The New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) is New Zealand's leading rallying championship. A multi-event national championship has been held each year since 1977. 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, Rally2, 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. In the 2000s Hayden Paddon 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. Most recently Zeal Jones has used the series to gain valuable skills and experience to get a spot in the Toyota GAZOO Racing WRC Challenge Program.
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 Otago Rally and International Rally of Whangarei are also rounds of the NZRC as well as being rounds of the Asia-Pacific Rally Championship. The current 2026 championship also has events based in Canterbury, Southland, Hawke's Bay, and Bay of Plenty regions.
2026 Calendar The 2026 season is scheduled to be contested over six rounds in Otago, Canterbury, Southland, Hawke's Bay, Northland, and Bay of Plenty. RoundDateRallyOrganising ClubRally HeadquartersSurfaceStagesCompetitive DistanceRef.110–12 AprilOtago RallyOtago Sports Car ClubDunedin, Otago, New ZealandGravel16284.26 km231 MayCanterbury RallyAutosport Car ClubRangiora, Canterbury, New ZealandGravel9128.75 km318 JulyRally SouthlandEastern Southland Car ClubInvercargill, Southland, New ZealandGravel7159.20 km422 AugustRally Hawke's BayHawke's Bay Car ClubNapier, Hawke's Bay, New ZealandGravel5122.72 km525-27 SeptemberRally of WhangareiRally New Zealand Club IncWhangarei, Northland, New ZealandGravel18288.51 km631 OctoberRally Bay of PlentyRally Bay of PlentyTauranga, Bay of Plenty, New ZealandGravel9162.18 km
Champions Source: Drivers Sourced from: YearDriverVehicle 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 Rally22024https://www.chrisarchive.co.nz/archives/events/Ben HuntŠkoda Fabia Rally2 evo2025https://www.chrisarchive.co.nz/archives/events/Ben HuntŠkoda Fabia Rally2 evo2026Jack HawkeswoodToyota GR Yaris Rally2
Co-Drivers Sourced from: YearCo-DriverVehicle 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 N Rally22024Tony RawstornŠkoda Fabia Rally2 evo2025Tony RawstornŠkoda Fabia Rally2 evo2026Jason FarmerToyota GR Yaris Rally2
2WD Drivers YearClassDriverVehicle2006Historics Robert MurrayMazda RX-72007FIA 2WD Mark TapperFord Fiesta STHistorics Eaun FugeMazda RX-32008FIA 2WD Patrick MalleyFord Fiesta STHistorics Robert WylieNissan 240RS2009FIA 2WD Ben JaggerFord Fiesta STHistorics Mike CameronMitsubishi Lancer2010FIA 2WD Stephen BarkerFord Fiesta STHistorics Regan RossFord Escort2011FIA 2WD Ben HuntFord Fiesta STHistorics Robert WylieNissan 240RS2012FIA 2WD Ben HuntFord Fiesta STOpen 2WD David HolderToyota LevinHistorics Marcus van KlinkMazda RX-72013Overall Josh MarstonFord Fiesta R2FIA 2WD Josh MarstonFord Fiesta R2Open 2WD Hamish AndersonToyota LevinHistorics Dean BuistFord Escort RS18002014Overall Max BayleyFord Fiesta R2FIA 2WD Max BayleyFord Fiesta R2Open 2WD Hamish AndersonToyota LevinHistorics Marcus van KlinkMazda RX-72015Overall Max BayleyFord Fiesta R2FIA 2WD Max BayleyFord Fiesta R2Open 2WDNot AwardedHistorics Marcus van KlinkMazda RX-72016Overall Dave StrongHonda CivicFIA 2WD Max BayleyFord Fiesta R2Open 2WD Dave StrongHonda CivicHistorics Marcus van KlinkMazda RX-72017Overall Dylan ThomsonFord Fiesta STFIA 2WD Dylan ThomsonFord Fiesta STOpen 2WD Anthony JonesFord EscortHistorics Tony GoslingFord Escort2018Overall Dylan ThomsonFord Fiesta STFIA 2WD Dylan ThomsonFord Fiesta STOpen 2WD Marcus van KlinkMazda RX-8Historics John SilcockMazda RX-72019Overall Marcus van KlinkMazda RX-8FIA 2WD Mike SheehanFord Fiesta R2Open 2WD Marcus van KlinkMazda RX-8Historics Jeff JuddFord Escort2020No 2020 Championship2021Overall Dylan ThomsonFord Fiesta STFIA 2WD Dylan ThomsonFord Fiesta STOpen 2WD Ari PettigrewBMW 318tiHistorics Anthony JonesFord Escort2022Overall Dylan ThomsonFord Fiesta STFIA 2WD Dylan ThomsonFord Fiesta STOpen 2WD Daniel HainesFord EscortHistorics John SilcockMazda RX-72023Overall Dylan ThomsonFord Fiesta Rally4FIA 2WD Dylan ThomsonFord Fiesta Rally4Open 2WD Daniel HainesFord EscortHistorics John SilcockMazda RX-72024Overall Dylan ThomsonFord Fiesta Rally4FIA 2WD Dylan ThomsonFord Fiesta Rally4Open 2WD William HawesToyota 86Historics Paul FraserFord Escort2025Overall Bryn JonesFord Fiesta Rally4FIA 2WD Bryn JonesFord Fiesta Rally4Open 2WD Dave StrongHonda JazzHistorics Deane BuistFord Escort
