Robbie Stokes/Shane Reynolds (Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo) has won the opening round of the Mainland Rally Championship (MRC), finishing just 3.5 seconds ahead of Stokes Motorsport teammate Jack Stokes/Hayden Graves (Ford Fiesta AP4), with the returning Josh Marston/Andrew Graves (Holden Barina) in third.
On the first day (only) of the two-day Otago Rally, 27 MRC competitors competed over eight Special Stages, with Jack Stokes winning the opening five and brother Robbie winning the final three.
Marston showed consistency in finishing no lower than third and was followed home by Caleb MacDonald/Larisa Biggar (Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6), 2024 MRC champion Deane Buist/Karl Celeste (Ford Escort RS1800) in fifth and Tim Smith/Ben Trevelyan (Subaru Impreza) in sixth.
“It was awesome,” commented Robbie Stokes.
“I thought we went quite well on the opening stage, but Jack (Stokes) went 10 sec faster than us, so it was a bit of an eye-opener.
“Then rest of the day we built up and made a change at the last service that gave me more confidence. We had a great battle with Jack. It was neck and neck, but I gave it a crack in the last couple (of stages) and got the win. I’m very proud of the team.”
In addition to the overall result, competitors made up seven separate MRC classes. Josh Silcock/Donna Elder (Toyota Starlet) was the first car home in Class A (0-1300cc), followed by Jak Elliott/Blair Brosnan (Toyota Echo).
Thomas Paul/Bridget Airey (Honda Civic) finished ninth overall and were first home in Class C (1601cc and over) ahead of James McIver/Matt Wright (Ford Escort Mk 2).
Deane Buist is defending his 2024 Class C (1601cc and over) and finished ahead of Richard Galley/Claire Buccini (BMW E30). In Class D (4WD), Robbie Stokes leads from Jack Stokes and Josh Marston.
First home in Class E (Pre 2000 4WD) was Nathan Fraser/Adrian Burney (Subaru Impreza), while Stephen Gill (Ford Escort Mk2) started his defence of the Class F (Classic 2WD) title, finishing ahead of Paul Cross/Janey Blair (Toyota Corolla AE86).
Tim Smith/Ben Trevelyan (Subaru Impreza) impressed, finishing sixth overall and first home in Class H6.
The South Canterbury Rally hosts the second round on 10 May, with the Canterbury Rally at its usual time on Sunday of King’s Birthday weekend (1 June 2025).
RDL Performance, Brita Safety Ltd, Palmside NZ Ltd, Christchurch Building and Decorating Ltd, Thomson Rust and Repair Services Ltd, and Rally Drive NZ support the 2025 Mainland Rally Championship.
Overall Results – Mainland Rally Championship Round 1:
(Pos, Driver 1/Driver 2, Car, Class, Time)
- 1. Robbie Stokes/Shane Reynolds, Skoda Fabia Rally2 evo, D, 1:14:36.8
- 2. Jack Stokes/Hayden Graves, Ford Fiesta AP4, D, 1:14:40.3
- 3. Josh Marston/Andrew Graves, Holden Barina AP4, D, 1:15:37.3
- 4. Caleb MacDonald/Larisa Biggar, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 6, D, 1:18:34.1
- 5. Deane Buist/Karl Celeste, Ford Escort RS1800 C, 1:19:40.2
- 6. Tim Smith/Ben Trevelyan, Subaru Impreza, H6, H, 1:21:47.8
- 7. Thomas Paul/Bridget Airey, Honda Civic B, 1:23:21.9
- 8. Brian Green/Brianna Little, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 9, D, 1:23:45.2
- 9. Stephen Gill/Grant Molloy, Ford Escort Mk2, F, 1:23:54.2
- 10. Sean Haggarty/Matt Bailey, Subaru Impreza WRX, D, 1:24:20.1
- 11. Dave Ollis/Gemma Thomas, Subaru Impreza WRX D, 1:26:00.1
- 12. Kevin Laird/Aled Jones, Subaru Impreza H6, H, 1:26:13.5
- 13. Richard Galley/Claire Buccini, BMW E30, C, 1:26:35.0
- 14. James McIver/Matt Wright, Ford Escort Mk 2, B, 1:26:47.7
- 15. Harri Silcock/Mark Greenwood, Toyota Starlet, B, 1:27:00.9
- 16. Paul Cross/Janey Blair, Toyota Corolla AE86, F, 1:27:14.9
- 17. Rory Lawn/Sean Sands, Toyota Starlet, B, 1:27:11.9
- 18. Josh Silcock/Donna Elder, Toyota Starlet, A, 1:29:10.1
- 19. Ian Warren/Richie Chadwick, Nissan Pulsar VZ-R, B, 1:31:45.5
- 20. Tom Milliken/Chris Cunningham, Subaru Impreza H6, H, 1:31:55.4
- 21. Nathan Fraser/Adrian Burney, Subaru Impreza E, 1:32:03.0
- 22. Adrian Jones/Jake Luckin, Toyota Corolla FX GT, B, 1:32:23.5
- 23. Jak Elliott/Blair Brosnan, Toyota Echo, A, 1:33:35.6
- 24. Pat Norris/Kevin Cooke, Toyota Corolla AE86, F 1:45:01.9
- DNF. Nigel Ede/Mark Grimmer, Subaru Legacy RS, E, 1:23:30.7
- DNF. Mike Matheson/Gordon Legge, Toyota Vitz, A, 1:40:25.3
- DNF. Kevin Brockie/Darryl McManus, Toyota Vitz, A, 1:37:00.4
- DNF. Andy Martin/Matt Hayward, Ford Escort RS1800, F, 1:57:36.9
2025 Mainland Rally Championship Calendar:
- 5 April – (Day 1 only) Otago Rally OSCC
- 10 May – South Canterbury Rally, SCCC
- 1 June – Canterbury Rally, Autosport
- 2 August – Wyndham Rally, ESSC
- 30 August – Timaru Tarmac Rally, TBC
- 27 September – Hanmer Rally, Autosport
Header Image: Terry Marshall
