New Zealand Rally Championship

New Zealand Rally Championship
CategoryRallying
CountryNew Zealand
Inaugural season1975
Drivers' championNew Zealand Hayden Paddon
Co-Drivers' championNew Zealand John Kennard
Makes' championSouth Korea Hyundai Motor Company
Teams' championNew Zealand Paddon Rallysport
Official websitenzrallychampionship.co.nz
Current season

The New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) is New Zealand's leading rallying championship. A multi-event national championship has been held each year since 1975. Today the championship is held for a variety of classes based on engine capacity and further split by four or two wheel drive. The top class for a number of years has been the CAT1 class, featuring R5, NR4, and AP4 cars.

The New Zealand Rally Championship has been a launching pad for the career of many New Zealand drivers. Rod Millen and Possum Bourne being the most notable. Recently Hayden Paddon has used the series as a springboard to international competition, competing in the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship before moving on to the Production, Super 2000 World Rally Championship, and World Rally Championships.

The championship was formed around the then newly created Rally New Zealand when it joined the World Rally Championship in 1973. Since then Rally New Zealand has frequently been the starring event of the NZRC and the event is current based in Auckland. The International Rally of Whangarei and International Rally of Otago are also rounds of the NZRC as well as being rounds of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship. The current 2022 championship also takes in events based in Canterbury.

Champions

Drivers

Sourced from:[1]

Year Driver Vehicle
1975 Rod Millen Mazda RX-3
1976 Rod Millen Mazda RX-3
1977 Rod Millen Mazda RX-3
1978 Blair Robson Ford Escort RS1800
1979 Paul Adams Ford Escort RS1800
1980 Jim Donald Ford Escort RS1800
1981 Jim Donald Ford Escort RS1800
1982 Tony Teesdale Ford Escort RS1800
1983 Malcolm Stewart Ford Escort RS1800
1984 Tony Teesdale Nissan 240RS
1985 Brian Stokes Ford Escort RS
1986 Neil Allport Mazda RX-7
1987 Tony Teesdale MG Metro 6R4
1988 Brian Stokes Ford Sierra 4x4
1989 Neil Allport Mazda 323 4WD
1990 David Ayling Mazda 323 4WD
1991 Possum Bourne Subaru Legacy
1992 Neil Allport Mazda 323 GTX
1993 Joe McAndrew Subaru Legacy
1994 Joe McAndrew Subaru Legacy
1995 Reece Jones Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
1996 Joe McAndrew Subaru Legacy
1997 Reece Jones Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
1998 Geoff Argyle Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
1999 Geoff Argyle Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2000 Bruce Herbert Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2001 Bruce Herbert Subaru Impreza WRX
2002 Bruce Herbert Subaru Impreza WRX
2003 Bruce Herbert Subaru Impreza WRX
2004 Chris West Subaru Impreza WRX
2005 Richard Mason Subaru Impreza WRX
2006 Richard Mason Subaru Impreza WRX
2007 Sam Murray Subaru Impreza WRX
2008 Hayden Paddon Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2009 Hayden Paddon Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2010 Dean Sumner Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2011 Richard Mason Subaru Impreza WRX
2012 Richard Mason Subaru Impreza WRX
2013 Hayden Paddon Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2014 Richard Mason Subaru Impreza WRX
2015 Ben Hunt Subaru Impreza WRX
2016 David Holder Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2017 Andrew Hawkeswood Mazda 2 AP4+
2018 Hayden Paddon Hyundai i20 AP4+
2019 Ben Hunt Subaru Impreza WRX STI
2020 No 2020 Championship
2021 Hayden Paddon Hyundai i20 AP4+
2022 Hayden Paddon Hyundai i20 AP4+
2023 Hayden Paddon Hyundai i20 N Rally2

Co-Drivers

Sourced from:[2]

