New Zealand Rally Championship Explained

Category:Rallying
Inaugural:1975
Country/Region:New Zealand
Champion Driver: Hayden Paddon
Champion Codriver: John Kennard
Champion Team: Paddon Rallysport
Manufacturer: Hyundai Motor Company
Current Season: New Zealand Rally Championship
Website:nzrallychampionship.co.nz

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]

YearDriverVehicle
1975Rod MillenMazda RX-3
1976Rod MillenMazda RX-3
1977Rod MillenMazda RX-3
1978Blair RobsonFord Escort RS1800
1979Paul AdamsFord Escort RS1800
1980Jim DonaldFord Escort RS1800
1981Jim DonaldFord Escort RS1800
1982Tony TeesdaleFord Escort RS1800
1983Malcolm StewartFord Escort RS1800
1984Tony TeesdaleNissan 240RS
1985Brian StokesFord Escort RS
1986Neil AllportMazda RX-7
1987Tony TeesdaleMG Metro 6R4
1988Brian StokesFord Sierra 4x4
1989Neil AllportMazda 323 4WD
1990David AylingMazda 323 4WD
1991Possum BourneSubaru Legacy
1992Neil AllportMazda 323 GTX
1993Joe McAndrewSubaru Legacy
1994Joe McAndrewSubaru Legacy
1995Reece JonesMitsubishi Lancer Evolution
1996Joe McAndrewSubaru Legacy
1997Reece JonesMitsubishi Lancer Evolution
1998Geoff ArgyleMitsubishi Lancer Evolution
1999Geoff ArgyleMitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2000Bruce HerbertMitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2001Bruce HerbertSubaru Impreza WRX
2002Bruce HerbertSubaru Impreza WRX
2003Bruce HerbertSubaru Impreza WRX
2004Chris WestSubaru Impreza WRX
2005Richard MasonSubaru Impreza WRX
2006Richard MasonSubaru Impreza WRX
2007Sam MurraySubaru Impreza WRX
2008Hayden PaddonMitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2009Hayden PaddonMitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2010Dean SumnerMitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2011Richard MasonSubaru Impreza WRX
2012Richard MasonSubaru Impreza WRX
2013Hayden PaddonMitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2014Richard MasonSubaru Impreza WRX
2015Ben HuntSubaru Impreza WRX
2016David HolderMitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2017Andrew HawkeswoodMazda 2 AP4+
2018Hayden PaddonHyundai i20 AP4+
2019Ben HuntSubaru Impreza WRX STI
2020No 2020 Championship
2021Hayden PaddonHyundai i20 AP4+
2022Hayden PaddonHyundai i20 AP4+
2023Hayden PaddonHyundai i20 N Rally2

Co-Drivers

Sourced from:[2]

YearCo-DriverVehicle
1987Greg HorneMG Metro 6R4
1988Robert HaldaneFord Sierra 4x4
1989Robert HaldaneMazda 323 4WD
1990Robert HaldaneMazda 323 4WD
1991Rodger FreethSubaru Legacy
1992Jim RobbMazda 323 GTX
1993Robert HaldaneSubaru Legacy
1994Robert HaldaneSubaru Legacy
1995Leo BultMitsubishi Lancer Evolution
1996Robert HaldaneSubaru Legacy
1997Leo BultMitsubishi Lancer Evolution
1998Alan GlenMitsubishi Lancer Evolution
1999Rob RyanMitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2000Rob RyanMitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2001Rob RyanSubaru Impreza WRX
2002Rob RyanSubaru Impreza WRX
2003Rob RyanSubaru Impreza WRX
2004Garry CowanSubaru Impreza WRX
2005Garry CowanSubaru Impreza WRX
2006Sara RandallSubaru Impreza WRX
2007Rob RyanSubaru Impreza WRX
2008John KennardMitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2009John KennardMitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2010Paul FallonMitsubishi Lancer Evolution
2011Sara MasonSubaru Impreza WRX
2012Sara MasonSubaru Impreza WRX
2013John KennardMitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2014Sara MasonSubaru Impreza WRX
2015Tony RawstornSubaru Impreza WRX
2016Jason FarmerMitsubishi Lancer Evo IX
2017Jeff CressMazda 2 AP4+
2018Tony RawstornSubaru Impreza WRX STI
2019Tony RawstornSubaru Impreza WRX STI
2020No 2020 Championship
2021John Kennard
2022John Kennard
2023John Kennard

