New Zealand Rally Championship

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.

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 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

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Drivers

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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

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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+

Drivers

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

Co-drivers

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

NZ Rally Challenge Series (4WD)

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Drivers

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

Co-Drivers

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Year Driver Vehicle

Junior

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Drivers

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Year Driver Vehicle

Co-Drivers

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Year Driver Vehicle

Manufacturers

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

Rookie

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Drivers

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Year Driver Vehicle

Co-Drivers

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Year Driver Vehicle

Teams Cup

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

Multiple Winners

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Drivers

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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

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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

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  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.
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