Year Co-Driver Vehicle
1987 Greg Horne MG Metro 6R4
1988 Robert Haldane Ford Sierra 4x4
1989 Robert Haldane Mazda 323 4WD
1990 Robert Haldane Mazda 323 4WD
1991 Rodger Freeth Subaru Legacy
1992 Jim Robb Mazda 323 GTX
1993 Robert Haldane Subaru Legacy
1994 Robert Haldane Subaru Legacy
1995 Leo Bult Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
1996 Robert Haldane Subaru Legacy
1997 Leo Bult Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
1998 Alan Glen Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
1999 Rob Ryan Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2000 Rob Ryan Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2001 Rob Ryan Subaru Impreza WRX
2002 Rob Ryan Subaru Impreza WRX
2003 Rob Ryan Subaru Impreza WRX
2004 Garry Cowan Subaru Impreza WRX
2005 Garry Cowan Subaru Impreza WRX
2006 Sara Randall Subaru Impreza WRX
2007 Rob Ryan Subaru Impreza WRX
2008 John Kennard Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2009 John Kennard Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2010 Paul Fallon Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2011 Sara Mason Subaru Impreza WRX
2012 Sara Mason Subaru Impreza WRX
2013 John Kennard Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2014 Sara Mason Subaru Impreza WRX
2015 Tony Rawstorn Subaru Impreza WRX
2016 Jason Farmer Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2017 Jeff Cress Mazda 2 AP4+
2018 Tony Rawstorn Subaru Impreza WRX STI
2019 Tony Rawstorn Subaru Impreza WRX STI
2020 No 2020 Championship
2021 John Kennard Hyundai i20 AP4+
2022 John Kennard Hyundai i20 AP4+
2023 John Kennard Hyundai i20 AP4+

2WD

Drivers

Year Class Driver Vehicle
2006 Historics New Zealand Robert Murray Mazda RX-7
2007 FIA 2WD New Zealand Mark Tapper Ford Fiesta ST
Historics New Zealand Eaun Fuge Mazda RX-3
2008 FIA 2WD New Zealand Patrick Malley Ford Fiesta ST
Historics New Zealand Robert Wylie Nissan 240RS
2009 FIA 2WD New Zealand Ben Jagger Ford Fiesta ST
Historics New Zealand Mike Cameron Mitsubishi Lancer
2010 FIA 2WD New Zealand Stephen Barker Ford Fiesta ST
Historics New Zealand Regan Ross Ford Escort
2011 FIA 2WD New Zealand Ben Hunt Ford Fiesta ST
Historics New Zealand Robert Wylie Nissan 240RS
2012 FIA 2WD New Zealand Ben Hunt Ford Fiesta ST
Open 2WD New Zealand David Holder Toyota Levin
Historics New Zealand Marcus van Klink Mazda RX-7
2013 Overall New Zealand Josh Marston Ford Fiesta R2
FIA 2WD New Zealand Josh Marston Ford Fiesta R2
Open 2WD New Zealand Hamish Anderson Toyota Levin
Historics New Zealand Dean Buist Ford Escort RS1800
2014 Overall New Zealand Max Bayley Ford Fiesta R2
FIA 2WD New Zealand Max Bayley Ford Fiesta R2
Open 2WD New Zealand Hamish Anderson Toyota Levin
Historics New Zealand Marcus van Klink Mazda RX-7
2015 Overall New Zealand Max Bayley Ford Fiesta R2
FIA 2WD New Zealand Max Bayley Ford Fiesta R2
Open 2WD Not Awarded
Historics New Zealand Marcus van Klink Mazda RX-7
2016 Overall New Zealand Dave Strong Honda Civic
FIA 2WD New Zealand Max Bayley Ford Fiesta R2
Open 2WD New Zealand Dave Strong Honda Civic
Historics New Zealand Marcus van Klink Mazda RX-7
2017 Overall New Zealand Dylan Thomson Ford Fiesta ST
FIA 2WD New Zealand Dylan Thomson Ford Fiesta ST
Open 2WD Wales Anthony Jones Ford Escort
Historics United Kingdom Tony Gosling Ford Escort
2018 Overall New Zealand Dylan Thomson Ford Fiesta ST
FIA 2WD New Zealand Dylan Thomson Ford Fiesta ST
Open 2WD New Zealand Marcus van Klink Mazda RX-8
Historics New Zealand John Silcock Mazda RX-7
2019 Overall New Zealand Marcus van Klink Mazda RX-8
FIA 2WD New Zealand Mike Sheehan Ford Fiesta R2
Open 2WD New Zealand Marcus van Klink Mazda RX-8
Historics New Zealand Jeff Judd Ford Escort
2020 No 2020 Championship
2021 Overall New Zealand Dylan Thomson Ford Fiesta ST
FIA 2WD New Zealand Dylan Thomson Ford Fiesta ST
Open 2WD New Zealand Ari Pettigrew BMW 318ti
Historics Wales Anthony Jones Ford Escort

