The 2025 New Zealand Rally continues with round two this week as competitors head to Timaru for the Rally South Canterbury.
The one-day event sees competitors tackle a mixture of forestry and public roads on the outskirts of Timaru before a final blast around the Levels Raceway circuit on Saturday afternoon.
The Battle:
Defending national champion Ben Hunt takes a narrow points lead into the event after his victory at Otago last month.
However, the Skoda Fabia Rally 2 driver will be pushed hard in the second event, with a range of contenders staking their claim to be favourite for the podium’s top step.
Robbie Stokes (Stokes Motorsport Skoda Fabia Rally 2) was superb in debuting the car at Otago and only just finished second to Hunt. With more time behind the wheel and super-fast roads suited to his brave driving style, Stokes should feel he has what it takes to beat Hunt.
Jack Stokes (Stokes Motorsport Ford Fiesta AP4) will be rueing a mistake late on the second day that cost him the chance of a win on his 4wd debut. But a brilliant performance at Otago and the fact that his AP4 car might be more suited to the South Canterbury stages should make the younger Stokes as strong a favourite as any this weekend.
Jack Hawkeswood saw his championship lead slip from his fingers after a mistake in the forest last year at this event, but his improved pace on Sunday should instantly fire the Force Motorsport Toyota GR Yaris into the title battle.
A puncture in the opening stage ruined Emma Gilmour’s Otago Rally, but the Citroen C3 driver should expect to bounce back in round two.
Josh Marston (RDL Holden Barina AP4) made a long-awaited return at Otago and should be better for the hit out. His Holden will be suited to the South Canterbury roads, and his knowledge of the MRF control tyre should also stand him well for a charge at winning this weekend.
Dylan Thomson returns to the championship in the older model Subaru, but the car’s extra top end and Thomson’s ability to extract everything from it will see the reigning 2wd champion in the mix.
Haydn Mackenzie rounds out the category one battle pack in the Toyota Yaris AP4, and the North Shore-based driver should not be ruled out, particularly if he can have a trouble-free run in his car.
Other Classes:
Bryn Jones and Tim Mackersy – both Ford Fiesta Rally 4s – will reignite their NZRC 2WD battle at South Canterbury after a back-and-forth effort in Otago. Jones came out on top, but he had to really work for it, and South Canterbury’s two forestry stages could see Mackersy really take it to the Waikato driver.
Dave Strong (Honda Jazz) will have too much power for Paul Cross (Toyota Corolla) in the Open 2WD class but Cross is a fine peddler and Strong will need a clean run to repeat his win from Otago.
Deane Buist starts as the favourite in the Historic 2WD class in his Ford Escort, but he will be kept honest with a terrific battle behind him. Stephen Gill (Ford Escort), Andy Martin (Ford Escort), Paul Fraser (Nissan Silvia), Pat Norris (Toyota Corolla) and Mike Cameron (Mitsubishi Lancer) are all capable of finishing on the podium. Their battle should be one to watch.
Caleb Macdonald (Mitsubishi EVO 6) starts as favourite in the Rally Challenge 4WD class but will have plenty of competition from Gavin Feast (Subaru WRX), Brian Green (Mitsubishi EVO 9), and the Subaru H6 contingent that includes Josh Keighley, Ben Huband, Kevin Laird, and Terri Taylor.
Keep a close eye on:
The Rally Challenge 2WD class gets a massive boost with Timaru local Darren Galbraith joining the championship for his home event. Galbraith will be favourite to win the class in his Ford Fiesta, but Ian Warren (Nissan Pulsar) and Thomas Paul (Honda Civic) will keep him honest.
Best Spectating:
A ceremonial opening in downtown Timaru on Friday evening at 5:30PM provides an excellent opportunity to see cars and drivers up close, grab a photo or an autograph and be part of the action.
Spectating out on the stages is good in many places, although the Kakahu Forest is off limits to spectators.
Stage two (Waitohi Long) has a great junction to view at the corner of Draffin and Galbraith roads, while the final stage at Levels Raceway sees the cars blast around the racetrack with good vantage spots.
Maps – Facebook
Where to watch:
𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲 | 𝗦𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗱𝗮𝘆:
- SS1 Kakahu | Livestream commences @ 08:10am
- SS6 Southburn | Livestream commences @ 12:25pm
*𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘹𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘵𝘦
As usual, our streams are FREE and ONLY on our Facebook page or www.nzrc.tv YouTube channel. If they ask you to pay, walk away!
The post-production show will air on TV3’s CRC Motorsport after the event.
Follow the action with live times on www.chrissport.co.nz
Header Image: Bailey Chambers Photography
