South Island last year. He had been an active participant since 2009. He usually raced a Mark II Escort in the competition but last year he and Don Fenwick drove the Lotus Mark I Cortina which they owned together."
He said that car was the original zero car, or safety car, when Targa first started.
"It's a very rare car and instead of racing he paraded with that car. He was a hell of a nice guy, a gentleman. He never had a bad word to say about anyone, it was live and let live. He will be a sorely missed member; a personality not to be forgotten."
He said, while Mr Marshall had not formally entered, he had expected him to be part of the next event in October, in the central North Island.
Mr Marshall was also a member of the Reporoa Lions Club.
A club spokesman, who did not want to be named, said Mr Marshall had moved to a Broadlands dairy farm in the early 1970s. He had three sons and a daughter.
"Graham was involved in several organisations, including the Lions, which he joined in 2003. He was a valued member and will be sorely missed by all."
He said Mr Marshall played cricket for the Reporoa Golden Oldies, was involved with the church and volunteered at the Taupo Hospice. He was also a founding member of local music group Simply Random and entertained residents of rest homes and retirement villages in Rotorua and Taupo.
A police spokesman said it appeared Mr Marshall's car had crossed the centre line and they were trying to find out why. He was the sole occupant.
The two people who were injured, and previously reported as being from the car, were the male bus driver and the female attendant from the bus.
They were not seriously hurt.
There were no reported injuries in relation to the 64 passengers from the bus.
Police collected the details of the passengers before they left, but are encouraging any who have witness information to contact Taupo police on (07) 378 6060.