Hunt claims fourth crown

Ben Hunt has successfully defended his Brian Green Property Group New Zealand Rally Championship (NZRC) crown and won the competition for the fourth time.

He and co-driver Tony Rawstorn guaranteed their 2025 triumph on day one of the season-ending International Rally of Whangarei, where they eventually finished second to Robbie Stokes.

Hunt and Rawstorn won four out of six rounds in a Skoda Fabia Rally 2 this year to repeat their success of 2024.

It means Hunt now joins Hayden Paddon, Richard Mason and Bruce Herbert in the list of drivers to win at least four career championships.

Stokes, also driving a Skoda Fabia Rally 2, was runner-up in the drivers’ standings. 

Jack Hawkeswood finished third overall after claiming the same position on November 9 at Whangarei where he gave his new Vertu Equipment Toyota Yaris Rally 2 its debut.

Skoda New Zealand won the manufacturers’ title, with the company describing its triumphant year as a moment of pride for all its staff.

Alex Brown, general manager, says: “To see our name on both the drivers’ and manufacturers’ trophies is incredibly special. 

“It speaks to the strength of our vehicles, the skill of these drivers and the spirit of collaboration that defines this rally programme.”

Elsewhere in the competition, Bryn Jones (Ford Fiesta Rally 4) took advantage of some late drama for NZRC 2WD rival Tim Mackersy (Ford Fiesta Rally 4) to pick up the class win and secure the overall 2WD title.

Dave Strong (Honda Jazz) had two reasons to celebrate after claiming the Open 2WD class win at Whangarei and the 2025 crown.

It was a tale of two Ford Escorts in the Historic 2WD section, with Tim McIver steering his car to victory in the final round but the overall title was won by Deane Buist.