Co-drivers YearClassDriverVehicle2006Historics Deborah KibbleMazda RX-72007FIA 2WD Jeff CressFord Fiesta STHistorics Mike GibbsMazda RX-32008FIA 2WD Raymond BennettFord Fiesta STHistorics Paul TurnerNissan 240RS2009FIA 2WD Ben HawkinsFord Fiesta STHistorics Helen CameronMitsubishi Lancer2010FIA 2WD Richard EllisFord Fiesta STHistorics Darren GalbraithFord Escort2011FIA 2WD Tony RawstornFord Fiesta STHistorics Tim SmithNissan 240RS2012FIA 2WD Tony RawstornFord Fiesta STOpen 2WD James HolderToyota LevinHistorics Dave NeilMazda RX-72013Overall Venita FabbroFord Fiesta R2FIA 2WD Venita FabbroFord Fiesta R2Open 2WD Sarah BrennanToyota LevinHistorics Andrew BullmanFord Escort RS18002014Overall Phillip DeakinFord Fiesta R2FIA 2WD Phillip DeakinFord Fiesta R2Open 2WD Sarah BrennanToyota LevinHistorics Dave NeilMazda RX-72015Overall Donna ElderFord Fiesta R2FIA 2WD Donna ElderFord Fiesta R2Open 2WDNot AwardedHistorics Dave NeilMazda RX-72016Overall Bruce McKenzieHonda CivicFIA 2WD Lisa HudsonFord Fiesta R2Open 2WD Bruce McKenzieHonda CivicHistorics Dave NeilMazda RX-72017Overall Amy HudsonFord Fiesta STFIA 2WD Amy HudsonFord Fiesta STOpen 2WD Tanya GwynneFord EscortHistorics Blair ReidFord Escort2018Overall Amy HudsonFord Fiesta STFIA 2WD Amy HudsonFord Fiesta STOpen 2WD Dave NeilMazda RX-8Historics Samantha GrayFord Escort2019Overall Dave NeilMazda RX-8FIA 2WD Glenn GoldringFord Fiesta R2Open 2WD Dave NeilMazda RX-8Historics Sarah BrennanFord Escort2020No 2020 Championship2021Overall Amy HudsonFord Fiesta STFIA 2WD Amy HudsonFord Fiesta STOpen 2WD Samantha GrayBMW 318tiHistorics Zoe JonesFord Escort2022Overall Brayden ThomsonFord Fiesta Rally4FIA 2WD Brayden ThomsonFord Fiesta Rally4Open 2WD Matt PriestFord Escort Mk2Historics Donna ElderMazda RX-72023Overall Brayden ThomsonFord Fiesta Rally4FIA 2WD Brayden ThomsonFord Fiesta Rally4Open 2WD Matt PriestFord Escort Mk2Historics Donna ElderMazda RX-72024Overall Brayden ThomsonFord Fiesta Rally4FIA 2WD Brayden ThomsonFord Fiesta Rally4Open 2WD Jason DwyerToyota 86Historics Helen CameronMitsubishi Lancer2025Overall Sean LockyearFord Fiesta Rally4FIA 2WD Sean LockyearFord Fiesta Rally4Open 2WD Rob ScottHonda JazzHistorics Karl CelesteFord Escort
NZ Rally Challenge Series (4WD) Drivers YearOverall4WD2WDClassic 4WDDriverVehicleDriverVehicleDriverVehicleDriverVehicle2013 Graham FeatherstoneMitsubishi Lancer Evo VII Graham FeatherstoneMitsubishi Lancer Evo VII David RalphToyota Starlet2014 Darren GalbraithMitsubishi Lancer Evo VI Darren GalbraithMitsubishi Lancer Evo VI Jeff TorkingtonToyota MR22015 Darren GalbraithMitsubishi Lancer Evo VI Richard BatemanMitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII Justin GlavishToyota Starlet2016 Kingsley JonesMitsubishi Lancer Evo VII Kingsley JonesMitsubishi Lancer Evo VII Jeff TorkingtonToyota MR22017 Adam BlighMitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII Richard BatemanMitsubishi Lancer Evo IX David TaylorHonda Civic2018 Grant BlackberryMitsubishi Lancer Evo X Grant BlackberryMitsubishi Lancer Evo X Marcus van KlinkMazda RX-8 Matt AdamsMitsubishi Galant VR-42019 Matt AdamsMitsubishi Lancer Evo IX Matt AdamsMitsubishi Lancer Evo IX Daniel AlexanderToyota Starlet Phil CollinsAudi Quattro Coupe 2020No Championship2021 Quentin PalmerMitsubishi Lancer Evo VI Quentin Palmer Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI Daniel HainesFord Escort Mk2 Sean HaggartySubaru Impreza WRX2022 Jeff WardSubaru Impreza Jeff WardSubaru Impreza2023 Zeal JonesSubaru Impreza Zeal JonesSubaru Impreza2024 Andrew GravesMitsubishi Lancer Evo 3 Andrew GravesMitsubishi Lancer Evo 3 Jared ParkerToyota FX Corolla Andrew GravesMitsubishi Lancer Evo 32025 Caleb MacDonaldMitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 Caleb MacDonaldMitsubishi Lancer Evo 6 Ian WarrenNissan Pulsar Josh KeighleySubaru Impreza H6
Junior Drivers Championship