Co-drivers

Year Class Driver Vehicle
2006 Historics New Zealand Deborah Kibble Mazda RX-7
2007 FIA 2WD New Zealand Jeff Cress Ford Fiesta ST
Historics New Zealand Mike Gibbs Mazda RX-3
2008 FIA 2WD New Zealand Raymond Bennett Ford Fiesta ST
Historics New Zealand Paul Turner Nissan 240RS
2009 FIA 2WD New Zealand Ben Hawkins Ford Fiesta ST
Historics New Zealand Helen Cameron Mitsubishi Lancer
2010 FIA 2WD New Zealand Richard Ellis Ford Fiesta ST
Historics New Zealand Darren Galbraith Ford Escort
2011 FIA 2WD New Zealand Tony Rawstorn Ford Fiesta ST
Historics New Zealand Tim Smith Nissan 240RS
2012 FIA 2WD New Zealand Tony Rawstorn Ford Fiesta ST
Open 2WD New Zealand James Holder Toyota Levin
Historics New Zealand Dave Neil Mazda RX-7
2013 Overall New Zealand Venita Fabbro Ford Fiesta R2
FIA 2WD New Zealand Venita Fabbro Ford Fiesta R2
Open 2WD New Zealand Sarah Brennan Toyota Levin
Historics New Zealand Andrew Bullman Ford Escort RS1800
2014 Overall New Zealand Phillip Deakin Ford Fiesta R2
FIA 2WD New Zealand Phillip Deakin Ford Fiesta R2
Open 2WD New Zealand Sarah Brennan Toyota Levin
Historics New Zealand Dave Neil Mazda RX-7
2015 Overall New Zealand Donna Elder Ford Fiesta R2
FIA 2WD New Zealand Donna Elder Ford Fiesta R2
Open 2WD Not Awarded
Historics New Zealand Dave Neil Mazda RX-7
2016 Overall New Zealand Bruce McKenzie Honda Civic
FIA 2WD New Zealand Lisa Hudson Ford Fiesta R2
Open 2WD New Zealand Bruce McKenzie Honda Civic
Historics New Zealand Dave Neil Mazda RX-7
2017 Overall New Zealand Amy Hudson Ford Fiesta ST
FIA 2WD New Zealand Amy Hudson Ford Fiesta ST
Open 2WD New Zealand Tanya Gwynne Ford Escort
Historics New Zealand Blair Reid Ford Escort
2018 Overall New Zealand Amy Hudson Ford Fiesta ST
FIA 2WD New Zealand Amy Hudson Ford Fiesta ST
Open 2WD New Zealand Dave Neil Mazda RX-8
Historics New Zealand Samantha Gray Ford Escort
2019 Overall New Zealand Dave Neil Mazda RX-8
FIA 2WD New Zealand Glenn Goldring Ford Fiesta R2
Open 2WD New Zealand Dave Neil Mazda RX-8
Historics New Zealand Sarah Brennan Ford Escort
2020 No 2020 Championship
2021 Overall New Zealand Amy Hudson Ford Fiesta ST
FIA 2WD New Zealand Amy Hudson Ford Fiesta ST
Open 2WD New Zealand Samantha Gray BMW 318ti
Historics New Zealand Zoe Jones Ford Escort

NZ Rally Challenge Series (4WD)

Drivers

Year Overall 4WD 2WD Classic 4WD
Driver Vehicle Driver Vehicle Driver Vehicle Driver Vehicle
2013 New Zealand Graham Featherstone Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII New Zealand Graham Featherstone Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII New Zealand David Ralph Toyota Starlet
2014 New Zealand Darren Galbraith Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI New Zealand Darren Galbraith Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI New Zealand Jeff Torkington Toyota MR2
2015 New Zealand Darren Galbraith Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI New Zealand Richard Bateman Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII New Zealand Justin Glavish Toyota Starlet
2016 New Zealand Kingsley Jones Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII New Zealand Kingsley Jones Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VII New Zealand Jeff Torkington Toyota MR2
2017 New Zealand Adam Bligh Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII New Zealand Richard Bateman Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX New Zealand David Taylor Honda Civic
2018 New Zealand Grant Blackberry Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X New Zealand Grant Blackberry Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X New Zealand Marcus van Klink Mazda RX-8 New Zealand Matt Adams Mitsubishi Galant VR-4
2019 New Zealand Matt Adams Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX New Zealand Matt Adams Mitsubishi Lancer Evo IX New Zealand Daniel Alexander Toyota Starlet New Zealand Phil Collins Audi Quattro Coupe
2020 No Championship
2021 New Zealand Quentin Palmer Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI New Zealand Quentin Palmer Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI New Zealand Daniel Haines Ford Escort Mk2 Scotland Sean Haggerty Subaru Impreza WRX

