Robbie Stokes capped a dramatic week by claiming victory at the season-ending International Rally of Whangarei, while championship rival Ben Hunt provisionally secured the 2025 New Zealand Rally Championship.
The rally got off to a thrilling start on Saturday, with Stokes (Stokes Motorsport Skoda Fabia Rally 2) narrowly edging out his brother Jack on the final stage of the day to lead by just 4.8 seconds.
Jack Stokes had dominated much of day one in his Stokes Motorsport Ford Fiesta AP4, but dropped time on the second pass through the Pohe Island Super Special stage.
Hunt, driving a Skoda New Zealand Fabia Rally 2, finished the day in third, 36 seconds off the lead. Crucially, by claiming third place and three championship points on the day’s power stage, Hunt secured an unassailable lead in the championship, making him the 2025 title winner.
Several class battles were also decided on day one. Caleb Macdonald and Larisa Biggar safely finished the day in a borrowed Subaru H6, securing the Rally Challenge 4WD championship.
Haydn Mackenzie (Toyota Yaris Proto) won the Rally class honours, with Ben Huband (Subaru WRX) and Gavin Feast (Subaru WRX) completing the podium.
Josh Keighley (Subaru H6) held off Kevin Laird (Subaru H6) to take the Group A Challenge championship.
In the NZRC 2WD category, Bryn Jones (Ford Fiesta) remained in contention but trailed Tim Mackersy (Ford Fiesta) by 37.7 seconds after day one.
Deane Buist (Ford Escort) was provisionally crowned NZRC 2WD champion after rival Stephen Gill (Ford Escort) crashed out, while Tim McIver (Ford Escort) led the Historic 2WD class and Dave Strong (Honda Jazz) secured the Open 2WD championship simply by starting the event.
On Sunday, Stokes cemented his second career NZRC event win, finishing one minute and 15 seconds ahead of Hunt. While Hunt had already secured the championship on Saturday, the day’s result allowed Stokes to close the season on a high.
Jack Stokes had continued to challenge his brother throughout the event, but a puncture on stage 16 saw him drop off the podium, finishing fourth. Jack Hawkeswood claimed the final podium spot in his debut event behind the wheel of a new Vertu Equipment Toyota Yaris Rally 2, edging Hunt for second place on the day.
Bryn Jones capitalised on late drama for NZRC 2WD rival Tim Mackersy to take the class win and secure the overall 2WD title.
Dave Strong celebrated his Open 2WD title with a class victory, while Tim McIver confirmed his Historic 2WD win ahead of Mike Cameron.
Deane Buist, having already claimed the NZRC 2WD championship on Saturday, finished comfortably, with Cameron moving up to second overall with another podium finish in Whangarei.
The 2025 New Zealand Rally Championship concluded with Hunt joining the ranks of multiple-time champions, alongside Hayden Paddon, Richard Mason, and Bruce Herbert.
The championship will return in 2026, kicking off in Otago in April.
Header Image: Geoff Ridder