2WD

Drivers

YearClassDriverVehicle
2006Historics Robert MurrayMazda RX-7
2007FIA 2WD Mark TapperFord Fiesta ST
Historics Eaun FugeMazda RX-3
2008FIA 2WD Patrick MalleyFord Fiesta ST
Historics Robert WylieNissan 240RS
2009FIA 2WD Ben JaggerFord Fiesta ST
Historics Mike CameronMitsubishi Lancer
2010FIA 2WD Stephen BarkerFord Fiesta ST
Historics Regan RossFord Escort
2011FIA 2WD Ben HuntFord Fiesta ST
Historics Robert WylieNissan 240RS
2012FIA 2WD Ben HuntFord Fiesta ST
Open 2WD David HolderToyota Levin
Historics Marcus van KlinkMazda RX-7
2013Overall Josh MarstonFord Fiesta R2
FIA 2WD Josh MarstonFord Fiesta R2
Open 2WD Hamish AndersonToyota Levin
Historics Dean BuistFord Escort RS1800
2014Overall Max BayleyFord Fiesta R2
FIA 2WD Max BayleyFord Fiesta R2
Open 2WD Hamish AndersonToyota Levin
Historics Marcus van KlinkMazda RX-7
2015Overall Max BayleyFord Fiesta R2
FIA 2WD Max BayleyFord Fiesta R2
Open 2WDNot Awarded
Historics Marcus van KlinkMazda RX-7
2016Overall Dave StrongHonda Civic
FIA 2WD Max BayleyFord Fiesta R2
Open 2WD Dave StrongHonda Civic
Historics Marcus van KlinkMazda RX-7
2017Overall Dylan ThomsonFord Fiesta ST
FIA 2WD Dylan ThomsonFord Fiesta ST
Open 2WD Anthony JonesFord Escort
Historics Tony GoslingFord Escort
2018Overall Dylan ThomsonFord Fiesta ST
FIA 2WD Dylan ThomsonFord Fiesta ST
Open 2WD Marcus van KlinkMazda RX-8
Historics John SilcockMazda RX-7
2019Overall Marcus van KlinkMazda RX-8
FIA 2WD Mike SheehanFord Fiesta R2
Open 2WD Marcus van KlinkMazda RX-8
Historics Jeff JuddFord Escort
2020No 2020 Championship
2021Overall Dylan ThomsonFord Fiesta ST
FIA 2WD Dylan ThomsonFord Fiesta ST
Open 2WD Ari PettigrewBMW 318ti
Historics Anthony JonesFord Escort

Co-drivers

YearClassDriverVehicle
2006Historics Deborah KibbleMazda RX-7
2007FIA 2WD Jeff CressFord Fiesta ST
Historics Mike GibbsMazda RX-3
2008FIA 2WD Raymond BennettFord Fiesta ST
Historics Paul TurnerNissan 240RS
2009FIA 2WD Ben HawkinsFord Fiesta ST
Historics Helen CameronMitsubishi Lancer
2010FIA 2WD Richard EllisFord Fiesta ST
Historics Darren GalbraithFord Escort
2011FIA 2WD Tony RawstornFord Fiesta ST
Historics Tim SmithNissan 240RS
2012FIA 2WD Tony RawstornFord Fiesta ST
Open 2WD James HolderToyota Levin
Historics Dave NeilMazda RX-7
2013Overall Venita FabbroFord Fiesta R2
FIA 2WD Venita FabbroFord Fiesta R2
Open 2WD Sarah BrennanToyota Levin
Historics Andrew BullmanFord Escort RS1800
2014Overall Phillip DeakinFord Fiesta R2
FIA 2WD Phillip DeakinFord Fiesta R2
Open 2WD Sarah BrennanToyota Levin
Historics Dave NeilMazda RX-7
2015Overall Donna ElderFord Fiesta R2
FIA 2WD Donna ElderFord Fiesta R2
Open 2WDNot Awarded
Historics Dave NeilMazda RX-7
2016Overall Bruce McKenzieHonda Civic
FIA 2WD Lisa HudsonFord Fiesta R2
Open 2WD Bruce McKenzieHonda Civic
Historics Dave NeilMazda RX-7
2017Overall Amy HudsonFord Fiesta ST
FIA 2WD Amy HudsonFord Fiesta ST
Open 2WD Tanya GwynneFord Escort
Historics Blair ReidFord Escort
2018Overall Amy HudsonFord Fiesta ST
FIA 2WD Amy HudsonFord Fiesta ST
Open 2WD Dave NeilMazda RX-8
Historics Samantha GrayFord Escort
2019Overall Dave NeilMazda RX-8
FIA 2WD Glenn GoldringFord Fiesta R2
Open 2WD Dave NeilMazda RX-8
Historics Sarah BrennanFord Escort
2020No 2020 Championship
2021Overall Amy HudsonFord Fiesta ST
FIA 2WD Amy HudsonFord Fiesta ST
Open 2WD Samantha GrayBMW 318ti
Historics Zoe JonesFord Escort