Co-Drivers

Year Driver Vehicle

Junior

Drivers

Year Driver Vehicle

Co-Drivers

Year Driver Vehicle

Manufacturers

Year Manufacturer
1994 Japan Subaru
1995 Japan Mitsubishi
1996 Japan Subaru
1997 Japan Mitsubishi
1998 Japan Mitsubishi
1999 Japan Mitsubishi
2000 Japan Mitsubishi
2001 Japan Mitsubishi
2002 Japan Mitsubishi
2003 Japan Mitsubishi
2004 Japan Mitsubishi
2005 Japan Subaru
2006 Japan Subaru
2007 Japan Subaru
2008 Japan Mitsubishi
2009 Japan Subaru
2010 Japan Mitsubishi
2011 Japan Subaru
2012 Japan Subaru
2013 Not Contested
2014 Japan Subaru
2015 Japan Subaru
2016 Japan Mitsubishi
2017 Japan Subaru
2018 South Korea Hyundai
2019 Japan Subaru
2020 No Championship
2021 South Korea Hyundai

Rookie

Drivers

Year Driver Vehicle

Co-Drivers

Year Driver Vehicle

Teams Cup

Year Team Driver / Co-Driver Vehicle
2013 Andrew Simms Mitsubishi New Zealand Chris West
New Zealand Chris Cobham 		Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X
New Zealand Josh Marston
New Zealand Rocky Hudson 		Ford Fiesta R2
New Zealand Jeff Judd
New Zealand Malcolm Read 		Ford Escort RS1800
2014 Team Mason New Zealand Richard Mason
New Zealand Sara Mason 		Subaru Impreza WRX STI
New Zealand Marcus van Klink
New Zealand Dave Neil 		Mazda RX-7
New Zealand Brent Taylor
New Zealand Chris Ramsay 		Toyota 86
2015
-
2016 		Non Contested
2017 New Zealand Matt Summerfield
New Zealand Nicole Summerfield 		Subaru Impreza WRX STI
New Zealand Darren Galbraith
New Zealand Rocky Hudson 		Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII
New Zealand Jack Williamson
New Zealand Brenda Williamson 		Suzuki Swift
2018 Tortoise and the Hare New Zealand Jack Williamson
New Zealand Brenda Williamson 		Subaru Impreza WRX STI R4
New Zealand Hayden Paddon
New Zealand John Kennard 		Hyundai i20 AP4+
2019 Team LJ Hooker New Zealand Dylan Turner
New Zealand Malcolm Read 		Audi S1 AP4+
New Zealand Dylan Thomson
New Zealand Amy Hudson 		Subaru Impreza WRX STI
2020 No Championship
2021 Paddon Rallysport New Zealand Hayden Paddon
New Zealand John Kennard 		Hyundai i20 AP4+
New Zealand Ari Pettigrew
New Zealand Samantha Gray 		BMW 318ti

Multiple Winners

Drivers

Wins Driver Year
5 Richard Mason 2005–2006, 2011–2012, 2014
Hayden Paddon 2008–2009, 2013, 2018, 2021
4 Bruce Herbert 2000–2003
3 Rod Millen 1975–1977
Tony Teesdale 1982, 1984, 1987
Neil Allport 1986, 1989, 1992
Joe McAndrew 1993–1994, 1996
2 Jim Donald 1980–1981
Brian Stokes 1985, 1988
Reece Jones 1995, 1997
Geoff Argyle 1998–1999
Ben Hunt 2015, 2019

Co-Drivers

Wins Co-Driver Year
6 Robert Haldane 1988–1990, 1993–1994, 1996
Rob Ryan 1999–2003, 2007
4 John Kennard 2008–2009, 2013, 2021
Sara Mason 2006, 2011–2012, 2014
3 Tony Rawstorn 2015, 2018–2019
2 Garry Cowan 2004–2005
Leo Bult 1995, 1997

References

  1. ^ "Gold Star Champions | MotorSport New Zealand". www.motorsport.org.nz. Archived from the original on 20 February 2012.
  2. ^ "Gold Star Champions | MotorSport New Zealand". www.motorsport.org.nz. Archived from the original on 20 February 2012.