NZ Rally Challenge Series (4WD)

Drivers

YearOverall4WD2WDClassic 4WD
DriverVehicleDriverVehicleDriverVehicleDriverVehicle
2013 Graham FeatherstoneMitsubishi Lancer Evo VII Graham FeatherstoneMitsubishi Lancer Evo VII David RalphToyota Starlet
2014 Darren GalbraithMitsubishi Lancer Evo VI Darren GalbraithMitsubishi Lancer Evo VI Jeff TorkingtonToyota MR2
2015 Darren GalbraithMitsubishi Lancer Evo VI Richard BatemanMitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII Justin GlavishToyota Starlet
2016 Kingsley JonesMitsubishi Lancer Evo VII Kingsley JonesMitsubishi Lancer Evo VII Jeff TorkingtonToyota MR2
2017 Adam BlighMitsubishi Lancer Evo VIII Richard BatemanMitsubishi Lancer Evo IX David TaylorHonda Civic
2018 Grant BlackberryMitsubishi Lancer Evo X Grant BlackberryMitsubishi Lancer Evo X Marcus van KlinkMazda RX-8 Matt AdamsMitsubishi Galant VR-4
2019 Matt AdamsMitsubishi Lancer Evo IX Matt AdamsMitsubishi Lancer Evo IX Daniel AlexanderToyota Starlet Phil Collins
2020No Championship
2021 Quentin PalmerMitsubishi Lancer Evo VI Quentin Palmer Mitsubishi Lancer Evo VI Daniel HainesFord Escort Mk2 Sean HaggertySubaru Impreza WRX

Co-Drivers

Junior

Co-Drivers

Manufacturers

YearManufacturer
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
2013Not Contested
2014 Subaru
2015 Subaru
2016 Mitsubishi
2017 Subaru
2018 Hyundai
2019 Subaru
2020No Championship
2021 Hyundai

Rookie

Co-Drivers

Teams Cup

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

Multiple Winners

Drivers

WinsDriverYear
5Richard Mason2005–2006, 2011–2012, 2014
Hayden Paddon2008–2009, 2013, 2018, 2021
4Bruce Herbert2000–2003
3Rod Millen1975–1977
Tony Teesdale1982, 1984, 1987
Neil Allport1986, 1989, 1992
Joe McAndrew1993–1994, 1996
2Jim Donald1980–1981
Brian Stokes1985, 1988
Reece Jones1995, 1997
Geoff Argyle1998–1999
Ben Hunt2015, 2019

Co-Drivers

WinsCo-DriverYear
6Robert Haldane1988–1990, 1993–1994, 1996
Rob Ryan1999–2003, 2007
4John Kennard2008–2009, 2013, 2021
Sara Mason2006, 2011–2012, 2014
3Tony Rawstorn2015, 2018–2019
2Garry Cowan2004–2005
Leo Bult1995, 1997

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Gold Star Champions MotorSport New Zealand . www.motorsport.org.nz . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120220143427/http://www.motorsport.org.nz/content/gold-star-champions . 2012-02-20.
  2. Web site: Gold Star Champions MotorSport New Zealand . www.motorsport.org.nz . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120220143427/http://www.motorsport.org.nz/content/gold-star-champions . 2012-02-20.

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